The key role will be to share current data with Microsoft and other VIA partners

Mar 20, 2006 14:42 GMT  ·  By

Kaspersky Lab, one of the main developers of solutions against viruses, Trojans, worms, adware and others, has joined the Microsoft Virus Information Alliance (VIA), an international program for sharing information on malicious code.

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," said 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," stated Stephen Toulouse, security program manager of the Security Response Center at Microsoft Corp.

Microsoft Virus Information Alliance consists of Aladdin, Computer Associates, ESET, F-secure, Global Hauri, Kaspersky, McAfee, Norman, Panda, Sophos, Sybari, Symantec and Trend Micro.