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Definition: Flame virus


A very sophisticated cyber espionage virus targeting computers in the Middle East and discovered in 2012. A very large and complex virus that uses various methods to hide itself and spoof antivirus software, Flame was designed to grab local and network data, including Skype video sessions. Also called "Flamer" and "SkyWiper," unlike Stuxnet, which was targeted at industrial controllers, Flame is a general-purpose virus for Windows PCs that can be remotely commanded to perform myriad surveillance tasks. See Stuxnet.