Think That Viruses Only Affect Windows? You’re Wrong…

A blog post from Symantec got my attention today. Threats that used to be focused towards Windows PC are now moving to much broader targets:

Of particular note is a threat family called Opfake. This threat covers a wide range of device operating systems, from Symbian, to Windows Mobile, to Android, and even targets iOS devices through an elaborate phishing scam.

It’s not just mobile devices either. While Apple’s Macintosh computers have been targeted by threats here and there, the idea that this computing platform could be compromised en mass is something Internet security experts have warned about for years.

That day has finally arrived. A trojan by the name of Flashback, which first appeared last year, had a breakout performance in April, successfully infecting approximately 600,000 Macs. We discovered the authors behind this threat may have faltered when it came to profiting from it; perhaps taken by surprise at their apparent success. However, other attackers quickly followed in their footsteps, also seeking to exploit the same weaknesses before the vulnerability was closed.

It is clear that attackers are now paying attention to other platforms outside of the Windows world. But perhaps what is even more worrying is that we’re starting to see a move to platform-independent threats.

So, regardless what you happen to use, it’s becoming clear that you have to protect yourself. Simply assuming that you are immune to threats is no longer an option. This blog post has lots of other useful info that is worth paying attention to. Give it a read and take heed of what it says.

16GB Blackberry Playbook Nixed… Hmmmm….

Read into this what you will. RIM has decided to stop selling the 16GB Blackberry Playbook. Here’s their logic:

“There is more value for our customers in the higher capacity models (32 GB, 64 GB), and as such we have decided to focus our efforts here,” the Waterloo-based company said in an email.

“The 16 GB PlayBook will continue to be available for distributors and retailers while quantities last. We continue to remain committed to the tablet space and the 32 GB and 64 GB models of the BlackBerry PlayBook continue to be available from our distributors and retailers around the world.”

Okay. That’s plausible. But you have to wonder if they are actually selling any Playbooks given that they warned that they were going to lose money. I’m not so sure. We’ll find out shortly as their number are due soon.

ServiceOntario Kisoks Closed Due To “Security Violations”

In Ontario, you can do things like renew their drivers’ licenses and obtain birth certificates at ATM like machines called ServiceOntario Kisoks. I’ve used them because they’re everywhere and it’s way better than having to go to some office and line up. So I was kind of ticked to find out that all these machines have been shut down:

The Ontario government has temporarily shut down all 72 kiosks across the province to check for signs of tampering. Debit card companies informed the government about security violations at kiosks in four shopping malls in the Greater Toronto Area – Erin Mills Town Centre, Vaughan Mills, Albion Centre and Promenade Mall.

A spokeswoman for Vaughan Mills said officials from ServiceOntario removed the mall’s kiosk early Thursday morning. The mall has handed over surveillance tape to police.

“It doesn’t sound like they’re going to be offering the service in that format any time soon, considering they’re pulling the unit from the floor,” spokeswoman Jamie MacLean said.

Why have they done this? Here’s what the Ontario Government said:

Government Services Minister Harinder Takhar said people tried to copy some of the information on consumers’ debit cards and credit cards, but he does not know how many people were affected.

“It’s happening everywhere,” he told reporters on Thursday, referring to warnings by police about new methods being used to skim information from debit and credit cards in the GTA. “We just wanted to make sure the information is protected.”

Well. that’s just delightful. Nothing is secure these days. So I give the Government points for shutting the machines down until they can secure them. Hopefully they’re back in service soon and the security is top notch.