Brian Prince

Researchers from the University of Calgary, in Alberta, Canada, have developed proof-of-concept implementations of a scheme that exploits unencrypted wireless connections to blast PCs with ads. In a paper March 9, the researchers described how the adware-dubbed Typhoid-convinces laptops to communicate with it as opposed to a legitimate access point. Next, the adware inserts its […]

In the past few years, malicious advertisements have emerged as a growing attack vector. Just how prevalent these attacks have become is underscored by new research from Dasient that provides a look into how such operations work. According to Dasient, some 1.3 million malicious advertisements are viewed on the Web everyday, with each having an […]

Dealing with the Death of Privacy in the Facebook Age by Brian Prince Step 1: Acceptance By signing up for a social networking site, be it Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace or Twitter, you are agreeing to share a certain amount of information with a network of friends and associates. This means that the first and most […]

A poll by Sophos, discussed by Senior Technology Consultant Graham Cluley May 19, demonstrated that the level of public dissatisfaction with Facebook privacy policies may be reaching a boiling point. Of roughly 1,600 people surveyed, 60 percent said it is either “highly likely” or “possible” that they will leave Facebook due to concerns over privacy. […]

Google is rolling out the use of Secure Sockets Layer encryption technology for its search engine. Right now, the SSL-protected search is being beta tested, and does not extend the extra security beyond the core search engine to features like image search and Google Maps. According to Google, using SSL secures the transmission of search […]

IBM is offering new technology that will allow Sybase users to move to IBM DB2 with virtually no changes to application code. The technology is called DB2 SQL Skin, and will be sold to DB2 customers as a feature starting May 28. Developed jointly by IBM and ANTs Software, the technology is aimed at easing […]

Facebook may change its policy settings as early as next week, but whether that will tame user backlash remains to be seen. In a radio interview this week, Facebook Director of Public Policy Tim Sparapani said the company planned to simplify Facebook’s privacy settings due to ongoing controversy. It’s not clear yet how Facebook will […]

Attackers are targeting Twitter users with a Trojan stealing online banking credentials, according to researchers. “The initial Trojan is downloaded to the victim machine by a malicious Java archive file,” explained Dmitry Bestuzhev of Kaspersky Lab. “It has several malicious features, for example: spreading through USB devices; it disables Windows task manager, the regedit application […]

As IT security has become a bigger part of business discussions, security teams have increasingly shifted their focus from operations to strategic business objectives. For businesses building their security groups, there needs to be a balance between fulfilling operational and strategic goals, and a new report from Forrester Research offers advice on how businesses can […]

Oracle has agreed to buy database security vendor Secerno for an undisclosed sum. Oracle has its eye on Secerno’s database firewall technology, which works for Oracle and non-Oracle databases. Secerno also provides database monitoring and auditing technology as well, and competes with vendors such as Guardium (purchased by IBM), Imperva and Sentrigo. Secerno’s DataWall products […]

Symantec’s plans to buy VeriSign’s identity and authentication unit have been greeted with largely positive reactions from industry analysts, but analysts still see some challenges ahead. After a day of rumors, Symantec confirmed the $1.28 billion deal and outlined where VeriSign’s technology fits in its strategy. However, while the company touted the buy as bolstering […]

A district court judge has shut down rogue ISP 3FN permanently at the request of the Federal Trade Commission. If the name 3FN sounds familiar, it is because the FTC accused it in June 2009 of recruiting and collaborating with criminals to distribute malware and pornography. The FTC alleged that 3FN shielded cyber-criminals by ignoring […]