Check Your Computer For Malware! You May Not Have Internet By Monday!

Malware may knock thousands off Internet on Monday

By LOLITA C. BALDOR | Associated Press

 WASHINGTON (AP) — Despite repeated alerts, tens of thousands of Americans may still lose their Internet service Monday unless they do a quick check of their computers for malware that could have taken over their machines more than a year ago.

The warnings about the Internet problem have been splashed across Facebook and Google. Internet service providers have sent notices, and the FBI set up a special website.

According to the FBI, the number of computers that probably are infected is more than 277,000 worldwide, down from about 360,000 in April. About 64,000 still-infected computers are probably in the United States.

The Canadian Internet Registration Authority said about 25,000 of the computers initially affected by the malware were in Canada, but now only about 7,000 machines remain infected there, according to Canadian Internet Registration Authority spokesman Mark Buell.

He said his organization, together with Public Safety Canada and the Canadian Radio-television Telecommunications Commission, has developed an online site where computer users can check their computers for the malware.

People whose computers are still infected Monday will lose their ability to go online, and they will have to call their service providers for help deleting the malware and reconnecting to the Internet.

The problem began when international hackers ran an online advertising scam to take control of more than 570,000 infected computers around the world. When the FBI went in to take down the hackers late last year, agents realized that if they turned off the malicious servers being used to control the computers, all the victims would lose their Internet service.

In a highly unusual move, the FBI set up a safety net. They brought in a private company to install two clean Internet servers to take over for the malicious servers so that people would not suddenly lose their Internet.

And while it was the first time they'd done something like that, FBI officials acknowledged that it may not be the last, since authorities are taking on more of these types of investigations.

The temporary Internet system they set up, however, will be shut down at 12:01 a.m. EDT Monday, July 9.

Most victims don't even know their computers have been infected, although the malicious software probably has slowed their online surfing and disabled their antivirus software, making their machines more vulnerable to other problems.

But popular social networking sites and Internet providers have gotten more involved, reaching out to computer users to warn of the problem.

According to Tom Grasso, an FBI supervisory special agent, many Internet providers are ready for the problem and have plans to try to help their customers. Some, such as Comcast, already have reached out.

The company sent out notices and posted information on its website. Because the company can tell whether there is a problem with a customer's Internet server, Comcast sent an email, letter or Internet notice to customers whose computers appeared to be affected.

Grasso said other Internet providers may come up with technical solutions that they will put in place Monday that will either correct the problem or provide information to customers when they call to say their Internet isn't working. If the Internet providers correct the server problem, the Internet will work, but the malware will remain on victims' computers and could pose future problems.

In addition to individual computer owners, about 50 Fortune 500 companies are still infected, Grasso said.

Both Facebook and Google created their own warning messages that showed up if someone using either site appeared to have an infected computer. Facebook users would get a message that says, "Your computer or network might be infected," along with a link that users can click for more information.

Google users got a similar message, displayed at the top of a Google search results page. It also provides information on correcting the problem.

To check whether a computer is infected, users can visit a website run by the group brought in by the FBI: http://www.dcwg.org .

The site includes links to respected commercial sites that will run a quick check on the computer, and it also lays out detailed instructions if users want to actually check the computer themselves.

___

Associated Press writer Charmaine Noronha in Toronto contributed to this report.

___

Online:

To check and clean computers: http://www.dcwg.org

Canadian websites: http://www.dns-ok.ca/

Comcast Warning: http://forums.comcast.com/t5/Security-and-Anti-Virus/DNS-Changer-Bot-FAQ/td-p/1215341

Google: http://googleonlinesecurity.blogspot.com/2012/05/notifying-users-affected-by-dnschanger.html

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/notes/facebook-security/notifying-dnschanger-victims/10150833689760766

source: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/malware-may-knock-thousands-off-internet-monday-063924510--finance.html

Email Theft & the Wikileaks Release

Here is an email I received that may interest you in the legalities, or rather the illegalities of Wikileaks and their taking private and supposedly secure property and turning it into a public nightmare...

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

George Friedman on Email Theft and the Wikileaks Release

—Visit Stratfor.com/hacking-news to watch this video message from George Friedman

Transcript:

I'm George Friedman, founder and CEO of Stratfor.

As most of you know, in December thieves hacked into Stratfor data systems and stole a large number of company emails, as well as private information of Stratfor subscribers and friends. Today Wikileaks is publishing the emails that were stolen in December. This is a deplorable, unfortunate -- and illegal -- breach of privacy.

Some of the emails may be forged or altered to include inaccuracies. Some may be authentic. We will not validate either, nor will we explain the thinking that went into them. Having had our property stolen, we will not be victimized twice by submitting to questions about them.

The disclosure of these emails does not mean that there has been another hack of Stratfor's computer and data systems. Those systems, which we have rebuilt with enhanced security measures, remain secure and protected.

The release of these emails is, however, a direct attack on Stratfor. This is another attempt to silence and intimidate the company, and one we reject. As you can see, emails sent to many people about my resignation were clearly forged.

We do not know what else has been manufactured. Stratfor will not be silenced, and we will continue to publish the geopolitical analysis our friends and subscribers have come to rely on.

As we have said before, Stratfor has worked to build good sources in many countries around the world, as any publisher of geopolitical analysis would do.

We are proud of the relationships we have built, which help our analysts better understand the issues in many of these countries through the eyes of people who live there.

We have developed these relationships with individuals and partnerships with local media in a straightforward manner, and we are committed to meeting the highest standards of professional and ethical conduct.

Stratfor is not a government organization, not is it affiliated with any government. The emails are private property. Like all private emails, they were written casually, with no expectation that anyone other than the sender and recipient would ever see them. And clearly, as with my supposed resignation letter, some of the emails may be fabricated or altered.

Stratfor understands that this hack and the fallout from it have created serious difficulties for our subscribers, friends and employees. We again apologize for this incident, and we deeply appreciate the loyalty that has been shown to Stratfor since last year's hack.

We want to assure everyone that Stratfor is recovering from the hack. We will continue to do what we do best: produce and publish independent analysis of international affairs. And we will be back in full operation in the coming weeks. We look forward to continuing to serve you.

Your security: You can confirm all official emailed communications from Stratfor at Stratfor.com/hacking-news
Questions? Contact feedback@stratfor.com or (512) 744-4300 ext 2

Who Will 'Anonymous' Hack Next? Beginners Guide On How To Become A Member Of 'Anonymous'?

BART Braces For More Attacks From Anonymous
The SF Bay area's transit agency expects more website disruptions after an attack over the weekend.

Strategic Security Survey: Global Threat, Local Pain

(click image for larger view and 


By Elizabeth Montalbano InformationWeek


One of the San Francisco Bay Area's transportation systems is bracing itself for more hack attacks Monday after a data breach by Anonymous over the weekend that affected thousands of Bay Area residents.


The hactivist group infiltrated a Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) website called MyBart.org and stole personal identification data on thousands of users, which it posted online. Anonymous notified people of the hack on one of the Twitter feeds it uses, @Anonymous IRC. BART provides train service in and around the city of San Francisco.

On Sunday BART officials warned users that the organization's online services--used by nearly 2 million customers a month--may be subject to a disruption of service due to another attack, although BART was doing everything it could to defend its website and keep services up and running.


They also stressed that BART's website infrastructure is separate from any networks running BART transportation services, so train service would not be affected by any further hacks.


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Anonymous said the attack was inspired by two recent shootings by BART police and the agency's shutdown of a mobile network available in trains and BART stations to quell a protest last week over one of those shootings, which resulted in the death of a homeless man.


"We do not tolerate oppression from any government agency," Anonymous said in notes on its posting of MyBart.org information. "BART has proved multiple times that they have no problem exploiting and abusing the people."


In its so-called Op BART Action post, Anonymous released information such as the names, home addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers of at least 2,400 Bay Area residents, which were notified by BART after the intrusion, officials said in a post Sunday on its website. They also apologized about the incident and temporarily shut down MyBart.org.


BART has notified law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security, about the attack.


Meanwhile, Anonymous, which appears to be losing no steam after months of stepped-up attacks in collaboration with AntiSec and the now-defunct LulzSec groups, tweeted that it will be releasing more stolen information later this week.


"We been busy the last 2 days, but: There will be some wild #AntiSec leak crossing your course this week, all (allied) vessels: stay tuned!" according to an @AnonymousIRC tweet.
http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/security/231400253


Hacking Group Anonymous Vows to 'Kill' Facebook on Nov. 5
Published August 10, 2011
| FoxNews.com


PALO ALTO, Calif. – The Anonymous Internet hacking group is planning to "kill" Facebook and has announced the date it will attempt do so, in a statement gaining prominence Tuesday. But the group is clearly not unified against the social network.


In a YouTube video, the hacking group warns, "Your medium of communication you all so dearly adore will be destroyed."


"If you are a willing hacktivist or a guy who just wants to protect the freedom of information then join the cause and kill Facebook for the sake of your own privacy."


Whether that's a single angry hacker or the will of the entire collective was unclear, however. "#OpFacebook is just another fake!" read a Twitter feed associated with the Anonymous group early Wednesday morning. "We don't 'kill' the messenger. That's not our style."


Hours later, the group appeared to have changed its tune: "#OpFacebook is being organized by some Anons. This does not necessarily mean that all of #Anonymous agrees with it," the Twitter feed read just two hours later.


The group said in its message that "Operation Facebook" would be begin November 5. It claimed the social network, based in Palo Alto, Calif., provides information to "government agencies" so they can "spy on people."


While not necessarily a single entity, Anonymous links hackers across the word with the goal of committing acts of civil disobedience online.


Most recently, the "AntiSec" hacking group -- linked to Anonymous -- claimed last weekend that it had "defaced and destroyed" the websites of scores of US police agencies in retaliation for the arrests of cyber attack suspects.
http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/08/09/hacking-group-anonymous-plans-to-kill-facebook-on-nov-5/





HOW TO JOIN ANONYMOUS - A BEGINNER'S GUIDE

Preface: So you want to join Anonymous?

You can not join Anonymous. Nobody can join Anonymous.
Anonymous is not an organization. It is not a club, a party or even a movement. There is no charter, no manifest, no membership fees. Anonymous has no leaders, no gurus, no ideologists. In fact, it does not even have a fixed ideology.

All we are is people who travel a short distance together - much like commuters who meet in a bus or tram: For a brief period of time we have the same route, share a common goal, purpose or dislike. And on this journey together, we may well change the world.

Nobody can speak for Anonymous. Nobody could say: you are in, or you are out. Do you still want to join Anonymous? Well, you are in if you want to.

How to get in contact with others?
Anonymous has no centralized infrastructure. We use existing facilities of the Internet, especially social networks, and we are ready to hop on to the next one if this one seems compromised, is under attack, or starts to bore us.

At the time of this writing, Facebook, Twitter and the IRC appear to host the most active congregations. But this may change at any time. Still, these are probably the best places to get started. Look for terms like "anonymous", "anonops" and other keywords that might be connected to our activities.

How do I recognize other Anonymous?
We come from all places of society: We are students, workers, clerks, unemployed; We are young or old, we wear smart clothes or rugs, we are hedonists, ascetics, joy riders or activists. We come from all races, countries and ethnicities. We are many. 

We are your neighbours, your co-workers, your hairdressers, your bus drivers and your network administrators. We are the guy on the street with the suitcase and the girl in the bar you are trying to chat up. We are anonymous. Many of us like to wear Guy Fawkes masks on demonstrations. Some of us even show them in their profile pictures in social networks. That helps to recognize each other.

Have you been infiltrated?
If you talk to another Anonymous, you will never know who he is. He may be a hacker, cracker, phisher, agent, spy, provocateur - or just the guy from next door. Or his daughter. It is not illegal to be Anonymous. Nor is it illegal to wear Guy Fawkes masks. Keep that in mind. If you personally have not been involved in illegal activities, you have nothing to worry, no matter whom you talk to; If you have, it is wise not to talk about it. To no one.

How do I protect my privacy?
Invent an alias, a nick, a pseudonym ... call it as you will, just invent something. Then register a mail account in that name with one of the big mail providers. Use this email address to register your Twitter, Facebook, etc. accounts. Make sure to clear all cookies before you start using your new identity, or better use a different web browser for Anonymous than for your other activities. 

If you have higher needs for security, ask us about encryption, steganography, TOR, etc. Many of us know how to use them.We will always respect your need for privacy. We will never ask for your personal information. If we do, we will not expect a truthful answer; And neither should you

Complete Guide Here : Click

What is the right thing to do?
The only person who can tell you what is right for you is yourself. This is also the only person you should follow. We have no leaders. You are also the only person responsible for your actions. Do what you think is right. Do not what you think is wrong.

How many Anonymous are there?
We are more than you think. We are more than anybody thinks. We are many.

And you are now one of us. Welcome to Anonymous.
http://www.thehackernews.com/2011/03/how-to-join-anonymous-hacker-identity.html

Cyber Attack.

WASHINGTON — The powerful attack that overwhelmed computers at U.S. and South Korean government agencies for days was even broader than initially realized, also targeting the White House, the Pentagon and the New York Stock Exchange.

Other targets of the attack included the National Security Agency, Homeland Security Department, State Department, the Nasdaq stock market and The Washington Post, according to an early analysis of the malicious software used in the attacks.

Many of the organizations appeared to successfully blunt the sustained computer assaults.

The Associated Press obtained the target list from security experts analyzing the attacks. It was not immediately clear who might be responsible or what their motives were.

South Korean intelligence officials believe the attacks were carried out by North Korea or pro-Pyongyang forces.

The attack was remarkably successful in limiting public access to victim Web sites, but internal e-mail systems are typically unaffected in such attacks.

Some government Web sites — such as the Treasury Department, Federal Trade Commission and Secret Service — were still reporting problems days after the attack started during the July 4 holiday.

View Source Here For the Rest of the Story

SEOUL, South Korea — South Korean intelligence officials believe North Korea or pro-Pyongyang forces committed cyber attacks that paralyzed major South Korean and U.S. government Web sites, aides to two lawmakers said Wednesday.

The sites of 11 South Korean organizations, including the presidential Blue House and the Defense Ministry, went down or had access problems since late Tuesday, according to the state-run Korea Information Security Agency. Agency spokeswoman Ahn Jeong-eun said 11 U.S. sites suffered similar problems.

She said the agency is investigating the case with police and prosecutors.

In the U.S., the Treasury Department, Secret Service, Federal Trade Commission and Transportation Department Web sites were all down at varying points over the July 4 holiday weekend and into this week, according to American officials inside and outside the government.

View Source Here for the Remainder of the Story