Internet Security and Programming

Are you local? Really?
Analysis Conflicting claims by Best Western and Glasgow’s Sunday Herald over the scope of a recent security breach have been put under the microscope by security watchers. The paper claims that eight million records were potentially exposed, while the hotel insists only ten records were accessed.…

Read more…

Last week, I examined a series of Web services that make profiting from cyber crime a point-and-click exercise that even the most novice hackers can master. Today, I’d like to highlight the activities of Atrivo, a Concord, Calif., based network provider that hosts some of these services. Several noted security researchers are releasing a report today that stems from many months of investigating malicious activity emanating from Atrivo’s customers. Security experts say that Atrivo, also known as “Intercage,” has long been a major source of spyware, adware, viruses and fake anti-virus products. The report is an exhaustive and well-researched analysis of Atrivo and its operations. Some of the statistics on active exploits cited in that report come from data sets I commissioned during my own investigation of Atrivo and later shared with Jart Armin, the principal author of the report and curator of the blog hostexploit.com. Looking back several […]

Read more…

If 7Search wins, you lose
In a case that could tie the hands of companies trying to protect their customers from internet threats, a website owner with past ties to a notorious piece of spyware has filed a lawsuit claiming it is being unfairly maligned by warnings from McAfee that the site poses a risk to its customers.…

Read more…

We don’t need no stinkin’ ISO7816
The French National Railway Company is trialling contactless tickets with USB connections, replacing the ubiquitous ISO7816 for online top-ups and data storage.…

Read more…

Pentagon hacker’s final appeal
Accused Pentagon hacker Gary McKinnon is approaching his own D-Day, with his fate due to be sealed in the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.…

Read more…