Ulukai

What is your take on the argument that antivirus programs are juicy targets for exploits, in the sense that they are widely installed, are huge, complex, closed-source code bases which have a large attack surface area and generally run with high privileges?

Also, do you encounter and have to fend off attacks of this nature on a regular basis, or is it rare?

Thanks for the reply, it's interesting.

BTW, the question was not meant to be provocative or critical of AV, as I think it's natural to see the role of an immune system of sorts in a complex enough environment (which software is already, or is rapidly becoming). I think there's plenty good in them; well perhaps aside from the "scare the granny into subscribing after the free period on a new PC" types of marketing :)