Computer Experts: The Bad Guys Are Winning

Zombie spam-sending computers reactivated from foreign ISPs

(NEWSER) - Spammers are surging back onto the Internet again, 2 weeks after being dealt a body blow by a server shutdown, CNET News reports. Spam volumes dived 80% after the California-based McColo hosting firm was pulled offline. They remained flat until a few days ago but have now risen to around a third of their former levels as spambots reactivate. More»

Overseas hackers targeting supply chain, warns congressman

(NEWSER) - Some computers and other electronic imports are packed with malware before they're even out of the box, a congressional expert on cybersecurity warns. Hackers overseas planning cyber attacks are planting bad codes in components headed for the US, Rep. Jim Langevin tells Reuters . "Corrupting hardware and software is embedded in the supply chain. We have a real challenge on our hands to better secure the supply chain," says Langevin, sponsor of the Executive Cyberspace Coordination Act of 2011. More»

Slovenian accused of creating Mariposa malware

(NEWSER) - A hacker responsible for hijacking more than 10 million computers around the world has been arrested in Slovenia after a major international investigation, the FBI says. The 23-year-old hacker, known as "Iserdo," is accused of masterminding a scam in which the Mariposa "botnet" network infected computers belonging to dozens of banks and more than half the Fortune 1,000 companies, the AP reports. 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»

(NEWSER) - The Internet has a big problem, argues one of the big names in online security—anonymity. With that weapon, cybercriminals will always have the advantage. And the best solution is to introduce "Internet passports," Russia's Eugene Kaspersky tells ZDNet in an interview. All countries would have to play along and buy into international standards. "And if some countries don't agree with or don't pay attention to the agreement, just cut them off." More»