As technology becomes more prevalent, the viruses or, rather, the predators that create them, increase as well.
According to McAfee,
a protection provider, malware is multiplying faster than ever. In the
last quarter alone, there were “1.5 million more attacks than
previously. With new technology, comes changes in the threats — botnets
and ransomware are just some of the new things to watch out for.”
Computers using Windows operating systems are still hit the hardest
but more viruses are now targeting Macs and the Android system that
powers a large portion of Smartphones, two of the emerging computer
foundations.
Vincent Weafer, senior vice president of McAfee Labs, says the
attacks permeate every level of computer use, from home computers to
business and government machines, as well as the previously unheard-of
mobile market.
“Flashback,” a Trojan horse virus that started in 2011, infected more
than half a million Macs all over the world. Being used to immunity
from malware, many Mac users were unprepared for the virus, which posed
as a Flash plug-in and stole usernames and passwords from thousands of
computers and websites. While iOS has remained relatively safe from
threats, new problems are popping up every day.
Google continues to try to keep good security on their Android
operating system, but criminals are targeting the OS, especially as it
becomes popular with less-computer-savvy and more susceptible users.
McAfee’s report indicates it is the most popular mobile operating system
being targeted currently.
One big trend emerging in the malware industry is “ransomware.” It
erases personal data and can hold it hostage until the owner pays money
via the Internet to set it free. This is only one of the many programs
that is becoming more popular among cyber criminals. What should you do?
Install Microsoft Security Essentials for PCS: One program professionals and other computer repair companies recommend is the anti-virus program for the basic user — Microsoft Security Essentials.
It’s free, easy to use, updated frequently and provides great
protection from most Internet-born parasites. The fact that it’s made by
Microsoft, the company that makes Windows, is a great benefit. Who is
better equipped to know which Windows vulnerabilities hackers are
targeting? Programmers can then integrate the fix seamlessly into
Windows.
Avast! For MACS: If you just can’t get past the idea
of trusting Microsoft to protect your Windows PC, or if you are running
an alternate operating system, consider Avast!
free antivirus. Avast is one of the highest-rated antivirus programs,
according to AV Comparatives, an independent antivirus program reviewer.
Avast offers both a free and a paid version, and boasts one of the
fastest virus scans on the market. Avast! also uses fewer system
resources when scanning, so you can continue to use your computer
normally while the scan runs in the background. Anyone who has been held
hostage by a seemingly endless scan that makes everything else on your
system slow to a useless crawl can appreciate this benefit. Fun side
note: You can select different voices to proclaim, “Ding! Avast’s virus
definitions have been updated.” I am quite partial to Pirate.
Lookout Mobile for Smartphones: For the best mobile security app, check out Lookout Mobile Security,
a free anti-virus and back-up solution that has received a five-star
rating from CNET and PC World. It will even help you track down a lost
mobile phone by showing its location on Google Maps. The premium version
(available for $2.99 per month or $29.99 per year) adds the ability to
back up photos and call history and perform a remote wipe if your phone
is stolen.
Showing posts with label android. Show all posts
Showing posts with label android. Show all posts
Android Top Target for Malware
Android may be the most popular mobile operating system on the planet, but now it is also the system most targeted by malware.
In fact, malware targeting Google’s Android platform increased nearly six-fold in the third quarter this year — from 30,000 malicious and potentially dangerous apps in June to almost 175,000 in September, a report released Oct. 22 by Trend Micro has found. The fact that only 20 percent of Android device owners use a security app does not help.
“It’s actually no surprise that we see such a huge increase in mobile malware,” says Trend Micro CTO Raimund Genes. “Android is the dominant Smartphone platform with an amazing success story. The digital underground reads the statistics and analysts reports as well, and they figured out way to make money with mobile malware. And unlike your computer, getting information from your phone also reveals your location, the phone numbers you have called – and more – all stuff which could be sold.”
The most common way to release malware on Android Smartphones is through fake versions of legitimate apps. The number of aggressive mobile adware also has skyrocketed.
“Though most adware is designed to collect user information, a fine line exists between collecting data for simple advertising and violating one’s privacy,” the report states.
“We also identified several adware that pose serious privacy-related threats. Apps that access your call history without informing you via an end-user license agreement (EULA) or their user interface (UI) constitute malicious behavior from a security perspective and are detected.”
The report also identifies the top spam-sending countries in the world. Saudi Arabia tops the list at 21 percent, with India taking the second slot at eight percent. Turkey and the United States tied for third with eight percent, followed by Peru at four percent and Brazil at three percent.
More key data:
Post from: SiteProNews
In fact, malware targeting Google’s Android platform increased nearly six-fold in the third quarter this year — from 30,000 malicious and potentially dangerous apps in June to almost 175,000 in September, a report released Oct. 22 by Trend Micro has found. The fact that only 20 percent of Android device owners use a security app does not help.
“It’s actually no surprise that we see such a huge increase in mobile malware,” says Trend Micro CTO Raimund Genes. “Android is the dominant Smartphone platform with an amazing success story. The digital underground reads the statistics and analysts reports as well, and they figured out way to make money with mobile malware. And unlike your computer, getting information from your phone also reveals your location, the phone numbers you have called – and more – all stuff which could be sold.”
The most common way to release malware on Android Smartphones is through fake versions of legitimate apps. The number of aggressive mobile adware also has skyrocketed.
“Though most adware is designed to collect user information, a fine line exists between collecting data for simple advertising and violating one’s privacy,” the report states.
“We also identified several adware that pose serious privacy-related threats. Apps that access your call history without informing you via an end-user license agreement (EULA) or their user interface (UI) constitute malicious behavior from a security perspective and are detected.”
The report also identifies the top spam-sending countries in the world. Saudi Arabia tops the list at 21 percent, with India taking the second slot at eight percent. Turkey and the United States tied for third with eight percent, followed by Peru at four percent and Brazil at three percent.
More key data:
- Dangerous zero-day exploits targeting Java and Internet Explorer (IE) were found. The IE vulnerability was used in an advanced persistent threat campaign.
- ZeroAccess malware, often on peer-to-peer (P2P) sharing sites, was the top infector in the computing public this quarter. The old DOWNAD/ Conficker worm was a close second.
- PayPal attracted the most phishermen while Linkedin was the top Blackhole Exploit Kit target.
- Corporations and governments remain viable APT targets. Lurid and Nitro APT campaign improvements were also noted.
- Social media threats and privacy concerns continue — Only 50 percent of Facebook users check their privacy settings every two to three months.
Post from: SiteProNews
Two New Forms of Malware Threatening Android Users: IC3
Two new forms of malware are on the loose and they are targeting the Android mobile operating system, according to a warning issued by the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.
Loozfon, which steals information from users, and FinFisher, which can give hackers control over a user’s device are the latest threats, the IC3 says.
“Criminals use different variants to lure the victims. One version is a work-at-home opportunity that promises a profitable payday just for sending out e-mail,” the warning reads. “A link within these advertisements leads to a website that is designed to push Loozfon on the user’s device. The malicious application steals contact details from the user’s address book and the infected device’s phone number.”
FinFisher can effortlessly spread to a Smartphone when the user visits a specific URL or opens a text message camouflaged as a system update.
IC3 Safety tips to protect your mobile device:
Post from: SiteProNews.com
Loozfon, which steals information from users, and FinFisher, which can give hackers control over a user’s device are the latest threats, the IC3 says.
“Criminals use different variants to lure the victims. One version is a work-at-home opportunity that promises a profitable payday just for sending out e-mail,” the warning reads. “A link within these advertisements leads to a website that is designed to push Loozfon on the user’s device. The malicious application steals contact details from the user’s address book and the infected device’s phone number.”
FinFisher can effortlessly spread to a Smartphone when the user visits a specific URL or opens a text message camouflaged as a system update.
IC3 Safety tips to protect your mobile device:
- When buying a Smartphone, learn the features of the device, including the default settings. Turn off features that are not needed to lessen the risk of attack.
- Some phone operating systems have encryption available. Use it to protect personal data in the case of loss or theft.
- Read reviews of app developers before buying an application.
- Review and understand the permissions you are giving when you download apps.
- Passcode protect your cellphone and enable screen lock to kick in after a few minutes of inactivity.
- Purchase malware protection for your device. Use applications that specialize in antivirus or file integrity to help guard your device from rogue applications and malware.
- Beware applications that enable Geo-location because the app will track your location anywhere. Criminals such as a stalker or burglar can use this app.
- Anytime you, an application or service runs in “unrestricted” or “system” level within an operating system, any compromise can take full control of your phone.
- Do not connect to unknown wireless networks — these can be rogue access points that steal information passed between your device and a legitimate server.
- If you sell or trade your device, be sure to wipe the device clean by resetting it to factory default. This avoids leaving personal data on the device.
- Keep current with updates to run applications and firmware. If you neglect this, it increases the risk of having your device hacked or compromised.
- Do not click on or download software or links from unknown sources.
- Use the same precautions on your mobile phone as you would on your computer when using the Internet.
Post from: SiteProNews.com
Android Users Welcome Official eBay App
If you’ve eagerly awaited an app that lets you check the status of your
eBay auctions and leave feedback from your favorite Android device, the
wait is over. The official eBay app for Android is now available,
allowing users do all the typical eBay stuff – search auctions, buy fun
things, pay for purchases, check the items you’re selling, leave
feedback, and set alerts.
This app should make life easier for you whether you are a power eBay user or just a rare bidder or seller. Most significantly, the app will notify you if you are outbid so that you no longer have to stay glued to your computer for those final critical seconds of the auction.
The application is only available for the US market at this time, but plans are in place to expand that shortly. Incidentally, eBay is one of the founding 34 members of the Open Handset Alliance.
This app should make life easier for you whether you are a power eBay user or just a rare bidder or seller. Most significantly, the app will notify you if you are outbid so that you no longer have to stay glued to your computer for those final critical seconds of the auction.
The application is only available for the US market at this time, but plans are in place to expand that shortly. Incidentally, eBay is one of the founding 34 members of the Open Handset Alliance.
Android Users Welcome Official eBay App
If you’ve eagerly awaited an app that lets you check the status of your
eBay auctions and leave feedback from your favorite Android device, the
wait is over. The official eBay app for Android is now available,
allowing users do all the typical eBay stuff – search auctions, buy fun
things, pay for purchases, check the items you’re selling, leave
feedback, and set alerts.
This app should make life easier for you whether you are a power eBay user or just a rare bidder or seller. Most significantly, the app will notify you if you are outbid so that you no longer have to stay glued to your computer for those final critical seconds of the auction.
The application is only available for the US market at this time, but plans are in place to expand that shortly. Incidentally, eBay is one of the founding 34 members of the Open Handset Alliance.
This app should make life easier for you whether you are a power eBay user or just a rare bidder or seller. Most significantly, the app will notify you if you are outbid so that you no longer have to stay glued to your computer for those final critical seconds of the auction.
The application is only available for the US market at this time, but plans are in place to expand that shortly. Incidentally, eBay is one of the founding 34 members of the Open Handset Alliance.
Ping (for Android)
Enterprise Ping is a 99-cent Android app available from Google Play. The app is developed by Enterprising Apps, the same company that developed Wolf WiFi Pro (for Android). Enterprise Ping is a graphical ping tool. Ping is simple, yet it's one of the most effective network utilities for troubleshooting connection and latency issues. Instead of using the boring old command line to execute the ping command, Enterprise ping provides visualization for pinging as well as graphing and logging functions.
The Good
With Enterprise Ping, you can ping two IP addresses or URLs at once. These IP addresses and URLs can be saved so that you can quickly initiate a ping when opening the app. You can switch back and forth between the two pings' screens to see detailed individual information on each ping such as percent of packet loss. However, both pings are displayed as two different lines in a graph on each screen, so you can constantly compare the two.
Ping displays statistics such as response time per ping and total response time since the ping request was sent, as well as maximum, minimum, and average ping response time. The app also shows number of packets sent, received, and lost.
The real-time graphing is sharply detailed and easy-to-read, even on an Android phone. You can quickly pull up a log file of the ping activity and export it as a .txt file to an SD card.
From within the app, a user can enable or disable wakelock, the mechanism for placing the Android device in a power-saving mode. Users can also enable or disable Wi-Fi from inside Enterprise Ping.
The Not-So-Good
Enterprise Ping is limited in functionality, even more limited than some of the free Ping apps available. You can only customize the packet size; you can't tweak other ping parameters like TTL or interval time between pings or any other settings.
I also noticed that pulling up the ping log overlaps the ping graphing so the log details are a bit hard to see.
Needs More Features
Enterprise Ping, if it's padded with more features, will probably evolve into an app that's worth more than a buck. You can do multiple pings, which you can't do in many ping apps; the graphing is slick, and exporting information is a breeze. It needs at least as many features as I mentioned earlier that some of the free ping apps offer.
Still, Enterprise Ping gets three stars for the multiple ping ability, the beautiful graphing, and the easy report exporting. Hopefully, more capability will be added in the near future.
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