Microsoft to Fix 23 Security Flaws with a New Patch
Microsoft plans to fix 23 security vulnerabilities by a patch to be released next week. With the new updates available, the company will have issued 70 patches so far this year, more than the 59 in the same period of last year.
Location-Based Apps Are Installed Without Regard for Security, Survey Reveals
Location based apps are used by 58% of smartphone users, despite written notifications on giving away personal information and using it for marketing purposes. License agreements are often disregarded by 43% of users and 25% have trouble understanding them.
Cloud Providers Need to Step Up Security, Report Shows
Cloud providers need to enhance data security measures, including educating their customers about best practices in the field, according to cloud-based solutions researcher CenterBeam.
Old Mac OS X Exploit Causes New Malware, Says Microsoft
Microsoft has revealed a new Mac OS X Office exploit that appears to be specifically targeting Snow Leopard and lower versions of the OS that haven’t been running the MS09-027 security update released in June 2009.
Google Fined $25,000, but “Not Guilty,” in Street View Data Collection Case
The US Federal Communications Commission has fined Google with a $25,000 (£15,300) fine for interfering with the company’s investigation in the Street View Wi-Fi data collection case.
Controversial Cyber-Security Bill Cispa Passed US House
The Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act, which would allow the US government to access private information on suspicion of a cyber threat, has passed the House of Representatives. Despite a veto threat from President Barack Obama and opposition from digital privacy groups, the bill got a 248-168 vote.
Microsoft Patched Rapidly Spreading Hotmail Exploit
Microsoft has fixed the Hotmail password reset vulnerability that was reported as exploited in the wild for days. The company was notified on April 20 of the flaw that was known to be spreading rapidly in the hacking community.
Conficker Still Affected 1.7 Million in Q4 2011
Conficker infected 1.7 workstations around the world in the last quarter of 2011, more than three years after the worm was first detected, according to Microsoft’s Q4 Security Intelligence Report volume 12. The rate of infection has increased despite widespread availability of tools to fight it.
Cybercrime Earned Russian-Speaking Hackers $4.5 Billion in 2011
Cybercrime has earned Russian-speaking hackers $4.5 billion in 2011, or 36 percent of the estimated global earnings of $12.5 billion that hackers claimed in 2011.
Cyber-Attack on Iran Targets National Oil Company
Iran’s national oil company has been the target of a malware attack that affected systems on the Kharg Island along with some of its other oil platforms.
Anti-Abortion Hacker Jailed, but Attacks on UK Pregnancy Advisory Service Continue
The British Pregnancy Advisory Service, which provides about 53,000 abortions in the UK each year, was attacked around 2.500 times since the hacker who stole women’s abortion records was arrested, the BBC reports.
Russian Charged With Stealing $1 Million after Hacking Into US Brokerage Accounts
A Russian national living in New York has been charged in the US with stealing $1 million by hacking into online brokerage accounts. Petr Murmylyuk, 31, could face up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, according to the US Justice Dept.
Mobile Security Mistakes Point to Android Developer Negligence
Developer negligence causes security flaws in smartphone applications, and they won’t likely be addressed until users start to point the finger at mobile app developers, said Jacob West, director of software security research for HP.
Law Firms Eye Windfall in Suits Over Health Data Breaches
Recent attacks on secure health data and the exposure of 31,800 medical records over the Internet has law firms eyeing the prospect of a windfall from lawsuits.