Microsoft and FBI Take Down Botnet
In a coordinated action, Microsoft and the FBI disrupted Citadel, a multi-million dollar operation responsible for stealing approximately half a billion dollars from bank accounts worldwide.
Oracle Reworks Security Model for Upcoming Java Releases
Oracle-sponsored Java has had a rough patch this year as zero-day exploits kept pouring in and cyber-crooks rushed to monetize their bugs. But things are apparently looking less gloomy for the upcoming releases of Java, which will bring major changes in the way applets are treated within the browser, among others.
iPhones Can Be Hacked in 60 Seconds with Malicious Charger
iPhones can be hacked in one minute with a malicious charger, according to researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology. The security experts plan to present the proof-of-concept device at the Black Hat conference in July. The ‘Mactans’ charger may be used to install malware on a device running the latest version of Apple’s iOS.
Peer-to-Peer Botnets Grow Larger, Make Takedown Harder
Peer-to-peer botnets have witnessed a dramatic surge over the past three years, but it appears the number of infected computers in these zombie networks is exceeding all expectations.
Ruby on Rails Critical Bug Now Exploited in the Wild; Servers Affected
A known critical flaw in Ruby on Rails (CVE-2013-0156) is currently exploited in the wild, although it was patched months ago. The flaw, originally reported in January, is currently abused by cyber-criminals to take control of still-vulnerable servers.
Teenagers Dread Facebook Overshare, Pew Internet/American Life Project Finds
American teenagers prefer Facebook to other social media platforms despite being most frustrated by this particular online social medium, a new report by the Pew Internet & American Life Project finds.
Sky's Android Apps, Twitter Account Hit by Syrian Hackers
Several Android apps of British company Sky and its Twitter account were hacked by the Syrian Electronic Army. The hackers posted a tweet, allegedly from the broadcaster, advising people to uninstall the official apps.
Twitter Announces Two-Factor Authentication
Twitter has introduced two-factor authentication by including mobile phones in users’ verification processes after a series of high-profile account hacks.
Reporters Flagged as Hackers after Getting Customer Data via Google Search
When it comes to hacking, search engines turn out to be the tools that get your work half done, or so is the case with a team of reporters from Scripps News who stumbled on a huge pool of customer data via Google Search.
Chinese Google Hack Targeted Classified Information; Suspects under Surveillance
A major security incident targeting Google servers in 2009 seems to have been triggered by counter-intelligence, new information reveals.
Jailed Hacker Invents Anti-Skimming ATM Device
An imprisoned hacker designed an anti-skimming ATM device together with two other inventors, according to Reuters. Romanian 33-year-old Valentin Boanta developed the Secure Revolving System to change the way ATMs read bank cards and prevent hidden skimming devices from stealing clients’ personal information. The Romanian has been serving a five-year jail sentence for bank card fraud since 2009.
Bug in Linux Kernel can Elevate Users from Untrusted to Root in No Time
A flaw in the Linux kernel that can escalate users’ privileges to root has been discovered in the wild. The bug - a zero-day since January 2011 - affects Linux kernel versions 2.6.37 through 3.8.8 compiled with the CONFIG_PERF_EVENTS kernel configuration option.
Forum Flame Ends with ZPanel Website Takedown
An average flame on the ZPanel’s support forums has degenerated into a security incident that has rendered the company’s website inaccessible to customers as a precaution.
Hackers Steal $45 Million in Biggest Bank Robbery before Getting Arrested
US police dismantled a gang of hackers that stole $45 million in fraudulent ATM withdrawals across the globe after eight suspects got arrested by New York authorities a few days back.