VB Blog

Vulnerability disclosure and botnet takedown not to be hindered by Wassenaar Arrangement

Posted by   Martijn Grooten on   Dec 19, 2017

Clarification in the language of the Wassenaar Arrangement, a multilateral export control regime for conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies, means those involved in vulnerability disclosure or botnet takedown won't have to worry about acquiring an export licence.

Read more  

VB2017 paper: Nine circles of Cerber

Posted by   Martijn Grooten on   Dec 15, 2017

Cerber is one of the major names in the world of ransomware, and last year, Check Point released a decryption service for the malware. Today, we publish a VB2017 paper by Check Point's Stanislav Skuratovich describing how the Cerber decryption tool worked; we have also uploaded the video of the presentation of this paper, by Or Eshed and Yaniv Balmas.

Read more  

Attack on Fox-IT shows how a DNS hijack can break multiple layers of security

Posted by   Martijn Grooten on   Dec 14, 2017

Dutch security firm Fox-IT deserves praise for being open about an attack on its client network. There are some important lessons to be learned about DNS security from its post-mortem.

Read more  

Throwback Thursday: BGP - from route hijacking to RPKI: how vulnerable is the Internet?

Posted by   Martijn Grooten on   Dec 14, 2017

For this week's Throwback Thursday, we look back at the video of a talk Level 3's Mike Benjamin gave at VB2016 in Denver, on BGP and BGP hijacks.

Read more  

Security Planner gives security advice based on your threat model

Posted by   Martijn Grooten on   Dec 13, 2017

Citizen Lab's Security Planner helps you improve your online safety, based on the specific threats you are facing.

Read more  

VB2017 video: Spora: the saga continues a.k.a. how to ruin your research in a week

Posted by   Martijn Grooten on   Dec 11, 2017

Today, we publish the video of the VB2017 presentation by Avast researcher Jakub Kroustek and his former colleague Előd Kironský, now at ESET, who told the story of Spora, one of of the most prominent ransomware families of 2017.

Read more  

VB2017 paper: Modern reconnaissance phase on APT – protection layer

Posted by   Martijn Grooten on   Dec 7, 2017

During recent research, Cisco Talos researchers observed the ways in which APT actors are evolving and how a reconnaissance phase is included in the infection vector in order to protect valuable zero-day exploits or malware frameworks. At VB2017 in Madrid, two of those researchers, Paul Rascagneres and Warren Mercer, presented a paper detailing five case studies that demonstrate how the infection vector is evolving. Today we publish both Paul and Warren's paper and the recording of their presentation.

Read more  

VB2017 paper: Peering into spam botnets

Posted by   Martijn Grooten on   Dec 1, 2017

At VB2017 in Madrid, CERT Poland researchers Maciej Kotowicz and Jarosław Jedynak presented a paper detailing their low-level analysis of five spam botnets. Today we publish their full paper.

Read more  

Throwback Thursday: Anti-malware testing undercover

Posted by   Martijn Grooten on   Nov 30, 2017

We look back at the VB2016 presentation by Righard Zwienenberg (ESET) and Luis Corrons (Panda Security), in which they discussed various issues relating to anti-malware testing.

Read more  

Virus Bulletin relaunches VB Security Jobs Market for both employers and job seekers

Posted by   Martijn Grooten on   Nov 30, 2017

As an independent body in the IT security industry, Virus Bulletin is in an ideal position to act as a global source of information both about jobs currently available in the field and about those candidates currently seeking to start or progress their career in the industry - which is why we have relaunched the VB Security Jobs Market.

Read more  

Search blog

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

Man sentenced for 911 Trojan

Louisiana man gets six months behind bars
Louisiana man gets six months behind bars A Louisiana man has been sentenced to six months imprisonment and ordered to pay Microsoft more than $27,000 after he admitted sending a… https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2005/03/man-sentenced-911-trojan/

Spyware bill approved

House of Representatives approves revised anti-spyware legislation
House of Representatives approves revised anti-spyware legislation Posted on 14 March 2005 by Virus Bulletin https://www.virusbulletin.com/blog/2005/03/spyware-bill-approved/

We have placed cookies on your device in order to improve the functionality of this site, as outlined in our cookies policy. However, you may delete and block all cookies from this site and your use of the site will be unaffected. By continuing to browse this site, you are agreeing to Virus Bulletin's use of data as outlined in our privacy policy.