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Unauthorized Software Downloads Are A Growing Source Of Internet-Based Threats
SAN DIEGO, Calif. – December 30, 2005 – ESET, a global provider of security software for enterprises and consumers, issued a warning today about a potentially harmful worm that lures users to download the latest version of MSN Messenger. The worm is spread via a URL prompting MSN Messenger users to download a Beta copy of Version 8.0 of the instant messenger software. Once the user accesses the phony URL, they become victims of an automatic download that installs a Trojan on the user’s computer, opening the door to additional threats. The recent MSN scam highlights the enhanced risk of downloading unauthorized software that ultimately compromise security and are the source of malicious code.
Most organizations today have sanctioned the use of the Internet and tools such as instant messenger to increase productivity in the workplace. IT administrators are then challenged to balance Internet usage for work-related activities with acceptable use policies that maintain the integrity of the organization’s network security. Without strict policies enforced, users are lured to update their software or download the latest and greatest applications at will, opening them and their company’s network to malicious threats from outside the firewall. "Pirated or unauthorized software is more likely to contain malicious code that harms your computer than officially released applications that have been certified by the vendor," says Randy Abrams, director of technical education for ESET. “Given the growing number of Trojans, spyware, worms and viruses roaming the Internet, it is essential that companies set and enforce internal policies on top of implementing robust antivirus software to protect against increasingly sophisticated threats.” ESET’s NOD32 utilizes ThreatSense® technology, a sophisticated detection system based on advanced heuristics, to proactively identify previously-unknown malware, such as the MSN Messenger scam, in real-time. ThreatSense is built into NOD32’s single, unified scanning engine to provide comprehensive protection so users do not need to rely on additional point solutions for spyware and adware protection. Additionally, network and system performance is barely affected for end-users and IT administrators as NOD32 uses less than 20 MB of memory. “In order to prevent future freeware download threats such as this week’s MSN Messenger scam-related worm, IT departments need to comply with software purchasing standards and enforce company policy against downloading unauthorized and unlicensed software or digital media,” said Rick Moy, vice president of marketing and sales for ESET. “More importantly, users must be aware of what they download. If it sounds illegal or unauthorized, it is more likely to be unsafe.”
With new threats appearing every day, it is important that antivirus companies not only provide new updates to identify these threats once they are released, but also are able to detect threats proactively through advanced heuristics. Without proactive heuristic detection, users must wait for updated versions of their antivirus software, creating a critical window of vulnerability that can last hours or even days. ESET’s NOD32 is the only product on the market today that utilizes advanced heuristics technology to proactively catch more than 90 percent of unknown malware.
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