Documentation has been released explaining how to write a virus for Linux ELF programs. The move dispels the myth that the Linux operating system cannot get viruses.
Linux Journal, in its January issue, made the admission, but refused to publish any code as they didn’t want to contribute to the ongoing problem.
However, whilst the news may excite technology experts, Linux user Eric Hansen, in his online blog, said virus writers won’t focus on Linux – even if code is available – as it is owns only a small percentage of the operating system market.
Hansen wrote: “What these virus authors seem to not realize though is the benefits of attacking servers. Linux is to servers as Windows is to PCs.
“As of this writing, *nix systems hold a 63.5 per cent hold on servers, compared to 36.5 per cent for Windows. This isn’t by any means a de-facto standard, but is meant to give you an idea as to the market share Linux servers have (nor is this meant to insult Windows).”
Hansen said Linux users need to be more proactive about viruses and ‘go after the big boys’. He added: “Typically more sensitive information can be found on servers, especially when weak (or no) security is put in place. Database passwords, for example, are typically stored in an easy-to-figure-out hashing algorithm (at least they better be hashed).
“If someone gains access to that SQL server, credit card info, e-mail passwords, addresses, etc… can all be stolen. If a single person can do this on their own, just imagine what an automated process (virus) can do.”