Elamb Cybersecurity

Category: Main Digg

  • The ethics of Stealing Wifi “wifi piggybacking”

    “A recently released study by a security firm says that using an open WiFi network without permission is stealing. Ars looks at the ethics of open WiFi.

    Amazingly, accessing an unsecured, wide-open WiFi network without permission is illegal in some places, and not just in the UK. An Illinois man was arrested and fined $250 in 2006 for using an open network without permission, while a Michigan man who parked his car in front of a café and snarfed its free WiFi was charged this past May with “Fraudulent access to computers, computer systems, and computer networks.” On top of that, it’s common to read stories about WiFi “stealing” in the mainstream media.

    It’s time to put an end to this silliness. Using an open WiFi network is no more “stealing” than is listening to the radio or watching TV using the old rabbit ears. If the WiFi waves come to you and can be accessed without hacking, there should be no question that such access is legal and morally OK. If your neighbor runs his sprinkler and accidentally waters your yard, do you owe him money? Have you done something wrong? Have you ripped off the water company? Of course not. So why is it that when it comes to WiFi, people start talking about theft?”

    On some occassions I have accidentally used my neighbors open and unsecured wifi. I don’t think it was stealing. No if they’d had WEP and I decided to actively crack in to it then I believe it is an immortal and criminal act.

    read more | digg story

  • Hackers exploit Bhutto assassination

    Hackers tempt websurfers with bogus assassination video

    read more | digg story

  • Malware Evolving Too Fast for Antivirus Apps

    Bad guys use sophisticated testing to create malware that can evade even the best security programs.

    read more | digg story

  • GMail Security Hole Allowed Malicious Hacker to Invade the Life of a Blogger

    Mr. [tag]David Airey[/tag] a blogger and designer from UK had his [tag]site[/tag] Hacked by some useless bastard. This [tag]gmail[/tag] hacker set up a malicious site that exploited a security flaw in gmail to set up an email filter that autoforwarded all David’s emails to another malicious email account. Although Google has appearently fixed the problem, if you have been affected by one of these malicious webpages the filter may still be in your gmail account. David Explains how to find it and get rid of it:

    MPORTANT: If you use GMail, it’s absolutely vital that you check your account settings now.

    Here’s what to do:

    When logged into GMail, click on the ’settings’ tab in the upper right of the screen. Then check both the ‘Filters’ and the ‘Forwarding and POP’ sections.

    Get more information from David Airey.

    Right now David is fighting to get his domain back legally after refusing to be manipulated by the gmail hacker.

    To David,
    Good on you, man! And as bad as it is, I’ve been emailed a couple of people who have lost thousands from hackers. I’ve been on the receiving end of these desperate criminals too… and like you I choose to use my blog like a gun.

    read more | digg story

  • Big Brother Is Listening … And Listening … And Listening

    “The NSA intercepts entire streams of electronic communications containing millions of telephone calls and e-mails. It runs the intercepts through very powerful computers that screen them for particular names, telephone numbers, Internet addresses, and trigger words or phrases. Any communications containing flagged information” are analyzed.

    read more | digg story

  • Paper: disregard for customers, DMCA led to Sony CD rootkit

    A new paper revisits the Sony rootkit debacle, trying to understand how Sony BMG decided to pack its CDs with two problematic forms of copy protection. Did Sony make an honest mistake or take a calculated risk?

    read more | digg story

  • uCertify Software – IT Certifications

    Warning: Shameless promotion of a kick ass product!!

    I recently got a chance to test drive uCertify’s IT certification software. I loaded the CY0-101, Security+ PrepKit. I must say I like the software and I am thinking of getting the MCSA from them (think I only have to take two test to complete it). It features the usual breakdown of how you performed in each of the tests objectives. It also has Flash cards that allow you to type in answers to key points on the test… I don’t recall seeing that feature on other certification software.

    The pricing depends on the tests you get. But its in the double digits so its a cool little investment toward a bright future. For those of you who are serious about certifications you know that the software (such as transcender – aka the software that must not be named), boot camps and training material can cost 100’s or even 1000’s of dollars.

    I think that software such as uCertify is a good start toward attaining a new cert (although you can never replace a solid year of experience).

    As for the CY0-101.. I believe Security+ will be changing their objectives sometime in 2008. Hopefully, uCerty will keep up with that. Comptia sent me a few surveys about the change and a couple of co-workers that are being pushed to get the Security+ told me that they want to get it before it changes.

    My honest opinion is that software like uCerts Prepkits are great for gauging your level of preparation. I also recommend that you use more than one gauge (particularly on the bigger tests such as CISSP).

  • MI5 alert on China’s cyberspace spy threat

    The Government has openly accused China of carrying out state-sponsored espionage against vital parts of Britain’s economy, including the computer systems of big banks and financial services firms.

    In an unprecedented alert, the Director-General of MI5 sent a confidential letter to 300 chief executives and security chiefs at banks, accountants and legal firms this week warning them that they were under attack from “Chinese state organisations”.

    More –> mi5

  • RECORD NUMBER OF AMERICANS JAILED

    The Justice Department reported in November that a record 7 million people — or one in every 32 adults in the U.S. — were behind bars, on probation or on parole at the end of last year. Some 2.2 million Americans were in prison or jail on Dec. 31. 2005, but there was little coverage of this population’s 2.7% rise from the previous year or of its eight-fold increase since 1975 — http://www.time.com/time/topten/2006/underreported/07.html

  • China OUBEN Company Import & Export Co., Ltd *SCAM?*

    Sounds like a SCAM to me!

    Compliments of the day to you,

    I represent China OUBEN Company Import & Export Co., Ltd based in
    China, and we export jewellery into Canada, America and Brazil . For
    this we are recruiting representatives who can help us establish a
    medium of getting to our customers in Europe and North America as well
    as making payments through you as our payment officer. It is upon this
    note that we seek your assistance to stand as our representative in
    your country.

    Note that, as our representative,you will receive 10% of whatever
    amount you clear for the company and the balance you will be instructed
    on proceedings to come. We look forward to expanding worldwide before
    the year 2009 and do hope you could be part of the company’s
    development.

    Please, to facilitate the conclusion of this transaction if accepted,
    do send
    promptly via email the basic requirements provided underneath to
    commence
    registration processes: if you are ! interested please write to the
    following email address(info_ouben02@yahoo.com.cn)
    (1) Your full names………………………….
    (2) Contact address and……………………
    (3) Phone/fax numbers………………………….
    (4)Age:…………………………
    (5)Sex…………………………….
    (6)Occupation:…………………….

    Thank you for your time.

    Warm Regards,
    Mr. Cheng Lui
    China OUBEN Company