Security News

Hacker attack on the German ARD television broadcaster: Avira protects against malicious Java script

Tue, 13 May 2008

Attackers succeeded in infecting the ARD website with malware. Avira users are protected against malicious code on websites with the integrated WebGuard.

Tettnang, 13 May 2008 – Criminal hackers have managed to smuggle their own content onto the website of ARD, a joint organization of Germany’s regional public-service broadcasters. On the program pages of ARD, links to Chinese websites were uploaded which in turn were able to infect users’ computers with malicious code via security flaws in the browser. The problem has been rectified by ARD and all infected links removed. Nevertheless, caution should be exercised: “We assume that this is a mass attack aimed not only at ARD”, warns Rainer Witzgall, Executive Vice President of Avira. “It is to be assumed that other websites are also affected.”

Infection by malware can lead to considerable loss of data, and in certain circumstances may paralyze complete networks and erase hard drives. This could lead to financial losses and have a negative effect on the public image of companies. “The malware can infect computers via browser exploits, i.e. via security flaws in the browser itself”, explains Witzgall. “Other gateways are email attachments, weaknesses in the operating system or file downloads from the internet. Software from Avira monitors these gateways around the clock. However, the condition for this is that the virus protection is updated regularly. Avira provides updates several times a day which run automatically and therefore guarantee the user a permanent high level of security.”

Avira’s WebGuard is integrated in the business solutions and in the end-user products Avira Premium Security Suite and Avira AntiVir Premium and offers comprehensive protection of users’ internet activities. The module works independently of the browser and scans HTTP-based internet data traffic for malware. In addition, the software has an anti-spam tool, detects and removes rootkits, contains a WLAN-optimized firewall and also supports Windows Vista (32 and 64 bit).

Avira Premium Security Suite is available as a single-user license of 1 year for EUR 39.95 or as a family license for 3 computers for EUR € 59.95 in the Avira Online Shop or from retailers. Avira AntiVir Premium virus protection is available from only EUR 19.95.

More information on Avira’s product portfolio is available from the following link: http://www.avira.com/de/losungen/index.html

About Avira

Avira is a worldwide leading supplier of self-developed security solutions for professional and private use. With more than twenty years of experience, the company is one of the pioneers in this field.

The security expert has several locations in Germany and partnerships in Europe, Asia and America. At its headquarters in Tettnang near Lake Constance, Avira is one of the region’s largest employers with more than 180 employees. Worldwide more than 250 persons are employed and their work regularly wins awards. Avira AntiVir Personal, used by millions of private users, represents a significant contribution to security.

Avira’s national and international customers include renowned corporations listed on the stock exchange but also educational institutions and public authorities. In addition to protection of the virtual environment, Avira also provides for more protection and security in the real world by supporting the Auerbach Foundation. Established by the founder of the company, the Auerbach Foundation promotes charitable and social projects as well as the arts, culture and science.

Company Contact:
Avira GmbH
Juliane Brielmaier
Lindauer Str. 21
D-88069 Tettnang
Telephone: +49 (0) 7542-500 252
Fax: +49 (0) 7542-525 10
Email: press@avira.com

Press Contact:
LEWIS Global PR
Korinna Dieck
Baierbrunner Str. 15
D-81379 Munich
Telephone: +49 (0) 89 1730 19 33
Fax: +49 (0) 89 1730 19 99
Email: avira@lewispr.com