Kaspersky Lab Int. refutes accusations about the spreading of "virus hysteria"
The W2K.Stream virus has not only generated some lively debate amongst anti-virus
experts relative to this sort of malicious program's potential danger. W2K.Stream
has also precipitated personal affronts to Kaspersky Lab Int. from competitor anti-virus
software companies who have accused KL of creating "virus hysteria"
amongst computer users.
Given the latest events, Kaspersky Lab would like to once again confirm its
position regarding the
danger present in the NTFS alternate data streams (ADS). Furthermore, we
state that by continuing to ignore the problem and not taking similar steps-steps
that Kaspersky Lab has already taken and continues to take-to bring their anti-virus
product up to contemporary standards, the aforementioned competitor anti-virus
companies are neglecting their users' anti-virus security.
"From our stand-point, we have already taken the necessary measures to
release the Kaspersky Anti-Virus 3.5 version in the near future, which, among
the new technology, will support ADS," said Michael Kalinichenko, Kaspersky
Lab Technical Director.
In addition, the groundless criticism has also been targeted at Kaspersky Lab's
company policy in general. Among the accusations made by our competitors, it
was stated that Kaspersky Lab warnings are in some way an exaggerated and clever
marketing ploy designed to draw attention to our product. An analogous situation
could be described as one doctor arbitrarily stigmatizing another doctor as
a "quack." We consider the recent statements made by other anti-virus
companies to be unethical in regards to their colleagues and imprudent in regards
to their users. Without logically refuting even one of the arguments justifying
Kaspersky Lab's warning of the potential threat posed by ADS virus appearances,
our competitors have used their unfounded refutations to set about misinforming
users.
"We understand the position of the anti-virus-industry �Big Boys' seeing
us as a serious competitor. We have a unique technology in our anti-virus arsenal;
high-class, round-the-clock technical support; and a wide range of products
for both the individual user and for corporate networks of any size. It seems
clear that their wish is to simply �choke' and neutralize a young anti-virus
company that has made an active appearance on the international market. We are
almost flattered in a way that we have attracted their attention," stated
Den Zenkin, Head of Corporate Communications for Kaspersky Lab.
"We also understand perfectly that actively maintaining a market share
is a part of business; however, this in no way justifies other anti-virus companies'
showing of indifference for user security as they have displayed in this recent
attack on our policy of keeping our clients and users privy of any real and
potential virus threat."
The basic Kaspersky Lab information-policy principle that distinguishes us
from other anti-virus companies is our before-the-fact warning of users.
This covers not only currently existing dangers (such as the "ILoveYou"/"LoveBug"
virus), but also potential threats that are contained in the peculiarities of
provider programs and computer equipment. It is namely this principle that
has attracted user attention and more than 200,000 Kaspersky Lab subscribers
who receive our company newsletter. Every day this figure grows, and here are
just a couple of the more-than-positive responses from our subscribers:
I don't have anything against a virus company with a rock-solid product
like AVP producing virus "notices" (not warnings, notices) about
viruses that exist. It's far and away better than the baloney email virus
warnings you get chain mailed every single day! And in my experience, AVP
is far more reliable at detecting esoteric viruses than either McAfee's or
Norton's, both of which have missed various viruses that AVP has caught.
Michael
Hall, IT Manager from Grand Rapids, Michigan
AVP is not only the best anti-virus program I have ever used, it makes
me absolutely fearless of viruses.... it does not attempt to take over your
machine, and it does not leave behind its evil roots unlike most other anti-viral
programs. I regard its updates with cheer, not fear. I think the big boys
are jealous.
Hermine
Stover, Architect, for California-based Endangered Species
We would also like to note that it is this very Kaspersky Lab information-policy
principle-which KL has had from the very beginning-that underscores our validity.
In 1997, we warned about the danger of Internet-worms spreading, and today more
than 80% of all active viruses have the possibility of self-sending via e-mail.
In 1998, we were once again accused of causing "virus-hysteria," because
of our prediction about the development of script-viruses. Today, 70% of all
virus attacks occur in this form. And concerning the "Chernobyl"
virus that was first detected by Kaspersky Lab experts in 1998; even at that
time, many people refused to believe in its existence altogether.
"Because the scope of our plans includes the opening of our own representative
office in the USA, we expect an increase in the "full-court press"
tactics of our competitors," said Natalya Kaspersky, Kaspersky Lab CEO.
"We value user security first and foremost, and see our mission as defending
against and preventing all potential threats. We are prepared to continue our
principle of providing our users with effective and extensive information about
virus warnings even in the face of our competitors' unsubstantiated affronts."
You are welcome to subscribe to the free Kaspersky Lab newsletter here:http://www.kaspersky.com/subscribenow.asp.
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