Abstract
 

Paper Title

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly: A Study of Fads in the Threat Landscape

Author(s)

Jaime Lyndon A. Yaneza (USA) , Threat Research Manager, Trend Micro, Inc.

Time

Reserve Paper.

 

 
In the past 20-or so odd years of the anti-virus industry we’ve seen the threat landscape ebb and flow with the times. Various environmental factors from cultural, political, personal and so on have also had their own side effects smattered onto individual pieces of traditional malcode. It is interesting to note however, that many elements to today’s successful threats actually have their roots steeped into history – some even way before the first portable electronic calculators.

This paper attempts to illuminate, though not necessarily scientifically, the social engineering attacks that seem to be new for today’s more informed audience but that have actually been in employ and use time and time again. We will also take a look at some other anecdotal trends in technology, how these have been abused to perpetuate old tricks of the trade. And finally, we’ll take a look at the players behind the threats, how each has contributed to the threat landscape.

In its conclusion it is hoped that a clearer personal understanding of why threats continue to persist and work even today.