BELMONT, CALIF. - December 4, 2007 - Research
experts at FaceTime Security Labs™ today discovered a
considerable collection of stolen credit card details posted on a
"Warez Forum," a discussion group frequented by hackers trading
pirated media and video games. The authorities have been
notified.
Some of the exposed credit card details included PIN numbers as
well as an email "receive address" indicating that information had
been obtained directly from a back-end on-line payment system.
Further details about this incident can be found at www.blog.spywareguide.com and on researcher
Chris Boyd's personal blog at www.vitalsecurity.org. Boyd, senior director of
malware research for FaceTime Security Labs, discovered that the
credit card data had been published.
"The odd thing about it was that the person who posted the
details didn't really come across as a professional carder - more
like someone who happened to stumble across a stockpile of
sensitive information and was now trying to distribute it as
quickly as he could," said Chris Boyd "This is a case of stupid criminals
at work. The poster happily included all of this information with a
photograph of himself as well as his location listed under his
forum avatar."
FaceTime
Security Labs researchers, including Boyd (aka Paperghost), are constantly searching for
malware, botnets, spyware and incidents of hacking of social
networking sites that can compromise personal as well company data.
While this research is conducted and used to protect FaceTime's
enterprise network security customers, occasionally the FSL team
uncovers incidents - such as this one - that are more widespread
and affect a wide variety of consumers.
"Everyone takes a security risk when they shop or hang out
online, but we can reduce the risk with some common sense and
specific moves," said Boyd. "A company would never stop using email
just because they get SPAM, but everyone needs to balance the
benefits of the Web with ways to avoid the risks."
FaceTime offers the following tips for safe Internet use:
- Update your browser and your computer with the latest security
patches.
- When entering your credit card data online, be sure that your
browser is showing a closed padlock in the lower right, to show
that the site is secure.
- Be very cautious when you receive an instant message with a
link to a Web site or a download, even from a friend. Many threats
spread quickly through IM messages and then steal personal data.
Ask your friend if he or she actually sent you a link or file
before clicking on it.
- Be wary when installing something from a social networking
site. Many credit card numbers are stolen through spyware
applications that people download without realizing the danger. If
you are unsure, go to the official website of the company that
makes the application you need.
- Before posting anything on a social networking page, consider
if you would be happy handing that information to a stranger.
- Keep a careful eye on your bank statements and credit report.
Call your credit card company if you see suspicious
transactions.
About Actiance, Inc. (Formerly FaceTime Communications, Inc.)
FaceTime Communications became Actiance, Inc on January 11, 2011 following an agreement to
transfer the FaceTime trademark to Apple.
FaceTime Communications enables the safe and productive use of Unified Communications and Web 2.0,
including instant messaging, blogs and social networking. Ranked number one by IDC for five consecutive
years, FaceTime's award-winning solutions are used by more than 1,500 customers for the security,
management and compliance of real-time communications. FaceTime supports or has strategic partnerships
with all leading IM, unified communications providers and social networks including AOL, Google, Yahoo!,
Skype, Microsoft, IBM, Cisco, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.
FaceTime is headquartered in Belmont, California. For more information visit
http://www.facetime.com or call 888-349-3223.
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