[From WashingtonPost.com]

Security Fix Author Named 'Cybercrime Hero.'

Networking equipment maker Cisco Systems Inc this week bestowed a generous honor on the Security Fix author. In its 2009 annual security report released Tuesday, Cisco names Yours Truly as a "cybercrime hero," citing an ongoing investigative series detailing the plight of small businesses that have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars at the hands of malicious software.

The mention comes in a section announcing Cisco's first-ever "Cybercrime Showcase," which the company said aims to "shine a spotlight on individuals and entities who have made significant positive contributions during the past year toward helping make the Internet a safer place for all users."

Clearly, I am long overdue to design a decent superhero costume. In all seriousness, I am grateful for the mention, and for the recognition of my work.

Interestingly, the two families of malicious software also mentioned as "winners" of Cisco's 2009 "Cybercrime Showcase" are malware families whose authors recently have seen fit to insult the Security Fix author by name, including: the Koobface worm, which spreads on Facebook and other social media sites; and the prolific password-stealing program known as Zeus.

[By Brian Krebs. December 8, 2009; 8:00 AM ET]