Posted: 13th Jun, 2005 By: MarkJ
Internet virus authors have reportedly begun releasing different variants of the same malicious code in an attempt to hit computers before anti-virus firms have a chance to issue new defences:
For a while new variants of one virus, called Mytob, were appearing every hour. Some viruses appear in hundreds of different guises.
The variants are appearing far faster than firms can analyse them and update their scanners to spot the malicious code.
The tactic seems to be paying off. Currently, Mytob variants are filling 14 of the positions in the Top 20 threats list collated by security firm Sophos.Sadly it has always been the reality that some viruses slip through the net, which is why it's a good idea not to open attachments strait away; preferably never, unless you're 100% sure of what they are.
We can't help but wonder whether this tactic makes it easier or not to catch those responsible? Surely the more exposed a virus author makes themselves, the easier they are to track down. More @
BBC News Online.