Doom and Gloom for Mobile Malware?

Pete Lindstrom — Wed, 23 Feb 2005 14:14:02 +0000

An excerpt from:

http://www.technewsworld.com/story/security/wireless-worm-cabir-symbian-40794.html

The news was greeted with a shrug by one analyst. "This worm’s appearance in the wild is no surprise," Pete Lindstrom, research director at Spire Security, told TechNewsWorld. "After all, it was prophesied by the sacred texts of trade publications and antivirus vendors, and thus it happened. And it will happen again."

"Yes it is likely to get worse. People must care a lot more and be willing to pay for security. Or not, and learn to live with this type of thing," Lindstrom said.

I did not intend this to be FUD-like, but how can you answer no to the question "is this likely to get worse?" when you have a new target?

Here is my entire emailed response:

This worm’s appearance in the wild is no surprise. After all, it was prophesied by the sacred texts of trade publications and antivirus vendors, and thus it happened. And it will happen again.

At some point, enterprises are going to have to clue in to the idea that the same folks who profit from this malicious activity may be contributing to the problem, either directly or indirectly.

On a superficial level, it is no more or less significant than any other worm. The real significance is driven by the damage it can do.

Yes it is likely to get worse. People must care a lot more and be willing to pay for security. Or not, and learn to live with this type of thing.

Mobile malware must be on the rise since it really didn’t exist until recently. Comparatively speaking, there are usually much more significant problems in an enterprise. You shouldn’t ignore the problem, but you shouldn’t fishtail through your strategic security program either.

And here are the reporter’s original questions:

What is the significance of the worm’s appearance in the U.S.?

Is the problem likely to get worse? If so, what can people do about it?

Is mobile malware on the rise? What are companies doing to stem the tide?

Finjan’s Antivirus Guarantee

Pete Lindstrom — Tue, 22 Feb 2005 03:40:15 +0000

Antivirus guarantee

“I love it when enterprises put their money where their mouth is. This is really going to lay it on the line,” said Pete Lindstrom, research director at Spire Security, an industry research firm.

The content behind the hyperbole: It is common in the security space for vendors to make significant claims, like "zero day" protection. Making a guarantee will force the vendor to step up and prove that its solution actually works as advertised. The fine print of any agreement will serve (must serve) to highlight the specific constraints of its product. It is refreshing to know that nothing can be hidden.

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Doom and Gloom for Mobile Malware?

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