Google Security Pioneer Finds Malware Creator Who Shaped His Career

Bernardo Quintero spent 33 years searching for an anonymous programmer. That programmer wrote a simple computer virus called Virus Málaga. The virus infected his university’s computers in 1992.Quintero recently found the creator’s identity. The search ended with a poignant twist. The story highlights how a small act can ripple through decades and shape an entire tech industry.

The Search for “Kike” and a Bittersweet Resolution

Earlier this year, Quintero launched a public quest for information. He asked Spanish media for help. He also re-examined the virus code with an experienced eye.He discovered a clearer signature in a later variant: “KIKESOYYO.” This translates to “Kike soy yo,” or “I am Kike.” Kike is a nickname for Enrique. A tipster then contacted Quintero with a crucial lead.The source named a former classmate, Antonio Astorga. He also revealed a secret. The virus’s hidden message condemned the Basque terrorist group ETA. Quintero had never shared that detail publiclyThe news came with a sad footnote. Antonio Astorga had passed away. Quintero would never thank him in person. This was confirmed by Quintero in a viral LinkedIn post.

A Lasting Legacy Forged in Code

The discovery closed a personal circle for Quintero. Defeating Virus Málaga sparked his passion for cybersecurity. He later founded VirusTotal, a startup Google acquired in 2012.That acquisition was pivotal. It established Google’s flagship European cybersecurity center in Málaga. According to TechCrunch, this transformed the Spanish city into a major tech hub.Astorga’s legacy also endured. He became a computing teacher. His school named an IT classroom in his memory. One of his sons is now a software engineer interested in cybersecurity.Quintero sees this as a full-circle moment. The original virus creator inspired a defender. That defender helped build a security hub. Now, a new generation from the same family continues the work.

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The story of the malware creator and the security pioneer shows how interconnected our digital paths can be. A simple virus written in a Spanish university ultimately helped secure millions of users worldwide.

Info at your fingertips

Q1: What was the Virus Málaga?

It was a mostly harmless computer virus that spread at the Polytechnic School of Málaga in 1992. Its hidden message was a political statement condemning the ETA terrorist group. The challenge of removing it sparked Bernardo Quintero’s cybersecurity career.

Q2: Who created the virus?

The creator was Antonio Enrique “Kike” Astorga, a fellow student at the time. He made the virus to spread an anti-terrorism message and prove his programming skills. He later became a secondary school computing teacher.

Q3: How did Quintero find him?

Quintero re-examined the virus code and found the signature “KIKESOYYO.” A witness who knew Astorga then came forward with crucial private details. This included the virus’s hidden political payload, which Quintero had never disclosed.

Q4: What is the connection to Google?

Quintero founded VirusTotal, a cybersecurity company Google acquired in 2012. This acquisition led directly to Google establishing its Safety Engineering Center (GSEC) in Málaga. The center is now a cornerstone of the city’s tech ecosystem.

Q5: Why does this story matter?

It shows how small events can have outsized, long-term consequences. A student’s coding project indirectly led to a major Google security hub. It also highlights the human stories often hidden behind early computing history.

Trusted Sources

Information for this report was gathered from primary accounts by Bernardo Quintero on LinkedIn and subsequent reporting by TechCrunch.