Security expert: Virus writers are winning
Grok Headline matches for Security expert: Virus writers are winning
Security expert Q&A: The virus writers
are winning
Security expert Q&A: The virus writers
are winning
08/05/2004 09:06 AMVirus writers winning the war, says
Microsoft
Virus writers winning the war, says
Microsoft
12/04/2003 06:02 PMCreators of computer viruses are winning the battle with law enforcers
and getting away with crimes that cost the global economy some
US$13bil (RM49bil) this year, a Microsoft official said Wednesday.
David Finn, Microsoft's director of digital integrity for Europe, the
Middle East and Africa, cited estimates by BusinessWeek that financial
damage this year from bugs like the Blaster worm and the SoBig.F
e-mail virus, which crashed systems and disrupted Internet traffic
around the world, would total some US$13bil.
The cost of protecting networks against such cyberattacks was put at
US$3.8bil (RM14.4bil).
Microsoft Creates Anti-Virus Bounty To
Help Track Down Virus Writers
Microsoft Creates Anti-Virus Bounty To
Help Track Down Virus Writers
11/05/2003 10:59 AMWhat do you if you're in an unchartered area with no reasonable law
enforcement, and criminals are running rampant? You convince everyone
to become the "enforcement" arm and find someone rich enough to pay
them to help fight crime. Microsoft can't be bothered to fix a few of
the holes in their programs that make it incredibly easy to pass on
viruses, so instead, they're
setting aside $5 million for anti-virus bounty hunters who can
track down anyone responsible for worms, trojan horses or viruses.
The rewards will be given out in $250,000
wads of cash from
Bill Gates wallet increments. So, now, who's going to round
up an anti-virus posse?
Virus writers look for work
Virus writers look for work
09/13/2004 08:50 AMVirus writers in the wild
Virus writers in the wild
04/28/2004 10:29 AMVirus Writers Stuck In A Rut?
Virus Writers Stuck In A Rut?
11/03/2003 12:21 PMAnti-virus companies love to get people worked up into a lather about
all the virus threats out there, because it helps them sell more
product. So, it wasn't much of a surprise that, following the "big"
virus and trojan horse problems in August, the anti-virus "experts"
started warning that this was just a prelude to something worse, and
that we should expect even more virus problems as soon as the current
viruses died out. While it is good to keep users vigilant about virus
things, these announcements served more to make people ignore the real
problem: the anti-virus companies
failed. Of course, you don't
hear them speaking up now about the fact that their original
predictions of "the next wave" of viruses immediately following the
last wave
appears not to have come true. Especially with the SoBig
virus, we were told that the next version was supposed to appear in
September sometime, but that never happened. Of course, it's good
when we don't have virus outbreaks - and I have no doubt that they
will come again - but once again we have a situation where the
anti-virus folks seemed to hype things up beyond necessary.
Virus writers have girlfriends -
official
Virus writers have girlfriends -
official
04/15/2005 12:14 PMAnd some don't even need inflating
Gizza job, virus writers ask AV industry
Gizza job, virus writers ask AV industry
09/10/2004 01:02 PMHidden message in latest MyDoom worm
First Thing, We Kill All The Virus
Writers...
First Thing, We Kill All The Virus
Writers...
05/26/2004 07:41 PMOver at Slate, Steven Landsburg has come up with something of a
"modest proposal" that doesn't actually seem all that tongue in cheek
where he tries to
make an
economic argument that we should just kill all virus writers -
arguing that this makes more economic sense than killing murderers.
He even admits that his numbers are rough estimates, and
unfortunately, it looks like he's using some of the hyped up virus
damage estimates that
have no
basis in reality. There are ton of other incorrect assumptions in
the piece (including how evenly distributed both the costs and the
benefits of getting rid of viruses would be) that make it kind of
silly all around. However, Ernest Miller makes the best point when he
wonders why Landsburg doesn't
advocate
killing some of those scamming company executives that have become
so popular these days, who, you could argue did a lot more damage.
And, that, in general is the problem with this argument. You could
find plenty of actions that appear to have "cost" the industry
billions of dollars and then suggest we execute those responsible -
but it's a narrow view of what factors are actually impacting the
"economy" involved. For example, Landsburg leaves out the fact that
if we got rid of all the virus writers, it would kill the
anti-virus/security industry, which seems to contribute plenty of
money to the economy as well. Where Landsburg is right is the
importance of trying to quantify the costs and benefits to various
actions. However, where he sets a dreadful example is in focusing so
narrowly that he doesn't admit that there are other consequences to
his proposal that play into those costs and benefits.
Virus writers have a price on their head
Virus writers have a price on their head
11/06/2003 08:51 AMvnunet.com Nov 6 2003 8:14AM ET
No Summer Vacation for Virus Writers
No Summer Vacation for Virus Writers
06/28/2004 01:33 PMA new development in virus evolution reared its ugly head last week.
Learning From Virus Writers Instead Of
Killing Them
Learning From Virus Writers Instead Of
Killing Them
05/27/2004 12:11 PMWhile yesterday we wrote about the
econo
mic argument for killing virus writers, today, we've got a piece
by Michael Schrage discussing
th
e economics of learning from virus writers. He discusses
the difference between "compete with" and "compete against"
competition - the first being where the two sides compete in the
marketplace to try to offer better and better products (leading to
increased value for the consumer) and the second being where (at
least) one side tries to compete by killing off the other side (that
is, negative value creation). Thus, instead of just trying to kill
off virus writers (perhaps both literally and figuratively), we should
learn how to compete
with them - not against them. That is,
even if it's for bad reasons, they are being very innovative in how
they go about creating their malware. The trick is to turn that
around and use it to build better products that can keep out the
malware, rather than focus in on stomping out those behind the
attacks.
Strategies to beat the virus writers
Strategies to beat the virus writers
01/16/2004 11:27 AMThe Economics of Executing Virus Writers
The Economics of Executing Virus Writers
05/27/2004 10:35 AMVirus writers focus on image bug
Virus writers focus on image bug
09/24/2004 05:16 AMBBC Sep 24 2004 9:33AM GMT
Sober judgement for virus writers
Sober judgement for virus writers
12/03/2003 12:41 AMPersonal Computer World Dec 3 2003 0:05AM ET
Microsoft offers $500,000 bounty for
virus writers
Microsoft offers $500,000 bounty for
virus writers
11/05/2003 03:36 PMIrish Times Nov 5 2003 3:20PM ET
Microsoft puts bounty on virus writers
Microsoft puts bounty on virus writers
11/05/2003 04:46 PMZDNet Nov 5 2003 3:41PM ET
Microsoft bounty to disrupt virus
writers?
Microsoft bounty to disrupt virus
writers?
11/05/2003 09:24 PMCNET Nov 5 2003 8:36PM ET
MyDoom Shows Virus Writers New Tricks
MyDoom Shows Virus Writers New Tricks
07/27/2004 06:29 PMMyDoom.O could not have reached critical mass at a worse time for
Google. The high anticipation for its IPO was darkened by the worm's
ability to shut down the No.1 search engine temporarily.
Microsoft offers $500,000 to catch virus
writers
Microsoft offers $500,000 to catch virus
writers
11/05/2003 05:58 PMThe unprecedented lure of cash was seen as a way to generate new leads
for a cyber dragnet aimed at snaring the bug-writers.
Microsoft Offers A Bounty On Virus
Writers
Microsoft Offers A Bounty On Virus
Writers
11/05/2003 07:32 AMAre Virus Writers Creating a Super Worm?
Are Virus Writers Creating a Super Worm?
06/06/2005 12:13 AMVirus writers responsible for the recent rash of Mytob worm variants
could be working on creating a super worm, a security researcher
warns. The "HellBot" group behind the Mytob worms write
programming instructions in their code that mirror the way developers
work, says Sophos Security Consultant Carole Theriault. "The only
conclusion we can come up with is that they are working on a big super
worm," Theriault says.
Since its discovery in February, the Mytob mass-mailing worm has
spawned dozens of variants, each just slightly different, according to
researchers. However, each variant turns off an infected machine's
security settings and blocks the user's access to security Web sites,
Theriault says. This makes it difficult to get help once a machine has
been infected, and
Trojan programs accompanying the worms could
leave a backdoor open for attack, she says. One recent version
included spyware and adware, which could be used to reap monetary
benefits, according to U.K. antivirus company Trend Micro.
News source:
PCWorld.comRead full story...Virus writers are obsessed
girlfriendless geeks
Virus writers are obsessed
girlfriendless geeks
03/19/2003 10:46 PMMicrosoft Offers $500,000 Bounty for
Virus Writers
Microsoft Offers $500,000 Bounty for
Virus Writers
11/05/2003 12:04 PMReuters Nov 5 2003 10:26AM ET
The meagre living of Linux virus writers
The meagre living of Linux virus writers
06/17/2005 03:37 PMMicrosoft Offers Bounty on Virus Writers
Microsoft Offers Bounty on Virus Writers
11/05/2003 10:33 PMMicrosoft to Place Bounty on Virus
Writers
Microsoft to Place Bounty on Virus
Writers
11/05/2003 01:23 PMNew York Times Nov 5 2003 11:59AM ET
Virus writers add network sniffer to
worm
Virus writers add network sniffer to
worm
09/14/2004 07:24 AMHybrid risks from potent malware
Virus writers hit home PCs as companies
get tough
Virus writers hit home PCs as companies
get tough
09/24/2004 12:05 PMvnunet.com Sep 24 2004 3:54PM GMT
Microsoft offers $US500,000 to catch
virus writers
Microsoft offers $US500,000 to catch
virus writers
11/06/2003 03:01 AMstuff.co.nz Nov 6 2003 1:59AM ET
MyDoom Shows Virus Writers New Tricks
(NewsFactor)
MyDoom Shows Virus Writers New Tricks
(NewsFactor)
07/27/2004 02:43 PMNewsFactor - MyDoom.O could not have reached critical mass at a worse
time for Google. Around the same time that the search engine megastar
estimated that its stock would sell for US$108 to $135 per
share in its initial public offering, MyDoom.O managed to bring down
the Google Web site, as well as those of other search engines, for
brief periods. This latest iteration of MyDoom uses zombie computers
to run searches on Google, Yahoo (Nasdaq: YHOO), Alta Vista and Lycos.
Virus Writers Start Dissing Match with
New Worms
Virus Writers Start Dissing Match with
New Worms
03/06/2004 02:04 AMVirus writers deploy bulk mail software
Virus writers deploy bulk mail software
06/07/2004 09:03 AMNew multi-stage Trojan rides spam tsunami
Virus writers dismiss Microsoft's bounty
fund
Virus writers dismiss Microsoft's bounty
fund
11/07/2003 11:10 AMThough cyberspace outlaws may look over their shoulder one extra time
before launching a computer virus or worm, they won't be deterred by
the $5 million bounty fund established byMicrosoft to help capture and
convict them, two virus writers said.
MS exec: Virus authors are winning big
MS exec: Virus authors are winning big
12/04/2003 09:38 AMZDNet Dec 4 2003 9:10AM ET
Hackers, Virus Writers Target Mobile
Phones (Reuters)
Hackers, Virus Writers Target Mobile
Phones (Reuters)
02/05/2005 09:41 PMReuters - Feature-rich "smart phones" are
proving to be nearly as dumb as personal computers when it
comes to fending off viruses, hackers and other security
headaches familiar to Internet users.
Web-ready cellphones, PDAs are next
frontier for hackers, virus writers
Web-ready cellphones, PDAs are next
frontier for hackers, virus writers
03/28/2005 10:31 AMCanadian Press via Canada.com Mar 28 2005 1:26PM GMT
Virus writers tweaking Mytob to create a
super worm
Virus writers tweaking Mytob to create a
super worm
06/17/2005 04:44 PMGrok Description matches for Security expert: Virus writers are winning
GrokA matches for Security expert: Virus writers are winning
Prevex Home
Prevex Home
09/13/2004 12:01 AMDirect and Related Links for 'Prevex Home'
“FREE to own and easy to download and install from
www.prevx.com, Prevx Home provides multiple layers of protection
against Internet Worm and Hacker attack and also prevents the
installation of Spyware – stopping the attacks that often bypass
Firewall and Anti Virus products. Prevx Home utilises PREVX’s patent
pending security framework, which drives the industrial strength
features of Prevx Enterprise. This powerful approach does not require
signatures or complex rules. Instead, comprehensive, dynamic security
settings…
Microsoft preps Marketplace
Microsoft preps Marketplace
07/13/2004 03:55 PMToronto Psst! Need an approved dealer?
Microsoft Test Drives Windows
Marketplace
Microsoft Test Drives Windows
Marketplace
09/03/2004 09:52 AMMicrosoft announced in July its plans to create an online
software/hardware shop, called Windows Marketplace. A public preview
of the site is now live.
Microsoft begins testing Windows
Marketplace
Microsoft begins testing Windows
Marketplace
09/02/2004 05:50 PMThe online shopping and download center for Windows-related stuff gets
a public workout.
Briefly: Microsoft tests Windows
Marketplace
Briefly: Microsoft tests Windows
Marketplace
09/02/2004 07:11 PMroundup Plus: Nortel delays financials again...Microsoft updates
SharePoint...Overture heads toward automation.
Win a $500 Shopping Spree at Microsoft
Windows Marketplace
Win a $500 Shopping Spree at Microsoft
Windows Marketplace
12/17/2004 06:34 PMhttp://images.windowsmarketplace.com/img/WinMP_logo.gif
Microsoft Windows Marketplace - Submit a
Review
Microsoft Windows Marketplace - Submit a
Review
12/17/2004 06:34 PMhttp://images.windowsmarketplace.com/img/WinMP_logo.gif
Microsoft Will Launch Marketplace for
Public Sector Solution Providers
Microsoft Will Launch Marketplace for
Public Sector Solution Providers
05/24/2004 11:23 PMBelga Direct Press Releases May 25 2004 3:23AM GMT
Microsoft OS Continues to Dominate the
Industrial Operator Interface
Marketplace
Microsoft OS Continues to Dominate the
Industrial Operator Interface
Marketplace
04/14/2005 04:00 AMThere is a small but growing revenue share derived from products being
used with Linux. Linux is like UNIX operating systems in that it
provides a reliable, scalable platform with many of the desired
features of UNIX, but in a truly open system. It is not necessary to
purchase expensive "client-access" licenses to apply Linux. The
capabilities of Linux continue to expand with thousands of developers
collaborating via the Internet to develop new Linux features,
including improving reliability and scalability, and adding new
applications and tools. [PRWEB Apr 14, 2005]
Microsoft Introduces Windows
Marketplace, Enabling Customers to
Discover A World of Products That Work
With Windows
Microsoft Introduces Windows
Marketplace, Enabling Customers to
Discover A World of Products That Work
With Windows
07/12/2004 09:23 AMToday at its Worldwide Partner Conference, Microsoft Corp. introduced
Windows® Marketplace, an upcoming shopping and downloading site that
will provide customers with one-stop access to software, hardware and
peripherals that work with the Windows platform. This new offering
provides a cost-effective way for participating partners to work with
Microsoft and CNET Networks to gain exposure to millions of potential
customers through online shopping and electronic software distribution
-- all in one place. Windows Marketplace also will make it easy for
customers to navigate, find, try and buy thousands of compelling
products to meet their needs and enhance their Windows computing
experience. Windows Marketplace is scheduled to launch to end-user
customers in the United States this fall, but Microsoft is giving
partners an early opportunity to get their products into the
Marketplace before it becomes available publicly.
Microsoft and Spyware
Microsoft and Spyware
08/13/2004 12:30 PMMy older, wiser brother Steve
points out:
"Although Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) provides fixes for many of
Internet Explorer's persistent security flaws, it does little or
nothing about spyware, where "free" software adds code to your system
that can capture keystrokes, monitor e-mail and IM traffic, and send
the resulting data back to the invader's home base without your
knowledge."
Check for spyware first, says Microsoft
Check for spyware first, says Microsoft
09/03/2004 11:23 PMthestar.com.my Sep 4 2004 3:17AM GMT
Microsoft to Battle Spyware
Microsoft to Battle Spyware
05/13/2004 04:57 AMMicrosoft says the upcoming release of Windows XP Service Pack 2 will
make it much harder to sneak deceptive software onto users' computers.
Is it game over for spyware authors? By Amit Asaravala.
Microsoft update and spyware conflict
Microsoft update and spyware conflict
09/06/2004 03:34 AMiafrica.com Sep 6 2004 7:34AM GMT
Microsoft: scan for spyware before
downloading SP2
Microsoft: scan for spyware before
downloading SP2
09/05/2004 09:38 AMDirect and Related
Links for 'Microsoft: scan for spyware before downloading SP2'
Installed spyware can lead to computer freezes Network World staff,
Network World Microsoft last week warned Windows XP users to scour
their systems for spyware before downloading Service Pack 2. An
Associated Press report quoted Microsoft executives saying some
spyware could cause computers to freeze upon installation. Spyware,
which typically attaches to downloaded software such as file-sharing
programs, tracks behavior, triggers popup ads and can otherwise cause
computer problems. Programs such as Ad-Aware and SpySweeper…
Microsoft sets sights on spyware
Microsoft sets sights on spyware
12/19/2004 02:53 PMWindows users could soon be paying for Microsoft software that keeps
their machine free of spyware.
Microsoft reveals its spyware plans
Microsoft reveals its spyware plans
03/19/2005 03:23 AMMicrosoft Launches Into Anti-Spyware
Microsoft Launches Into Anti-Spyware
01/07/2005 12:15 AMDigital Connect News Jan 7 2005 3:42AM GMT
Spyware interferes with Microsoft patch
Spyware interferes with Microsoft patch
09/06/2004 10:42 AMCNN Sep 6 2004 2:33PM GMT
Microsoft Takes On Spyware with Beta
Microsoft Takes On Spyware with Beta
01/06/2005 11:27 AMAs expected, Microsoft has released a new beta of recently acquired
GIANT Software's anti-spyware software to the public via its Web site.
The company also announced that it expects to release a beta version
of a new antivirus tool next Tuesday, which is based on technology
acquired from GeCAD in 2003.
Microsoft: Spyware Could Bungle Update
Microsoft: Spyware Could Bungle Update
09/02/2004 05:24 PMForbes Sep 2 2004 9:29PM GMT
Microsoft to debut first anti-spyware
app
Microsoft to debut first anti-spyware
app
01/05/2005 08:15 AMDoes Microsoft Alone Own the Giant
Spyware Code?
Does Microsoft Alone Own the Giant
Spyware Code?
12/19/2004 03:01 PMThere's a (not-so) silent partner that says it co-owns the
anti-spyware code and definition updates that Microsoft purchased this
week. Sunbelt Software Distribution had cemented a deal with Giant
Corporation Software before Microsoft bought the company.
Microsoft to release anti-spyware beta
Microsoft to release anti-spyware beta
01/05/2005 01:12 AMPC Authority Jan 5 2005 4:51AM GMT
Microsoft launches anti-spyware beta
Microsoft launches anti-spyware beta
01/06/2005 11:12 AMThe company unveils the first version of a spyware-killing application
based on technology from recently acquired Giant Software.
Images: Microsoft's anti-spyware beta
Sneak Peek At Microsoft Anti-Spyware
Sneak Peek At Microsoft Anti-Spyware
01/03/2005 09:59 PMMicrosoft has released some anti-spyware
software
Microsoft has released some anti-spyware
software
01/06/2005 07:50 PMMicrosoft Security Spy Center .. get it
here
microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=321cd7a2-6a57-4c5
7-a8bd-dbf62eda9671&DisplayLang=en
track this
site | 3 links
Microsoft Releases Anti-Spyware
Application
Microsoft Releases Anti-Spyware
Application
01/07/2005 02:02 AMSearch Engine Journal Jan 7 2005 6:22AM GMT
Giant step for Microsoft spyware killer
Giant step for Microsoft spyware killer
01/05/2005 11:15 AMSoftware maker's first antispyware application is nearly ready for
action. It could be released this week.
Spammers disguise spyware as Microsoft
upgrade
Spammers disguise spyware as Microsoft
upgrade
04/08/2005 10:52 PMSilicon Republic Apr 9 2005 3:16AM GMT
Security expert: Virus writers are winning
