WireLurker : First Serious Trouble for APPLE

This post brings out a brief over view of WireLurker,the first of a kind of malware family that has made the Apple to rot...never in the history of unquestionable iOS/Mac devices has such a thing been seen or heard...with such a severe beating...the ppt is based on a report made recently public by Palo Alto Networks®...

Wirelurker from anupriti

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. 

ANDROID & GOOGLE : AT LOGGER HEADS????

1.    This news is bound for only one thing.....a first big dent on Google's untouched Kingdom in the cyber world.There is a reported discord among the Android developers who are irked at Google’s Android Market policies.They have formed the Android Developers Union to protest the policies.The new union has compiled a list of seven demands including renegotiation of the 32pc ‘Google Tax’ on app sales, public bug tracking, algorithmic transparency and increased payment options.They threaten Google that if these demands are not met they will cease development and move their efforts to rival platforms.

2.  "If the demands are not met, we will move our applications to alternative marketplaces or the web, cease Android development in favour of other more open platforms, we will dissuade other developers from developing Android projects, and we will work tirelessly to counter any of Google's hypocritical claims about openness in the media."

3.   This seems to be the first kind of big set back to google who may find loosing an edge in its battle for the smartphone operating system and applications market vis-a-vis Apple and Microsoft.The seven demands of the android union can be seen here...

4.   This writeup does not reflect my views of standing against anyone or supporting anyone but wishes to inform the readers only for info........

NOKIA & MICROSOFT : A MERGER TO READ ABOUT

1.    In todays shrinking world when we hear of merger of giants...its part of normal breaking news which hardly puts together rolling eyeballs 7 pop ups ....But this one is slightly different or if not different it is really BIGGGGGGG.This is about merger of fantabulous phone hardware NOKIA and the operating system giant MICROSOFT coming toether to produce and try beating the phones across?

2.    The deal which was in the rumour rounds already went much ahead of the expectations.....in effect, Nokia is handing over its future - in smartphones at least - to Microsoft and Windows Phone 7.  That means Good bye & Happy journey Symbian . So can the combo really become the third horse in the race, giving Apple and Android a run for their money ?I have my doubts....

3.    Crux of the acquisition pointwise listed below :

- Nokia to embrace Windows Phone as its principal smartphone.

- Nokia to contribute its expertise on hardware design, language support.

- Both would closely collaborate on joint marketing initiatives .

- Bing would power Nokia’s search services(nobodys guess!!!)

- Nokia Maps would be a core part of Microsoft’s mapping services.

4.    Just to mention,a year earlier when this merger was being talked about, was once declared an april fools rumour. And now about a year later it is on official Microsoft site.Thanks Microsoft site for info

IPAD WORLD & VARIETIES

1. Ever wondered about how many variants of IPAD exists from various companies apart from apple....many....and i mean really many....few of which i recently read in DIGIT

NOTION INK ADAM

This Adam Tablet is under development by Bangalore-based firm Notion Ink. It is rumored to be likely released by quarter ending Dec 2010 and is one of several tablet form-factor devices launching in 2010 to include a dual-core NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor that can support 1080p video output.

ARCHOS 9

Archos is a French consumer electronics company that manufactures portable media players and portable storage devices with Android 2.1 OS,3.2” display resolution 400 x 240,ARM Cortex A8 processor clocked at 800 MHz,a camera and microphone

Accelerometer with a WiFiand a composite video out.The device can be upgraded with a digital TV receiver that enables live TV and DVR features

EEE PAD

ASUS Eee is a family of products by AsusteK and is scheduled for launch by quarter Sept 2010 Computex in Taipei.

AIGO N700

The Android-powered Aigo tablet boasts a 1GHz ARM Cortex A9 processor and features Nvidia's Tegra 2 graphics chipset.

FUSION GARAGE JOOJOO

The JooJoo is a Linux-based tablet computer produced by Singapore development studio Fusion Garage.

DELL STREAK

The Streak is a Tablet/Smartphone hybrid from Dell that uses the Android operating system and comes with a 5" capacitive touchscreen and two cameras, a 5MP one with dual-LED flash on the back and a VGA-resolution one on the front for video calling; both are capable of video.

LENOVO IDEAPAD U1

IdeaPad is a line of consumer-oriented laptop computers designed by Lenovo.

EXOPC SLATE

The ExoPC Slate is a powerful Windows 7 computer with a multi-touch interface that allows you to browse the web, play games, watch TV and movies, listen to music, read the news, read books and magazines, organize your photos, download apps, view RSS feeds, access real-time weather, create and edit spreadsheets, author documents....WANT MORE?

ICD ULTRA

ICD Ultra

MSI WINDPAD

The tablet is powered by a 1.66GHz Intel Atom Z530 processor, 2GB of RAM, and packs a 32GB SSD that boots Windows 7 Home Premium, though MSI has created a Wind Touch UI layer.

Who's Who? : Terminology world of Portable Computers

1. The have been a pleothra of terms related to small portable computers in form of Laptop, Leaptop, Netbook, Notebook, Smartbook, Tablet,UMPC, Air Book etc all of which represent the segment that mass of the people call or refer to just as Lap Top's.But there exists a difference between all of these.....I have tried to extract out the thin line difference that exists between these all terms :

- Laptop :

Main Purpose : Device that serves either as a desktop replacement or a portable gaming rig.

Characteristics : Large screen,full QWERTY Keyboard.

- Net Book :

Main Purpose : Device which is small and light weight device meant basically for internet and the cloud for the people on the move.

Characteristics : Small Size,Light Weight,Long Battery Life.

- Notebook :

Main purpose : Used basically for documents and presentations.

Characteristics : Sleek and Lightweight,large screen

- Smart Book :

Main purpose : Hybrid between smart phone and notebook with range of connectivity options.

Characteristics : Long battery life,Light weight.

- Tablet :

Main Purpose : Is like a digital slate with a full touc hscreen surface and no keyboard.

Characteristics : Basically a large touchscreen

- UMPC :

Main purpose : Stands for Ultra Mobile PC,a tablet with a sliding keyboard.

Characteristic : Low processing power.

- Air Book :

Main purpose : Macintosh AirBook by Apple which is positioned as the ultraportable in Apple's MacBook Family and was introduced at the Macworld Conference & Expo on January 15, 2008.

Characteristic : 13.3-inch glossy LED backlight TFT LCD widescreen display, 1280 x 800 pixel resolution and integrated nVidia GeForce 9400M graphics processor with 256 MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory

- Leap Top : Just a laptop branded by HCL India it has trademarks for the term leaptop.

2. I actually got confused in these thin boundary differences...but thats the way it is in the market of brands.

3. Thanks DIGIT and Wiki.