Security news31 December 1999
Sophos slams CA Y2K virus hysteria
Sophos, one of the world's leading anti-virus developers, today criticised Computer Associates (CA) for adding to the hysteria regarding Y2K-related viruses.
On the morning of December 31st 1999 Computer Associates issued approximately half a dozen press releases about new computer viruses - some of which were not in the wild, and some of which have no connection whatsoever with the Year 2000 date change.
Simon Perry, business manager of security at Computer Associates, was quoted as saying: "We are warning our clients of every new verified virus that comes out during this sensitive Y2K period."
This suggests that we might see a press release for every new virus seen by CA's analysts over the year-end, even for viruses which are not in-the-wild and are never likely to be.
"During 1999, the virus count in Sophos Anti-Virus rose by 29831 -- an average of 82 a day.", said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant for Sophos Anti-Virus, "So if CA really mean what they say, we should expect up to 410 press releases about new computer viruses between December 31st 1999 and January 4th 2000. Clearly this is absurd."
Sophos believes that CA's policy is extremely unhelpful to system administrators and only helps to further damage the credibility of the entire anti-virus industry.
There is simply no evidence that companies are more likely to be infected by a computer virus over the Y2K period than any other day of the year.
Sophos recommends that users do not worry unnecessarily about viruses which do not pose a true threat, and be just as security conscious over the Y2K period as you would at any other time of the year. Press releases and media stories hyping up viruses which are not in the wild should be ignored.
Sophos continues to offer a free email alert service for customers which notifies users of new viruses that are discovered in the wild, 365 days of the year. This is one of the best ways in which users can keep themselves informed of the true virus threat.
