Security

The botnet contained almost 1,500 compromised point-of-sale and other retail systems from 36 countries, researchers from IntelCrawler said

May 23, 2014
(IDG News Service)

Security researchers uncovered a global cybercriminal operation that infected with malware almost 1,500 point-of-sale (POS) terminals, accounting systems and other retail back-office platforms from businesses in 36 countries.

The infected systems were joined together in a botnet that researchers from cybercrime intelligence firm IntelCrawler dubbed Nemanja. The researchers believe the attackers behind the operation might be from Serbia.

The size of the botnet and the worldwide distribution of infected systems brings into perspective the security problems faced by retailers from around the world, problems that were also highlighted by the recent PoS breaches at several large U.S. retailers.

Past incidents suggest an increased attention from cybercriminals toward retailers and small businesses that use PoS terminals, the IntelCrawler researchers said Thursday in a […]

In the old days, one simply had to draw their blinds to avoid peeping toms from spying on their private business. Now, it seems that even with the shades drawn, one must also shutter their webcam. Earlier this week, the FBI initiated a crackdown leading to the arrest of nearly 100 users of a program called Blackshades malware. This program allows hackers to remotely access the computers of their victims, enabling them to steal files, log passwords, and even turn on microphones and webcams unnoticed. What’s more? This spying software could be purchased online for as little as $40 U.S.D.

Blackshades malware is referred to as a remote access tool (RAT), meaning it allows the hacker to gain full access to your machine as if he were sitting right in front of it. The technology behind this threat is similar to that used […]