Vigilance called for on computer viruses

[InfoSec News <isn () c4i org>]

http://www1.chinadaily.com.cn/itchina/2001-08-29/29828.html

2001/08/29
China Daily
Zeng Min

The Chinese Internet community will soon be able to breathe a sigh of
relief, as formidable cyberworm Red Code II is, reportedly, to subside
its malicious forays on global computer servers.

However, Chinese anti-virus combatants remain in battle mode, warning
on Tuesday that a slack defence system remained the Achilles Heel of
computer users, putting them at risk of another bug assault.

Virus vigilance has been stepped up, following the onslaught on the
global Internet network of viruses and hacker attacks, including CIH,
I Love You and Ice River, since April. Experts warn of a high
frequency of bug attacks this year.

On Tuesday, Zhang Jian, chief engineer of the National Computer Virus
Emergency Response Centre, said many net buffs still turned a deaf ear
to the warnings, as they stake their bets firmly on luck.

"They are too complacent and do not take the problem seriously," said
Zhang.

Worse still, a lack of consultation between computer firms that host
corporate servers and their clients has inhibited the urgent build-up
of an anti-virus defence shield.

This scenario was a perfect fit for Red Code II, which targeted
servers as the main breeding ground. It can remain latent in one
defenceless server before making another onslaught later on, experts
said.

Nearly 600 firms and institutions in China, mostly high-tech firms,
have been bitten by the virus within the first 22 days of this month,
official statistics reported.

The bug, a potent sibling of Red Code, which was active in June,
ground the cyber traffic of more than 1,000 servers to a standstill in
the past few weeks.

However, anti-virus engineers from the Ministry of Public Security --
the official bug-busting watchdog -- have said the effect was not far
spread, and that proper measures have been taken to keep the bug in
check.

Xia Ji, a manager at anti-virus technology maker Kingsoft Co Ltd,
agreed. He said: "Some of our clients have been attacked but they have
downloaded patches to plug the loophole. And emergency calls are
dwindling in the last few days."

However, Wang Jiangmin, a chief operator at Beijing Jiangmin New
Science Technology Co Ltd -- another anti-virus software player --
said the overblown hype on Red Code II should be put to rest.

"Vigilance should focus upon other virus at this time,'' he said.


 

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