Author Archive
Security awareness, security breaches, and the abuse of “stupid”
By Stephen Cobb at 20 February, 2012, 1:42 pm
Computer security is not created, nor is it improved, by calling people stupid. That's the conclusion I have arrived at after more than two decades in computer security and auditing. To put it another way, we should stop dropping the "S" bomb, especially when it comes to people who don't know any better.
Consider the phenomenon … Read More…
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Loading ...Cookie-stuffing click-jackers rip off Victoria’s Secret Valentine’s giftcard seekers
By Stephen Cobb at 13 February, 2012, 10:04 am
Thinking of going online to get a Victoria's Secret giftcard for your Valentine? Be careful where you look! Some Google search results are rigged, especially image results. And some innocent-looking links are part of fraudulent activities such as cookie-stuffing and click-jacking. Below is a short video that shows what happens when you click on one … Read More…
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Endpoint Security Webinar: Protecting your network at the sharp end
By Stephen Cobb at 8 February, 2012, 5:20 pm
I have a theory that says improving information system security–the security of our operating systems, network connections, and applications–just means the bad guys will focus more attention on our endpoints, the digital devices we use to access the information and systems we need to do our work.
Furthermore, as we improve endpoint security technology, the people … Read More…
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Valentine’s Day Scams: For the love of money
By Stephen Cobb at 7 February, 2012, 2:24 pm
Scam artists and cybercriminals are looking to turn romance into profit now that Valentine's Day approaches, possibly taking over your computer in the process. According to ESET researchers in Latin America, we can expect the quest for love to be leveraged as an effective social engineering ploy to enable the bad guys to infect unsuspecting … Read More…
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...How to improve Facebook account protection with Login Approvals
By Stephen Cobb at 1 February, 2012, 8:30 am
Privacy and security issues have generated a lot of criticism of Facebook in the past, some of which has been published here on the ESET Threat Blog. So it is only fair that we give Facebook credit for positive steps it has taken on the security front. One security measure that has impressed me recently … Read More…
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Tricky Twitter DM hack seeks your credentials, malware infection, and more
By Stephen Cobb at 24 January, 2012, 1:33 pm
When a direct message pops up on Twitter stating that other people are saying bad things about you, please think twice before clicking on any links in that message. Why? Because the links are likely to take you to malicious websites that are out to steal your Twitter password. They may also try to infect … Read More…
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Mining Social Data Led to Johansson and Aguilera Hacks
By Stephen Cobb at 12 October, 2011, 7:13 pm
News that the FBI has arrested the Florida man they suspect of criminally hacking into devices belonging to celebrities such as Scarlett Johansson and Christina Aguilera is welcome, definitely a win for law enforcement and society at large. But the good news comes with a warning. The technique used by the alleged perpetrator was to … Read More.
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...National Cybersecurity Awareness Month: Do Your Bit!
By Stephen Cobb at 10 October, 2011, 7:25 am
October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month in America, which you probably know by now, what with President Obama's announcement and a whole host of related coverage from the Department of Homeland Security and other interested parties. Of course, one of the main messages of Cybersecurity Awareness Month is that we are all interested parties. When … Read More.
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Military Health Records Deserve Better Than This
By Stephen Cobb at 5 October, 2011, 9:32 am
Most people would agree that personal information, particularly health information, especially that pertaining to the brave men and women who serve in our armed forces, should be treated with care and protected from prying eyes at all times. But what should happen if this information is compromised? Surely we should do whatever we can to make sure no harm … Read More.
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Will FTC Scrutiny Prompt Facebook to Pull an Onstar?
By Stephen Cobb at 3 October, 2011, 10:58 am
Facebook's latest round of changes has prompted privacy concerns in many circles, including Capitol Hill. As reported by Byron Acohido in USA TODAY, numerous consumer groups have joined with several members of congress to call on the Federal Trade Commission–the FTC–to investigate "new sharing mechanisms designed to accelerate the collection and dispersal of information about … Read More.
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