malware

Scams designed to steal identities, data and ultimately money from Internet users continued to rise steeply in the first half of this year, according to a report released on Tuesday by Microsoft.

The company's Security Intelligence Report, a broad look at the computer threat landscape, shows a continued focus on attacks aimed at making a profit, rather than simply generating fear or gaining notoriety.

According to the study, there were 31.6 million detected phishing scams, more than double those found in the prior six months. There was a more than five-fold increase in the types of malicious code … Read more

Co-owning a computer can be tough, especially if you've got to share time with an Internet-hungry sibling.

That's why Ashley's sister jumps at the offer of a fresh computer for her exclusive use. This means Internet independence for both girls, if the hand-me-down computer passes 14-year-old Ashley's spyware test.

It doesn't. In fact, it fails miserably, so stuffed is it with Trojans, dialers, and worms. Will Ashley be able to disinfect it for her sister, or will she declare the computer a dud? This week's Spyware Horror Story, "My sister's keeper," … Read more

Silent and invisible, some malware sneaks up on you to quietly wreak havoc on your system resources and possibly mine your files for personal, bank account-cracking information. Shudder.

Other types of Trojans more helpfully announce their presence by lobbing pop-ups, disabling your Start menu, or in Matthew's case, playing puppet master with your browser.

Matthew has a few ideas for wresting back control. Find out which he tried, which he should he have tried, and which ultimately worked in this week's Spyware Horror Story, "Browsers behaving badly".

Sometimes programs are born great, and sometimes they have greatness thrust upon them. There's a third tack, too: some program grow into their skins. Comodo Firewall Pro is one of those.

Living under the radar for too long, at some point out of the limelight it became a solid, state-of-the-art firewall with little reason left to ignore it. Providing a smorgasbord of information and options for advanced users, simple enough for beginners, and yet runs smoothly and silently in the background, Comodo is a prime example of what a program that mucks about with your Internet connection should be like.

… Read more

As Trend Micro releases an upgrade to their PC-Cillin Web security product, they've renamed it Internet Security 2008.

It's a bit less glib and reflects the way in which malware attacks have proven to have serious, life-altering consequences in the real world. CNET's Rob Vamosi has given the trialware five stars, and it's hard to argue that Trend Micro doesn't offer a comprehensive suite of tools to keep you safe.

However, user complaints about previous versions indicate mixed reviews. Some loved PC-Cillin, others felt that the cure was worse than the disease. Take a look … Read more

"I dabble in a high-risk area of the 'Net...I click links for money. That, in itself, opens me to tons of security issues."

So begins Patricia's personal Spyware Horror Story (see all.)

But despite the risk, it's Patricia's family that faces undoing, not by a devastating link, but by a harmless-looking "X" button on a sinister pop-up window. Patricia knows how to cap the pop-up--do you? Test your knowledge in "Nix the 'X'."

If an IM link from a friend pops up on your screen, do you click it right away? Most people, like Eivind, do. Most don't end up with a PC-killing worm.

Malicious IM links are a growing threat to users, and Eivind got dished an unpleasant preview of the trend we have to look forward to. Can she warn her friends of the deception before they're compromised too?

Watch the story unfold in this week's tale of Trojan trouble, "Malware's IM hideaway." You can also access the Spyware Horror Story archives for more stories … Read more

PC gamers would risk a lot for the sake of gameplay, even ignoring security warning signs or remaining coolly unconcerned.

Meet two young teens whose quest for the gamer's high set them on a collision course with a whole horde of Trojan malware scarier than anything they'd encounter in RuneScape or World of Warcraft.

Read of the duo's travails in "Fools for the game," and also pick up valuable security do's and don'ts from other Spyware Horror Stories.

Arnaldo's friend, a Mac user, is given his very first Windows PC. The friend knows nothing about Windows XP security, but that's not even his biggest problem.

The real trouble in this week's Spyware Horror Story begins when Arnaldo's soon-to-be-ex-friend decides to dabble in creating his own viruses--and gets slammed by a few of these malware leeches instead.

Find out what went wrong, what went right, and what not to do in "Boomerang virus."