IBM: We distributed malware-ridden USB drives

ronjor · May 21, 2010

by Elinor Mills

IBM is apologizing for handing out USB drives at a security conference in Australia this week that had malware on them.

The thumb drives were distributed for free to people who walked up to the IBM booth at the AusCERT conference.

"Unfortunately we have discovered that some of these USB keys contained malware and we suspect that all USB keys may be affected," Glenn Wightwick, chief technologist at IBM Australia, wrote in a letter to AusCERT delegates that was reprinted on the Beast or Buddha blog.
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Article

Cudni · May 21, 2010

"..
And it's not a first for the AusCERT conference, either. Two years ago malware was found on USB drives handed out by Telstra at the show.
To be fair, it can happen to anyone. HP shipped out USB drives in 2008 that had a worm.
..

.."
and will happen again? but then

"..
The message here: disable AutoRun in Windows or be wary of USB, particularly freebies, or both.

.."

1boss1 · May 23, 2010

To find out whether a drive is infected, HP recommends inserting it into a system with up-to-date antivirus software. Systems with up-to-date antivirus should be protected from the threat, according to HP.
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Thanks IBM, i'll be plugging your potentially infected media in to my machine at the earliest possible convenience.

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IBM: We distributed malware-ridden USB drives

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