New 'Highlander' virus threatens computers, and even other viruses

**Banyarola** · 2012-02-17 14:48

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/nationa...ZkKm4FrPNzPQIL

**BruceR** · 2012-02-17 15:16

"As worn by David Beckham". I blame that CULT.

**Infinicore** · 2012-02-17 15:28

Its been the M.O. of many intelligent viruses for some time to kick out other viruses, not only to have the whole place to itself but to avoid detection second hand from some poorly written and performing virus getting caught and bringing in the cavalry to wipe them all out.

**Banyarola** · 2012-02-17 15:53

We're under assault and they are taking no prisoners...

**BATcher** · 2012-02-18 02:46

The New York Post is quoting from the UK's Daily Mail, which is not a newspaper generally regarded as publishing many accurate, well-balanced, facts...

**Banyarola** · 2012-02-18 02:54

Oh I don't know about that Batcher...The Daily Mail once printed a picture of a alien abduction and it looked eerily similar to the alien I saw in my backyard one evening...

**BruceR** · 2012-02-18 10:48

The Daily Mail and others are just quoting a Panda Security press release, after the wife of PandaLabs' technical director received an email.

Much ado about nothing? (But it is quite a convincing email.)

Bruce

**Tinto Tech** · 2012-02-18 11:25

One thing that makes an old cynic like me take interest is that fact the the recipient name in the email publicised by Panda is redacted.

One might initially think that makes sense to preserve privacy of the wife of the Panda Labs Technical Director (who allegedly received the mail). However, that doesn't exactly make sense, as her name is in the public domain. That then leads to two points: was the email addressed specifically to her, in which case it was a targeted attempt at Spear Phishing, or was it to "Dear Customer", in which case, it should have stood out like a sore thumb as being suspect and deleted without further investigation.

If it was Spear Phishing, that is much more serious as the bad guys would have been specifically targeting a PC known to be used by Luis Corrons, with all the implications that would have. If however it was a random name or a Dear Customer salutation, then the press release sounds more like marketing than news.

Personally, I'm not convinced that this is anything different than the rest of the malware that circulates. We should always be on our guard, especially if our life partner's are Technical Directors of an internet security company.

**satrow** · 2012-02-18 12:55

Daily Mail, facts; not usually seen in the same sentence.

**BruceR** · 2012-02-18 18:26

I don't think Panda Security is above a bit of creative marketing. About 15 years ago several of their reps contacted me in the US after I'd signed up for some trial of their product. The standard sales pitch then was that they were the most widely used antivirus in Europe; well, at the time, I'd just come from Europe and had never even heard of them there. I don't think they've ever had the lion's share of even their home market of Spain (where Kaspersky claims over 50%), and they've had a lot of turmoil at the top with four CEOs in the last five years.

Bruce

**DrWho** · 2012-02-21 07:45

As new viruses are found in the 'wild' the best AV programs will be updated to find and remove them.

I finally Purchased my own AV software so I could have it update its Virus Definition files every four hours, every day of the year.
Then it runs a full scan of the HD while I'm having supper. It's so unobtrusive, that I can read my mail, play some Solitaire or even run other scans at the same time with no noticeable lag time.

One night, feeling frisky, I started five different scanners to run at the same time. They all ran to completion with no problems.
A Good computer can do that. Eh?

So when I get a warning about a new virus, I don't sweat it. I know my AV program is on the job, protecting me, like it's been doing for a long time now.

Cheers Mates!
The Doctor

**Infinicore** · 2012-02-21 10:01

Exactly, as soon as I know the vector and its covered, it's dismissed it immediately. Couldn't tell ya the name of it unless I looked and registered it again.

**Duchess843** · 2012-02-22 12:27

Dr Who. Would you mind sharing the name of this wonderful program you're using?

Gloria

**Infinicore** · 2012-02-22 16:27

For me its pretty simple....here, I'll just attach a quick shot of what I use...

homer-simpson-wallpaper-brain-1024.jpg

It does sound like Dr.Who purchased his own AV software that he wrote and sells commercially. Probably not true but funny all the same.

**Medico** · 2012-02-22 18:59

I believe DrWho uses AVG 2012

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