VB Blog

There are lessons to be learned from government websites serving cryptocurrency miners

Posted by   Martijn Grooten on   Feb 12, 2018

Thousands of websites, including many sites of government organisations in the UK, the US and Sweden, were recently found to have been serving a cryptocurrency miner. More interesting than the incident itself, though, are the lessons that can be learned from it.

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We need to continue the debate on the ethics and perils of publishing security research

Posted by   Martijn Grooten on   Feb 9, 2018

An article by security researcher Collin Anderson reopens the debate on whether publishing threat analyses is always in the public interest.

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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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Patent squabbles

International Trade Commission judge recommends that Fortinet be prohibited from importing its FortiGate anti-virus firewall appliance products into the US
International Trade Commission judge recommends that Fortinet be prohibited from importing its FortiGate anti-virus firewall appliance products into the US An International Trade… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2005/05/patent-squabbles/

Microsoft care

Microsoft unveiles new security service
Microsoft unveiles new security service Microsoft unveiled its new security service for consumers this month. Known as OneCare, the paid subscription service will provide… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2005/05/microsoft-care/

Changing CAN-SPAM

The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has invited public comment on a number of changes it proposes making to the CAN-SPAM Act.
The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has invited public comment on a number of changes it proposes making to the CAN-SPAM Act. One of the Commission's proposals is to shorten… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2005/05/changing-can-spam/

Sun, sea and security

14th Annual EICAR meeting was a success
14th Annual EICAR meeting was a success The historical island of Malta was the setting for the 14th Annual EICAR meeting last month. With the sun beating down and an ocean view… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2005/05/sun-sea-and-security/

Settlement reached in FTC vs Fuel MAX case

FTC settles a case against spammers peddling 'fuel-saving' product
FTC settles a case against spammers peddling 'fuel-saving' product A settlement has been reached in a lawsuit filed by the FTC against the marketers and resellers of bogus… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2005/05/settlement-reached-ftc-vs-fuel-max-case/

Trend Micro buys anti-spyware firm

Trend to augment its anti-spyware presence
Trend to augment its anti-spyware presence AV firm Trend Micro has announced that it is to acquire InterMute Inc., a privately held anti-spyware firm, for $15 million. Trend plans… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2005/05/trend-micro-buys-anti-spyware-firm/

May

Anti-virus and security related news provided by independent anti-virus advisors, Virus Bulletin
https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2005/05/

Three (days) is the magic number

Virus Bulletin is very pleased to announce that this year the VB conference will run in a three-day format
Virus Bulletin is very pleased to announce that this year the VB conference will run in a three-day format Virus Bulletin is very pleased to announce that this year the VB… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2005/04/three-days-magic-number/

US early warning centre opens

Cyber Incident Detection Data Analysis Center announces the opening of its National Operations Center at the University of Pennsylvania.
Cyber Incident Detection Data Analysis Center announces the opening of its National Operations Center at the University of Pennsylvania. The Cyber Incident Detection Data Analysis… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2005/04/us-early-warning-centre-opens/

UN discusses spam

The United Nations (UN) Working Group on Internet Governance focuses on spam, network security and cybercrime
The United Nations (UN) Working Group on Internet Governance focuses on spam, network security and cybercrime The United Nations (UN) has revealed that discussion at the third… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2005/04/un-discusses-spam/

2.594.00 is not the magic number

Trend Micro forced to apologise to customers for faulty update file.
Trend Micro forced to apologise to customers for faulty update file. A red-faced Trend Micro has apologised to its customers for the release of a faulty update file that caused… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2005/04/2-594-00-not-magic-number/

Symantec wins piracy case

AV firm awarded $3.1 million in case against software pirate
AV firm awarded $3.1 million in case against software pirate Symantec has been awarded a $3.1 million judgment in a software piracy lawsuit it filed in April last year. Symantec… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2005/04/symantec-wins-piracy-case/

Car sales website fined for SMS spamming

Australian Communications Authority takes action
Australian Communications Authority takes action A popular Australian car sales website has been fined AU$6,600 for sending SMS spam. Classified car sales website Carsales.com.au… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2005/04/car-sales-website-fined-sms-spamming/

April

Anti-virus and security related news provided by independent anti-virus advisors, Virus Bulletin
https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2005/04/

No new owner for VMyths

Zero bids received in online auction of website
Zero bids received in online auction of website Industry hype-fighting website VMyths went up for auction on eBay this month, but no bids were received. For ten years VMyths has… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2005/03/no-new-owner-vmyths/

Bankruptcy for Spam King

Microsoft lawsuit cited as reason for bankruptcy
Microsoft lawsuit cited as reason for bankruptcy High-profile email marketer Scott Richter, aka the 'Spam King', has filed for bankruptcy, citing a Microsoft lawsuit as the… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2005/03/bankruptcy-spam-king/

Blaster author avoids restitution

Microsoft allows Parson to work community service instead of paying $500,000
Microsoft allows Parson to work community service instead of paying $500,000 Microsoft has filed court documents requesting that Jeffrey Lee Parson, author of the B variant of the… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2005/03/blaster-author-avoids-restitution/

Mac virus-writing competition cancelled

Offer of $25,000 reward for OS X virus is withdrawn - for legal reasons
Offer of $25,000 reward for OS X virus is withdrawn - for legal reasons A competition offering a $25,000 reward to the first person to successfully infect two Apple G5 PowerMacs… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2005/03/mac-virus-writing-competition-cancelled/

Spammer investigated in the Ukraine

Spammer undergoes criminal investigation in the Donetsk region of the Ukraine
Spammer undergoes criminal investigation in the Donetsk region of the Ukraine A spammer is undergoing criminal investigation in the Donetsk region of the Ukraine. This is the… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2005/03/spammer-investigated-ukraine/

US Anti-Spyware bill approved

A revised anti-spyware bill was approved by a committee in the US House of Representatives.
A revised anti-spyware bill was approved by a committee in the US House of Representatives. A revised anti-spyware bill was approved by a committee in the US House of… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2005/03/us-anti-spyware-bill-approved/

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