Network Security: Archive: January 2010

Clever Scareware Scam Spreads Across Facebook

PandaLabs security researchers this week notified users that a fake virus alert was inundating Facebook walls in an attempt to get users to download bogus antivirus software.

Network Security Not Priority for iPad

The new iPad offers apps and mobility useful to business, but it lacks important security measures, such as support for a VPN.

Europe to Begin Digital Privacy Overhaul

EU commissioner declares current electronic privacy laws are out of date, pledges sweeping overhaul. In the meantime, Canada’s taking another look at Facebook's privacy changes.

Privacy Bill Nears Introduction in House

Chair of House Internet subcommittee says work on draft discussion of privacy overhaul legislation is almost complete, touts plans for wireless overhaul.

Facebook, LinkedIn Resist New Privacy Regs

Leading social sites urge regulatory restraint over consumer data collection practices.

Cyber Attack Threat Keeps CEOs Up at Night

Forty percent of IT executives are bracing for a major security incident in their sector within the next year, and only 20 percent think they'll avoid a cyber attack in the next five years.

Obama Cyber Czar Digs in For Long Haul

After one month heading up Obama administration's top cybersecurity spot, Howard Schmidt sees plenty of opportunities-and plenty of work.

How to: Protect Mobile Cloud Data

With mobility comes ever greater responsibility to keep enterprise data safe.

Data Breach Costs Surge in 2009: Study

Ponemon Institute and PGP Corp. study finds average security breach incident costs companies more than $6.7 million in 2009.

Hard Drives Pilfered from BlueCross BlueShield

Between 220,000 and 500,000 members' Social Security numbers, birth dates, medical information, and addresses were stored on dozens of disks swiped from the insurer's Chattanooga, Tenn. call center.

Microsoft Warns About 17-Year-Old Windows Bug

Who's at risk from virtual DOS vulnerability?

ActiveTrak Targets the Enterprise

The theft recovery and data protection company with a near perfect record will soon add a new offering for enterprise customers.

Microsoft Ships Patch for Chinese Google Hack

But will a quick patch keep worried users from jumping ship?

DNSSEC Compromised Again?

Yet another flaw is found in technology aimed at fixing DNS's own flaws. Should we worry?

Verizon, McAfee Bolster Online Security

Companies boost online security by offering upgraded security suite for 9 million FiOS Internet and high-speed broadband customers.

Apple Intros 2010's First Mac OS Security Update

Mac users get Flash, audio, and printing updates for some very serious security issues.

Microsoft Cuts Data Retention Time on Bing

Microsoft is trying to move the needle in the online privacy debate by purging IP addresses after six months.

IDC: Asia-Pacific Primed for Security Software Growth

Market researchers expect "strong double-digit" growth in 2010 for most security applications as IT spending begins its modest recovery.

Drive, Patient Data Go Missing in California Theft

An external drive was swiped from a Kaiser Permanente employee's car in December, compromising more than 15,000 patients' personal data.

How to: Protect Yourself at Public Wi-Fi Hotspots

Some basic knowledge and some free tools can go a long way toward protecting your e-mails and other sensitive data when surfing on unsecured, public Wi-Fi networks.

Oracle Patches Two Dozen Flaws

First Oracle critical patch update of the year shows that databases are still very much at risk in 2010, though more so on Windows than on Linux.

Facebook Teams With McAfee to Secure Site

Two companies announce exclusive partnership, custom security tools to shore up social network.

Adobe Serves Up Critical Patch for Acrobat, Reader

Adobe finally released its cross-platform fixes for zero-day vulnerabilities in its popular Reader and Acrobat applications.

What to Do When Your Laptop is Stolen

Even the most cautious among us can fall victim to laptop theft. Learn the importance of password protection, encryption, and other strategies for protecting your data--and some tools that may even help you recover your system.

Patch Tuesday: One 'Critical' Fix and an Adobe Flash Warning

Microsoft shuts down one significant vulnerability in Windows 2000 SP4, while raising the flag on another old flaw -- this time, in Adobe Flash 6.

Demand for Networking and Security IT Pros Remains High

Last year, IT professionals with experience and skills in networking and security were in demand, and this should remain the case through 2010.

Facebook's Zuckerberg Redefines Privacy

Facebook CEO describes consumers' diminishing expectations for privacy in an always-on world.

Network Security Pros Unhappier In Recent Years

A new study shows a trend of decline in the willingness of IT pros to go the extra mile at work.

Oracle 11g Security and Secure Sockets Layer

Oracle Advanced Security and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) can be used to tighten security for both network traffic and for communication between user and database.

How to: Protect Your Website Using robots.txt, Part 1

Learn how to put up a "Keep Out" sign at your Website in this introduction to protecting your Website using robots.text from networking expert Aaron Weiss.

Hacker Tags Eastern Washington University

School officials say more than 130,000 student records dating as far back as 1987 were compromised by a hacker who accessed EWU's computer network.

Cyber Security: The Unhackable Cell Phone?

Gold Line says its Gold Lock 3G cell phone encryption system is unhackable--and they've offered a quarter of a million dollars in gold to anyone who can prove them wrong.

The 2010 Guide to IT Salaries

Unemployment in this sector remains low, but salaries are slumping.