Rock Center
It was a crime of staggering sophistication by computer hackers who figured out a new way to get rich.
In a case that became known as Trident Breach, the hackers stole $70 million from the payroll accounts of some 400 American companies and organizations – all from the safety of their homes in Eastern Europe.
“I think it’s the perfect definition of organized crime,” said FBI Executive Assistant Director Shawn Henry. “It’s very well organized. It’s very well-structured. It requires many people operating in unison, in a collaborative way.”
At the beginning of 2008, the group of hackers compromised hundreds of thousands of Americans computers using a malicious computer “Trojan” bug called ZeuS. When computer users clicked on certain attachments and e-mail links, ZeuS infected their computers.
ZeuS is designed to zero in on users’ bank information. For example, when a user visits a bank website, ZeuS knows; and since it is a key logger program, it records the user's keystrokes as he or she enters usernames and passwords. It then sends that information by instant text message to waiting hackers, who then have access to the compromised accounts.
Henry is one of the country’s top cybercrime fighters. He says Americans are increasingly prone to “virtual gangs” prying on people’s personal data stored on their computers.
“We have organized groups that have developed internationally where groups of people have come together, each with a very specific capability and skill, who have never met each other in the physical world, but they meet online in a collaborative way,” he said.
Henry says that the security breaches have the potential to be more than just criminal acts. They could pose a national security risk.
“There are foreign intelligence services that are aggressively pursuing American technology. They’re aggressively pursuing American strategy. They’re looking at the American military, the American consumer, the American corporations, research and development organizations, laboratories, educational facilities,” Henry said. “The amount and value of data that is on the network is at an unprecedented level. Our adversaries know that that data is there. It’s information and information is valuable."
Money Mules Help Hackers Get $70 Million
In the Trident Breach case, the hackers were able to get their hands on the cash by turning people into money mules.
Beginning in late 2008, they created some 3000 money mules, many of them unwitting Americans, by luring them into work-at-home jobs requiring "employees" to open bank accounts.
“The first money mule activity we started seeing was people who would receive an email saying, ‘You can get a work-at-home job’ and the work-at-home job would be something like transaction manager for an international company,” said Prof. Gary Warner of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, who teaches a program that combines computer forensics and justice studies.
Warner is also a member of the little-known FBI-affiliated group called InfraGard, comprising some 50,000 members across the United States who keep an eagle eye on U.S . critical infrastructure: power plants, water supply, security and financial services…and the internet. Warner said the hackers transferred cash from business payroll-type "ACH" (Automated Clearing House) accounts to the mule accounts and the mules sent the cash by Western Union or MoneyGram to Eastern Europe, taking eight or 10 percent commission.
Warner said that when the banks started to get wise to the hackers’ work-at-home schemes, and set up roadblocks, the hackers then recruited dozens of students, mainly from southern Russia, to be a new breed of money mule.
“It’s still a little gray whether the students who were recruited knew that they were being recruited for crime,” Warner said.
The hackers obtained fake passports for the students, U.S. J1 work/study visas, and packed their new mules off to the United States. The students opened multiple bank accounts, mainly in the New York area, where they received stolen cash. Then, just as the mules before them had, they wired the cash back to their bosses.
University Professor Helps FBI Crack Cybercrime Case
So stealthy was their ZeuS operation, neither the hackers nor the mules had counted on getting caught. But, using complex data mining techniques, Prof. Warner established links between ZeuS-infected computers and traced the origins of the mass infection to Ukraine; and many of the hackers and their mules were caught.
But 18 mules remained at large in the United States. And after the FBI published a wanted poster of the students, Warner’s students began using what they’d learned in class to track the criminals.
“So the students used the techniques we had taught them during investigating online crime [class] and began crawling Facebook pages and VKontakte, which is a Russian version similar to Facebook and were able to quickly identify profile pages of almost all of them, at-large mules,” Warner said.
Warner’s students discovered one of the students-turned-mules had brazenly posted pictures of herself with a wad of hundred-dollar bills. Another had posted a picture of himself dressed in an “I ❤ New York” top, arms aloft, celebrating in a bar with his friends – some of whom turned out to be other money mules. And another was pictured standing next to the new car he has presumably just bought.
Though all the mules – except one – were arrested, that does not necessarily mean the end of the money mules, says Gary Warner.
“ZeuS infections are rampant still today. There are probably millions of computers in the United States that have active Zeus on their machines right now,” Warner said.
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How many of those millions of computers are running iOS or Linux?
Well being you can't do jack sh*t with either of those OS's probably none. A simple security suite, a free suite, can prevent any worm or bug from infecting a pc. And at my online bank, I need a 13 character sign-on, then I have to choose from 3 sets of random images of peoples faces to continue, something a keylogger couldn't record, then I enter my pass. I have a credit union of course, I guess the big monster banks still don't give a sh*t about their customers. Quit bashing windows, it's so far beyond other OS's in abilities it's not even a contest.
You really have to hand it to the students who busted up this ring. Nice job. If that's what it takes, a degree is certainly worth the results these people produced.
Great job to the students for breaking up this theft ring. It's amazing that this originated in the Ukraine, where people are still riding around in donkey carts. It's obvious where the locals are putting all their efforts- into stealing from others.
Whats to keep the students from using their knowledge for their own gains?
The same thing that keeps you from taking your paranoia meds. That's wise, because it lets you see that the good guys really ARE the bad guys, and now that they've gained your trust, they're gonna get you.
Does it matter what OS anyone was using that got the virus. Please don't tell me your invincible to a virus because of your iOS or Linux. You obviously don't know a thing about them if you do. Just because the 3 people who use one or the other have not gotten a virus, does not mean they can not. Lammer !
Considering banks know the value of money my guess is none since they don't want to overpay for something like a MAC. I can spell it out for you. Fully equiped kick-butt laptop with Win7-about $1000. Equivalent MAC about $2000. Even a kindergartener can tell you that is a lot of dough for basically the same unit.
What a foolish comment! You know nothing about Mac.
All you anti-Mac fools can focus on is hardware costs without regard to anything else. And you even call yourself Sensible One. ;-)
You have the entire internet at your disposal. If you'd like to find out why knowledgeable Mac people consider your remark idiotic, it should take you all of about 60 seconds. But I have a feeling you'd rather remain ignorant than learn anything that might disturb your comfort zone.
No he was wrong, Macs are a POS compared to any Windows 7 machine.
Zeus used to be able to cross platforms. So who cares what OS they were running.
Medic400 - donkey carts??? I work with some Ukrainians. They are uber-smart programmers with a lot of common sense to boot. They know what they are doing!
BTW, not ALL Mac-lovers are idiots like this person...just saying.
klone--seriously. Some people like Macs. They are okay machines. One cannot get as many inexpensive software packages because most software is written for PC, and Mac likes to be proprietary. I cannot tell you how many of my Mac-using students can't figure out how to create a file that is PC-compatible (though it is really just point-and-click) and lose points for not creating files that anyone else (even the helpdesk people) can open for me. One has to have a Mac, and one has to have a Mac with pretty much the same operating system.
I don't personally care for Macs--they are too much like toys for my taste--but some people enjoy them . . . mostly people who are good with visual images and less so with words.
I am not a fool. I don't appreciate your classifying everyone who dislikes Macs as a fool. I am not an idiot. To me, the main characteristic of a Mac is that it is a completely proprietary system that works really well because the same people who produce the computer produce the software--of course it works quite well. However, I do not like having to say "mother may I" to a single company and I prefer having my options in terms of software packages. If there were enough Mac users, then Macs would be just as targeted as PCs--they just aren't worth the trouble to hackers, at present.
However, I have interacted with a bunch of Mac users who are too dumb to convert files--so I have to wonder if the term could be used for some Mac users who think that they are the anointed elite.
"Considering banks know the value of money my guess is none since they don't want to overpay for something like a MAC. I can spell it out for you. Fully equiped kick-butt laptop with Win7-about $1000. Equivalent MAC about $2000. Even a kindergartener can tell you that is a lot of dough for basically the same unit."
It does not really matter how much it costs for hardware if overall you get a better return on your investment. If you pay double for something upfront that cuts the amount of time to perform a necessary activity to make a living and you do not make $0 dollars an hour than the upfront cost in your case is more than worth it. $70 million dollars buys a lot of hardware.
"Well being you can't do jack sh*t with either of those OS's probably none. A simple security suite, a free suite, can prevent any worm or bug from infecting a pc. And at my online bank, I need a 13 character sign-on, then I have to choose from 3 sets of random images of peoples faces to continue, something a keylogger couldn't record, then I enter my pass. I have a credit union of course, I guess the big monster banks still don't give a sh*t about their customers. Quit bashing windows, it's so far beyond other OS's in abilities it's not even a contest."
Sounds like you are working for your computer instead of it working for you. If you cannot "can't do jack sh*t with either of those OS's" then why are they so prevalent? It was a valid question and it is funny that it upsets you so much.
Uber? Really? You should be flogged with a rusty piece of barb wire for using that word! lol... seriously though, While the Ukraine does have modern business and intelligent people...there are, in fact, places there that still utilize the donkey cart.
@Klone
I am happy you enjoy your Mac, what ever works for you is great. But is Apple really secure as a company. Follow your own advice.. use the internet and have a look. If you want, I can provide more links then I could fit into one post on how to easily hack your Mac. The new Ipad was hacked, cracked and anything else you can think of within hours of its release, Macs are no better.
why knowledgeable Mac people consider your remark idiotic......
Are we to believe from this statement that Mac users are better overall computer users? Mac users only buy the company, not anything extra extraordinary as far as usage goes. Your mac does not do anything more or less different then a windows based machine. I own both and by the way learned my basic computer skills on an Apple2c probably before you were born. And i doubt your older then me unless you we born in 1937 or earlier.
Please get over your snobbish and boring "I own a Mac therefore I am better then you" type attitude.
Because there isn't enough of them to make them worth targeting.
Wow. Total nerd argument up in here.
What operating system does the starship enterprise use?
The students did very good.
With that said, everybody should use the ultimate security program. I have been in computers for over 40 years and still active. One given rule that is still holding, the only secure computers are mainframes, and there are still some questionable breeches by employees. All PC's and servers are at risk. none of them can obtain 99.9% security like a mainframe. You notice I say 99.9%, nothing, including the military is 100%. If a new security program is created, a new hacker can break it.
Well none of you have a personal mainframe, so my advice to you is do as I do. Do not put any personal information on the PC that you do not want to share. That includes bank accounts, SSN, addresses, stocks, etc. The only sure way to secure that is to go back to a dumb terminal physically attached to the banks computer.
I am warning you all. I do not even file my income taxes electronically, i put the forms in an envelope and mail it certified the old way. Also, the mules they talk about were suckered in probably by greed. If you are thinking about a 'so called' business at home, at least meet your' intended boss in person and be able to call them directly.
If a group of college students could figure this out and crack it, but Homeland Security's National Cybercrime Security Center couldn't, should DHS be firing the people they have now and hiring these students? Sounds like they'd do a better job !
beanathome, your help desk must be staffed by some pretty inept individuals if they cannot fathom out how to open up Mac files. At worst ask the sender what type of file it is, rename it so it has an "extension" so Windows knows what to do with it and voila. Or in 99% of the cases with most attachments being pictures, documents or spreadsheets, simply drag it onto an internet browser and it will open. Try it for yourself. Remove the extension from a Windows file and then drag it onto IE, FF or Chrome.
I do agree however with the rest of your comments.
I've said it before and I'll make the remark again: it always baffles me that Microsoft was the constant target for monopolistic practices because of the bundling of MS software with most PC's, but you cannot even get Apple's OS to LEGALLY run on anything but their hardware (yes I know it can be done in a VM but even owning the OS you are still in breech of the EULA doing so).
One of the reasons it is so difficult to stop cybercrime is that there are so many dishonest people. Not outright criminals exactly, but willing to look the other way when they know what they are getting is pirated. This weakness opens a lot of doors to the real criminals and it isn't going away soon.
Ruckus, the Enterprise in TNG used the LCARS(Library Computer Access/Retrieval System) OS.
LCARS...and it derives it's power from the commanding yet somewhat irritated sounding Majel Barrett. :P
Medic400
The server farms may be in the Ukraine but pretty sure the money trail does not stop there!
OSX? Whats that? Not-so-free-BSD?
Sorry, but Macs are overpriced, under-functional and assembled by slave labor in China.
After having 3 iPhone 4s have hardware problems, I swore I'd never buy an Apple product again.
One of the biggest problems I have with Mac users, is that they are so brainwashed into thinking their computers are somehow SOOOO much better, that they fail to really do their homework. If they did, they would see that the hardware for a PC is not only more economical, but for the same price faster! And, if one buys a PC with components that are Windows 7 certified they will also realize that Windows 7 is amazingly fast, perfectly stable, and much more powerful. There are also much, much, much more software titles available to run on the PC.
As a developer, I can tell you honestly that 99.99999% of lock ups or blue screens are due to manufacture device drivers and NOT Windows 7 itself. Again, a good reason to get certified hardware.
This isn't really any different than what mortgage bankers and derivative traders do every day. They just don't have enough US congressmen in their hip pockets... yet.
Speaking in the hardware realm...third party software is the vast majority of the cause, with most situations involving a stack overflow.
I'm a developer too, for over 20 years, and I can tell you with complete confidence that you are completely full of it and likely couldn't code your way out of a paper bag. As for your post, any kind of hardware bigot, Mac or PC, is doing everyone else a disservice when they get on here and spout personal opinion as if it was some sort of fact. Both platforms have their strengths and weaknesses. Both are Intel based. Both perform at a high level. Software is more plentiful for the PC but cheaper for the Mac. Go look in the Mac app store some time. Apple provides an ecosystem and lots of people like that. PCs provide no ecosystem, but everyone thinks they are an expert and you can get advice in the checkout line at the supermarket. Frankly most of the people where I work that consider themselves PC literate are not as they can only parrot what some "expert" like those above have sold them.
I'm a developer too and Dustin is merely exaggerating. The main problem with most Windows stability problems is indeed 3rd party developers. Not 99.99% maybe but certainly the vast majority.
The reason why 90% of the security breaches are in Microsoft operating systems is because 95% of all business computers run those OSs. So, naturally the criminals concentrate on those systems. If everyone ran Apple OSs or even Unix you would see the majority of security problems in those systems.
If you think those other operating systems are inherently more secure or even "virus proof" you are easily fooled.
You keep missing the real problem.
People not exercising common sense. They receive an e-mail that only contains a link in it and they click it. This is nothing but cruel Darwinism.
These developers tend to be Russian, the new ultra-capitalists. They are better educated than the US citizens. They are told that they actually have to work in school and don't get away with the "algebra is hard" excuse. Their parents don't treat school as day care.
After working with a few Russian engineers, they are bright and extremely driven in the pursuit of money.
I love this, for I have been called a flaminjg liberal by the GOP/TP crowd because I refuse to lick Rush Limbaugh's, Glen Beck's and Fox News' butt like they do. I firmly believe in capital punishementy, and especially for hackers, they have a history of destroying and making miserable the lives of perfectly innocent people. Hackers should be beaten with rubber hoses, tied upside down and have acid poured on them, then fed to the pigs (oh, and if they are from China, please pull their finger nails offt and inform them they are NOT superior to the rest of humanity, as they and the rest of China so arrogantly believes).
When this crap, cyber crime is elevated to the level of LIFE in prison , we will make these a holes pucker !!!!
APPLE = many operating systems all proprietary to each platform
GOOGLE and MICROSOFT = One seamless OS across all platforms
end of discussion.
Apple also is bloated over priced hardware and software. If you do not believe me then explain to me how they became the largest company in the world. It sure was NOT GOOD business. It was ripping everyone off, from supply chains to consumers and even hoarding cash and stopped paying dividends to share holders in the late 90's etc etc
As for these hackers/thieves (thieves is the correct word) may they rot in jail till the day they die.
I've tried linux, several different versions, BSD and I haven't found any OS other than some version of windows that has the available programs for my computing needs. I would use another OS if one was available that had software I need to use....sorry guys.
Stop focusing on the operating systems and focus on the "operators". These issues aren't caused be MS or Apple or Linux.....they are caused by casual PC users that don't bother to learn what can go wrong if you don't know what you are doing.
Ignorant adults purchasing laptops for their kids so they create an entire household of targets. Struggling families looking for an easy way out and clicking on the enticements. This is all due to human error not technology.
A stranger is a stranger and a bad neighborhood is a bad neighborhood whether you are in the real world or its digital counterpart.
A lot of the people commenting here know this. It's the people the don't read articles like this who are causing the problems.
i can't understand why anyone would risk the cyber threat of personal invasions of privacy
That is good; create a program and sell it. The cybersociety is so desparately longing for this kind of product.
Install Linux. While it is not foolproof, MS is full of holes and even their own Virus protection systems (which you pay for) are full of holes. For the life of me, I cannot understand the fascination with Windows. It is not the only game in town.
Not to mention the fact that Linux costs the user absolutely nothing............for anything.
Windows is superior, not much to get.
This is such an outdated way of thinking ... Linux costs me days of time trying to untangle undocumented clusters of libraries.
Microsoft provides Security Essentials AV for free now. It costs the user absolutely nothing.
Even you admit Linux is not foolproof. If any significant number of users actually used Linux, the trojan people would be all over it in a minute
The truth is, ANY operating system can be hacked. As Windows was and still is the most abundant computer operating system out there, hackers focused on it to do the most damage. Anyone who beleives that MAc's don't get virus' and crash have their head up their apple. As Apple continues to sue it's way to success and market to gullable lemmings, it will become a victim of it's own success, as hackers begin to focus on exploiting Apples weak points.
People, People!
All OS' are vulnerable to viruses. Here's a link directly from LINUX.com that states it's not immune to viruses and " that does not mean you should be without protection":
https://www.linux.com/learn/tutorials/284124-myth-busting-is-linux-immune-to-viruses
Next is iOS.
http://iphonesourcing.com/news/ios-virus-acquirable-through-safari-gaining-momentum/
The iOS is probably the best OS out there regarding viruses but it is also very limited (single processing) and restrictive (apps from Apple only). It's more of a "who's OS is less vulnerable" than "Linux & iOS don't get viruses."
BTW - I'm a MS .NET development manager, have in been the IT field since punch cards ('75), and do not own one iWhatever (Apple) product.
Windows... Linux... iOS ... I say Ubuntu
Well, the nerds won one for America!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeus_(Trojan_horse)
*** copy whole link, it's ignoring the brackets.
"The Zeus botnet targets only Microsoft Windows machines. The botnet does not work on Mac OS X, Linux, or any other operating system."
Just saying. Definitely not a homer, but I started doing research to see how to identify and remove it and found this info.
iOS? First Apple rips off FreeBSD now they can't even name an OS without stealing that too?
-LinuxMint BTW!
bullit........Ubuntu IS Linux.
Wow! All I need to do is get Linux or Ubuntu and my security problems are solved? You must be an I.T. genius. Get a clue.
I say go back to Windows 3.1 or CPM. Yeah CPM that's the ticket
Linux is FREE if your time has no value.
I agree, I was hesitant at first, but now I so much prefer my systems to run using Linux. couldn't wait to wipe out the Windows on my home computer, I use nothing but Linux now.
Get Real! ... The average person barely gets by with Windows ..... unless one is into "Computers" ..they chose the easiest system to use ... and so far that Microsoft's Windows .. most people just want it to do what they need .... they don't have any concept what "drivers" or "algorithms" are, they want and need intuitive systems to get done what they want ... and unfortunately Microsofts' windows 7 is currently it ...
Three cheers to the students that broke the cyber gangs back ...
Can't run games on Linux... Windows it is.
What is the point of the various programs that just screw up your PC ?
I understand Zues, I mean that ones easy... $$$$$$.
But why do these scum create stupid viruses that don't do anything except mess with your PC ?
My daughter somehow got one on her PC and it took a real PC pro who had to use something like 6 different search & destroy programs to get rid of it.
I just don't get what the point of that type of program is.
No need for all the Linux or Windows bashing. If you like windows, want to pay more, and don't mind the occasional virus or trojan then get it. If you like Linux but realize there are fewer games for it, and realize the main reason it's more secure is simply because fewer people use it, then use it. I prefer linux myself, but I have a computer science background. If you have windows and want to try linux, I'd say try Linux Mint. It has a similar layout to windows so new users tend to be more comfortable with it. If you have windows and want to keep windows then stop looking at porn and going to shady websites, and don't click on unknown emails either for $^@# sake.
I wonder if Rick Santorum has anything to say in response. After all, he told us all how evil colleges are...
These cyber crime a holes should get LIFE in a Florida prison , only then will we let the a holes know we are serious !!!
Keith, you're right. Viruses are like STDs. If you don't want to get one, watch where you click your mouse.
I'm not into games so it doesn't matter.
You are incorrect about running games on Linux......................there are hundreds and hundreds of them. I am a self-taught novice when it comes to computers and I have absolutely NO problems running Linux (Ubuntu). I have never been hacked, never had a virus of any sort, never spent a small fortune on McAfee or the like every year (especially when one finds out it's full of holes.). I run Picassa for Linux and have a fun and easy time editing photos.
Many of my friends, stuck on Windows, have gone through several PC's or spent a fortune on repairs and trying to get assistance from Windows. My PC is six years old and I have never had to save everything to disk because stupid Windows is bringing on a new system and will no longer support the old one.
I have better things to do with my time and money. Don't you guys?
Mac.
cool, kudos to them!
I have a mac and several pc's and I use them all frequently. Given enough time any OS eventually turns into a POS
Probably none running Linux, I would guess. People never learn.
That's why they don't run Linux. They can't comprehend. But thats ok! More fun for us!
Mint11
I absolutely love the "Run Linux, it's just better" crowd. A simple question, if Linux is so good then why, over the past 20 years of competition, can they simply not get past 3% of the market? I'll tell you why. Because it simply doesn't do for the user what other O.S.'s can. And the limited part that can, requires far more steps and frustrations to do it. People HAVE learned, they just didn't want Linux.
Oh they can comprehend. They just get frustrated by the fact that AFTER they install it on a system that the Linux distro didn't inform them that there was no driver available for part of their hardware during that distro release, and they would have to recompile the kernel just to make it work with their hardware, makes them not want to use it. AND after they were told that Linux doesn't need updating. AND after they were told that "Oh, you don't have to reboot Linux like you do Windows."
And do you know what is funny? I actually am a supporter of Linux, it's just not for the average PC user.
If it were only that simple - the Linux Solution. I don't think so
JustJim, you're taking a limited, consumer centric approach to the OS concept. Most businesses do actually use Linux or some form of Unix for it's critical systems. Regardless of whether it is for web hosting, Oracle hosting, or something else, the stability of the system is the key selling point to a company.
Granted, the Linux desktop has not made a great deal of headway into the Desktop community yet, but that's primarily because it's fighting culture. We are a culture of predominantly Windows users, as that's what we're raised on, and a desire to change must either come from a decision that's forced upon you or a decision that is driven by passion, most cases being the latter of the two.
And no system is perfect. Windows, Linux and Macs all have their hiccups. It's really which one you feel has more saving graces and is worth investing the time into to learn.
Hey I'd rather people keep using windows that way fewer of us will use linux and there will be less viruses for linux. Let the ignorant consumers keep shelling money away for microsofts gains.
As an IT security professional who has been in the busy for a while. Let me explain a couple things to you. BTW its not under 3% Get your facts straight linux is about 5% of the market and growing.
You comment is a little misleading. Linux is only a small % of the market for several different reasons. And actually the linux market is growing by fast amounts. A good example of this is Android is a Linux OS. People where put off by linux for the most part in the past because for many years linux was not a user friendly OS. You had to be an enthusiast or a professional to use linux effectively. Not to mention there was not much linux support because linux was not a commercial product it was only supported by the linux community.
But things have changed a lot Linux was always more powerful then windows but recently even a novice can utilizes its functionality and power. Because of the development of Debian which created one of the best application managers in the linux market. installing and using linux became just as easy if not easier then windows. The package management system also allowed users to automatically select programs to download and install.
Another reason was marketing. Microsoft was great at that. Just ask IBM. OS/2 was fare superior to windows. But they didnt market it correctly and could not compete with Microsoft so they scrapped the whole project and got out of the OS business.
I suggest before you start the flame wars and miss information you do a little research.
Personally i use both. I use linux for my work and windows for gaming.
@ hakstarr, #4.7
English is not your native language nor is punctuation your strong point, are they?
Otherwise, you had a good addition to the conversation.
Yeah, I bet none are running ZerkistOS either. You know why? Because nobody uses ZerkistOS - it doesn't exist! But, you should use it because as of today, nobody using ZerkistOS has EVER gotten a virus.
So, clearly, it is the MOST secure OS out there.
Look at Android. The more prevalent your OS is in use, the more heat it will take. So all you Linux people STFU, unless you are really telling us, Hey, Linux is so unpopular you will be safe! If that is what you are saying, then continue on.
I myself, spend all day using CS5 Master Collection on 4 24" LCD's, and using VI on linux servers for programming. So, as I am comfortable in both, Linux would never come close to running what I need to run, so I run 7.
Linux does not cut it. If you don't know, then Linux will be a nightmare. If you do know, and don't need a lot of compatiblity, then keep your Linux desktop.
Oh, and any of you all that use a computer for business, PCI requires you have AV. You Mac and Linux business users in a CC environment using AV? Uh oh.
AthensDawg
(grin) English was not my first language no. But i was also typing in a hurry my hands seem to make mistakes in translating what i am thinking. :P
Telling linux users to STFU is not really a building a case for your point its actually pointless. If your speaking of PCI compliance? The AV requirement is only for windows and since your such an expert in linux you probably already know that linux does have antivirus software a good example is ClamAV.
I suggest you do some research before posting miss information.
PS In case your wondering the antivirus requirement is requirement 5 i suggest you look it up.
The solituion is alot simpler than Linux, Windows, Mac, or ios. Just don't open funky mails that you get in your inbox.
Why wasn't this question also asked? How many were running MVS?
You're kidding I hope. MVS is a mainframe OS from IBM, not for PC's.
Another American Favoritism
I'm a MIS director for 4 data centers. MVS or MVS ESA is mainframe operating software. I'm not trying to downgrade your comment above, but the hackers were hacking in to PC's and maybe even MAC's.
As we all know, mainframes are just as prone to worms and trojans, etc, as PC's are, etc.
Another American Favoritism
And, don't forget MVS and all it's versions was replaced with z/OS. FYI.
If you think about it that's probably where it first started. In mainframes and mini's.
So irritating that the article does not give details on the best way to determine if you have any kind of key-logging software installed on your computer and if the standard Virus companies (McAfee or Norton) can catch the ZeuS virus. Like all articles on this subject it just warns you not to open links or attachments from untrusted sources...but not how to determine what to do if it's too late.
It's called Malwarebytes free edition. Download and install and run.
The ZEUS Trojan will commonly use names like NTOS.EXE, LD08.EXE, LD12.EXE, PP06.EXE, PP08.EXE, SRA64.EXE, LDnn.EXE and PPnn.EXE etc, so search your PCs for files with names like this. The ZEUS Trojan will typically be between 40KBytes and 150Kbytes in size.
Also look for a folder with the name WSNPOEM, this is also a common sign of infection for the ZEUS Trojan.
Finally, check the Registry looking for RUN keys referencing any of these names.
cnet also has a zues trojan remover.
Be sure you go to malwarebytes.org. There is a .com but that one loads malware onto your computer.
I know one computer professional who used 3 different, top rated, and very good anti-virus programs, but they missed some things that the malwarebytes.org download caught.
Good advice CSWI.
I agree, good advice CSWI.
I'm also in IT support and a few others we commonly use include Kaspersky's TDSSKiller (finds root-kits), BleepingComputer.com's RKILL and as a last resort, BleepingComputer.com's ComboFix.
Start with TDSSKiller (it runs real fast), it detects some rootkits that Malwarebytes does not, then try Malwarebytes and RKILL.
Use Combofix with caution and only as a last resort, but it works great.
All of these cleaners are free to download and run. You can find TDSSKiller and RKILL by doind a google search.
People...people - why does anyone actually type a log-in/password into any field on any Website? The work-around is so simple: Build a document listing your account log-ins/passwords for mortgage, utility payments, etc. (and make sure they include shift-characters). Then open that document as needed, copy/paste the log-in/password & lather/rinse/repeat. Problem solved.
Yep, until someone gets your document with all of your passwords on it :)
These 'sophisticated data mining techniques' sound a lot like what we used to call 'good detective work'. Makes you wonder why all the good detectives in the FBI didn't do any of the rather obvious things to track according to this article.
As for 'sophisticated hacking'. That sounds a lot of what we used to call flim-flam, con artists, grifters,etc. These articles always make it sound like the scam is high-tech electrons traveling without your knowledge through the computer ethosphere, when in reality 99% of the times, it's always a result of normal people being stupid, greedy or both. Now should that really surprise anybody?
Not in the least!
Just new ways to do the same old thing.
Strange and sad thing is all businesses want you to do everything online...from your favorite store to your bank to the government...fed and state! and they make it harder to do it in person for cost reasons or offer perks or ease of use to do it online. Then when you read the find print...its says in the on line agreement that they assume liability for nothing.
Another good example of what good education can do. Maybe the DOJ can learn some things from this class, then again they'd just turn it on us instead of the real criminals.
Good luck prosecuting them.
There are a bunch of those "Mules" now in Congress under the guise of being Republicans. Problem is that when they get caught, they get promoted up the food chain.
Really?, it seems more inline to obama's redistribution scam!.
Almost the stupidest post this week.. .but I'm sure you'll do better....
@Dirtbag: you must be vitamin D defficient since you don't have any windows. I feel sorry for you.
They are Democrats, too, sadly.
@ KEN, #9
I am a Progressive with some Right-winged views. But your comment does not advance the conversation concerning the, above, article nor viruses in general.
Please refrain from slinging political or religious mud and stick to the topic.
$ mulls on facebook; beware cyber attacks
I do no banking on line or very little shopping online as it is far too easy to get burned by some eastern European or American hacker. If these people worked as hard at a ligitamate job as they do at their criminal enterprises, they would do quite well, if not better, and do no prison time.
NO they wouldn't- they'd have some stuffed suit fag with a master's degree and and owner or stock holder getting rich while they get a lousy $70,000 a year salary. Just as much a scam. I'd pick their option too if I had those skills.
How did Google get into Apple,hacking?
Wow. Sorry you're not making the money you feel you're entitled to. Perhaps your employer does not perceive the value of the services you provide. Here's an idea...why don't you start a business that creates jobs for other people? Then you can pay them however much they feel they are worth.
chris - I take it you are a Santorum supporter. Complaining about well educated people using homophobic slurs.
Pull your head out and please take a fresh breath.
This story explains WHY I DON'T USE WINDOWS at home or at work.
Windows is spaghetti code garbage, no one on the planet even knows all the junk and holes in there. I can write a 3-line C program that will wipe your memory and your hard drive and the system won't stop it. It's a toy.
Oh, you two are so evolved. I'm envious. You must have girls flockling to be with you
/s
Are we supposed to be impressed by that? Most first year comp sci students can do that.
so what?
They sound like NERDS not the type that would have girls around them.
So I can smash your computer with a BFH and it will never work again.
BFH BIG FU@KING HAMMER
can i please have that three line program?
I'm pretty sure they have limited RAM.
I don't think that's possible on Windows 7 or Vista, especially with UAC turned on. XP might allow it. You certainly couldn't do it by telling the OS to do it - its not THAT stupid. Example:
C:\Windows\system32>format c:
The type of the file system is NTFS.
WARNING, ALL DATA ON NON-REMOVABLE DISK
DRIVE C: WILL BE LOST!
Proceed with Format (Y/N)? y
Formatting 305142M
Format cannot run because the volume is in use by another
process. Format may run if this volume is dismounted first.
ALL OPENED HANDLES TO THIS VOLUME WOULD THEN BE INVALID.
Would you like to force a dismount on this volume? (Y/N) y
Cannot lock the drive. The volume is still in use.
I got off of facebook it's not worth the bother.
Nice job guys! But I am SHOCKED the bad guys are Ukainians! Shocked I tell you.
testing testing 1 2 3
Let's close down the internet for 18 months and we will see how much better off we all will be....................
NOOOOOOOOO!!! got to play my godfather game!!!
do not forget about playing Half Life...LOL
You can't shut down the internet, where will all the geeks go for porn ?
This is the Most Fantastic Thing..I have read..Today.Thank You All..From a "War Conflict" Name Change Person..From Cleveland,Ohio.This is very,very important to Innocent Civilians,and their Computers..Across the World.
Main reason Linux isn't used? Because people are FAMILIAR with Windows...
and not many want to spend the time to learn Linux... as you know it has a steep learning curve if @!$%# goes south.
as for Mac? seems to be a NextStep/OpenStep kernel, eh? But just has you hack wannabees locked out of it. good for users, bad for those that wanna dig. Is Windows better? depends on your needs. if you are a simple user, it works very well, but people need to understand that as long as they are running it, they need antivirus and security software.. and even that is not a guarantee.
"The hackers obtained fake passports for the students, U.S. J1 work/study visas, and packed their new mules off to the United States. The students opened multiple bank accounts, mainly in the New York area, where they received stolen cash. Then, just as the mules before them had, they wired the cash back to their bosses. "
Fake passports gained them access to the USA? They could get rich just selling those to satan's helpers, the terrorists.
As i said.."Children Make This World Turn"..
do your banking in person.
unfortunately, more and more banks are charging a fee to deal in person with a teller.
Wouldn't help if someone got hold of your account numbers - ACH works with the routing numbers on the bottom of your checks. I'd be afraid to give paper checks out really, you've just given your bank routing and account number to the person you wrote the check to.
Death penalty for the hackers and mules.
Wouldn't wearing a cyber condom have prevented this?
Bobby, no, there is a Houdini virus
The damage they caused should affect the penalty. If that means 30 years in prison, then so-be-it.
Don't you mean cut their fingers off?
The laws even within the US need to be re-written to account for the cumulative total of what was stolen. An ID thief taking a couple of hundred dollars from different companies are less likely to be brought to justice because the companies in question do not like to disclose how much they lose as this adversely affects their company image. Meaning that the "victimless" crime goes under-reported and the losses are passed on to the true victims - you and me ... the average consumer.
Make the financial institutions disclose all the thefts and add them up for each thief (or group of thieves) so they at least get the attention of state & federal law enforcement. (LEO's will more likely go after people committing felonies than the same people committing many small misdomeanors).