New MacBook, New Cloud, New Leaf

Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) computer users might soon have a thinner, lighter version of the MacBook, according to numerous reports.

The new design will apparently still bear the “MacBook Pro” name but will more closely resemble an Ultrabook — thin, light and affordable PC laptops. It will supposedly feature a high-definition screen similar to the ones found on iPhones and iPads. Perhaps most importantly, the new product wouldn’t compromise battery life or memory for the sleeker design. Flash memory for fast startup and long battery life will also purportedly be found in Apple’s upcoming notebook refresh, which is expected to appear at Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) in June. The new product could preview as early as the worldwide developers conference Apple will host in June.

The decision to go thin is in line with customer demand, Ben Bajarin, director and founder of Creative Strategies, told MacNewsWorld.

“As things like UltraBooks and thin-and-lights become more pervasive, consumers will be used to seeing these thin designs as the only things available,” he said. “So it would seem likely that Apple, with the MacBook Pro, lines would look for hardware designs that press the envelope with thin and light as well.”

A MacBookPro that’s just as powerful as before and yet more mobile would be appealing to a certain crowd, and the groups that Apple targets with their notebook lines are specific enough that there will be a market for all types of customers, he added.

Read full story from source : http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/75123.html

Macs Crawling With Windows Malware, Study Finds

One in five Mac computers is carrying malware that could spread to PCs, according to a new research from security vendor Sophos.

The security team ran its Mac antivirus software on 100,000 Mac computers. It found that most of the malware found is directed at Windows PCs, so Macs harboring the infections don’t show any symptoms, unless perhaps the Mac is also running Windows. However, those computers can also spread malware to Windows PCs.

Sophos also found that one in 36 Macs, or 2.7 percent, were carrying Mac OS X malware. Of those, 75 percent harbored the Flashback malware. Numbers vary on Flashback’s spread, but some estimates pegged the number at 650,000 Macs infected over the past few months. It’s installed when it tricks users into downloading a fake version of Adobe (Nasdaq: ADBE) Flash Player. Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) issued a Java update for Mac OS X to help remove the infection.

Another 18 percent of the Mac computers analyzed by Sophos were found with MacDefender scareware. The remaining threats included fake antivirus attacks, which can obtain credit card information from users.

Read full story from source : http://www.technewsworld.com/story/Macs-Crawling-With-Windows-Malware-Study-Finds-74962.html

BBC bases TV programme on MRG Effitas Online Banking Browser Security tests

MRG Effitas has been working with the BBC on a programme which investigates and analyses the impact of financial malware on online banking security.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16812064

Chris Pickard, Methodology & Research director of MRG Effitas and CEO of the Effitas Group has worked with Spencer Kelly, presenter of BBC Click in creating the programme which is to be broadcast worldwide on the BBC News channel on Seturday the 4th of February.

The programme features a test by MRG Effitas demonstrating that a custom piece of crimeware is able to bypass a range of security suites and capture the username and password entered in to a banking website.

You can hear Spencer Kelly discussing the upcoming programme here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/click_online/9692312.stm

We will be publishing a follow up report on Saturday to coincide with the broadcast of the programme.

Single Product Flash Test – IKARUS virus.utilities, January 2012

Single Product Flash Test

Product: IKARUS virus.utilities

Product Version: 2.0.74

Operating System: Windows 7 32-Bit

Amount of samples used: 50

Results Table:

 

Trojans
Set 1
Trojans
Set 2
Backdoors Spy/PWS Other
Harig Jorik Poison Adramax AutoRun
Midgare Vilsel Bifrose Zeus FakeAV
Zmunik Swisyn Sdbot Lmir TDSS
Cosmu Sasfis Kbot Banker Ngrbot
Autoit Pincav Shark Papras PornoAsset
Refroso Buzus Hupigon QQShou
Cerohar
Inject Liac DsBot Dybalom LockScreen
Cidox Diple Zegost Usteal Krap
StartPage Yakes Turkojan SpyEye Vobfus
Vapsup FakeSysdef Gbot LdPinch Gimemo

 

System Status: Secure

Legend:

Green – Passed

Red – Failed

 

Carberp Hits Facebook Users

Facebook users are being targeted in a new man-in-the-browser (MitB) attack that attempts to steal money by duping the user into redeeming an e-cash voucher.

The malware is a new configuration of the Carberp Trojan, according to security firm Trusteer. Carberp replaces any Facebook page the user navigates to with a fake page notifying the victim that his or her Facebook account is “temporarily locked”.

The user is then asked to enter their name, email address, date of birth and password, followed by the number of a €20 Ukash voucher to “confirm verification” of their identity and unlock the account. Ukash is an e-money network that allows customers to anonymously exchange cash for vouchers that can be spent online. Continue reading

Cyber Crime Diary , January 2012

1. Target: Symantec corp.

Damage: Surce code stolen

Attacker(s): Dharmaraja group (India)

2. Target: South African Postbank

Damage: $6.7 million

Attacker(s): Unknown

3. Target: Zappos.com

Damage: 24 million customer details compromised

Attacker(s): Unknown

4. Target: Japanese Space Agency

Damage: Login information to gain access to a cargo shuttle that carries food and equipment to the International Space Station (ISS) has been stolen

Attacker(s): Unknown

Single Product Flash Test – Symantec Norton Antivirus, January 2012

Single Product Flash Test

Product: Symantec Norton Antivirus 2012

Product Version: 19.2.0.10

Operating System: Windows 7 32-Bit

Amount of samples used: 50

Results Table:

 

Trojans
Set 1
Trojans
Set 2
Backdoors Spy/PWS Other
Rammit Diple DsBot LdPinch Krap
Inject Menti Cycbot Banbra FakeAV
Rozena Cidox Zegost Zeus Alureon
Vilsel Lampa Havar Chekafev Digitala
Injector Rimecud Agobot Adramax Vobfus
Buzus Midgare Shiz Lmir
Pdfka
Refroso Pakes Hupigon SpyEye Ransom
Liac Small Simda Bjlog AutoRun
Renos Chifrax Wuca Kykymber VBNA
Scar Otran Simbot QQLogger ZAccess

 

System Status: Compromised

Legend:

Green – Passed

Red – Failed