Rob Rosenberger, the webmaster of the Computer Virus Myths home page (www.kumite.com/myths), takes gurus on a fun filled tour of hysteria in the last decade -- followed by a disturbing peep-show of future virus hoaxes. A final segment tells gurus how to combat email hoaxes. First delivered in 1997 at a CSI NetSec conference; recently delivered as the keynote address at a Dept. of Energy computer security conference.
Biography from http://www.kumite.com/myths/email/lecture.htm
ROB ROSENBERGER is an internationally recognized expert on computer virus myths & hoaxes. He has consulted on virus/security books written by Janet Endrijonas, Pamela Kane, and Richard B. Levin. Rosenberger also serves as an unpaid consultant on computer virus issues to PC Magazine technical editor Neil Rubenking.
Rosenberger has taken a short sabbatical after working as a computer security analyst for a Fortune 1000 company. He does not work for any firm which sells antivirus software or services. He accepts no antivirus product advertising on his website.
Rosenberger's credentials include a critically acclaimed 1988 treatise on computer virus myths which appeared in over 230 books & publications around the world in four official translations. [Plus at least two unauthorized translations: Hebrew & Arabic versions surfaced during "Operation Desert Storm."] U.S. Defense Department point papers cite Rosenberger's treatise on virus myths as a bibliographic source.
Rosenberger made news in 1992 when he predicted "only 10,000 hits total, worldwide" during the Michelangelo virus scare. His research into global media hysteria appeared as a front-page analysis article in ISPNews (a computer security industry publication). Rosenberger received critical praise in 1996 for his "Computer Viruses and 'False Authority Syndrome' " treatise, identifying key reasons why virus myths spread. He also served as a voice of reason during the Hare virus scare that same year, dismissing dire media predictions.Rosenberger earned praise again in 1999 for his "CERT missed Melissa's ultimate lesson" critique, which exposed a crucial mental block among security experts worldwide.
Rosenberger starred in a "Computer Survival Series" video about viruses in 1991 and has written or co-authored a number of virus-related articles over the years for U.S. & British magazines. His speaking highlights include: