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M1CUK > INFO 08.08.02 02:57l 73 Lines 2874 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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Subj: Hybrid viruses set to become b
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From: M1CUK@GB7FCR.#16.GBR.EU
To : INFO@WW
Hybrid viruses set to become bigger threat
By John Leyden
Posted: 27/11/2001 at 15:29 GMT
Viruses which try to infect users through a variety of means,
such as the infamous Nimda worm, and mass mailers are predicted
to become even more of a problem for Internet users next year.
That's the prediction of anti-virus firm Sophos which has gazed
into the crystal ball and come up with some predictions for the
threats we'll see next year. Here they are:
Mass mailing Windows 32 viruses, such as Nimda and SirCam, to
become even more common. Executables have been the most common
type of virus reported to Sophos this year
More macro and script viruses, which are easy to write with virus
writing toolkits
A increased incidence of Remote Access Trojans or Backdoor Trojan horses
An increase in attacks on Unix systems
More Code Red-style Internet worms directly targeting Web servers
Combined (or cocktail) attacks, where viruses combine different spreading
techniques and payloads, to become more common
The risk that hype about viruses might blind users to possible problems
('virus fatigue')
But little likelihood, according to Sophos, that there will be
"an avalanche of new viruses affecting mobile devices"
Apart from the risk from viruses on handhelds and smartphones,
other antivirus vendors broadly agree with Sophos about coming
risks. Symantec is placing particular emphasis on the risk of
viruses which use hybrid modes of attack (e.g. attacking a firm
both through infected email and its Web server) might pose in the
future. A good example of this type of virus is Nimda.
Virus writers still sex-obsessed nerds not terrorists
Although viruses themselves are getting more sophisticated, virus
writers are not. Sex continues to be a favourite method of tempting
users into infection with the technique becoming, if anything, even
more popular.
Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at Sophos, said virus
writers are still predominantly males of between 14-24, who are looked
down upon by hackers, even though the two groups are not as far apart
as they used to be.
There's little evidence that terrorists are interested in developing
viruses, which in any case make poor weapons, according to Cluley.
Up to date anti-virus software and safe computing practices (such as
not opening suspicious attachments, blocking dangerous file types a
nd applying security patches) stop viruses dead in their tracks.
It's also difficult to target viruses, Cluley points out.
--------------------------
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Trev, m1cuk@gb7fcr.#16.gbr.eu
SysOp gb7fcr
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