VB Blog

WordPress users urged to manually update to fix bug that prevents automatic updating

Posted by   Martijn Grooten on   Feb 8, 2018

Users of the popular WordPress content management system are urged to manually update their installation to version 4.9.4, as a bug in the previous version broke the ability to automatically install updates.

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New paper: A review of the evolution of Andromeda over the years

Posted by   Martijn Grooten on   Feb 7, 2018

The Andromeda botnet (aka Gamarue or Wauchos) has plagued Internet users for more than half a decade but, following a takedown effort and the arrest of the suspected botnet owner in December 2017, it is likely we have seen the end of it. In a new paper by Fortinet researchers Bahare Sabouri and He Xu, we look back at the evolution of Andromeda from version 2.06 to 2.10 and demonstrate both how it improved its loader to evade automatic analysis/detection and how the payload varied among the different versions.

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There is no evidence in-the-wild malware is using Meltdown or Spectre

Posted by   Martijn Grooten on   Feb 2, 2018

Reports of malware using the Meltdown or Spectre attacks are likely based on proof-of-concept code rather than files written for a malicious purpose.

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Throwback Thursday: Malware taking a bit(coin) more than we bargained for

Posted by   Martijn Grooten on   Feb 1, 2018

This Throwback Thursday, we republish the VB2012 paper by Microsoft researcher Amir Fouda, one of the earliest papers to look at malware targeting Bitcoin.

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First time speaker? Don't be afraid of submitting to the VB2018 CFP

Posted by   Martijn Grooten on   Jan 31, 2018

We especially encourage those less experienced in speaking in public to submit to the call for papers for VB2018, where we aim to provide a friendly and welcoming environment in which people can both present their own research and learn from what others have been working on.

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VB2017 paper: VirusTotal tips, tricks and myths

Posted by   Martijn Grooten on   Jan 25, 2018

At VB2017 in Madrid, security researcher Randy Abrams presented an overview of the VirusTotal service and then went on to bust several of the persistent myths that surround it. Today we publish both Randy's paper and the recording of his presentation.

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Healthcare CERTs highlight the need for security guidance for specific sectors

Posted by   Martijn Grooten on   Jan 24, 2018

A new computer emergency response team has been launched in the Netherlands to provide guidance specifically tailored to the healthcare sector. Martijn Grooten welcomes the development.

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VB2018 call for papers now open!

Posted by   Martijn Grooten on   Jan 23, 2018

Have you analysed a new online threat? Do you know a new way to defend against such threats? Are you tasked with securing systems and fending off attacks? The call for papers for VB2018 is now open and we want to hear from you!

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Book review: Serious Cryptography

Posted by   Martijn Grooten on   Jan 22, 2018

VB Editor Martijn Grooten recommends Jean-Philippe Aumasson's 'Serious Cryptography' as a very solid but practically focused introduction to cryptography.

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Necurs pump-and-dump spam campaign pushes obscure cryptocurrency

Posted by   Martijn Grooten on   Jan 16, 2018

A Necurs pump-and-dump spam campaign pushing the lesser known Swisscoin botnet is mostly background noise for the Internet.

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Search blog

Fathers 4 Justice denies virus

Campaign group categorically denies responsibility
Campaign group categorically denies responsibility Campaign group Fathers 4 Justice has categorically denied any connection with a mass-mailing worm discovered this week which… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2005/01/fathers-4-justice-denies-virus/

EarthLink wins case against spammers

'Substantial' cash settlement
'Substantial' cash settlement EarthLink Inc. declared victory this week in a court case against two men accused of spamming from its network. The men, Damon DeCrescenzo and… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2005/01/earthlink-wins-case-against-spammers/

Sentencing of Blaster author due

Maximum sentence sought for Jeffrey Lee Parson
Maximum sentence sought for Jeffrey Lee Parson Jeffrey Lee Parson, the Minnesota teenager who pleaded guilty to distributing the B variant of the Blaster worm, is scheduled to be… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2005/01/sentencing-blaster-author-due/

Virus writer recommends anti-virus

Brazilian virus writer reveals all to Finnish magazine
Brazilian virus writer reveals all to Finnish magazine A Brazilian software programmer, who proudly claims 'viruses are my life' says that he does not want his viruses to spread… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2005/01/virus-writer-recommends-anti-virus/

Spammer sues spammed

The tables are turned
The tables are turned In an unusual turn of events, a US company accused of sending large volumes of unsolicited email has filed a lawsuit against a man who reported their… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2005/01/spammer-sues-spammed/

Man behind web cam virus arrested

Spanish authorities detain 37-year-old
Spanish authorities detain 37-year-old The Spanish Civil Guard has announced the arrest of a man suspected of writing and distributing a virus capable of covertly spying on… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2005/01/man-behind-web-cam-virus-arrested/

Explosion in SMS spam

Korean cell phone users suffer onslaught of spam
Korean cell phone users suffer onslaught of spam Korean cell phone users are being blasted with SMS spam, with 870,000 cases reported to the Korea Information Security Agency… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2005/01/explosion-sms-spam/

Sybari sets terms of IPO

3.35 million common shares for sale
3.35 million common shares for sale Anti-virus firm Sybari Software Inc. has set the terms of its planned initial public offering (IPO) in a filing with the Securities and… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2005/01/sybari-sets-terms-ipo/

Texas sues for millions

Two spammers sued by the state of Texas
Two spammers sued by the state of Texas The state of Texas is seeking millions of dollars from two men it accuses of sending millions of spam messages. Ryan Samuel Pitylak, a… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2005/01/texas-sues-millions/

McAfee sells Research assets

SPARTA Inc. to become the lucky new owner
SPARTA Inc. to become the lucky new owner McAfee Inc. has announced that it is selling its McAfee Research assets to systems engineering firm SPARTA, Inc. McAfee Research… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2005/01/mcafee-sells-research-assets/

FTC granted restraining order against porn spammers

'Sexually explicit' labelling rule violated
'Sexually explicit' labelling rule violated The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has been granted a temporary restraining order against six companies that it says have violated CAN… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2005/01/ftc-granted-restraining-order-against-porn-spammers/

Tsunami scamming begins

FBI warns donors of tsunami disaster relief fraud
FBI warns donors of tsunami disaster relief fraud The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued an alert warning those who wish to donate to tsunami disaster relief funds… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2005/01/tsunami-scamming-begins/

Microsoft reveals anti-spyware beta and malware removal tool

Anti-virus imminent?
Anti-virus imminent? Microsoft has released the beta version of its new anti-spyware tool, Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware, along with indications that the release of an anti-virus… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2005/01/microsoft-reveals-anti-spyware-beta-and-malware-removal-tool/

'Spam King' agrees to hold fire

For the time being at least...
For the time being at least... Prolific spammer Sanford Wallace has agreed to put a hold on his activity until his court case with the FTC has been resolved. Wallace, whose past… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2005/01/spam-king-agrees-hold-fire/

Happy New Year!!!

Virus Bulletin would like to wish all its readers a very happy and prosperous new year.
Virus Bulletin would like to wish all its readers a very happy and prosperous new year. Virus Bulletin would like to wish all its readers a very happy and prosperous new year.… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2005/01/happy-new-year/

2005

Latest news from the anti-virus industry provided by independent anti-virus advisors, Virus Bulletin
NewsAddendum: August 2005 Netware 6.5 Comparative Review VB regrets that Symantec was not included in NetWare 6.5 comparative review published in the August 2005 issue of Virus… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2005/

January

Anti-virus and security related news provided by independent anti-virus advisors, Virus Bulletin
https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2005/01/

Synchronized malware identification for the new year

Causing a stir in the anti-virus community last month was the announcement of a new US-led initiative whose aim is to achieve threat synchronization.
Causing a stir in the anti-virus community last month was the announcement of a new US-led initiative whose aim is to achieve threat synchronization. The US Department of… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2004/12/synchronized-malware-identification-new-year/

Latest VGrep

The latest version of the virus name lookup tool - VGrep, is now available.
The latest version of the virus name lookup tool - VGrep, is now available. VGrep is a system produced in an attempt to clear up some of the confusion surrounding the naming of… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2004/12/latest-vgrep/

Test files: Straightening the record

VB sets the record straight regarding the collection of files referenced in Peter Morley's letter 'Generic detection - a specific case' published in last months main magazine.
VB sets the record straight regarding the collection of files referenced in Peter Morley's letter 'Generic detection - a specific case' published in last months main magazine.… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2004/12/test-files-straightening-record/

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