Apple Needs a Doctor : Bitten by JAVA - 2

1.    The Flashback fiasco,as discussed in brief here, was the catalyst for one of the most meaningful decisions Apple made in order to beef up OS X security ie Removing JAVA. "Flashback both led to Apple removing Java from their default installs, and prompted them to release a dedicated cleanup tool," security researcher (and former security engineer for Obama for America) Ben Hagen told Ars. "When an OS vendor releases a dedicated cleanup tool, you know things are bad.The removal of Java was a very Interesting decision and de facto statement by Apple. Java on user systems has become a notorious vector for exploitation; with new, remotely executable vulnerabilities coming out several times last year," Hagen said. "Removing Java both simplifies Apple’s position and provides a safer default state for its users."[Source : http://arstechnica.com/].

2.    Another key decision taken by apple apart from disowning JAVA was endevor to signed security model for apps ie restrict the origin of third-party apps installed on the system, therefore protecting the user from inadvertently installing apps from malicious or unknown sources.Called Gatekeeper, this feature required Apple's developer ecosystem to either sign their apps with a registered certificate—holding them at a higher level of responsibility for when things go haywire—or selling their wares through the Mac App Store and giving Apple its 30 percent cut. [Source : http://arstechnica.com/].

3.   Java is a veri popular program and is used by millions of users worldwide in Windows, Mac and Linux operating systems and in mobile and television devices. It is this popularity that has made it a favorite target of the hackers.So today when we cannot surf without enabling JAVA.....apples decision is indeed a tough step....for those of you who do not realise the importance of JAVA...just try surfing the web disabling JAVA scripts in your browser...u will be surprised you will be prompted at every step to ensure a successful loading of most of the web pages....In fact the U.S. Department of Homeland Security advised computer users to temporarily disable or uninstall Oracle Corp's Java software, stating that a serious flaw in the software could make the system vulnerable to hacking.The warning came in an advisory posted on the department’s website amid the escalating fears and warnings from the net security experts about a flaw in Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 7 and earlier versions that allows the hackers to install malicious software and malware on computers.The vulnerability is so dangerous that the Department of Homeland Security's Computer Emergency Readiness Team urged the people to stop using the software immediately to mitigate damage.Source : [http://www.ibtimes.com/]

4.   So...did u just start thinking of disabling JAVA?????

Apple Needs a Doctor : Bitten by JAVA - 1

1.   The year last ie 2012 was full of various security OS issue like it has always been over years...but one landmark news that made waves was the flashback malware that hit APPLE's Mac that has been long promoted as a safer OS amongst other peer competitors.But as always SIZE DOES MATTER..so as APPLE and market share grew, it became more proner. Dr  Web said that an estimated 600,000 Macs were as of April 2012 infected as a result of users unknowingly installing the FlashBack malware.So before I move ahead...here's a simple FAQ compiled to understand more about FLASHBACK :

What exactly is Flashback?

-  Flashback is a form of malware designed to grab passwords and other information from users 

-  Spread through Web browser and other applications such as Skype. 

-  The user typically mistakes it for a legitimate browser plug-in while visiting a malicious Web site. 

-  At this point, the software installs code designed to gather personal information and send it back to remote servers. 

Apple needs a DOCTOR

When did it first appear?

-  End of September 2011

-  Pretending to be an installer for Adobe's Flash the malware evolved to target the Java runtime on OS X, where users visiting malicious sites would then be prompted to install it on their machine in order to view Web content. 

What has Apple done about it?

-  Apple has its own malware scanner built into OS X called XProtect. 

-  Since Flashback's launch, the security tool has been updated twice.

-  A more recent version of the malware, however, got around XProtect by executing its files through Java. 

-  Apple closed off the malware's main entry point with a Java update on April 3, and has since released a removal tool as part of a subsequent Java update.

How do I tell if I have it?

-  Right now the easiest way to tell if your computer has been infected is to head to security firm F-Secure and download its Flashback detection and removal software. 

Cross OS Trojan : @ If...Then...else :-)

1.    Got this at THN.We often feel stronger when we use some kind of a open source linux OS instead of the regular pirated or even genuine Windows OS incl XP/WIN7 etc.But what i got here was a simple trojan dropper code that is based on the found out OS...IF LINUX then this trojan...or if windows then the other one....the snap shot from the original THN site is here @ http://thehackernews.com/2012/07/cross-platform-trojan-mac-windows-linux.html

2.    F-Secure has found this web exploit that detects the OS of the computer and drops the relevant trojan to match.The attack was first seen on a Columbian transport website which had been hacked by a third party. This malware is known as GetShell.A and requires users to approve a Java applet installation.It detects if you're running Windows, Mac OS X, or Linux, and then downloads the corresponding malware for your platform. The malicious files developed for each type of OS connect to the same Command & Control server that F-Secure has localized at IP address 186.87.69.249.

3.  Thanks http://thehackernews.com

ANDROID APPLICATIONS CLONED : Developers make it spam

1.    The latest to add on to the growing web of spams is repackaged android applications.....though till now most of the descried repackaged applications are not reported to have any malicious code in them and also like the genuine ones they are also made available for free. These effected applications have the same module as the original, but include an advertisement module ,thus developers of these apps try making money off the clicks on the advertisements.

2.   The thing is easy on part of the developers since it is easier on thier part to just fiddle with original Android apps which are written in Java and are, therefore, easily cloned.....

3.   Thanks www.f-secure.com