Internet security giant AVG, based in San Francisco and Amsterdam, had launched an online security audit.

AVG, which is one of the top internet security firms in the world, has introduced what it believes to be the latest and one of the best weapons in the global fight against corporate cybercrime.

It’s known as the AVG Online Security Audit and is a free audit which will provide businesses with help on their security needs, including reports on just what is cybercrime and how it can be beaten on a daily basis.

It is particularly aimed at small to medium sized businesses which AVG reckons are vulnerable to concerted cyber attacks.

According to the company’s own research, they have discovered that nearly 15% of small to medium sized companies don’t even have security software installed, which leaves them wide open to attacks. The research also revealed that 25% of small to medium sized companies have suffered a security breach in the last 12 months.

AVG’s Global Head of Small Business Propositions, Robert Gorby, said:
“Our Online Security Audit is a major step forward in our battle against corporate cybercrime. In line with our bid to help small businesses, we’ve also highlighted five doorways through which cybercriminals can access company data. These doors need to be slammed shut, to prevent businesses from becoming the latest victims of cybercrime.”

AVG’s five doorways through which cyber criminals can pass are as follows:

1. Social Networks (advice, think before you click on site that may well be too familiar);
2. Instant Messages and Spam Chat (beware on instant message files that can contain viruses);
3. Inside Threats (remember that mostly, employees are responsible for letting viruses in, mostly innocently, but guard against malicious attacks from inside the walls);
4. Remote Control, Don’t Lose It (be wary of staff using their own machines on the corporate network, can be easy way to get infected);
5. Beware of Memory Sticks (watch out for threats from removable devices).

There’s little doubt that many small to medium sized businesses will use the AVG online audit to keep themselves safe from cyber attack.

Guest Article by Neil Camp 

When it comes to getting the best antivirus software deals for your computer equipment, it might surprise many that when it comes to smartphones, most users, say computer security giant AVG, are not aware of the significant risks involved.

Best antivirus stratagems appear to be focused on desktops and laptops, and smartphones are being overlooked by their owners as just not as vulnerable to cyber hackers.

But AVG reckons that owners of some of the most popular brands of mobile phones – such as BlackBerry and iPhone, and some major operating systems including Android – are in danger of being mugged.

A new survey has just been produced by AVG Technologies and the Ponemon Institute which has shown that over a third of smartphone users just do not realise how much at risk they might be. And the research also revealed that only just under 30% have considered using the best antivirus mobile applications for their personal devices.

A spokesman for AVG Technologies said:
“AVG and Ponemon Institute found that an alarmingly low percentage of smartphone users are aware of the security threats that exist today on many of the world’s most popular devices including Android handsets and the iPhone.

“A clear opportunity exists to better educate consumers on the steps they can take to minimize their risk and exposure, such as downloading low cost and even free anti-virus products specifically geared to protect their mobile lifestyle and investment.”

The research document revealed some very interesting facts, including that 13% of smartphone users said that location data had been unknowingly embedded on their device. This allows others to track a person’s location via their phone. Furthermore, 6% said that mobile applications on their smartphone had actually transmitted such things as credit card details without their consent. And that 8% of users admitted that their handsets had been infected by diallerware, a form of malware. This allows hackers to make a handset dial premium numbers, from which they get a cut.

Dr Larry Ponemon, chairman and founder of the Ponemon Institute, said:
“Our research suggests that smartphone users lack the awareness and knowledge to protect themselves from a rash of security vulnerabilities.”

So the message is quite clear, smartphones need the best antivirus applications, in the same way as desktops and laptops.

Guest Article by Neil Camp 

Anyone reading antivirus reviews might be pleased to know which are the best and worst European nations when it comes to being protected online. And who will have clear consciences, and who will have red faces.

For most antivirus reviews it’s the Dutch who are the most protected Europeans online. As to the worst, it appears that Latvians lose most money when it comes to financial losses and Bulgarians are the most likely to have their computers infected with malware.

On this occasion, the antivirus review was published by the European Commission’s statistical office known as Eurostat. This published, on Safer Internet Day which was 8th February, a report on various Internet security statistics as collected from across Europe.

A key finding of the report involved the use of IT security software (which included both antivirus software and firewall applications) and the figures show that use of such protection was the most common in the Netherlands. Here it was shown that around 96% of all surfing computer users in Netherlands are protected by such computer security. In second place were a number of countries: Finland, Luxembourg and Malta.

Lagging at the bottom are Estonia, Latvia and Romania. Here it’s reckoned that only two-thirds of surfing computer users avail themselves of computer security programs.

The report also revealed that in the last 12 months, over 30% of Europeans had fallen victim to an attack from a computer virus.

When it comes to losing money, Latvians (8%) led the way, but, perhaps surprisingly to many, is the fact that Britain comes a close second (7%).

This should ring alarm bells even for those that seek out the best antivirus products, as Britain has a very sophisticated antivirus software industry. And education to use such products, are readily available.

It will be very embarrassing for the British IT security industry to learn that amongst their fellow Europeans, they are regarded as an easy target, despite all the applications that are available to buy from computer goods shops, or download from the internet.

Guest Article by Neil Camp 

It’s likely that the antivirus software at one of America’s top stock markets has been beefed up in the past few weeks to stop attempts by hackers to penetrate the system.

Antivirus firewall software works by protecting the gateway computers which communicate with external systems.

And latest reports reveal that Nasdaq, the top New York exchange, has been under attack by hackers who apparently are making repeated attempts to break into the system.

The Wall Street Journal has reported that the FBI has been called in to investigate the alledged breach of security and the White House presidential team has been informed. Nasdaq itself has declined to comment on the stories and rumours.

Their reticence to comment is not unsurprising, given that stock exchanges are rife with rumours and gossip anyway, and just the mere suggestion of a successful cyber attack on one of the country’s largest and most active stock exchanges.

Nasdaq tends to deal in technology stocks, IPOs and younger companies. The New York Stock Exchange focuses on the larger concerns, listing most of the Fortune 500 companies.

The worry for the authorities is that stock price manipulation via a cyber attack could not only net the criminals a fortune, but it could also be a great terrorist victory. Terrorists have widened their net to include cyber attacks and Nasdaq, along with the other exchanges, represent an ideal target.

One financial security specialist said:
“The implications of cyber criminals being able to penetrate such a sensitive computer network are thinkable. It would also have worldwide ramifications. Nasdaq makes an ideal target both for the cyber criminal and cyber terrorist alike. Such an attack would shake the confidence of the major worldwide economies.”

The exchanges’ antivirus firewall software is the first line of defense against the attackers. It is there to keep the Barbarian hordes at bay, but also requires the necessary support of a good antivirus campaign plan. Viruses, Trojans and malware can be introduced so easily into systems, that users of the network have to be extremely careful as to how much the system is exposed to risk though the ‘back-door.’

Guest Article by Neil Camp 

Software antivirus giant Symantec – developer of the Norton brand of products – has issued its January 2011 MessageLabs Intelligence Report.

Symantec, one of the largest software antivirus companies in the world, revealed in its latest monthly report that global spam levels were down, although it still accounts for some 78.6% of all email traffic sent. And that’s the lowest since March 2009 when the rate had dropped to 75.7%.

The drop, says Symantec, was due mainly to three botnets – Lethic, Rustock and Xarvester – stopping operations and disagreement amongst a number of pharmaceutical spam-sending gangs.

A senior analyst at Symantec said:
“The closure of spam affiliate, Spamit, was partially responsible for the disruption to spam output. However, there are likely other factors at work, such as consolidation and restructuring of pharmaceutical spam operations which has led to instability in the market likely to be exploited as a business opportunity by other spam gangs. We expect to see more pharmaceutical spam in 2011 as new pharmaceutical spam brands emerge and botnets compete for their business.”

Botnets are hugely important when it comes to spamming and its reckoned that they were responsible for much of the spam circulating the globe. Indeed Rustock accounted for nearly half of all spam sent and on day alone, might have sent in the region of 44 billion spam emails. This gives it the distinction of being the single largest spam-sending botnet.

The Symantec analyst said about Rustock:
“At various points during Rustock’s history, the botnet has often exhibited irregular spamming patterns by sending huge volumes of spam before going quiet for several weeks at a time. But throughout 2010, its spamming pattern was more regular and it had been active non-stop until December 2010. Our investigation revealed no evidence of Rustock being disrupted in any way either by law enforcement or through other action.”

The bad news is though, that Rustock has resumed spamming – although not at its previous levels – and the Bagle botnet has taken over where the others left off, accounting for 20% of all spam emails; a figure which is growing.

Other parts of the report show that the number of email borne viruses is down as well, with one in 364.8 contained a virus, which equates to 0.274% and compares with the previous figure of 0.3%. And phishing slightly increased, with one in 409.7 emails explaining a get quick rich scheme.

Which goes to show that the need for software antivirus programmes has not at all lessened.

Guest Article by Neil Camp