VB Blog

Malicious CCleaner update points to a major weakness in our infrastructure

Posted by   Martijn Grooten on   Sep 18, 2017

Researchers from Cisco Talos have found that a recent version of the widely used CCleaner tool installed malware on the machine.

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Despite the profitability of ransomware there is a good reason why mining malware is thriving

Posted by   Virus Bulletin on   Sep 15, 2017

Though ransomware is far more profitable than using a compromised PC to mine bitcoins, the global distribution of malware means that there are many botnets for which mining is the most efficient way to extract money out of a PC.

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VB2017 preview: Crypton - exposing malware's deepest secrets

Posted by   Martijn Grooten on   Sep 14, 2017

We preview the VB2017 paper by Julia Karpin and Anna Dorfman (F5 networks), in which they present a tool to decrypt encrypted parts of malware.

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VB2017 preview: Hacktivism and website defacement: motivations, capabilities and potential threats

Posted by   Martijn Grooten on   Sep 13, 2017

We preview the VB2017 paper by Marco Romagna and Niek Jan van den Hout (The Hague University of Applied Sciences), in which they thoroughly analyse the motivations and modus operandy of hacktivists.

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Three questions to ask about security product bypasses

Posted by   Martijn Grooten on   Sep 13, 2017

Proof-of-concepts for bypasses of security products always sound scary, but how seriously should we take them? VB Editor Martijn Grooten lists three questions one should ask about any such bypass to determine how serious a threat it represents.

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VB2017: WHOIS and EICAR Small Talks added

Posted by   Martijn Grooten on   Sep 12, 2017

Today, we announce two more 'Small Talks' for the VB2017 programme. In one of them, Neil Schwarzman will discuss the consequences of the GDPR for WHOIS and abuse research, while the other will be hosted by three members of EICAR, who will discuss its work on a trustworthiness strategy and minimum standard.

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VB2017: nine last-minute papers announced

Posted by   Martijn Grooten on   Sep 11, 2017

From attacks on Ukraine's power grid to web shells, and from car hacking to ransomware: we announce the first nine 'last-minute' papers on the VB2017 programme.

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Patching is important even when it only shows the maturity of your security process

Posted by   Martijn Grooten on   Sep 5, 2017

A lot of vulnerabilities that are discovered are never exploited in the wild. It is still important to patch them though.

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Massive data breach confirms what you already knew: you are getting spam

Posted by   Martijn Grooten on   Sep 4, 2017

A security researcher found more than 700 million email addresses stored on a server used by a spam botnet, which gives us some insight into what the email lists used by spammers look like.

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VB2017 preview: State of cybersecurity in Africa: Kenya

Posted by   Martijn Grooten on   Sep 4, 2017

We preview the VB2017 presentation by Tyrus Kamau (Euclid Security), who will talk about the state of cybersecurity in Africa, with a particular focus on his home country, Kenya.

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2003

Latest news from the anti-virus industry provided by independent anti-virus advisors, Virus Bulletin
NewsUS and UK spam legislation in place Anti-spam legislation in place. 29 December 2003Number crunchingCalculating the average cost of a virus attack - estimates or guesstimates?… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2003/

January

Anti-virus and security related news provided by independent anti-virus advisors, Virus Bulletin
https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2003/01/

Stocks, viruses and a disgruntled employee

A systems administrator has been charged with attempting to manipulate a company's stock price by introducing a virus into its computer system.
A systems administrator has been charged with attempting to manipulate a company's stock price by introducing a virus into its computer system. The New York Times reports that a… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2002/12/stocks-viruses-and-disgruntled-employee/

Stocking Fillers

It's that time of year again when we're frantically scouring the shopping malls for something unique and meaningful to give to our loved ones. Coincidentally, it's also that time of year when VB turns out its stock cupboards and puts some truly fabulous m…
It's that time of year again when we're frantically scouring the shopping malls for something unique and meaningful to give to our loved ones. Coincidentally, it's also that time… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2002/12/stocking-fillers/

December

Anti-virus and security related news provided by independent anti-virus advisors, Virus Bulletin
https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2002/12/

Addendum: Windows 2000 Advanced Server Comparative Review

After re-testing, Trend's ServerProtect product gains a VB 100% award.
After re-testing, Trend's ServerProtect product gains a VB 100% award. In the November 2002 Comparative Review Trend's ServerProtect was reported to have failed to achieve full… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2002/12/addendum-windows-2000-advanced-server-comparative-review/

Some thoughts on ViraLock

We examine ViraLock, a product which promises 'Zero Escape For Email Viruses', provided, it seems, the virus plays by their rules.
We examine ViraLock, a product which promises 'Zero Escape For Email Viruses', provided, it seems, the virus plays by their rules. It's understandable that we greet announcements… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2002/11/some-thoughts-viralock/

Who's There?

New security portal unveiled by publishers of Information Security Bulletin magazine.
New security portal unveiled by publishers of Information Security Bulletin magazine. Last month a new security portal was unveiled by the publishers of Information Security… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2002/11/who-s-there/

Paying the Price

McAfee Security issues press release estimating the potential costs to businesses of 'the next big virus attack'
McAfee Security issues press release estimating the potential costs to businesses of 'the next big virus attack' McAfee Security has become the latest security company to issue a… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2002/11/paying-price/

Writer of virus trio in court

A British man has appeared in court charged with the creation and distribution of a trio of mass-mailing viruses: Gokar, Redesi and Admirer.
A British man has appeared in court charged with the creation and distribution of a trio of mass-mailing viruses: Gokar, Redesi and Admirer. A British man has appeared in court… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2002/11/writer-virus-trio-court/

November

Anti-virus and security related news provided by independent anti-virus advisors, Virus Bulletin
https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2002/11/

'Kournikova' writer loses appeal

Reports are that Jan de Wit, author of the 'Kournikova' virus (VBSWG variant) has lost his appeal against 150 hours of community service.
Reports are that Jan de Wit, author of the 'Kournikova' virus (VBSWG variant) has lost his appeal against 150 hours of community service. The Register reports that Jan de Wit,… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2002/10/kournikova-writer-loses-appeal/

With friends like these...

A nuisance email which is neither viral nor a hoax is proving to be equally bothersome.
A nuisance email which is neither viral nor a hoax is proving to be equally bothersome. A nuisance email which is neither viral nor a hoax is proving to be equally bothersome.… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2002/10/friends-these/

Addendum: June 2002 Windows XP Comparative Review

F-Prot users relying on the on-access protection against W32/Nimda.A are safe
F-Prot users relying on the on-access protection against W32/Nimda.A are safe In the June 2002 comparative review of anti-virus products for Windows XP (see VB, June 2002, p.19),… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2002/10/addendum-june-2002-windows-xp-comparative-review/

Moth-eaten software...

A warning issued by Israeli security firm GreyMagic Software last month revealed a total of nine vulnerabilities in IE 5.5 and 6.0, all concerning object caching.
A warning issued by Israeli security firm GreyMagic Software last month revealed a total of nine vulnerabilities in IE 5.5 and 6.0, all concerning object caching. A warning… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2002/10/moth-eaten-software/

Service or bust

So confident is Trend Micro of its virus detection abilities that it is offering a financial penalty-backed detection guarantee.
So confident is Trend Micro of its virus detection abilities that it is offering a financial penalty-backed detection guarantee. So confident is Trend Micro of its virus detection… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2002/10/service-or-bust/

October

Anti-virus and security related news provided by independent anti-virus advisors, Virus Bulletin
https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2002/10/

Viruses - Some Good

Just occasionally, a virus infection can have some positive effects...
Just occasionally, a virus infection can have some positive effects... Much like biological viruses, it turns out that infections by computer viruses can lead to increased measures… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2002/09/viruses-some-good/

Bring on the DEET

The latest award for the most tenuous product-pushing story goes to BitDefender, whose marketeers claim a 'mosquito-borne disease could easily become a computer infection.'
The latest award for the most tenuous product-pushing story goes to BitDefender, whose marketeers claim a 'mosquito-borne disease could easily become a computer infection.' The… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2002/09/bring-deet/

Virtually There

The Infosecurity show and exhibition has gone virtual with the launch of the first Infosecurity World Online exhibition. But where are the sweets?
The Infosecurity show and exhibition has gone virtual with the launch of the first Infosecurity World Online exhibition. But where are the sweets? The Infosecurity show and… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2002/09/virtually-there/

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