virus posts

Hacking Gets Even Easier With DIY Malware Kits

by Matthew Zuras (RSS feed) — Mar 19th 2010 at 4:35PM

As if phishing scams and identity thefts didn't already make the Internet unappetizing, hackers are apparently getting still more industrious in ways that leave us feeling queasy. According to The New Scientist, we now have to worry about "a burgeoning cyber-crime industry, one which lets people with next to no programming skills steal a fortune in cash or get hold of sensitive government documents." Whoa, nelly! Do you mean to tell us that our freedom-loving Grandpa Joe can simply buy a hacker's kit and infiltrate the IRS mainframe? Perhaps not, but such hacking kits do exist, allowing users to build custom malware that can steal bank account numbers or other vital data.

While these software packages were previously limited to a small number of individuals with programming know-how, kits like Zeus, which can now be bought online for $700 or less, allow people with few computer skills to build their own malicious code. One recent Zeus attack on several government agencies managed to net copies of U.S. airport security plans, defense contracts, and some documents relating to biological and chemical terrorism. All the files ended up on a server in Belarus, but the culprit is still unknown.

Tags: botnet, fragus, hacker, malware, phishing, security, TheNewScientist, top, trojan, virus, zeus

Computers, Web, Social Networking

'New Password' E-mail Scam Plagues Facebook Members

by Amar Toor (RSS feed) — Mar 18th 2010 at 9:21AM

If you get an e-mail with a subject line that reads, "Facebook password reset confirmation customer support," you can just go ahead and hit the delete button. That's because, if you open it, you may fall prey to the latest scam to hit Facebook, and divulge intensely personal password or banking information. The malicious e-mail bears an attachment that, the message claims, contains your new Facebook password. What it really contains, though, is a form of malware that can swipe not only your real Facebook password, but rather any username and password combination stored on your computer.

The careful reader will notice a few tell-tale signs of the e-mail's inauthenticity; Facebook never sends out e-mails like these, and even if it did, it wouldn't use the awkward grammar and lazy punctuation that are all over these messages. Clearly, though, enough people are falling for it to warrant concern. According to McAfee labs, this e-mail has become the "sixth most prevalent piece of malware targeting consumers in the last 24 hours." McAfee also estimates that tens of millions of malicious e-mails have been sent out across Europe, the U.S. and Asia since the pestilence began on Tuesday. Considering that there are about 400 million users on Facebook, McAfee malware expert Dave Marcus estimates that hackers could successfully infect millions of computers. As he told Reuters, "If you get 10-percent success, that's 40 million." So, just be careful about it, and don't let your computer be one of them. [From: McAfee; via: CNET and Reuters]

Tags: facebook, password, passwords, scam, scams, scams and frauds, ScamsAndFrauds, socialnetworking, top, virus, viruses, web

Web

'Twilight' Content Leaves Scammers Thirsting for Your (Digital) Blood

by Terrence O'Brien (RSS feed) — Nov 20th 2009 at 1:17PM

Malware Makers Cash-In on 'Twilight' Craze

As per usual, malware purveyors are hopping on the latest fad in order to lure unsuspecting Web surfers into their dens of digital evil. And what are the kids talking about right now? Well, 'Twilight,' of course.

With the new installment of the teen vampire saga set to hit theaters Friday, Web searches for interviews with cast members, for bootleg copies of the film, and for other content related to 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon' have sky-rocketed. Using this buzz to their advantage, makers of viruses, trojans, and spyware are embedding malicious code in fake movie files and video streams, and posting the nefarious results.

Tags: malware, security, top, twilight, twilight new moon, TwilightNewMoon, virus

Web

Viruses Secretly Downloading Child Pornography

by Terrence O'Brien (RSS feed) — Nov 9th 2009 at 1:21PM

Malware and viruses have a lot of tricks up their sleeves -- from stealing passwords and harvesting credit card information, to simply destroying data and crashing PCs. But of all those nasty abilities, the worst and most confounding is the ability to secretly load a PC with child pornography.

It's difficult to understand the motives for dumping boatloads of child pornography on the hard drives of unsuspecting Web users. It is possible, though, for pedophiles to secretly store their highly illegal collections on other people's PCs, view them remotely, and thus avoid incriminating themselves. Another possibility is that the programs are designed simply to wreak havoc on the reputations of others, framing them as collectors of underage filth. The first publicly recognized case of such an infection, in 2003, involved a British man who was arrested on child pornography charges, only to be cleared later when it was determined that a virus loaded the illegal content on his PC.

Tags: child pornography, ChildPornography, crime, malwarre, porn, pornography, security, top, virus

Computers, Advice, Editor's Picks, Windows Software, Mac Software, Laptops, desktops, Web

5 Essential Tips to Keep Your PC Safe

by Terrence O'Brien (RSS feed) — Oct 5th 2009 at 12:30PM

One of the most important things everyone -- even Mac users -- needs to do with a computer is to make sure it is as secure from viruses, phishing scams, and other 'net threats as possible. No matter how often you practice safe browsing habits or think twice before clicking on a random link in your e-mail, you'd be surprised how often even the most cautious of folks can be caught off guard, which is why you need to have some basic security measures in place to protect you (and your computer), should something slip past. We've boiled it down to five basic steps that everyone -- even the computer and 'Net-threat-savvy -- should take to make sure that their PC and personal data are safe.

Tags: features, safety, security, spyware, top, virus

Computers

Man Builds Biological Virus Sculptures From Salvaged PCs

by Caleb Johnson (RSS feed) — Sep 24th 2009 at 2:18PM

As the saying goes, one man's trash is another man's treasure. Well, that's certainly true for sculptor Forrest McCluer, who salvaged 30 computers from a garbage pile outside an office building and made it his personal mission to turn that junk into art. Now, one series in his 'The 30 Computers Project' brings a whole new meaning to term computer virus. McCluer used some of the discarded computer parts to build sculptures of biological viruses.

Judging by the pictures McCluer posts alongside his models, these sculptures are pretty accurate. There's the 'Transformer 'Virus,' which looks like the common cold and uses yellow PC transformers. Then, there's the 'Capacitor Virus,' which represents the rhinovirus and uses, of course, assorted PC capacitors. With all the talk about swine flu lately, it's nice to know that these viruses can't harm you. [From: The 30 Computers Project, via Neatorama]

Tags: art, biology, computer, design, health, sculpture, top, virus

Computers, Web

Clampi Virus Targets Users at Banks and Credit Card Sites

by Terrence O'Brien (RSS feed) — Sep 22nd 2009 at 9:30AM

Keeping up with the latest Web security threats is a daunting task, because viruses and trojans emerge, evolve, and spread at an alarming rate. While some infections like Nine Ball, Conficker, and Gumblar have hit the scene and immediately become the scourge of the cyber security world, others take their time -- quietly infiltrating more and more computers before revealing the true depth of the danger they pose.

One such slow grower is Clampi, a trojan that made its debut as early as 2007 (depending on who you ask) but is only now raising hairs outside professional security circles. Clampi primarily spreads via malicious sites designed to dispense malware, but it's also been spotted on legitimate sites that have been hacked to host malicious links and ads. Using these methods, Clampi has infected as many as half a million computers, Joe Stewart, of SecureWorks, told a crowd at the Black Hat Security Conference in July, USA Today reports.

Tags: clampi, malware, security, top, trojan, virus

Celebrities, Web

Searching for 'Jessica Biel' Is Bad for Your Computer

by Caleb Johnson (RSS feed) — Aug 25th 2009 at 10:00AM

Entering "Jessica Biel" into a search engine might not be the best idea these days. Instead of a list of the actress's credentials, or even some sexy photographs, you'll most likely end up with spam, spyware, a virus or a busted computer.

Reuters reports that Jessica Biel topped a list of the riskiest A-list celebrity names to search on the Web. The list, compiled by Internet security company McAfee Inc., found that users have a one-in-five chance of being directed to a malicious site when searching for Biel's name. It should come as no surprise that hackers use popular trends to infect computers and steal personal information. Last year, Brad Pitt topped McAfee's list, and he ranked only tenth in 2009.

Tags: computer, expire-images:2010-8-25, jessicabiel, megan fox, search, security, spam, top, virus, web

Cell Phones

Don't Panic Over Cell Phone Viruses, Says N.Y. Times

by Warren Riddle (RSS feed) — Aug 14th 2009 at 1:20PM

Cell phones, long considered to be immune from malicious viruses due to the variety of different operating systems and the strict policies of providers, have recently demonstrated a vulnerability to viral infection (specifically smartphones with downloading capabilities). Despite the growing risk of handset botnets, the New York Times assures us there is no immediate need for panic or concern.

Verizon is currently the only cell manufacturer promoting anti-virus software for mobiles, even though (so far), the only smartphones affected by hackers and botnets have been Symbian-based Nokia phones and the iPhone. The so-called 'Sexy Space' botnet involves a text message containing a malicious link, which, once opened by a Nokia smart phone, could disseminate spam and even spread to, and attack, computer networks.

Tags: cell phone virus, CellPhoneVirus, hack, safety, security, top, virus

Web, Social Networking

'CoooooL Video' Facebook Spam Message Totally UncoooooL

by Lee Bains (RSS feed) — Aug 14th 2009 at 10:24AM

If you get a Facebook message bearing the subject line 'CoooooL Video,' delete it immediately. According to Mashable, the spam message has recently started showing up in many a member's inbox, claiming to have been sent by one of a user's friends. From one case to another, the messages' included links seem to vary, but their final destinations are one and the same: Malware City. If you do open the link, and thusly download the malware, you'll unwittingly be deluging your own friends with the 'CoooooL Video' messages.

If your profile is already sending the messages, Mashable suggests you do the following: clear all cookies from your browser's settings, change your Facebook password, and -- as always -- update your anti-virus software and run a full scan. Follow those steps, and you should be safe from 'CoooooL Video.' We, ourselves, aren't worried about it. If one of our Facebook friends spelled 'cool' that way, they'd be de-friended immediately, anyway. [From: Mashable]

Tags: facebook, malware, security, spam, top, virus

Web

Links to Nude Erin Andrews Video Lead to Virus Instead

by Caleb Johnson (RSS feed) — Jul 21st 2009 at 1:19PM

When nude footage of ESPN reporter Erin Andrews hit the Web last week, you could hear keyboards clicking and clacking around the world. The video, which was taken through some sort of peephole in a hotel room without Andrews' knowledge, instantly became Google's most searched item. Now, some of these virtual voyeurs are paying a heavy price.

According to ABC News, hackers have begun embedding viruses into links that supposedly lead to the video. Hundreds of computers have already been infected by the malware, which can allow hackers to steal personal information or render a hard drive useless. Gary Warner, the head of computer forensics at the University of Alabama in Birmingham, told ABC News that Twitter is spreading the links like wildfire, largely via shortened URLs. Many places took down the video after Andrews's lawyers stepped in and promised to take civil and criminal action against those involved. However, there still are some cached versions out there.

Tags: crime, erin andrews, ErinAndrews, espn, expire-images:2010-7-21, football, naked, nudity, spam, sports, top, virus

Cell Phones

'Sexy Space' Botnet Could Make Your Phone a Zombie

by Terrence O'Brien (RSS feed) — Jul 20th 2009 at 2:43PM

Botnets, networks of infected devices that work together to send spam and steal data, are already quite commonplace on PCs. But now, security firm Symantec reports that it has discovered the world's first cell phone botnet.

It was only a couple of months ago that we got our first warning that botnets might be making their way to handsets, but now the first one, called 'Sexy Space,' has been spotted in the wild. The virus is passed along via a text message that includes a link and text about "A very sexy girl. Try it now!" Classy.

It may be difficult for the virus to spread, however. Users need to click the link (and download software) to become infected, and, due to the number of different cell phone operating systems, the botnet is contained to one type of handset. (In this case, it appears to be Symbian-based Nokia phones.) So, even in a worst case scenario, a mobile botnet would never be as widespread as a Windows PC-based infection.

Tags: botnet, cell phone, CellPhone, mobile, mobile virus, MobileVirus, security, texting, top, virus

Celebrities, Web

'Smooth Criminal' Spammers Capitalizing on Michael Jackson's Death

by Warren Riddle (RSS feed) — Jun 26th 2009 at 4:25PM

It certainly didn't take spammers long to capitalize on the death of the King of Pop. Appearing almost as quickly as the tasteless jokes, spam messages claiming to have information surrounding Michael Jackson's mysterious death have been sweeping the Net.

According to The New York Times, security firm Sophos originally discovered the first set of spam messages, which offer details of the gloved one's death if the reader replies to the message. A second form, identified by Websense, offers a phony link to a YouTube video supposedly containing news of the passing. Instead, clickers are directed to a site that installs information-stealing Trojan horse software.

Tags: expire-images:2010-6-26, malware, michaeljackson, scammers, top, virus

Computers, Web

Ads Used to Spread Malware on Reputable Sites

by Terrence O'Brien (RSS feed) — Jun 22nd 2009 at 6:45AM

Advertisements Used to Spread Malware on Reputable Sites

Most Web sites don't sell ad space directly to marketers. Instead, major sites like FoxNews.com, IGN.com, and MLB.com sell their ad space to ad networks, which then independently sell to other companies. But if an ad network fails to find an advertiser, it will often resell the spot on the Web site to another ad network, which may then turn around and place the ad space for sale on an ad exchange site, where it will be auctioned off to the highest bidder.

With so many links in the chain, it has become harder and harder for Web sites to police the advertisements being hosted. As a result, vulnerabilities are more and more likely. All it takes for hell to break loose is one careless party to let through an ad that leads to an infected site.

Tags: ads, advertising, malware, security, virus

Cell Phones, BlackBerry, BlackBerry 101

Major Security Flaw Found in BlackBerry Software

by Terrence O'Brien (RSS feed) — Jun 5th 2009 at 2:38PM

Warning, BlackBerry owners: the popular smartphone's manufacturer, Research in Motion (RIM), has found a major security flaw that could let a hacker take over a BlackBerry server (like the one you use for your work e-mail account) by simply sending someone an e-mail. The vulnerability could allow attackers to hijack a server running BlackBerry software by simply sending e-mails with infected PDF files. If a customer were to open the file, the virus would install its payload of malicious software on the server side, from which hackers could send spam and collect personal data.

No hackers have yet taken advantage of the vulnerability, but RIM is urging all of its customers to install an issued security patch to avoid future exploitation. Of course, many businesses wait to thoroughly test patches like this before deploying them to employees. For those who insist on holding off, RIM is suggesting that e-mail attachments be temporarily disabled, just to be safe. They've posted details about the patch and the suggested work-around here.

Let's hope the White House gets on this patch soon. It'd be pretty embarrassing if the one person to fall victim to the flaw was our president. [From: Reuters]

Tags: blackberry, e-mail, mobileviruses, researchinmotion, rim, security, smartphone, smartphones, top, virus

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