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 

Antivirus firewall software is not going to stop internet surfers accessing websites that sell fake, or unlicensed medicines, but the US Government is determined to target such operations.

The problem is that antivirus firewall software cannot determine the legitimacy of online products, especially those selling pills, and although it will guard against malicious attacks, the confused consumer can easily be tricked. This is the concern of the US government, who have given a solid promise to try to shut down web stores that sell a various array of pills and drugs.

Alongside their promise for affirmative action, they also hope to educate internet users about the dangers of trusting such websites, and buying potentially harmful drugs over the internet. The numbers of users who do buy pills over the internet tally to nearly 36 million, and that is in America alone. These unlicensed pharmacies are not only illegal, but dangerous.

Victoria Espinel, US intellectual property enforcement co-ordinator, says: "Those who sell prescription drugs online without a valid prescription are operating illegally, undercutting the laws that were put in place to protect patients, and are thereby endangering the public health. It is a real wake-up call that so many Americans have engaged in this dangerous behaviour.”

It is not only the US government that has pledged to help in the crackdown; internet search engine giants, net hosting companies and payment providers have all given their backing to the government’s drive. Google, Network Solutions, Visa, MasterCard and PayPal have all given their names to the operation.

With these names, combined with the power of the government, the US hope to target every area and block up any gap that may lead to unlicensed pharmacies selling their illegal and dangerous trade to online users. A variety of methods will be used: for example taking websites offline, delisting domains known to be used by unlicensed pharmacies, and even stopping payments from getting to their pockets. By taking this proactive approach, they hope to quash this alarming trend.

Of course, the question must be asked as to why so many Americans risk their health by using unlicensed pharmacies online. It has therefore been decided that, alongside the crackdown, research should be taken to see why Americans buy pills online in such alarming numbers. Drugfree and the Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies are part of the team undertaking research.

Steve Pasierb, president of non-profit Drugfree.org, says: "The abuse of prescription medications is one of the most troubling public health problems in our country today.”

It is hoped that by combining a proactive crackdown with research, and with education campaigns, the trend for Americans to buy pills over the internet from unlicensed pharmacies can be reversed. In this case, technology such as antivirus firewall software is not the answer to the problem, but it is hoped that a concerted human effort will bring down illegal pill-peddlers in the US.

Guest Article by Neil Camp 

The firewall antivirus market is abuzz with news that, as reported by PC Mag and ITProPortal, ZoneAlarm is having a spat with CheckPoint over some ‘dubious’ sales tactics.

The Free Firewall Antivirus customers of ZoneAlarm are complaining that the producers of the software, CheckPoint, are using scareware tactics in order to force people to buy the paid-for version of the application.

Those using the free firewall software found themselves faced with a ‘Global Virus Alert’ notification pop-up on their screens. It warned them that the user’s computer might be infected with the ZeuS.Zbot.aoaq virus. This nasty has quite a reputation and will undoubtedly scare the life out of many users. The pop-up goes on to warn that unless the free firewall version of the software is downloaded – an upgrade in effect – then the virus will remain on the system.

A spokesperson for CheckPoint told PC Mag: “It was never our intent to lead customers to believe they have a virus on their computer. This was purely an informative message about a legitimate and serious virus that also included information about the differences in protection of various products.”

But that stance has not pleased the customers of ZoneAlarm who say that no responsible company should be using the very same tactics used by cyber criminals and virus writers. The whole concept behind scareware is to frighten users in thinking that they are infected and that they have to pay money to remove the problem. And industry experts have added their own annoyance, saying that it is dangerous for legitimate companies to adopt the tactics of cyber criminals in order to market their products.

Some users of the free firewall antivirus programme have actually removed the software from their systems in disgust.

CheckPoint might have raised awareness of scareware and no doubt as a tactic to get people’s attention it has worked, but it appears to have backfired with many angry customers voicing their dissent and actually removing the firewall application.

Companies thinking about the same tactics will do well to bear the CheckPoint experience in mind.

Guest Article by Neil Camp

PC Antivirus Reviews has handed out some gongs for 2010. And in their 2010 Antivirus Firewall Software Report, Panda picks up an impressive 93% score for their Panda Antivirus Pro 2010.

The judges cited the fact that:
“Where it counts, Panda maintains its record of good real-time protection, making it a good choice for those seeking true antivirus firewall software without a need for the other features in the Internet Security Software Suites.”

The review makes the point that Panda’s latest antivirus application is one of the few that includes a firewall by default.

Another strong point said the panel of judges was that the drain on the system’s processing power was very low compared to many other software security suites on the market. They also liked the look of the simple, clean and effective user interface.

Overall, it was a good choice for those computer users who seek true antivirus firewall software, without wanting all the other features usually associated with similar security suites. And it was also ideal for people with no need of telephone, or chat based technical support.

This will no doubt appeal to those users who are tired of security applications on the market which are a heavy drain on their computer’s resources. Many consumers believe that certain top-name applications actually hog too much processing power and slow down computers. The problem is of course, that antivirus threats are real-time, so most security applications have to run in the background in order to offer complete protection. This ‘always on’ status is what drains processor power, although many experts believe that some security applications are indeed far too busy and unnecessarily so, with complicated add-ons and elaborate interfaces. Indeed, some have been accused of almost taking over systems and running as management systems.

But the problem is most apparent with older computers. The older processors sometime struggle with multiple applications and became noticeably slower in their output. Modern day systems can cope with most of the modern, intensive security applications.

For those worried about such issues, they should scan the 2010 Antivirus Firewall Software Report for help.

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