State-sponsored spies collaborate with crimeware gang | #APT #cybercrime #hackers

Hackers sponsored by the Chinese government and other nations are collaborating with profit-driven malware gangs to infiltrate corporate networks storing government secrets and other sensitive data, researchers say.

In many ways, the relationship between state-sponsored actors and organized crime groups that target online bank accounts resembles the kind of mutually benefiting alliances found in nature everyday. Just as human intestines create the ideal environment for certain types of bacteria – and in turn receive crucial nutrients and digestive assistance – crimeware operators often cooperate with government-backed spies perpetrating the kinds of APTs, or advanced persistent threats, that have pillaged Google, RSA Security, and other US companies.

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New weapon against cybercrime: chips | #deepsafe #Patmos #antivirus

An internet security company has demonstrated a new weapon against deeply rooted malware that takes control of PCs and turns them into zombies.

McAfee said it has activated built-in security features and added software to Intel microprocessors, known as chips, to stop cyber criminals from infecting PCs via advance persistent threats, rootkits and zero-day attacks. Infected PCs can be directed to steal private identities, financial data and to send out spam.

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Cyber security lacks engagement | #wallstreet #cybercrime #infosec

Editor's note - Still amazed that the financial industry is still largely taking a "head in the sand" approach to infosec.  I guess as long as those losses are covered by insurance then there is little need to act.

Cyber security should feature among the top three board-level concerns, according to a new report from Chatham House, with policy coming under the umbrella of traditional security arrangements and board directors involved in scenario-based training for cyber attacks.

The think tank identified only one example of an outstanding cyber security messaging strategy within the UK financial services sector, while at the other end of the spectrum the directors of one large insurance company admitted they had no idea how they should manage or mitigate a cyber attack.

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U.S. defense firms face relentless cyberattacks | #APT #hackers #cyberwar

U.S. defense industries are facing relentless, sophisticated foreign attacks on their computer networks, a threat company leaders say poses a risk of significant damage and may require the government to take greater protective action.

Top U.S. defense contractors speaking at the Reuters Aerospace and Defense Summit said many of the attacks appeared to be state-sponsored and came from multiple countries, but they declined to point a finger at any particular government.

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Financial Industry Especially Vulnerable to Cyberattacks | #infosec #cybercrime #wallstreet

Cybercrime is costing the world billions of dollars and current laws aren't enough to stop the loss of money and information, government and industry witnesses told a House subcommittee on Wednesday.

Cyberattacks may not kill people, but officials say there is little doubt about their potential to harm financial and economic systems.

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ANZUS to cover cyber attack risk | #cyberwar #treaty #DOD

Editor's note - Expect to see more treaties amended to include cyberattacks and the Internet as an emerging battlespace.

The ANZUS treaty will be extended to cover the threat of cyber attacks, recognising cyberspace as one of the fundamental threats to a country's military systems.

On the 60th anniversary of the ANZUS alliance between Australia and the United States, Defence Minister Stephen Smith said cyber attacks were one of the biggest challenges facing national security.

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Want to beat hackers? Know the risks and know thy enemy | #44con #infosec #Hollywoodleaks

Barely a day passes without news of another major computer security breach. Last week a hacking network named "Hollywood Leaks" began their attack on the personal data of celebrities, officially adding the glitterati to a roll of shame that already includes targets as diffuse as Sony, the Church of Scientology and PayPal.

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BART Protests Losing Attendance, Gaining Naked People | #OpBART #SFBART #anonymous

As you know, the OpBART protests organized by the loose hacker collective Anonymous and well-attended by the media continued last night for the fifth straight week since the group began protesting BART's August 11th cellphone shutdown. As you might expect for a weekly event, the attendance appears to be tapering off.

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