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Researchers identify 'cybermercenary' group behind dozens of hacks
Researchers have learned of a 'cybermercenary' group, Void Balaur, that has been hacking political and business targets since 2015.
Amazon Echo Show falls victim to an old flaw at hacking contest
The latest iteration of the Pwn2Own hacking contest just underscored an all-too-common flaw with smart home devices. The security research team Fluoroacetate hacked into an Amazon Echo Show 5 by taking advantage of its "patch gap" -- that is, its use of older software that had been patched on other platforms. Brian Gorenc, the director of contest host Zero Day Initiative, explained to TechCrunch that the smart screen uses a not-so-current version of Google's Chromium browser engine that leaves it vulnerable to attacks. Fluoroacetate exploited this out-of-date code by using an integer overflow JavaScript bug to hijack the device while it was connected to a malicious WiFi network.
Intellectual Ventures begins tech patent offensive, files three lawsuits against nine companies
We've always wondered why former Microsoft CTO Nathan Mhyrvold was stockpiling patents at his new company Intellectual Ventures, and it looks like we're starting to find out why: in addition to licensing the entire portfolio to HTC and Samsung, IV's just filed its first three patent lawsuits against nine tech companies. Details are sparse, but the first suit is against Symantec, McAfeee, Trend Micro, and Check Point Software, the second names Elpida Memory and Hynix, and the third is against Altera, Lattice Semiconductor, and Microsemi. We'd assume the patents in question are all super-technical in nature, but it's really not the specifics we're interested in -- it's more the fact that IV is starting to flex some muscle in the tech world, and that means a lot of money could change hands real fast. We'll see what happens.
Better safe than sorry? Trend Micro Smart Surfing for Mac
Earlier this week, PC security app vendor Trend Micro announced a new product aimed at Mac users. Smart Surfing for Mac (US$69.95 per user per year) provides antivirus, anti-spyware, anti-rootkit, and web threat protection, and also has a two-way firewall built in. This, of course, brings up the old debate for Mac users. On the one hand, our 10% of the personal computing market is virtually free of the virus and malware attacks that plague the Windows world. On the other hand, should you be concerned enough to consider purchasing protection that might be overkill?Some of the features of Smart Surfing for Mac could be very useful for users who might otherwise be in danger of certain nefarious schemes. For example, it blocks visits to dangerous websites and has anti-phishing capabilities. While I know enough to check the real URL of links in emails by simply hovering my cursor above them, there are a frightening number of people who don't do this and who are at real risk of phishing scams. Parents might like Smart Surfing for Mac for their kids, as it restricts access by content categories, controls IM access, and also lets you block certain websites.Are products like Smart Surfing for Mac expensive overkill, or are they cheap insurance against the remote chance of actually getting hit with a Mac virus, malware, or a scam? Let's hear your opinion in the comments section!
PSP firmware 5.50 arrives to fulfill your every subfolder exploration need
There's a new PSP update in town, so hold onto your calloused thumbs. Firmware 5.50 borrows the PS3's XMB "Information Board" (pictured) for getting PlayStation and PlayStation Store news wherever you've got WiFi and a yearning, and there's also a games information search that works straight from the XMB as well. The update also brings the incredibly tardy ability to browse Memory Stick sub-folders for media, and Trend Micro Security and Safety for protecting the browser from malicious sites and protecting kids from adult content. It's not a landmark update, but it's something.[Via PSP Fanboy; thanks Allan M.]
New Mac OS X malware - OSX_LAMZEV.A
Computer security company Trend Micro is reporting that a new Mac OS X malware application is making the rounds. The application, called OSX_LAMZEV.A, gives hackers a way to take control of infected Macs. This is the second report of Mac OS X malware this week.This is not a virus, and users must actually launch the app for it to install its payload. Once running, the app also asks which firewall port it can use. Trend Micro reports that "Mac users may be infected when they access remote websites hosting this backdoor. The backdoor may also be disguised as a legitimate application and may be installed and executed on systems."Many Mac OS X-based malware seems to be similar in nature, requiring users to actually launch the installer and give it permission to install the payload. Unlike Windows-based malware, you shouldn't need to install any anti-malware apps to annoy you and slow down your Mac. Just make sure to follow the basic rules of Internet safety -- don't install applications that aren't legitimate or visit Web sites that you don't trust.For more details, be sure to visit the Trend Micro Virus Encyclopedia.
