6 replies to this topic

[NeonWizard]

Security technology company Symantec reported Thursday that it has analyzed what it believes to be the first known threat to 64-bit Windows systems, a virus labeled W64.Rugrat.3344.

Representatives at the Cupertino, Calif.-based company were quick to point out that the threat was merely a so-called proof-of-concept virus--a worm developed by someone to show that vulnerabilities are present in a particular type of system--and not a virus already spreading in the wild. However, Oliver Friedrichs, senior manager of Symantec's Security Response Team, said W64.Rugrat.3344 can attack 64-bit Microsoft Windows files successfully. He said the virus does not infect 32-bit files and will not run on 32-bit Windows systems.

Since 64-bit systems have yet to proliferate widely, Symantec maintains that the virus does not yet represent a serious threat.

"We always see early adopters trying to find a way to attack new technology right away, as we did with 32-bit, so it's not surprising to see this," Friedrichs said. "But we do expect to see more of these, as 64-bit technology becomes more prominent."

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[wawadave]

if its in the lab won,t be long till its in the wild!

[SpywareDestroyer]

I think that the virus makers are trying to target more 64 bit computers now.

[Tuxedo Jack]

It would make sense; 64-bit machines have more processing power and therefore are more valuable to their botnets and "distributed computing networks" than common 32-bit machines.

[Mr. Swenk]

Could someone clarify me as to whats the difference?
I dont personaly know that difference.

[Tuxedo Jack]

They're different CPU architectures.

64-bit allows the machine to address more memory and hard drive space; 32-bit allows it to access less.

64-bit's max RAM capacity is something like 8GB, I think; check with Apple.

[Mr. Swenk]

8GB ram!! WOW!

I am extremely impressed! I wish I could change the one in my laptop, but unfortunatly its a rental, and I still have 1 year with it, until I get my new rental.