New Attack Tricks Antivirus Software

Traditionally, antivirus products stop malicious software by recognizing code signatures unique to different types of malware. When the applications encounter a file with a code string that matches one in their database for a known virus, they block its access to the intended victim´s computer. However, with the advent of Web 2.0, in which Web sites make it easy for users to add content, hackers have found a new way to spread malicious code and short-circuit the pattern-matching antivirus approach. DCO employs algorithms to change and disguise JavaScript-based malware code without making it less harmful, thereby keeping pattern-matching antivirus software from recognizing exploits.