InfoManager_TM

As the cyberwars begin to heat up — I just talked to a person infected with malware, didn’t know it, sending millions of spams. Now there’s a virus that infects malware to create “Franken-ware” … people just don’t realize how bad it is — and it’s going to get a lot worse …
* New malware variant hijacks US Defense Dept.’s smart cards
* Better Business Bureau warns against computer virus scam
* Facebook sues alleged clickjacking spammer sparking row
* New viruses infecting worms to create ‘Frankenmalware,’
* Symantec Finds Huge Android Malware Infection
* Social Engineering: Hack Google Accounts
* Warning out vs ‘browser update’ malware
* Tax-related Scam E-mails Serve Malware
* Beware of Malicious QR Codes
* BBB Tip of the Week
. . . and more!

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Times are changing and so are social media policy and practices. Google is about to re-publish their trimmed and reduce policies for users. Most of us are using Google in some fashion. It’s important to realize just how much your Google patterns and habits are being tracked and logged. Google + is becoming an alternative socialnetwork and exposes much of what you do on Google to your “circle” and search engines on Google.
* Facebook is about to unleash it’s new interface known as Timeline. You have no choice in the matter when it is turned on for everyone. Several links below give vital and timely information on both those social services. Continue reading »

Here comes another of those web dilemmas : who is right? The guys who want to protect U.S. ingenuity and creativity from being ripped off by counterfeiters … or the liberal press and the web sites who stand to make the most money from online pirating? It’s a tough decision. Are you for or against SOPA and PIPA? Wait, stop! First look at some facts . . .

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On December 16, 2011, the FTC filed this release, and a letter to ICANN regarding their “Rapid Expansion of Internet Domain Name System.” As this program prepares to launch today, (January 12, 2012) it appears that ICANN is, once again, ignoring common sense and a sincere disregard for doing the right thing. Continue reading »

I don’t know how many of you noticed, but Romney and Gingrich were the ONLY candidates last night to mention the Chinese cyber-invasion against the U.S. While all the other issues, the economy, jobs, energy, and so forth are of vital importance, it is very foolish to ignore what could potentially be the most devastating issue of all. That’s not the only news in the world of Safenetting this week …
* Cyber threats likely to increase this year; phones at risk
* Better Business Bureau warns consumers about popular scams
* Google Chrome Finally Gets Malware Download Protection
* Microsoft refunds victim of Xbox Live phishing scam
* Mumbai is number one for banking fraud in country
* Sites knocked offline by OpenDNS freeze on Google
* Lecture: George Akerlof on “Phishing for Phools”
* Facebook Malware Blitz: 45000 passwords stolen
* Microsoft says phishing scams not due to hacker
* Strategic Security Primer for the C-Level
* Cyber Warfare and the Privacy Revolution
. . . and more!

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Here comes a new year, and here come a slew of new threats for computer users. Big prediction for 2012: China will dominate spam, phishing and malware by virtue of having the most users online world-wide …
* Scammers Using Browser Extensions to Hack Facebook Accounts
* Latest Phishing Scams Target Users of New Christmas Gadgets
* Better Business Bureau: Your online order was canceled
* Chinese Government To Crack Down On Phishing Schemes
* As the new year begins, resolve to be savvy consumer
* Phishing sites using Extended Validation SSL
* Aggressive Phishing Attack Targets Military
* Phishing scam uses official’s email
* Digit’s Top Ten Trends of 2012
* China Has Hacking Problem
. . . and more!

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Happy Holidays – The holidays are always a welcome time to socialize, renew friendships and visit others. It’s also a time where kids have a lot of time on their hands and spend that time on social media. It’s a great time to have a discussion with you family about safe netting and over use of digital devices… (we’re talking about that “get a life” discussion when too much time is spent online, gaming or just peering at that small cellphone screen.)

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This is your opportunity to let your voice be heard and improve Internet security. The Domain Name Registrars and ICANN have failed to implement previously agreed upon law enforcement provisions to their contracts which improve accountability and help stop cybercriminals(1 ). Wednesday December 14

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By now, you’re probably finished with Christmas and working on the new year. Well, the cyber crime industry has not finished with YOU … Here are the headlines:
* Suspension of Disbelief: magicians’ friends targeted by phishing scam
* Sophos: most USB sticks lost on the subway are swimming in malware
* New zero-day vulnerabilities found in Adobe Flash Player
* Malware Programs Stuxnet and Conficker Interlinked
* Who would believe this is from Bank of America?
* Anti-spam law doesn’t seem to have an impact
* Hitting ‘reply’ to a spammer can cost you
* CyberThieves Market Fake Win 7 Security
* Student phishing scam: Two remanded
* G Data Internet Security 2012
. . . and more!

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Here we are in the high shopping season … but watch out, the criminals are out to get you … Here are the headlines:
* Spam in October 2011: More Countries Getting in on the Act
* Spam – the email kind – is pretty slick, too
* Microsoft refunds Xbox Live phishing scam victims
* Cyber Monday phishing, scams
* “PayPal email address change” phishing scheme
* Cleverest Facebook scam yet
* Android Malware Is Increasing
* McAfee Internet Security for Mac 2012
* Analysis: Does the government really understand the cyber threat?
. . . and more!

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The cyber crime world seems to be heating up this season, from 400% increase in Android attacks to money-sucking cloud malware to the Twelve Scams of Christmas
* How far can foreign hackers go before Pentagon has to blow someone up?
* Microsoft seeks testers for limited beta of next-gen Security
* McAfee Warns Consumers of the “Twelve Scams of Christmas”
* DevilRobber now “improved”, still nasty malware threat
* Smart infrastructure plus malware equals disaster
* Hackers Make Malware Download Appear Legitimate
* DevilRobber Trojan now disguised as PixelMator
* Malware writer claims to hacked Windows 8
* Android malware explodes, jumps five-fold
* Avoiding the anti-malware trap
* Cloud: money-sucking parasite
. . . and more!

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The cybercrime industry is taking a particular liking to financial scams as we approach the holiday season in a down-turn economy. They automatically assume that a percentage of their victims are looking for a job, transferring money, or trying to streamline their financial lives. JUST DON’T CLICK …

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Holiday revelers beware: real-life Scrooges and Grinches are out to steal Christmas. Continue reading »

Here are essential links for parents and educators who are interested in the societal impact of technology on children and families. From Joe Showker’s “Delicious Hot Links” . . .
* Take This Lollipop: creepy warning about personal info on Facebook…
* 11 Ways to use fake Facebook apps to enhance student learning
* Why Parents Help Tweens Violate Facebook’s 13+ Rule
* Teaching Tool: Your Very Own (Fake) Social Network
* A Silicon Valley School That Doesn’t Compute
* Street Gangs Clean Up on White Collar Crime
* Modeling Digital Ethics and Responsibility
* Anti-Bullying Network

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