Cybercrime – Page 3 – IT Security

iPhones not quite as secure as people thought…

Mark Smith / July 22, 2014July 22, 2014 / Cybercrime

There’s a story going round about the hidden functions in iPhones that allow data to be extracted without the owners consent. These were discovered by a researcher earlier this year (here) and have been picked up by the Independent today from an article on the Register.

Most people consider iPhones to be fairly secure but these revelations put a few dents in Apple’s reputation. Unfortunately there is little an end user can do about these except try to avoid pairing your iPhone.

Microsoft disrupt malware ring

Mark Smith / July 1, 2014 / Cybercrime, Security News

Microsoft sometimes get bad press for IT Security but these days they are moving against organised cybercrime. Yesterday they took control of a malware ring operating from Kuwait and Algeria which was the first time non-Eastern European counties have been involved.

Microsoft say the 30% of PCs which run their anti-virus software had shown signs of the malware known as Bladabindi and Jenxcus amounting to 7.4 million PCs.

More here

Vishing…not Phishing

Mark Smith / June 27, 2014June 27, 2014 / Advice, Cybercrime

I haven’t posted for a while but getting back into the groove…

Have you received a phone call at home or at work about something wrong with your computer or your bank account?

This con is on the rise – hence a new word in our vocab: vishing – phishing by voice.

It’s just another form of social engineering. They usually want your payment card details – so be careful out there.

The UK government is launching a new campaign about it: http://www.getsafeonline.org/socialengineering/

First Phone Botnet on Android Phones?

Mark Smith / December 20, 2012April 4, 2013 / Cybercrime, Security News

There are early signs of criminals making software to infect Mobile phones on a large scale

Mobile AV vendors have spotted small numbers of infections so far but this problem is likely to grow – it’s a big prize!

Android phones are more vulnerable than some because the Play/Market store doesn’t check applications uploaded before they can be downloaded.

For Android I recommend mobile anti-virus software called Lookout: https://www.lookout.com/

Criminals Target Facebook Users

Mark Smith / December 12, 2012April 4, 2013 / Cybercrime, Security News

A criminal gang targeted Facebook users and stole their passwords, bank card and account numbers, and other personal information.

They used phishing techniques to install malicious software on their victims computers:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20693213

Moral: be very careful where you enter your user and password!