New Generation of Threats Confronting Companies in the Kingdom
Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - Executives from Trend Micro, Inc. (TSE: 4704, NASDAQ: TMIC), a leader in network antivirus and Internet content security software and services, have met with a number of high-level representatives from leading organizations during this year's Saudi IT Security Forum to discuss the changing threat levels confronting companies in the Kingdom.
A main part of Trend Micro's focus at this year's event was raising awareness of the risks of "targeted" virus threats, where hostile programs are developed to crack a specific organization's defenses, either to cause disruption, or to provide access for people looking to steal information and data.
"This year, we've seen a number of malware programs launched against individual companies, with the aim of disrupting their networks. These programs have included a virus which was hidden inside a spyware program, which was designed to slip past a particular company's defensive wall, and a number of polymorphic threats - malware which evolves every time it infects a file, so that standard anti-virus software is incapable of tracking and erasing it," said Samir Kirouani, technical manager, Trend Micro Middle East and Africa.
"What has been most striking is that these targeted threats tend to go after the largest and most successful enterprises within a country, and that a number of them have originated from within the Middle East. It's important, in this context, that Saudi organizations are fully prepared and protected," added Kirouani.
At the Saudi IT Security Forum, Trend Micro unveiled its "Virus Escalation" service, which is being made available to its leading customers in the Kingdom.
In the face of the new wave of personalized threats, the Virus Escalation service enables companies to register suspicious files with Trend Micro. Skilled security experts then isolate the files, and then forward them to Trend Micro's worldwide network of anti-viruses laboratories, TrendLabs.
These laboratories then analyze the file, evaluate its threat level, and develop a remedy in rapid time. Security experts around the world have praised the service as an important step forward in the battle against viruses.
The Saudi IT Security Forum ran from April 17-18, and took place under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince General Miteb bin Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, Assistant Deputy Commander of the National Guard for Military Affairs. More than twenty experts from Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of CIT, SAMA, CIT Commission, STC, Saudi Airlines, and Saudi ARAMCO participated.
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About Trend Micro
Trend Micro is a leader in network antivirus and Internet content security software and services. The Tokyo-based corporation has its European headquarters in Marlow, England and its operations span the globe. Trend products are sold through corporate, value-added resellers and managed service providers.
© Press Release 2005
