Spyware Techie

Listen to one of the latest Podcasts from security firm Sophos on Facebook and Twitter Cybercrime.

Sophos, an IT security and control firm, announced the publishing of a new podcast that discusses a new social networking epidemic where cybercriminals are abundantly using social sites such as Facebook and Twitter to spread malware.

Malware infections and cybercrime is a rising concern among thousands of computer users worldwide and even recently it has become a popular topic among Mac users as well. Social networks continue to be a big hit among many internet users where it allows people to connect and share life together over the waves of the internet. With any new and popular phenomenon comes the risks of criminals using it as a vehicle to commit crime. That is exactly what is happening among Facebook, Twitter and other popular social communities online…

Users of Monster.com and USAJobs.gov were advised to change their passwords due to a serious hacking attack which has compromised many user’s usernames and passwords.

From my line of work it is not surprising to see a site like Monster.com or USAJobs.gov to be a target for being attacked by hackers. With our current economic conditions in the USA and the lost of millions of jobs in the past few months it is no wonder hackers are going after such sites. You have millions of additional or new people that may be utilizing career sites such as Monster.com and USAJobs.gov to seek employment. What better way for hackers to obtain usernames and passwords from multiple computer users?

Why hack a career site?

Do you know what TZ SystemCleanser is?

DESCRIPTION

TZ SystemCleanser is a rogue anti-spyware program which was found to be a clone of Track Zapper which is another fake spyware removal application running lose over the internet. Just like Track Zapper, TZ SystemCleanser displays many fake security alerts or popups that attempt to scare you into purchasing TZSystem Cleanser through false warnings of viruses or other parasites found on your computer.

TZ SystemCleanser is an absolute waste of time and money if you ever spend the $50 to $80 that is asks for. TZ SystemCleanser in the full version does no more than the initial download of the trail version of the TZ SystemCleanser application. TZ System Cleanser cannot and will not legitimately detect or remove spyware, adware or any other type of malware. TZ SystemCleanser may come from the trackzapper.com/cleanser website which is the same domain that Track Zapper can be downloaded from. It is highly advisable to avoid visiting the domain trackzapper.com.

Do you know what SysAntivirus 2009 is?

DESCRIPTION

SysAntivirus 2009 is one heck of a fake anti-spyware program. SysAntivirus 2009 uses different scare methods in attempting to get computer users to purchase a full registered version of the SysAntivirus 2009 program. A repetitive onslaught of popups and alert windows appear on your screen warning you of an imaginary risk or discovered malware on your system. These annoying messages are all fake and can be annoying to the point of wanting to throw your computer in the trash.

SysAntivirus 2009 may cause other issues on your computer where your internet connection starts to slow to a crawl or your browser becomes hijacked where it is not controllable by you in some situations. SysAntivirus 2009 may be installed automatically through a Trojan or a direct download from a malicious site or even the www.sysantivirus2009.com site which promotes the SysAntivirus 2009 program.

Do you know what Track Zapper is?

DESCRIPTION

Track Zapper is another program that you do not want to ever install on your computer. Track Zapper is none other than a fake anti-spyware program that is programmed to get you to purchase a full version of the Track Zapper program. Track Zapper does this through popups and alert messages that look like they are coming from a Windows security application. Anything related to Track Zapper should not be trusted.

Another version of the OSX.Trojan.iService is now showing up in Pirated Photoshop CS4 software.

Recently a Trojan, OSX.Trojan.iService.A, was affecting pirated versions of iWork 09 software for Mac which was alarming the Apple Mac community. Now it seems a pirated version of Photoshop CS4 contains a similar Trojan infection called OSX.Trojan.iService.B.

Lately the Pirated iWork 09 and Photoshop CS4, which is distributed by BitTorrent trackers and possibly other torrent sites, contain a version of the OSX.Trojan.iService Trojan infection. At one time it was thought that Mac OS X systems were not near as susceptible to malware as Windows based PCs. If we didn’t know any better we would think just that after this week and last week’s outbreak of this particular Trojan on the Mac.

Do you know what XP Police Antivirus is?

DESCRIPTION

XP Police Antivirus may appear to be a spyware removal program but after installing and running XP Police Antivirus you may quickly find out that it is a bogus program. XP Police Antivirus is none other than a rogue anti-spyware program that performs fake system scans and displays popups alerting you of spyware infections that are not present on your computer.

XP Police Antivirus is not a solution to your security needs despite what the program or any website that promotes XP Police Antivirus may tell you. When you see the word “Police” you may think of something that is their to help you in time of need. Not so with the XP Police Antivirus program. It is just the opposite of the “Police”, it is more like a thief because if you ever purchase the XP Police Antivirus program then you will soon find out that you have just wasted your money.

Malware Found in Pirated Apple iWork 09 Software for Mac OS

A serious Mac OS X malware threat was discovered in a pirated copies of Apple Computer’s iWork 09 software. The malicious infection was found to be a Trojan called OSX.Trojan.iServices.A. This infection seems to be sourced from BitTorrent trackers and other sites that may offer a pirated version of the iWork 09 suite of software for Mac.

For some time security researchers debated back and forth as to whether the Max OS was as vulnerable as comparable Windows PC’s. We are starting to see the debate come to a head as more and more Mac OS infections are plaguing the computer world. The OSX.Trojan.iServices.A seems to affect several versions of the Mac OS X 10.5.X operating system.

Do you know what IE Security is?

DESCRIPTION

IE Security, as trustworthy as it may sounds, is nothing but another rogue anti-spyware program circulating over the internet. IE Security claims to be a spyware removal program that is able to detect and remove different types of malware from your computer. If you believe this then you are being misled. IE Security does not detect or remove malware or even viruses for that matter.

IE Security is a scam developed by hackers who seek out to extort money from you. IE Security tries to sell itself by locating fake parasites and then claiming that you must purchase a full version of IE Security in order to remove them. Do not fall for this trick. We believe IE Security may also be promoted on the ie-security.com website which is a site that you should stay away from.

Do you know what Adware Eradicator is?

DESCRIPTION

Adware Eradicator is a program that promises to “Eradicate” spyware, adware or other malware parasites from your computer. Adware Eradicator does not do this. Adware Eradicator is a fake anti-spyware program that violates everything that it is supposed to stand for.

Adware Eradicator is a bogus program for removal of malware and should never be trusted to do so. Adware Eradicator may come from a the adwareeradicator.com web page or Trojan infections found over the internet from malicious sources.