International Antivirus Testing Workshop

[midway40]

Though I do not use F-Secure anymore I do like reading their blogs and this caught my eye.

{QUOTE-> Greetings from the International Antivirus Testing Workshop taking place in Reykjavik, Iceland. The conference was organized by Frisk Software and is being attended by over 60 people from various antivirus companies.

The event brings together developers of antivirus software and people involved in the comparative testing of such products. The goal is to discuss current "best practice", common flaws and suggest possible improvements in antivirus testing methods.

Several key antivirus industry people are attending the Workshop: Vesselin Bontchev, Peter Szor, Andreas Marx, and Randy Abrams. Fridrik Skulason, the owner of Frisk Software opened the conference. So far we've seen presentations from Andreas and Vesselin. Both presentations were devoted to the processes of antivirus testing and to problems that arise during such tests. We are looking forward for many more interesting presentations and open discussions.

Signing Off,
Alexey <-QUOTE}

http://www.f-secure.com/weblog/#00001191

Since this has been a hot topic of late it might be interesting. I wonder if any of our esteemed experts that frequent here knows of this and is attending.

[LowWaterMark]

{QUOTE-> I wonder if any of our esteemed experts that frequent here knows of this and is attending. <-QUOTE}Yes, some do and yes, some are. However, it'll be up to them to identify themselves if they wish.

[The Hammer]

{QUOTE-> Yes, some do and yes, some are. However, it'll be up to them to identify themselves if they wish. <-QUOTE}There have been threads on this already with names of some of the invited mentioned by at least one expert who frequents here.

[Firecat]

So many meets, so many photos, so many good times, so much technology....I must say I'm quite impressed, but at the same time such things make me feel puny and insignificant in a world of billions....

[midway40]

I must have missed the mention of this one then. The last "get-together" I remember was CEBIT.

Of course I wouldn't want anyone to identify with the names listed in the blog (I know I wouldn't if I was involved). Anyway I cannot keep nickname=real names straight anyway, lol.

[Miyagi]

Serious experts. Agendas here: http://www.f-prot.com/workshop2007/agenda.html

[Mele20]

Since it has been discussed in the forums here, I see no reason to not mention for those who didn't see the earlier discussion that IBK got a scholarship to attend so that he can make his tests even better. :)

Inspector Clouseau is one of the presenters and he is presenting material from his book which I can't wait to read when finished (although a lot of it will probably be over my head). :D

[midway40]

Thanks for the info, Mele20 :)

I can't believe I missed this info before :wacko:

And a lot of that stuff is over my head as well ;D

[trjam]

one thing about this place that I am always grateful for, is how malware writers, testers and vendors come to talk to us and educate us. I am pretty lame with all this, but a lot wiser now, thanks to all of them. So I thank you, you are the folks who help keep us safe.::)

[Firecat]

{QUOTE-> Inspector Clouseau is one of the presenters and he is presenting material from his book which I can't wait to read when finished (although a lot of it will probably be over my head). <-QUOTE}

Don't worry about that, it won't be THAT much over your head. :)
I can't wait to read the book as well - The Inspector had told me I'd get a free copy. But I'll pay if it comes to that. ;D

[NAMOR]

{QUOTE-> Don't worry about that, it won't be THAT much over your head. :)
I can't wait to read the book as well - The Inspector had told me I'd get a free copy. But I'll pay if it comes to that. ;D <-QUOTE}


Sorry for the OT comment, but what is the title of the book and when is the expected release date? I remember seeing on the forum before, but I easily forget things.

[Firecat]

{QUOTE-> Sorry for the OT comment, but what is the title of the book and when is the expected release date? I remember seeing on the forum before, but I easily forget things. <-QUOTE}
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=149149

;)

[NAMOR]

{QUOTE-> http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=149149

;) <-QUOTE}


When I try to access IC's blog, I get "This Account Has Been Suspended". :-\

[Firecat]

{QUOTE-> When I try to access IC's blog, I get "This Account Has Been Suspended". :-\ <-QUOTE}
The site doesn't load at all for me. But I remember IC saying that he used to have a serious problem with spammers on his blog and forum, so maybe he decided to quit? :-\

[EraserHW]

from what I remember, yes. Too many spam shit to try to handle with, he hasn't time to spend sorting this shit out

[Mele20]

{QUOTE-> The site doesn't load at all for me. But I remember IC saying that he used to have a serious problem with spammers on his blog and forum, so maybe he decided to quit? :-\ <-QUOTE}

Yeah, he got pissed about all the spammers. I think I recall him saying here he was through with having a blog ...that it was too time consuming with all the spamming to deal with. I remember thinking to myself that meant he'd have more time to finish his book.

[Mele20]

{QUOTE-> Don't worry about that, it won't be THAT much over your head. :)
I can't wait to read the book as well - The Inspector had told me I'd get a free copy. But I'll pay if it comes to that. ;D <-QUOTE}

Yeah...you got in that first ten or 20 it was on Mike's blog didn't you? I was number 21 I think..one after the limit for copies being given away. That is ok though....I'll buy it. ;)

[Firecat]

{QUOTE-> Yeah...you got in that first ten or 20 it was on Mike's blog didn't you? I was number 21 I think..one after the limit for copies being given away. That is ok though....I'll buy it. ;) <-QUOTE}
No, I was never one of those 20. ;)

[NAMOR]

{QUOTE-> The site doesn't load at all for me. But I remember IC saying that he used to have a serious problem with spammers on his blog and forum, so maybe he decided to quit? :-\ <-QUOTE}


Thanks Firecat,

I'll try and send him a PM here or at the F-prot forum tomorrow to get more info on his book.

[Inspector Clouseau]

The conference ended and it was IMO a good converence/workshop. Presentations and Material will be available for download soon at our homepage. I'm just uploading pictures and if that is finished i'll provide a link.

[gerardwil]

:thumb: great to hear

[bigc73542]

Sounds like there might have been a bit of progress made.:thumb: :)

[Inspector Clouseau]

In approx. 1h i get the next photos. Really nice pictures... Including Eset sleeping in/at vampire coffins. (I've attached this picture here already, Andrew Lee, ESET, yesterday night) So pretty much fun, more pictures later, stay tuned and virus clean :D

[Inspector Clouseau]

Here's another one: Roel from Kaspersky (member in this forum as well)
That was in the same pub after the conference. Behind him Ceco (our company), Randy Abrams (Eset), John Hawes (Virus Bulletin) and Robert from Authentium in the blue shirt. Conference pictures still resizing and uploading...

[Firecat]

Something about that picture (post number 23) looks like it came out of a computer game (no offense intended)....:)

[gerardwil]

Cool, I know that Pub ;)
These two pictures explains a lot: drinks followed by coma ;D

Gerard

[Inspector Clouseau]

Palo Luka & Andrew from ESET, i'm in the black shirt and behind me Pierre from Eset.

[C.S.J]

why is he on top of the coffin?

probably stopping someone from frisk from getting out :)

eset vs frisk ROUND 1 computer game for firecat ::)

[Inspector Clouseau]

People came really from far away to attend this conference:

K7-team picture in the same pub

[Inspector Clouseau]

Anna from our viruslab & Alexey from F-Secure. Alex celebrated his birthday yesterday here in iceland.

[Inspector Clouseau]

Vesselin Bontchev, during conference

[midway40]

Thanks for posting the pics :) Looking forward to reading about this conference.

[C.S.J]

why does vessellin look like that guy with the funny hand in scary movie 2?

[Inspector Clouseau]

Two more pictures

[Inspector Clouseau]

Another one

[Inspector Clouseau]

Roel speaking

[Inspector Clouseau]

Presentations / Slideshows are available here:
http://www.f-prot.com/workshop2007/presentations.html

[Inspector Clouseau]

Of course we had to have some fun during the conference. So Randy Abrams and myself decided to perform our evil plan directly at the start of the conference. I was the first speaker at day 1 so i used the opportunity to call Randy infront. (Nobody did know that this would happen, we didn't tell anybody...) then Randy presents to Vesselin the Arrogant Bastard Bier. (see picture)

Picture 1: I announce Randy (everyone looks confused because that was nowhere written)
Picture 2: Randy presents the beer (Please notice the big laugh from Fridrik in the background)
Picture 3: Vesselin shows it
Picture 4: Slightly dazed and confused he started speaking ;D
Picture 5: That's the beer ;D

I know we are evil, but hey, it's only Vesselin :D

[Technic]

Thanks a lot Inspector! Very interesting reading. :D

Nice pics too.

[lucas1985]

Very interesting :thumb:
LOL at the pics :D

[Smokey]

I don't know what to think about this workshop.

IMHO it look like an International Booze Testing Workshop.....::) :o ??? :blink: :wacko: *puppy*


At Your Service,

Smokey

Smokey's Booze and Liquid Services (http://www.ncdot.org/programs/ghsp/initiatives/BoozeIt_LoseIt.jpg)

[Inspector Clouseau]

Btw here is a good writeup about the workshop and why it was held:
http://www.chi-publishing.com/index.php?newsID=1481

[Tweakie]

Inspector, do you know if the presentation of Viorel Canja ("Exploiting the Testing System"), will also be posted on the workshop's website ? I'm really interested by this topic :)

[Get]

{QUOTE-> Yes, some do and yes, some are. However, it'll be up to them to identify themselves if they wish. <-QUOTE}

Well, allrighty then.

http://i16.tinypic.com/4z4itg5.jpg

[midway40]

You look very pale and one-dimensional in that pic. Have you seen a physician about this condition? ;D

Looks like you all had a blast :)

[Miyagi]

You all deserve a great recognition for protecting us from the malware industry. :thumb: Glad to see you all having a nice get together and sharing insights and knowledge amongst each other. I just noticed that you all look handsome and not like a retard in a library PC lab. 8)

All of you, please live long. Cut down the alcohol and the cigarettes. ;D Thank you Mike for the photos and the presentation materials - realtime information detected by multiple heuristic minds (the best engine)! ;)

[C.S.J]

i think its a shambles,

they should be working and not boozing :)

[The One]

Nice pics.
very interesting to see that all companies work together like this.

[DjMaligno]

I've to try that beer someday :D

[Inspector Clouseau]

{QUOTE-> I've to try that beer someday :D <-QUOTE}

I'm sure you are "worthy" for it :D ;D

[Firecat]

{QUOTE-> I'm sure you are "worthy" for it :D ;D <-QUOTE}
BTW Inspector, Don't take it offensively but I like you without a beard and mustache because it makes you look very young and very handsome! ;D

So personally, looking at the pictures I was happy to see you back in that look again! :)

[ren]

{QUOTE-> BTW Inspector, Don't take it offensively but I like you without a beard and mustache because it makes you look very young and very handsome! ;D <-QUOTE}
+1 ^^ i am sure his wife prefer too

[FanJ]

Thanks Mike for the info, links, and photos !!!

Indeed great to see all these experts coming together, and also having a well deserved nice time.

Keep up the good work !

Cheers, Jan.

[Get]

{QUOTE-> You look very pale and one-dimensional in that pic. Have you seen a physician about this condition? ;D <-QUOTE}

>:(Two-dimensional that is!... and pale..? Me and my psychologist like to call it "a special person who stands out from his surroundings".

[midway40]

Lol, sorry about that, it is 2D (not sure what 1D would look like, EDIT: a straight line?) :)

[IBK]

It was more a conference than a workshop. Anyway it was nice to meet again Mike and some few other peoples :).

[Miyagi]

More pictures here - http://www.f-prot.com/workshop2007/bothdays/

Thanks again to the photographers!!

[Get]

{QUOTE-> not sure what 1D would look like, EDIT: a straight line? <-QUOTE}

1D only has length and no width/height so is non-existant, but is drawn as a line, because it's hard to draw something with only one dimension.:)

[Sjoeii]

@IBK
Are you in one of the pics too?

[IBK]

yes i am

[Inspector Clouseau]

{QUOTE-> @IBK
Are you in one of the pics too? <-QUOTE}

http://www.flickr.com/photos/vircop/501944272/

[Schouw]

{QUOTE-> Roel speaking <-QUOTE}
Actually, I think I was either getting a question or 'watching' the discussion at that point in time. :)

Anyway, imo the workshop was great. We had some good discussions, both on and off 'track'.

[Inspector Clouseau]

And don't forget that evening in that pub ;D I only remember that ceco and me went home around morning and that he was thinking that my home is the hotel :o :D

[Schouw]

You know, these are the reasons why I don't drink alcohol. :D
All evenings/nights were great fun, not just the pub. :)

[Inspector Clouseau]

{QUOTE-> You know, these are the reasons why I don't drink alcohol. :D
<-QUOTE}

Did u spend closer attention to that picture?
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showpost.php?p=1005866&postcount=24

;D ;D ::) ::)

[Schouw]

{QUOTE-> Did u spend closer attention to that picture?
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showpost.php?p=1005866&postcount=24

;D ;D ::) ::) <-QUOTE}
Detected: not-a-virus:Hoax.RealLife.Alhocol.a (internal bases only) :D
I think that was Robert's or Ceco's - I was just posing for the photo. :)

[Inspector Clouseau]

But the most "funny" part was that one of the eset guys (i won't disclose any names :P ) got a speeding ticket. ;D I really don't know how they managed this in only 2 days... ;D

[lucas1985]

What is a "speeding ticket"? ???

[lodore]

{QUOTE-> What is a "speeding ticket"? ??? <-QUOTE}
you get a fine for breaking the speed limit while driving.
e.g. if the speed limit is 30mph and you go say 35mph you could get fined and get a speeding ticket.
or if you go past a speed camera over the speed limit the camer will take a photo of the number plate and you will get a speeding ticket sent in the post.
lodore

[Inspector Clouseau]

{QUOTE-> What is a "speeding ticket"? ??? <-QUOTE}

Take a look at the picture

[lucas1985]

LMAO ;D
Thanks lodore and Inspector :)

[midway40]

I second that LMAO ;D

Thanks guys for the pics and the hilarity. Nice to see some levity in here from time to time :)