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Virus Production from Russia Increases Again

On July 5, 2010   /   Crime, IT security, Virus and Spyware   /   Leave a comment

Virus production from Russia is on the up again, after a temporary decline last month when Russian hosting service, PROXIEZ-NET – notoriously used by criminal gangs – was taken down in early May. This is according to analysis of internet threats in June, by managed security company, Network Box.

Russia is now responsible for 7.4 per cent of the world’s malware, and is back to being in the top four virus-producing countries, behind the US (13 per cent), Korea (10.1 per cent) and India (9.2 per cent).

This follows a similar pattern to malware production after the McColo shutdown in the US, in November 2008, when the US’s threat production decreased dramatically temporarily, but was back up to normal levels within a month.

Levels of viruses and spam from the UK remain high. The UK has the dubious honour of being the world’s fourth-largest producer of spam, with 4.1 per cent of spam originating from home shores, the same as last month. This is behind the US (11.1 per cent), India (8.0 per cent) and Brazil (4.2 per cent).

Virus levels from the UK are slightly down from last month (2.9 per cent, down from 5.9 per cent), but this figure results from an increase in production from other countries, notably India (up to 9.2 per cent of viruses from 5.5 per cent last month) and Russia. The US is back at the top spot, overtaking Korea, and is now responsible for 13.6 per cent of the world’s malware (up from 11.6 per cent last month).

Simon Heron, Internet Security Analyst for Network Box, says: “We predicted that Russian malware and spam production would be back up to normal levels this month, and this has proved to be the case. Any efforts to shut down criminal hosting services is to be applauded, it makes life a little harder for those who would prey on others but sadly in the current political climate it doesn’t normally have a long term effect, as the criminals simply go elsewhere.”

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

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Diplomatic Wrangles Stifle Attempts to Tackle Cybercrime

On June 29, 2010   /   Crime, Security News   /   Leave a comment

Political leaders continue to hold conferences and sign treaties as the need to tackle cybercrime at an international level rapidly increases, but ultimately these attempts at agreement fail due to national interests and diplomatic concerns, according to Simon Heron, internet security analyst at managed security company Network Box.

In The state of international co-operation on cybercrime, Heron highlights the need for cybercrime to be tackled at an international level. Political attempts at a response to the problem have so far been flawed due to reasons ranging from domestic populations concerns over privacy and justice, to a fear of incompatibility with national cyber security initiatives that are already underway. No nation wants to give up more power to international bodies, and yet no one nation can fight cybercrime in isolation.

The paper goes on to discuss how the nature of cybercrime has changed over the years from a lone hacker working on their own, to international cyber gang networks who use servers in multiple countries to avoid detection, and sometimes even hide behind the apathy of their own Governments – who are willing to look the other way as long as their own citizens are not the victims.

A possible solution may come from the private sector, either working with political organisations or placing pressure on them to find a resolution, as it’s their customers who are being placed at risk and their websites under attack.

Simon Heron says: “It’s clear that it will take some time to agree and implement an international strategy to combat cybercrime. Whether this will end up being a private or public sector initiative is still uncertain, but Governments must not halt their own initiatives in the interim. The new British Government must make fighting cybercrime a key policy of its administration. The UK is now responsible for almost six per cent of the world’s viruses and receives more than its fair share of malware. We clearly need to be part of the solution rather than the problem.”

“In the short term, the IT industry will continue to provide technological solutions to combat the problem, but in the end it’s just a temporary measure. One way that Governments can make a difference is by educating people about cybercrime and cutting off the incentive to distribute spam.”

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

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Guidance Software Acquires Assets of Forensic Hardware Leader Tableau LLC

On May 20, 2010   /   Crime, IT security, Security News   /   Leave a comment

Guidance Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: GUID) has announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire substantially all of the assets of Tableau, LLC, a privately held developer and manufacturer of computer forensic hardware. This acquisition extends Guidance Software’s existing leadership in computer forensics technology by combining software with hardware for a complete forensic framework for the law enforcement, legal and corporate communities.

The purchase price for this transaction was $12.3 million in cash. The assets of Tableau include cash of $1.6 million. Guidance Software expects this transaction to increase previous revenue guidance by $3 million and be $0.03 accretive to its non-GAAP earnings per share in 2010. The acquisition closed May 7, 2010.

Guidance Software customers now have access to a family of data-acquisition products – tools to gather evidence and other data – including multiple “write blocker” products, forensic duplicators and other hardware. Write-blockers protect data while it is being collected during the computer forensic process, eliminating any risk of changing the data – especially useful in criminal cases and other legal investigations. Tableau has sold more than 100,000 write-blockers since the company’s inception. Forensic duplicators provide an efficient and forensically sound way to copy data being used in a computer forensics investigation.

“Tableau is, by far, the leader in forensic hardware, and their products complement our industry-leading EnCase® Forensic software,” said Victor Limongelli, president and chief executive officer, Guidance Software. “The acquisition serves our key strategic aim to strengthen our leadership position in the computer forensics market. Customers should benefit from a broadened product line addressing the complete forensic process, with improved interoperability and best-in-class performance.”

Guidance Software also has created a forensic business unit, headed by former President of Tableau Robert Botchek. The business unit is dedicated to continuing Guidance Software’s leadership in computer forensics by developing and delivering software and hardware products trusted by forensic, law enforcement, defense, and intelligence organizations worldwide.

“Forensic users want a vendor focused on their needs, and that’s exactly what we will give them with the new forensic business unit,” said Botchek, now senior vice president of Forensic Solutions at Guidance Software. “Our mission is simple: listen to users and apply our combined talents in software and hardware to tailor EnCase products for their needs.”

In addition to the forensic business unit’s focus on the needs of law enforcement and other computer forensics customers, Guidance Software will continue to invest in its EnCase® eDiscovery and EnCase® Cybersecurity products, as well as its EnCase® Enterprise platform, which is trusted by more than 800 customers. These product lines continue to be a major focus, and represent an important growth opportunity.

For more information visit Guidance Software

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Avoid the Copyright Infringement Lawsuit Email Scam

On April 11, 2010   /   Crime, Featured, Money and Business, Security News, Virus and Spyware   /   Leave a comment

An email is going around claiming to be from a law firm stating that you have been sued by someone because of a copyright issue. Opening this email and following the prompts may contain malicious links that will install a malicious code onto a computer. To help relieve this risk it is recommended that you take action to prevent this type of malware from getting into your computer.

You should never open up any email where you do not know the sender. Unsolicited email is a growing problem and you should always avoid a link in any email that you are not familiar with. Your anti virus program needs to be updated regularly and if it is outdated, it may need to be upgraded or replaced to keep you safe. You also need to watch closely the websites that you visit and make sure it is a site that you trust.

US-CERT is aware that the tax season phishing scams are a real threat and are circulating at this time. This puts a great number of people at direct risk for this type of malware. There are measures that you can take to prevent your information from getting into the wrong hands.

If you receive an email from a law firm about copyright infringement, or a phony IRS email, you will know to avoid it. You have to be proactive with the emails that you open and also the websites that you are visiting. If you make sure that your computer is fully protected and you have the knowledge, it can help arm you from a cyber attack.

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Computer Hacker Sentenced in The United States

On April 6, 2010   /   Crime, Featured, Security News   /   Leave a comment

The United States has now sentenced 28 year old, Albert Gonzalez to two 20 years sentences and the judge added on 24 years that he will serve concurrently. At his trial last year, Gonzalez pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud. The judge inflicted extra years onto Gonzalez’s sentence due to the fact that the defendant was currently working as an informant for the US Secret Service making a considerable salary each year reported at $75,000 per year.

Gonzalez struck a plea agreement and agreed to return money estimated at 1 million dollars that he reportedly buried in his parents backyard. He is also is giving up a residence, automobile, jewelry and other valuable items. Suspicion arose around Gonzalez and in late August he was officially caught. The defendant had Russian co-conspirators, and the men are accused of hacking into retailer’s payment systems in over 250 companies in the United States.

Gonzalez and his coconspirators found weaknesses in the computer systems of large retailers and then used this to steal the identities of customers. Software weakness is a problem for many retailers and this is something that the trio took full advantage of. When Gonzalez was asked why he committed such crimes he said “curiosity and addiction”, were motivating factors.

This is one of the longest sentences handed down in US history and sends quite a message for future, potential hackers. This sentence clearly sends the message that the United States will be prosecuting this type of crime to the fullest.

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