Securelist / Blog
Securelist / Blog
  • We Need More Than Jelly Bean

    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, Brazilian cybercrime legislation and la “Viveza criolla”
        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
  • Public points of data loss
        “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.
 
SpywareGuide Articles
Articles on Spyware, Adware, Malware and privacy in general
SpywareGuide Articles
  • DATA-THEFT WORM TARGETING GOOGLE'S ORKUT
    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
  • The Digital Underground: Interview with RinCe
    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
  • Property Values, Satellite Maps and Zillow
    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.
What Is Spyware? PDF Print E-mail
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Submitted By: Johnny Moon

 

You hear a lot about spyware these days and unfortunately many of us have dealt with it first hand. I think anyone who has had to deal with spyware knows at least one thing about it; It's annoying. Sometimes it can be even more than just annoying, sometimes spyware can be used to steal your identity.

Everyone hates spyware (except for maybe the evil people who create it) but what is it exactly?

It's computer software that is usually downloaded onto your computer without your knowledge. This spyware software collects personal information about the user(s) of the computer that it is running on.

Among the information that spyware may record are the websites that users of the computer go to, keystrokes entered into the computer (worst case scenario being the recording of important secret passwords), and the contents of the computer's hard drive. Spyware may scan the hard drive looking for information such as credit card numbers, social security numbers, and passwords.

Spyware can be intended to do a variety of things. It can be intended to steal your financial information and steal your identity or it can merely be trying to collect data on you for advertising purposes. While the latter may not be nearly as serious it's almost as annoying.

If you're like me then you don't want any program running on your computer that you didn't purposely run yourself. One of the best methods of preventing spyware is to be careful of what websites you surf to and what email you open. Never open an email that looks suspicious and has an attachment (even if it's from someone you know.) Sometimes emails are forwarded that have very bad attachments that the person who is sending it to you may not have any clue about. Avoiding certain types of websites will also improve your odds of avoiding spyware. Websites which claim to offer "free" anything may also be sending your computer free spyware, for example. Free "adult" websites and websites which offer "cracks" are among the most dangerous sites. Also be wary of most sites which have popups. Sometimes popups are harmless but unfortunately they are also often used for evil.

Luckily there is some software that has been developed to combat spyware. This software of course costs money but I find that it is really essential these days due to the constant barrage of spyware that attacks computers on the internet today.

Spyware can be merely annoying but it can sometimes be much worse than that. You have to protect your computer and surf smart.

About the Author
Johnny Moon is one of the reviewers for SmartReviews.INFO who helped choose XoftSpySE as the top SpyWare protection software available today.

Published At: www.Isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=155307&ca=Advice
 
 

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