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

Banking sector confuses users over online safety

Leftfield AV detection scores used to promote ID theft tool.
Leftfield AV detection scores used to promote ID theft tool. With online banking an increasingly important way of interacting with our banks, the security of online transactions is… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2009/04/banking-sector-confuses-users-over-online-safety/

Eight fixes for April Patch Tuesday release

Five critical updates in latest monthly patch release.
Five critical updates in latest monthly patch release. The April Patch Tuesday release from Microsoft, revealed this week, contained five updates rated 'critical', as well as two… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2009/04/eight-fixes-april-patch-tuesday-release/

VB2009 conference programme announced

Schedule for Geneva security conference announced after record submissions.
Schedule for Geneva security conference announced after record submissions. Following a record number of submissions, the VB2009 conference committee is pleased to announce the… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2009/04/conference-programme-announced/

April

Anti-virus and security related news provided by independent anti-virus advisors, Virus Bulletin
https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2009/04/

April issue of VB published

The April issue of Virus Bulletin is now available for subscribers to download.
The April issue of Virus Bulletin is now available for subscribers to download. The April 2009 issue of Virus Bulletin is now available for subscribers to browse online or… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2009/04/april-issue-vb-published/

AV-Comparatives releases latest detection figures

Large collection test shows major improvement from AV giants.
Large collection test shows major improvement from AV giants. Independent testing organisation AV-Comparatives has released its latest bi-annual detection test figures, with 17… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2009/03/av-comparatives-releases-latest-detection-figures/

VB anti-spam testing: results revealed

VB reveals results of trial test run: 1 platinum, 2 gold and 2 silver awards.
VB reveals results of trial test run: 1 platinum, 2 gold and 2 silver awards.After months of preparation, discussion and hard work, VB is pleased to announce the results of the VB… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2009/03/vb-anti-spam-testing-results-revealed/

Symantec slip sparks suspicion, spam

Update error leads to conspiracy theories and exploitation of fears.
Update error leads to conspiracy theories and exploitation of fears. A faulty update issued to some users of Symantec's Norton product line yesterday has led to an explosion of… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2009/03/symantec-slip-sparks-suspicion-spam/

March Patch Tuesday followed by PDF viewer patches

Major kernel issue and PDF problems fixed, spreadsheet software remains vulnerable.
Major kernel issue and PDF problems fixed, spreadsheet software remains vulnerable.Microsoft released the March security bulletin this week, with the monthly Patch Tuesday updates… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2009/03/march-patch-tuesday-followed-pdf-viewer-patches/

BBC botnet hijack proves controversial

Legal issues raised by broadcaster's demo of spamming, DDoS, cleanup attempt.
Legal issues raised by broadcaster's demo of spamming, DDoS, cleanup attempt. A BBC report into the dangers of botnets has got the corporation into hot water, after reporters took… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2009/03/bbc-botnet-hijack-proves-controversial/

March

Anti-virus and security related news provided by independent anti-virus advisors, Virus Bulletin
https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2009/03/

March issue of VB published

The March issue of Virus Bulletin is now available for subscribers to download.
The March issue of Virus Bulletin is now available for subscribers to download. The March 2009 issue of Virus Bulletin is now available for subscribers to browse online or… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2009/03/march-issue-vb-published/

MS forms anti-Conficker alliance

Industry group to combine efforts, reward offered.
Industry group to combine efforts, reward offered.Microsoft has announced a collaborative effort to combat the Conficker (aka Downadup) botnet, the widespread infection making… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2009/02/ms-forms-anti-conficker-alliance/

IE fixed as usual in Patch Tuesday release

Browser should be treated as special case, say some.
Browser should be treated as special case, say some. The February 'Patch Tuesday' security bulletin from Microsoft this week contained four patches, two of them marked 'Critical',… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2009/02/ie-fixed-usual-patch-tuesday-release/

Kaspersky website suffers SQL vulnerability

Hackers gain access to tables, no user data stolen.
Hackers gain access to tables, no user data stolen. A security flaw in a local website of security firm Kaspersky Lab was spotted by hackers over the weekend, with an SQL infection… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2009/02/kaspersky-website-suffers-sql-vulnerability/

Digital attacks encroach on real world

Car park flyers trick victims to malicious site.
Car park flyers trick victims to malicious site. The online arena of scams and phishing took a worrying step into the real world last week, as researchers heard of a scam starting… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2009/02/digital-attacks-encroach-real-world/

Valentine's lures lead to infection

Predicted spate of romance hooks under way.
Predicted spate of romance hooks under way. After numerous security watchers predicted a barrage of phishing and malware attacks associated with Valentine's Day this week, the… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2009/02/valentine-s-lures-lead-infection/

AMTSO meets again to discuss better testing

Further documents developed at Cupertino meeting.
Further documents developed at Cupertino meeting. This week has seen another meeting of the Anti-Malware Testing Standards Organization, AMTSO, hosted by security giant Symantec in… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2009/02/amtso-meets-again-discuss-better-testing/

February issue of VB published

The February issue of Virus Bulletin is now available for subscribers to download.
The February issue of Virus Bulletin is now available for subscribers to download. The February 2009 issue of Virus Bulletin is now available for subscribers to browse online or… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2009/02/february-issue-vb-published/

February

Anti-virus and security related news provided by independent anti-virus advisors, Virus Bulletin
https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2009/02/

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