Ilfak Guilfanov
Encyclopedia
Ilfak Guilfanov is a software developer
, computer security
researcher and blog
ger. He became well known when he issued a free hotfix for the Windows Metafile vulnerability
on 31 December 2005. His unofficial patch was favorably reviewed and widely publicized because no official patch was initially available from Microsoft
. Microsoft released an official patch on 5 January 2006.
Guilfanov was born in a small village in the Tatarstan
Region of Russia in a Tatar family. He graduated from Moscow State University
in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science
in Mathematics
. He lives in Liège, Belgium
and works for Hex-Rays. He is the systems architect
and main developer for IDA Pro, which is Hex-Rays' commercial version of the Interactive Disassembler
Guilfanov created. A freeware
version of this reverse engineering
tool is also available.
Software developer
A software developer is a person concerned with facets of the software development process. Their work includes researching, designing, developing, and testing software. A software developer may take part in design, computer programming, or software project management...
, computer security
Computer security
Computer security is a branch of computer technology known as information security as applied to computers and networks. The objective of computer security includes protection of information and property from theft, corruption, or natural disaster, while allowing the information and property to...
researcher and blog
Blog
A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
ger. He became well known when he issued a free hotfix for the Windows Metafile vulnerability
Windows Metafile vulnerability
The Windows Metafile vulnerability is a security vulnerability in Microsoft Windows NT-based operating systems which has been used in a variety of exploits since late December 2005. The vulnerability was first discussed in the computer security community around 26 and December 27, 2005, with the...
on 31 December 2005. His unofficial patch was favorably reviewed and widely publicized because no official patch was initially available from Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
. Microsoft released an official patch on 5 January 2006.
Guilfanov was born in a small village in the Tatarstan
Tatarstan
The Republic of Tatarstan is a federal subject of Russia located in the Volga Federal District. Its capital is the city of Kazan, which is one of Russia's largest and most prosperous cities. The republic borders with Kirov, Ulyanovsk, Samara, and Orenburg Oblasts, and with the Mari El, Udmurt,...
Region of Russia in a Tatar family. He graduated from Moscow State University
Moscow State University
Lomonosov Moscow State University , previously known as Lomonosov University or MSU , is the largest university in Russia. Founded in 1755, it also claims to be one of the oldest university in Russia and to have the tallest educational building in the world. Its current rector is Viktor Sadovnichiy...
in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
in Mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
. He lives in Liège, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
and works for Hex-Rays. He is the systems architect
Systems architect
The systems architect establishes the basic structure of the system, defining the essential core design features and elements that provide the framework for all that follows, and are the hardest to change later....
and main developer for IDA Pro, which is Hex-Rays' commercial version of the Interactive Disassembler
Interactive Disassembler
The Interactive Disassembler, more commonly known as simply IDA, is a disassembler for computer software which generates assembly language source code from machine-executable code. It supports a variety of executable formats for different processors and operating systems. It also can be used as a...
Guilfanov created. A freeware
Freeware
Freeware is computer software that is available for use at no cost or for an optional fee, but usually with one or more restricted usage rights. Freeware is in contrast to commercial software, which is typically sold for profit, but might be distributed for a business or commercial purpose in the...
version of this reverse engineering
Reverse engineering
Reverse engineering is the process of discovering the technological principles of a device, object, or system through analysis of its structure, function, and operation...
tool is also available.
External links
- http://www.hexblog.com/about.html
- Interview with Ilfak on Leo Laporte and Steve Gibson's Security Now! podcast.
- http://www.hex-rays.com
- Interview on CNET