The virus hunters from Magdeburg

 

Over 60 million computer viruses are stored in the high-security wing of the Magdeburg virus testing laboratory. A sophisticated logistics system prevents any unauthorised or unintentional access, with red cables marking the data channels which could be in contact with viruses and green cables providing access to the internet. Almost all viruses detected worldwide since 1984 are securely archived here. They are available for research purposes and provide a way of testing new anti-virus software. The Magdeburg company AV-TEST GmbH is one of the global leaders in this area."Around 55,000 malicious viruses are released every day", says Managing Director Andreas Marx. According to the 32-year-old, the developers, in most cases actually criminals, are hard-working. On behalf of all renowned producers, the Magdeburg-based company continually tests more than 30 anti-virus solutions for their effectiveness, looks for weak points and provides information regarding the detection of new viruses. The results of the extensive analysis processes are used by specialist computer magazines, amongst others, who offer readers their own conclusions about the software. Halfway through the year, AV-TEST expanded its test repertoire with complex anti-virus solutions for small and medium-sized companies company networks comprising up to 1,000 computers. These solutions must prove their effectiveness against current threats.Andreas Marx names three aspects which play a role in all test processes. Main tasks are to determine the capacity of the anti-virus software to repair a computer system, ascertain the software's influence on the rest of the computer system with continuous background monitoring, and, of course, test out the software's actual capacity to provide defence from viruses. The 23 employees at AV-TEST use a total of 260 PCs to fight against Trojans, worms, phishing attacks and viruses. For Marx, the situation at the moment is "alarming". The internet offers organised crime a platform from which they can earn money quickly without running too much of a risk. For example, selling stolen credit card numbers is increasingly being replaced with attempts to directly access accounts.Development in new generations of computer viruses is almost unabated. The digital signatures of these viruses are difficult to detect, applications are permanently being optimised and stockpiled. "Virus half-lives of seven hours are normal", says Marx. "By then, a new version of the virus has already appeared". Therefore, AV-TEST undertakes targeted searches for new malicious software so that they are able to keep pace in this game of cat and mouse. The team constantly records new viruses using special e-mail addresses and known malicious websites. There are big plans for the future: Mobile phones and tablet PCs are also now being targeted by viruses on an increasing basis. "This is something we'll adapt to", ensures Marx.The AV-TEST team has been dedicated to fighting computer viruses for 15 years now. In 2010, a branch was opened in Leipzig. The management team of Andreas Marx, Maik Morgenstern and Guido Habicht wants to remain true to the economic region of central Germany. As a result, AV-TEST GmbH is striving towards close cooperation with the Otto-von-Guericke University in Magdeburg, amongst others. The latest research and trends from the area of IT security are present to the students in the form of regular seminars. Thanks to academic internships and the granting and support of dissertation work, a large number of graduates have also been able to become associated with the company at an early stage.Author: Klaus-Peter Voigt AV-TEST GmbHKlewitzstraße 739112 MagdeburgContact:Andreas Marxph: +49 (0)391 6075460E-Mail: amarx@av-test.deWeb: www.av-test.de