Reason  

Posted by: securicor     

ZeuS - a type of sophisticated malicious computer program - has been used to harvest millions of lines of data from affected machines.   It records online bank account details and passwords, credit card numbers and other personal information, before causing the computer to forward the data to servers under the control of the distributors.   Now, Trusteer says a completely new version of the Trojan has begun targeting Firefox as well as Internet Explorer browsers.   Previous versions were incapable of exploiting Firefox but Zeus 2 supports HTML injection and transaction tampering for the browser, two techniques which are effectively used to bypass strong authentication and transaction signing.   The firm says it has detected version 2 on one in every 3000 computers it monitors - "an unprecedented rate of distribution for new financial malware code".   Amit Klein, CTO of Trusteer, says: "We expect this new version of Zeus to significantly increase fraud losses, since nearly 30 percent of internet users bank online with Firefox and the infection rate for this piece of malware is growing faster than we have ever seen before."   Zeus has been implicated in a wave of successful online banking assaults on US small businesses and a $6 million commercial account heist on 20 European banks in the summer of 2008.   In November the Metropolitan Police's Central e-Crime Unit arrested a man and woman in connection with the infamous Trojan.

Tags: Virus, Zeus, Banking, Computer, Passwords
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Reason  

Posted by: securicor     

 
After 9/11, cockpit doors were sealed, air marshals were added and airport searches became more aggressive, all to make sure an airliner could never again be used as a weapon. Yet little has been done to guard against attacks with smaller planes.

That point was driven home with chilling force on Thursday when a Texas man with a grudge against the IRS crashed his single-engine plane into an office building in a fiery suicide attack. One person inside the building was also killed.

"It's a big gap," said R. William Johnstone, an aviation security consultant and former staff member of the commission that investigated the Sept. 11 attacks. "It wouldn't take much, even a minor incident involving two simultaneously attacking planes, to inflict enough damage to set off alarm bells and do some serious harm to the economy and national psyche."

The suburban Georgetown Municipal Airport that pilot Joe Stack entered hours before his airborne attack in nearby Austin had the casual atmosphere of a sleepy parking garage. Pilots were not subject to baggage checks, metal detector scans or pat-downs. And they are usually not required to file flight plans.

"How are they going to stop it? This guy had a hangar, and he had access to the airport," said Beth Ann Jenkins, president of Pilot's Choice, a flight school near where Stack kept his Piper.

Travis McLain, manager of the airport, said: "I don't know of a rule or regulation or safety precaution that could have prevented what happened yesterday."

The easy access and lack of security are the result of years of debate - and stalemate - over how much of a threat small aircraft pose as terror weapons and how they could be regulated without stifling commerce and pilot freedom.

While the airlines quickly accepted tougher security after Sept. 11, the general aviation industry, which includes everything from privately owned propeller-driven planes to large corporate jets, have aggressively fought new measures.

The proposed rules would require that operators of medium and large general-aviation aircraft demonstrate that flight crews have undergone a criminal background check. They would also be required to verify passengers are not on the no-fly lists already used by large airlines.

Private pilots fly approximately 200,000 small and medium-size planes in the U.S., using 19,000 airports, most of them small. The planes' owners insist the aircraft have nothing in common with airliners but the sky.

"I don't see a gaping security hole here," said Tom Walsh, an aviation security consultant. "In terms of aviation security, there are much bigger fish to fry than worrying about small aircraft."

He said most would-be terrorists would draw the same conclusion - that tiny aircraft don't pack a big enough punch.

Planes like Stack's weigh just a few thousands pounds and carry no more than 100 gallons of fuel, he noted. A Boeing 767 weighs 400,000 pounds and carries up to 25,000 gallons of fuel.

Walsh and other general aviation advocates argue that stringent security and bureaucracy would deter recreational fliers and slow down a vibrant, multibillion-dollar general aviation industry, causing economic damage.
 
Every pilot, from the beginner student to the commercial airline pilot, is checked against the government's terror watchlist. Also, under federal rules imposed after Sept. 11, people enrolling in flight schools must show proof of U.S. citizenship or, if they are foreigners, must undergo a background check.

All pilots of every stripe must have with them every time they fly a medical certificate attesting to their health. The certificate is based on a physical exam, but the application form also includes questions about the pilot's mental health.

Stack's medical certificate was current, dated May 2009. He was an instrument rated pilot, able to fly single-engine and multiengine airplanes, and no enforcement action had ever been taken against him.

Beyond that, however, most security measures at general aviation airports are voluntary.

The Transportation Department's inspector general, Richard L. Skinner, reviewed security at several general aviation airports last year, including three in the Houston area, and concluded that general aviation "presents only limited and mostly hypothetical threats to security."

Skinner did endorse efforts to lock or disable parked planes to prevent people bent on mayhem from stealing them.

Tougher restrictions were debated after Sept. 11 and after a few incidents in which pilots deliberately crashed small planes into buildings.

"There was no way to impose one overall security structure that would fit every general aviation airport's needs," said AOPA spokesman Chris Dancy. The association has about 400,000 members.

At the Georgetown airport, where 240 small aircraft are based, manager McLain said she hopes Stack's suicidal attack doesn't lead to an overreaction.

"I would hope that common sense and cooler heads would prevail," McLain said.

Tags: Security, Air, Plane, Texas, Crash, Attack
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Reason  

Posted by: Editor     

Security plans for October's Commonwealth Games in Delhi were stolen, according to a confidential report prepared by Tennis Australia, following its decision to forfeit a Davis Cup tie with India in May last year.   Tennis Australia commissioned two security firms to assess the risk of its players competing in the tie in Chennai and cited the stolen plans as justification for its decision to withdraw from the tournament.   The report rejected an earlier security assessment by a Chennai consultant - ordered by the International Tennis Federation - as inadequate and conflicted.   The Tennis Australia report, drawing on information from ''other security organisations with strong ties to the Chennai region'', does not specify who stole the Commonwealth Games blueprints but a source said, ''It forced the organisers to rejig the whole security plans for the Games.''   Tennis Australia president Geoff Pollard said fears of escalated activity by Tamil Tigers coinciding with the month-long Indian election period were the major reasons for withdrawing from the third-round Davis Cup tie. But he confirmed the report cited, ''the Security Plans for the Commonwealth Games to be held in India in 2010 had been stolen'' as evidence of lax safety measures.   Pollard said, ''al-Qaeda are everywhere in the world but they are a slightly higher risk in India than in other places.   ''If the stolen plans had been the only risk, I think we would have gone to Chennai but we had the two extra risks of the election and the Tamils in the dying weeks of their last fight.''   Australian Commonwealth Games Association chief executive Perry Crosswhite said he had seen reports of plans missing from a police station but was uncertain they related to security. ''I'm not aware what specifically happened but am aware of reports from India that Commonwealth Games plans had been lost, or stolen,'' he said.   ACGA president Sam Coffa said he had not been advised of the missing documents but had been briefed on the TA decision. ''We are on constant alert of what might or might not be going on in Delhi,'' he said. ''We rely on information from the Commonwealth Games Association, our own Commonwealth Government, the High Commission in India and we have a whole security team of people working on this.''   However, the TA submission, by Melbourne barrister, Brian Collis, QC, questioned security arrangements in India. ''In or about mid April 2009, ITF subsequently was provided with Risk Assessment undertaken by its Security Consultants (Olive Group) and the same was forwarded to TA … Such report gave cause for concern for TA in that:   ''(a) some of the persons/and or organisations consulted by the Olive Group, namely representatives of the All India Tennis Association, Tamil Nadu Tennis Association and Security Committee and the Park Hotel, all had obvious interests that the Tie take place in Chennai.   ''(b) it appeared that the only 'independent' person consulted was the Chennai Commissioner of Police;   ''(c) what was provided was the Olive Group's Assessment of the Security Plan, not the Security Plan itself;   ''(d) it did not appear to provide for an adequate exit strategy to remove the team from Chennai should a terrorist attack take place, and;   ''(e) the assurances given to the Olive Group's representatives with respect to the security provided appeared to have been given to them verbally and not in writing.''   TA then commissioned two independent security assessments, and the information on the stolen security plans for the Commonwealth Games surfaced. ''Both assessments found that there was a credible risk of terrorist attacks within the Chennai region at or about the time the said Davis Cup Tie was to take place,'' TA said in its submission.   The ITF clearly had sympathy with TA's stand, fining Australia only $10,000, a modest penalty for forfeiting a Davis Cup tie.   The ITF's own security guidelines point out competition under a national flag represents a greater risk from terrorists than contests between champion individuals.   Tennis will be a sport at the Commonwealth Games for the first time this year but Pollard said Australia's participation would be an issue for the ACGA. Coffa said the ACGA ''will continue to monitor the situation in Delhi but not one sport has considered not going to India … But if anything shows up that causes concern, we will look at it closely. The last thing we will do is risk anyone's safety.''

Tags: Security, India, Stolen, Commonwealth, Games, Che...
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Reason  

Posted by: Editor     

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What is IP? IP represents the heart of the Internet protocol suite and is defined as the primary layer 3 protocols in the suite. In addition to inter-network routing, IP provides error reporting, fragmentation and reassembly of information units called data grams, for transmission over networks with different maximum data unit sizes.
 
IP Addresses are globally unique 32-bit numbers assigned by the Network Information Centre, which permit IP networks anywhere in the world to communicate with each other.
 
An IP address is divided into three parts. The first part designates the network address, the second - the subnet address, and the third - the host address.
 
IP CCTV Systems. Traditional analogue surveillance technology - CCTV has been used for over 20 years and is now increasingly being replaced by the more efficient IP technology surveillance solutions.
 
Tell Me About IP Surveillance Systems. IP stands for Internet Protocol, the most widely used protocol for communication over computer networks and the Internet. About 90 percent of today's networks are now IP enabled.
 
IP surveillance systems technology is founded on a well-proven yet innovative communication technology. It creates digitised video streams, which are transferred over a computer network, thus enabling remote monitoring from anywhere within the reach of the network and also viewing/monitoring from any remote location via the Internet.
 
The Advantages Of IP CCTV Systems Include:
 
• High Quality Images - Using digital cameras, processing, and storage ensures that picture quality is always high, as there is no degradation of image quality as with analogue equipment.
 
• Simplified User Interface - The playback and search capabilities are far superior to those of analogue systems, enabling immediate search and archive by events. Pictures of alarm events can also be scheduled and instantly sent by email for playback.
 
• Remote Accessibility - The improved access over an intranet or Internet, provides quicker access to digital quality images. The images can also be stored at remote locations (i.e. the Internet Camera Solutions Server) for added security and convenience.
 
• Lower Costs - Since digital video is stored on hard disk, the repair and service costs of analogue tape drive systems are removed. Additional savings include reduced travel costs to and from a monitored remote site.
 
• Future Proof Investment - Any investment in IP-Surveillance is for the long term, since it uses a technology, which is quickly gaining recognition in the security industry and employs open standard protocols and networks for communication, which allows equipment from several manufacturers to be used in the same system. It also makes it easy to expand your IP CCTV system in the future.
 
• Cost Effective - IP-Surveillance systems can function with an existing analogue one, since it can be configured to receive the same video and alarm signalling as the resident analogue system. Since both systems are capable of independent operation, there is no need to dispose of existing equipment until you are ready to expand the IP CCTV system, thus saving on initial installation and equipment costs.
 
• Integration - IP Surveillance technology can easily be integrated into other functions and services as the system is developed, since the digital video feeds are simply distributed into other networked systems, e.g. access control, company intranets, alarm systems, etc.
 
The Choice Is Easy, between a modern digital IP Surveillance system, delivering quality digital images that can be viewed and stored anywhere in the world over a computer network.
 
Or
 
Replacing your existing traditional analogue surveillance system, which provides low-resolution images with restricted viewing access and includes storage equipment that deteriorates with age.

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Tags: IP, CCTV, Internet, Camera, Monitor, Remote, High...
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Reason  

Posted by: Editor     
 
Last Friday, a posting entitled "IE7" and containing only a few uncommented lines of HTML code appeared on the BugTraq security mailing list. Several security firms have since confirmed that the code demonstrates a previously unknown security hole in Internet Explorer.
 

 
In first tests by heise Security, Internet Explorer crashed when trying to access the HTML page. Security firm Symantec confirms that, while the current zero day exploit is unreliable, more stable exploit code which will present a real threat is expected to appear in the near future. French security firm VUPEN managed to reproduce the security problem in Internet Explorer 6 and 7 on Windows XP SP3, warning that this allows attackers to inject arbitrary code and infect a system with malicious code. Microsoft has not yet commented on the problem.
 
The real identity of sender "securitylab.ir" remains unknown, but the pseudonym has appeared in advisories and exploits across various areas since April 2009. The flaw appears to be triggered when calling the getElementsByTagName JavaScript method. This means that IE users can protect their systems by disabling the Active Scripting settings for the internet zone, although as a result, many web pages will no longer function. As the flaw can be traced to Microsoft's mshtml.dll library, it is unlikely that other browsers are affected
 
Tags: Security, Vulnerability, IE7, Internet, Explorer
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Reason  

Posted by: user no longer registered     

House burglaries are on the rise. And it's not just the posh stately homes that are at risk, many homes nationwide could be targeted by a burglar. Every home will contain goods that can catch they eye of any robber, your TVs, DVD players, IPods even microwaves. No household is safe.

 

The chances of being burgled are in your hands. You cannot blame the area you live in, it is up to you to protect your home and make sure you, your valuables, and even your family is safe. Burglars do not just steal possessions, they could also steal lives, these intruders could even go as far as kill, and they could easily grab a knife or heavy object from your own home which could end your life.

 

Protecting your home doesn’t have to mean electric gates and a dozen Rottweiler's. Small things can protect your property. The most basic rule would be to ensure all doors and windows are secure. It sounds dumb as it is that basic, but it no joke that many robberies are caused due to an unlocked or insecure door or window, even if it is that small window that is open, a burglar could open a bigger one next to it by reaching into it and opening it from inside. Fit locks to your windows, if they are not double glazed, the majority of double glazed windows are lockable, as are conservatories. Doors obviously have the locks but it may not be enough to keep an intruder and their large crowbar away, so on your front door, and try fitting more than one lock to it, for example a mortise lock. For your garden door in the kitchen, consider fitting some bolts on the top and bottom, for additional security.

 

However it isn’t just security that will keep the burglar away. A lot of burglaries take place when the occupants are on holiday. An empty home is a burglar's dream; they can burgle to their heart's content without fear of waking someone up in the night. The worst thing is that people can definitely prevent this. If their house looks empty, no doubt will there be a robbery, but if the house doesn’t look empty, the intruders will not come anywhere near it. And yet more simple steps can be taken to ensure this. Fitting automatic timers on lights so they come on at night make it look like the house is occupied, and they plug in, no additional wiring. Do not draw the curtains when you leave, as a house with its curtains drawn during the day drops the hint that the house is empty. And do not forget to cancel milk and newspaper deliveries, as a build up indicates that no one is at home, or get a neighbour to pick up the milk and post, as well as water the plants. These ideas give you peace of mind, safety and security, and no mouldy yoghurt on the doorstep that was once milk!

 

You could also consider investing in a home security system to safeguard your home. By sticking its receivers to windows and doors, if a burglar forces entry into your home, the receiver discovers this and sounds the alarm and siren, more advanced systems dial out to police friends and work in case of an intruder or even to the fire brigade as some systems cover fire if one breaks out. Other ones even include CCTV systems which can record either stills or footage either in black and white or colour, either could be essential for recording a description of a burglar to give to the police. Some alarm systems are very expensive but you do not have to compromise your wallet for your security. All systems come with all sorts of price tags and there are alarm systems as low as £40 (As highlighted in the guide about burglar alarms in The Guardian, the link is in bookmarks). £40 is a very small price to pay for the security of your home. If you didn’t invest in one you could lose possessions which are worth hundreds or even thousands of pounds in a burglary. Not just monetary value, some jewellery has sentimental value too; they may not be replaceable in the event of a burglary.

 

Home Insurance policies with contents insurance cannot replace items of sentimental value. They may pay out for it, but if you grandmother's necklace or your grandfather's solid gold pen is stolen it may be gone forever. And remember that if you take out a claim it will result in more expensive premiums, yet such simple ideas could safeguard your home, some of these ideas are cheap and inexpensive (a timer may only cost £5) and some are free. Don’t compromise the safety of your home, or even your life, safeguard your home as soon as possible.

Tags: burglaries, robbery, house, home, safety, securit...
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Reason  

Posted by: Sub-Editor II     
 
Unfortunately, female travellers face special concerns during their journeys. From travel safety to hotel/hostel safety to personal safety and dress, being a female traveller requires a lot of attention and an eye for detail. If you are a young woman about to embark on gap year travels, don't let these concerns put you off. These safety tips will help you plan for the best trip of your life, and the safest!
 
Travel Safety
 
Many women forget that a great amount of information about themselves is transmitted during travel on planes and trains. Keep yourself safe by:
 
    * Using covered luggage tags and writing your office, not home, address.
    * Printing out your reservations so important information is not spoken aloud.
    * Speaking quietly during check in.
    * Keeping your handbag on your person throughout check in procedures.
    * Requesting an aisle seat so that you are never "trapped" during your travels.
    * Ensuring that your valuables are kept on your person if you are planning to sleep.
    * Always carrying your valuables with you to the bathroom or snack areas.
    * Looping your bags around your legs if you are going to eat or sleep.
 
Hostel/Hotel Safety
 
As the one place you should be able to let your guard down, make sure that your hostel or hotel is clean and safe. If this means spending a little more to get into the "right" part of town, do so. Your peace of mind is worth it.
 
    * Look for a small hotel/hostel where the staff will recognise their guests.
    * Make sure no one overhears your room number during check in.
    * Request a room near the central lifts, not the end of a hallway.
    * Check all doors and windows for appropriate locks.
    * Request female only rooms in hostels.
    * If provided, use a safe to store your valuables.
 
Personal Safety
 
Women can be the recipients of many unwanted advances and even physical contact during their travels, particularly if they are travelling alone. Many people still subscribe to a stereotype that solo female travellers are "asking for it" by not travelling with a protector. Others unwisely believe that women up for the adventure of travelling are up for anything. While you can't change others' minds, you can take steps to protect yourself.
 
    * Carry a light and whistle/alarm at all times.
    * Consider wearing a fake wedding ring.
    * Avoid eye contact with men.
    * Wear comfortable shoes that you can run in, if need be.
    * Avoid deserted or dimly lit areas of town.
    * Carry your bags across or in front of your body in crowded areas.
    * Use your assets - sew a small money slot into your bra.
    * Wear a money belt.
    * Leave expensive jewellery and designer clothes at home.
    * Ask for your drinks to be served in unopened bottles and cans.
    * Rest your hand over the top of your opened drink containers.
    * Do not accept drinks from strangers.
    * Use only registered taxis and public buses.
    * Try to hold a bar across from you, not above you, on public transportation.
    * Investigate reservations on transport so that you need not stand in a crowd.
    * Take advantage of female only carriages.
    * If you find yourself the victim of an unwanted advance, make some noise.
    * Observe local women and do as they do - and do not do.
 
Dress the Part
 
Regardless of your usual fashion sense, as a women travelling in different cultures, be respectful of local customs.
 
    * Upper arms should always be covered in India.
    * Thighs should be covered in the Pacific Islands.
    * As much of the body as possible should be covered in Muslim nations.
    * Hair should be covered by a scarf or hat in Muslim nations.
    * Keep cleavage covered at all times.
    * Slip-on shoes are helpful in areas where it is customary to go barefoot inside.
    * Many religious sites require female bodies and heads to be covered.
    * If you feel that you still stick out, ask a local woman to take you shopping!
 
While there is a lot to think about for women travellers, none of it should get in the way of a great trip. Have fun, stay safe, and enjoy!
 

Tags: Safety, Female, Women, Travelling, Travellers,
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Reason  

Posted by: Sub-Editor II     
 
Outdoor security light are one of the first points of action to preventing a home intrusion. A well-lighted property cannot prevent malicious activity or guarantee personal safety, but crimes are less likely to occur because lighting is an excellent deterrent.
 
A security lighting system is a deterrent because it exposes the criminal, making them feel vulnerable and insecure. Criminals most likely look for areas with little to no lighting. Homeowners on the other hand, can benefit from a lighting security system that can detect and recognize movement in an otherwise overlooked and dark surrounding. Downward directed and shielded security lighting of medium intensity provides the best vision for outdoor lighting. In addition to the position of the security lights, controlling the glare is a major consideration. This is crucial because homeowners who can see the criminal can possibly provide authorities with descriptions, information, and other valuable clues.
 
Outdoor security lighting is an important part of a complete home security plan, but many people make the wrong choice in the type of lighting they use. You might assume that bright lights that clearly illuminate your property would be a turnoff to potential burglars and thus the best choice. While lighting that illuminates driveways, paths, and porches can make homeowners and visitors (the invited kind) feel more secure, some types of outdoor security lighting can actually make it easier for burglars to ply their trade.
 
Bright security lights are not the best choice for home security. Illuminating the driveway and front yard with bright light can make it easier for a intruder to hide in the shadows. This is because bright lights also create dark shadows in the negative space. Therefore, it is harder for the eyes to adjust and pick out potential intruders hiding in the dark spots. Essentially, bright lights destroy a person's night vision. So, even though it may seem to make sense to use powerful lighting to illuminate the exterior of your home at night, lower light levels often make a smarter choice.
 
Lower wattage outdoor security lighting, such as one often sees used for landscape lighting, tends to be a better choice. This sort of lighting illuminates pathways enough for walking up to the house and opening the door without blinding the homeowner to what could be going on in other parts of the yard.
 
There are times when bright outdoor lighting makes sense (i.e. when checking for fallen branches during a storm or if there definitely is an intruder on your property and you want to scare him away), but rather than using it all the time (which is not smart energy-wise anyway), try having your bright lights controlled by inside switches.
 
How to Select Outdoor Security Lighting Systems?
 
Before selecting an outdoor security lighting system, you should consider some important points:
 
      1. How much money are you prepared to spend?
 
      2. What areas of the house or property do you want to be lighted? Do you want outdoor security fence lighting or are you happy with a simple security outdoor entry lighting system?
 
      3. Do you want the lights to be constantly on or do you want to regulate the lights with motion sensors or pre-set timers?
 
      4. Where will you be placing the lights? Where will the controls be?
 
      5. Do you want a system that has a remote control?
 
      6. Will you be installing the outdoor security lighting system by yourself? How handy are you with electrical projects? Would it be better to purchase a wireless outdoor lighting security system or do you feel competent to install hard-wired lights?
 

Tags: Outdoor, Security, Lighting, Home
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