...Java zero-day vulnerability, which allows hackers to inject malicious code into even fully-patched Windows or Linux computer operating systems.
Did they just not mention mac because they don't serve the Mac market, or Macs haven't been targeted/detected yet... because Mac systems are potentially just as vulnerable (if the user is an admin, I assume)... Millions of computer users who run the most recent versions of Oracle's Java software should disable the product owing to security flaws, says the cybersecurity section of the Department of Homeland Security. The agency says, "Web browsers using the Java 7 plug-in are at high risk."
For our Newscast desk, Steve Henn filed a report from Silicon Valley in which he says that "in the last few months security researchers have discovered a series of bugs that can allow bad actors to take over machines that are running Java in a Web browser and steal your identity."
Those bugs can be exploited to allow hackers' programs to give themselves full security privileges, according to a " vulnerability note " posted by Carnegie Mellon University's CERT computer security site.
"Oracle Java 7 update 10 and earlier are affected," the notice says. It adds that the only known solution is to "disable Java in web browsers."
{.... more at link}
Millions of computer users who run the most recent versions of Oracle's Java software should disable the product owing to security flaws, says the cybersecurity section of the Department of Homeland Security. The agency says, "Web browsers using the Java 7 plug-in are at high risk."
For our Newscast desk, Steve Henn filed a report from Silicon Valley in which he says that "in the last few months security researchers have discovered a series of bugs that can allow bad actors to take over machines that are running Java in a Web browser and steal your identity."
Those bugs can be exploited to allow hackers' programs to give themselves full security privileges, according to a " vulnerability note " posted by Carnegie Mellon University's CERT computer security site.
"Oracle Java 7 update 10 and earlier are affected," the notice says. It adds that the only known solution is to "disable Java in web browsers."
{.... more at link}
Malware may put Internet offline to thousands this Monday — how to make sure ‘DNS Changer’ doesn’t harm you
by Branden Goyette
New York Daily News
July 6, 2012
Tens of thousands of Americans whose computers are infected with malware will lose Internet service Monday. Here's a quick explanation of what led to this impending Internet blackout and how you can avoid being left in the dark.
Malware may put Internet offline to thousands this Monday — how to make sure ‘DNS Changer’ doesn’t harm you
by Branden Goyette
New York Daily News
July 6, 2012
Tens of thousands of Americans whose computers are infected with malware will lose Internet service Monday. Here's a quick explanation of what led to this impending Internet blackout and how you can avoid being left in the dark.
Over a year ago, hackers used an online ad scam to infect more than 570,000 computers around the world with malware called DNS Changer that could make the devices carry out tasks without their owners' knowledge. The FBI wanted to shut down the servers that the hackers were using to control the infected computers, but they realized that the victims of the hack would suddenly lose Internet service if they did so.
The feds set up a transitional system that allowed them to take down the hackers’ servers while still allowing computers affected with the malware to get online.
But they’re set to pull the plug on that system at 12:01 a.m. Monday, July 9 — after that, anyone with an affected machine will be kicked off the Internet until they rid their computer of the malware.
So how can you avoid being among those who lose Internet?
First, it's important to note that if your computer is infected with DNS Changer, your antivirus software won't help. And if you use a Mac, don't think you're immune — Comcast reports that they've already spotted the malware on several Apple computers.
To do a quick check on the health of your computer, visit www.dns-ok.us . If you see a red background, your machine has been infected. If you see green, that's good — though the site notes there's still a chance your computer is infected.
To make sure that your computer is malware free, go to www.dcwg.org , the website of the DNS Changer Working Group, a collection of experts the FBI recruited to deal with this hack attack...
