Sony security a house of cards as more attacks surface
Sony has appeared to be increasingly losing control of its network as reports of new attacks surfaced on Wednesday, bringing the number of known hacks to at least ten. While the biggest remains the attack that shuttered the PlayStation Network for over three weeks, these smaller incidents indicate Sony's security systems may be quite lax.
The latest reports come from three separate Sony sites. Sony confirmed that the names and e-mails of 2,000 customers who had used its Sony Ericsson Canada website had been stolen, and a website in Thailand was shuttered after it was found to be sending fraudulent emails. In Indonesia, Sony's music site was shut down after it was attacked and web access codes stolen there.
Apple finally admits Mac Defender malware is for real
That sure took long enough. After reports surfaced last week about Apple's denial, the company has come clean in a support document. Mac Defender is real malware targeting Mac OS X, and Apple will issue an update to plug the hole. Yes, but will it be little more than a finger in the dike?
The answer to that question has already generated fierce debate among Mac defenders -- not the malware, but Apple fans -- and PC stalwarts about whether Mac Defender is start of a troubling trend: Increased number of attacks against Mac OS X. The Mac defenders brush off Mac Defender, arguing there is no OS security problem but one of social engineering. It's a bogus argument, considering social engineering also is the main mechanism by which malware infects PCs. According to research released last week by Microsoft, 1 in 14 programs that are downloaded are later determined to be malware, and in most cases, the malicious software was installed by good old-fashioned social engineering.
Trend Micro Titanium Maximum Security Suite 2012 enters public beta
Trend Micro has released a public beta of Titanium Maximum Security 2012, the latest incarnation of its feature-packed security suite. As is often the case with betas, it has a few issues to contend with. There's no firewall just yet, for instance, and we found application launch times seemed to lengthen considerably once the beta had been installed.
The program's interface proved straightforward, though, providing easy access to on-demand scans, and a lengthy list of the tools that are available in this version: parental controls, data theft prevention, encryption, secure file deletion, antispam, antiphishing, browsing protection, and more.
Microsoft EMET puts you in control of Windows security
DEP, SEHOP, ASLR -- Windows has plenty of interesting security technologies, each carefully designed to help protect you from common hacker and malware exploits. So it's a shame that most of them are so hard to find and use.
Windows has a Data Execution Prevention (DEP) interface, for instance, but it's not exactly easy to spot. And Structured Exception Handler Overwrite Protection (SEHOP) or Address Space Layout Randomisation (ASLR) are handy at protecting key data structures from attack, but they're normally only available if you know exactly where to look in the Registry.
BitDefender Total Security 2012 enters public beta
Last month Symantec gave us a first look at their Internet Security 2012 technologies, and now it's BitDefender's turn, as today it has released the first public beta of the company's extremely comprehensive Total Security 2012.
We do mean comprehensive. So the lengthy feature list doesn't only include the standard modules: antivirus, antiphishing, antispam, a firewall, and so on. You also get file encryption, a secure file shredder, chat encryption, parental controls, an online backup tool, file syncing, vulnerability detection, privacy options, a tune-up tool to clean up redundant files and Registry keys and a remote management tool that will help you manage these features across your entire network.
3 ways and lots of software to protect your PC from malware
Microsoft recently revealed that 1 in every 14 downloads on the Windows platform contains malicious software. That's a scary thought, and means your security software could be working overtime in trying to prevent your PC from becoming infected.
Thankfully there are plenty of free (and safe, obviously) tools out there that can help reduce the risk of being infected by malicious software to practically zero. Read on, for our essential guide to the best free tools for helping steer you away from dangerous downloads and websites with malicious intent.
PSN is back up, but Sony's servers are still not secure
Reports indicate that Sony still does not have its network fully secure: an exploit is now available allowing users to reset your account password with only an e-mail address and date of birth. With this data now publicly available due to the previous hack of the PlayStation Network, it puts millions of users again at risk.
The issue, first reported by gaming blog Nyleveia late Tuesday, shows how stunningly insecure Sony's servers just may be. Details of the vulnerability were released to the Japanese company before being publicized.
Microsoft helps stop malware, while Apple blows off malware victims
Yes, it looks like real malware has finally come to Macintosh, and Apple is blowing off users who call for support for the problem. But I'm sure Apple is doing it with style, and that's what really matters. The style of the day is unaccommodating.
If you're not already angry about something, read Ed Bott's blog at ZDNet to see how Apple is handling what appears to be the first real outbreak of malware on Apple Macs in the OS X era. An AppleCare support rep tells Ed that a notice from management tells them that "...we're not supposed to help customers remove malware from their computer."
Microsoft: IE9 security warnings cut malware threat 95%
Since 2008, Microsoft has included a reputation-based anti-phishing and anti-malware tool in Internet Explorer called SmartScreen Filter. In IE9, the latest version of Microsoft's browser, SmartScreen got a bump in functionality and began to check the reputation of applications as well. Today, the IE9 security team released some interesting data culled from all of SmartScreen's app reputation queries.
According to the team, 1 in 14 programs that are downloaded are later determined to be malware, and in most cases, the malicious software was installed as a result of good old fashioned social engineering.
Remove one of the worst scareware menaces in one click
Microsoft's latest Security Intelligence Report highlights rogue security software as "one of the most common methods that attackers use to swindle money from victims," and it's hard to disagree. We're forever coming across sites that display fake antivirus messages, system "scans" and more, all claiming our PC is "infected" in an attempt to make us download their scareware.
If you're familiar with these cons then there's no real problem: you just close that browser window and carry on as before. But if you follow the links on these warnings, download and run the executable they'll offer, then you're in trouble: the fake antivirus will mess up your system, causing all kinds of odd problems, and demand your credit card details to put everything right. (Although, of course, parting with those will only cause you more problems.)
Facebook may have leaked personal info on millions
For years, an accidental security flaw in the way Facebook handled embedded frames allowed applications developers to access information on a user's profile that installed that application. It is estimated that nearly 100,000 applications may have enabled this flaw, potentially affecting millions.
Symantec, the company that discovered the vulnerability, reported it to Facebook. The flaw has been fixed, but it is unknown if any of the data had been used maliciously.
Sony: 'A few more days' until PSN is back up
As the outage of the PlayStation Network entered its 20th day, Sony says that it would still be awhile yet before it is able to bring the gaming network back online. In a short statement on Tuesday, spokesperson Patrick Seybold seemed to ask for a bit more patience from its users.
"I know you all want to know exactly when the services will be restored," Seybold posted to the PlayStation blog. "At this time, I can't give you an exact date, as it will likely be at least a few more days." Such words are likely not comforting to the millions of PlayStation 3 users who have been shut out of online gameplay for nearly a month.
Get Comodo Internet Security Pro 2011 for free, save 50 bucks
Comodo Group has announced it's giving away a free one year-license of Comodo Internet Security Pro 2011, worth $49.95. Available for free download through Downloadcrew.com, Comodo Internet Security Pro 2011 includes both anti-malware and firewall software, giving users comprehensive protection against viruses, spyware and other threats.
The free one year license includes remote security and system support through Comodo's GeekBuddy service (free registration required), Comodo TrustConnect and a $500 guarantee (US residents only) for repair costs should Comodo be unable to restore your computer to a working state after infection.
When will PlayStation Network be back up?
Perhaps the question should be: "If I hold my breath waiting for Sony to answer and I die, can someone sue?" Because Sony's continued promises when PSN will be back up are like the kid who incessantly promises to clean his room and never does. Subscribers grow impatient, with the vast majority answering our poll are ready to switch to Xbox 360 and Xbox Live.
Late last month, Sony promised partial PSN restoration -- gaming, music and video services -- on May 4, a pledge repeated on May 1. It's now May 8, and PSN is still down. I checked just before posting.
Hackers may be plotting weekend attack against Sony
As Sony is in the final stages of getting the PlayStation Network back online, a new threat may be emerging. People with knowledge of the IRC chat room where hackers have been congregating to discuss the attacks are discussing a new effort, CNET reported late Thursday.
This news comes amid word from Sony that it had entered "the final stages of internal testing of the new system," likely indicating PSN would be back up in a matter of days. The issue also has prompted a letter from Sony chairman and CEO Sir Howard Stringer, who reiterated that the company was working "around the clock" on the issue.
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