Security Basics mailing list archives
Re: Antivirus- A Corrective Control?
From: Jay Scalf <jayscalf () comcast net>
Date: Wed, 10 Aug 2011 17:17:47 -0500
Well, everyone is right. Let me summarize:Locally, on your computer, network, etc., both. I have used numerous programs that catch some incoming and some in scans. These, however, are from known lists or, like Panda Cloud, whatever can be found on the net. All give false positives and miss newly created material. (It might also be noted that once the virus/malware is found and removed, correction of the registry, path, etc., may also be required - so not entirely corrective either.)
In terms of the big picture, the entire IT world is reactive - with the pen testers out front trying to find holes (potential exploits) to be plugged before someone more malevolent discovers it. Still, none of us have a crystal ball, so you certainly couldn't call anything of that nature preventative in a broad sense. It is a good thing that software suppliers respond quickly with patches, but the next major attack will likely be from a yet to be documented source.
Lastly, I agree with all those who have gone before in their advice regarding the test. (If I learned anything from 6 years of college, it's how to take a test.) Read their material carefully and figure out which answer they are looking for.
Good luck and best wishes to all, Jay On 8/10/2011 4:31 PM, Todd Haverkos wrote:
"Sandeep Cheema "<51l3n7 () live in> writes:My 0.02$ Preventive. Corrective would be if the machine has been compromised and the next task is to clean it. But that's not how AV behaves ideally. An infected machine can never be cleaned fully but can be prevented completely from getting infected. If you got an AV in place, it should not get infected at all ( as per vandor's claims atleastAs this is security-basics, and because an alarming number of people believe that there's even a shred of truth to the "should not get infected at all" myth, as a public service, let's all repeat: "No, AV won't protect you from all malware. Not even close." Make sure everyone knows that AV is trivially evaded, and that essentially all decent malware is tested against all the common AV's before it's used. Some crimeware kits even come with support and a guarantee of a new version should AV start detecting the current version. Freely available exploitation frameworks are built from the ground up to do AV and IDS evasion at several levels. If a vendor makes a claim anywhere within 100 kilometers of "should not get infected at all" they should be summarily discounted from consideration as a vendor, and possibly flogged in the street. If you aren't already, spread the word that AV's value (if any) is in complying with mandates for AV, and for being at least something that might detect older or more common malware absent any other more advanced/more reliable detective measures you've been allowed to purchase. Versus a targetted attack, be sure that decision makers are aware that AV is very nearly worthless, and should never ever ever be characterized as something that would keep a machine from getting "infected at all." Sandeep, by the way, this isn't directed at you...I suspect you are well aware of the gulf between vendor claims and reality on this front. Best Regards, -- Todd Haverkos, LPT MsCompE http://haverkos.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Securing Apache Web Server with thawte Digital Certificate In this guide we examine the importance of Apache-SSL and who needs an SSL certificate. We look at how SSL works, how it benefits your company and how your customers can tell if a site is secure. You will find out how to test, purchase, install and use a thawte Digital Certificate on your Apache web server. Throughout, best practices for set-up are highlighted to help you ensure efficient ongoing management of your encryption keys and digital certificates. http://www.dinclinx.com/Redirect.aspx?36;4175;25;1371;0;5;946;e13b6be442f727d1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 10.0.1392 / Virus Database: 1520/3825 - Release Date: 08/10/11
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Current thread:
- Antivirus- A Corrective Control? kartik . netsec (Aug 10)
- Re: Antivirus- A Corrective Control? Todd Haverkos (Aug 10)
- Re: Antivirus- A Corrective Control? Sven von Kreyfeld (Aug 10)
- RE: Antivirus- A Corrective Control? Omar Salvador Alcalá Ruiz (Aug 10)
- RE: Antivirus- A Corrective Control? Mikesch, David A (Aug 10)
- RE: Antivirus- A Corrective Control? David Gillett (Aug 10)
- <Possible follow-ups>
- Re: Antivirus- A Corrective Control? Sandeep Cheema (Aug 10)
- Re: Antivirus- A Corrective Control? Todd Haverkos (Aug 10)
- Re: Antivirus- A Corrective Control? Femi Mogaji (Aug 10)
- Re: Antivirus- A Corrective Control? Jay Scalf (Aug 10)
- RE: Antivirus- A Corrective Control? Ong Chin Ching (Aug 11)
- RE: Antivirus- A Corrective Control? Mikhail A. Utin (Aug 11)
- Re: Antivirus- A Corrective Control? Todd Haverkos (Aug 10)
- Re: Antivirus- A Corrective Control? gold flake (Aug 11)
- RE: Antivirus- A Corrective Control? Curtis 4syth (Aug 11)
- Re: Antivirus- A Corrective Control? RobOEM (Aug 11)
- Re: Antivirus- A Corrective Control? John Morrison (Aug 11)