Photo: Samsung

On the heels of news that Samsung PCs may have all come pre-installed with keylogger software on them, many began wondering whether the Korean company’s biggest release in recent times – the Samsung Series 9 laptop – had the software installed, too. Tests were run, and results found that the ultraslim laptop was in the clear.

Tested and clean

PCWorld had a 13-inch Samsung Series 9 ultraslim laptop on hand, as they had used it for testing and reviewing. On the heels of these damning investigations, the publication ran what it calls a ‘rigorous malware scan’ to see if the allegations applied to the ultraslim laptop. The security software turned up nothing.

The procedure

The laptop scanned was identical to the retail units any consumer would get. The scanning involved unboxing the laptop, backing up the hard drive, and installing and running a copy of Norton Internet Security 2011 security software. The security software, which had all the most recent security updates and virus definitions, showed that the Samsung Series 9 laptop was clean.

In all their thoroughness, PC World even scanned the registry searching for keys that StarLogger would usually leave behind, and found nothing.

And the lesson here is?

While consumer electronics giant Samsung will be under a burning microscope over the coming weeks, if you planned on purchasing the Samsung Series 9 ultraslim laptop, you are safe.

That’s the first lesson. The second lesson learnt is to never trust a computer, even if it’s fresh out of the box and you believe you’ve never exposed it to malicious software of any kind. Always – and this means always – buy security software, and do frequent scans. Sure it’s a schlep, and a tedious exercise, but the risk of having someone steal private information like your credit card details is too high to chance.

Photo: Sophos D/A/CH Presseinfo / Flickr

While the modern PC has brought about incredible technological advancements, fundamentally altering how society works and interacts, it hasn’t been without its problems. One of the most pervasive technological problems since the dawn of the PC, pretty much, is malicious software (malware for short), such as viruses, spyware, Trojans and so on. A recent report suggests that a full third of all malware propped up in 2010.

That’s a lot of malicious content

Pandalabs’ latest report found that of all existing malware used by cybercriminals in 2010, 34 per cent of them were created in 2010. What has been most concerning is the sharp rise in social media malware, with Facebook and Twitter, being the pre-eminent social networks, being in the spotlight for the malicious content that has made its way onto those sites.

What’s worse is that on these platforms, malware protection becomes very difficult because the threat masquerades as content you would otherwise click on without second thought, especially because it is often ‘endorsed’ or posted by a friend or someone you follow.

How to be safe online

There are two primary ways to get better malware protection. The first is to run frequently updated, high quality and trusted anti-virus software. The term ‘trusted’ is particularly important here, with Pandalabs finding that of the 5 million plus fake antivirus software in the world, 40 per cent of it was created in 2010 – malware threats have gotten so smart, they masquerade as protection against malware threats!

The second is to be mindful of the websites you visit, and the software and content you download from them. Many contemporary search engines – Google being the obvious example, of course – have warnings on search results for sites they suspect could infect your computers, meaning you should avoid these as best you can. Where possible, stick to major internet services that millions of people use, ensuring where possible that they’re secure services with the right web certificates.

Malware protection is an unfortunate, yet necessary byproduct of the computing revolution. You’d do well to not neglect this.

Photo: Facebook

Facebook has gone through many attempts in the past to increase the security on its social networking website, but according to research from BitDefender, an internet security firm, the site is still riddled with Trojan horses, keylogs and other forms of malware. These viruses are usually found in malicious links and other third-part applications.

BitDefender’s finds

BitDefender’s Facebook security and privacy application recently released data showing that about 20 per cent of around 14,000 users who installed the application became victims of various types of malware. Further research showed that roughly 60 per cent of malicious viruses came from applications, such as games and quizzes, which look innocent enough but secretly contain hidden malware.

The majority of viruses come from applications promising to perform functions that Facebook normally cannot do, such as changing the background on a profile or utilising a ‘Dislike button’, as well as offering extra bonuses to Facebook activities such as Farmville or Mafia Wars.

How it works

Once installed onto the user’s computer, the malware then attaches itself to the user’s and other friend’s walls, or sends itself to other profiles in the form of a message, encouraging others to download and install the application.

Dan Wire, spokesperson for BitDefender, also warned against worms, which spread themselves in the form of a tempting message promising bonuses and fun utilities. He also stressed that these statistics do not reflect Facebook as a whole.

‘We stipulated that we were talking about 20 per cent of the Safego users, not [20 per cent] of all Facebook users,’ he explained.

Upgrade your software

If you use Facebook regularly, it is vital to upgrade your anti-virus software and make sure that it is running smoothly, as Facebook and other popular social networking sites have become a breeding ground for destructive, downloadable viruses. Otherwise, to be extra cautious, using Safego will allow the program to scan your wall, inbox and comments for links, pictures and videos that could cause damage.

Photo: Stock.Xchng

Online shopping is one of the most useful advantages of having an internet connection in your home. With the click of a mouse it is possible to buy pretty much anything you’re looking for, anywhere in the world. This is great when the particular product you want to purchase is not available in your region or cheaper online. With online shopping it possible to compare various prices from the comfort of your desktop and making a purchase is simple and quick. The question that many ask though, is online shopping safe? How do you know that your credit card details are not being tracked or stolen?

As with any credit card purchase, there is always some degree of risk if you’re not careful. There are a few ways you can ensure that you are at minimum risk when making an online payment.

Precautions

Always make sure you are purchasing from a trustworthy site, preferably a site that is pretty well known. Smaller, less popular sites are likely to be less secure. If you see a Shopsafe logo on the site, the site will be safe and secure to shop at and will have a good security system in place. Always read the terms and conditions of service and find out what any company’s refund and return policy is. There should be a period of time where you will be allowed to return the product for a full refund if you are dissatisfied. Also, make sure there are no hidden or small print charges that you might be unaware of.

Making contact

You must be able to contact the company in the event of your product not arriving on time or at all. There should be an easy and open communication gateway between the customer and the retailer. One of the most important things to check is whether the site has a secure server. When you are purchasing your product and about to enter your credit details, look down at the bottom right of your browser screen and see if there is a little padlock icon showing. If there is, you know the site server is secure.

Securing your PC

One more thing you should do is disable your computer from storing your passwords or credit information. This will prevent anyone from gaining access to that information through possibly hacking into your computer. Be aware of dangerous malware and spyware and install a program such as Spybot which will protect your PC from these threats. If you stick to these basic safety measures, you should have few problems when making an online purchase.

Photo: Stock.Xchng

Social network hacking and security breaches are becoming more and more prominent these days. Hackers set up fake profiles and attempt to gather personal and confidential information as your ‘friend’, using malicious code and malware to infiltrate systems. Hackers rely on the trust and ignorance of other social network users to gain access to private information from their computers.

Gaining access to your profile

Once a hacker has entered into your social network circle, it is possible for him to post malicious content onto your page. Identity theft has been a common occurrence as of late as hackers use your personal information to virtually pose as you and create mischief all over the web.

There are some basic precautions one should take when starting a new profile on a social network. It’s important to be aware of who you invite and allow into your network circle. If something looks suspicious, rather don’t accept the invitation. Often hackers create fake profiles and you will be able to notice that they are fakery by seeing that they generally have very little personal information on their pages and have invited a lot of people who do not know them personally.

How they do it

Once a hacker has come into your network he can post content on your profile that is loaded with infectious malware and spyware. Users need to be very careful of what they click on as some serious viruses can be channeled through online content. You should never ever give any of your passwords to anyone else, regardless of their reasons. Hackers can come up with some pretty sneaky ways of acquiring your details. One of them is via software that they create, which is why you have to be extremely careful about what you download and view online.

Avoiding malware and spyware

The worst thing about a lot of malware is that is spreads to everybody else on your friends list. If you are an online consumer it is imperative that you check every site you buy from for relative security measures. Stay away from less well known sites. If you own a business, a hacker could potentially kill your reputation and business through identity theft or malware infiltration. Once a hacker has access to your passwords, he can easily access your bank details as well.

At the end of the day, the best way to stay safe is to avoid anything suspicious. Also, make sure your anti-virus software is regularly updated. Install an anti-malware and spyware program like Spybot as well to be safe. Spybot will notify you whenever something tries to download itself onto your computer without your knowledge. Be aware and be safe.

Photo: Twitter

The social networking site Twitter has given itself a brand new look, while still remaining as distinctive as it’s always been. With a new home page as well as some brand new features, Twitter now has a new feel while not becoming completely unrecognisable.

New look aims to challenge the competition

For the first time in four years, Twitter has decided to change its look in an attempt to go head on in competition with Facebook, and has made deals with 16 different media websites. These sites include YouTube and Flickr, and the deals ensure that Twitter can now host images and videos on it’s site, instead of sending its users to possibly dangerous third-party sites. By viewing the files integrated on Twitter’s own interface, users spend less time with fewer clicks on different links, as well as avoiding potential viruses and other dangerous malware your anti-virus software may not pick up.

The aim of the Twitter revamp is to increase revenue by increasing users’ engagement. It is also part of a new advertising effort by marketers to use the site for multimedia purposes. Movie studios can now advertise their new releases using the promoted tweets service, and users can see video trailers on Twitter.

Facebook is Twitter’s main target

Enderle Group’s principal analyst Rob Enderle said in a press conference that this move is clearly an attempt to survive challenges from competition, especially from Facebook. ‘This will allow users to do more in Twitter,’ said Enderle. ‘And if this works, it will make third-party sites less popular, but only if this works.’

‘Twitter is clearly targeting Facebook,’ he added, ‘but people are creatures of habit and it’s very difficult to move them from a service they like.’

The new interface is still lacking in some areas. Conversation threads are still not provided, nor is the ability to store tweets between users for reference. However, Twitter remains simple and easy to use, and should do well to attract more users.

The Kaspersky Internet Security 2009 is enhanced software that has been designed for the protection of internet on computers, palmtops, tablet PCs and notebook PCs. With this security software comes a license key for a defined tenure post which it will be of no use. The tenure served by the key will be a worthy one as breaching the internet firewall will be next to impossible. The key can be used on 3 distinct computers which will form a virtual envelope over their respective internet systems. The software offers high end security for internet platforms and blocks malicious perpetrators like Trojans and other viruses. Any threat to the internet platform will be proactively tackled by the Kaspersky Internet Security 2009. It also restricts access of unknown applications and blocks their entry into system supplies.

If you have a chain of computers and are operating a business, then having the Kaspersky Internet Security 2009 on board is imperative. Every copy of this software will cover three of your computers so this way, you can also save a lot on costs. You can guarantee the safe running of your internet platform by installing the Kaspersky Internet Security 2009. Spending a paltry amount of money and assuring the security of such a vital part of your business will be a very wise investment. Once installed on your computers, you and your allies can simply relax and carry on with work without worrying about security issues and cyber trespassing. You will be able to divert more attention and energy towards work.

Tags for this article: internet, security, kaspersky

As everything is going mobile these days there is no surprise in the fact that most of the IT consumers prefer web browsing instead of tapping their desktop mouse buttons. Due to this the mobile computing solution providers are focusing on developing better mobile web browsers each day. The biggest example of this is Apple now allowing third party mobile web browser developers to launch their products for the iPhone as an alternative to Safari. No doubt that the mobile web browsers have changed the way people used to work and enjoy while on the move but such browsers have also increased the security loopholes.

Next generation mobile web browsers pose a big threat for mobile security. A recent survey conducted by F-Secure revealed that around 30 percent of U.S. and Canadian mobile phone users access the internet but majority of them do not use any specialised security software to protect their data and identity online. Most of the users who do have a security application installed on their WiFi capable smartphones, like the BlackBerry 8120 Pearl, do not know how to configure the application as per their preferences. Thus IT departments have to focus on new mobile web security developments. According to industry experts the IT professionals must revamp and enhance the security features of mobile web browsers, educate the users about safe and smart web browsing practices and develop a robust handheld device management system.

Charlie Miller, principal analyst for software security at Independent Security Evaluators (ISE) says, “Browser vulnerabilities are the easiest way to get remote code running on a smartphone. That’s because browsers are pretty complex compared to most programs on a smartphone. Once exploitation occurs, the remote code can do a variety of things.” Therefore it’s urgent and important to restructure the mobile security, especially when it comes to mobile web browsing.

Laptop and sensitive data theft is the biggest issue that majority of portable computing device users face on daily basis. Whenever such malicious activities happen the first thing that the user does is call the IT department immediately and abuse the support guy for poor service, weak security policies and inefficient data breach protection tools. But the main problem is what the IT department can do if the users themselves are careless and ignore the security advises that the support guy requests to follow?

The weakest link in laptop security is the users. Their poor computing habits make all the security tools, like the Panda Security Internet Security 2008 application, ineffective and essentially worthless. It’s imperative for laptop users to understand their own role in ensuring the security for their devices and data. Most of the laptop users simply overwhelm themselves by getting all types of advanced security solutions like anti-spam, anti-pishing, firewall, encrypting software and so on and start doing their work thoughtlessly. Below are the common mistakes the users usually make and then even the security tools become good for nothing.

• They leave their laptops unattended and unlocked in public places.
• They bring sensitive information on the screen without caring about the crowd surrounding them.
• Most of the users set their applications to log in to their accounts automatically. So whenever the laptop gets stolen the bad guy only has to break the main OS password and rest is automatically served to him.
• Users also give their laptop to anonymous person temporarily.
• Many users disable the software implemented by IT department because they find it inconvenient and resource hungry applications.
• Users often connect their laptops to unreliable wireless networks.

The Windows worm known as Conficker, Kido or Downadup is causing lots of trouble to Windows OS users these days. The worm has already infected more than nine million computers to date and the worst thing is that it can allow the hackers and spammers to access the infected system’s files and trace all their Internet activities.

Cyber criminals can use this worm to remotely get hold of an infected PC connected to the network. The whole process is so transparent that the user cannot identify this, unless he gets to know that his files are automatically deleted or the installed applications are behaving abnormally. This worm also allows the hackers to crack the sensitive information. It can tell out your passwords, credit card numbers entered on the sites, bank account number and much more. In no time the worm can even make you bankrupt and possesses enough potential to re-route the web traffic for any disguise criminal activity.

Kido basically takes the advantage of the Windows Operating System’s vulnerability and gets deep into the kernel, system’s main files and registry. This worm is spreading at a fast pace and replicating itself on the active networks rapidly. According to a security analyst at Kaspersky Labs the worm is very intelligent and uses multiple ways to replicate. In fact, it even uses everyday and usually innocuous USB sticks, such as the Sony Micro Vault Click USM4GL, to infect other systems. Simply connecting an infected USB stick to another computer can be enough for the virus to infiltrate and seize control of the new computer system

Tags for this article: windows, security, conficker