Kaspersky Lab to share its latest virus data with Microsoft
Kaspersky Lab, a leading developer of secure content management solutions that protect against viruses, Trojans, worms, adware, hacker attacks and spam, has joined the Microsoft Virus Information Alliance (VIA), an international program for sharing information on malicious code.
The main aim of the program is to collaborate with industry partners to provide users of Microsoft products with accurate and timely information on new virus threats. Since the program was launched in 2003, it has proved to be an effective medium for exchanging virus news and technical information. Alliance members currently include the world’s 10 leading antivirus vendors and Microsoft.
The key role that Kaspersky Lab will undertake as a VIA member is to share current data with Microsoft and other VIA partners on all malicious programs detected. The description of each virus incident will provide data on: the scope and rate of virus propagation, attack targets and ways in which end users can avoid infection by malicious code.
“Recently, the malware industry has undergone major changes, with virus writers closing their ranks and evolving from individuals carrying out acts of vandalism to highly organized criminal gangs. The use of malicious code for financial gain has led to a significant growth in virus traffic. The number of new viruses identified every day is now in excess of 150, whereas a year ago the number was less than half of that. As most viruses are written for Windows platforms, collaboration related to sharing this kind of information will increase the security level for users of Windows-based PCs,” says Eugene Kaspersky, head of Kaspersky Lab antivirus research.
“Microsoft is pleased to work with Kapersky Labs and all the VIA members to provide customers with the information they need to help protect themselves from malicious threats. Security is an industry wide issue, and Microsoft is committed to continuing to work closely with industry partners toward the common goal of improving security for all computer users,” said Stephen Toulouse, security program manager of the Security Response Center at Microsoft Corp.