antivirus

Security firm needs help cracking malware

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 06:59:59 -0400

Computerworld reports that a Russian security firm is having difficulty dealing with "ransomware'' attacks where hackers have planted malware that encrypts files and then displays a message demanding money to unlock the data.

Kaspersky Lab, a Moscow antivirus firm, recently asked for assistance from cryptographers, governmental and scientific institutions, antivirus companies and independent researchers to break a new variant of Gpcode that encrypted 143 different file types. As it deals with the threat, Kaspersky has told users that backing up data is the best way, at the moment, to sidestep such scams.

For more on ransomware:
- check out this Computerworld.com article

Trend Micro finished with WildList, VB100 certification

Paul Mah — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 02:13:56 -0400

Antivirus vendor Trend Micro is turning its back on well-known WildList and VB100 certifications, citing that the test methodology is no longer adequate. By focusing on pattern-matching, areas like behavior-based detection or even actual performance of tested security software are not adequately assessed. Article

ALSO NOTED: Windows antivirus service tags Gmail as a virus; How to boost that focus skill that leaders need; and much more...

Wed, 15 Nov 2006 19:01:33 -0500

> Windows antivirus service tags Gmail as a virus. Article

> How to boost that focus skill that leaders need. Article

> Security spend gobbling over 7 percent of IT budgets. Article

> Muni-wireless networks spike management debate. Article

> Why CIOs need to boost female tech recruiting efforts. Article

> Intel moves to safeguard data in cell location tracking technology. Article

> New service tracks caller's physical location. Article

> The factors pushing high-performance computing forward. Article

And Finally... Pushing pandas into the mood. Article

ALSO NOTED: Release 1 of Vista makes its debut; Oracle pushes out updated PeopleSoft product; and much more...

Mon, 04 Sep 2006 20:01:33 -0400

> Release 1 of Vista makes its debut. Article

> Oracle pushes out updated PeopleSoft product. Article

> Panasonic now has a battery recall too. Article

> Proof-of-concept virus aimed at Windows. Article

> Antivirus glitch jams and crashes Windows 2003 servers. Article

And Finally... The business cost of manic depression. Article

SPOTLIGHT: Microsoft not sharing much on security these days

Sun, 23 Jul 2006 20:01:34 -0400

For years Microsoft invited the top computing security folks from the leading security vendors and research facilities to a pow-wow to talk about building better security, providing technical details on its products and boosting security aspects. But things have changed quite a bit since Microsoft declared it wanted a piece of the antivirus and PC security market share. As this year's pow-wow attendees relate, Microsoft doesn't seem to want to be as open or as giving as it used to be when it comes to security research. Article

The debate over mobile security

Thu, 23 Feb 2006 19:01:38 -0500

While recent news clearly indicates that the mobile landscape is the next frontier of attack for malware and 'badware' writers, at least one mobile service provider doesn't believe that anti-virus and anti-spyware remedies should be automatically housed on mobile handsets as a primary defense. In fact, Verizon Wireless doesn't believe customers have to install any antivirus on phones at this point and says network security technology, such as scanners, is the best way to prevent mobile security problems. Obviously security vendors are itching to hit the cell phone device market and some pundits believe it's only a matter of time before that phone or personal data device is housing as many security tools as today's PCs.

For more on securing mobile devices:
- read this News.com article