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Pop-up vulnerability found in major browsers
June 22, 2005 -
Microsoft meets the hackers
June 16, 2005 -
Photo: Shadowcrew site in federal custody
October 28, 2004 -
Secret Service busts suspected ID fraud ring
October 28, 2004
The company reported last week that it had detected 7,944 new pieces of such malware in the first six months of this year--almost 60 percent more than the same time last year.
The biggest growth was in Trojan horses, programs that can damage a user's files, steal information, or even create a backdoor that can be used to compromise a PC.
Microsoft meets the hackers
"There's been a shift towards Trojans to make money," said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at Sophos.
The IT security landscape has changed over recent months, with credit card fraud gangs, virus writing gangs, spammers and malicious hackers becoming more closely entwined, Cluley said. He cited three gangs who he said epitomized the threat: Superzonda, HangUp and ShadowCrew.
The U.S. Secret Service broke up the ShadowCrew in 2004, but Cluley warned that "they are now fractured" so it could be hard to keep track of individual offenders.
One factor in the malware increase may be the antispam legislation that has been passed in many countries. Although these laws have been condemned as toothless in some quarters, Cluley said the legislation has helped to educate users to avoid unsolicited mail. As such, spammers have been forced to widen their activities.
2005 has seen several high-profile instances of businesses being hit by cybercrime. In March, it emerged that police had foiled an attempt to steal 220 million pounds ($387 million) from Sumitomo Mitsui Bank using keystroke loggers.
The top 10 viruses detected by Sophos so far this year all took advantage of flaws in Microsoft products, as virus writers target what Sophos calls "the great unwashed public."
But attacks directed at specific organisations could also take advantage of problems in other software, Cluley said.
"We're also seeing vulnerabilities in Linux, Unix and Mac software too. No one's perfect," he said.
Alice Lander and Graeme Wearden of ZDNet UK reported from London.
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will be a while before Mac users have to fret about malware. I have
been spyware, malware, virus free since 2001.
"We're also seeing vulnerabilities in Linux, Unix and Mac software too. No one's perfect," he said.
"SecurityFocus: 'Your Windows computer is not to be trusted;
buy a Mac and slip under the radar'
Wednesday, July 06, 2005 - 12:13 AM EST
"Left to its own meanderings, your Windows computer is not to
be trusted. Don't do any online banking unless you have a
router, a firewall, the latest anti-virus, the latest Windows
patches, the latest Windows OS, three anti-spyware applications,
and you fully understand what "phishing" means. If you don't
know what these are, what you're doing or how to properly
configure, secure and operate your own server, turn your
computer off. Or buy a Mac or Linux desktop and slip under the
radar," Kelly Martin writes for SecurityFocus."
Kelly Martin has been working with networks and security since
1986, and is currently the chief editor for Symantec's
independent online magazine, SecurityFocus.
**** out of you, this I will personally gurantee. I have been
removing this spyware and disecting it on a private level for over
three years know.
Right down to who owns these websites that are being marketed
by people like Claria. Hell, track the owners of the web sites
that Claria promotes and you will never install a peice of there
spyware again.
Yes, Claria produces and promotes spyware Billy.
Another reason to go buy a Mac.....I don't need to run anti-
spyware software...and you shouldn't either.
FYI....popups are created by us, web developers, there is
absolutely no need for popup software, period!
This is such a crock. Is today "Give Vendors Free Ad Space" day? I thought Joris Evers column was tilted. I'm sure they're not making any numbers up. Just because they have a product to sell, and are the only source cited, doesn't mean they're lying, right?
I'll believe what is in this column when proof is given. When a published report is shown that has been verified by a neuteral 3rd party. Until then, it would appear the Authors simply mixed a press release around.
C|Net: You don't get any monetary compensation or free products to "test" for your articles, do you?