Security

Security Topic Center

Get the latest news and in-depth analysis about IT security, including information about viruses and other malware, security patches, data protection and more

FDA defends its monitoring of whistle-blowers' email

The FDA Friday said it monitored the private email accounts of nine agency whistle-blowers starting in 2010 to determine whether any of them leaked confidential information to the public.
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Google expands its vulnerability reward programs to cover Chromium OS

Encouraged by the success of its Web and Chromium vulnerability reward programs, Google has decided to expand their scope in order to cover security issues in Chromium OS as well.

Web app lets enterprise set security, sharing for Google Apps users

A new security tool lets enterprise IT groups set access and share policies for employees, including mobile users, who are working with the online Google Apps suite.

Eolas loses in Web patents claim against Google and others

A jury in Texas gave the verdict that two patents of Eolas Technologies that enable Internet browsers to host embedded interactive applications were invalid, in a protracted legal battle which involved top Internet companies like Google and Amazon.com.

Cray courts the big-data market

Supercomputer company Cray has created a new division that will sell big-data systems, the company has announced. The division will market its offerings to large enterprises, which will be a new kind of client for the company.

Microsoft to issue more critical patches next week for Win7 than XP

Microsoft today said it would deliver nine security updates next week, four of them critical, to patch 21 vulnerabilities in Windows, Internet Explorer (IE), Office, .Net and Silverlight.

Business owner sentenced for E-Rate fraud

The former owner of two Illinois technology companies was sentenced to 30 months in prison for participating in a conspiracy to defraud a U.S. Federal Communications Commission program to help schools and libraries in poor areas connect to the Internet, the U.S. Department of Justice said.

Website operator pleads guilty to terrorist threats

The founder of several Muslim jihad websites has pleaded guilty to three charges related to making online threats, including threatening the writers of the television show "South Park," the U.S. Department of Justice said.

Apple and Google disagree over licensing of essential patents

Google is at odds with Apple, Microsoft and Cisco over the licensing and litigation of patents. While Google wants to make the most of patents it will receive if its acquisition of Motorola is approved, the others want to change the way so-called essential patents are licensed.

Citadel banking malware is evolving and spreading rapidly, researchers warn

A computer Trojan that targets online banking users is evolving and spreading rapidly because its creators have adopted an open-source development model, according to researchers from cyberthreat management firm Seculert.

Career advice: The value of certs

Computerworld Premier 100 IT Leader Page Petry also has advice on winning a promotion and moving into the security field.

Flexing NoSQL: MongoDB in review

MongoDB shines with broad programming language support, SQL-like queries, and out-of-the-box scaling

Europe cares about privacy, so you must too

In late January, the European Commission published a proposal "on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data."

Predator secures your PC with a USB drive...and some difficulty

Predator may not be as magical as BioTrust, which lets you unlock your computer using a webcam and your face, but it's still a nice idea.

5 ways to secure your Facebook profile in a post-Timeline world

The new Timeline layout introduces some changes that may mean you're suddenly sharing more than you should. Here's how to lock down Facebook without going overboard.

4 keys for IP protection

Do you think data breaches are up or down in 2011 compared to 2007 or 2008? The official answer may surprise you. According to DatalossDB and the 2011 Data Breach Investigations Report [PDF link] by Verizon, the number of records compromised per year has been decreasing since its 2008 peak. But these reports are missing something very important. It all comes down to what is reported. Last year I met with more than 450 CIOs and CSOs, and almost all of them said that incidents are way up. New breaches are constantly making headlines, so why is there a discrepancy between our perception and what these reports are finding?

Send Faxes From the Web: Three Services Tested

Though you might be tempted to ditch your office fax machine, you probably have to send out at least a few faxes every year. Windows lets you fax from the OS itself; but it requires you to use a landline that your small business may not want tied up, and it lacks security and mobile features that your business may need.

SaaS, APTs and Asymmetric Risk Take Spotlight at Security Threats 2012

What's your stance on SaaS? Is your perimeter as secure as you think? How can the insurance calculus on asymmetric risk illuminate your company's security exposure? CIO.com's Bernard Golden recaps the provocative discussions entertained at the Security Threat 2012 conference.

Security Manager's Journal: Should physical security belong to us?

Facilities departments often take charge of physical security, but they usually don't understand the systems behind it.

Ira Winkler: Is Google evil? The jury is out

Google's changes to its privacy policy should have been expected. It's what any corporation intent on maximizing value would do. But does that make it right?