October 4th, 2010 by Catherine
Millions have fallen for it, have you? Online criminals are laughing all the way to the bank.
A. Scareware refers to fake sales tactics intended to scare users into thinking their PCs have critical errors/viruses that need to be secured right away. Scareware offers an immediate solution (at a price of course) as a software download. More often than not this installs some kind of spyware or malware onto your PC. This software can make you more vulnerable to fraud and identity theft.
Protect yourself and your PC:
- Don’t click on any pop-ups or ads on websites that mention critical errors/viruses and the like. Even if they say they’re from Microsoft or other well known service providers.
- Purchase reputable software like ZoneAlarm (info here, call Software Paradise on 0800 289 041 to purchase).
- It takes some common sense as these cyber criminals need you to get what they want, be it credit card details, passwords etc.
- These scams can even appear on trusted sites like Google and Twitter – so be wary of everything you click on.
- Keep your operating system and antivirus protection up-to-date.
- If you do receive a scareware pop-up don’t click on it to close it. Use your task manager instead.
Top in IT security headlines has been the threat of ’scareware’. Symantec released a report this week stating that over 40 million people have fallen for scareware scams in the last year. There have even been reports of cybercriminals holding your computer and data at ransom by locking your PC and demanding relatively small amounts of money to get your data and control back. Because the amounts of money are small it is believed that there are many cases out there that have gone unreported.
In the current climate people are increasingly worried about online fraud, identity theft and hackers. This is why scareware scams are on the increase – online criminals know they work.
Tags: scareware
Posted in Cyber Warfare, Data Theft, Email Security, Fraud, News, Q & A | 12 Comments »
August 27th, 2010 by Catherine
This time, from the ISF (Information Security Forum), a leading independent authority on information security, who have just released their predictions for IT security in 2011.
There is a shift predicted to highly organised cyber crime and targeted attacks.
It is important that we keep data safe now and plan for the future.
Chief executive Prof. Howard A. Schmidt at the ISF, states: “Even in today’s financial climate and increased threat environment, we are better placed than ever before to meet these challenges – as long as we have the resolve to strengthen and invest in security rather than reduce it.”
There is still time to put security measures in place, and they needn’t cost a fortune. Common sense, combined with first line of defence physical security and second line basic encryption will go a long way in helping to keep information safe and reduce data loss.
Think about the disgruntled employee
Criminals will be approaching employees that have been affected by the recession for sensitive company data.
Don’t be a victim of Social Engineering
Think back to the Second World War and the nostalgic posters, ‘Loose Lips Might Sink Ships’ and ‘The Walls Have Ears’, and keep information to yourself.
Here are the predicted top ten risks:
- Criminal attacks
- Weaknesses in infrastructure
- Tougher statutory environment
- Pressures on off shoring / outsourcing
- Eroding network boundaries
- Mobile malware
- Vulnerabilities of Web 2.0
- Incidents of espionage
- Insecure user-driven development
- Changing cultures.
Jason Creasey, head of research at the ISF, has stated that the recession is accelerating the changes and advancements in IT threats: “…. fuelled by increasing staff turnover and dissatisfaction; along with the increased involvement of organised criminal groups that see online crime as a lucrative and low risk alternative to other nefarious activities.”
Tags: Data Theft, it security, social engineering
Posted in Cyber Warfare, Data Theft, Email Security, Fraud, Mobile Communication, Mobile Security, News | No Comments »
May 4th, 2010 by Catherine
Nigel Trevena, IT Security Advisor, Software Paradise:
A. Cyber-Warfare, also known as Cyber-War, is the use of computers and the internet in conducting warfare in cyberspace.
These attacks use information managed and collected for competitive advantage over an enemy or opponent. For example, web vandalism, propaganda, data gathering, equipment disruption and infrastructure attacks.
Tags: cyber war, Cyber Warfare, Operating Systems
Posted in Cyber Warfare, News, Q & A | 1 Comment »
