Network Security Roundup for November 13, 2003

E-Commerce Times: Strong Holiday E-Commerce Forecast Tempered by Security Fears12-Nov-03 16:14 ET

Story Highlights:“Consumers are gearing up for another strong online holiday shopping season, but they continue to express concern about the security aspects of buying via the Web, according to a survey commissioned by the Business Software Alliance.”

Full Story on the E-Commerce Times

Story Highlights:“Job seekers who register with employment websites run a considerable risk of having their confidential information improperly sold, shared or used for profiling purposes, a study claims. The World Privacy Forum, a new privacy rights non-profit organisation, studied more than 70 online job sites, employment kiosks, CV databases and CV distribution services for a year.”

Full Story on ComputerWeekly.com

Story Highlights:“Eastern European crime syndicates are using threats of computer hacking to extort pay-offs from UK online businesses. Organised criminals are using distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks to force online bookmakers, retailers and payment providers into protection rackets, according to the lead story in today’s Financial Times. The FT reports that the attacks have cost the companies involved ‘millions of dollars in lost business’ and exposed them to extortion.”

Full Story on The Register

Story Highlights:“‘Spim,’ as people are beginning to call unsolicited instant messages, is the latest installment in the growing epidemic of unwanted electronic ads and a further sign that unscrupulous online marketers will seek to take advantage of all of the Internet’s communication tools, not limiting themselves to spam or pop-up ads.”

Full Story on the Washington Post

Story Highlights:“In a rare wireless hacking prosecution, federal officials this week accused two Michigan men of repeatedly cracking the Lowe’s chain of home improvement stores’ nationwide network from a 1995 Pontiac Grand Prix parked outside a suburban Detroit store. Paul Timmins, 22, and Adam Botbyl, 20, were charged Monday with penetrating and intentionally damaging a Lowe’s system in violation of the federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.”

Full Story on SecurityFocus