Today marks the 26th birthday of the computer virus. On November 10th 1983 Fred Cohen, a University of Southern California graduate student, provided a proof-of-concept during a security seminar at Lehigh University. 26 years later the computer virus is still going strong.
My first virus
I recall my first computer virus experience, “Melissa“, back in 1999. I was working for another company in London at the time and we started getting lots of email with the same subject line from multiple European and far eastern affiliates. Before long, many of our users were sending loads of email out that they never initiated. Our network admin “pulled the plug” on our local Exchange server until he could resolve the issue. I called our US headquarters to give them a heads-up but they still had numerous users opening and infecting their mail systems. That was a wake up call and dealing with email-borne malware provided an experience that I’ll never forget.
My how you’ve grown!
Email malware has gotten a lot nastier since then. It presents huge problems for users and admins. Computers can be hijacked and used for nefarious purposes. Information can be stolen and bank accounts drained. The FBI has released a warning about the threat to online cyber fraud. Some figures estimate cyber fraud losses to be upwards of $100 million year-to-date.
About Mailprotector
Mailprotector’s services have been squashing spam, viruses, Trojans, phishing attacks and other email-borne malware for nearly 10 years. It’s affordable, easy to set up and simple to use.
There have been a slew of cyber-security related news events as of late. Robert Mueller, the FBI director, told an audience that he was nearly hooked in a phishing scam . Google’s Wave created a spike of spear-phishing attempts. Botnets continue to plague the web, and spam has not been eradicated by 2006 as Bill Gates had predicted in 2004.
Well, here’s another item you need a heads-up about – GIANT SNAKES!
The giant snakes aren’t on the Internet. They’re in Florida, Texas and the southern US. There have been numerous reports about large non-native snake species being let loose in the wild by their previous owners. I’ve never understood why someone would want a python, anaconda, boa constrictor or other large snake as a pet. They won’t chase a ball, they won’t fetch the paper and slippers, and I sure don’t want to find one snuggled up to me on the couch or in the bed. I like snakes but only if I’m bigger and not seen as a meal by them. Snakes have always been fascinating to me. My kids have even been able to handle large constrictors at our local science center. Of course, the handlers are always on hand supervising. These large constrictors can grow up to 20 feet long and weigh over 200 lbs. Could you imagine encountering one of these beasts in the wild? You better be a track star or packing heat if you want to tell that story to your buddies.
We’ll handle your email, you handle the snakes
Mailprotector can’t really help you with large, hungry constrictors you may meet in the wild. We’ll be glad to keep you safe with our award winning email security. We’ll put the squeeze on cyber-crooks so they don’t put the squeeze on you. You’re on your own with the snakes, though.
Happy National Cyber Security Awareness Month!
Two Romanians were just extradited to face charges related to a phishing scheme. The phishing scheme targeted customers of some well known financial institutions.
Plead “not guilty”
FBI officials announced on September 29 that Petru Bogdan Belbita, 25, of Craiova, Romania, and Cornel Ionut Tonita, 28, of Galati, Romania, were brought to the US to face charges of conspiracy and aggravated identity theft. They have pleaded “not guilty” to these charges.
Trail of evidence
The pair were caught after an investigation was launched about a complaint of a fraudulent email made to appear as if it came from Connecticut-based People’s Bank. The email directed users to a compromised computer in Minnesota that hosted a counterfeit web site for People’s Bank. As the investigation unfolded it was determined the duo also engaged in similar phishing schemes targeting customers of Citibank, CapitalOne, JP Morgan Chase & Co., PayPal, and others.
Roundup
The two men, as well as five other Romanian citizens, were indicted by a grand jury in 2007. Belbita was arrested in Canada on Jan. 24, 2009, and brought to the United States Sept. 25. He appeared before a federal judge in Connecticut Sept. 29 and pleaded not guilty. Tonita was arrested in Croatia in July and extradited to the United States Sept. 4. He pleaded not guilty six days later. The other five Romanians indicted in this scheme are looking over their shoulders now. It shouldn’t be long before they face the music (cue Hawaii Five-O theme).
Keeping their buddies away
Mailprotector’s services mitigate the risk of phishing attacks. Whether you host your own mail server or need us to do it for you it’s a given that you need advanced email security to prevent phishing, Trojans, spam and other malware from reaching your inbox.
