Learn from the mistakes of others

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Crooks take kids' place

MAY 09, 2006 A STUDY by security company Panda Software finds that 70 per cent of the malicious software being circulated is linked to various types of cyber-crime.

Yay. Or something.

The report[*] suggests "financial profit has become a priority" for creators of malware, which includes viruses, worms, Trojan horses and spyware.

NO. There has been a change in the people who are creating and releasing these things. Thieves have a different motivation to script kiddies and others. It is possible that the motivation of some of these people have changed, but it would be erroneous to say that it's a general trend. That's confusing 'cause' and 'effect', making unwarranted assumptions - need to have/demonstrate more specific information to establish that assertion.

The survey marks a shift from several years ago, when malware was commonly created by script kiddies seeking attention or to expose security flaws.

There's also a lot more clueless money out there now too.

"Malware has become a tool for generating financial returns," the report says.

New business model?

The report says hackers are moving away from email worms to forms of malicious code that are more difficult to detect.

These are not hackers. They're thieves, fraudsters.

About 40 per cent of the problems detected by Panda were spyware. Another 17 per cent were Trojans including those that steal data on bank services.

At least the journalist can report this accurately: Panda cannot (and does not) assert that they have detected anything more than a sample of what's going on out there - and one constrained by their ability to detect them in the first place.

Others would download malicious applications to systems.

*sigh*

AFP [CeBIT.au06 on australianIT.com.au.]</td></tr>

[*] Can be downloaded from http://www.pandasoftware.com/pandalabsQ12006/ -> free registration required <-

Crooks take kids' place

MAY 09, 2006 A STUDY by security company Panda Software finds that 70 per cent of the malicious software being circulated is linked to various types of cyber-crime.

Yay. Or something.

The report[*] suggests "financial profit has become a priority" for creators of malware, which includes viruses, worms, Trojan horses and spyware.

NO. There has been a change in the people who are creating and releasing these things. Thieves have a different motivation to script kiddies and others. It is possible that the motivation of some of these people have changed, but it would be erroneous to say that it's a general trend. That's confusing 'cause' and 'effect', making unwarranted assumptions - need to have/demonstrate more specific information to establish that assertion.

The survey marks a shift from several years ago, when malware was commonly created by script kiddies seeking attention or to expose security flaws.

There's also a lot more clueless money out there now too.

"Malware has become a tool for generating financial returns," the report says.

New business model?

The report says hackers are moving away from email worms to forms of malicious code that are more difficult to detect.

These are not hackers. They're thieves, fraudsters.

About 40 per cent of the problems detected by Panda were spyware. Another 17 per cent were Trojans including those that steal data on bank services.

At least the journalist can report this accurately: Panda cannot (and does not) assert that they have detected anything more than a sample of what's going on out there - and one constrained by their ability to detect them in the first place.

Others would download malicious applications to systems.

*sigh*

AFP [CeBIT.au06 on australianIT.com.au.]</td></tr>

[*] Can be downloaded from http://www.pandasoftware.com/pandalabsQ12006/ -> free registration required <-

Greg Sandoval
http://news.com.com/BitTorrent+inks+studio+distribution+deal/2100-1026_3-6070004.html
Tue May 09 2006

BitTorrent, the creator of the file-sharing software that for some has become synonymous with piracy, has struck a landmark distribution deal with a Hollywood studio.

Warner Bros. Entertainment Group has agreed to use BitTorrent's peer-to-peer system to distribute movies and television shows, including "Dukes of Hazzard" and "Babylon 5," beginning this summer, the companies are expected to announce Tuesday.

Greg Sandoval
http://news.com.com/BitTorrent+inks+studio+distribution+deal/2100-1026_3-6070004.html
Tue May 09 2006

BitTorrent, the creator of the file-sharing software that for some has become synonymous with piracy, has struck a landmark distribution deal with a Hollywood studio.

Warner Bros. Entertainment Group has agreed to use BitTorrent's peer-to-peer system to distribute movies and television shows, including "Dukes of Hazzard" and "Babylon 5," beginning this summer, the companies are expected to announce Tuesday.

"Since becoming President of the United States in 2001, President Bush has worked with the Congress to create an ownership society ..."

"On the morning of September 11, 2001, terrorists attacked our Nation.Since then, President Bush has taken unprecedented steps to protect our homeland and create a world free from terror."

"Since becoming President of the United States in 2001, President Bush has worked with the Congress to create an ownership society ..."

"On the morning of September 11, 2001, terrorists attacked our Nation.Since then, President Bush has taken unprecedented steps to protect our homeland and create a world free from terror."

Tuesday, May 09, 2006
FBI probes CIA defense contracts after top official resigns
Tom Henry at 10:32 AM ET

[JURIST] An FBI investigation into the activities of former CIA Executive Director and number-three agency official Kyle "Dusty" Foggo [Wikipedia profile] has intensified after Foggo's resignation Monday. The FBI probe is looking into whether Foggo took steps to improperly aid his high school friend Brent R. Wilkes' company ADCS [company website] in obtaining large CIA contracts. Former California Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham [Wikipedia profile] pleaded guilty [JURIST report; plea agreement, PDF] last year to taking $2.4 million in bribes from Wilkes and others in return for federal contracts, though Wilkes himself has not been charged. Cunningham helped ADCS receive more than $80 million in defense contracts involving data transfer.

Foggo, who has acknowledged attending informal poker parties with Wilkes, insists he has breached no laws but the FBI is trying to determine if Foggo, like Cunningham, played a role in helping ADCS procure some of those contracts through improper acts.

The Washington Post has more.

Tuesday, May 09, 2006
FBI probes CIA defense contracts after top official resigns
Tom Henry at 10:32 AM ET

[JURIST] An FBI investigation into the activities of former CIA Executive Director and number-three agency official Kyle "Dusty" Foggo [Wikipedia profile] has intensified after Foggo's resignation Monday. The FBI probe is looking into whether Foggo took steps to improperly aid his high school friend Brent R. Wilkes' company ADCS [company website] in obtaining large CIA contracts. Former California Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham [Wikipedia profile] pleaded guilty [JURIST report; plea agreement, PDF] last year to taking $2.4 million in bribes from Wilkes and others in return for federal contracts, though Wilkes himself has not been charged. Cunningham helped ADCS receive more than $80 million in defense contracts involving data transfer.

Foggo, who has acknowledged attending informal poker parties with Wilkes, insists he has breached no laws but the FBI is trying to determine if Foggo, like Cunningham, played a role in helping ADCS procure some of those contracts through improper acts.

The Washington Post has more.