Malware Threats Skyrocketed in 2007

Former Microsoft employees run startup Haute Secure

(NEWSER) - A new free system designed to protect Web surfers from dangerous code is taking on the software security giants, reports the Wall Street Journal. Developers say Haute Secure, the brainchild of ex-Microsoft security experts, blocks Web pages embedded with malicious code. The public can download the program free, and companies who want their Web sites scanned for problem code will pay a fee. More»

According to Norton study, two-thirds of all web surfers are victims

(NEWSER) - A whopping 65% of all web surfers and 73% of Americans have been the victim of online crime, according to a new survey from Symantec—the company behind Norton Anti-Virus. That makes the US the fourth-most victimized country in the world, behind China (83%) and India and Brazil (each 76%), ComputerWorld reports. “What we were really surprised by was how common it was that people are being victimized,” says Norton’s Internet safety advocate. More»

Sites openly advertise for help spreading malware

(NEWSER) - Exciting work-from-home opportunities are being offered to tech geeks happy to break the law serving the scum of the Internet. Cyber crooks seeking to steal bank and credit card details are openly advertising for people to help spread malicious code by linking it to something people will click on, according to analysts at security firm CyberWorks. More»

Symantec aims to raise cybercrime awareness

(NEWSER) - A rising number of cybercriminals make their living selling other people's online identities to thieves. Now a new security tool helps you calculate what yours is worth on the black market—and your risk of losing it, IT World reports. The Norton Online Risk Calculator aims to raise awareness of cybercrime. The bad news: "It's shocking how little value criminals place on your credit card," said a spokewoman, even though it often costs the victim a fortune. More»

(NEWSER) - Fear of computer viruses is now one of the major reasons people are getting them in the first place, Reuters reports. According to Microsoft, seven of the 25 top threats come in the form of fake security programs, which users terrified of malware like Conficker are installing indiscriminately. Losing market share to the bugs they try to defend against has flummoxed above-board Internet security firms. More»