Are you taking advantage of free cloud computing solutions offered by technology companies such as Google and Apple? Millions of people are making use of cloud computing which allows for computer files to be stored in the “cloud”, also known as the Internet, allowing for easy access from any computer. There is no denying the benefits are there, including the ability to remotely access your data without having to have your own laptop with you.

Guest Article by Louise Goldstein

Data capture by cybercriminals is most definitely on the increase and we all should know the dangerous implications of being robbed online.

But are we so certain that we’re not victims of a more subtle form of data capture, one practised by the big legitimate companies.

Just because it’s a high-street operation, and one that has a very recognisable brand, does not mean that they are immune to trying to wheedle out as much information as they can from their customers.

Nowadays marketing efforts live, or die on personal data. Customers are not merely sold to, or encouraged to buy, they are targeted. Firstly, they are defined and secondly, they are profiled. This is because, and let’s be honest here, companies don’t want to waste efforts selling something their customers don’t want.

Take the large ecommerce operations which quickly build profiles of their customers because they closely monitor their buying habits. Say one customer has bought a particular type of book in the past, the online retailer will store this information in a complex database and regularly send out up dates to let the customer know of other books they might fancy within the genre, or just any books just published.

Despite some reservations, the system actually works as it allows the customer to be targeted correctly which leads to a lot less time being wasted for the company and their customers.

There are two downsides of course. Firstly, the very real danger that the data might get into the wrong hands and be used for nefarious means. Secondly, this sort of marketing destroys the sense of serendipity when it comes to shopping.

Take the first point. Companies are becoming ever more sophisticated at capturing data, so much so, that anyone completing an online data form, should always check out the small print terms and conditions. The rise in social media has resulted in so much personal data being out there (and inter-linked), that some companies will see that information as worth mining and storing on their database. Thus, a company might not just be acquiring your data, but your network of friend’s data as well.

Now, arguably, with a responsible company, that does not matter, because, given they have a reputation to keep and Data Protection Laws to adhere to, they will bend over backwards to protect their databases. But, with less scrupulous companies, there might be a temptation to sell their data on, or ‘lose it’ through poorly protected IT systems.

And this ‘precision bombing’ approach to marketing does lose the sense of serendipity, of browsing through products that you haven’t bought before, just because the company can’t be that clever (based on moods and whims) to calculate your future tastes. At least not yet!

But the point is, always be careful when you handover your personal data. Mostly it will be used responsibly, but if you have any doubt, it’s best to run for the hills and refuse to hand it over!

Guest Article by Neil Camp 

Get Safe Online, a campaign group which promotes good anti-virus security practice, is warning computer users about cold calling techniques used by organised crime gangs.

Anti-virus security is back on the top of the agenda after it’s been revealed that gangs are becoming ever more sophisticated when it comes to persuading people to download malicious software and then steal personal information.

The gangs are said to have established sophisticated call centres, mainly in Eastern Europe and Asia, in which hundreds of people are employed to cold call contacts in various countries – the UK included – and persuade them that their computer is infected and that the only way to fix the problem, is by downloading particular software onto their computers.

Another way to persuade people is via screen pop-ups which flag a erroneous message which claims that the computer is infected and that the proffered download is the only way to the ‘clean’ the software.

Google confirmed some months ago that it was seeing a huge amount of fake anti-virus software being pedalled on the internet.

The download malicious software is cleverly designed to look like the anti-virus security applications developed by the top companies which produce anti-virus products.

The criminal gangs either use the information they harvest themselves, or sell it to other gangs via online market places.

The UK police take the problem seriously and plot the criminals activities via the Serious and Organised Crime Agency, which is known as Soca. The deputy director of Soca, Sharon Lemon, said:
“In recent cases, we have seen gangs employing 300 to 400 people to run their operations and using call centre-scale set ups to target victims en masse.

“They can also be paying out as much as $150,000 (£92,000) a month to individual webmasters who are unwittingly advertising their fake software – this level of investment from criminals indicates that the returns are much heftier than this.”

The Head of Get Safe Online, Tony Neate, said:
“This is big business, and it’s preying on people’s fears of the internet. The internet is a great place but when somebody phones you up and tells you have a virus on your machine, you will start to panic.”

Experts reckon that some criminal gangs who promote fake anti-virus software applications can generate sales of over four million pounds a year.

Guest Article by Neil Camp 

Firewall software is a key component for anyone’s self defense against the hordes of cyber criminals out there, but for China, a firewall is seen as the way they can try and maintain a level of censorship on their peoples.

But is it as clear as that? A case of the so-called Red Firewall keeping out the perfidious digital legions of the West. Not so say some observers, who argue that China’s internet is actually quite liberal and that it’s the big networking and social sites that have the problem. Leading to the conclusion that China’s firewall software might not be so perfect afterall.

Journalists testing China’s internet have discovered that some of the big newspaper sites are freely available and also a whole raft of porn sites. The trouble comes when the same journalists try to get onto sites like YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and Google, they struggle. Google of course has reversed their early highly unpopular decision to work alongside the Chinese authorities, and now face the consequences.

It would appear that China’s flourishing internet users – nearly 400 million at the last count – freely watch, read and download all manner of subversive material (including porn, news outlets which criticise their leaders, teenage chat rooms, celebrity gossip and academic forums), but that the sites of instant sharing of information, are seen as potentially dangerous. Experts think that it’s the element of rapid news sharing that frightens China’s old guard so much. It’s as though the thought of mass joined up thinking threatens their very existence.

And there are other touchy areas of course. Naked bodies may not rouse much censorship, or spotty teenagers ranting about their schools, but mention some areas of religion, history, or politics, and the censors with the digital black marker pen are very active. Mention 1989 and Tiananmen Square, and you’ll find a lot of blank space. Likewise search for Falum Gong, and you might find yourself getting a visit.

The Chinese government could also teach the world a thing, or two about SEO strategies. Apparently a small army of volunteers have been recruited and paid small amounts of money for roaming websites and posting up pro-government comments. They get a very small commission for each posting.

China might have the Red Firewall and their censors might be quick with the delete button when it comes to certain key areas, but the internet in that part of the world is certainly not a black void.

So whilst western computer users are obsessed with firewall software, spare a thought for the users in China, where firewall means and symbolises something else entirely.

Guest Article by Neil Camp

One of the most interesting perspectives on cybersecurity to come out in recent times has been published by ENISA.

Although not strictly a look at antivirus products, it justifies the ‘antivirus review’ label by examining how important information sharing should be in Europe

ENISA stands for European Network and Information Security Agency. It acts as the EU’s cyber security agency. They have just launched a new report on the barriers which hinder information sharing within the cyber security sector.

And it shows there is a great gap between the commercial world which holds economic concerns above all else, and the political world which sees a concerted effort against cyber crime as fundamental to the future.

Dr Udo Helmbrecht, The Executive Director of ENISA, said:
“Information sharing is a corner stone to improve the protection of critical information infrastructure-CIIP, which is vital for Europe’s economy and communications within Europe.”

Apart from some waffle about cyber security aspirations, the report comes up with some key recommendations.

First is the fact that member states should create a sharing platform for national information and this will encourage co-operation with other Member States.

Second, it is beholden on the private sector to be more transparent when it comes to sharing information. This includes being prepared to share information way before an event necessitates sharing.

Third, the research and academic sectors should promote the economic benefits of participating in sharing platforms, ensuring that companies see the monetary benefit of what they recommend and implement. The theory goes that if companies fully understand how sharing will benefit them on the bottom line, then they will more actively become involved in the whole process.

Fourth, that a further information sharing platform should be established, which actively promotes sharing between Member States and private shareholders.

So maybe not the best report for antivirus product insights, but nonetheless, disregarding the ponderous feel of the report, it does have some good ambitions. Information sharing is a key way that the authorities and companies have for combating the ever-increasing levels of cyber crime, although the key question is, can the EU do more than just encourage the idea of talking, and actually get all the parties around a table?

Guest Article by Neil Camp