Experts fear cyberspammers are plotting new attack modes – USATODAY.com

Experts fear cyberspammers are plotting new attack modes – USATODAY.com.

Although it doesn’t seem like it, email spam is down…considerably. Security vendor Symantec has reported that the average daily spam count has dropped from 131 billion (a day) to 47 billion. 

It has been reported that activity from the world’s largest spam botnet suddenly disappeared from the internet over the holidays, followed by other smaller botnets. No one seems to know why, but those that watch these kinds of things are convinced that bigger events are coming.

Monday, the botnet picked back up on low volume. 

It is reasonable to expect an increase in “fake anti-virus” infections, as well as attacks using social media like Facebook and Twitter.

Whatever is going on, it is best to not let down your guard. Strong passwords, updated anti-virus definitions and due diligence continues to be a best defense.

More on current spam levels: BBC News – Global spam e-mail levels suddenly fall

Facebook virus spreads via photo album chat messages

Facebook virus spreads via photo album chat messages.

Gullible and click happy Facebook users are again the target of malware attacks. This new attack reaches would-be victims via a photo album chat message. The delivery point is disguised as a desirable application icon and the user is prompted to “view” a photo. Once installed, the malware prompts other Facebook contacts (FB friends).

Facebook has deleted the application. This is just one in a seemingly endless supply of rogue Facebook applications that have become active and allowed to spread to the “walls” of friends.

The explosion of tiny links (especially in games) where friends generate dozens of game specific links (i.e. tinyurls), hasn’t helped the cause.

Source: ISC and Sophos

Facebook shutting down March 15 (or April 1) | Technically Incorrect – CNET News

Facebook shutting down March 15 (or April 1) | Technically Incorrect – CNET News.

Despite the rumors hat you have heard (or are soon to hear), Facebook is not shutting down. Such rumors have gone viral, and will no doubt eventually accompany malware and other malicious attempts to attack your computer. I’d also expect Facebook spam groups to start popping up in attempts to “force Facebook to stay open”.

OSG: Bits, Bytes and Packets moves to WordPress

As Windows Live Spaces are being phased out by Microsoft, the OSG: Bits, Bytes and Packets online publication has been moved to WordPress. Moving forward, all material can be found at  https://osgonline.wordpress.com/. Be sure to change any saved links. For Google fans, OSG can still be found at http://osg-computers.blogspot.com/.

Hackers use fake Obama e-mail to steal data – U.S. news – Security – msnbc.com

In addition to delivering a well known virus, “the code downloaded a second payload that is designed to steal documents from the recipient’s computer, accessing Microsoft Word and Excel files.”

Can your business or private life stand to have your Word or Excel documents exposed to the internet (via public access, including those with ill intent)?

Look through your MY DOCUMENTS folder now. What’s there?

Hackers use fake Obama e-mail to steal data – U.S. news – Security – msnbc.com