Malware is a generalized term to describe a collection of viruses, worms, spyware, and Trojans. The Microsoft Windows community is familiar with malware since the Windows industry is based on many independent software vendors that develop vertical applications. The complexity of a mixed operating environment presents an ideal opportunity for malware since security vulnerabilities are everywhere, and it's difficult for IT management to distribute patches as needed.

Over the past few years, major virus outbreaks have shut down businesses - from Bank of America to mom-and-pop shops. Recovery from an outbreak is so expensive that companies often have to reallocate their budget to pay for IT security expenses. Security is no longer a luxury of large businesses, but an infrastructure investment for business continuity.

Cross-platform infection recently became a reality, and there are now three types of viruses to keep you on the alert:

1. Open source applications have fewer resources to deal with security patch issues, and certain Linux viruses utilize open source vulnerabilities to attack.
   (www.trendmicro.com/vinfo/virusencyclo/default5.asp?VName=ELF_KAITEN.AM)
2. A new breed of viruses infect both Linux and Windows file systems. This is a common operating environment in education and research organizations.
   (www.trendmicro.com/vinfo/virusencyclo/default5.asp?VName=ELF_BI.A)
3. The major push by UNIX to replace Microsoft Office applications also attracts hackers. The XML_DUSTAR.A is the first virus to attack StarOffice/OpenOffice Suites on Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, and Server 2003; Linux; and Solaris.
   (www.trendmicro.com/vinfo/virusencyclo/default5.asp?VName=XML%5FDUSTAR%2EA&VSect=P)

Since its inception, Linux has evolved from a platform for the hobbyist community to an alternative to UNIX and Windows servers. Many enterprises, including Google, for example, are testing large deployments of Linux technology. Linux servers that were initially deployed as e-mail and Web servers have now migrated to replace Windows file servers. As a file server, a Linux server shares its file system with Windows clients through FTP and SAMBA. This sharing is usually on the departmental level or small business. The lack of supervision on those servers tends to make patch management more challenging, and the multi-purpose nature of Linux servers increases their exposure to outside attack.

For most enterprises that want to minimize operating costs, Linux offers a great return on investment and superior reliability. The IT strategy for the enterprise is to optimize each business process silo with department and business units taking new initiatives. The Linux server is the best candidate for a business initiative. The heterogeneous environment for the enterprise is a natural consequence of organic growth as Linux builds from its success in live deployment.

The AV Compliance Policy for Enterprise Customers and the Top Concern for Security Deployment
The enterprise not only needs security policies to protect its IT infrastructure, it needs to enforce security compliance. Since viruses account for 70% of all enterprise security problems, antiviral compliance is the top concern when deploying a security solution. The initial damage and cleanup process of an antiviral problem is expensive since it is often necessary to dispatch IT personnel. The nature of viruses requires antivirus security and enforcement on every desktop and server. This is the best way to limit viruses from spreading when an outbreak occurs.

The global supply chain also introduces third-world countries to computers and links their systems to first and second world countries. The low-cost nature of Linux systems makes it the largest adoption among manufacturers and connecting to those systems is a necessity for global trade. The challenge, however, is to address unknown viral threats in the Linux platform just like Windows.

Conclusion There are companies in the business world that utilize Linux as an infrastructure for its openness, reliability, and performance. Enterprises that have already adopted Linux servers need a reliable and integrated security solution to protect mixed environments with both Windows and Linux platforms. For complex Linux environments, system administrators need to consistently deploy patches to multiple distributions of Linux. This will reduce the risks posed by constantly changing applications or sharing configurations.

A migrating enterprise needs a strategy that lowers the risk of migration from Windows to Linux, and Microsoft Office to Open Office. The intercompany and intracompany network application traffic needs to be filtered and secured for viral outbreak prevention.

The Trend Strategy and Solution for the Enterprise Environment
Trend Micro has a strategy to deal with this security problem using a centralized server to push out the latest malware patches for both platforms - Linux and Windows. Trend Micro Enterprise Protection Strategy offers multiple layers of products and services to protect mixed-platform environments, including complex distributions of Linux technology. Trend Micro handles Debian, Red Hat, Red Flag, and SuSE with its product release 2.5. This helps solve a problem that most global enterprises face today. While users in Asia, Europe, and North America tend to use different distributions, being able to tackle all various distributions can be a huge benefit if the outbreak is able to infiltrate an network segment with low protection coverage. Global IT managers no longer need to master multiple distributions in order to achieve 100% security patch coverage.

Whenever there is an outbreak, Trend Micro notifies its subscribers to ensure the day-zero protection. The push model of its security patches helps enterprise IT managers reduce their polling efforts by checking disparate vulnerability information sources. With limited resources and more demands on today's IT administrators, Trend Micro helps automate the security patch process, creating a relationship of trust and reliability.