The New Virus Year

Is this a prediction or is this a warning? --

Computer users should brace for a new onslaught of viruses this year, especially worms deployed into instant messaging systems that allow users to chat quickly and cheaply across the Web... Virus writers are most interested in creating the next super Windows worm, spread by email or instant messaging, as these mass-mailing viruses carry the greatest impact.

A skeptic, like me, will of course take it as a warning. When a senior consultant from an antivirus selling shop says this, does he talk by experience or by knowing it beforehand? You never know. The more new viruses come out, the more I have a feeling that this industry has started feeding on its own food. There are no revenge-taking or fun-loving blokes out there. To add, the guy stokes up the fears of the already shaken-up people --

We don't expect an acceleration in the emergence of new viruses, just a stable increase of 600 to 700 a month like last year.

But doesn't this seem to support my view? --

A virus in cyber-terrorism is like releasing a blown up balloon - you don't know where it's going to end up and may even return to hit you in the face.

1 Comment (closed)

Oh yes! I've been suspecting this for a while now. It's like the media creating its own news to report!! :)