Hackers Scam Thousands Using Ads For Anti-Spyware
ATLANTA–Security consultancy SecureWorks said hackers using Russian Business Network (RBN) services, among other hosting services, have successfully scammed thousands of victims with a new and complex multi-step scam involving rogue anti-spyware.
The company said reported incidents of the scam have increased 1,000%.
How it works: the victim browses a legitimate, high-traffic website where a legitimate-appearing ad is hosted. The person clicks on the page, which initiates a pop-up warning about a “suspicious problem” on the victim’s computer. The pop-up starts a “sales process” where a bogus anti-spyware solution is offered and sold to the victim for amounts ranging from $19.95 to $79.95 in exchange for credit card info.
The problem: the “anti-spyware solution” downloads a trojan that retrieves other information from the victim over time, or a rootkit, allowing remote control of the victim’s computer.
The company said the scammer behind the bogus anti-spyware solution makes money from the sale of the “solution” but mostly is interested in selling the credit card numbers for money and selling access to the trojan and rootkit infected computers. Once access to the infected computers is purchased, the criminals can mine the stolen data and commit the fraud themselves or sell it to a third party.
For info: www.secureworks.com
Most Lender Relationships Good or Better, Says Study
NORTHFIELD, Ill.–Small business owners’ relationships with their primary lenders are improving, according to a study by the Small Business Research Board.
Still, 21% of the owners and managers surveyed said they have found new lead providers within the past four years. The poll found small businesses were satisfied with their key lenders, as 88.4% said the fit was “good” or “excellent.” Of the remaining group, 10.1% categorized the relationship as “fair” while 1% felt it was “poor.” Less than 1% said the relationship was their “last resort.”
The study also indicated relationships are lasting longer, with more than 78.6% reporting they have been with their current principal lender at least five years. According to the report, 2.3% of the small businesses are in their first year with their current lead lender while 5.7% said their relationship is in the second year.
Owners and managers of more than 450 small enterprises representing numerous industries responded to the SBRB poll co-sponsored by Business Today Magazine.
For info: www.biznus.net
Illinois CUs Say ‘iBelong,’ Too
KEY WEST, Fla.–The Illinois Credit Union League has agreed to license the theme, brand and marketing materials of the Pennsylvania Credit Union Association’s “iBelong” ad campaign.
The Illinois League will use the brand and materials in its own TV, radio and print materials, according to James McCormack, president of the Pennsylvania League. The contract is for two years.
They decided, instead of spending money on research and development, “that ours fits well with what they’re trying to project,” McCormack told the Credit Union Journal during the league’s annual CEO Summit.
The Pennsylvania League has committed to an 18-month campaign of TV, radio and Internet-based ads surrounding the iBelong theme. The cost is an estimated $2.25 million.
Other leagues also have expressed interest in the iBelong brand.
