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 »
August 17th, 2010 by Catherine
Social Engineering – the inadvertent disclosure of confidential information by your employees, is every organisation’s weakest security link.
Technology solutions, security policies, and operational procedures cannot work in isolation. People play a key role in an organisation’s security policy success.
Phishing, Pharming and SPAM are recognised examples of social engineering, both carried out for the purpose of profit, but there are more. These profiteers are always one-step ahead; creating and deploying new attacks that we are not yet aware of.
Regularly updated security software will deal with the majority of Phishing and Pharming threats and block the deluge of dodgy SPAM, but there are always those that slip through the net. Only users can decide if they are going to respond or not, and if they do, inadvertently hand over sensitive data.
Social Threats:
Social Engineers are practiced at manipulating employees into compromising corporate security, undermining human judgement so the victim is willing to concede network security, or even let them into an office building, without verifying their identity. They gather information by listening to conversations in public places (cafes, public transport etc), watching people enter passwords and PINs into laptops and at cash points, and even searching through the rubbish.
Awareness:
- If employees don’t know about it, they can’t help!
- Create a strong security culture within the organisation
- Make employees aware of the threats and reinforce that security is everyone’s responsibility, not just that of the IT team
- Point out to employees that they are the last line of defence against hackers who have turned to social engineering because they cannot breach the security systems any other way
- Have regular training sessions/updates about the latest security threats.
Tags: Data Theft, security employees, social engineering
Posted in Data Theft, Fraud, Mobile Security, News | 4 Comments »
August 12th, 2010 by Catherine
The wife of Sir John Sawers (the future head of MI6) had posted personal family information on Facebook.
“I am concerned,” said Nigel Trevena, IT Security Advisor at Software Paradise. 
MI6 employees are bound by rigorous privacy rules, so the fact that these were broken is a worry in itself. Add to that the fact that this ‘incident’ occurred soon after Brown gave the go-ahead for setting up a UK Cyber Security Operations Centre, and it is no surprise that security professionals are once again rolling their eyes.
Tory Ken Clarke said that he doubts Britain’s enemies rely on Facebook for information (BBC News Online). Facebook might not be the first point of call when terrorists are doing their research, but using personal information can be an effective bargaining tool. Not only is the name and face of the future head of MI6 in the public domain, we have also seen the family album and know where they live. Protecting them has got to be a harder task as a result of the Facebook post.
I suggest you ask yourself these 10 questions before you decide to start broadcasting on a social networking site and potentially put yourself, your employer and your employment at risk:
1. Why do I need to broadcast this information?
2. Who can view what I am broadcasting?
3. Is what I’m planning to broadcast personal information?
4. Could someone use this personal information against me?
5. Am I broadcasting information that a friend/colleague/family member wouldn’t appreciate?
6. If I do decide to broadcast, have I ticked all the right boxes to ensure that strangers can’t view the information?
7. How do I ensure that others don’t post personal information on my page?
8. Am I sure I won’t use the site in company time and vent about work?
9. What would my employer think/do if I did this and they found out?
10. If I take a sick day, am I sure my friends won’t mention the beach trip on my page?
If you’re on the London network on Facebook, 200 million people can access your information. If you use MySpace or Bebo, anyone can view your page unless you turn off certain settings.
Is it worth the risk?
Tags: Data Theft, facebook security, mi6
Posted in Data Theft, Fraud, News | No Comments »
April 22nd, 2010 by Catherine
With more job cuts looming, an increase in internal data fraud is expected.
Unemployment has reached 2.2 million.
Brian Hilliard, chief UK Economist at Societe Generale, states “I fear that the unemployment rate is certain to deteriorate much further. We’re looking at figures of 10% around the turn of the year”.
Hitesh Patel, a Fraud Investigation Partner in KPMG states “The real impact of the credit crunch on fraud is yet to be fully felt”. The rise in fraud will not only be down to the fact that people are feeling the strains of the recession but also because companies have begun and are beginning to apply greater scrutiny.
Gloomy predictions…
People react very differently in the work place during hard times, with the fear of redundancy looming above their heads. Some knuckle down and work harder. Others feel resentment towards their employer and plan ways to ‘get back at them’ if they are given the heave-ho.
‘Getting back’ may well involve stealing sensitive company data – easily done by copying onto a removable device and popping it in a pocket or bag. If your company data is easy to access and your security policy is built on trust, start worrying!
This could have a monumental effect on the company and its reputation. The press coverage alone is worth preventing!
The natural instinct in a recession is to cut, cut, and cut! But it is not the opinion of all.
The Harvard Business School’s ‘Working Knowledge” argues that: “In a recession, consumers become value oriented, distributors are concerned about cash, and employees worry about their jobs. But a downturn is no time to stop spending on marketing.” We can see some success stories from companies with the same outlook, for example Wal-Mart’s ‘Every Day Low Prices’ during the 2000-2001 slowdown and Intel’s “Intel Inside” campaign during the 1990-1991 economic troubles.
Spend now on a few security basics and you will be prepared for the worst.
Tags: data fraud, Operating Systems
Posted in Fraud, News | 2 Comments »
