Google is set to launch Android 5.0, aka Jelly Bean, this fall. But do we even need it? While Google has made some steps in securing its Play branded marketplace, and offered a few security updates to the operating system, it is a fact that the most targeted Android platform is still 2.x. Why is that? There are several reasons, not the least of which is a lack of security patches provided to previously deployed operating system versions.

    Carolina Dieckmann, a famous Brazilian actress, recently became the victim of cyber attacks that allowed cybercriminals to steal personal property - nude pictures of her- from her computer. Many pictures or maybe all of them got leaked to the Internet. This incident has served as a good incentive for the Brazilian government to have new cybercrime laws in the country (the current law to fight cybercrime in Brazil was approved back in the 40’s of XX century). As a result of this incident, a new cybercrime law that carries a punishment of up to 2 years in prison for such crimes has finally been proposed for consideration. This is a good and right move! A press article in Portuguese can be

    “Forgetting” or “underestimating” are the main reasons for data loss around the world. In an airport lounge during my last trip I came across  some cool tab devices running on Android integrated with an external keyboard available for public use and connected to the Internet.

As in the past I performed a quick check of downloaded files, most visited sites and browser history and found a huge list of sensitive information. Here are some examples:

• Access via OWA to a corporate email of a Latin American bank.
• Medical files from Spanish hospitals.
• Commercial offers with personal banking information of a service provider.
• Personal traveller information with full names, IDs, frequent flyer number and the destination of the flight.
• Audit control released by a Latin American government to local companies.

I didn’t check if the browser function “save passwords” was enabled. Just imagine if it was! I also didn’t check the saved cookies. Anyway enough sensitive information was already exposed out there. Lots of people are not very good at safeguarding their personal information on standard PCs; they are even worse when it comes to tab computers. More often than not, they just don’t know where a file was downloaded on a tab, and they have no idea how to delete it afterwards. I wonder how much sensitive information is already exposed in this way at airports around the globe! Without any doubt it’s a huge advantage for cybercriminals who know how to use social engineering and a big pain for security officers of the companies who have to train employees. Another important point is when people fly on business - they are usually managers, so any leaked information can compromise not only their personal identity but also a company’s secrets.

FaceTime Security Labs announced the discovery of a worm that steals users? banking details, usernames and passwords. The worm, known as MW.Orc, is propagating through Orkut, Google?s social networking site, as users launch an executable file disguised as a JPEG. Google has a temporary fix in place

This is Part TWO of a series of write-ups focusing on the recent threat to E-Commerce systems via potential IM (Instant Messaging) attack vectors and more besides, by way of a remotely installed administration tool and custom-built scripts, designed to find vulnerabilities in third-party payment sys

A new service called Zillow allows you to easily access the value of your home...and your neighbors and even their neighbors. SpywareGuide articles are sponsored by FaceTime Communications, providing solutions for securing and controlling IM, P2P and Spyware Greynets.