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Monster Energy Drink Car Wrap Advertisement Scams Still Doing the Rounds

Experts from Barracuda Networks warn users that the old car wrap advertisement scams are still doing the rounds. Monster Energy Drink appears to be the most abused brand, but Coca-Cola and Budweiser are also leveraged. The scam is simple. Potential victims get an email in which they’re told they can make a fe...

14 May 2013
17:01 GMT

Cybercriminals Target Bank Accounts of European Organizations with Shadesrat Trojan

Symantec experts warn European organizations of sophisticated social engineering attacks that have targeted at least 14 companies from France. While most of the impacted organizations appear to be from France, victims have also been spotted in Romania and Luxembourg. According to Symantec, the attacks start with a p...

14 May 2013
07:54 GMT

Users Warned of First Direct “Access Blocked” Phishing Scams

Customers of First Direct, the division of HSBC that provides telephone and Internet-based retail banking services, are advised to be on the lookout for suspicious emails which inform them that their accounts have been blocked. “You account access has been blocked due to a violation of our terms. Reference : k...

10 May 2013
16:11 GMT

Scam Alert: You Are a Winner of Facebook Online International Lottery

Emails entitled “Congratulations you are a winner,” apparently coming from Facebook’s “desk of the president,” attempt to trick users into thinking that they’ve won an impressive amount of money in the Facebook Online International Lottery. According to Hoax Slayer, the emails urg...

10 May 2013
15:01 GMT

BBB, FBI Warn Users of Internet Explorer 8 Vulnerability

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are warning users about the recently uncovered Internet Explorer 8 vulnerability. Microsoft has released a “Fix It” to patch the critical security hole. “A vulnerability has been discovered in Microsoft's web browse...

10 May 2013
10:02 GMT

After Nearly a Decade, NIST Reworks Federal Cybersecurity Standards

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has recently published an updated version of the “Security and Privacy Controls for Federal Information Systems and Organizations.” This is the first major update made to the federal cybersecurity guideline since 2005. As NextGov highlights, gove...

10 May 2013
08:24 GMT

Football Fans Warned About UEFA Champions League Scams

As the final game of the 58th season of UEFA Champions League draws near, cybercriminals and scammers are trying to profit from the sporting event. Experts have spotted a number of spam emails that leverage the big game. For instance, Italian users are targeted with fake ticket proportions entitled “Scopri com...

10 May 2013
05:48 GMT

Western European Mobile Users Targeted with Phishing SMSs

Mobile security solutions provider AdaptiveMobile warns users from Western Europe that cybercriminals might be trying to trick them into handing over sensitive information with the aid of cleverly designed SMS phishing (SMSishing) messages. The messages were first spotted 18 months ago, but their numbers have steadi...

9 May 2013
17:31 GMT

Higher Education and Research Community Warned About DDOS Attacks Abusing Their Systems

Experts have often warned that open domain name system (DNS) resolvers are being abused by cybercriminals to intensify their distributed denial-of-service attacks. On Wednesday, the Research and Education Networking Information Sharing and Analysis Center (REN-ISAC) has released an alert on this topic. The organizat...

9 May 2013
14:11 GMT

FBI Warns of Phishing Attacks Aimed at Customers of Telecoms Companies

The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) has reported receiving numerous complaints about phishing attacks designed to target the customers of telecommunication companies. According to the IC3, scammers call up potential victims and introduce themselves as the representatives...

8 May 2013
09:46 GMT

Fake eBay Customer Support Site Uses Live Chat to Phish Out Information

Many companies offer live chat services to provide support to customers. However, users must make sure that they’re on the organization’s legitimate site, or they could end up handing over their details to fraudsters. A perfect example is provided by Netcraft. Experts have come across a bogus eBay suppor...

7 May 2013
17:01 GMT

Test: How Long It Takes Hackers to Crack Your Password

Information security experts often emphasize the importance of using strong and different passwords for each online account. However, most users still fail to follow best security practices, exposing their accounts to cybercriminals. Today, May 7, has been declared “Password Day.” This means it’s a...

7 May 2013
08:28 GMT

Experts Warn of “Star Trek Into Darkness” Scams

The recently released Star Trek Into Darkness has made a lot of headlines. Similar to other highly awaited movies, the latest Star Trek is also leveraged by cybercriminals and scammers. Experts from ThreatTrack Security, the former business unit of GFI Software, have spotted several such schemes. One of them is tr...

3 May 2013
09:29 GMT

EFF: Cover Your Laptop Webcam with Post-Its to Protect Yourself Against Hackers

Last week, we learned that a Texas judge refused to allow the FBI to spy on an individual suspected of fraud by hacking into his computer. Authorities sought the ability to collect information on the suspect’s Internet activity, but they also wanted to capture images from his webcam. The judge denied the warrant, bu...

2 May 2013
04:26 GMT

Bogus Microsoft Security Essentials Alert Used to Distribute Fake AV

Webroot warns that it has recorded an increase in the number of Fake AV scams that leverage the name of Microsoft. One of the attacks it has analyzed involves a fake Microsoft Security Essentials alert that pops up on a website.  As long as users ignore these alerts, they have nothing to worry about. However...

1 May 2013
15:01 GMT

Users Warned About Mother’s Day Scams

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, scammers and cybercriminals are busy launching all sorts of malicious online campaigns. Experts from Scambook warn that there are three main scams doing the rounds these days: bogus online stores, e-card phishing, and fraudulent flower discounts and brunch coupons. Ri...

30 April 2013
04:00 GMT

Office of the Australian Information Commissioner Launches Security Guide

The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) has marked the start of this year’s Privacy Awareness Week with the launch of a new information security guide. The paper, “Guide to Information Security: ‘Reasonable steps’ to protect personal information,” is designed to hel...

29 April 2013
04:19 GMT

Umbraco Developers Warn Users of Severe Vulnerability in Integration Web Services

The developers of Umbraco, the open-source content management system (CMS) platform, are notifying customers about a vulnerability in the integration web services of Umbraco. All Umbraco versions are said to be affected by the security hole. “During one of our regular security audits of the core, a severe secu...

29 April 2013
03:47 GMT

ICANN Offers Advice on How to Handle and Report DDOS Attacks

Distributed denial-of-service (DDOS) attacks have become highly problematic these days. Hacktivists use them for political purposes, cybercriminals can rely on them for blackmail and to cover up fraud, and companies can utilize them to take out the competition. On Thursday, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Name...

26 April 2013
04:33 GMT

Fake Twitter Phishing Site Helps Raise Awareness of Scams

Major data breaches are usually followed by the emergence of malicious websites that leverage the incidents in an attempt to trick users into handing over their online credentials. After the recent Associated Press Twitter account hack, many publications have highlighted the fact that usernames and passwords can be ...

24 April 2013
17:01 GMT

FBI, BBB Warn People About Boston Marathon Explosions Scams

The Boston Marathon bombings are a perfect topic for cybercriminals and scammers so it’s important for users to make sure they don’t rush to click on suspicious links, or donate to unverified charities that claim to raise money for victims. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the Federal Bureau of Inves...

20 April 2013
11:21 GMT

Ellen DeGeneres Raises Awareness of Password Security – Video

Keeping passwords safe is no laughing matter these days. If cybercriminals get their “hands” on them, they can abuse them for all sorts of nasty things, including illegally transferring money from bank accounts. An amusing infomercial presented on the Ellen DeGeneres’ show advertises a “phone...

19 April 2013
08:55 GMT

Malware Alert: Cover-More Travel Insurance Cover

Malicious emails purporting to come from Cover-More, an Australian travel insurance provider, are used by cybercriminals to distribute a piece of malware. The company has published an advisory to warn users about notifications entitled “Cover-More Travel Insurance Cover (policy number: [random number]).” Appar...

17 April 2013
18:21 GMT

Phishers Replicate Credit Card Company’s Security Guidance Page

In a phishing scheme that has been doing the rounds since last month, cybercriminals have spoofed the security guidance page of a poplar credit card services company in an attempt to trick users into handing over their personal and financial information. Symantec reports that users are led to believe that their deta...

17 April 2013
17:01 GMT

Spamhaus Warns Users of Ransomware That Leverages the Organization’s Name

The names of various law enforcement and watchdog organizations are often used by cybercriminals who rely on ransomware to make a profit. According to Spamhaus, a new scheme uses the organization’s name to trick internauts into paying a so-called fine via MoneyPak. “Computer users should know that no a...

16 April 2013
16:01 GMT

90% of Pirated Games and Game Hacks Hide Malware, AVG Says

According to AVG’s latest “Insight” report, 90% of game hacks and pirated copies of popular games hosted on file sharing and torrent websites contain malware. Experts say that the popularity of games such as World of Tanks, Minecraft, Runescape, League of Legends and World of Warcraft – play...

16 April 2013
05:49 GMT

Beware of Boston Marathon Bombings Scams

Everyone is probably aware by now of the Boston Marathon explosions that killed at least 3 people and injured over 100. Cybercriminals and scammers are likely to leverage the event in their malicious operations. The SANS Technology Institute’s Internet Storm Center has requested Internet users to forward them ...

16 April 2013
03:34 GMT

Cybercriminals Might Be Distributing Malware via Game of Thrones Torrents

Last week, TorrentFreak reported that the premiere of the third season of the Game of Thrones TV show was the most pirated file of all times, with around one million downloads on the first day of its release alone. However, experts warn that such records automatically attract the interest of cybercriminals who might...

8 April 2013
14:31 GMT

DHS Warns Organizations of Telephony Denial-of-Service Attacks

In an advisory published in January, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) warned that payday loan scammers started launching telephony denial-of-service (TDOS) attacks against emergency services in an effort to prevent them from receiving and responding to emergency calls. In such schemes, the frau...

4 April 2013
08:08 GMT

Internet Users Warned About Holiday-Themed Scams

Many of you have probably started making plans for this year’s summer vacation, but while searching the Web for hotels, plane tickets and loans, make sure you avoid the nasty spam emails sent out by cybercriminals. Bitdefender experts say there are around 108,000 holiday-themed spam emails being sent out each ...

27 March 2013
19:11 GMT

Users Warned About UK National Lottery Scams

We’ve often issued warnings about lottery scams, but since new variants keep surfacing, we want to keep you informed so that you know what to do in case you receive an email letting you know that you’ve won millions. Hoax Slayer has identified two different lottery scams that purport to be sponsored by t...

27 March 2013
04:45 GMT

Easter Scams: Toys, Gifts, Savings and Personalized Letters

Easter is right around the corner for most Christians and, as always, the holiday is a perfect opportunity for scammers to step into play. Symantec experts have identified numerous spam emails advertising all sorts of shady products and services. Originating from “the Easter Bunny,” “Easter Clearan...

26 March 2013
15:31 GMT

British Intelligence Agency MI5 Warns About Financial Scams

The UK Security Service, or MI5, is warning users to be on the lookout for phone and email scams that impersonate the agency’s staff and even its Director General. According to an alert posted on MI5’s official website, the scammers try to trick their victims into handing over money. “Members of t...

26 March 2013
12:14 GMT

Advisory: How to Choose and Protect Your PIN

A lot of advisories have been published over the past period about how to secure online account passwords. However, as experts from security firm Avast highlight, the four-digit personal identification numbers (PINs) that protect our credit cards must also be carefully guarded. Experts advise users not to choose PIN...

25 March 2013
17:01 GMT

US-CERT Warns About DHS-Themed Ransomware

The United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) is warning users about pieces of ransomware which inform victims that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has “suspended” their devices. Ransomware helps cybercriminals make millions of dollars each year, so we probably shouldn’t ...

21 March 2013
12:12 GMT

UK Metropolitan Police Warns Elderly Citizens About Courier Fraud

Today, March 20, has been appointed by the UK Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) as the Courier Fraud Awareness Day. Activities are being carried out to raise awareness regarding these scams which, in two years’ time, have made over 2,200 victims, most of which elderly citizens. Since January 2011, authorities have a...

20 March 2013
11:24 GMT

Advisory: How to Remove Facebook Black from Your Profile

A few months ago, we warned users about Facebook scams that advertised a black version of the social media website. The scam is back and it’s highly prevalent. However, in the new variant, the name of the website is spelled “Faecbook” instead of “Facebook.” “I totally just added ...

20 March 2013
09:56 GMT

Bitdefender Warns of Various Bank of America Scams

Security firm Bitdefender is warning Internet users about various Bank of America scam emails that have been making the rounds since Anonymous hackers leaked information related to the financial institution. One of the emails, entitled “Online Banking Passcode Modified,” attempts to lure recipients to a ...

16 March 2013
14:21 GMT

Symantec Warns of Cheltenham Festival Spam Emails

Experts from security firm Symantec are warning users about spammy Cheltenham Festival emails that attempt to convince recipients to make an allegedly free bet worth £50 ($75 / 58 EUR). The Cheltenham Festival, or the National Hunt Meeting, is taking place these days in the United Kingdom and considering that ...

15 March 2013
08:32 GMT

Malware Alert: Your Electronic Ticket from Delta

Internet users are advised to avoid opening files attached to suspicious-looking emails that purport to come from Delta Air Lines. According to Hoax Slayer, emails entitled “Your Electronic Ticket” have been found to carry a piece of malware that’s capable of stealing sensitive information from th...

6 March 2013
15:01 GMT

Beware of Scams Leveraging the Death of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez

Venezuelan President Hugo Chaves has died. Judging by past events, cybercriminals will likely leverage his death in all sorts of malicious schemes. It has happened when Steve Jobs, Muammar Gaddafi, and Osama Bin Laden died, and it’s likely that we’ll see some scams on this occasion as well. Internet use...

6 March 2013
05:56 GMT

Small Businesses Warned About Malicious FTC Emails

The United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued an alert to warn businesses about bogus emails that purport to come from the organization. Entitled “NOTIFICATION OF CONSUMER COMPLAINT,” the fake messages inform recipients that a complaint has been filed against them with the FTC. “The ...

5 March 2013
15:31 GMT

Advisory: Beware of Identity Theft Schemes During This Tax Season – Video

Tax season for identity thieves is like Christmas for merchants: it’s the best time of year to make a profit. That’s why it’s important to be highly cautious when filing your taxes. In this week’s advisory, Scambook’s Kevan provides 5 easy-to-apply, yet important, tips on how to avoid f...

26 February 2013
15:01 GMT

US Veterans and Their Families Warned About “Free” Pension Advice

The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is warning veterans and their families to avoid offers in which they’re promised “free” aid with paperwork for their pension claims. “Unscrupulous lawyers, financial planners and insurance agents advise veterans over 65 to transfer their assets to a trust...

26 February 2013
14:11 GMT

Trustwave Warns Customers About Malicious TrustKeeper PCI Scan Notifications

Security firm Trustwave is warning users to be on the lookout for bogus notifications that appear to come from the company. The messages seem to originate from various fake Trustwave email addresses. Entitled “TrustKeeper PCI Scan Notification,” the fake emails instruct recipients to login to a portal in...

22 February 2013
18:31 GMT

Symantec Explains How Malware Helps Cybercriminals Steal Digital Certificate Keys

Over the past period, we’ve heard about numerous malware attacks in which cybercriminals signed their creations with valid digital certificates in an effort to ensure they remained undetected. Symantec experts have analyzed how the attackers manage to steal private keys by relying on malware. Experts explain t...

22 February 2013
17:01 GMT

AVG Provides Three Quick Tips to Protect Your Devices During the Winter Break

Many people are planning to take trips during the winter break. However, since most of them will probably not leave home without their precious gadgets, security firm AVG Technologies has issued a short advisory to help users ensure that all their devices are properly protected. First of all, users are advised to pa...

20 February 2013
16:31 GMT

Scambook Advisory: Beware of CyberCrime@FBI.gov Ransomware – Video

Ransomware is highly problematic for Internet users these days, and despite the fact that authorities have dismantled some cybercrime groups, the threat is not going to disappear too soon.  That’s why it’s important for users to identify ransomware scams and to know what to do in case they fall vict...

19 February 2013
16:01 GMT

Spam Alert: NetCode Security Upgrade from Commonwealth Bank of Australia

Australian Internet users, particularly customers of Commonwealth Bank of Australia, are advised to be on the lookout for bogus notifications in which they’re informed that a security upgrade has been made to NetCode. “Your NetCode SMS authentication system has been disable for your protection. You are h...

18 February 2013
16:51 GMT

UK Metropolitan Police Service Urges People to Join Fight Against Terrorism

The UK Metropolitan Police Service has announced the start of a five-week campaign called “It’s probably nothing but…your call could save lives.” The campaign encourages Londoners to join the fight against terrorism by calling the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321 if they see or he...

18 February 2013
08:13 GMT


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