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Computer Viruses

Breeding and Hedging


Stephan H. Wissel – TAO Consulting Pte Ltd
Presentation to the Rotary Club of Orchard

11 Feb 2003

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Agenda
! What are viruses and what do they do
! Why are they around
! Basic precautions
! Security products
! I have a virus, what do I do?
! Q&A

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What are viruses
! Little highly efficient programs that
execute without the consent of the
computer owner
! Need a host to survive and spread

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What do viruses do?
! Annoy users
! Spread themselves
! Damage software & data
! Espionage information
! Turn the computers into “Zombies”

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Damages they cause
! Lost data
! Jammed Internet
! Labor to clean-up
! Exposure of (private/confidential) data
Damage Hitlist:
! Klez.H -> 9 Billion USD
! LoveLetter -> 8,8 Billion USD
! Code Red -> 2,6 Billion USD
Source: http://www.mi2g.com

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How do viruses DO it

"
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How do viruses DO it

#
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How can you catch one?
! eMail
! eMail
! eMail
! Disk, Zip, CD
! Website
! Being connected to the Internet

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Why are they around
! Frustrated programmers feel the power
! By accident
! To prepare for Cyberwar
! Prove of concept
! To blow a whistle
! Espionage
! To get other peoples money from DBS

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Basic precaution

SAFER SEX!

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Basic Precaution
! Set your expectations - behavior
! Settings in Explorer
! Settings in eMail
! Anti Virus Software
! (Personal) Firewalls
! More extreme measures

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Setting in Explorer
! Tools, Folder
Options, View
! Uncheck: Hide
extensions for
known file types
! The usual
suspects:
Com, Exe, Bat, scr

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Settings in
Internet
Explorer

! Tools
- Internet Options
- Security
! Upgrade to IE6

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Settings in eMail
! Tools –
Options -
Security

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Keep you window up2date
! Windowsupdate.microsoft.com

Consider Windows XP pro

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Anti Virus Software
! Norton Anti Virus
! PC-cinlin
(http://housecall.antivirus.com)
! Mc Afee Antivirus
! Dr. Solomons
! F-Secure Antivirus

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Keep running & it current

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Firewalls & others
! Norton Internet Security
(www.symantec.com)
! ZoneAlarm (www.zonealarm.com)

! Privacy-Enforcement
– BUGNOSIS (www.bugnosis.org)
– AD-AWARE (www.lavasoftusa.com)

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What do Firewalls do
! Keep your data on your computer
! Stop your PC from be a Trojan

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Corporate Defense
! Have well skilled and motivated
administrators
! Have decent firewalls
! Protect the whole network
– Intrusion detection (e.g. BlackICE)
– Anti Virus Software
! Less Monoculture

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More extreme measures
! Kiss Outlook goodbye
– Netscape Messenger
– Opera eMail
– Lotus Notes
– Pegasus eMail
! Kiss Windows Goodbye
– If you dare use Linux ☺
– The new Macintosh® laptops are REALY cool

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Now I got the cold, so how?

! Make a
http://housecall.antivirus.com
! Boot from your Anti-Virus CD
! Call in a specialist
! Unplug your eMail until solved

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Where to Get More Information
! http://www.antivirus.com
! http://www.symantec.com
! http://secinf.net/
! mailto:stephan@wissel.net

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Q&A
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Thank you for listening!
Stephan H. Wissel
TAO Consulting Pte Ltd

mailto:stephan@wissel.net
http://www.taoconsulting.com.sg
fon:+657000TAOTEAM
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