Krevco 's Techdirt Comments

Latest Comments (27)

• On the post: Anti-Virus Firms Fear A Lack Of High Profile Viruses — Pump Up Low Profile Ones

  

  Krevco ( profile ), 10 Feb, 2010 @ 12:15pm

  It's interesting that there is this perception. Is there any really hard evidence or is it just conjecture? This would make for an interesting paper if there were any credibility to it. I don't think my antivirus company of choice would ever partake in this kind of action, but I can see maintaining relevance being an issue for other firms.

• On the post: $100 Laptops To Create Next Generation Of Malware Authors?

  

  Krevco ( profile ), 09 Feb, 2010 @ 09:53am

  What kind of malware are they going to be authoring on these $100 systems...and why would they use THESE computers for that? This is an unusual case of paranoia, and I think it is also slightly motivated by greed. I am all for keeping the world free from malware, but wanting to keep computers from those in need, just to alleviate a non-existent risk, seems irrational and bordering on cruel.

• On the post: A Realistic Anti-Virus Firm?!? Shocking

  

  Krevco ( profile ), 09 Feb, 2010 @ 09:44am

  Been a fan of Sophos antivirus for a few years now. For whatever reason, they are not so well known yet in the states. I look to see that change in 2010, however. Their quality speaks for itself and with evangelists like Graham, it will not be long before they get their proper respect stateside.

• On the post: Are Firms Too Reliant On Anti-Virus Software?

  

  Krevco ( profile ), 27 Jan, 2010 @ 01:08pm

  Sophos makes a high quality antivirus product but the rep is correct simply because you cannot protect people from themselves. Despite what level of protection you have, human error or maliciousness can always usurp software.

• On the post: After Five Years, Apparently The Mobile Virus Flood Is Really Coming This Time

  

  Krevco ( profile ), 29 Dec, 2009 @ 08:17am

  Is it a virus flood? In my experience it is more of a case of peopel accidentally introducing malware to their devices because of external devices and memory cards, or getting malware from bad apps. I have not heard of any real virus issue on any mobile devices..

• On the post: How Do You Enforce An EULA On Malware?

  

  Krevco ( profile ), 29 Dec, 2009 @ 06:53am

  Pretty sick stuff when they pack the EULAs with stuff that, although not binding, ATTEMPTS to lock you in to years worth of purchases. I can see the call to support, "Hi, I have malware all over my computer." "Well, since you have agreed to buy all future upgrades, you are now required to buy one if you want this fixed." Sweet deal. Very cool customer relations strategy...

• On the post: Is The IndiaTimes Website Bombarding Visitors With Malware?

  

  Krevco ( profile ), 28 Dec, 2009 @ 07:56am

  I have a hard time believing that any reputable company, especially a news site, would be the host of an intentional malware attack. Doing that on purpose would just be public relations suicide. it is more likely that they got some good bids on ad space, and unwillingly invited in some malicious code. In this case, they deserve only some of the blame.

• On the post: Connecticut Still Wants To Try Julie Amero

  

  Krevco ( profile ), 28 Dec, 2009 @ 07:52am

  The fact that they are still pursuing this case SUGGESTS that they don't know what they are doing, but COULD mean that they know more than they are letting on. It could very well be that the malware found on the computer was not totally responsible for the content that was present on the machine, but may only be a coincidence. I am just saying, we should keep an open mind on this one until more facts come out...

• On the post: LexisNexis Suddenly Notices Massive Data Security Breaches Everywhere They Look

  

  Krevco ( profile ), 14 Dec, 2009 @ 08:50am

  Unlike some companies who have been lax with their data protection practices, I think that Lexis has a real onus on them to provide security. Not only do they receive plenty of money for their service, they are handling some very important data. Let's hope this scare straightens them out a bit.

• On the post: Microsoft Realizes No One Wants To Pay Microsoft To Fix Its Own Security Flaws

  

  Krevco ( profile ), 10 Dec, 2009 @ 07:00am

  This makes sense, only because any other option would make zero sense. Can you imagine if MS had tried to make different versions of Windows 7 (undoubtedly this was discussed at some point), based on level of security. Windows 7 TITANIUM, for the ultimate in data protection!!! Fact is, the onus is on Windows to keep their own product secure, but I would like to see their security software integrated into the OS, instead of even being discussed as a separate product..

• On the post: Is Your IP Address Your Personal Information?

  

  Krevco ( profile ), 07 Dec, 2009 @ 02:21pm

  here is the thing...It's ALL private data. We, meaning every one, should be able to selectively choose what data we share. Whether this be our IPs, our internet searches, or our clicks, it is all our business and should only be shared with permission. Granted, there are several methods for increasing your level of data protection, but still, many popular services just bypass the permission seeking stage and just flat-out make money off of info you never explicitly (perhaps passively, however) agreed to share.

• On the post: Court Says Anti-Malware Software Maker Immune From Lawsuit From Zango

  

  Krevco ( profile ), 04 Dec, 2009 @ 08:13am

  Ha, Imagine that. A company that is known for nothing but being a nuisance that nobody wants on their PC, is actually trying to sue for what amounts to defamation. Suing because they were called spyware? They ARE spyware verging on what I would consider malware due to the fact that their 'service' hogs up massive CPU cycles. I am glad they are no longer making money.

• On the post: College Classes On Malware Writing Still Piss Off Anti-Virus Firms

  

  Krevco ( profile ), 04 Dec, 2009 @ 08:03am

  These classes are a fantastic tool for future IT professionals. Let's look at this logically, if your job is the detection, avoidance and removal of any malicious code, then naturally it makes sense to know how to author and inject such code. How can you be expected to get rid of malware if you cannot recognize, deconstruct and plan for it?

• On the post: Homeland Security Still Plans To Search Laptops At Borders With No Probable Cause

  

  Krevco ( profile ), 02 Dec, 2009 @ 06:47am

  I am pretty much a bleeding heart liberal and I feel that anybody entering the country should definitely be subject to having their laptop searched. There was even some talk that the authorities were being given keys that could defeat encryption software, so they could immediately unencrypt suspect files...and I agree with that too, but I think I read that doing so was actually not allowed without arrest..

• On the post: Now Maybe TJX Will Take Data Security Seriously

  

  Krevco ( profile ), 23 Nov, 2009 @ 07:18am

  Now, a couple of years later, TJX has yet to pay off any significant amount of customers over their lackluster data protection efforts. But, their name has paid an ultimate price. TJX name value is below the basement and I understand that company credit card applications are at all time lows. Behold the power of a hack to shatter consumer confidence in a brand.

• On the post: Your Encryption Key Is Protected By The Constitution?

  

  Krevco ( profile ), 18 Nov, 2009 @ 06:44am

  An interesting note to this is that while you cannot be forced to give any passwords that would unencrypt your data and potentially incriminate you, the government can bring in their uber hackers to simply crack your encryption software and forcefully extract data that may incriminate you. Seems kind of contradictory, don't you think?

• On the post: Proof Of Concept Skype Wiretapping Malware Released

  

  Krevco ( profile ), 18 Nov, 2009 @ 06:42am

  So the hackers who successfully implement this malware will be rewarded with hours upon hours of mp3 files that they will have to wade through in order to find any relevant (valuable) data. This has to be the least efficient form of hacking I have ever heard of.

• On the post: Crowdsourced, Cloud-Based Anti-Virus? Lots Of Buzzwords, But How Does It Work?

  

  Krevco ( profile ), 16 Nov, 2009 @ 06:40am

  I agree that the the usage of antivirus in a cloud setting seems long on promises and low on delivery, but you must admit that it also seems almost limitless in potential. I can EASILY see this becoming a massively popular application, but I can also see it taking several years to perfect.

• On the post: Latest Antivirus Error: McAfee Blocks A Bunch Of Popular Sites As Risky

  

  Krevco ( profile ), 16 Nov, 2009 @ 06:37am

  My favorite incidence of antivirus software blocking programs it should not be blocking was when my antivirus product X woul dnot let me install antivirus product Y. Then, my spyware program picked up multiple hits from antivirus X and Y. Why there is still no single product that does everything and actually does it well, continues to confound me on pretty much a daily basis.

• On the post: Woman Sues Yahoo Because Search On Her Name Links To Porn And Malware

  

  Krevco ( profile ), 13 Nov, 2009 @ 08:26am

  Wow...she thinks she is such a unique being that nobody else can use or have her name. Does she really think she has any chance of winning, or does she just want to push the sites with her name on them further down the search results by filing this frivolous suit and getting the accompanying media coverage? Still, I wonder how her name ended up turning results for malware and pornography...Maybe some starlet user her name as an alias...unreal.

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