Kaspersky Lab refutes accusations about the spreading of "virus hysteria"

[InfoSec News <isn () C4I ORG>]

Forwarded By: Berislav Kucan <bhz () net-security org>

http://www.net-security.org/text/articles/viruses/hysteria.shtml

Kaspersky Lab refutes accusations about the spreading of "virus hysteria"

The W2K.Stream virus has not only generated some lively debate amongst
anti-virus experts relative to this sort of malicious program's
potential danger. W2K.Stream has also precipitated personal affronts
to Kaspersky Lab from competitor anti-virus software companies who
have accused KL of creating "virus hysteria" amongst computer users.

Given the latest events, Kaspersky Lab would like to once again
confirm its position regarding the danger present in the NTFS
alternate data streams (ADS) (for more details see here). Furthermore,
we state that by continuing to ignore the problem and not taking
similar steps-steps that Kaspersky Lab has already taken and continues
to take-to bring their anti-virus product up to contemporary
standards, the aforementioned competitor anti-virus companies are
neglecting their users' anti-virus security.

"From our stand-point, we have already taken the necessary measures to
release the Kaspersky Anti-Virus 3.5 version in the near future,
which, among the new technology, will support ADS," said Michael
Kalinichenko, Kaspersky Lab Technical Director.

In addition, the groundless criticism has also been targeted at
Kaspersky Lab's company policy in general. Among the accusations made
by our competitors, it was stated that Kaspersky Lab warnings are in
some way an exaggerated and clever marketing ploy designed to draw
attention to our product. An analogous situation could be described as
one doctor arbitrarily stigmatizing another doctor as a "quack." We
consider the recent statements made by other anti-virus companies to
be unethical in regards to their colleagues and imprudent in regards
to their users. Without logically refuting even one of the arguments
justifying Kaspersky Lab's warning of the potential threat posed by
ADS virus appearances, our competitors have used their unfounded
refutations to set about misinforming users.

"We understand the position of the anti-virus-industry 'Big Boys'
seeing us as a serious competitor. We have a unique technology in our
anti-virus arsenal; high-class, round-the-clock technical support; and
a wide range of products for both the individual user and for
corporate networks of any size. It seems clear that their wish is to
simply 'choke' and neutralize a young European anti-virus company that
has made an active appearance on the international market. We are
almost flattered in a way that we have attracted their attention,"
stated Den Zenkin, Head of Corporate Communications for Kaspersky Lab.

"We also understand perfectly that actively maintaining a market share
is a part of business; however, this in no way justifies other
anti-virus companies' showing of indifference for user security as
they have displayed in this recent attack on our policy of keeping our
clients and users privy of any real and potential virus threat."

The basic Kaspersky Lab information-policy principle that
distinguishes us from other anti-virus companies is our
before-the-fact warning of users. This covers not only currently
existing dangers (such as the "ILoveYou"/"LoveBug" virus), but also
potential threats that are contained in the peculiarities of provider
programs and computer equipment. It is namely this principle that has
attracted user attention and more than 200,000 Kaspersky Lab
subscribers who receive our company newsletter. Every day this figure
grows, and here are just a couple of the more-than-positive responses
from our subscribers:

I don't have anything against a virus company with a rock-solid
product like AVP producing virus "notices" (not warnings, notices)
about viruses that exist. It's far and away better than the baloney
email virus warnings you get chain mailed every single day! And in my
experience, AVP is far more reliable at detecting esoteric viruses
than either McAfee's or Norton's, both of which have missed various
viruses that AVP has caught. Michael Hall, IT Manager from Grand
Rapids, Michigan

AVP is not only the best anti-virus program I have ever used, it makes
me absolutely fearless of viruses.... it does not attempt to take over
your machine, and it does not leave behind its evil roots unlike most
other anti-viral programs. I regard its updates with cheer, not fear.
I think the big boys are jealous. Hermine Stover, Architect, for
California-based Endangered Species

We would also like to note that it is this very Kaspersky Lab
information-policy principle-which KL has had from the very
beginning-that underscores our validity. In 1997, we warned about the
danger of Internet-worms spreading, and today more than 80% of all
active viruses have the possibility of self-sending via e-mail. In
1998, we were once again accused of causing "virus-hysteria," because
of our prediction about the development of script-viruses. Today, 70%
of all virus attacks occur in this form. And concerning the
"Chernobyl" virus that was first detected by Kaspersky Lab experts in
1998; even at that time, many people refused to believe in its
existence altogether.

"Because the scope of our plans includes the opening of our own
representative office in the USA, we expect an increase in the
"full-court press" tactics of our competitors," said Natalya
Kaspersky, Kaspersky Lab CEO. "We value user security first and
foremost, and see our mission as defending against and preventing all
potential threats. We are prepared to continue our principle of
providing our users with effective and extensive information about
virus warnings even in the face of our competitors' unsubstantiated
affronts."


Berislav Kucan
Help Net Security
http://net-security.org

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