Chris Durant reports: A Humboldt State University computer infected with a virus may have exposed the personal information of 3,500 people employed by the school between 2002 and 2006. HSU spokesman Paul Mann said no employees or former employees have yet reported having their information — like Social Security numbers — being used or stolen….
Category: Malware
AU: Privacy Commissioner delays zombie code
Ben Grubb reports: The finishing touches to an e-security code of conduct which will prevent compromised computers, also called “zombies”, from accessing the internet is being delayed following concerns flagged by the Privacy Commissioner. It aims to make formal existing voluntary security arrangements that internet service providers (ISPs) currently follow under a scheme run by…
AU: Support Staff survives data theft attempt
Ry Crozier reports: A recruiter hit by a thief attempting to install malware had fielded calls from government departments anxious for assurances that the business’s IT systems were not breached. Support Staff Australasia’s managing director Richard Gilham told iTnews he had assurances from police investigators and his IT team that the thief did not access…
UK: Computer virus shuts down Exeter University system (updated)
From ThisisExeter: The entire computer network at Exeter University had to be closed down after a it was hit by a virus attack. Hundreds of computers were taken off-line and lecturers were forced to give up their hi-tech teaching and return to using chalk and blackboards. It meant that there was no access to email,…
Security researcher IDs China link in Google hack
Robert McMillan reports: The malicious software used to steal information from companies such as Google contains code that links it to China, a security researcher said Tuesday After examining the back-door Hydraq Trojan used in the hack, SecureWorks researcher Joe Stewart found that it used an unusual algorithm to check for data corruption when it…
Google Hack Attack Was Ultra Sophisticated, New Details Show
Kim Zetter reports: Hackers seeking source code from Google, Adobe and dozens of other high-profile companies used unprecedented tactics that combined encryption, stealth programming and an unknown hole in Internet Explorer, according to new details released by researchers at anti-virus firm McAfee. “We have never ever, outside of the defense industry, seen commercial industrial companies…