Security World News » Spyware

Web Based Security Issues

Madeleine — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 17:31:24 +0000

There is no need to tell you what net is like today: Security covers lot more than just viruses. The threat facing a lay net user is far more complicated than just viruses. If you get online without an antivirus or a firewall installed, within minutes your computer will get infected. This article is aimed to give you an over look of the common security threats you might face in the web. For a system to be secure it should cover all the security issues present in the web.

As we know unlike yesteryears antivirus packages, it is now a day’s common to come across security suite bundles consist of an antivirus, a firewall and a spyware in one package. Let us dig into the common security issues in the web.

Phishing

Phishing is the process by which, a user is forced to take part with sensitive financial and other personal details by posting as an authorized agent. Phishing usually takes the form of email, which will ask you to update your bank or company details to the given link. The webpage will look exactly like the original one. Some of the naïve users might enter the requested details like user name and password. These details are routed to the scammer who can then use those data whichever way he likes.

Rootkits

This type of application can hide other application from showing up in any of the system monitors. Rootkits are actually mad e famous by Sony; they used this application to hide their anti-piracy application from showing up. Rootkits will enable continues privileged access to a computer, while actively hiding it from the administrator. By inserting a rootkit, a malware can easily avoid detection by antivirus applications.

Browser Hijackers

Browser that has been hijacked will always open a certain webpage by default on start. A hijacked browser might also deny access to some site. In such scenario we can’t even delete the responsible file, as some part of the malware is loaded into memory when system boots.

Spyware

Spywares are usually used by a spammer, to gain entry into a system and monitor the user without his knowledge. As the name suggest the spyware act as a spy of the remote server. It will report confidential details like username and password to the remote server.

Keylogging

Keylogging is the process of recording the key stoke made by the user with the help of software. It is mainly used to find details such a password, username, bank account details etc.

Viruses

Viruses are the most common security threat in the web. Viruses always tag along with a file. Running that particular file will result in the virus in it to infect the system.

Trojans

Trojans are another threat which will be known even to a nave user. Trojan usually enters into a system by pretending as something else. The user will run the file by thinking it as something else. After being installed the Trojans can easily manipulate system data.

Worms

Worms are application that spread along a network all by itself. They usually overload a network by moving from one node to another in huge numbers. This will result in the temporary down fall or crash of the network.

Data Sniffers

Data sniffers are usually used to know the content of a message. Messages are sent over internet as data packets. A data sniffer can be easily planted in a server through which the data passes, hence gaining access to the content of the message

These are the common threat issues that someone will come across in the web. Hope this article helps you to get a good overlook of the web based security issues.

© Miljo for Security World News, 2010. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Browser Hijackers, Data Sniffers, Keylogging, Phishing, Rootkits, Spyware, Trojans, Viruses

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Protect Your PC – Avoid Spyware And Adware

Ralph Winn — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 04:05:06 +0000

Spyware is tracking software that is secretly planted on your computer, and used to gather information about your browsing habits. Adware is advertising that comes loaded with freeware and shareware programs. When you use adware-supported programs, you will see ads popping up happening all over your computer screen at regular intervals. Both adware and spyware have tremendous nuisance value and must be done away with as quickly as possible.

You will be surprised to know that the distribution of online advertisements via spyware and adware is a massive $2 billion industry (Source: Webroot Software, Inc). Both adware and spyware are hostile pieces of software that require a fitting reply from the average Internet surfer.

According to statistics published by the National Cyber Security Alliance, more than 90% of all PCs are affected by spyware. Spyware is programmed so craftily that it slips through firewalls and anti-virus software. Once it gets into the system and begins its act, there’s hell to pay – your personal and confidential information is compromised along with your computer’s performance. But there’s a little bit of good news – Spyware programs do not self-replicate like viruses and Trojans, and hence removal becomes an easy task once they are caught.

Typically, spyware gets installed on a system in three ways:

1. In most cases, spyware gets into the computer when a user installs it unknowingly. This is because spyware may come bundled with a freeware/shareware program. Once spyware gets installed, it begins collecting data from the user’s hard drive and passes on the data to its author, either for his own use or for selling the information to a third party. Many peer-to-peer sharing programs have spyware and adware built into them, and you should think about the consequences before downloading and installing them.

Before downloading any freeware/shareware program, it is important to read the license agreement. Most license agreements of such software explicitly state that adware/spyware comes bundled along with their software. Unfortunately, most Internet users do not take the time to read and understand these agreements. Some of these agreements include special “opt-out” boxes, using which the user can stop the spyware from being included in the download. So, remember to pay extra attention to the license agreement the next time you download freeware/shareware.

2. Another method of planting software is by tricking the user by simulating Microsoft Windows pop-ups and prompts. No sooner does a user click on these simulated prompts, the spyware/adware gets installed on his system. This occurrence is common amongst users of Internet Explorer. Anyway, the latest version of Internet Explorer does make life a little more difficult for these hackers.

3. Finally, developers of spyware design it in such a way that it attacks the vulnerable security areas of the browser/operating system, and manages to worm its way into the system. You have to be careful before visiting websites that allow you to download music free of charge or other websites with explicit and objectionable material, because every page on such sites is armed with adware/spyware waiting to worm into your system.

© Ralph for Security World News, 2010. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: anti-virus, firewalls, National Cyber Security Alliance, shareware, Spyware

Warning: Hackers Using Spyware Steal Identity And Intimate Photos From Computer

Ralph Winn — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:33:02 +0000

As we journey more into the world of technology, we cringe at the thought that someone somewhere is on a very expensive shopping spree with credit cards and identification under your name. Warning: 27.3 million Americans identities have been stolen!

A nightmare indeed, but federal authorities recently unraveled a scheme by a man using file sharing software to get into other user’s computer system. Gregory Thomas Kopiloff of Seattle, allegedly used P2P Software to steal the personally identifiable information of at least 83 people. Kopiloff stole $73,000 worth of merchandise using user’s personal data.

You probably have used or know someone that has used software like BearShare.com, Limewire.com, Kazaa.com, Soulseek.com, Fastrack.com. These type of software actually shares a particular folder on the hard drive of your computer with potentially thousands of users utilizing the software and that are part of this so-called “file-sharing network.” The users of this file sharing are in danger of having the computer hacker having access to sensitive data such as social security numbers, tax information, credit information and other personal information. With this type of software, a hacker can even have access to individuals personal digital pictures, music and all types of documents. According to the National Research Council, �Computers at Risk,� 1991, “The modern thief can steal more with a computer than with a gun. Tomorrow’s terrorist may be able to do more damage with a keyboard than with a bomb. Can we stop this?

Monster.com was also hit by hackers not too long ago. 1.3 million monster.com users personal information were exploited. Later on, those same crooks that broke into Monster.com vault of personal data went on to hit USAJOBS.com, the federal government’s official job search site and stole over 150,000 user�s information. Credit Card companies have also been hit.

It’s time to secure your computer with your life. The luxury of the internet is a two edge sword. We can indulge ourselves in all the information that we want, explore the world with a few clicks of a button, communicate instantly and we can shop through all the multitudes of stores and hundreds and thousands of products. We are the ruler of our own internet kingdom!

But can we manage our internet castle, or does the evils of the outside world can control and destroy us. It�s a digital world, my friend. Billions of bits of information cross our little technological planet. From thieves, to child molesters and to your boss – we are more vulnerable now than 20 years ago. A sacrifice for all the goodies we can get from our lovely internet? Definitely.

Here’s a few simple things to do to avoid a fatal intrusion into your life:

1. Don’t have personal info stored in your computer. (easier said than done, most people have their whole lives inside that little box). But limiting such things, as social security numbers, tax info and identification numbers from your files can help tremendously.

2. Don’t file share. (Good luck on that one.) And don’t give out any personal information from an unsolicited email! Sadly, many people do this.

3. Always keep in mind that whatever you have in your computer, anyone can possibly get. For example, those special valentine pictures of your intimate other. It happens more than you think. A couple from Virginia had intimate pictures on their personal computer and were shocked to see those same pictures on the web on a adult website. Who would�ve� known, huh?

4. Powerful Anti-hacking software. For example, The Nuker at www.stop-hackers.com is a super software that can stop hackers to get into your system. Best of all, it’s free to try.

5. Keep laptops out of prying eyes. Oh, yea -don’t lend out your computer to anyone! Let’s be stingy with this, you guys. Nothing personal.

Anti-hacking/Anti-spy ware is mandatory. But don’t rely on those fake software, you got to use a legitimate software. Remember 9 out of 10 pc’s are infected with spy ware or ad ware. Be wise. Your computer and your life depends on it!

To stop any type of hacking or for more information please review www.stop-hackers.com. With new hacking software and creepy crawlers all over the internet,you need a good anti-spyware product.

To fight back against identity theft, go to ftc.gov. Learn more. Be wise. If you want to know what real hackers are doing today then check out www.attrition.org. This is one of the places on the Internet where hackers ‘gloat about their attacks on innocent individuals.

© Ralph for Security World News, 2010. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Identity Theft, scheme, Spyware, Steal Identity