NEWS ABOUT: malware
malware stories: 28 news briefs
ANALYSIS
Hackers target popular search terms
ABC News Jun 2, 09 4:13 PM CDT
(Newser Summary) -
Internet hackers are like pickpockets: They target crowds, and the best place to find them on the web is through search engines, ABC News reports, so thieves tie malware programs to popular word searches. After analyzing more than 2,600 terms, security firm McAfee found these to be the 10 most dangerous: Word Unscrambler Lyrics MySpace Free Music Downloads
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Obama set to announce big steps in digital defense program
New York Times Apr 28, 09 9:00 AM CDT
(Newser Summary) -
With daily attacks on both public and private computer systems in the US mounting into the thousands, President Obama is expected to announce an overhaul of US strategy to defend against cyberwarfare—building on a $17 billion program Congress approved last year—and name a White House cyberwarfare boss, the New York Times reports. But the president will likely keep quiet about the US’ own offensive capabilities, nurtured with billions of dollars in recent years.
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'Groundbreaking' Mac virus only affects a few thousand users
Globe and Mail Apr 23, 09 7:06 AM CDT
(Newser Summary) -
Malware that hijacks Macs has shown up for the first time, but it shouldn't be cause for panic, an expert tells the Globe & Mail . The malware, nicknamed iBotNet, only affects a few thousand users who downloaded a pirated copy of iWork and it's not spreading from computer to computer, according to the chief of security giant Symantec.
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Malware allowed hacker access to fans' computer data
Daily Telegraph (UK) Apr 10, 09 2:49 AM CDT
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Paul McCartney's official web site was infected with malware that allowed hackers to access computer data of fans who logged on, reports the Telegraph . An internet security surveillance firm spotted the LuckySpoilt invasion early this week and purged the site. It's unclear how many users may have been affected. Hits to McCartney's website have skyrocketed since the singer reappeared with Ringo Starr for a benefit concert last Saturday.
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Mysterious update begins to spread; millions vulnerable
BBC Apr 9, 09 7:04 AM CDT
(Newser Summary) -
The Conficker worm is showing signs of life a week later than expected, but experts aren’t quite sure what it’s doing, the BBC reports. The program, believed to be on millions of PCs worldwide, began updating itself last night, downloading encrypted software, researchers at Trend Micro found. The worm’s peer-to-peer communications are “now running in full swing,” warned a tech blogger.
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Reuters Apr 8, 09 1:03 PM CDT
(Newser Summary) -
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.
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Experts warn megavirus could still pose a
serious threat
InfoWorld Apr 1, 09 1:57 AM CDT
(Newser Summary) -
The Conficker worm came to life on its April 1 trigger date but failed to cause any major incidents—so far, Infoworld reports. Fears that the internet itself might be affected have yet to materialize, though experts warn that the malware—estimated to be lying in wait in 10 million systems—could still wreak havoc for PC users, and that its creators may be waiting for IT managers to relax their guard.
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Some blame China
for attacks on
1,300 computers
New York Times Mar 28, 09 4:12 PM CDT
(Newser Summary) -
A massive cyber spying effort launched from China has infiltrated the computers of hundreds of government agencies and private offices around the globe, including four connected to the Dalai Lama, the New York Times reports. Asked by the spiritual leader's office to investigate evidence of a breach, Canadian researchers discovered that malware swiped data from nearly 1,300 computers in 103 countries over the last 2 years, and it’s still going strong. The bug can even activate the camera and audio-recording functions of infected computers.
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Malware experts race against time to limit the program's damage
CNN Mar 24, 09 2:53 PM CDT
(Newser Summary) -
Malware experts are racing to find the authors of the Conficker C worm and limit the damage it seems poised to do beginning April Fool’s Day, CNN reports. Conficker C, the bug’s third iteration since late 2008, has infected between 5 and 10 million computers but so far has not taken action; a piece of the code indicates the worm will activate April 1.
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Alerts issued after malware infects another payment processor
Wired Feb 24, 09 5:36 AM CST
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Mastercard and Visa have alerted financial institutions about another serious data breach at a payment processor, Wired reports. The breach, like the massive fraud unveiled at Heartland Payment Systems last month, is believed to have occurred through malicious software. The credit card issuers are refusing to name the processor involved because it has yet to go public with the breach.
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ZDNet Jan 31, 09 12:25 PM CST
(Newser Summary) -
Anyone searching on Google for a short stretch early this morning got a rude awakening. Every result on the search giant turned up the warning, "This site may harm your computer,” ZDNet reports, and firewalls on personal PCs blocked them accordingly. Google blames the glitch—from 6:30am PST to 7:25—on human error; a stray “/” in its list of malware sites caused every possible URL to be flagged. All is back to normal now.
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New York Times Jan 23, 09 12:25 PM CST
(Newser Summary) -
The devious worm that has infected up to 9 million personal computers worldwide may be just the first stage of a malicious attack, the New York Times reports. The so-called Conficker or Downadup virus, which exploits a Microsoft Windows vulnerability, pulls infected computers into systems called botnets that can be controlled by the worm's creator. Security experts expect the "botnet herder" to send out programming instructions in the next few weeks for some yet-unknown illegal activity.
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Sophisticated hackers nab vast amounts credit card data
Washington Post Jan 21, 09 3:06 AM CST
(Newser Summary) -
A credit card payment processor has disclosed a data breach that experts believe could be the biggest ever and may be putting millions of consumers at risk of ripoffs, the Washington Post reports. Heartland Payment Systems, which handles 100 million transactions from 250,000 businesses every month, believes malicious software allowed intruders to access customer information records for a period "longer than weeks" late last year.
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Security researchers outflanked by well-funded cybercriminals
New York Times Dec 6, 08 11:57 AM CST
(Newser Summary) -
There's a war on for your computer and the bad guys are winning, the New York Times reports. Malware that stealthily hijacks a computer to send more malware is spreading like wildfire, and efforts to battle the constantly evolving threat often amount to little more than a game of online whack-a-mole. Cybercriminals are now as advanced as the top software companies—and faster and more adaptable, security experts say.
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Zombie spam-sending computers reactivated from foreign ISPs
CNET Nov 27, 08 8:57 AM CST
(Newser Summary) -
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.
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Spammers launch massive 'Obama Trojan' malware campaign to capitalize on victory
CRN Nov 6, 08 7:40 AM CST
(Newser Summary) -
Malicious hijackers have hitched a ride on the Barack Obama bandwagon, ChannelWeb reports. "Obama Trojan" emails offer a link to an amazing Obama speech or election results, but when the link is opened, it infects computers with malware that sends the user's personal data to a command center and turns the machine into a spam-spewing zombie.
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Infects computers through 'drive-by downloads"
BBC Oct 31, 08 4:35 PM CDT
(Newser Summary) -
A computer virus has stolen log-in information for over 500,000 bank accounts and credit and debit cards. The Sinowal Trojan virus has infected computers around the world through “drive-by downloads” that install it without users' knowledge when they visit Web sites running the virus code. Individuals can best protect themselves by being cautious about what sites they visit, the BBC reports.
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Analysis
Ars Technica Sep 23, 08 7:47 PM CDT
(Newser Summary) -
Malware makers love to create fake error-message popups, but surely those are obvious ploys that no one falls for, right? Wrong, Ars Technica reports. Psychology researchers recently tested a group of college students with a series of fake popups, each laden with what should have been warning signs. The students flunked badly, with only 9 of 42 closing the offending window.
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Malware masquerading as media file seen widely on sharing sites like Limewire
BBC May 8, 08 6:27 PM CDT
(Newser Summary) -
Almost 500,000 people have unintentionally downloaded an adware bundle from file-sharing networks in the past week, security firm McAfee says, with ugly consequences. Disguised as a music file or popular movies, the phony file is circulating on the eDonkey and Limewire networks. It asks users to install a codec to play the file, and then overwhelms them with popup ads, the BBC reports.
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Security upgrade part of wider trend in protecting computers from Web's ills
CNET May 6, 08 2:20 PM CDT
(Newser Summary) -
Yahoo search will now label risky sites, including spyware and virus hosts and spammers, thanks to an exclusive deal with McAfee SiteAdvisor, the companies said today. It also will omit sites entirely that attack visiting computers, reports CNet. Yahoo sees millions of clicks through to some such sites daily, a rep said, and expects the changes to significantly advance security.
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