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Android infections tripled in 2012, "Bill Shocker" costliest mobile malware ever
- Android has become an increasingly popular target for malware authors, a recent report (pdf) by NQ Mobile indicates. The security firm claims that it discovered over 65,000 types of malware -- more than double the amount from 2011 -- and bills…
New Mac virus skirts Gatekeeper, initiates creepy reverse-shell connection
- A new trojan virus is targeting computers running Mac OS X and initiating an encrypted reverse-shell connection, allowing attackers potentially unfettered access to infected machines armed with basic, inbound-only firewalls. Security firm Intego appears to be the first to report…
Major ransomware operation dismantled by authorities
- Authorities have detained 11 individuals thought to be responsible for the proliferation of a nasty "police ransomware" virus which demanded users pay €100 ($135 USD) to re-gain access to their infected PCs. Amongst the 11 caught -- a crew of…
Android malware steals data, records audio via PC microphone
- Two newly-discovered Android apps found on Google Play were designed to spy on their users, claim security experts at Kaspersky. The apps, SuperClean and DroidCleaner, posed as innocuous Android clean-up utilities; however, each app could quietly copy photos, contacts and…
Skype calls purportedly being tapped, Skype-based malware spreads
- In terms of security, privacy and trust, it looks like 2013 is shaping up to be a tough year for Skype. The latest ding against the Microsoft-owned company comes from Reporters Without Borders' online censorship project leader Grégoire Pouget, who…
Microsoft Security Essentials fails AV-Test certification... again
- Microsoft Security Essentials has once again failed to make the grade for certification at AV-Test, an independent but non-required honor that most anti-virus programs enjoy. By extension, Windows 8's built-in virus protection, Windows Defender, likely suffers the same shortcomings as…
Trojan bypasses two-factor authentication, steals $46.5 million
- A sophisticated, multi-layered trojan dubbed "Eurograbber" is estimated to be responsible for siphoning over €36 million -- or about $46.5 million -- from the bank accounts of unsuspecting Europeans. In a case study (pdf) performed by Versafe and Check Point Software Technologies, researchers reveal…
Microsoft Security Essentials bombs tests, loses AV-Test certificate
- Microsoft Security Essentials was the only entry to fail AV-Test's certification between September and October -- an embarrasing slip for the once well-regarded virus protection solution. MSSE received a total of 10.5 out of 18 possible points, most notably falling short…
Major scamware creator fined $163 million by U.S. authorities
- Software scam artist Kristy Ross has been fined $163 million by U.S. authorities for running an unscrupulous "scareware" operation. The Federal Trade Commission had been following Ross since 2008 in hopes of closing in on her dealings and the judgment includes…
Kaspersky uncovers mystery malware on Flame C&C servers
- Kaspersky has published its findings on the massively distributed Flame malware it identified four months ago, revealing that evidence found on Command & Control (C&C) servers suggests the strain dates back as far as 2006. Researchers also learned that the…
Google acquires VirusTotal, but will continue independent operation
- VirusTotal, a popular web-based virus scanning tool, announced its very own acquisition by Google. While details regarding the deal remain mostly secretive, VirusTotal says it will continue to operate independently of Google and maintain its multi-faceted sphere of partnerships with…
Car viruses? Intel aims to protect drivers from hackers
- As high-technology continues to creep into horseless carriages everywhere, there's one thing we can all count on: abuse of that technology. According to Reuters, Intel's "top hackers" are on the case though, poring over the software which powers the fanciest…
First malware ever found in iOS App Store, malicious app removed
- For the first time, according to Kaspersky Labs, security researchers have unearthed what appears to be malware on the Apple App Store. "Find and Call", a Russian-language app which touted contact list simplification, was discovered to be a little too…
Hundreds of thousands may lose web access July 9 due to virus
- July 9 is the day thousands of PCs (and Macs) infected with DNSChanger will lose their ability to surf the web. Although the virus was introduced in 2007, according to the DCWG's data, as many as 500,000 computers may still…
Google discovers over 9,500 new malicious sites per day
- On its security blog today, Google shared some of the numbers behind its anti-malware and anti-phising efforts. In the post, the company touts its Safe Browsing API which is used by the likes of Safari, Firefox and Chrome and offers some…
Flame malware subverts Windows Updates, infects networked PCs
- Flame or Flamer, an admittedly sophisticated piece of malware, appears to have more tricks up its sleeve than security researchers had initially believed. Security firm Kaspersky has discovered that the virus turns infected PCs into Windows Update servers which may…
Google warns users infected with DNSChanger malware, provides help
- Google has begun providing a warning to visitors who appear to be infected with DNSChanger, a malware which attempts to redirect users to various websites by modifying their DNS settings. The notification is a highly visible alert which tells the…
Genetically-engineered viruses may power devices of the future
- Riding along a fine line between modern day technology and creepy science fiction, Department of Energy researchers unveiled a device which generates energy by harnessing the electro-mechanical properties of genetically-engineered viruses. The nanotechnology-based power generator leverages piezoelectric principles, an old concept…
Microsoft Security Essentials 4.0 released, free anti-virus without the nag
- Microsoft has just released version 4.0 of its free anti-virus utility, Microsoft Security Essentials. Since MSSE's release in 2009, its effectiveness, speed and features have been well-received. As a result, the anti-virus program enjoys a great deal of popularity in…
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