Written By : Ulukai
August 2004

Norman Virus Control specific questions:

1. Is the job of combating viruses becoming harder or are most of the new viruses just old code re-worked to deliver a different payload? Are virus writers becoming more sophisticated in their approach?

Norman: It is becoming harder. Not because the viruses are getting more complicated (although slowly they are, but that is evolution and anti-virus software is also becoming smarter, e.g. the SandBox [see below]), however they are spreading so fast that direct action is necessary. Nowadays also the source-code of the viruses is spread very fast over the internet and we often see an explosion of variants.

**

2. Can you ever imagine there being an operating system that is so secure it's completely immune to attack from malicious code or is the need for antivirus and other protective software a feature that's here to stay?

Norman: No, even UNIX and Linux turn out to be vulnerable in some way, although much less than Windows. If 90% of the world would run Linux and the remaining 10% Windows, the current situation would be reversed as the potential hit-vector is much bigger than on Linux.

**

3. What's the biggest challenge facing companies like Norman in light of the recent spate of worms and viruses and the in-fighting and competition between the authors of malicious code.

Norman: Pro-active detection by the SandBox!

** If you're wondering what the "Sandbox" is, it's a virtual PC straight out of The Matrix. I really suggest you take a read of the fascinating explanation HERE.**