Latest Computer and PC Security News

8 out of 10 laptop users are victims of shoulder surfing
posted on 28/01/2008

According to a recent UK survey, there are 2.4 million laptop users at risk from prying eyes. What’s more, 8 out of 10 of these users may have already become victims of shoulder surfing. To protect laptop data from unauthorised viewing and potentially damaging consequences, business travellers can install a Vikuiti Privacy Filter from 3M that fits neatly over the screen, and can be readily removed and stored when not required. The filters are specifically designed to allow an unrestricted view for the user but prevent others positioned to the side or viewing over their shoulder from seeing what is on the screen. 3M will be exhibiting its computer privacy filters at the Business Travel Show to raise awareness of the data security risks associated with working on laptops in public places. In an effort to encourage safe working practices among travel buyers, bookers, arrangers and business travellers themselves, 3M is giving away complimentary privacy filters to the first 50 visitors... [more]

Cybercriminals target Apple
posted on 22/01/2008

Sophos has published its Security Threat Report 2008 examining the threat landscape over the previous twelve months, and predicting emerging cybercrime trends for 2008. The report reveals that in 2007 organised criminal gangs for the first time arrived at Apple's doorstep with the intention of stealing money. With proof that hackers are extending their efforts beyond Windows, Sophos is warning computer users of all operating systems not to be complacent about security. Sophos experts note that malware for Macs has been seen before, but until recently, organised criminal gangs have not felt the need to target Mac users when there are so many more poorly protected Windows PCs available. However, late 2007 saw Mac malware not just being written by researchers demonstrating vulnerabilities or showing off to their peers, but by financially-motivated hackers who have recognised there is a viable and profitable market in infecting Macs alongside Windows PCs. For example, many versions of th... [more]

Datastore365 provides the Saints with Asigra’s Continuous Data Protection
posted on 22/01/2008

Asigra Inc. has announced that its online backup and recovery software is being deployed by Datastore365 for Northampton Saints RFC. Datastore365 carries out automated backups on a continual basis for Northampton Saints, primarily to protect the Club’s sensitive and critical data, including video analysis (researching the opposition’s tactics and training the players), retail data from the two stadium shops, emails, all files including players’ contracts and medical records, and accounting data. Having experienced a major data loss two years ago that directly affected the Club’s business, the Saints needed to ensure that in the event of a systems failure this information would be protected and quickly restorable to allow for business continuity. The Club realised that this would require ditching its laborious and unreliable tape-based backup solution and moving over to an automated and online system that would allow the fast retrieval of lost data with minimal disruption to the business... [more]

UK Ministry of Defence laptop stolen with personal details of 600,000 Armed Forces applicants
posted on 21/01/2008

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that a laptop containing the unencrypted personal details of 600,000 Armed Forces applicants has been stolen from a Royal Navy officer. The laptop may have contained information such as passport, driving licence and family details, as well as National Insurance numbers, doctors’ addresses and NHS numbers of people who have either expressed interest in, or joined the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and the Royal Air Force. It is believed that 3500 people’s bank details were also included on the database and it is not currently known how the laptop was protected. Jamie Cowper, Director of Marketing EMEA at PGP Corporation, has made the following comments: “With HMRC still fresh in the mind of both the public and the Government, you have to question how such a catastrophe could be allowed to happen again. Though the Government has been keen to demonstrate the need to address this growing problem, it is clear that a culture of complacency still exists within t... [more]

FileGuard X5 helps Mac users protect their sensitive files
posted on 18/01/2008

To help Mac users protect their sensitive files, Intego has released FileGuard X5, a free upgrade to its data protection program, which creates virtual safes where users can store their most secret documents. Everyone has confidential files on their Mac: financial records, business documents, personal journals, private e-mail and more. When a Mac is lost or stolen, these files are easily accessible, and could provide thieves with valuable information. FileGuard X5 creates virtual safes that can be used to store sensitive files. Users can store safes on file servers or external disks, and can keep them on home or office Macs with no risk of anyone opening them. They can even send FileGuard X5 safes to friends, family or colleagues, who can access files contained in those safes, as long as they have the password, even if they don't have FileGuard X5 software. FileGuard X5 can create safes of any size, for any kind of document, and also create special safes to protect e-mail and insta... [more]

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