Category Archives: Malware

DNS Changer infrastructure shutdown is a *good* thing

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The FBI may shutdown the DNS servers victims of the DNS Changer malware have been using on March 8th. Is this a dangerous action, or is five months to clean up your PC enough?

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Is Google Bouncer going to bounce all malware from the Android Market?

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Google has pleasantly surprised the mobile malware research community when it announced yesterday that Android apps are analysed for malicious behavior before being allowed onto the Android Market, but is it all good news? Vanja Svajcer, Sophos Principal Researcher, investigates.

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US attacks Iran and Saudi Arabia? Malware spreads via Facebook status updates

US attacks Iran and Saudi Arabia? Malware spreads via Facebook status updates

A fake CNN webpage is being linked to from Facebook users' status updates, claiming that World War III has begun.

But the real story is the malware waiting to infect your computer.

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Android Counterclank is (not) malware

Android Counterclank is (not) malware

Despite the stint of very cold weather in Europe, Android malware scene is warming up. Vanja Svajcer finds an intriguing case for the difference of opinions on the classification of certain Android apps present in Google Android market.

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Don't get slammed by Super Bowl scams

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The countdown to first kickoff in Super Bowl XLVI on February 5 has begun, and scams for knock-off team jerseys, counterfeit memorabilia, and fake YouTube videos will be sure to hammer our defenses.

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Does spammed out malware attack exploit Mozilla Thunderbird 'feature'?

Spammed out malware attack exploits Thunderbird weakness

Media reports claim that computers are being infected even if you DON'T open the attached files.

But we're seeing something different.

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MPs warn of rise of identity-stealing bank-robbing malware

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Identity-stealing bank-robbing malware is a growing threat to Britain.

That's the conclusion of the UK Parliament's Science and Technology Select Committee who have published a report calling on the Government to launch a "prolonged awareness raising campaign to increase public understanding of personal online security."

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Facebook's IPO could result in increased focus on stopping fraud and spam

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Facebook has finally filed for its IPO, but there are interesting details in the paperwork. It considers malware, spam and privacy concerns as serious risks to its investors.

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Viruses and hacking, as seen on TV and in the movies

Viruses and hacking, as seen on TV and in the movies

Working in the computer security industry, we're pretty used to seeing malware and hacking misrepresented on our TV and movie screens.

Here are some of our favourite examples.

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Accused Kelihos malware mastermind protests his innocence

Accused Kelihos botmaster protests his innocence

A Russian man who has been accused by Microsoft of being the mastermind behind the Kelihos botnet has used his LiveJournal blog to protest his innocence.

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Sophos Security Threat Report 2012 - seeing through the hype

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We know you're probably sceptical of "state of the world" reports from vendors. For all you can tell, they'll turn out to be thinly-digsuised advertorial, unreconstructed product brochures, or worse.

We like to do things differently. Find out how!

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Microsoft's Kelihos botnet suspect used to work for computer security firm

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Microsoft has alleged that a computer security firm's ex-employee is the mastermind behind the Kelihos botnet.

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Apple iPad 2 and iPhone 4S finally fall to jailbreakers

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Apple's most hacker-resistant hardware to date - the iPad 2 and the iPhone 4S, which are built around the Apple A5 chip - can now be jailbroken.

Should you rush to slither free of Apple's fiscal tentacles?

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SSCC 80 - Mobile security podcast with Vanja Svajcer

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In this week's podcast, Vanja Svajcer joins Chet to talk about the mobile security landscape. Topics discussed include mobile malware, theft, application markets and advice on securing your smartphone.

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Koobface gang turns off command servers, as Russian police explain lack of action

Koobface gang turns off command servers, as Russian police explain lack of action

The publication of a detailed probe into the alleged members of the Koobface malware gang appears to have had an instant impact.

But there's no sign that the Russian authorities are planning to investigate the alleged gang anytime soon.

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Alleged Russian cybercriminal extradited to the US

Alleged Russian cybercriminal extradited to the US

A suspected Russian cybercriminal arrived in Manhattan on Tuesday to face charges of security fraud, computer hacking and ID theft after being deported from Switzerland.

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Trojan may have stolen data from Japanese space agency

Trojan may have stolen data from Japanese space agency

A data-stealing Trojan horse may have smuggled out login information to gain access to a cargo shuttle that carries food and equipment to the International Space Station (ISS).

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How five members of the Koobface malware gang were unmasked

How five members of the Koobface malware gang were unmasked

The in-depth story of how five men have been identified as part of the Koobface gang, in a detailed investigation conducted by independent researcher Jan Drömer and Dirk Kollberg of SophosLabs.

A must-read!

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Friday the Thirteenth - in memory of malware mayhem

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It's Friday the Thirteenth, an infamous date in the history of malware.

So here's a satirical trip down memory lane to consider other dies irae in the computer virus calendar.

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Koobface malware gang - the noose tightens?

Koobface malware gang - the noose tightens?

Members of the Koobface malware gang might be feeling a little hot under the collar as evidence has begun to spill onto the internet about the alleged identity of one of its members.

And there's more information still to come..

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