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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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NEWS ABOUT: computer virus

computer virus stories: 38 news summaries

21 - 38 of 38 Stories | << Prev 1 2

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Fannie Mae Engineer Indicted for Planting Crippling Code

Trap that could have caused millions in damage found after man was fired but before it activated

Jan 29, 09 4:30 PM CST
(Newser) - A former Fannie Mae contract worker was indicted Tuesday on a count of computer sabotage for planting malicious code that would have crippled the mortgage giant’s network of 4,000 servers for at least a week, Wired reports. Rajendrasinh Babubha Makwana crafted the malware the same day he was... More »

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cyberattack • computer virus • Fannie Mae • mortgage lender • logic bomb • disgrunt;ed employee

 Hackers 
 Breach 
 Monster.com 


4.5M compromised in UK; jobs site unsure how many of 75M worldwide may be affected

Jan 27, 09 1:46 PM CST
(Newser) - Hackers have illegally accessed Monster.com and stolen personal details from an uncertain number of its 75 million users, Bloomberg reports. The hackers snatched user IDs, passwords, contact information and more, though resumes weren’t accessed. Users should be on the lookout for bogus e-mails that appear to come from... More »

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computer virus • job search • Monster.com • Internet security • hackers

(Newser) - 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... More »

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Microsoft • computer virus • PCs • computer security • malware • portable media players • botnets

Tricky Virus Hits 8.9M Computers Worldwide

'Conficker' travels via networks, USB sticks; situation 'getting worse'

Jan 19, 09 2:21 PM CST
(Newser) - A Windows worm that emerged in October is “skyrocketing” worldwide, with some 8.9 million computers now infected, says an antivirus firm. The program, known as Conficker, Downadup, or Kido, can zoom through low-security networks, memory sticks, and any PC that hasn’t downloaded current security updates, the BBC... More »

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Microsoft • Windows • computer virus • PCs • virus protection • antivirus • Conficker

The Next Big Viral Thing on Facebook: a Virus

"Koobface" spreads disguised as a friend's message

Dec 5, 08 9:52 AM CST
(Newser) - Once an unfriendly place for spammers and malware, Facebook today is dealing with a virus circulating among its 120 million users, the LA Times reports. “Koobface” comes disguised as a message from a friend with a subject like “You look so amazing funny on our new video,”... More »

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social networking • Facebook • computer virus • virus protection • computer security • antivirus

Virus Helps Violate 500K
Bank, Credit Accounts

Infects computers through 'drive-by downloads"

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... More »

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identity theft • computer virus • Internet security • phishing • Trojan viruses • malware • banks • Sinowal

(Newser) - Windows and Safari mix like virus-vulnerable oil and water, Microsoft warns, and Windows users should stop surfing with Apple’s web browser until the security holes have been patched. The “blended threat” combines a bug in Safari that downloads files to the desktop automatically and a vulnerability in how... More »

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Microsoft • Apple • web browser • Microsoft Windows • Safari • computer virus • computer security • computer

Yahoo Partners With McAfee
to Make Search Safer

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

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... More »

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Yahoo • Google • computer virus • Internet security • search • malware • McAfee

Vicious Bugs Lurk in
Digital Photo Frames

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

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... More »

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hacker • digital downloads • computer virus • hackers • malware • digital photo frames

Malware Is Outpacing Anti-Virus Apps

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

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... More »

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Trojans • computer virus • Internet security • malware

PC Virus Using Bhutto Rumors to Spread

Online search for assassination details returns malicious code

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... More »

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computer virus • Benazir Bhutto • Trojan • malware • Trend Micro

E-Cards Spread Holiday Cheer, Viruses

Online greeting cards rising in popularity; paper still preferred

Dec 24, 07 7:44 PM CST
(Newser) - Online greeting cards are all the rage this holiday season. They're mostly free, and can feature funny, interactive subjects ranging from elf tossing to reindeer arm wrestling. E-cards are also delivered instantly, an advantage for the forgetful around Christmas. But traditional cards are still the preferred way to spread holiday... More »

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Internet • spam • computer virus • spyware • holiday • Christmas • e card • electronic greetings • electronic card • holiday card

Movie Imperils Copycats, Computers

Lust, Caution dangers include risky sexual positions, virus-laden downloads

Nov 20, 07 2:07 PM CST
(Newser) - Doctors are warning fans of Ang Lee's new film, Lust, Caution, not to try to imitate the sexual positions featured in the movie, Reuters reports. The uncut version's extensive sex scenes moved one Chinese doctor to caution, "Only women with comparatively flexible bodies that have gymnastics or yoga... More »

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computer virus • virus • Ang Lee • movies

Malicious Mac "Trojan Horse" App Discovered

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

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... More »

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Apple • Trojans • computer virus • Macintosh • malware

Insider Trading May Have
Net Variant

Agency investigates claims of shady profits from domain names

Oct 24, 07 1:39 PM CDT
(Newser) - Someone call Michael Milken: Insider trading trailblazers may have found a new perch online. ICANN is investigating a poaching practice it's calling “front running,” in which buyers with inside information grab desirable domain names before others can register them. Speculation on the shadowy URL snatchers runs to viruses... More »

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Internet • insider trading • domain names • computer virus • Michael Milken • ICANN

Security Firm: AIM Is Fatally Flawed

AOL instant messenger software vulnerable to worm attack

Sep 26, 07 6:10 AM CDT
(Newser) - Hackers could exploit a glitch in AOL's instant messaging program and take control of users' computers , a security firm reports. Core Security discovered that the way AIM uses HTML code provides a loophole for hijacking PCs, via a web link that implants a self-copying worm. AOL says it has solved... More »

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AOL • Internet Explorer • computer virus • Internet security • AOL Instant Messenger • computer

Prankster's 1st Computer Virus Turns 25

'Dumb little practical joke' led to $38 billion security industry

Sep 2, 07 5:56 PM CDT
(Newser) - A prankster who wrote the first computer virus 25 years ago says only, “It was some dumb little practical joke.” Yet Richard Skrenta’s desire to infiltrate other Apple II’s with a poem (“It will get on all your disks; it will infiltrate your chips”)... More »

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Microsoft • Apple • Windows • software • computer virus • Elk Cloner • spyware • hardware • virus protection • Richard Skrenta

The Computer Virus Turns 25

Jul 13, 07 4:52 PM CDT
(Newser) - A long time ago (1982), in a galaxy not so far, far away, Rich Skrenta, then a clever 9th grader, invented what may have been the first computer virus—Elk Cloner. It was, by current standards, a benign virus that Skrenta installed on his school computer, so that every time... More »

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hacker • computer virus • Rich Skrenta • Elk Cloner

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