malware

As Expected, Smartphones and Social Networks Targeted by Malware



As security firms have been warning for some time, malware attacks are now more frequently focused on social networks and mobile devices. In Symantec's latest Internet Security Threat Report, the company noted that the number of malware attacks delivered through the Web practically doubled from 2009, with 65-percent of malicious links on Facebook arriving in the form of shortened URLs. The company also took special care to highlight the growing field of smartphone-based attacks, in particular those targeting Android. Many of the pieces of Facebook and Android malware rely on the laziness of users. Apps must specifically request permissions, but many people simply click through the notifications without reading them carefully. And as time passes, the attacks will only become more sophisticated.

For now, attacks seem focused on harvesting personal data from profiles and sending text messages to premium services, which earn a commission for the scammer. But as users start turning to their cell phones for mobile banking and shopping more frequently, they're likely to become a much bigger target for digital crooks.

http://www.switched.com/2011/04/11/smartphones-social-networks-targeted-by-malware/


Three arrested in SpyEye malware investigation

The UK police arrested three men towards the end of last week in connection with an investigation into the use of SpyEye malware to steal online banking details. The investigation by the Police Central e-Crime Unit began in January and revolved around the group's use of a "uniquely modified variation of the SpyEye malware". The police did not reveal what the modifications were but SpyEye is designed to harvest personal banking details and send the results to a remote server under the control of criminals. The police say the arrests were in connection with an international investigation into a group using malware but did not reveal if arrests were made in any other countries.

According to a report in PC World, two of the men appeared in Westminster Magistrates Court in London. Pavel Cyganoc, a 26 year old Lithuanian, was charged with conspiracy to cause unauthorised modifications to computers, conspiracy to defraud, and concealing the proceeds of crime. Aldis Krummins, a 45 year old Latvian, was charged with conspiracy and concealing the proceeds of crime. A 26 year old man was released on police bail but is due to return for further questioning in August. His nationality was not revealed. Police also seized computer equipment and data as part of their investigation.

SpyEye malware was identified at the start of 2010 and appeared to have been in competition with ZeuS trojan toolkit technology until the ZeuS code was apparently handed over to SpyEye's developer. Efforts to thwart SpyEye have included the creation of trackers, but SpyEye appears to be getting more sophisticated in its techniques for stealing banking credentials.

http://www.h-online.com/security/news/item/Three-arrested-in-SpyEye-malware-investigation-1226006.html

Related searches:
malwarebytes anti malware, malwarebytes, malware bytes, trojan, spyware