[ISN] ICSA Releases 1998 Computer Virus Prevalence Survey

ICSA Releases 1998 Computer Virus Prevalence Survey

Despite Increased Use of Anti-Virus Software, Incidence of Infection
Increases


CARLISLE, PA (September 14, 1998) — ICSA, Inc. today released results from
its 1998 Computer Virus Prevalence Survey which revealed that the rate of
infection in 1998 is 48 percent higher than reported in l997. The annual
survey is based upon interviews with technology professionals drawn from
300 corporations and government institutions in the United States
representing some 750,000 PCs and servers. The survey examines the state
of computer viruses today. 

One of the most disturbing trends uncovered by the report is that despite
increased use of anti-virus software, computer virus infection rates
continue to increase. Of those surveyed, almost 100 percent have
anti-virus software installed and running continuously. The main reason
for the increase in prevalence appears to be ineffective policy management
across the enterprise. More specifically, regular software updates, email
policies, improper installation and policies governing remote computer
use. 

The survey revealed numerous findings of interest to computer users around
the world. The report explored topics such as infection trends, the top
ten viruses, the top sources of infection, the effects of viruses on
business productivity, anti-virus software usage trends, ActiveX controls
and Java applets, and the impact of the Internet on virus proliferation. 

"The dramatic increase in the incidence of computer viruses is being
driven by the rapid proliferation of macro viruses," said Peter Tippett,
president of ICSA. "The primary infection vector for a macro virus is as
an email attachment. Macro viruses spread easily because the infected
files often exhibit few if any obvious symptoms. Because computer users
need run time, anti-virus software needs to continuously scan email
attachments for viruses." 



ICSA Computer Virus Prevalence Survey Sponsored by Leaders in Computer
Security

ICSA’s 1998 Computer Virus Prevalence Survey was sponsored by several of
the world’s leading computer security vendors and consulting firms.
Sponsors included Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq: MSFT), Anywhere Software,
Computer Associates (NYSE: CA), Network Associates (Nasdaq: NETA), Intel
(Nasdaq:  INTC), Panda Software, Price Waterhouse, LLP, Symantec
Corporation (Nasdaq:  SYMC), Dr. Solomon’s Software and Trend Micro, Inc. 

Pricing and Availability

Thanks to the support of the report’s sponsors the ICSA 1998 Computer
Virus Prevalence Survey is available at no charge, as a public service,
from ICSA’s web site. The report can be found at http://www.icsa.net. Hard
copies of the 105 page report can be purchased for $19.95 each by
contacting ICSA’s Professional Resource Library at 717-241-3210 or via
email at pray@icsa.net. 

About ICSA, Inc. 

ICSA, Inc. is the worldwide security assurance company. Established in
1989 as an independent corporation, ICSA has successfully led the security
industry in the development of high quality security products through
product certification programs and in establishing better security
practices through management of multiple security-focused consortia. ICSA
certifications and security standards are accepted globally. 

ICSA provides security assurance services including TruSecure™, an
integrated and continuous service that reduces the risk and damage from
malicious attacks directed at a company’s valuable information and
information systems. TruSecure™ helps clients dramatically reduce
Internet security risks on their Internet perimeter. ICSA currently has
offices in North America, Europe and Asia. ICSA can be reached by phone at
(800) 488-4595 or on the Internet at http://www.icsa.net. 


-o-
Subscribe: mail majordomo@sekurity.org with "subscribe isn".
Today's ISN Sponsor: Repent Security Incorporated [www.repsec.com]