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News

• Malicious PDF file doesn't need a software vulnerability

  A security researcher has found a way to run arbitrary code on Windows computers by embedding it in a malicious PDF file.

• Security companies warn of uptick in new IE attack

  Criminals are stepping up their attacks leveraging an unpatched flaw in Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser, using it to install fake antivirus products and malicious back doors on victim's computers.

• Facebook users targeted in massive spam run

  Facebook's 400 million users have been targeted by a spam run that could infect their computers with malicious software designed to steals passwords and other data, according to security researchers at McAfee.

• After weeklong fight, rogue ISP Troyak struggles for life

  After an international take-down effort, a rogue ISP responsible for controlling large numbers of computers infected with data-stealing code is down for the moment, but it may be reconnecting with the Internet, according to security researchers.

• Trusteer rolls out malware forensic tool for banks

  Security vendor Trusteer's latest product will allow banks to remotely investigate their customers' computers if it is suspected the PC has been hacked.

• Blue screen reboots after patch could mean malware

  Redmond announced today it has found the cause of reported rebooting problems after some Windows users installed a recent patch: The systems were infected with malware.

• Timeline: A Decade of Malware

  With first decade of the millennium coming to a close this year, it seems a good time to take a look back at some of the malware that has helped shape the current-day attacks on the Web.

• Gumblar malware's home domain is active again

  ScanSafe researchers are seeing renewed activity regarding Gumblar, a multifunctional piece of malware that spreads by attacking PCs visiting hacked Web pages.

• Software shields online banking on infected PCs

  A U.K. security company is giving to banks, for free, security software that it says can block malicious software from manipulating online banking transactions or stealing data, even if the computer is infected.

• Microsoft links malware rates to pirated Windows

  Microsoft today said computers in countries with high rates of software piracy are more likely to be infected by malicious code because users are leery of applying security patches.

• Researchers see Gumblar attacks surge again

  Security researchers are seeing a resurgence of Gumblar, the name for a piece of malicious code that is spread by compromising legitimate but insecure Web sites.

• Malware flea market pays hackers to hijack PCs

  Among a slew of online cybercrime forums, Pay-Per-Install.org stands out as a malware flea market where shadowy pushers of Trojan downloaders and tools for evading detection are bargaining with thousands of would-be "affiliates" willing to compromise victims'computers globally and get paid for it.

• Russian cybergangs make the Web a dangerous place

  Russian cybergangs have established a robust system for promoting Web sites that sell fake antivirus software, pharmaceuticals and counterfeit luxury products, according to a new report from security vendor Sophos.

• Anti-virus tests find that reputation really does count

  New reputation-based antivirus systems are doing a better job of blocking malicious software than did their predecessors.

• Trojan hides its brain in Google Groups

  Virus writers keep getting sneakier. In an effort to evade detection, they've begun hiding their command and control instructions in legitimate Web 2.0 sites such as Google Groups and Twitter.