Archive for the ‘Crime’ Category

Home → Crime

Three Quarters of IT Managers Say Spam Remains The Greatest Source of Phishing Threats in The Workplace

On September 30, 2010   /   Computer Security, Crime, Virus and Spyware   /   Leave a comment

SpamTitan Technologies, the makers of powerful yet easy-to-manage spam and web filtering software, today announced the findings of its latest survey of SMBs on the continued danger of phishing attacks.

The research shows that despite media reports about the rise in phishing on social networking sites its perceived threat to businesses is marginal in comparison with traditional spam techniques.

An overwhelming majority (75 percent) of IT managers surveyed regard traditional spam as the top security threat. Opinion is divided over whether business network security measures have caused phishing attacks to migrate from email to social networking sites like Twitter or Facebook with 37 percent saying it is a growing phenomenon while 31 percent disagree. Instead they regard the move to on-line phishing as a natural response to the growth in the user communities of the main social networking sites.

Clear policies along with improvements in user education and awareness topped recommendations as the best way to beat phishing in all its forms.

“Phishing attacks remain a clear and present threat to businesses,” said Ronan Kavanagh, CEO of SpamTitan Technologies. “There is no evidence to suggest that network security measures are discouraging the number of phishing attacks it is simply that the arrival of social networking in the workplace has presented phishers with a bigger pond to phish in.”

SpamTitan’s survey findings about the phishing threat posed by social networking sites are consistent with another Internet security report from earlier this year. According to antivirus software vendor Kaspersky Labs Facebook’s share of phishing attacks in the first three months of 2010 was just 5.7 percent. This earned it fourth place on the list of most-targeted Web sites a long way behind the leaders HSBC, eBay and PayPal which alone accounts for more than 52 percent of all scams.

To safeguard customers from phishing attacks, the latest SpamTitan release uses a multi-layered approach. It includes new malware detection mechanisms and other significant improvements to the scan engine including a large set of Phishing signatures, support for SURBLs (Spam URL Realtime Blocklists) and heuristic rule tests. The new phishing module allows SpamTitan to deliver better and more generic detection of phishing emails by searching for URLs in email messages and can also detect day-zero phishing emails.

Read more →
Back to Top

PPSS teamed up with Intertek for Cut-Tex® PRO case study

On September 22, 2010   /   Crime, Security Solutions   /   Leave a comment

With a passion to protect frontline personnel at work, PPSS continuously seek to improve and develop new equipment and innovative cut resistant clothing.

A short while ago PPSS developed the ultra high cut- resistant textile Cut-Tex® PRO, an innovative BS EN 388:2003 blade cut resistance level 5 textile that offers unrivalled cut resistance. In order to use the fabric for bespoke protective clothing this groundbreaking textile needed to be tested.

Robert Kaiser, CEO of PPSS said: “We turned to Intertek for technical expertise and testing. Intertek is a leading international provider of quality and safety testing and has experts versed in the stringent testing requirements and standards for PPE fabrics”.

“The challenge was to substantiate independently the extraordinary properties of the material with independent, scientific evidence”.

The fabric was tested to BS EN 388: 2003 6.2 Blade Cut Resistance. It achieved the highest rating of Level 5. The fabric also reached Level 5 when tested to the European and International Standard BS EN ISO 13997:1999, which is highly regarded as the most stringent and efficient Standard for blade cut resistance.

“The result demonstrated the incredible strength and cut resistant properties of the fabric, and I am very happy that Intertek has helped PPSS to prove its claims with technical testing and expertise”.

Robert Kaiser added: “For us this is not it. We will now continue with testing and submit our textile for the BS EN 533:1997 test (Protective clothing – protection against heat and flame), in order to make this great cut resistant textile more attractive and valuable for fire fighters and other professionals around the world”.

Cut-Tex® PRO cut resistant clothing is now available as sweat shirts, windbreaker, sleeves, boxer shorts, workwear trousers, tactical gloves and many other garments. However, PPSS is stressing the point they are specialised in manufacturing bespoke cut resistant clothing based on client’s operational risks and duties.

Should you have any questions in reference to Cut-Tex® PRO or cut resistant clothing please contact PPSS on +44 (0) 845 5193 953, email info@ppss-group.com or visit www.ppss-group.com

Read more →
Back to Top

Passwords Are Past Their Sell By Date?

On August 18, 2010   /   Computer Security, Crime, Security Solutions   /   Leave a comment

Stephen Howes, CEO of GrIDsure, the innovative alternative to passwords and PINs, comments on the latest research from Richard Boyd at the Georgia Tech Research Institute highlighting the weaknesses of passwords:

“The report from the Georgia Tech Research Institute correctly confirms that passwords are past their sell-by-date. However, I find it bewildering that the Institute is recommending passwords should become longer and more complicated. This goes against every other trend that I have come across in my business and personal life towards making things more convenient and less complicated. Who is seriously going to remember the recommended 12 character strong password consisting of letters, numbers and symbols? It’s a recipe for frustration and you can guarantee that users will either forget these passwords or, more likely, just write them down.

Ultimately, no matter how long and complex you make a password, it can still easily be hacked or stolen by means such as shoulder-surfing or malware (key-logging, screen scraping and so on). I therefore believe that static passwords have no place in today’s connected world and consumers should be offered more effective alternatives that offer better security without making their lives more complex or inconvenient.

Any method for logging on to a computer, a web site or an online service (e.g. online banking) should be based on a one-time passcode (OTP) system. These systems are extremely user-friendly, they are cost-effective for companies to implement, they offer much greater levels of security than passwords and do not force users to remember long and cumbersome set of characters.”

Read more →
Back to Top

Network Box urges UK Government to Focus on Cybercrime as Britain Climbs the Virus Charts

On August 4, 2010   /   Computer Security, Crime, Security News, Virus and Spyware   /   Leave a comment

June saw the UK become the fourth largest producer of spam in the world, and it is now also the fourth largest producer of viruses, according to July threat statistics from managed security company, Network Box.

The number one virus producer remains the US, which has increased production by around one per cent (to 14.6 per cent). But India’s slight increase in production (from 9.2 to 9.5 per cent) was enough to move it to number two in the charts and see Korea drop to third place, with a decline in production of more than three per cent.

The UK has moved from sixth to fourth place in the virus charts – it now produces five per cent of the world’s viruses – the result of an increase of two per cent in virus production and Russia’s decrease of over three per cent.

The spam chart is still dominated by the US (11 per cent), India (eight per cent), Brazil (almost five per cent) and the UK (four per cent).

Simon Heron, Internet Security Analyst for Network Box, says: “Governments are in a difficult position at the moment. Clearly, cuts need to be made to balance the books, but there is also evidence that cybercrime will increase at times of economic strain. Cybercrime is a crime without borders and all governments must co-operate to successfully tackle the problem. The recent news that the UK’s Police Central E-Crime Unit will not receive the increased funding it expected next year, may be seen as further evidence that cybercrime is not being tackled with the urgency that it requires.”

For more information on security issues, visit Network Box, see Simon Heron’s blog; or follow him on Twitter.

Read more →
Back to Top

Cut Resistant Sleeves launched by PPSS – Experts in Innovative Knife Protection

On July 11, 2010   /   Crime, Security Solutions   /   Leave a comment

Cut resistant sleeves, offering BS EN 388:2003 blade cut resistance level 5 have now been launched by UK based experts in innovative knife protection PPSS.

CEO of PPSS Knife Protection Robert Kaiser states: “Our Cut-Tex™ PRO lined cut resistant　sleeves are offering BS EN 388:2003 blade cut resistance level 5 and are typically used by professionals working within mental health, special needs, challenging behaviour or severe learning disabilities.”

“However, we have recently also received a number of enquiries for cut resistant sleeves from the steel industry, glass manufacturing companies, private security firms and the construction industry.”

Cut-Tex™ PRO lined cut resistant sleeves provide exceptional protection from accidental cuts, slashes and very importantly from bites (important for mental health), whilst maintaining a high degree of dexterity to the wearer.

All cut resistant sleeves can be worn on either arm, and are machine washable up to 60° or can be dry cleaned.

“The best news is that we can design and manufacture bespoke cut resistant sleeves based on our customers needs and operational risks, for example ‘loose around your forearms or very tight’ or ‘without or with thumbhole’, to ensure that the sleeve will not slip, exposing the wrist or arm”.

“Many professionals face certain risks when dealing with potentially hostile members of the public, and based on statistics and our own research we are fully aware that cuts on open hands and forearms are most common injuries within police services and the private security sector. These wounds are classed as ‘defensive wounds’.”

All cut resistant sleeves can be manufactured using different outer materials and can be used in conjunction with Cut-Tex™ PRO lined cut resistant gloves. They are machine washable up to 60° and achieved excellent results in Dimensional Stability Test and Appearance Assessment.

“We are here to help. We want to listen to our potential customers and design and manufacture cut resistant products based on their needs and operational risks.”

Please call +44 (0) 845 5193 953, visit www.ppss-group.com or email PPSS Knife Protection on info@ppss-group.com for further information.

Read more →
Back to Top
Page 3 of 812345...Last »

Extra Security

FREE Security Updates

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Best Security Sites

Computers Business Directory - BTS Local TopOfBlogs