Telstra distributes malware-infected USB drives at AusCERT

Telstra is red-faced after handing out malware-infected USB drives to tutorial attendees at the AusCERT security conference on the Gold Coast.

AusCERT's marketing manager Claire Groves confirmed the deliciously ironic snafu.

"It was only yesterday at (a) tutorial," she said. "Telstra handed out USB sticks which they didn't know were infected."

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 "As soon as they found out they recalled them," Groves added.

Groves says McAfee has examined the malware and deemed the risk to users from the rogue drives as "low."

A tipster told SearchSecurity.com.au the virii were of the "autorun" variety.

Telstra spokesman John Short was unavailable for comment at the time of writing.

The AusCERT security conference was attended by up to 1200 delegates on the Gold Coast this week. To listen to selected presentations, click here.