Interesting fact: average virus infects exactly one computer (median value)

  • Thread starter Thread starter RayLopez99
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R

RayLopez99

I found this of interest.

RL

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2368876,00.asp#fbid=KGqrbGnEOGg

Insight-Based Protection
The top security vendors agree that new variations on viruses,
Trojans, and other malware types are appearing faster than ever. Trend
Micro reports that the average current threat is active for only three
days, with a median lifetime of just fifteen minutes. A similar study
by Symantec determined that, on average a specific malware variant
infests ten computers. The median is just one computer!
 
I found this of interest.

RL

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2368876,00.asp#fbid=KGqrbGnEOGg

Insight-Based Protection
The top security vendors agree that new variations on viruses,
Trojans, and other malware types are appearing faster than ever. Trend
Micro reports that the average current threat is active for only three
days, with a median lifetime of just fifteen minutes. A similar study
by Symantec determined that, on average a specific malware variant
infests ten computers. The median is just one computer!
Click to expand...

But they make up for it in volume (100s of new malware variants
released every day, I'm pretty sure).

RL
 
But they make up for it in volume (100s of new malware variants
released every day, I'm pretty sure).
Click to expand...

A single server with poly enabled can release 1000s! or more! in a single
day.
 
A single server with poly enabled can release 1000s! or more! in a single
day.
Click to expand...

So I guess that explains the median value of one, and the average
value of around a dozen PCs infected per virus.

RL
 
So I guess that explains the median value of one, and the average
value of around a dozen PCs infected per virus.
Click to expand...

If they're using the word virus to really and only mean actual viruses,
yes. However, most malware I've seen these days is really trojan in
nature. Even the rootkits aren't actually viral; they're stealthy
trojans. Many systems are routinely 0wned daily by trojans, but you
couldn't really say it's infected. Trojanized, but.. no infection.
 
Dustin said:
If they're using the word virus to really and only mean actual viruses,
yes. However, most malware I've seen these days is really trojan in
nature. Even the rootkits aren't actually viral; they're stealthy
trojans. Many systems are routinely 0wned daily by trojans, but you
couldn't really say it's infected. Trojanized, but.. no infection.
Click to expand...

I've grown accustomed to seeing "infection" used to mean 'attachment to
code' even when such attachment is non-replicative. Many trojans have an
"infection method". I never liked it, and I used to say that 'I prefer
my infections to be infectious' but - there it is.
 
I've grown accustomed to seeing "infection" used to mean 'attachment
to code' even when such attachment is non-replicative. Many trojans
have an "infection method". I never liked it, and I used to say that
'I prefer my infections to be infectious' but - there it is.
Click to expand...

Hmm.. Are you a fan of Alan Alda's work FTR?
 
Dustin said:
Hmm.. Are you a fan of Alan Alda's work FTR?
Click to expand...
Actually, I am. I think he is a genius. One episode of M*A*S*H was all
him and I was impressed by the monologue which, as I understand it, he
wrote. Lots of good stuff in that show.
 
Actually, I am. I think he is a genius. One episode of M*A*S*H was
all him and I was impressed by the monologue which, as I understand
it, he wrote. Lots of good stuff in that show.
Click to expand...

I'd have to agree with you. I've been a fan of his work since I was a
little kid. I've noticed some of his style of commentary every so often
in your posts.. ;p
 
Dustin said:
I'd have to agree with you. I've been a fan of his work since I was a
little kid. I've noticed some of his style of commentary every so often
in your posts.. ;p
Click to expand...

I suppose that's just my cynicism coming through. :oD
 
I suppose that's just my cynicism coming through. :oD
Click to expand...

Incidently, I have the episode you're talking about someplace here. I
purchased most of the mash series on dvd. :)

It's a real pain to process it tho.. Digital technology really brings
out the worst in some aspects of real film. [g]
 
Dustin said:
I suppose that's just my cynicism coming through. :oD
Click to expand...

Incidently, I have the episode you're talking about someplace here. I
purchased most of the mash series on dvd. :)

It's a real pain to process it tho.. Digital technology really brings
out the worst in some aspects of real film. [g]
Click to expand...
Aside, did you happen to catch Hugh Laurie's PBS special about the New
Orleans blues scene? "Let Them Talk" I think it was, he's pretty good.

Even if the blues isn't your genre, I suspect that you have enough
respect for it to enjoy that show.
 
Dustin said:
Dustin wrote:

Dustin wrote:

Dustin wrote:
up s. co m:

On Oct 5, 12:09 pm, Dustin<[email protected]>
wrote:


But they make up for it in volume (100s of new malware
variants released every day, I'm pretty sure).

A single server with poly enabled can release 1000s! or
more! in a single day.


So I guess that explains the median value of one, and the
average value of around a dozen PCs infected per virus.

If they're using the word virus to really and only mean
actual viruses, yes. However, most malware I've seen these
days is really trojan in nature. Even the rootkits aren't
actually viral; they're stealthy trojans. Many systems are
routinely 0wned daily by trojans, but you couldn't really say
it's infected. Trojanized, but.. no infection.


I've grown accustomed to seeing "infection" used to mean
'attachment to code' even when such attachment is
non-replicative. Many trojans have an "infection method". I
never liked it, and I used to say that 'I prefer my infections
to be infectious' but - there it is.

Hmm.. Are you a fan of Alan Alda's work FTR?

Actually, I am. I think he is a genius. One episode of M*A*S*H
was all him and I was impressed by the monologue which, as I
understand it, he wrote. Lots of good stuff in that show.

I'd have to agree with you. I've been a fan of his work since I
was a little kid. I've noticed some of his style of commentary
every so often in your posts.. ;p

I suppose that's just my cynicism coming through. :oD
Click to expand...

Incidently, I have the episode you're talking about someplace here.
I purchased most of the mash series on dvd. :)

It's a real pain to process it tho.. Digital technology really
brings out the worst in some aspects of real film. [g]
Click to expand...
Aside, did you happen to catch Hugh Laurie's PBS special about the
New Orleans blues scene? "Let Them Talk" I think it was, he's pretty
good.
Click to expand...

No, I didn't. I am a fan of his tho...Really enjoy House.
Even if the blues isn't your genre, I suspect that you have enough
respect for it to enjoy that show.
Click to expand...

Actually, I enjoy the blues. :)
 
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