Have you ever thought about who keeps the millions of attempted cyberattacks that happen every day from succeeding? Is it just one guy with one computer sitting in the dark? Or is there an elite secret team working from a remote station built into the side of a mountain that’s fitted out like a NASA control room?
Well, at Avira safeguarding people against cybercrimes is definitely not a one-man show – and despite the second scenario sounding pretty awesome – in reality, the action winds up taking place in a much more down-to-earth setting: the Avira Protection Labs. With no need for a superhero set up, the team puts their super-powerful resources to use protecting over 500 million users and their devices from the cybercriminals lurking around on the internet.
Meet a few of the guys making the lives of hackers and scammers miserable.
First up is Alex whose been at Avira since 2000. With over 18 years of experience in the anti-malware industry it’s no surprise that he proudly takes an active role in the larger cybersecurity community.
Name:
Alexander Vukcevic
Job title:
Director – Avira Protection Labs & QA
What’s one thing people don’t know about your job?
Malware authors never sleep. It’s a hard to know their next steps – and to always be a step ahead.
What keeps you motivated at work?
To have the ability – with the support of my team – to secure and protect people’s digital lives.
What’s sitting on your desk:
My laptop and several screens
Age when you got your first computer:
8 years old
What was your last online search?
“Coalition against Stalkerware”
Any pets?
A cat named Sunny
Personal motto:
Don’t be busy. Just be productive
Next up is Mihai who joined Avira in 2015 and works from the Bucharest office. Besides concentrating on malware analysis and research he also writes tech articles for various blogs.
Name:
Mihai Grigorescu
Job title:
Senior Threat Researcher
What’s one thing people don’t know about your job?
That it involves a lot of programming, not only for developing specific tools and systems but also to automate research tasks.
What keeps you motivated at work?
Understanding the impact cybersecurity threats have on individuals and businesses makes me proud that I am helping to protect people.
Age when you got your first computer:
13 years old
Favorite digital gadget:
My e-book reader
Personal motto:
The whole is greater than the sum of its parts
Lastly, we get to know a bit more about Amr whose been part of Avira for almost two years. His top skills include malware analysis, digital and network forensics and much more.
Name:
Amr Elkhawas
Job title:
Threat Researcher
Explain your job in one sentence:
Protecting people in a connected world.
What keeps you motivated at work?
The feeling that my work really makes an impact on people’s lives.
What’s sitting on your desk:
My laptop and notebook, I actually like to write down notes with a pen and paper.
Age when you got your first computer:
I think I was five
Best advice you have ever received:
Never give up on your dreams
Favorite vacation spot:
Egypt’s North Coast beaches
Personal motto:
Everything happens for a reason
