Lurking
"spyware" may be a security weak spot
(March 4, 2004)
The New Scientist reports that one in twenty computers with an
internet connection may be harbouring unwanted spyware programs that
can record a user's computer use, generate nuisance pop-up ads and may
pose a security risk, suggests a US study.
Keep
Spies from Skulking into Your PC
(January 22, 2004)
A helpful summary of how spyware can get into PCs, the kind of
problems it can cause, and different ways to control and eliminate the
problem.
A Third of
Spam Spread by RAT-Infected PC's
(December 8, 2003)
Nearly one-third of all spam circulating the Web is relayed through
PCs that have been compromised by malicious programs known as Remote
Access Trojans, according to Sophos, an antispam and antivirus
company.
Inside
Spyware: A
Guide to Finding, Removing and Preventing Online Pests
A valuable introduction to the world of non-viral malware, written for
a non-technical audience, this article is several pages long, but well
worth the investment of time to get a fundamental grasp of the
problem.
Web
Privacy Policies Confuse Net Surfers
(June 25, 2003)
This article is a timely reminder to all of us - site operators and
site users - to understand privacy policies and their limitations.
New
California Law Forces Companies to Disclose Hacking
(June 23,
2003)
Starting July 1 2003, companies must warn California customers of
security holes in their networks. When a retailer discovers its credit
card numbers have been stolen, it must e-mail customers saying,
"We've been hacked, and the hacker may have your credit card
number.'' Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif) plans to introduce a
federal version of the legislation very soon.
The
clear and present danger of broadband
(June 5, 2003)
• 91% of Broadband Users Have Spyware Lurking on Home Computers
• 97% of Broadband Parents Do Not Use Parental Controls
• 67% of Users Do Not Have Properly and Securely Configured
Firewalls
• 62% Do Not Regularly Update Anti-Virus Software
• Despite Vulnerabilities, 86% Keep Sensitive Information on Home
Computer
So states a study of broadband users just released by The National
Cyber Security Alliance, a coalition dedicated to online computer
safety.
Spyware
Bots: The New Electronic Trojan Horses
(June 4, 2003)
Spyware bots are present on PCs everywhere, doing anything from
tracking site visits to capturing passwords and stealing intellectual
property. This Aberdeen Group paper takes a 30,000 foot view of the
latest threat to corporate information security. (PDF Download)
The
bugs stop here
(May 22, 2003)
A thorough, in-depth analysis of what IT teams can do to prevent being
caught out by probably future repeats of 'Slammer'-type outbreaks.
Taxes,
Death And Policy
(May 21, 2003)
Recent laws are forcing companies to write security policies whether
they want to or not. Columnist Marcia J. Wilson doesn't like being
told what to do but says companies ought to comply to protect their
interests.
Tiny
Nevada hospital attacked by Russian hacker
(April 7, 2003)
A hacker who invaded the computer system at William Bee Ririe Hospital
in Ely has been traced to the former Soviet Union, authorities said.
The FBI said the hacker used the Web site of Al-Jazeera, the Arab news
network, as a conduit to the hospital. This story shows how a trojan
can be used to bypass basic security measures, and serves as an object
lesson to anyone who still believes only large, well-known
organizations are targeted by hackers.
How
to stop your PC from spying on you
(April 7, 2003)
This article provides a valuable all-round assessment of the spyware
problem, the reasons anti-virus doesn't deal with it, and why you need
a different solution.
Are
Security Vendors Growing Up?
(April 3, 2003)
This article provides some insight into how security software vendors
are testing new ways to sell their wares. We hope PestPatrol doesn't
fall into any of these categories—but we're sure you'll tell us if
we do!
Defense
in Depth: The Operations Factor
(March 28, 2003)
Policy meets reality - Mike Mullins walks readers through the seven
basic procedural areas of successful security policy implementation.
CERT
predicts a rash of Internet attacks
(March 17, 2003)
The recent rash of Internet worms has produced an army of hundreds of
thousands of compromised machines that could ultimately be used to
launch a massive distributed-denial-of-service attack, according to
officials at the CERT Coordination Center at Carnegie Mellon
University in Pittsburgh, PA. The organization is monitoring at least
five large networks of compromised machines installed with so-called
bots that connect compromised PCs or servers to Internet Relay Chat
servers, which attackers commonly use to execute commands on the
remote systems. "At least one of these networks has more than
140,000 machines, and we have seen indications that these networks are
being used [for attacks]," said Marty Lindner, team leader for
incident handling at the CERT center. "The potential is there for
them to cause serious long-term damage."
Students
harness keylogging technology to improve grades
(March 8, 2003)
The hacking was discovered after a Mission San Jose High School
counselor reviewing a student's academic record noticed some
discrepancies and a number of grade changes. The students apparently
used KeyLogger -- a software program readily available on the Internet
for as little as $30 -- to break the password and enter the database
from a staff member's computer at the school. The students have been
suspended.
Hidden
Backdoors, Trojan Horses and Rootkit Tools in a Windows Environment
(Janurary 23, 2003)
Hackers increasingly threaten the network community with their new
techniques, backdoors and Trojan horses. Users must take steps to
guard against known methods of hacking, even though there will still
be a large number of unknown factors. This article provides a thorough
analysis of non-viral threats to Windows-based PCs.
