Working Man e.g March 2014 | Page 7

Working Man 3

This makes the virus very strong because it can spread very easily and quickly and computers cannot detect it. Scientists are using the information retrieved from this experiment to make security of the computers better. Because if hackers start making this kind of virus, it will spread a lot and will affect the entire world in a very little time.

Scientists discovered that the virus followed the same or similar patters that the viruses that affect human beings, spreading faster where there is more population, and slower where there is less. It has a long range for the infection but it is not very long, approximately 50 meters is the longest range in which it can spread quickly but if it is a longer range, it will also spread but it will be a lot slower, like with biological viruses.

According to Emirates 24/7, Alan Marshall, Professor of Network Security at the University, said: “When Chameleon attacked an AP, it didn’t affect how it worked, but was able to collect and report the credentials of all other Wi-Fi users who connected to it. The virus then sought out other Wi-Fi APs that it could connect to and infect.”

According to Emirates 24/7, in the article “Beware of contagious airborne WiFi virus” wrote by Vicky Kapur in February 26, 2014, “The Chameleon virus employs a WLAN attack technique which independently infects and propagates amongst WiFi AP embedded systems, the research notes. The propagation of the virus effectively constitutes an advanced rogue AP attack which is unique in that it occupies the exact location of the victim device, it adds.”