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Now in its 12th year, the Virus Bulletin International Conference has established an unbeatable reputation as the meeting place for anti-virus professionals. Kenneth Bechtel, Wildlist reporter and member of Team Anti-Virus agrees. According to Bechtel, "The Virus Bulletin Conference is THE industry conference. It features some of the greatest speakers in the industry, and the off hours social functions make for excellent networking opportunities. As much knowledge, and work occurs in side meetings and activities as does in the discussions themselves. On a budget that limits travel and attendance of activities, Virus Bulletin is the ONE conference anyone who has a career in the Malware Defense business needs to attend."

As in years past, the conference will feature two parallel tracks - one technical, one corporate. Conference attendees can move freely between the two, creating a customized selection of seminars best suited to their needs. VB2002 also provides a unique opportunity to meet the world's leading virus experts all housed under one roof - guaranteeing lively discussions as well as helpful insight into emerging technologies being leveraged in the ongoing battle against viruses. Indeed, VB2002 is a veritable who's-who in the industry, sporting speakers from companies such as Microsoft, Symantec, Network Associates, and F-Secure. Over 30 new papers will be presented, covering a variety of topics, including heuristics, computer viruses and the law, Linux, Win32, Java, XP and best practice for corporate anti-virus to name but a few. F-Secure will be presenting three separate papers - an unprecedented feat - covering Linux backdoors, macro and script polymorphism (in concert with Frisk Software and redefining disinfection.

Learning from the experts is only half of it. Held at the luxurious Hyatt Regency in downtown New Orleans, attendees will also be provided with plenty of networking opportunities and chances to relax. In keeping with the host city, the conference kicks off with a welcome reception aboard the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen. On Thursday, delegates will be treated to VB's legendary gala dinner and cabaret. Of course, New Orleans offers plenty of local flavor and the hotel is just steps away from the famous French Quarter. But take heed: The conference only appears on U.S. soil every two years, so U.S. IT folks with limited travel budgets would do well to take advantage of this unique opportunity to attend the New Orleans event.

VB2002 is hosted by Virus Bulletin, a subscription-based monthly journal entirely dedicated to reporting and analyzing malicious computer programs. The Bulletin has a truly international readership and a formidable reputation in the industry as the only publication to focus exclusively on the threat to business from computer viruses. For further details on Virus Bulletin and the VB2002 conference, visit their website at http://www.virusbtn.com. Hope to see you at the conference!