Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

December 3, 2008 1:30:48 PM CST

Learn about Newser Points »

malware

malware news stories

14 Stories

 Spammers Bounce Back
 After Host Shutdown 

Zombie spam-sending computers reactivated from foreign ISPs

CNET CNET Nov 27, 08 8:57 AM CST
(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 »

More about:  Internet • spam • computer security • ISP • malware • botnet

 Malware Hijacks Obama Emails 

Spammers launch massive 'Obama Trojan' malware campaign to capitalize on victory

CRN Nov 6, 08 7:40 AM CST
(Newser) - 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. More »

More about:  Barack Obama • Election 2008 • email • hackers • spam • cybercrime • malware • Trojan viruses

Virus Helps Violate 500K
Bank, Credit Accounts

Infects computers through 'drive-by downloads"

BBC BBC Oct 31, 08 4:35 PM CDT
(Newser) - 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. More »

More about:  Internet security • identity theft • banks • phishing • malware • computer virus • Trojan viruses

Analysis

Fake Pop-Ups Dupe
Most Users, Study Says


Ars Technica Ars Technica Sep 23, 08 7:47 PM CDT
(Newser) - 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. More »

More about:  computer security • malware

Planted on Networks, Phony Download Infects 500K PCs

Malware masquerading as media file seen widely on sharing sites like Limewire

BBC BBC May 8, 08 6:27 PM CDT
(Newser) - 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. More »

More about:  file sharing • malware • downloads • McAfee • Limewire • adware • eDonkey • trojans

Yahoo Partners With McAfee
to Make Search Safer

Security upgrade part of wider trend in protecting computers from Web's ills

CNET CNET May 6, 08 2:20 PM CDT
(Newser) - 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. More »

More about:  Google • Yahoo • Internet security • malware • computer virus • search • McAfee

Malware Threats
Skyrocketed in 2007

Symantec mulling new security approach

ComputerWorld ComputerWorld Apr 8, 08 2:51 PM CDT
(Newser) - Last year saw an explosion in malware threats that has Symantec considering a new approach to Internet security—“whitelisting” legitimate computer code rather than blacklisting known threats. Of 1.1 million threats the company has discovered in over 25 years, it uncovered almost two-thirds of them in 2007, Computerworld reports. Symantec blames the escalation on the emergence of efficient malware-creating organizations. More »

More about:  Internet security • cybercrime • phishing • malware • Symantec

Free Tool Offers Web Security

Former Microsoft employees run startup Haute Secure

Wall Street Journal Wall Street Journal Mar 7, 08 11:12 AM CST
(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 »

More about:  Internet • Microsoft • technology • Internet security • startup • phishing • malware • Symantec • McAfee

Vicious Bugs Lurk in
Digital Photo Frames

Cute photos can be latest back-door way to destroy files

San Francisco Chronicle San Francisco Chronicle Jan 27, 08 12:41 PM CST
(Newser) - Digital photo frames of the kids on shelves across America are cute and trendy—but they can hide computer heartbreak, warns the San Francisco Chronicle . Destructive bugs can lurk in the software and wipe out entire files as photos are being downloaded. "It was the nastiest virus I've ever encountered," said one man of a Christmas present that attacked his computer. More »

More about:  hackers • hacker • digital downloads • malware • computer virus

Malware Is Outpacing Anti-Virus Apps

But they're still the best defense; PC World lists most effective

PC World PC World Jan 1, 08 8:20 PM CST
(Newser) - Malware is trumping anti-virus apps these days, and even using them to stay ahead of security teams. A recent test by PC World reported that security suites spotted only one in four infiltrators because "the bad guys have the element of surprise," one McAfee expert said. "Bad guys" also test viruses on freeware sites like VirusTotal.com, which scans iffy files against 30 antivirus apps; if the virus passes, it's sure to confound experts for days. More »

More about:  Internet security • malware • computer virus • Trojans

PC Virus Using Bhutto Rumors to Spread

Online search for assassination details returns malicious code

Ars Technica Ars Technica Dec 29, 07 12:22 AM CST
(Newser) - Hackers are adapting a recently released Trojan virus to exploit curiosity surrounding the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, Ars Technica reports. Many sites claiming to contain exclusive information or even video footage of the attack itself are hiding malicious embedded files. Once visited, the files allow for the download of additional malware programs. More »

More about:  Benazir Bhutto • malware • computer virus • Trojan

Pro Hackers Take Bite At Apple

'Zlob gang' launches malware Mac attacks

Financial Times (UK) Financial Times (UK) Dec 5, 07 10:57 PM CST
(Newser) - Apple computer users are being threatened by malicious hackers, according to computer security experts. The Financial Times reports security researchers have discovered an increase in the number of malicious programs in recent months that are specifically designed to attack Apple computers. The threat puts a question mark on Apple's reputation for safety. More »

More about:  Apple • hackers • virus • malware

Google Wants You! - to Help Stop Malicious Web Sites

Internet surfers can report sites online

PC World PC World Nov 30, 07 1:27 PM CST
(Newser) - Google is enlisting Web users in the hunt for sites hosting malicious code aimed at infecting visitors' computers. The internet giant has created an online form where Web surfers can report suspect sites, says PC World . Google searches that display sites the company believes are malicious show a warning, and Google has deleted some such sites from its index. More »

More about:  Internet • Google • search engine • hackers • malware

Malicious Mac "Trojan Horse" App Discovered

Program may be the first in a wave of OS X targeted malware

Wall Street Journal Wall Street Journal Nov 2, 07 4:23 PM CDT
(Newser) - A rare "Trojan horse" program designed to fleece Mac users has been discovered, the Wall Street Journal reports. Luring users with spam directing to porn sites, the Trojan poses as a missing video codec necessary for the naughty vids. Installation of the "codec" requires an administrator login, which gives the Trojan full access to the machine. More »

More about:  Apple • malware • computer virus • Macintosh • Trojans

14 Stories

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser a team of editors and writers culls the most important stories from hundreds of U.S. and international sources and reduces them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. It's the Newser guarantee: we can take any report or column or video and pack what you need to know into 120 words or less. Newser's short-form aggregation, visual format, and unique information tools help you get more of the kind of news you want, in a quicker and more entertaining way. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »