Vendors mull security software for Mac OS X   04 Mar 2008 14:00 GMT
Several security vendors are considering developing virus protection software for Mac OS X, and one company already has a prototype on standby.

Source: Computerworld

Company settles smut-spam charges   04 Mar 2008 14:00 GMT
A barrage of "electronic flashing" by its affiliates has earned an Arizona-based "adult" Web site a $413,000 fine from the FTC.

Source: Computerworld

The Science of Intrusion Prevention Testing   04 Mar 2008 14:00 GMT
(Source: NSS Labs) LIVE WEBCAST
How do you accurately gauge the effectiveness of complex security products like intrusion prevention systems? Testing security products is a complex science, and the market place is filled with vendor claims, product reviews, analyses, and lab test reports. These reported measurements can vary widely depending on the sources, methodologies and tools used. And even then, the results may not be relevant for your environment. Whether you are going to perform your own tests, or read someone else's lab results, get a quick educational primer on the science of testing security products.

Join NSS Labs experts, Christian Stankevitz, CTO and Bob Walder, Chief Scientist.

What you'll learn:
- Best practices and tools for testing complex security products
- How to evaluate security & performance requirements
- How to avoid common pitfalls when evaluating IPS and anti-malware products
- The importance of using live exploits against real hosts

This webcast will air on Tuesday, March 25th.

Source: Computerworld

PayPal: If a browser doesn't have anti-phishing technology (like Safari) ditch it   04 Mar 2008 13:56 GMT
A PayPal executive last week recommended that its users ditch Apple's Safari browser since it doesn't have anti-phishing technology. If other phishing targets--banks, brokers and such--follow suit it could make anti-phishing technology the price of admission to recommend browsers. Infoworld last week quoted Michael Barrett, PayPal's CIO,...
Source: ZDNet

News to know: IE 8; eBay security; Microhoo; Favorite Windows programs; Apple   04 Mar 2008 10:15 GMT
Notable headlines: Mary Jo Foley: Microsoft caves: 'Super-standards' mode to become IE 8 default. Microsoft's IE blog Microsoft, Nokia to port Silverlight to Symbian phones Nate McFeters: eBay Red Team Event - Creating Security Awareness and Sharing Strategies Ed Bott's 10 Favorite...
Source: ZDNet

eBay Red Team Event - Creating Awareness and Sharing Strategies   04 Mar 2008 04:42 GMT
I recently attended the eBay Red Team event at the eBay campus in San Jose, CA. and got a chance to sit in on several presentations, meetings, and discussions aimed at creating security awareness and knowledge sharing opportunities for several major decision makers in the information security space.  Numerous companies...
Source: ZDNet

In close First Amendment case, Virginia court upholds spammer conviction   03 Mar 2008 16:26 GMT
What do geeks hate more than free speech restrictions? Spammers! Thus, anti-spam laws are an interesting collision. Spamming is clearly speech -- albeit commercial speech. So are antispam laws constitutional? The Virginia Supreme Court took that matter up in the case of Jeremy Jaynes, a particularly obnoxious...
Source: ZDNet

Wither anti-virus software?   03 Mar 2008 15:30 GMT
In the security industry it's not hard to run into someone predicting the demise of the anti-virus industry. But the end game will take forever to play out. The common argument: Anti-virus software can never keep up, is outdated and outgunned against rapidly evolving threats. Websense CEO...
Source: ZDNet

Developing FIPS 140-validated Solutions for the Federal Government Using RSA BSAFE Software   03 Mar 2008 14:00 GMT
(Source: RSA) The U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on Government Reform recently released the 2005 edition of its Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) report card. Unfortunately, the news was not good. The 25 major government agencies reported 15% of the IT systems remained uncertified/unaccredited while 6 agencies lacked effective corrective action plans, illustrating little improvement in the level of information security for government agencies compared to previous reports. Government agencies at all levels are entrusted with sensitive information about citizens, military personnel and others. As is the case with private industry, breaches of that information can create a public relations debacle and end up costing dearly-not just monetarily, but in public trust. Defense, security and diplomatic agencies are entrusted with even more sensitive information, which, in the wrong hands, could threaten national and international security.

Source: Computerworld

UTC makes $3B hostile bid for Diebold   03 Mar 2008 14:00 GMT
United Technologies Corp. made a $3 billion unsolicited offer to acquire Diebold, the parent company of e-voting systems maker Premier Election Solutions.

Source: Computerworld