Security threats Toolkit

The fox guarding the chicken coop

Published: 18 Jan 2005 10:50 GMT

A twist of fate has led the former virus writer Czech student Marek Strihavka to take a job stopping digital pests like those he used to create. About a year after leaving 29A, which takes its name from the base-16 representation of 666, the 22-year-old resident of Brno in the Czech Republic became the main developer of Zoner Software's antivirus system.

Now Strihavka finds himself under attack. The Czech police have raided his home and confiscated his computer equipment as part of an investigation into the Slammer worm. In addition, some antivirus companies are attacking Zoner for hiring a known virus writer.

In an interview with ZDNet UK sister site CNET News.com, the man who used to be "Benny" claims that he never took part in spreading his programs on the Internet and maintains that virus writers contribute to online security.

Q: Why did you join a virus-writing group like 29A? What is the purpose of the group?
A: The purpose of 29A has always been technical progress, invention and innovation of new and technically mature and interesting viruses. 29A distances itself from virus-spreading, since 29A always tried to act as a security group, not any cybergang, as has been portrayed in the media. 29A just wants to share ideas with others, and source code is a way of expression.

People that [have known me for] some time know very well that I've always distanced myself from spreading [viruses] and that I never did such a stupid thing. I am not member of 29A anymore, since I try to orient myself on my work, which I like as much as virus writing.