Anti Malware

Posts Tagged ‘antivirus software’

These all-in-one defenders can block baddies, tackle Trojans, and drop-kick drive-by downloads. We test the top contenders.

Have security suites reached the point where they all work?

From ar, it seems that way: All of them attempt to protect you from viruses, spyware, Trojan horses, and other malware. And for the most part, each of the suites we tried did a good job of detection. However, other ctors are important as well–some suites are easier to work with than others, and some make more efficient use of your PCs resources. We put 14 suites to the test to see which ones you should consider, and in the end G-Data Internet Security 2012 came away the winner.

2012 Suites: Faster, Slimmer, More Effective

This years suites emphasize being lightweight and speedy, as well as showing a friendlier ce. Bitdefender and Eset revamped their packages to make them easier to use. Webroot scrapped its entire line, starting fresh in 2012 with its SecureAnywhere products and building a suite thats both friendly and st.

Packages are also shifting toward using cloud computing to help detect new malware. Such efforts may be paying off: The suites did notably better in our real-world detection tests this year versus last year. (SeeSecurity in the Cloudfor more information.)

Once again, we partnered withAV-Test, a trusted security software testing company based in Germany. AV-Test puts security products through a veritable torture test to determine not only which package is the best at detecting threats, but also which one cleans up the mess most effectively. On top of that, AV-Test performs a battery of speed tests to discover which suites will slow a PC to a crawl–and which ones wont. (For additional details, seeHow We Test Antivirus Software and Security Suites.)

This years roundup was perhaps our most competitive one ever; all of the suites in our Top 10 did an excellent all-around job on malware detection, and even the remaining suites performed irly well. As a result, we put more weight than before on how easy the suites are to use, and on whether they eat up system resources.

Our Top Security Suite Picks

Best Overall: G Data InternetSecurity 2012 The intece isnt wonderful, but G Datas software is our top pick on the strength of its excellent malware detection and removal capabilities, plus the minimal impact it has on PC performance.

Best Protection: Bitdefender Internet Security 2012 This product outdid the G Data software in detecting and removing baddies. That effectiveness comes at a cost, however: This suite was the slowest of the packages we tested this year.

Best Speed: Webroot SecureAnywhere Essentials Although it didnt quite do well enough overall to crack our Top 10, Webroots revamped suite adds very little drag to common tasks.

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Solving application issues over the WAN requires careful consideration. Based on their independent research, Forrester Consulting offers recommendations on how to tackle application performance issues, insufficient bandwidth and the inability to quickly restore users in a disaster.Read now.

Security is not an option. This KnowledgeVault Series offers professional advice how to be proactive in the fight against cybercrimes and multi-layered security threats; how to adopt a holistic approach to protecting and managing data; and how to hire a qualified security assessor. Make security your Number 1 priority.Read now.

New IP-based communications systems are being deployed by small and midsized businesses at a rapid rate. Learn how these organizations are enabling ster responsiveness, creating better customer experiences, speeding office or mobile interactions, and dramatically reducing existing communications costs.Read now.

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NetApp, VMware, Cisco, Fujitsu, and Wyse joined forces to create an architectural design for a 50,000-seat VMware View™ architecture built on VMware vSphere…

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VMware View™ 5 simplifies IT management while increasing end user freedom by delivering desktop services from your cloud. Building upon VMwares leadership in…

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The resources in this Virtualization KnowledgeVault provide expert advice. You dont have to go it alone – take advantage of all the assets…

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Macs dont get viruses. Youll hear the phrase repeated over and over again from all corners of the Web, well-meaning Mac-using friends,and even Apple itself; the impervious nature of Macintosh computers is practically common knowledge by now. But what if that common knowledge is wrong? The past year saw several high-profile Mac attacks make headlines. As Mac sales skyrocket and Apple computers lose their security through obscurity, its time to reexamine the issue: do Macs need antivirus software?

Macs ARE built more securely than Windows PCs

Theres no denying that Macs are a tough nut to crack. They include several security-minded features you wont find on Windows PCs: built-in antivirus and anti-phishing technology, sandboxing features that limit what stand-alone programs can do to your computer, encryption for your hard drive, administrative passwords and much more. Sounds great, right?

But …

Despite all those protections, malware still manages to find its way into Macintosh computers, highlighted by the May 2011 MacDefender scare. MacDefender, a varianantivirus softwaret of the well-known adware or scareware type of attack, used pop-ups and infection warnings to try and trick users into buying ke antivirus software. According to reports fromArsTechnica.comandZDNet.com, the malware was irly widespread and responsible for large spikes in help requests at Apple stores and the AppleCare call center.

The way Apple handled the outbreak highlights another problem with putting all of your security eggs into the Apple basket; although the company eventually released documents and updates that helped squash the scareware, ZDNet.com reports that Apple initially told its call center reps toavoid helping users remove MacDefender in any way. In ct, the reps couldnt even direct callers to online discussions about the topic. On the other hand, MacDefenders existence was first reported byIntego, which offers antivirus and security software for Macs.

How common is Mac malware?

Security company F-Secures recently released2011 Mac malware summaryclaims that 58 new Apple-specific threats reared their ugly heads between April and December. Thats nothing when compared to Windows malware — but its definitely something when compared to the number of Mac threats seen prior to 2011, the research team writes. And its true:in a 2010 security summary, Intego reported that no major Mac viruses had been found in the wild that year.

By comparison,G Datareports that over 1,000,000 new Windows-focused malware threats are discovered each year. Dont let that number fool you, though:ZDNet.coms Ed Bott did some diggingand discovered that only about 1 percent of Windows computers worldwide are infected with malware.

So do Macs need additional malware protection?

Experts say you should install Mac-specific antivirus software –and at one point, Apple agreed– but they suggest that most users will be fine with free programs given Macs strong inherent security and lower threat level. If you want extra security features and dont mind paying for the privilege, most companies that offer Windows security software also offer Mac versions, while Intego is a well-regarded security software firm that focuses solely on Apple computers. And if you run Windows on your Mac, youll need to install Windows security software to ward off those widespread Windows-targeted infections.

For more info about specific Mac security options — including free programs — read our recently updated reports onantivirus softwareandInternet security software.

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Even for those who buy into cloud computing, the first-generation Chromebook can be painfully pokey. But ster next-gen models are on the way, Google tells CNET.

Sundar Pichai, SVP of Chrome

Because Ive got cloud-computing religion, youd think that Google convincing me to like a Chromebook would be as easy as preaching to the choir.

Its not.

After a few months usingSamsungs 3G-equipped Series 5 Chromebook, I can firmly say the first-generation Chromebooks are not for me, for one big reason: sluggish performance.

But theres some good news here for people like me: There are new, ster Chromebooks on the way, Google revealed to me.

We remain very excited about Chromebooks. We got a lot of positive feedback, andwe are really looking forward to the next generation of Chromebooks, said Sundar Pichai, senior vice president of Chrome, in an interview yesterday. We will improve on the dimensions of speed, simplicity, and security.

And theres one other thing. Google makes a big fuss about how Chrome OS, the Chromebooks underlying browser-based operating system, gets steadily better as Google updates Chrome every six weeks. This Chromebook isnt where it needs to be, but its appreciably better better than when it first arrived.

Activation energy

Whenever Im using computing devices, which is a lot, a user-intece analog octivation energyis in the forefront of my subconscious thoughts: how low is the barrier to getting things moving? A part of my brain pays attention to the obstacles that stand in my way–the lag before that new browser tab appears, that app launches, that document loads, that machine wakes from sleep–and steers me sharply away from pokey technology.

Im surrounded by too many choices for electronics. Right now, besides the Chromebook, I use two Macs, two Windows machines, threeAndroid phones, oneAndroid tablet, and aniPad. Over and over, I end up reaching for the anything but the Chromebook unless I consciously decide I need to be trying it. And when I set it aside, I feel inward relief.

The Chromebook is simply underpowered for my overall needs. Google Docs documents grind open. Scrolling can be an excruciatingly laggy afir. My son, trying to play the Flash-basedCrush the Castle 2game, cried out in exasperation when trying to construct his medieval defenses. Keyboard repeat rates arent adjustable to let me set them st enough with only a brief delay before kicking in. When I have more than 15 or 20 tabs open, it seems that old tabs must be reloaded from the server when I switch back to them.

Samsung&39;s Series 5 Chromebook

Google had to start somewhere with Chrome OS, and opting for low power consumption, long battery life, and low prices means that there was really no way to fit the speed-freak needs of somebody like myself.

But without high performance, Google is alienating an important set of techno-savvy people such as developers who help to set the tech agenda.

How the Chromebook works

Chromebooksare one of any number of technologies Google hopes will disrupt the technologiantivirus softwarecal status quo. Theyre lower-end laptops that run Chrome OS, Googles browser-based operating system. That means that applications run on the browser, not the version of Linux thats hidden away beneath for chores such as checking for gestures on the trackpad or spinning up the cooling n.

Applications themselves run on Chrome, and theyre launched either by pointing the browser at a Web site or by installing them from Googles Chrome Web Store.

Google and other browser makers are steadily improving the sophistication and power of Web programming, but the platform itself lls short of what traditional operating systems offer to native software. Google is cooperating with other browser makers and standards groups to improve Web apps, but its impatience shows when it releases projects such asDart language to improve on JavaScriptand itsNative Client foundation for running adapted C and C++ programs st within the browser

Chromebooks are a big bet on cloud computing, in which a server at the other end of the Net is the boss even when your local machine is running a lot of JavaScript and caching data.

I do a lot of work in Google Apps and Web-based e-mail, so Chromebooks are well suited to the bulk of what I do. Instant messaging works over the Web, too. Offline access to Google Docs is still somewhere between broken and primitive, though, so a network connection–that bugaboo of cloud computing–remains essential for me. That means working on trains and subways is impractical for me.

But the direction is clear: cloud computing is tremendously important, even when it exists in some hybrid state such as Dropboxs file-sync service that also marries online services with local computing.

Bugs and missing pieces

Ive suffered any number of bugs, too–problems with Gmail not displaying correctly; persistent Google Docs error messages telling me I was using an unsupported zoom setting; crashing tabs; problems on restart with the Chromebook trying to figure out if my personal Gmail account or my work Google Apps account had priority.

Some of those are probably real, but I give Google a big free pass here since Ive mostly been running the developer channel of Chrome, which isnt as tested as the beta or stable varieties.

Im less forgiving of the trackpad. It was a top complaint about the Cr-48 pilot machine, and Google said that it addressed many shortcomings with the official Chromebooks. But its still actively annoying to me. Worst is that that inadvertent thumb brushes move my cursor where I dont want it.

The biggest missing feature for me is photo and video editing. There are some rudimentary online apps for people who dont need much, but Im spoiled by the precision and power Lightroom, Photoshop, and such. On top of that, Googles nixed Picnik and I had trouble getting files from the Chromebook to online editor Aviary.

I also miss Spotify, though Google Music works.

Web programming will gradually fill in some of these holes. Native Client may not have many allies outside Google, but its enough to attract aversion of Bastion for Chrome. Multitouch inteces, background processing, camera control, and other lower-level changes are also becoming a reality.

Native app abilities will advance, too, of course, though the majority of that innovation seems to be taking place in the mobile realm with iOS, Android, and Windows Phone.

Power users steer clear

The upshot here is that people like me should steer away from Chromebooks for now. If you have a basic set of online social tasks, a Chromebook is appropriate. If youre a photographer, videogamer, or audiophile, look elsewhere.

The $64,000 question is how st Chromebooks will expand in utility. There are lots of reasons people want the flexibility of a conventional personal computer, but I spend ever more time in a browser.

Even today, I can see situations where Chromebooks are workable. For consumers, it could be an OK second machine lying around the house thats better suited than an iPad for typing e-mail and Facebook posts. Id certainly be more inclined to give my son a Chromebook than a low-end Netbook. The Chromebook wakes up quickly and has good battery life, so its free of some of the activation energy pitlls of many laptops (especially Windows laptops) that Ive used, and its liberating leaving antivirus software behind.

But the better fit to me seems organizations where the machine is performing a limited set of tasks–rather like a thin client. Its especially well suited to those who already use Google Apps, and the ct that Chromebooks are interchangeable cogs makes administration easier when it comes time for upgrades, repairs, theft, or provisioning for new employees.

The first-generation Chromebooks were generally panned–indeed, my own complaints here sound moderate compared to some reviews Ive read. But its important to separate the Chrome OS vision from its manifestation in first-generation Chromebooks. Reviewers, like me, are used to doing lots with high-end hardware. Todays Chromebooks are for a very different audience.

Google isnt marketing the machines or pushing them through retail, but letting people who think they might like them discover them on their own. Thats probably why theChromebook reviews on Amazon are generally irly vorable.

Two things stand in the way of broader Chromebook adoption. First are the shortcomings of cloud computing, some of which can be addressed with more sophisticated Web programming.

Second are the shortcomings of the Chromebooks themselves–and thats much more easily addressed. I look forward the next incarnation of Chrome OS.

Stephen ShanklandStephen Shankland writes about a wide range of technology and products, but has a particular focus on browsers and digital photography. He joined CNET News in 1998 and since then also has covered Google, Yahoo, servers, supercomputing, Linux and open-source software and science.

Thief urinates on transformer, gets burns, jailA copper thief is jailed for a year after he and an accomplice drain conductors at a sub-station of oil and he then urinates against the transformer, causing an explosion.

Technically Incorrect

China Telecom to begin selling iPhone 4S on March 9Deal with the countrys third largest carrier will end China Unicoms run as exclusive seller of the device in China.

Apple

Uber gives customers motorcade for Presidents DayAs a special Presidents Day treat, certain lucky Uber customers in Washington, D.C. receive a presidential-style motorcade, complete with limo and two Chevy Suburbans.

Technically Incorrect

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Geek Gestalt

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Cutting Edge

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Stephen Shankland, whos covered the computing industry since 1998 and was a science reporter before that, here delves into a wide range of technology trends and offers hands-on tests. His particular interests include Web browsers, cameras, standards, research, science, and start-ups.

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Responding to two hacks uncovered last week against Google Wallet, Google has temporarly suspended use of the services prepaid card.

Google has put the brakes on the use of its prepaid cards for Google Wallet after two hacks were discovered that could steal money from a users account.

Osama Bedier, vice president for Google Wallet and Payments, wrote in a blog on Saturday that the company istaking this action temporarilyuntil it can make a more long-term correction.

To address an issue that could have allowed unauthorized use of an existing prepaid card balance if someone recovered a lost phone without a screen lock, tonight we temporarily disabled provisioning of prepaid cards, Bedier explained. We took this step as a precaution until we issue a permanent fix soon.

This move means that existing and new customers of Google Wallet will not be able to use a Google prepaid card to add money to their account. However, they can still apply for and use a Citi-issued MasterCard credit card. The service offersboth methods to shore up fundsto pay for items via the virtual wallet.

The decision follows two hacks that hit the wild last week, both of which can crack through a users PIN, especially if the phone were to be lost or stolen.

Uncovered by researchers at security firm Zvelo, thefirst hackrequires that the mobile device be rooted, a time-consuming and tricky operation unless the hacker is skilled and quick enough.

But thesecond hack, as described by blogging site The Smartphone Champ, can be performed by anyone simply by resetting the Google Wallet app, entering a new PIN, and then using the Google prepaid card to tap into the users funds.

Despite the two hacks and the companys decision to disable its prepaid card, Google insists that its Wallet service is still a safe way of paying for goods via a mobile phone.

People are asking if Google Wallet is safe enough for mobile phone payments, Bedier wrote. The answer to this question is yes. In ct, Google Wallet offers advantages over the plastic cards and folded wallets in use today…Google Wallet is protected by a PIN — as well as the phones lock screen, if a userantivirus software sets that option.

Chiming in on the first hack, security vendor McAfee also threw in somepieces of advice for Google Wallet users:

Keep your phone close and in your possession. If attackers dont have physical access to your phone, they cant install malicious apps or spyware.

Google Wallet may be safe, at least if someone follows security best practices. But the hacks against the service come at a bad time.

As the industry strives to ramp upNFC, or near-field communications, convincing consumers of the safety of paying for items via their mobile phones is a major challenge. And anything that puts a hole in the armor of mobile payments makes that challenge all the more difficult.

Lance WhitneyLance Whitney wears a few different technology hats–journalist, Web developer, and software trainer. Hes a contributing editor for Microsoft TechNet Magazine and writes for other computer publications and Web sites. Lance is a member of the CNET Blog Network, and he is not an employee of CNET.

Thief urinates on transformer, gets burns, jailA copper thief is jailed for a year after he and an accomplice drain conductors at a sub-station of oil and he then urinates against the transformer, causing an explosion.

Technically Incorrect

China Telecom to begin selling iPhone 4S on March 9Deal with the countrys third largest carrier will end China Unicoms run as exclusive seller of the device in China.

Apple

Uber gives customers motorcade for Presidents DayAs a special Presidents Day treat, certain lucky Uber customers in Washington, D.C. receive a presidential-style motorcade, complete with limo and two Chevy Suburbans.

Technically Incorrect

Samsung shows sequels to Galaxy Ace and MiniNew smartphones continue to appear in advance of Mobile World Congress. Samsung is the player this time with the Galaxy Ace 2 and Galaxy Mini 2.

Mobile

Stitcher first with Facebook Timeline news radio integrationDozens of apps tie in seamlessly, but on the audio front, music has led the way. Now, radio news shows and podcasts are available by the thousands, and discovery is the goal.

Geek Gestalt

Clean-tech startup GreatPoint scales up in ChinaIn a $1.25 billion deal, GreatPoint Energys coal-to-natural gas technology will be built in China, the first large-scale plant for that technology in the world.

Cutting Edge

Android features that may elicit envy from iPhone owners (photos)Google made public a new swipe-to-unlock patent, something HTC actually already offers. CNET takes a look at some other features that vendors have contributed to Android–features that may someday end up in a patent battle.

Gallery

ZTE Mimosa X raises a glass to Ice Cream SandwichThe ZTE Mimosa X will burst forth with Ice Cream Sandwich…sometime in the second quarter.

Mobile

Apple touts N.C. solar array in environmental footprint reportCompany says array powering massive data center will be the largest end-user-owned operation in the country.

Apple

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Online security is threatened by more than hacking and phishing attempts. Check here for the latest updates on software vulnerabilities, data leaks, and rapidly spreading viruses–and learn how to protect your systems.

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Havent gotten anything for your Valentine yet? Purchase flowers for your sweetheart and pick any one of the four top-selling software titles below for free

We all like getting more bang for your buck and this Valentines day should be no exception. As a special treat, weve partnered with some of our most popular software developers, so you can get a software for free when you send your loved ones flowers for this Valentines Day.

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AVG Anti-Virus 2012 (orig.$39.99):

AVG Anti-Virus 2012 comes with a protective cloud technology that blocks the latest threats while you are surfing, searching and social networking. AVGs st scanning speeds makes chatting, downloading and exchange files easy while allowing you to play games and watch videos without worry or interruption.

WinRAR (orig.$29):

WinRAR offers very strong general and compression, solid compression, archive protection from damage, processing of ZIP and other non-RAR archives, scanning archives for viruses, programmable self-extracting archives(SFX), authenticity verification, NTFS and Unicode support, strong AES encryption, and more. Available in over 40 languages, get yours today and find out why its one of the most popular downloads!

Malwarbytes Anti-Malware Pro (orig.$24.95):

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Pro combines powerful new technologies designed to seek out, destroy, and prevent malware infections.It is an easy-to-use anti-malware application, which is well-known for its detection and removal capabilities as well as its advanced protection technologies that proactively stops malware infections. Additionally, Malwarebytes offers a host of extra utilities as well as an approachable forum community to help you combat any piece of malware that exists in the wild. Its a must-have for anyone with a PC and is complementary to your existing AV product.

Advanced SystemCare Pro (orig.$19.95):

Advanced SystemCare Pro is a comprehensive PC care utility that takes a one-click approach to help protect, repair and optimize your computer. Scanning and finding what other utilities miss, it can keep your PC error-free and smooth than ever.

Catherine HwangCatherine Hwang is a Senior Partner Manager with CNET Download.com and works with the developer community to bring you exclusive product launches and special offers on some of your vorite apps.

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Following a series of threats and alleged negotiations, hackers have released the code for Symantecs remote control software.

A group of hackers has released the source code for Symantecs PCAnywhere product.

The public release of the code yesterday came as no surprise as the hackers had been threatening such an action in a series ofe-mail negotiationswith what they thought were representatives of Symantec. The group, known as Yamatough but operating under the umbrella of Anonymous, had beendemanding a $50,000 payofffrom Symantec to keep the source code private.

Yamatough was actually negotiating with law enforcement officials posing as Symantec representatives in an attempt to draw out the group. But a spokesperson for Yamatough told Reuters that itnever intended to take the moneyand just wanted to humiliate Symantec and still release the code.

Symantec spokesman Cris Paden confirmed to CNET that the posted source code was for PCAnywhere. But he reiterated that the stolen code was from 2006 and said that the company prepared for its release with a series of patches to update the software.

Symantec was prepared for the code to be posted at some point, and has developed and distributed a series of patches since January 23 to protect our users against known vulnerabilities, Paden said. We have been conducting direct outreach to our customers since January 23 to reiterate that in addition to applying all relevant patches that have been released, customers should also ensure that PCAnywhere version 12.5 is installed, and follow general security best practices.

On January 23, Symantec released apatch to secure PCAnywhere 12.5. And then on January 27, the company rolled out another patch directed toward PCAnywhere versions 12.0 and 12.1.

The hackers, who call themselves The Lords of Dharmaraja, originally claimed they found the code after breaking intoservers run by Indian military intelligence. But Symantec later revealed that the group had captured the code for PCAnywhere and other products by breaking into the security vendors own network in 2006.

Symantec had initially warned PCAnywhere customers todisable the softwarebut thendeclared the product safe againafter it released the security patches.

Yet the story is r from over.

The hackers also managed to grab code for other Symantec software, including Norton Antivirus Corporate Edition, Norton Internet Security, and Norton SystemWorks. So the company is expecting a few more public source code unveilings.

We anticipate that Anonymous will post the rest of the code they have claimed to have in their possession, Paden told CNET. So r, they have posted code for the 2006 versions of Norton Utilities and PCAnywhere. We also anticipate that at some point, they will post the code for the 2006 versions of Norton Antivirus Corporate Edition and Norton Internet Security.

But Symantec has insisted that since all the source code dates back to 2006, customers of the current versions of these products are at no risk. Though that may be true, the entire incident does raise the question of how a security vendor, of all companies, would be so vulnerable that its key source code could be stolen.

Paden told CNET that Symantec is still investigating the incident and has no information to provide.

As the extortion attempt by Anonymous indicates, were working with law enforcement right now, he said. Therefore, given the active investigation, were not in a position to provide specifics on the incident at this time.

But he outlined a series of steps the company has since taken to shore up its defenses as part of an ongoing effort and not necessarily in response to the source code theft.

Improved Network Defenses. This includes enhanced network monitoring, improved endpoint security, and additional data loss protection strategy and controls.

Compartmentalized Access to Information. Specific controls were introduced to help ensure that employees were only able to access the resources associated with their roles and responsibilities.

Improved Source Code Security. We have significantly strengthened/hardened our network and server defenses around our source code repository.

Improved Process Controls. We also removed many non-essential legacy domains to help ensure our overall network security and redeveloped additional processes with respect to development and security controls.

Employee Education. Symantec redeveloped our internal security awareness and training processes to help employees recognize and respond to suspicious behavior.

Of courantivirus softwarese, customers wont know if the new security methods are bulletproof unless another security breach happens. But it sounds like the company has beefed up its defenses since 2006, hopefully reducing the chance of a similar code theft occuring again.

Updated 10:30 a.m. PTwith response from Symantec.

Lance WhitneyLance Whitney wears a few different technology hats–journalist, Web developer, and software trainer. Hes a contributing editor for Microsoft TechNet Magazine and writes for other computer publications and Web sites. Lance is a member of the CNET Blog Network, and he is not an employee of CNET.

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Online security is threatened by more than hacking and phishing attempts. Check here for the latest updates on software vulnerabilities, data leaks, and rapidly spreading viruses–and learn how to protect your systems.

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Symantec says its initial agreement to pay $50,000 to prevent the leak of source code for some of its flagship products was part of a law enforcement probe.

As part of a sting operation, Symantec told a hacker group that it would pay $50,000 to keep the source code for some of its flagship security products off the Internet, the company confirmed to CNET this evening.

An e-mail exchange revealing the extortion attemptposted to Pastebin(see below) today shows a purported Symantec employee named Sam Thomas negotiating payment with an individual named Yamatough to prevent the release of PCAnywhere and Norton Antivirus code. Yamatough is the Twitter identity of an individual or group that had previously threatened to release the source code for Norton Antivirus.

We will pay you $50,000.00 USD total, Thomas said in an e-mail dated last Thursday. However, we need assurances that you are not going to release the code after payment. We will pay you $2,500 a month for the first three months. Payments start next week. After the first three months you have to convince us you have destroyed the code before we pay the balance. We are trusting you to keep your end of the bargain.

A Symantec representative confirmed for CNET the extortion attempt in this statement:

In January an individual claiming to be part of the Anonymous group attempted to extort a payment from Symantec in exchange for not publicly posting stolen Symantec source code they claimed to have in their possession. Symantec conducted an internal investigation into this incident and also contacted law enforcement given the attempted extortion and apparent theft of intellectual property. The communications with the person(s) attempting to extort the payment from Symantec were part of the law enforcement investigation. Given that the investigation is still ongoing, we are not going to disclose the law enforcement agencies involved and have no additional information to provide.

However, after weeks of discussions regarding proof of code and how to transfer payment, talks broke down and the deal was never completed. A group called AnonymousIRCtweeted this eveningthat it would soon release the data. Symantec software source codes to be released soon. stay tuned folks!!! Anonymous AntiSec CockCrashed NortonAV.

Apparently after weeks of discussions, Yamatoughs patience was wearing thin, leading to an ultimatum:

If we dont hear from you in 30m we make an official announcement and put your code on sale at auction terms. We have many people who are willing to get your code. Dont f with us.

The exchange gets contentious at times, with Yamatough suggesting that Symantec was trying to track the source of the e-mails:

If you are trying to trace with the ftp trick its just worthless. If we detect any malevolent tracing action we cancel the deal. Is that clear? Youve got the doc files and pathes [sic] to the files. whats the problem? Explain.

Another e-mail, with the subject line say hi to FBI, accuses the company of being in contact with the federal law enforcement agency, a charge Thomas denied. We are not in contact with the FBI, he wrote, lsely. We are using this email account to protect our network from you. Protecting our company and property are our top priorities.

Yamatough demanded that Symantec transfer the money via Liberty Reserve, a payment processor based in San Jose, Costa Rica. But Thomas appears reluctant, calling it more complicated than we expected. Thomas instead suggests using PayPal to transmit a $1,000 test as a sign of good ith. Yamatough rejects that offer, saying, Do not send us any money (we do not use paypal period) do not send us any 1k etc. We can wait till we agree on final amount.

Liberty Reserve did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The posted thread ends with an exchange today with the subject line 10 minutes that threatens to release the code immediately if Symantec doesnt agree to use the payment processor to transfer the funds:

Since no code yet being released and our email communication wasnt also released we give you 10 minutes to decide which way you go after that two of your codes fly to the moon PCAnywhere and Norton Antivirus totaling 2350MB in size (rar) 10 minutes if no reply from you we consider it a START this time weve made mirrors so it will be hard for you to get rid of it.

Thomas response, apparently the last of the discussion, is brief: We cant make a decision in ten minutes. We need more time.

Symantec admitted in mid-January that a 2006 security breach of its networks led to the theft of the source code, backtracking on earlier statements that its network had not been hacked. The security software maker initially said a third party was responsible for allowing the theft of 2006-era source code for Norton Antivirus Corporate Edition, Norton Internet Security, Norton SystemWorks (Norton Utilities and Norton GoBack), and PCAnywhere.

Symantec said that most of it customers were not in any increased danger of cyberattacks as a result of the codes theft but that users of its remote-access suite PCAnywhere may ce a slightly increased security risk.

Symantec instructed its PCAnywhere users in late January to disable the product until the companantivirus softwarey could issue a software update to protect them against attacks that could result from the theft of the products source code.

The theft came to light in early January when hackers claimed that they had accessed the source code for certain Symantec products, which Symantec identified as Symantec Endpoint Protection (SEP) 11.0 and Symantec Antivirus 10.2. Evidence at the time suggested that hackers found the code after breaking into servers run by Indian military intelligence.

A hacker group calling itself Yama Tough and employing the mask of hacktivist group Anonymous in its Twitter avatar said in a tweet last month that it would release 1.7GB of source code for Norton Antivirus, but the group said in a later tweet that that it had decided to delay the release.

Here is the e-mail thread posted on Pastebin:

Update at 9:15 p.m.:A 1.2GB file labeled Symantecs pcAnywhere Leaked Source Code has been posted to The Pirate Bay. CNET has asked Symantec whether the code is authentic. The story will be updated when Symantec responds.

Steven MusilSteven Musil is the night news editor at CNET News. Before joining CNET News in 2000, Steven spent 10 years at various Bay Area newss.E-mail Steven.

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Verizon-affiliated ICSA Labs steps into the controversy overAndroidapps that Symantec identified as malware.

This is one of the Android apps that Symantec labeled as &34;malware&34; but which ICSA Labs says is really just an ad-based app.

Symantec may have mistakenly labeled more than a dozen Android apps as malware, according to security researchers at Verizon-affiliated ICSA Labs.

Its an easy mistake to make, according to Roger Thompson, an ICSA emerging threats researcher who authored a blog post on the subject. Thompson suggested that the apps appear to include a new release of an ad platform that merely resembles malware in certain ways.

Symantec recently raised an alarm over an alleged Trojan it dubbed Android.Counterclank, saying its researchers had discovered 13 apps on the Android Market that had millions of downloads combined were malware because they could allow an attacker to remotely control the device. But Google refused to remove the apps from the Android market because they werent violating terms of service or doing anything customers hadnt given permission for.

Symantec said the alleged Trojan could be found in game and entertainment apps such as Counter Strike Ground Force, Deal and Be Millionaire and Pretty Woman Lingerie Puzzle. The apps are a minor modification of Android.Tonclank, a bot-like threat that can receive commands to carry out certain actions, as well as steal information from the device, Symantecs In Asrar wrote in a blog post.

Android.Counterclank certainly sounded dangerous. Symantec said thealleged Trojan could request permissions to access network, Wi-Fi and Cell-ID information, as well as install shortcuts, read settings, check the phones current state, open network connections, read and write access of the browsing history, copy bookmarks and retrieve the MAC address, SIM serial number and other device data.

The apps included disclaimers noting that that they were money by including a search bar shortcut that could be deleted and adding a search app to browser bookmarks.

Symantec backtrack on its assessment that the apps were malware in ablog postearlier this week, noting that the code in the Tonclank and Counterclank applications comes from the same vendor. The vendor is a company who distributes a SDK (software development kit) to third parties to help them monetize their applications, primarily through search.

Researchers at mobile security firm Lookout initially acknowledged some concerns about the apps functionality, but added:

[A]t this time, and as r as we can tell, it does not meet the standard to be classified as malware or a bot. Consumers should take these apps very seriously as they appear to tread on privacy lines, but they are not necessarily malicious.

Now ICSA Labs is weighing in on the matter. The testing and certification firm has concluded that the apps in question represent a new release of an ad platform developed to allow Android developers to monetize their apps… not a Trojan, designed to steal information or turn the victims device into part of an Android botnet.

Its difficult to determine when a Trojan is a Trojan, ICSA Labs said. If you cant observe maliciouantivirus softwares behavior, such as recording keystrokes, sending premium text messages or downloading other code without permission, you have to reverse engineer the code to see if the capabilities to do those actions are in there, or you have to rely on anti-virus scanners, which can generate lse positives, the firm said.

As ICSAs Thompson wrote:

When you have hundreds of thousands of apps, coming from all over the world, from any one of numerous and unknown developers, its just plain hard to figure out when something has crossed the line from aggressive advertising to outright maliciousness….

What most people dont realize is that Android apps are just zip files, and it is really easy to unzip, add some Trojan code, re-zip it, and stick it out on a warez site, masquerading as a legitimate copy of the original app….

Android is a wonderful, useful and exciting platform, but it turns out that its a really good idea to only download your apps from well-known companies.

Elinor MillsElinor Mills covers Internet security and privacy. She joined CNET News in 2005 after working as a foreign correspondent for Reuters in Portugal and writing for The Industry Standard, the IDG News Service, and the Associated Press.

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Elinor Mills became scinated with hacker culture when she was sent to Las Vegas to cover DefCon in 1995. Since then, script kiddies have given way to cyber criminals targeting bank passwords, and privacy risks are everywhere, from Google to Facebook and the iPhone. InSecurity Complex keeps tabs on the flaws, the foibles, and the fixes.

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Woody, I got a copy of (one of the major antivirus products) when I bought my new PC. It worked fine for six months, but now it wants money. I tried installing a pirate copy, but it wont download updates and as you know an out-of-date antivirus program is about as useful as an out-of-date bottle of milk.

What antivirus product(s) do you use? What do you recommend for people who arent particularly interested in PCs, but know that they need to protect themselves?

All of the major antivirus/antimalware products work very well. Its getting harder and harder to draw a distinction among them.

The one I like best is the one that costs the least: Microsoft Security Essentials. MSE is absolutely free, and it will never, uh, bug you to upgrade or spend more money. If you dont trust Microsoft to protect its own software, theres always AVG Free. I talk about AVG Free briefly in my Windows books. But for most people, most of the time and for me, my PCs at home, and at the Sandwich Shoppes Microsoft Security Essentials does it all.

Whatever you do, dump the bloated anti-everything-ware program that came with your PC. Theres no reason to pay for protection over and over again. Get MSE or AVG Free and break the pay-pay-pay habit.

Although its a relative newcomer to the AV game, MSE consistently rates highly in head-to-head tests. It installs easily, runs like the wind. It never, ever tries to get you to spend more money on a different version. And it doesnt cost a satang. Ive converted all of my PCs to MSE Windows XP, Vista and Win 7 and never looked back.

To get your copy, go to microsoft.com/security_essentials and watch the installation video. Click the Download Now button, and youre on your way to using one of the best pieces of software Microsoft has ever made.

If youre already running an antivirus products even if its out of date, or begging for more money youll have to uninstall it before you can install MSE. Heres how:

Step 1:Download Microsoft Security Essentials.

Step 2:Disconnect from the Internet.

Step 3:Uninstall your current antivirus program. Uninstalling a well behaved antivirus program is as as clicking Start, Control Panel, Add or Remove Programs, finding the program in question and double-clicking on it.

Some antivirus programs, though, are notorious for being hard to uninstall. Norton was one of the worst, up until a couple of years ago. If you have to uninstall Norton, download and use the Norton Removal Tool. Some people report having problems getting rid of McAfee completely. If youre using McAfee and want to switch to MSE, download and run the McAfee Removal tool.

Step 4:No matter how you get rid of your old antivirus product with Windows Add/Remove, or with a specialized removal tool from Norton or McAfee reboot your computer once the uninstall is complete.

Step 5:Run the Microsoft Security Essentials installer. It will ask to connect to the internet to get updates. Dont do it just yet.

Step 6:Reboot your computer once again.

Step 7:Hook your computer up to the internet. Click on the MSE icon down in the system tray next to the clock at the bottom. Click the Update tab (see screen shot on this page), then click the Update button.

Step 8:On the MSE Home tab, choose the button marked Full and click Scan Now.

Step 9:Your computers going to slow down for a while maybe ten minutes, maybe a couple of hours while the scan finishes. Once its done, you may have to click to delete any bad stuff that MSE has found. I suggest you be merciless, and delete anything that looks even vaguely suspicious.

Step 10:Thats it. You dont have to do anything more, and MSE will keep itself updated and running non-stop.

Ive had many people ask if MSE will update itself, even if you turn off Automatic Updates for Windows (which I recommend at my website, AskWoody.com). The answer is yes: although MSE uses the Windows Update mechanism and programs to keep itself updated, your Automatic Updates setting doesnt hold any sway over Microsoft Security Essentials.

Microsoft Security Essentials checks to make sure youre running a genuine copy of Windows before itll install. Ive heard rumors that some of the not so genuine versions of Windows available in Phuket are good enough to trick the MSE installer. Thus, if you arent quite sure about the pedigree of your copy of Windows, itd be a good idea to download MSE and see if it will install. If it doesnt, the installer will tell you that you dont have genuine Windows. Thats it. No Pirate Police will appear at your door.

Locking down Windows 7 computers isnt all that difficult. You need a genuine copy of Windows 7 (which shouldnt cost much more than 2,000 baht ). You need to use a Standard not an Administrator account. You need to apply updates once a month (details and timing, which vary each month, are on my website), and you need Microsoft Security Essentials, which is free. If, in addition to all of that, you dont do anything stupid like installing a program that says itll remove 114 infections on your computer, or intentionally allowing a program to change your browsers home page you should be quite safe.

I run about twenty different PCs that way, with users that span the gamut from grizzled veteran to abject newbie, and Ive never had an infection under Windows 7.

Yes, some people have installed smiley icons and gotten their browsers tied up in knots. Occasionally the deult search engine gets changed, or the home page gets switched. Minor problems. Ive never seen a keylogger, rootkit or data stealing program on any of those PCs. The combination of genuinantivirus softwaree Windows 7 and MSE really does work.

With Woody hunkered down writing a book, the weekly Computer Clinics are taking a new turn. Until Woody emerges with an 860-page copy of Windows 8 All-In-One For Dummies under his arm, around May or June, Seth Bareiss will hold computer sessions every-other Wednesday afternoon, from 1 to 3pm. If you have a Windows problem that needs to be solved, drop by one of Seths free afternoon sessions at the Sandwich Shoppes. Details in the Phuket Gazette Events Calendar.

Sponsored by thePhuket Gazetteand Khun Woodys Sandwich Shoppes.

Live Wire isGazettecolumnist Woody Leonhards weekly snapshot of all things internet in Phuket.

Follow him on Twitter:@PhuketLiveWire; like pages atcebook.com/SandwichShoppe; andcebook.com/phuketgazette.net.

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PHUKET: An elderly Swedish woman was found dead in the waters off Ao Nang in Krabi yesterday, one of many recent drownings in Phuket and…

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