SpyLocked 4.2 Threat Level:

SpyLocked 4.2 is the latest version of everyone’s favorite rogue — or fake — anti-spyware software. Like other versions of SpyLocked, SpyLocked 4.2 may install onto your PC through web browser security holes in your computer accessed by a Trojan. And also similar to other versions of SpyLocked, SpyLocked 4.2 may try and scare you into you buying the “full version” of its software by popping up fake or exagerrated security alerts that your system is infected with spyware and malware. SpyLocked 4.2’s security warning may read:

“System has detected a number of active spyware applications that may impact the performance of your computer. Click the icon to get rid of unwanted spyware by downloading an up-to-date anti-spyware solution.”

When creating these false warnings, SpyLocked 4.2 may note clean software and files on your PC as dangerous, to try and scare you. When you’re infected with SpyLocked 4.2, you may also experience tons of ads. Unless you enjoy popup ads, we recommend you remove SpyLocked 4.2 immediately.

SpyLocked 4.2 may be compared to SpywareQuake, SpySheriff, Pest Trap, and SpyHeal, and ContraVirus. SpyLocked 4.2 may recreate itself, making it extremely difficult to manually delete. www.SpyLocked.com may be SpyLocked 4.2’s official site.

Read more about SpyLocked 4.2 »

Security software company Symantec has reported phishing sites posing as secure financial websites may download keylogging software — hardly news, except that these sites are freshly exploiting security holes in QuickTime, Apple’s popular multimedia playing software, and WinZip, a Windows utility for file compression and decompression.

Symantec reported their find during the second week of May 2007, after one of their PCs used as bait was infected through these vulnerabilities, even though the WinZip security hole was found as early as November 2006, and the QuickTime security hole is circa January 2007 (a security patch is available).

[Via CNET]

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Anti-phishing and anti-spyware bill Internet Spyware Prevention Act — or “I-Spy” — has been reintroduced to US House of Representatives by Representatives Bob Goodlatte and Zoe Lofgren.

I-Spy proposes up to five years in prison for violators who place software on computers that transfers personal user information without the user’s knowledge, or software that weakens a PC’s security.

I-Spy’s died twice before it reached the Senate floor — we’re thinking it’s not just because of concerned online advertisers, but largely, as CNET points out, that “the most worrisome forms of spyware already are illegal. The Federal Trade Commission has told politicians it already possesses broad authority to punish any fraudulent and deceptive adware or spyware practices with fines, and has sued spyware purveyors in the past.”

Read CNET’s full “House tries again for antispyware bill” article »

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