Viruses, Worms: What's in a Name?
Ever since Brain, the very first computer virus, was created in 1986, the antivirus researcher who discovers a new worm or virus is generally given the honor of naming it.
Now, 65,000 viruses later and counting, those intrepid researchers are still managing to come up with new monikers for malicious software.
There are the ever-popular intimidating names: Blaster, Chernobyl, Code Red, Hybris, Goner, Slapper and Slammer.
Less popular these days are playful, perky names: Pretty Park, Birthday, Happy Monday, Smile, New Love and Teddy Bear.
There are the always-in-fashion temptresses -- DeepThroat, Hooker, FunLove, Love Letter, NakedWife, Paradise -- and the ones that seem to refer to the person who created the worm: Annoying, Brat, Coma, Faker, Glitch, SadHound, Slacker, Small, TheThing and Yo Momma.
And there are also names that seem to make no sense at all: Gokar, Klez, Nimda, Welyah, Yaha.
A name is expected to have some relation to the capabilities or concept behind the virus, but antivirus researchers admit that more than a few viruses have been named in a rather whimsical fashion.
"Sometimes it's obvious what to call a new virus because it's similar to a previous virus, or contains a message inside its code," said Chris Belthoff, senior security analyst at antivirus firm Sophos.
"Other times analysts have to seek inspiration -- I remember there was one which was named after the meal a virus analyst had just had."
Researchers are loosely bound by some conventions: Viruses aren't supposed to be named after businesses or brand-name products. Using the name of a famous person is also frowned on, which is why the Anna Kournikova virus is officially known as VBSWG.J. Common first names can be used, but virus namers tend to avoid them as well. And no matter how peeved a virus researcher is feeling, obscene or offensive names are verboten.
Apart from those guidelines, researchers are free to conjure up any name they choose, so long as they do it quickly.