InfoAnda - Bogus security software growing threat: Microsoft

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Iraq PM sets government 100 day deadline after protests | | 28 February 2011
Abbas confirms Palestinian vote to be postponed | International | | 20 November 2009
RPT-Korea Hot Stocks | 24 December 2009

Israel votes in tight election | International | | 10 February 2009

">Forum Views () ">Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Bogus security software growing threat: Microsoft

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail Yahoo! Search Search: Sign InNew User? Sign Up News Home - Help Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Search Search: Bogus security software growing threat: Microsoft AFP - Thursday, April 9 SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) - - Hackers are increasingly hiding viruses in bogus computer security software to trick people into installing treacherous programs on machines, Microsoft warned on Wednesday. ADVERTISEMENT The software giant said in a security intelligence report that "rogue security software" is a growing threat as hackers take advantage of people's fears of worms such as the notorious Conficker. "Rogue security software is the number one threat worldwide," said George Stathakopoulos, general manager of the Trustworthy Computing Group at Microsoft. "If you think about the Conficker case, how many people went looking for a security solution and downloaded rogue malware?" Rogue security software referred to as "scareware" pretends to check computers for viruses, and then claims to find dangerous infections that the program will fix for a fee. "The rogue software lures them into paying for protection that, unknown to them, is actually malware offering little or no real protection, and is often designed to steal personal information," Microsoft said. Two "rogue families" of scareware were detected in 1.5 million computers, according to Microsoft. Another form of scareware was found on 4.4 million computers, a rise of 66 percent from the previous six-month period. "That means when users downloaded the software they probably gave away credit card numbers and got infected," Stathakopoulos said. "That's a double hit." Microsoft releases security reports twice annually. Stathakopoulos expects scareware infections to soar in the first six months of this year because of massive hype regarding Conficker. The Conficker worm's April 1st trigger date came and went without the bedeviling computer virus causing any mischief but security specialists warn that the threat is far from over. The virus evolved on April Fools' Day to better resist extermination and make its masters tougher to find. A task force assembled by Microsoft has been working to stamp out Conficker, also referred to as DownAdUp, and the software colossus has placed a bounty of 250,000 dollars on the heads of those responsible for the threat. The worm, a self-replicating program, takes advantage of networks or computers that haven't kept up to date with security patches for Windows. It can infect machines from the Internet or by hiding on USB memory sticks carrying data from one computer to another. Conficker could be triggered to steal data or turn control of infected computers over to hackers amassing "zombie" machines into "botnet" armies. Microsoft's report found that as operating system defenses have improved cybercriminals have shifted attacks to software applications people use in their online lives. Ruses such as bogus software updates or security checks and booby-trapped Web pages or emails are among "social engineering" scams hackers use to dupe people into allowing malicious software past computer defenses. "We see cybercriminals increasingly going after vulnerabilities in human nature rather than software," said Vinny Gullotto, general manager of the Microsoft Malware Protection Center. Stathakopoulos urged people to keep computer applications and anti-virus software updated and to be wary of online come-ons by strangers. "Use a little common sense," Stathakopoulos counseled. "If you browse the Web and someone you never met before is offering you a lot of money, it is probably not a good thing ... You wouldn't buy medicine from people you didn't know." Despite the increasingly wily tactics employed by hackers, the primary causes of data breaches were classic real-world problems of loss or theft of computer equipment, according to Microsoft. The report, based on data gathered from hundreds of millions of computers worldwide during the second half of 2008, said half of security breaches involved computer gear vanishing, not being hacked. "For businesses, the security concern is the laptop you left in the cab or the CD-ROM you left in the bar," Stathakopoulos said. "Encryption is so important." Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Recommend this article 0 users recommend Sign in to recommend this article » Most Recommended Stories » Related Articles: Internet Portals & Search Engines US electricity grid hit by cyber attacks: reportAFP - Thursday, April 9 Bogus security software growing threat: MicrosoftAFP - Thursday, April 9 Fox columnist axed after reviewing pirated flickAFP - Wednesday, April 8 US newspaper owners are "mad as hell"AFP - Wednesday, April 8 Related Articles: Technology US electricity grid hit by cyber attacks: reportAFP - Thursday, April 9 Bogus security software growing threat: MicrosoftAFP - Thursday, April 9 Fear of viruses could be causing PC attacks: reportReuters - Wednesday, April 8 Taiwan's Elan sues Apple over touchscreen patentsReuters - Wednesday, April 8 Fox columnist axed after reviewing pirated flickAFP - Wednesday, April 8 Enlarge Photo A man surfs the internet in Beijing, September 2007. Hackers are increasingly hiding viruses in bogus computer security software to trick people into installing treacherous programs on machines, Microsoft warned. Related Photos Slideshow Full Photo Coverage: Internet Portals & Search Engines Related Full Coverage Internet Portals & Search Engines Latest development in the online world All Full Coverage Most Popular – Technology Viewed Journalists get shock with 'sexy' White House call UN sounds warning after Antarctica ice shelf rips German, Japanese data jolts investors Ailing lender RBS to cut up to 9,000 jobs Israeli Jews hold rare prayer to bless the sun View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Community - Intellectual Property Rights Policy - Help

Other News on Wednesday, 8 April 2009
Israel sees dead end, Obama calls for peace | International |
Red Cross says doctors helped CIA torture | International |
India urges rich not to use green protectionism | International |
Food crisis not over, U.S. aid is key: WFP official | International |
Libya's Gaddafi says fears Obama assassination | International |
Yahoo's plan: create community from isolated sites | Technology |
Sienna Miller excited, scared over Broadway debut | Entertainment |
Bollywood calls 'cut' on multiplexes | Entertainment |
Italy seeks survivors, prepares to bury quake dead | International |
Violence threatens aid in remote Afghan mountains
Peru's Fujimori gets 25 years prison for massacres | International |
Major powers look at new ways to coax Iran
Settlers rampage through West Bank village: residents | International |
DA: Chinese man plotted to help Iran with nukes
Obama in Baghdad, tells troops Iraq must take over
North Korea making progress in rocket technology: Japan | International |
US earnings season kicks off with gloomy outlook
U.S. hints deadline could slip on Russia arms deal | International |
Israel tests system to shoot down Iranian missiles
Gloom grips markets braced for US earnings season
Major powers look at new ways to coax Iran | International |
Iraqi salesman saves baby after bomb kills mother
Spain's finance minister exits in reshuffle
Myanmar bus accident kills 20 pilgrims | International |
Israeli police kill Palestinian at demolition site
Protesters gather in Bangkok for Asian summit | International |
Pay should be linked to company value: Goldman CEO
Obama departs Iraq, headed for Washington
UN sounds warning after Antarctica ice shelf rips
Moldovan riot police take control of president's office | International |
Obama pushes Iraq for political progress
Baby survives Baghdad bombing
UN sounds warning after Antarctica ice shelf rips
Fear of viruses could be causing PC attacks: report | Technology |
Intel unsure when stimulus will lift chip demand | Technology |
Taiwan's Elan sues Apple over touchscreen patents
Media resumes photos of Iraq, Afghanistan war dead
Fox columnist axed after reviewing pirated flick
Fidel Castro asks US lawmakers how to improve ties
US newspaper owners are "mad as hell"
Jailed US reporter's dad to stay in Iran
Taiwan's Elan sues Apple over touchscreen patents | Technology |
Growing threat from cyber attacks: US general
Six powers to discuss Iran nuclear program
Madoff's Mets baseball tickets may soon go on eBay
Madoff's Mets baseball tickets may soon go on eBay | Technology |
Aftershocks rattle Italy quake zone, toll hits 235
US lawmakers wrap up observer mission to Haiti
Google is good for newspapers: executive
French legionnaire in Chad kills four
Obama says Iraq faces 'critical' 18 months
Yahoo's plan: create community from isolated sites
Govt. approves plan for new spy satellites
Gunman kills one, then self at German court
Sony PS3 tops Nintendo Wii in Japan in March: survey
Fidel Castro "energetic" in meeting with U.S. lawmaker
Intel handed $643 mln Danish tax bill: report
US military deaths in Afghanistan region at 602
GM and Segway plan electric two-wheeler
Sony PS3 tops Nintendo Wii in Japan in March: survey
US envoy in India for regional security talks
US Senator McCain returns to wartime Vietnam jail
Malaysia's Anwar says voters rejected new PM
Thai PM Abhisit rejects calls for resignation
Penn resurfaces in White House after suicide | Entertainment |
Jackman condemns Wolverine leak | Entertainment |
Protesters gather in Bangkok
Jay Leno brings comic relief to battered Motown | Entertainment |
Asian summit to go ahead despite Thai protests
Eminem spoofs celebs, Palin in new song | Entertainment |
Malaysia's new PM still finalising cabinet
Warner Bros. warns Bollywood: Don't touch Button | Entertainment |
Ex-POW McCain visits 'Hanoi Hilton' Vietnam prison
Poehler and company craft winning workplace sitcom | Entertainment |
Cera film Paper Heart set for summer release | Entertainment |
Chavez in China to strengthen ties built on oil
Thai leader calls for calm ahead of mass protest
Young Star Trek crew boldly walks red carpet | Entertainment |
Sharp forecasts bigger loss amid global slowdown
Jackman condemns "Wolverine" leak
Japan's Sharp sees deeper net loss
Wolverine 'heartbroken' over stolen film
Seoul shares extend losses, down 3 pct
Penn resurfaces in White House after "suicide"
Toyota banks on tiny, green but pricier iQ model
Cera film "Paper Heart" set for summer release
S.Korea banks keep lending as credit fears ease
S.Korea bond orders at $6 bln but pricing unexceptional
Korea Hot Stocks
England's Morris dancers fight back
Report: Japan mulls 'cash for clunkers' stimulus
Reports: China auto sales surpass US for 3rd month
Villazon cancels remaining Met performances
Philippines removed from OECD tax blacklist
Cera film "Paper Heart" set for summer release
Indonesian villagers ask when will democracy pay
Warner Bros. warns Bollywood: Don't touch "Button"
Poehler and company craft winning workplace sitcom
Another celebrity eliminated from ABC's `Dancing'
Eminem spoofs celebs, Palin in new song
Fox columnist axed after reviewing pirated flick
Coldplay files response to copyright case
'Rock of Ages' tours the music of the '80s
Bomb near Baghdad Shiite shrine kills 7
Bomb kills 7 near Baghdad Shi'ite shrine: police | International |
Twelve hurt in WBank settlers' rampage
Two-time space tourist returns to Earth
Savvy young heirs give Mexico drug cartels new face | International |
Iraq city placed in lockdown as police hunt bombers
Iran to say mastering final stage of nuclear cycle | International |
Japan eyes huge stimulus as trade collapses
Bomb kills 7 near Baghdad Shi'ite shrine
Pakistani Taliban move into new area; drone kills 3 | International |
Aftershocks slow Italy rescue efforts, toll at 250
Safety team warns of 'catastrophic' wiring in Iraq
Israeli Jews hold rare prayer to bless the sun
Pakistan arrests 5 militants planning attacks | International |
US-TECH Summary
US electricity grid hit by cyber attacks: report
Bogus security software growing threat: Microsoft
Fear of viruses could be causing PC attacks: report
Cyberspies penetrate electrical grid: report | Technology |
Oman Web trial raises censorship concerns | Technology |
Somali pirates hijack carrier with 20 US crew
One dead as shooter hits California retreat
Lawmakers meet Castros, urge end to embargo
Sony nabs international rights to Obama documentary
Iranian president welcomes 'honest' talks with US
Obama back in Washington after international swing
Castro brothers meet US lawmakers seeking talks
China sentences 2 to death for fires in Tibet riot
Philippine police find chopper wreckage, 3 bodies
Thai police says 100,000 join anti-gov't protest
NKorea rally to mark 'historic' rocket launch
Pakistan: 5 dead as Taliban move beyond stronghold
North Korea holds massive pro-rocket rally
China orders new probe into state TV building fire
Police: Thai anti-gov't protest swells to 100,000
NATO soldier killed in southern Afghanistan
New film reflects indie woes | Entertainment |
Songwriter retires as head of music rights group | Entertainment |
HK's Citic Pacific chairman steps down amid probes
Sony nabs international rights to Obama documentary | Entertainment |
Price guidance given on S.Korea bond sale-sources
HK's Citic Pacific chairman steps down amid probe
New Zealand house prices fall further in March
Dollar drops back below 100 yen
China: NKorea should not be focus of Asian summit
China shares fall on worries about economy
Thai central bank cuts interest rate to 5-year low
Taiwan dollar logs steepest fall in almost 2 months
Asia Crude-Taiwan CPC buys May Malampaya condensate
Indonesia gets ready for parliamentary elections
Leno gives free show for unemployed in Michigan
Sony nabs international rights to Obama documentary
Last Aztec emperor in spotlight at British Museum
Testimony ends in Castroneves tax trial in Miami
Blair urges Catholic Church homosexuality rethink
Drama `Southland' puts L.A. police in spotlight
Songwriter retires as head of music rights group
Soyuz capsule back on Earth with space tourist
Jackman 'heartbroken' over leaked superhero film
Hugh Jackman heartbroken over 'Wolverine' leak
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01