Online & Offline Security News, Reviews & Product Information For Industry Experts...

Angry Birds Know Where You Live

AdaptiveMobile, the world leader in mobile security today reveals that 75% of the public may be giving away their physical location when downloading smartphone applications. According to AdaptiveMobile’s third Global Security Insights in Mobile report, polling 1024 consumers, 69% of smartphone users are adamant that such privacy breaches are totally unacceptable, yet three quarters fail to read the terms and conditions, which include access to data such as their physical location.

“Consumers are outraged that their data may not be secure but are unwilling to protect themselves,” says AdaptiveMobile VP of Handset Security, Ciaran Bradley. “It’s like getting angry at the prospect of being burgled, but announcing publically when their house is unoccupied. We are downloading more apps than ever before, but people are unaware that their location and other information can be harvested by applications. This is comparable to half of the population being unaware that they need to lock their front door. Whilst mobile operators do have a role to play to protect users, both need to step up and take responsibility.”

Read more

One in nine Internet users surfing without protection

The number of new malware strains is continuing to rise; G Data Security Labs counted over 1.2 million new computer malware strains in the first half of the year alone. Despite this, one in nine Internet users globally do not use a comprehensive security solution, according to the results of the international G Data Security Survey 2011.

With total UK broadband take-up now at 74% (source: Ofcom, The Communications Market 2011, Q1), this means that a significant proportion of the population is surfing the Internet unprotected. Although nearly half of UK Internet users have a paid for solution installed, 47% rely on free security software, which is not in all ways as effective as paid for solutions. Globally, four out of ten users consider free virus protection solutions as equal to paid security packages in terms of performance and the level of security technology. These results are worrying, because such Internet users are easy targets for cyber criminals. For more information about user behaviour and knowledge about online threats, see the G Data Security Survey 2011.

Read more

At least 34% of Android malware is stealing your data

The second half of 2011 has been an active one for cyber criminals, who have been increasingly looking for chances to set up new scams in the mobile device environment. According to recent Kaspersky Lab internal data, the Android platform has finally established itself as the most popular for malicious mobile programs, overtaking other platforms as well as ‘generic’ Java malware.

In September 2011 alone, the number of newly discovered malware for Android-based devices increased by more than 30 per cent. Running parallel to this is another clearly visible trend in mobile malware: more and more, often malicious mobile apps, are targeting users’ personal data. And in October 2011 the share of particularly Android malicious apps trying to steal personal data went up to 34 per cent. This trend is of course alarming, especially if we take into account that such malicious mobile programs sometimes show up on Android Market.

Read more

Britain announces U-turn on arming merchant vessels

Prime Minister David Cameron has announced that merchant vessels flying the red ensign will be allowed to carry armed guards for protection against acts of piracy.

Previous governments have been opposed to arming the merchant marine, but with no sign of a respite in acts of piracy on the high seas and naval assets spread thin, the decision has been welcomed as a common sense measure that could save ship owners and the insurance market many millions of pounds.

Read more

Duqu: The Step-Brother of Stuxnet?

The spread across the Internet of several versions of the malicious program Duqu has become a main news item in the IT Security industry. In no small part, this is due to some similarities between this new worm and last year’s infamous Stuxnet worm. What is alarming in this case however is that the ultimate objective of Duqu remains unknown. Anti-malware experts at Kaspersky Lab have carried out their analysis of the new malware, the main findings of which are as follows.

Read more
Page 5 of 72« First...34567...102030...Last »

FREE Security Updates

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Best Security Sites

Computers Business Directory - BTS Local TopOfBlogs