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UGN Home PageSubscribeSubmit ArticleSubmit ReviewContactWe continue the fight against online crime and our vulnerabilities to online crime, phishing, spam, fraud, identity theft and the other online criminal activities happening tens of thousands of times each day.
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In today's world of dangerous online crime, your passwords are at risk -- they are the hacker or criminal's gateway to stealing your identity... 1Password Mac or iPhone
... Topping this latest round of reports are some scary new developments in cypercrime -- dramatic increases in attacks from China -- one China hacker claims hacks on the Pentagon. Also, IRS stimulus payments targeted as new phishing tools let criminals cover their tracks
ALSO: PayPal anti-phishing to block browsers * Spam Hits Google Calendar * hacker attacks via Orkut, Facebook * Subpoena Phishing Attacks Rise and others : April Phishing Alerts
... Phishing' tops of IRS list of taxpayer scams -- 2008s Dirty Dozen Scams * 7.3 million unique botnet indtrusions on an average day -- worse yet, Botnets used to blackmail targeted sites : Cyberextortionists * But PayPal launches multi-pronged attack on e-crime * these and others : March Phishing #2
It's time to get tough... the number of fake IRS phishing sites has increased twelvefold -- beware this tax season -- plus: Why You Shouldn't Trust (Some) IRS eMail * The Criminal Ecosystem * Black Hat : Honor Among Thieves * Google phishing attempt * Police say computer crimes on the rise * SPAMfighter Warns of Political Phishing * Malware * OpenDNS Web filtering * Security Web 2.0 * The myth of the Ninja Hacker * and a dozen others... three full pages ... Phishing reports from February to March
Photo Journalism students at Spotswood High School in Penn Laird, Virginia created PSAs for the Virginia Attorney General's internet safety contest. Student videos for Net Safety
Are your passwords weak? Do you have any built-in protection at all? Are you inviting trouble? Password Strength Meter that allows you to quickly find weak passwords that need to be replaced with a stronger password, as well as a Generic Text Importer - Security Strength Meter
What does Google know about you? Well, that just depends on how much you use Google. Google is now being accused of eroding privacy... Privacy concerns and Google
For the last week, we've been tracking one set of cybercriminals who successfuly elude spam traps and filtering software. It's NOT a pretty picture, and the hot trail leads straight to Google...
Reader responds from quite a few responses. This reader definitely knows the story, and we thought should be passed along...
Bill Westerman wrote this article last year, but it seems to be pretty up-to-date. He gives 10 points about malware on the Mac
You have seen popups that tell you: "You have malware on your computer", download now to check your system. Of course, the warning tells you about PC files so it is a give away that it really isn't looking at your Mac. Now, there is one that does talk about Mac files.
The Kremlin eyes internet control * Fraudsters Target Facebook With Phishing Scam * 250,000 Crime Signatures Added * New consumer protections take effect in 2008 * Phishing Attack Poses As Government Alert * Zombie Computer Army Targets Bank Account Passwords * 2008 Security Forecast: 'Least Privilege' Engineering Will Gain Momentum ... read the latest
If your network and computers could make new year's resolutions, here are eight they would make for a more safe, secure 2008 ... Layered Security
Congress Considers Grants for Technology Solutions to Stop Illegal Downloading or P2P Distribution of Intellectual Property on Campus ... Grants for Solutions
You thought Halloween was over. It is, but the lingering effects could get you. The Dancing Skeleton is still circulating and distributing the Storm Worm -- a backdoor Trojan horse that affects computers using Microsoft operating systems ... Beware The Dancing Skeleton
ICANN is in the news, directly related to phishing because they have once again stalled on a security measure that would prevent hackers, spammers and phishers from utilizing the Whois for identity theft. After so many years, you begin to believe they're favoring the cyber criminals while the world of phishing marches on
The chairman of a House investigations committee is pushing the Federal Trade Commission to expand its investigation into abuses by P2P companies, telling the agency it isn't doing enough. Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., chairman of the House Oversight Committee, contends that the FTC needs to delve more deeply into alleged abuses by the P2P networks (HR 7/25). Move endorsed by SafeMedia Corp. FTC to Crack down on P2P
Democrats have blocked the Internet Tax Freedom Act amendment which would have put a permanent ban on internet taxation -- a reversal of their support of Net Neutrality and Free Speech. Democrats Block Ban on Tax
Intego VirusBarrier X4 Dual Protection and Internet Security Barrier Antispam Edition could save your six by helping Mac users protect both Mac OS X and their Windows installation. Protection against cybercrime
In this Phishing report, we're learning more and more disturbing news from August, including links to al-Qaeda * U.S. Troops * Iran * Korea * an Attack On Monster.com * IRS * eBay Botnet Attack * bank hacks * Man-in-the-Middle phishing kits, and more in this latest Safe Net Phishing Report
SafeMedia Corp. Tells Senate Hearing *There Is a Smokescreen of Misinformation About How contaminated P2P Networks Operate* ... interesting information in the continuing saga of P2P file sharing Senate Hearing: P2P Networks
How many people do you suppose fall for that headline in thousands of illegal email messages they received over the past week? New spam wave offers Adobe CS3 as bait to steal identity and scam unweary computer users... BEWARE...
In an effort to combat international copyright piracy by calling attention to countries where piracy has reached alarming levels the Caucus announced they will closely monitor the serious problems of copyright piracy in the following five countries: China, Russia, Mexico, Canada, and Malaysia. International Piracy Watch List
This month's Phishing coverage includes: * Google ads used in spyware phishing scam, then Pulled By Google, * Hackers, Phishers join you at Starbucks * New forms of identity theft * Call Forwarding Masks Fraud * PayPal security measures * Phishing techniques revealed ... And several others read more...
The I-Spy Prevention Act overwhelmingly passed the House of Representatives in the 108th and 109th Congress, addresses the most egregious activities that are conducted via spyware... read more...
a reader responds to Fred Showker's - AOL Gone Bad - article in 60-Second Windows... are they treating you bad enough to cut and run? This reader thinks so. Read more...
Net Neutrality Never Really Existed? * Discussions of the profit motifs of Net Neutrality * The Human Face of Net Neutrality * Death Of The Internet Greatly Exaggerated * Big Internet Slowdown? * and others... Read more.
: I was told about this search engine by a co-worker today. It is a little bit scary
I came across an article in today's Fort Worth Star Telegram about the Pew internt & American Life Project. In it, it quotes online teens as saying they exaggerate their content on Myspace or FaceBook.
While America sleeps, and the drive-by media obsesses over who will buy the U.S. presidency, billions of internet users' dollars are being put to work for online crime... and ICANN, the people who bring you the internet, are planning their escape from Washington, D.C. ... Not good news!
Rep. Lofgren and Rep. Goodlatte Introduce Internet Spyware (I-SPY) Prevention Act of 2007 -- the bill Criminalizes Spyware Offenses, passed in the House, goes to the Senate -- Washington, D.C. -- I-SPY Prevention Act of 2007
Actually, this should be called: "Phishing for YOUR dollars" ... 2007 is off to a blazing start with new Phishing ploys and techniques that befuddle even the most security-savvy banks... 60-Second Window #190 Phishing for Dollars
Not if these representatives have anything to do with it. The Internet Caucus Co-Chairs voice their support for the Internet Tax Freedom Act
How bad is it when the cures become worse than the problem? Read this week's phishing update which takes a look at how the big software industry players think they're making a difference. But whitewash is a very thin solution!
SecureMac has rolled out the release of MacScan 2.3, the latest version of the company's industry leading anti-spyware package for Macintosh computers. See: Mac Scan, Anti-Spyware for Mac
Here are three not-to-miss articles from last weeks cyber-crime stalkers -- including the UCLA hack-attack announcements, and cyber attacks vented through Symantec's anti-virus flaw! In UGN SafeNet
In the past three weeks UGN spam traps have reported an 800% increase in Phishing attempts. This article shows you how the pros identify and trap online criminals.
UGN Safenet has posted the latest phishing report including: a Social Security Scam Alert * Phishing affects Safari, Firefox password storage * VoIP Makes List of Top 20 Internet Attack Targets and 20 others.
News may be scarce, but the battle isn't over.. Issues have a way of fading out of the consumer's mind them until it's too late. So we continue our vigil to follow the twists and turns of the issues, hopefully to keep you informed. Effects of the Electons on Net Neutrality
The old saying goes: "If you're not part of the solution, then you're part of the problem." Are ICANN and rogue domain resellers like Sedo in league with organized crime? It would sure seem so. This UGN crime trackers report takes a look at how ICANN figures in to online crime, phishing and scams... Phishing for ICANN
Phishing schemes are getting more costly * Not just a U.S. problem... UK at risk of 'spamdemic' * Phishing Tool Kits for Sale * New Phishing e-Mail Identity Theft Scam * Less Spam, more Phish * Social networking latest target * clusters of phishing servers * Go Daddy Supports Extended Validation SSL * New weapon against ID theft ... many others Phishing schemes are getting more costly
Looking for Way to Fight Phishing but not looking very hard! Fred visits the Governor If you read the news, you would think something is getting done. Fred visits the Governor
Intellectual Property Rights Remain Unprotected as Russia Seeks WTO Accession. International Anti-Piracy Caucus co-chairs urge caution on U.S. - Russia Agreement Full story
- Finger pointing, blame game as Apple's rising star suffers from a little sniffle ... Here's coverage with all different points of view
Internet attacks are more hidden, creative * EarthLink helps smash phishing ring * FDIC Consumer Alert * ISPs urged to filter spam and phishing attacks * Spamhaus: Yahoo major phishing site host * PhishTank * OpenDNS * Community Anti-Phishing Site * Microsoft Anti-Phishing * UK banks * IE 7.0 * Best Anti-Phishing Filter * Cybercrooks turn to home PCs... many others Phishing getting worse
They're back! Those online crooks who sell you bogus stocks... UGN Safe-Net catches up on the resurgence of stock scam spams and pump-and-dump schemes and answers some readers' questions about such evils.... Stock Scam Spam Revisited
See: A contest for who can report the most phishing attempts * A new system to fight phishing * IRS warnings * Vishing latest threat since Phishing * SonicWALL Security 300 * Mozilla Firefox 2.0 beta 2 * Hurricane Season and Phishing Sites * Using Images to Fight Phishing ... and more -- SEE: Phishing and Online Crime coverage
See: Net neutrality fans rally in 25 cities * National Outpouring of Support * Group lobbies Salazar * 'Net neutrality' group takes action * Jeffords urges support * Comcast Provides Preview of Net Non-Neutrality * Qwest chief calls net neutrality "silly" * Aplus.Net Provides Net Neutrality * Net Neutrality Wins More Senators * Net Neutrality Spin Brigades ... and more -- SEE: Net Neutrality Report
This report reflects on the Cost of Spam * Katrina relief scam, * Can Authentication Restore Trust in E-Mail?, * Phishing Yahoo * College student warnings * Symantec efforts * Countermeasures for the Phishing * Digital Certificates * Ireland anti-phishing stance, * Horde breaches ... and more -- SEE: Phishing and Online Crime coverage
Harrisonburg, Virginia becomes the focus of a global telecommunications revolution as first site in the country to test the next generation of the Internet -- IPv6. Why is this important to Safenet? IPv6 will spell the end of spam... keep reading
This report reflects a new resurgence of criminal phishing online including Fraudsters Defeat Two-Factor Authentication * Phishing for Gmail Dollars * Telephone version of phishing * Phishing in Yahoo! Geocities? * Voice and VoIP Phishing Scams On The Rise * OpenDNS Touts Controversial Antiphishing Service * AOL ponders free service * IRS warns of bogus e-mails from phishing identity thieves * Firefox Version 2.0 Beta Candidate Released ... and more -- SEE: Phishing and Online Crime coverage
This week even more Senators chime in from both sides of the political bench. Also: John C. Dvorak checks in * Red State / Blue State * Senate Committee Cuts Amendment * US Democratic Party * Perspective * Bureaucrats divided * Blogging * Gnomedex * Pre-Presidential Politics * Google Antitrust threats * Senator confused by concept * Tech Faceoff * and many others. This week's posting list: 0606-10_net_neutrality.html or browse the Net Neutrality INDEX (0710)
This report reflects a new resurgence of criminal phishing online including how it affects the Senate tax proposal... Plus a lot more: There's a new version of Nigerian scam * new attacks on eBay * Man-in-the-Browser Attacks * Google Fixes XSS Holes * Symantec's new security software * IRS Warningss * Beefing up VISTA security * ICICI Targets * Norton Confidential * RoadRunner targets * Comcast targets... and more -- SEE: Phishing and Online Crime coverage
The plot thickens as more editors chime in: * Looking for a Little Honesty In The Net Neutrality Debate? * Debunking the myths * pro-con: is net neutrality good for the little guy? * Protecting Net Neutrality From The Neutricidal Telcos * Broadcast flag suddenly reappears in telecom bill * Senate delays vote * Reasons to favor 'Net neutrality ... and a dozen others. Actual posting list: 0606-26_net_neutrality.html or browse the Net Neutrality INDEX (0703)
There are too many articles to note this week, so we've established a "Net Neutrality Index" which will list titles, and jump to the article burst. Highlights this week include: Net Neutrality: "This is serious." * Anti-Net Neutrality Cartoons * Hillary chimes in * For Consumers, Only Certainty of Net Neutrality Is Uncertainty * Net Neutrality might kill BitTorrent * Silicon Insider: Neutrality vs. Free Speech * Net Neutrality vs. Internet Freedom. You can start at the actual posting list: 0606-26_net_neutrality.html or browse the Net Neutrality INDEX (0626)
... which side are you on? Now, there's even a protest song about Net Neutrality! It's difficult to figure out who is who in this media melee... both sides arguing half-truths and emotional rhetoric. This is an issue everyone who uses the internet should follow: Net Neutrality (0619)
Our report on all fronts in the war against Phishing -- including: Symantec Puts Threat Warnings On Desktops * Yahoo contains Phishing worm * Windows Live OneCare Protects your PC - almost * HSBC customers hit * Columbia's First National Bank targeted * EDITORIAL: Phishy smell certain sign of sharks * Taiwan fingered as the hub of spam distribution * Oklahoma Attorney General * Serious PayPal Flaw Disclosed ... and others
-- Fred attempts to sort out the "Net Neutrality" issue -- a conundrum with too much misinformation, confusion and media lip service. This is an issue everyone who uses the internet should follow: Net Neutrality (0612)
Our mid-June report on all fronts in the war against Phishing -- including: Why phishing Works, New laws, Credit unions, small banks see more phishing attacks * Ohio Bank Offers New Security Mechanism * Phisers target Google, AIB customers * Spin control continues on under-reported banking breach * Japanese phishing gang caught... and ten others
The Internet is not just a means of communication today. Mail, bank operations, news subscription and even tax return - almost all data can be sent via the Internet. How important are passwords? Don't Be Careless With Your Passwords!
UGN Safenet continues to track phishing attacks during May to find phishers employing new and expanding techniques: Spyware marries into Phishing * search engine phishers * new anti-phishing legislation * Phone Phishing * What Banks are doing * and even a new Phishing Quiz! Industry Action against Phishing
UGN Safenet has tracked more than 100 phishing attacks in the past two weeks to find phishers targeting more banks and even your cell phone. Here's why you need to be at top security alert status - our first in a series of reports on Phishing attacks.
Includes: separate report: Industry Action against Phishing
Mixed press about MySpace in the past month... here are the highlights including: Porn Bots; Teen girls abusing cat; College Bans; Progressive U Student; Massachusetts law; Video Special Report; Ag Reilly on Myspace.Com; to your door in 30 minutes; arrests; Microsoft style MySpace.com; The good, the bad, the popups; Suicide Note on MySpace.com; Runaways; Teens Write About Alcohol Use; and Beware of 'spies' * MySpace REPORT
April 20, 2006: UGN Crime Trackers issue this alert based on criminal phishing attacks in the past two days spoofing official IRS tax refunds. * PLEASE READ AND SHARE: taxpayer_alert.html
Phishing Alert: in the past three days UGN Crime Trackers have analyzed more than six phishing attacks utilizing a slightly different ploy than usual. The attack comes in the form of an email that looks like the real thing -- see this important Phishing Alert
This is our last report in this exercise in futility. Included are this weeks numbers, an unusual spam profile and our apologies to Motley Fool and any other innocents caught in the spammer's web of diabolical schemes. The end. Final Stock Spam Report and Tally
if you use eBay, PayPal, Amazon.com, iTunes, VISA (or other Charge Cards) CHASE, Wachovia, (or other online banking) ... or even the IRS. No one will help you. You are your own best hope.
Just because MySpace is getting a lot of bad press doesn't mean the owners aren't working hard to increase traffic and change some of that bad press into good press... the media was hot this week on reporting on the move to make MySpace safe. REPORT
Spam Pump n Dump Stock Scams took an even deeper plunge last week, giving spam trackers a chance to chase down some of the spammers' diabolical schemes... Stock Scams, Pump & Dump
Spam Pump n Dump Stock Scams were down last week, but the infamous "Ever-Glory" is back with a vengeance... Stock Scams, Pump & Dump
While MySpace has removed some objectionable content to pacify the media, it hasn't stopped criminal activities from getting worse day by day. MySpace Rape, Phishing, Crime continues...
Spam Pump n Dump Stock Scams REPORT
MySpace is becoming a microcosm of daily life including robbers, terrorists, rapist, and scam artists. Here's our update of top stories More can be seen at InfoManager Blog
We had problems, and some surprises in the flow of spam last week and week before. These are the Spam Pump n Dump Stock Scams REPORT
Here's a listing of the best online sites for complete, wrap-around safety for anyone on the internet. Not just kids but anyone not initiated to the evils of the internet. Safe Netting Links
Spam Pump n Dump Stock Scams REPORT
MySpace is becoming a microcosm of daily life including robbers, terrorists, rapist, and scam artists. Here's our update of top stories See the latest update at InfoManager Blog
Spam Pump n Dump Stock Scams report
News sources and Mac pundits were buzzing last week with the news of a new Mac Trojan that attaches itself to active iChat... read this!
There's a been a lot of hoopla about the "first" Trojan Horse on Mac OS X. As those that have been around the industry for years know, this is not the first infection on the Mac. From MacTech Magazine
Spam Pump n Dump Stock Scams to Avoid
Internet safety advocates have been watching the trend for some time -- now news of MySpace.com leading sexual predators and online criminals to minors has media and law endorcement attention ... Parent's Nightmare / Predator's Dream
Each day the threats become greater and greater. Computer safety expert and author Victoria Roddel has sent along five simple ways to protect yourself and your children ... Essential Computer Safety Books
This update to last week's "Pump and Dump" article provides reader feedback and updated industry warnings... Spam, HotStockChat, and the Pump & Dump. Updated with new statistics: Feb. 5th
Your computer is stolen. What do you do? You have a 1 in 14 chance of getting your computer stolen -- about one computer theft every 53 seconds. Computer Theft - Will you be the next victim?
Few people consider the real threats of Internet crime to be more than a nuisance -- but don't forget: there's real criminal intent behind them and they're targeting some of the most vulnerable members of our society... Internet Forensics
The bill, H.R. 744, in the Senate directly addresses spyware and the evils it brings to internet and computer users. We're calling for your help in getting the Senate to pass this bill... The Internet Spyware Prevention Act
When adware can't trick you into installing it, it often resorts to a secretive invasion. Joel Walsh shows you how to identify it and how to defend yourself against Adware Installation Stealth Tactics
Now, the criminals have honed their phishing tools to target unwary computer users with a very pointed weapon: Spear Phishing. Education, Corporate, Government and Institutional computer users need to know about this new threat... Spear Phishing
We're been warning you about Phishing for two years now and while it's impossible to warn everyone, we all should do the best we can. Now, a new plague is on the horizon -- Pharming. You're not safe unless you know how to protect yourself... Pharming is Alarming
Terrorists now use spam and Phishing to fund their terrorists activities around the globe. Do you want to support them? Online safety cannot be taken too seriously. Here's how to develop your Password to be uncrackable... so you won't be funding online and real world criminals. Safe Netting: Loose Lips Sink Ships
For Windows and Unix users: the Process Library is a free online information site that describes processes running on computers thus providing an invaluable security service to millions of users worldwide. Now you can find out what's really going on in the background of your computer!
During a discussion about spyware and cookies on the AUGD discussion list Christina Zeeh posted one of the more complete and informative one-page articles we've read on the topic. Must reading for all computer users!
Nowshade Kabir shares advice about spyware for Windows users ... but Mac users should read as well. According to Dell technical support, 12 percent of their support calls involve problems related to some kinds of Spyware. Spyware: Are you at risk?
Identity abuse, given less attention than identity theft, deserves a closer look. Albert Scherbinsky, editor of Software Press, shares insights into Identity Abuse with thoughts on protecting your online identity... Identity Abuse
This new internet protection suite includes all the tools needed to track spyware and combat phishing scams, spam to protect your identity. Phishing and harmful spyware are dramatically on the rise. Protect yourself. (Windows oriented) Protect Your Identity
The FTC provided their testimony on spyware to the Senate Subcommittee last week at the FTC Spyware Forum Spyware Poses Risk to Consumers
Dispite recent legal actions against criminal "UBE" email, spammers have no end to creative methods of sucking your email users into their lists. Some new tactics being tested by spammers exploit human nature and the fast pace of the net to elude the new laws and evade commercial filtering. See: Avoiding Spam Traps
A powerful web browser, powered by Apple's Safari, is a very fast, internet browser designed just for Kids!
Here's a full listing of all the information sheets available from the FTC telling what to do and who to report it to if you suspect online crime in progress. See: Scam Guide
This article was prompted by a post to the AUGD discussion list last week for leads to info concerning Macs and virus, worms and spoofs. Scam, spam, spoof and virus threats against Mac users
Frequent contributor to UGN, Nowshade Kabir, takes an in-depth look at the latest hi-tech plague (Primarily refers to Windows, but important for all users) Spyware: Are you at risk?
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