iWork '09 Trojan Virus Infects at Least 20,000 Machines?
Quite a number of no-goodniks who thought they'd save a few bucks by downloading a pirated version of iWork '09 have gotten more than they'd bargained for -- in the form of a Trojan Horse called OSX.Trojan.iServices.A. This guy installs itself in the computer's startup as root, and once in place it can connect to a remote server and broadcast its location, allowing malicious users to take charge of the machine remotely. And since it has root access to the OS, the trojan can not only install additional components but can also modify existing apps, making this thing extremely difficult to remove. According to a white paper released by Intego, at least 20,000 people may have downloaded the infected software -- which they'll get around to installing as soon as they finish those episodes of 'Celebrity Rehab' they grabbed at the same time. [Via Macworld]
Seven Security Breaches
45 Million Card Numbers Stolen from TJ Maxx and Marshall's
TJX Companies Inc., the umbrella corporation of TJ Maxx and Marshall's, was taken for over 45 million card numbers between 2004 and 2007. So much for those alleged TJ Maxx bargains.
Thieves Snag 4.2 Million Credit Card Numbers from Supermarket Chain
Sometime between December, 2007 and February, 2008, data thieves -- infiltrating the credit card authorization system of Hannaford Brothers and Sweetbay grocery stores -- managed to obtain the information of 4.2 million cards. Close to 2,000 cases of fraud were reported.
17 New Yorkers Busted for ID Theft and Money Laundering
Back in 2007, the New York-based company Western Express International was found to be a powerful credit-card harvesting operation, responsible for trafficking 95,000 stolen card numbers. Seventeen employees were indicted.
More Than Four Million Health Records Breached in 2008
According to research firm DataLoss DB, 4.07 million individuals had their healthcare records compromised last year. We know at least two of them belonged to Britney Spears and Farrah Fawcett, and were sold by a California hospital worker.
CardSystems Solutions Taken for 40 Million Accounts
Having snuck past the security systems of CardSystems Solutions, data thieves compromised around 40 million card accounts in 2005. No word on whether or not the company has considered changing the name to CardSystems Problems.
Hackers Who Stole Credit Card Numbers from Dave & Buster's Arrested
Last year, the Justice Department busted an international ring of hackers who had stolen an untold number of credit card numbers from the Dave & Buster's restaurant chain by installing software on the company's national servers. Reported losses were well in excess of $600,000.
11 Arrested in Theft of 41 Million Credit Card Numbers
In August of last year, Federal prosecutors charged 11 thieves in the U.S.A., former Soviet states and China with stealing 41 million credit cards' information. A Miami man, Albert Gonzalez, was charged as the group's mastermind.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Craigushka said 8:37PM on 1-24-2009
If I was in charge I would I could eleminate the virus problem completly. First once you were caught sending viruses you would get a whip taken to your naked body while hung up by the thumbs. This whiping would continue once a month for your 3 year incarceration. If you were caught a second time sending viruses, which I doubt you would try it, you would get a whipping once a month, placed on a rock pile with a 20 pound sledge hammer, and incarcerated for 7 years. If you were caught staeling credit card info, you would also get the same. The system is to light on habitual criminals. To many bleeding heart liberal judges.
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Terri said 8:49PM on 1-24-2009
Roflmao...That's Funny As H*ll..Iam /w/ U On That
Pam said 10:32PM on 1-24-2009
I like your punishment concept but can we refrain from sending them to prision as It takes $100,000. per year to keep criminals in prision if you count the total expense from the trail, collecting and distrubting the funds to keep them there.
Kate said 8:44PM on 1-24-2009
Guess it's the chance we take when we're willing to bootleg...
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tese42s said 8:57PM on 1-24-2009
It's probably the companies that sell anti-virus software that is sending them out. You know, just to drum up a little business.
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Moe said 10:22PM on 1-24-2009
Waterboarding.
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erj210 said 11:13PM on 1-24-2009
So much for macs not having virus'
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Master Shake said 4:08AM on 1-25-2009
Macs don't get viruses by simply visiting a website, or opening the wrong email. Any computer can have a virus if the user installs the virus on it intentionally - which is what happens when you download bootlegged software quite often. Want to avoid viruses? Stick to Macintosh and pay for your software. I've been using Macs for 20 years around the world and never had a SINGLE virus of any sort. Because I pay for my software.
erj210 said 6:43PM on 1-26-2009
"Macs don't get viruses by simply visiting a website, or opening the wrong email"
I doubt that. The macs I used at school were always crashing. Once they got a set of brand new G5s and they were crashing every five minutes about a week after installation, and that is no exaggeration. those computers didn't allow installation of any sort of software without a administrator authorization. What I'm willing to accept is that they get less virus' due to their lack of popularity as compared to Windows applications. But, I willing to bet there's some nut job out there waiting to change that.
Dan said 11:59PM on 1-24-2009
If it were up to me. Once caught, I would sentence them to die by kiki. You now what kiki means? Its sort of like a very public enima, but more violent and prolonged.
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PAYBACK said 10:03PM on 1-25-2009
I SAY TAKE THE SOFTWARE, AN BEND THE M.F. DOWN AN PUSH -IT UP HIS CULO
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Flint said 2:40AM on 1-26-2009
It should be a simple eye for an eye. Say the hacker costs me 6 hours to get everything cleaned up. He should have to forfeit six hours of his life.
Multiply times the number of victims. 40,000 ==>10000 days ==> 27 years. If the time to be forfeited ever reaches the average human lifespan... Well that's the end for him then.
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Kenny Moylan said 7:01PM on 1-27-2009
And lest not forget your Father Bush!
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kit said 6:01AM on 1-26-2009
You rock, Jeff - couldn't agree more with you!
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J. Scott said 8:34PM on 1-28-2009
Kenny Molan is just like all other Democrats/Liberals/Communists and that is that when they are confronted with the TRUTH they resort to personal attacks.
Of course I would never stoop to say anything about Kenny Molans "Father" because no one knows who his Father is. Nonetheless I will take the high road and just say that even though Kenny Molan has a HUGE HEAD that his "pea brain" oneday will grow along with his TWO NAVELS.
Thank you, Thank you very much. I will be here all week.
Bada Bing
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Jeff Schrembs said 8:41PM on 1-28-2009
THANK YOU J. Scott for your in depth analysis.
Life is too short, just like Kenny Molan's height and IQ, so we must all make an effort...to laugh (just like everyone does at Kenny Molan).
Bada - bada - bing bing.
Jeff Schrembs
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Elvis Presley said 8:42PM on 1-28-2009
Jeff Schrembs is my biggest fan.
Elvis, has left the building.
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