Recapping 2009, with moments in social media, top scams, and 10 Security nightmares of the decade; then, targets for 2010: iPhone, Android and Adobe; then the tie-in with China hacks in the “Warmergate” case debunking Algore’s global warming.
Top 10 moments in social media in 2009
This year was certainly significant in the world of online social media. Facebook surpassed 350 million users — more than the U.S. population — and Twitter’s short blogging service skyrocketed in popularity, led by celebs, tech lovers and top companies.
Here’s a look back at 2009′s biggest events in which social media played a major role as reported by Andrew Nystrom and Mark Milian
* continue reading :: L.A. Times
Top Scams of 2009
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) in Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois released its list of the top scams and rip-offs of 2009.
From teeth whitening to Weight-loss pills to H1N1 flu remedies, all are attempts to separate consumers from their money! Watch for more in 2010
* continue reading :: St Louis Biz Journal
Top 10 Security Nightmares of the Decade
Robert Vamosi writes: “The last decade we have seen technological breakthroughs unlike any other. In response we have seen a tremendous rise in fraud. The reason? The speed of the conveniences technology have far outpaced the security of technology.”
Remember the good old days when you–and your PC–didn’t know what botnets, phishing, and malware were? Here’s what we learned over the past ten years. Cyberwar, Organized Viruses, Organized Crime, Malware and more!
* continue reading :: Robert Vamosi, PC World
Target: iPhone, Android in 2010
Byron Acohido writes :: “From the crystal ball of Roel Schouwenberg: Google Wave, the iPhone and Android mobile phones will come under heavy cyber attacks in 2010.”
Android users, in particular, seem ripe for plundering. “The increasing popularity of mobile phones running the Android operating system, combined with a lack of effective checks to ensure third-party software applications are secure, will lead to a number of high-profile malware outbreaks,” he says.
* continue reading :: Technology: USA Today
Target: Adobe in 2010
We often said that eventually there will only be three companies left: Microsoft, Google and Adobe. Now, the hackers, crackers and cybercrime cartel botnets have already made mincemeat of Microsoft and Google. Adobe is the next frontier!
Tony Bradley writes: “Adobe to be Prime Target for Malware in 2010 … The Chinese calendar says 2010 is the Year of the Tiger, but a report released from McAfee claims . . . “Cybercriminals have long picked on Microsoft products due to their popularity. In 2010, we anticipate Adobe software, especially Acrobat Reader and Flash, will take the top spot.”
* continue reading :: Tony Bradley’s piece in PC World
Online Threats Get Smarter and Nastier
The year 2009 saw unprecedented growth of spyware, malware and other cyber attacks that posed significant risks for everyone. Symantec vice-president (Asia South region) Eric Hoh warns of more threats as the new year dawns.
Fast flux is used by some botnets, such as the Storm botnet, to hide phishing and malicious web sites behind a network of compromised hosts acting as proxies. Using a combination of peer-to-peer networking, distributed command and control, web-based load balancing and proxy redirection, it becomes difficult to trace the original location.
* continue reading :: The New Straits Times, MarketWatch in Sci-Tech-Today
Beware Twitter Reset Emails
As you know, we’ve been following both Twitter and FaceBook attacks for months. The underworld is attacking all of the social networking users attempting to gain IDs and passwords to further their spam agendas.
Allen Stern of centernetworks.com just caught on. In this issue, he takes a look at the aspects of the latest Twitter hijack attempt by the crime cartels.
* continue reading :: CenterNetworks.com
China Hack Warmergate?
The Daily Mail is reporting that it might be, “Chinese hackers linked to ‘Warmergate’ climate change leaked emails controversy.” One might ask who has the most to gain from exposing the global warming cover-up.
The Mail’s revelation came about after they tracked a convoluted trail of IP (Internet Protocols) addresses through to a ” Chinese environmental institute, the Research Institute of Forest Ecology and Environment Protection, based near Beijing.”
* continue reading :: By Jason Lewis and Simon Parry for Daily Mail, UK
84% of Email is Spam
Spam Accounted for 84% of Total E-Mails in November 2009, as per the data released by online security company Websense,
86% carried an embedded malicious URL — using free shipping, free samples with purchase, combo packs and discounts as the marketing tactics to entice computer users. Besides, spammers have been selling forged branded watches, purses and other goods, making this holiday season a typical holiday season seen in previous years.
* continue reading :: SpamFighter News
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