Everyday Internet users will be a key target for cybercriminals looking to get people to download their malware, while the proliferation of social sites such as Facebook and Twitter will lead to an increase of possible fraud cases, reported Symantec.
At a media gathering Wednesday, the security vendor released a report outlining security threats enterprises and consumers should be mindful of in 2010. Of these, the security risk faced by everyday Internet users is likely to increase as criminals look to trick people into downloading malware through means such as an innocent-looking URL link or videos and pictures from unknown sources.
“[Users] could be opening themselves up to identity theft and other types of cybercrime,” Symantec said in the report, adding that the number of attempted attacks using social engineering “is sure to increase” next year.
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Retailers aren’t the only ones gearing up for the holiday season. Criminals are also out in force.
To highlight the increased crime during the holidays, security company McAfee has come up with the “12 Scams of Christmas” ranging from bogus electronic greeting cards that deliver malware instead of cheer to fake charities that steal your money and your identity.
It’s especially important to be extra careful this time of year, says McAfee’s David Marcus. “The bad guys know people are spending more time online, they’re paying more bills online so [the criminals] stand a chance of being a bit more successful this time of year.
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Windows 7 is a valuable upgrade delivering an awesome new user interface, but don’t expect any major improvements in security.
Anti-virus software vendor Sophos tested Windows 7’s built-in anti-virus capabilities by feeding a clean system 10 pieces of the newest malware. Eight out of the 10 samples ran successfully, claims Sophos.
“Unfortunately, despite Microsoft’s claims, Windows 7 disappointed just like earlier versions of Windows,” says Chester Wisniewski, a senior security advisor at Sophos, in a blog post. “The good news is that, of the freshest 10 samples that arrived, 2 would not operate correctly under Windows 7.”
Sophos’ findings aren’t surprising: Windows 7 promises backward compatibility with most software that works on older operating systems, such as Windows XP. It would be reasonable to infer most malware compatible with Windows XP or Windows Vista is likely going to harm Windows 7.
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Today Microsoft had launched the all new, much hyped, and most of all, free antivirus software, dubbed Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE). It is available for Windows XP, Vista and 7; in both 32-bit and 64-bit.
Last June, Microsoft had initially launched the beta version, and responses are mostly positive. Even AVG Technologies stated that MSE is an ideal free antivirus for Windows users.
MSE replaces Windows Live OneCare (once a free antivirus which failed to capture the market) and Windows Defender (which only deal with spyware and malware).
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There are times when you think your antivirus software had stopped working. The last time it detected a fishy file was like half a year ago. Now you wonder is it still working or not. Why hasn’t it detect anything for the last few months?
Hey, why don’t you test it with a real virus? Let’s see if the AV will catch, or least detect it. Yeah, go ahead if you got the nuts. That virus might or might not be detected, and it might or might not destroyed your precious files just in case it pass through the AV filter. Nothing beats the thrill of gambling, eh?
Here’s a safer way to test your AV without the risk of breaking anything valuable. This method was developed by European Institute for Computer Antivirus Research to allow people, companies, and AV programmers to test their software without having to use a real computer virus that could cause actual damage should the AV not respond correctly. Read more »
Hi, I'm Robin. I write this blog to share my knowledge, news, and all the fun to everyone. Hope you enjoy!