Trend Micro: Security matters

According to Justin Doo, regional director of Trend Micro, bundled applications that display pop-up ads, redirect web searches and access to web merchants, attempt to close anti-spyware software, and install modifications to Internet Explorer. Once the screensaver is installed, the user ends up with an array of new applications all running at once in the background, which slows his or her machine down to an almost unusable state. Worse still, un-installation is difficult and ultimately unsuccessful.

Doo warns users at GITEX 2006, the Middle East's largest IT exhibition to be on guard against malware threats and network viruses.

"With the recent changes in the structure of affiliate networks, there is now a new model of spyware installations," explains Doo. "The result is that those with little or no programming experience can now bundle as many new breed affiliate networks together as possible. This spells top dollar for the distributor, but for the unfortunate end user it means their PC is likely to slow down to an unusable state - and possibly crash."

Take, for example, the Jessica Simpson screensaver that's listed in response to Jessica Simpson search queries, and is distributed by a number of sites. The screensaver may be free, but it comes with a hidden cost. That's because it's bundled with a witches' brew of Trojan horses, undisclosed adware, spyware, and a stealth dialer -- programmes like WebHancer, NewDotNet, Ezula, among others.

The 'Jessica Simpson' name is commonly used as a traffic generator to gain adware and spyware installations.

"It is interesting that, if you perform a Google search for 'Jessica Simpson screensaver', one of the sponsored links that is returned installs Zango, an adware application, and the MySearch toolbar, a browser helper object that is commonly bundled with adware. This means that someone ends up paying the Google AdSense fee for the sponsored link. (AdSense is an ad serving programme run and administered by Google which generates revenue on either a per-click or per-thousand-impressions basis.) Then money is made back by installing the adware from the website to which the user gets directed," says Doo.

At GITEX this year, Trend Micro will launch a range of Gateway Appliances to build on its best of breed product lineup and market dominance at the internet gateway level. Gateway security protection has proven to be one of the most effective and important solutions in the battle against cyber crime. By blocking malicious malware at the Internet Gateway, businesses can reduce the risk of infiltration and infection early on, before the malware reaches the desktop. The InterScan Gateway Security Appliance enables organisations to enforce their gateway content security with a single product.

The company will also showcase solutions for the antivirus and content security market and release appliances focused on the mid sector segment to provide customers with a better choice of plug and play, industry leading solutions.

Trend Micro can be found @Gitex 2006 at in the new Zabeel Hall, Stand Z-P10.