Fighting malware and spam
PollsThere are stories about computer security in the news every day, but it can be hard to find an unbiased opinion, or even hard facts. Virus Bulletin would like to know your experiences and opinions about the topics that concern computer users. Whether you're the CEO of an anti-malware company, administrator of a large corporate network or a home user, we'd like to know about your experiences and opinions. On this page you will find an overview of the previous polls that have run on Virus Bulletin. The current poll can be found on the right-hand side of the page. Suggest a pollIs there a question you think we should ask our users? Click here to suggest a poll! Previous pollsGlobal spam levels have declined in the past year. Have you also experienced this in your inbox? Are SSL certificates an adequate way to ensure secure Internet traffic? Does your company block any social networking sites? Do you run an anti-malware solution on your Mac? Do you feel safe banking online? Do you run security software on your mobile phone? Spam levels are at their lowest since 2008. Do you think this trend will continue? When do you install software updates? Should anti-virus vendors reimburse customers for damage caused by false positives? Do you use the same password(s) across multiple websites? How do you run your anti-malware solution? Have you ever come across a fake anti-virus product? Does your company have an IT security policy? How should software and OS patching/security updates be managed? Should Mac and Linux users be running security/anti-malware software? Does your organization have a password policy? How much trust do you put in the warnings that appear next to sites listed in search engine results? Who in your company is responsible for installing software patches? How are your spam levels compared to two months ago? Should anti-virus software be free for personal use? Will taking client-side security 'into the cloud' provide better security for the end user? Will the current banking crisis lead to an increase in phishing attacks? Have you ever been conned by a phishing email? Is it reasonable to teach virus writing as part of a computer security course? Have you ever actually read an End-User License Agreement? Is 47 months imprisonment sufficient punishment for a convicted spammer? Will new browsers like Firefox 3, Internet Explorer 8 and Opera 9.5 help fight web-based malware? When do you feel most at risk from malware and cybercrime? What was the main reason for choosing your current anti-virus product? Are virus-writing contests a good idea? How often do you check your spam folder for false positives? Do you use security software on your mobile phone? Do you ever forward chain letters? Who should take ultimate responsibility for computer security? Has your antivirus software ever produced a false alert? $3.2 billion was lost in phishing attacks in 2007. Do you think this is going to be worse in 2008? Should governments be allowed to write viruses to bug terrorists? Has Windows Vista made the web a safer place? Do you feel safe banking online? Have you suffered a malware infection that wasn't spotted by your anti-virus software? Does your company block any social networking sites? Is it acceptable to demand money for information on software vulnerabilities? |
Current pollThe Japanese government is reported to have commissioned a 'defensive virus'. Is 'defensive' malware ever a good idea? CommentsGood idea, Japanese people are very intelligent! by Mr.Av, 05 January 2012, 23:01 Japanese is real smart folk, not like them Norwegianites! Love the comment. by Mr. AZ, 12 January 2012, 00:05 But I'm smarter: not a good idea. :) by RoMak, 12 January 2012, 06:14 Defensive malware can be reverse engineered, hacked, and/or re-purposed. As a consequence, defensive malware of any strong technical value is a great way to leak capabilities to an enemy. by Madscientist, 12 January 2012, 17:02 For a short period of time it seems to be a good idea since it will target the threats and launch a counter-attack. But, as the time goes by some malwares might come that are specially written to reverse-engineer this 'defensive' virus, in such a case it doesn't seem to be a good idea. Therefore, it is a short-term solution and not a permanent one. by Vishrut Sharma, 16 January 2012, 08:46 Good idea....but i don't think it will last. by P Nokmei Phom, 20 January 2012, 10:08 they always get abused. by terry, 20 January 2012, 12:05 A matter of definition_A virus typically is spread without the users knowledge or consent, and therefore is unethical, and prone to abuse. by ralph Bridges, 22 January 2012, 19:35 The connotations alone associated with the word Virus are enough to make this a bad idea. If nations engage in such activity it will both lend a veneer of acceptability to related activities and reduce trust in them as moral arbitrators. Further the idea that 'professional' virus writers might produce a piece of software for 'good' reasons which will then be reverse engineered by black hats is truly frightening. This is of course allegedly what has happened with Stuxnet. Anyone who answers 'Yes' to this question should have their motives closely examined – perhaps using the very software they advocate. by Mark Haworth, 26 January 2012, 22:55 I fail to understand what the real purpose of a "defensive" virus could possibility be. I certainly agree with the other Nay voters. As a possible training aid is a maybe; but, out in the real world is asking for problems. by L.Pellock, 01 February 2012, 20:39 Leave a comment |
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