“Dog Wars” app is zapped by hackers
Animal rights activists are being blamed — though without much proof — for sabotaging the Android app “Dog Wars” by infecting it with a virus that sends out a message from the user’s cell phone to all of that user’s cell phone contacts.
“I take pleasure in hurting small animals, just thought you should know that,” the message reads.
PC Magazine reports that:
Upon installation, the Trojan launches a display icon that mimics the legitimate one: instead of “BETA,” it reads “PETA.” This syncs your device to PETA’s text messaging system. Symantec directed us to instructions on PETA’s website on how to remove yourself from this alert system.
Symantec, which first reported the malware, said it did not think it came from the People of Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). “It is more likely the work of someone attempting to associate the app with PETA or to gain sympathy by the association,” Symantec wrote.
PETA, other animal welfare organizations, and even Michael Vick, had criticized the app, in which players can vie to become big-time pretend dogfighters. It was subsequently removed from Google’s Android Market. It is still available from third party app markets and warez sites.
Developer Kage Productions countered the criticism by saying “It is JUST a video game … Just because something is illegal in real life does not mean it is illegal to make a song, movie, or video game about it.”
(Graphic from PC Magazine)
Posted by jwoestendiek August 18th, 2011 under Muttsblog.
Tags: android, app, applications, cell phone, dog wars, games, kage productions, malware, message, PC magazine, peta, symantec, virus
Comments
Comment from Anne’n'Spencer
Time August 18, 2011 at 8:51 am
This is one of those times when it’s no fun to work in information technologies. Good Anne is censoriously sniffing, “Hacking is never a good idea.” Bad Anne is cheering them on. Apparently Animal Loving Anne is siding with Bad Anne. Boy, do I have a lot of personalities.
Comment from Smoketoomuch
Time August 19, 2011 at 3:01 pm
I’m siding with “Bad Anne” and “Animal Loving Anne” (although I’m also forced to agree with “Good Anne”). Gee, does that mean I have multiple personality disorder also? :>)
I suppose it’s the ‘dog lover’ in me that questions why anyone with a pure heart would even want that particular bit of software on one of their devices.
Comment from Sue
Time August 18, 2011 at 7:50 am
I can’t help it. I love the message this trojan horse sends. A pc virus couldn’t happen to more appropriate “victims” than those who’ve downloaded and play this vicious “game.”