To honor the work of Dr. Fred Cohen and Prof. Len Adleman, who laid the foundations for the investigation into computer threats back in 1983, ESET, the leader in endpoint protection from the European Union, declares November 3 as Antimalware Day worldwide. The objective of this day is to mark the origin of computer viruses and the constant search for protection against them.
On November 3, 1983, two computer scientists made history. Dr. Cohen, then a student, of the school of engineering at the University of Southern California, was investigating a malicious program that could have been used to infect any connected system. A prototype that Prof. Adleman later dubbed a computer virus.
This day also marks the beginning of the fight against malware, which today not only includes simple computer viruses, but other types of computer threats that have triggered a never-ending search for countermeasures to protect IT systems.
"As a result of information technology we live better, longer, easier, happier lives. And in general things seem to be going better, so until now the rewards make it seem worth taking the risks," said Fred Cohen. "Generally we do not do good preventive medicine, but we wait to get sick and then we go to the doctor," he concluded.
ESET invites its users and those interested in cybersecurity around the globe to participate and mark the first Antimalware Day by using the hashtag #AntimalwareDay in conversations on social media.
To mark the first event in the celebration, ESET will share stories about the birth of the fight against malware, as well as exclusive interviews with Prof. Adleman, in which he recalls the day when the first computer virus was made and everything that followed. There will also be a question and answer session with the ESET experts and a fun trivia quiz.
For more information on Antimalware Day, visit WeLiveSecurity.com. To learn more about the new versions of home products please visit www.eset.com.
About ESET
For 30 years, ESET® has been developing industry-leading IT security software and services for businesses and consumers worldwide. With solutions ranging from endpoint and mobile security, to encryption and two-factor authentication, ESET’s high-performing, easy-to-use products give consumers and businesses the peace of mind to enjoy the full potential of their technology. ESET unobtrusively protects and monitors 24/7, updating defenses in real-time to keep users safe and businesses running without interruption. Evolving threats require an evolving IT security company. Backed by R&D centers worldwide, ESET becomes the first IT security company to earn 100 Virus Bulletin VB100 awards, identifying every single “in-the-wild” malware without interruption since 2003. For more information visit www.eset.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.