Malware Archive

  • Be alert! Mac malware targets unsuspecting users of adult Web sites

    Be alert! Mac malware targets unsuspecting users of adult Web sites

    Posted on June 23, 2010 | No Comments
    If I've said it once I've said it 1,000 times: the best way to stay safe online is to keep your wits about you and not to venture off into the darker corners of the Internet, if you know what I mean. I bring this up because there's a nasty bit of kit out there that means to attack unsuspecting Mac users. It sorta makes sense from the malware creator's perspective: Mac users tend to operate under the assumption that they're immune from malware because A) their numbers are too few to be a juicy target B) their system is inherently more secure. You can debate point B all day long, but as Apple sells more and more Macs you can bet that miscreants will be targeting the platform with increasing frequency.

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  • That’s what you get when you click random links: Facebook scam promises nude photos of Paramore’s Hayley Williams

    That’s what you get when you click random links: Facebook scam promises nude photos of Paramore’s Hayley Williams

    Posted on June 3, 2010 | No Comments
    Matt invited us to a Facebook party last week, something along the lines of "CLICK HERE FOR A FREE IPAD~!" Now, I knew this was malware-related because I know Matt knows I wouldn't want an iPad—free or otherwise. Clearly something smelled fishy here. The point is, even so-called techies can be the victim of malware. There's a new scam going around Facebook right now that, while not malicious right now, could well mutate into something not very nice with the flick of a switch.

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  • Where were you when the ILOVEYOU virus was all the rage?

    Where were you when the ILOVEYOU virus was all the rage?

    Posted on May 4, 2010 | No Comments
    It was 10 years ago that FC Bayern Munich beat Valencia CF for the UEFA Champions League. (Incidentally, FC Bayern Munich may win again this year when it plays FC Internationale on May 22, but my money's on Inter; the bookies agree) Also 10 years ago: the Lovebug virus wreaked havoc on the Internet. Where were you during this trying time?

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  • Google warns about phony anti-virus software that infects you with malware

    Google warns about phony anti-virus software that infects you with malware

    Posted on April 28, 2010 | No Comments
    Google has warned THE INTERNET to be on the lookout for phony anti-virus software. The deal is that malicious software makers have started "hiding" malware inside software that purports to be anti-virus software. But it's not anti-virus software!

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  • Malware targeting iPad users

    Malware targeting iPad users

    Posted on April 27, 2010 | No Comments
    Uh oh, sounds like the tablet that Steve brought down from the mountain might be susceptible to attack. A recent campaign by malware spammers has been targeting users of the much hyped iPad, inviting users to download an updated and improved version of iTunes. The update promises to provide more compatibility and better performance, and is completely fake.

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  • Symantec: 51 percent of all malware ever was detected in 2009

    Symantec: 51 percent of all malware ever was detected in 2009

    Posted on April 20, 2010 | No Comments
    It is an absolute miracle that I have never had a virus, trojan, or other form of computer bug on this PC. I mean, if we're to believe Symantec, then fully 51 percent of the viruses, trojans, and every other form of computer malware ever was spotted in 2009. That means that from 2008 going back to when Symantec first started keeping track of such things, all of those years only make up 49 percent of the viruses and so forth, while 2009 on its own accounts for 51 percent. That's pure madness.

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  • First iPhone worm rickrolls jailbroken phones

    First iPhone worm rickrolls jailbroken phones

    Posted on November 8, 2009 | No Comments

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    We sort of knew this would happen as soon as we heard about that iPhone wallpaper hack in the Netherlands -- a hacker named ikex has created what's apparently the first iPhone worm, and it's currently infecting jailbroken iPhones across Australia. The "ikee" worm, as it's being called, takes advantage of the fact that jailbroken iPhones with SSH installed all have the same default root password of "alpine," and once in the system it changes your wallpaper to an image of Rick Astley and then tries to install itself on other jailbroken iPhones on the network. Sophos says it hasn't confirmed any infections outside of Oz, and to be clear, this worm can't get to stock iPhones or jailbreak owners who haven't installed SSH -- but if you're running a hacked phone we'd say you should change that root password just to be safe right away. Get to it, kids.

    [Via PMP Today; thanks to everyone who sent this in]

    First iPhone worm rickrolls jailbroken phones originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Microsoft’s new security policy: lawsuits

    Microsoft’s new security policy: lawsuits

    Posted on September 18, 2009 | No Comments
    The word for the day is "malvertising". It's a linguistic mashup that means "malicious advertising". Not deceptive, or antagonistic, but actually harmful. You know, the kind of online advertising that delivers a virus payload that jacks up your sister-in-law's computer and then she calls you and you have to try to troubleshoot it over the phone and she doesn't listen and just keeps clicking that damned mouse -- you can totally hear her clicking clicking clicking -- while you're trying to be methodical and solve the damned problem. You know, that kind of advertising. Well Microsoft has had enough, and they're finally going to do something about it! They're filing lawsuits against malvertisers! Thank the maker!

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