Siobhan Gorman reports: Hackers in Europe and China successfully broke into computers at nearly 2,500 companies and government agencies over the last 18 months in a coordinated global attack that exposed vast amounts of personal and corporate secrets to theft, according to a computer-security company that discovered the breach. The damage from the latest cyberattack…
Category: Malware
Humboldt State University employee info possibly compromised after computer virus
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….
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…