Tag: malware
Malware resurges with an advertising disguise
Online advertisements can be irresistible. With a TV ad, you have to endure a 30-second spot pushing Corn Flakes or denture cream, whether you have any interest in those items or not. Online ads, however, are targeted to your interests....
Tech Time Warp: First mobile malware makes its debut
Back in the pre-smartphone days, an international group of hackers set out to prove no technology was safe from malware. In June 2004, the group 29A — 29A being the hexadecimal version of “666” — released the first virus targeting...
Time to appreciate the thin line of cybersecurity defense maintained by MSPs
One of the toughest, and often thankless, roles in all of IT is that of the managed security services provider (MSSP). Most MSSPs know cyberattacks tend to come in waves. Cybercriminals like to mix up their attack vectors to avoid...
The rise of malspam
If you are like me, you are probably finding it hard to believe that the first quarter of 2019 is almost over. It seems like a good time to stop and take a breath and look at what some of this...
Tech Time Warp: The brothers behind the “Brain” PC virus
Over the years, the motives for malware creation have ranged from simple curiosity to monetary gain. In the case of the Alvi brothers from Pakistan, it was revenge, dished up on a floppy disk.
Malicious memes?
We’ve all seen them and laughed at them. There’s “Grumpy Cat” or “Be Like Bill.” In some cases, these memes have racked up over a billion views. That’s almost 20 percent of the world’s population who have been “dancing like the...
When it comes to security, you’re never done
It’s safe to say that 2018 wasn’t a great year for security. Even the biggest companies in the world struggled to defend themselves against the constant onslaught of hacking attempts.
Tech Time Warp: Santy worm brings unwelcome gifts
Network administrators had to deal with an unfriendly visitor during the 2004 holiday season: the Santy worm. Written in Perl, this malware targeted servers that hosted online bulletin boards running on the free phpBB software.
Can malware physically damage a computer?
The idea that a computer virus could damage hardware is something that has plagued the cyber community. Some of the more sensational stories out there suggest that it’s possible to send a bomb via email. I stumbled upon this article,...
Tech Time Warp: The modern-day Robin Hoods of the Chaos Computer Club
The Chaos Computer Club, Europe’s self-described “largest association of hackers,” has always taken an unorthodox approach to saving the world. Founded in 1981 by activist Wau Holland, the club — also known as the CCC — boasts 5,500 members and works to...