Helpful Computer News to keep your computer up and running. Provided by Beacon Technology Solutions LLC. Serving Metro Detroit.

Security

ID Theft and Police Scanners

Posted by David Maynor, Dec 30, 2008 03:58 PM

When asked why he robbed banks, the flamboyant criminal Willie Sutton answered, “Because that’s where the money is.” That’s the perfect example of how the principle of Occam’s razor applies to crime: the simplest solution to a problem is often the best one. With the economic downturn, high unemployment rates, and the booming business of identity fraud, would-be criminals are on the lookout for easy methods to get access to personal information. And we stumbled across one such way during a recent penetration test involving eavesdropping on police traffic stops.
http://www.darkreading.com/blog/archives/2008/12/when_asked_why.html?cid=RSSfeed_DR_ALL?cid=nl_DR_DAILY_T

How to get a security hole fixed (two versions)

By Angela Gunn, BetaNews
December 17, 2008, 6:10 PM
A common but dangerous vulnerability spotted weeks ago on American Express’s site was plugged this week after the hole gained blog and then press attention. But there may have been a faster, better way.
www.betanews.com/article/How_to_get_a_security_hole_fixed_two_versions/1229555420

Most companies are far too optimistic regarding security

By Angela Gunn, BetaNews
December 8, 2008, 10:42 AM

According to a study released this morning, troubled times and sloppy security may prove a mighty temptation for hackers or even disgruntled employees — and companies’ overly high opinions of their own security don’t help.
http://www.betanews.com/article/Most_companies_are_far_too_optimistic_regarding_security/1228736506

Fifteen minutes to crack WPA protocol, says researcher

By Tim Conneally, BetaNews
November 6, 2008, 12:26 PM
Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) is considered a superior encryption protocol to the aged and inherently flawed WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy), but it is not without its vulnerability, as one researcher is preparing to demonstrate.
http://www.betanews.com/article/Fifteen_minutes_to_crack_WPA_protocol_says_researcher/1225992365

Cloud computing puts your health data at risk

By Stuart J. Johnston
The advent of “in the cloud” medical records services, such as Microsoft HealthVault and Google Health, promises an explosion in the storage of personal health-care information online.

But these services pose sticky privacy questions — unless you know how to protect your personal medical records.

http://windowssecrets.com/2008/09/18/03-Cloud-computing-puts-your-health-data-at-risk

Anatomy of a malware scam

I came across this article and that it is a great read. This explains how the fake anti-virus and malware warnings do, and how they try and fool people.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/08/22/anatomy_of_a_hack/

Recognize phishing scams and fraudulent e-mails

Phishing is a type of deception designed to steal your valuable personal data, such as credit card numbers, passwords, account data, or other information.

Con artists might send millions of fraudulent e-mail messages that appear to come from Web sites you trust, like your bank or credit card company, and request that you provide personal information.
http://www.microsoft.com/protect/yourself/phishing/identify.mspx

At the bottom, they make a suggestion for Windows Live! OneCare. The software is ok. If you do not have security software, please consult BTS, for the best possible solution for your comptuer(S)!

Now is a good time to make sure your computer(s) is up to date.

There are alot of security vulnerabilities lately.

 

Please get all Windows Critical and Important updates from http://update.microsoft.com

and

Run the free online scanner at http://secunia.com/software_inspector/ to ensure other important software is update and where to get the updates. Media Players, Flash, Java and others have their own vulnerabilities that can put bad things in your system. I suggest following these steps once or twice a month.

Breaking into a power station in three easy steps

This is another fine reason to teach employee’s about safe Internet surfing, keeping your Operating System, Web Browser and Media Players updated with the latest security patchs.
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9914896-7.html?tag=nl.e501

ITPro: Companies that outsource are most vulnerable to hacking

Companies that outsource are most vulnerable to hacking
Posted by Benny Har-Even at 2:02PM, Monday 7th April 2008

Organizations that admit to being frequently hacked outsource large chunks of their code, a report claims.

A report from leading analyst firm Quocirca has revealed that 90 per cent of companies that fall victim to computer hacking outsource more that 40 per cent of their code.
ITPro: Security: News: Companies that outsource are most vulnerable to hacking