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October 5, 2005 4:41 PM PDT

Worm ID scheme gets under way

As expected, the Common Malware Enumeration initiative got its official launch with the introduction of its supporting Web site on Wednesday. The effort, headed up by the U.S. Computer Emergency and Response Team, aims to make it easier to identify security threats that are given different names by separate security companies by assigning a unique ID to each high-profile pest. The CME Web site will include a list of identifiers, a brief profile for each threat and alias information.

The indexing scheme is voluntary, but has the backing of a number of security software makers. These include McAfee, Symantec, Trend Micro, Microsoft and Computer Associates, according to Mitre, the nonprofit company charged with overseeing the CME initiative. In the past, the antivirus industry has proved reluctant to get behind common names for worms, viruses and other pests, and CME supporters hope that assigning an identifier will be more popular.

See more CNET content tagged:
pest, McAfee Inc., worm, virus, security

Add a Comment (Log in or register) 1 comment
A good idea turned better
by OneWithTech October 6, 2005 5:51 AM PDT
While you at it; let make all computer threats easily identifieable to even the smartest computer guys like myself.

How about a simple ID system for these three:

Spyware
Adware
Virus's

Those three things effected everybody's computer in the whole world. By attaching a unique ID to these computer killing entities, you will be able to essentially track, maintain, and if need be; prosecute those that create malicious programs.

All of these entities kill my clients pc's!

Justin
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