VB Blog

Paper: New Keylogger on the Block

Posted by   Martijn Grooten on   Jul 5, 2016

In a new paper published by Virus Bulletin, Sophos researcher Gabor Szappanos takes a look at the KeyBase keylogger, sold as a commercial product and popular among cybercriminals who use it in Office exploit kits.

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BSides Denver to take place the day after VB2016

Posted by   Martijn Grooten on   Jun 28, 2016

VB2016, the 26th International Virus Bulletin conference, is an excellent reason to go to Denver, Colorado in the first week of October. But there is another reason to come to Denver: BSides Denver, which will take place the day after VB2016, on Saturday 8 October 2016.

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VB2015 paper: DDoS Trojan: A Malicious Concept that Conquered the ELF Format

Posted by   Virus Bulletin on   Jun 13, 2016

In their VB2015 paper, Peter Kálnai and Jaromír Hořejší look at the current state of DDoS trojans forming covert botnets on unsuspecting systems. The paper provides a technical analysis of the most important malware families, focusing on infection methods, dynamic behaviour, C&C communication, obfuscation techniques, advanced methods of persistence and stealth, and elimination of rivals.

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Throwback Thursday: Hyppönen, that Data Fellow / Finnish Sprayer

Posted by   Helen Martin on   Jun 2, 2016

This week, well known and universally respected industry guru Mikko Hyppönen celebrates his 25th anniversary of working at F-Secure (formerly known as Data Fellows). VB takes a look back in the archives at two articles published in 1994: an "insight" into the life and work of the then rising star of the anti-virus world, and a virus analysis penned by the man himself.

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VB2015 paper: Economic Sanctions on Malware

Posted by   Helen Martin on   Jun 1, 2016

Financial pressure can be a proactive and potentially very effective tool in making our computer ecosystems safer. By cleverly employing various trust metrics and technologies such as digital signing, watermarking, and public-key infrastructure in strategically selected places, we can encourage good behaviours and punish bad ones. In his VB2015 paper, Igor Muttik analyses and gives examples of technologies (certificates, credentials, etc.) to de-incentivize bad behaviours in several ecosystems (Windows, Android, iOS).

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Virus Bulletin's job site for recruiters and job seekers

Posted by   Martijn Grooten on   May 26, 2016

Virus Bulletin has relaunched its security job vacancy service and added a new section, in which job seekers can advertise their skills and experience.

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Throwback Thursday: One_Half: The Lieutenant Commander?

Posted by   Helen Martin on   May 26, 2016

In October 1994, a new multi-partite virus appeared, using some of the techniques developed by the Dark Avenger in Commander_Bomber. As if this were not enough, the One_Half virus could also encrypt vital parts of the fixed disk. Eugene Kaspersky provided a detailed analysis.

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Advertisements on Blogspot sites lead to support scam

Posted by   Martijn Grooten on   May 9, 2016

Support scam pop-ups presented through malicious advertisements show that, next to vulnerable end points, gullible users remain an easy source of money for online criminals.

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To make Tor work better on the web, we need to be honest about it

Posted by   Martijn Grooten on   May 6, 2016

Many websites put barriers in front of visitors who use the Tor network. If we want to make the web more accessible through Tor, we need to be honest about why this is done, rather than cry wolf about a dislike for privacy, Martijn Grooten says.

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Paper: How It Works: Steganography Hides Malware in Image Files

Posted by   Martijn Grooten on   Apr 28, 2016

A new paper by CYREN researcher Lordian Mosuela takes a close look at Gatak, or Stegoloader, a piece of malware that was discovered last year and that is controlled via malicious code embedded in a PNG image, a technique known as steganography.

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Search blog

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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