Banking online? TOP 6 MALWARE you should be BEWARE of

These can filch your passwords, deplete your bank accounts and even infiltrate highly secure bank web sites.

Financial malware have grown leaps and bounds not only in their behavior pattern but also in the way they are distributed (Citadel). However, their overall ingenuity lies in the way they are presented to lure users.

It can be anything from Malicious PDF to links shared on Social Networking sites to phishing schemes. Here are our top six financial malware online users need to aware of.

The author is MD and CEO of eScan.

1. ZeuS

Zeus is a Trojan horse that steals banking information by Man-in-the-Browser, keystroke logging and Form Grabbing. Zeus is spread mainly through drive-by downloads and phishing schemes. First identified in July 2007 when it was used to steal information from the United States Department of Transportation, it became more widespread in March 2009.

In June 2009, Zeus had compromised over 74,000 FTP (file transfer protocol) accounts on websites of such companies as the Bank of America, NASA, Monster.com, ABC, Oracle, Play.com, Cisco, Amazon, and BusinessWeek.

In May 2011, the then-current version of Zeus's source code was leaked and in October the 'abuse.ch' blog reported about a new custom build of the Trojan that relies on more sophisticated peer-to-peer capabilities.

2. SpyEye

An overly enhanced version of ZeuS. This piece of malware not only comes with the capability of performing Man-in-the-Browser attacks but can also reroute one-time passwords sent to victim's cellphones. It can harvest credentials for online accounts and also initiate transactions as and when a person is logged into his/her account; literally making it possible to watch their bank balance drop by the second.

SpyEye is actually a botnet with a network of command-and-control servers hosted around the world.

At the time of writing this article, some 181 command-and-control servers were online, according to the SpyEye Tracker, a website dedicated to gathering statistics about the malicious software.

3. Shylock

The goal of the fraudster is to collect additional personal information from the victim and the suspicion is that the cyber-crook will use words of persuasion to get the victim to verify fraudulent transactions as Shylock silently initiates them in the background.

When the victim logs in to the online banking application, the session stalls for few minutes and the user is told that security checks are being performed. Though a series of fake HTML page injections and complex JavaScript code, the victim is presented with a LIVE chat window that is being operated by the cyber-criminal.

4. Ramnit

Initially created with the intention to steal Facebook login credentials, Ramnit was further modified and paired with the ZeuS source code enabling the worm to gain remote access to financial targets.

The stolen credentials are used to help spread the malware which is done by logging into the victims account and sending malicious links to all friends listed. This change also shows a change in the creation of malware where cyber-criminals are beginning to experiment with old-school malware to create more sophisticated ones.

5. Ice IX

Another basic modified version of ZeuS, Ice IX also comes with the ability to manipulate content displayed within browsers used by victims. It achieves this by injecting rogue web forms into online banking websites.

However, newer variants of Ice IX online banking Trojan programme are tricking victims into exposing their telephone account numbers so that fraudsters can divert post-transaction verification phone calls made by banks to phone numbers under their control.

6. Citadel

Again, based on the ever-famous ZeuS source code, Citadel comes in as another banking malware but with an interesting feature. The most striking feature lies in its development.

The malware comes with a User Manual, Release Notes and License Agreement and like its elder sibling Citadel is sold as a crime-ware toolkit in the underground market.

In addition, the toolkit allows cyber-criminals to customise the Trojan according to their needs and command and control infrastructure. Going even a step further, malware authors have developed an online platform where customers can request features, report bugs and even contribute modules. Moreover, this new development also comes in as indication of a trend in malware evolution.

Many people love buying new and sometimes used cars. They sometimes are surprised and unaware of the risks some cars pose to their lives. Here are just 10 examples which are serious threat to the people.

1. Honda Civic Hybrid:

Many people would buy it to be fuel efficient. However, drivers should be advised that in 2006 the car company recalled 45,000 cars. I would check out the reviews before buying the car, given that this was their 4th recall.

2. Smart Cars:

This small car is highly efficient energy wise and environmentally. The smallness creates a huge problem for drivers. However, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reported that it does not give any safety to its drivers and passengers. CAFÉ reported that 2000 deaths came as a result of driving mini smart cars.

3. Mercury Grand Marquis:

I am really glad I got rid of this car. It was voted as one of the most dangerous cars by Forbes. It lasted approximately 18 years. 14 years into driving, it began to stall and had massive engine problems.

4. Toyota Corolla:

Toyota Corollas are really popular in North America. However, people should do a little more research before buying a specific year/model of Toyota Corolla. For example, the 2007 car had 20,000 recalls because of a stalling risk. In 2010, 1.13 million Corollas and Matrixes were recalled. Check everything before considering.

5. Mitsubishi Lancer:

The crash tests are not good. These cars were named as one of the most dangerous cars in 2011. This is also a good car for younger generations, which is even worse as they are not experienced drivers.

6. Toyota Scion TC:

Collisions and problems driving are a source of problems for this car. This is another car popular amongst youngsters, and is not a good combo.

7. Suzuki Samurai:

This one car series between 1986 and 1995 is good for off road driving. However, people should be advised that is known to roll over and was rated as non-acceptable by Consumer Reports.

8. Kia Rio:

The 2009 model is not good either. This is extremely dangerous due to the number of collisions reported per year.

9. Ferari 458:

Beautiful car overall but not beautiful for those who suffered through its combustion. The adhesive in the back tires are also know to catch fire.

10. Ford Explorer:

This car has had a history of rollovers on the highway as well and drivers should be cautioned before buying it. This was caused by a problem with Firestone Tires, 101 Americans lost their lives as a result.

Top 10 Hazards Of Elderly Driving

n the next 20 years, the number of elder drivers is expected to increase 3 folds. Statistics show that elders as well as teenagers are more likely to get into accidents as well as fender benders. This article sets to examine the causes of impared in elders while driving.

1. Cataract:

Cataract can be defined as the clouding of the les of the eye. This affects someone’s vision to varying degrees. First of all clumps of protein can reduce the sharpness of an image reaching the retina. When that happens, it not only clouds the lens, but reduces the light that reaches the retina. Cataracts are very common in elderly people. By the age of 80 at least half of Americans have had cataract or have gone through cataract surgery.

2. Heart & Stroke:

Heart & Stroke are the major forces that cause impaired driving. I have a friend who was crushed by a 20 wheeler whose driver suddenly died of a heart attack. He lost 3 months of his life, lying in a coma. In May of 2011, 2 pedestrians were killed in Toronto when the driver suffered a fatal heart attack. This may happen to anyone, but at least we can do our part to do something about it.

3. Lyme Disease:

Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium called Borrelia Burgdorferi. Ticks are the most common causes of Lyme Disease. They receive the bacteria when feeding on mice, squirrels, birds and other small animals that carry the bacteria. Individuals with Lyme Disease have difficulty with cognitive functions. They may become lost in familiar locations when driving. They may also have difficulty following directions while behind the wheel. Losing track in the middle of a task also is a common problem individual with Lyme Disease face.

4. Glaucoma:

This is a form of an eye disease which affects the optic nerve in the eye. It is often associated with elevated pressure in the eye. The pressure leads to damage in the eye, which may cause blindness. 6 million people in the United States suffer from the disease and are blind as a result. There are no specific symptoms. Many people are thus unaware that they have it.

5. Dementia:

Increasingly people with dementia and Alzheimer’s are getting into repeated fender benders and accidents. 4 million Americans suffer from this, especially those over the age of 65. Many cities now require a Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) Test to be done. This is helpful in identifying unsafe drivers.

6. Slowness:

Many elderly people experience slowness. It takes them longer to complete tasks, including driving. This poses as a risk, especially when driving on the highway.

7. Recklessness:

This too happens as we get older. For example, in 2007 a 90 year old Elizabeth Grimes mistook the gas pedal and went for a joy ride through the streets. She hit a car on the way which fatally injured a 17 year old student driving to take her algebra test. George Russell Weller, 86, drove in to a crowded farmers market in Santa Monica and killed 10 and injured 70 people. He confused the accelerator for the breaks.

8. Diabetes:

Elders with diabetes should caution before driving. Impaired sensory and motor functions, diabetic eye diseases and nerve damage are some of the complications that could affect a person’s driving skills. This should be of great concern since 1 in 3 elders have diabetes. 20% have type 2 and half are unaware that they have it.

9. Arthritis:

Pain and stiffness in the neck caused by arthritis can make it harder for an elder to look over the shoulder. Arthritis can also cause leg pains which could affect the mobility of legs.

10. Declining Health:

This is simply a reason to be worried. All elder drivers should gradually be able to earn back their license as they once started. It is simply a precaution.

Top 10 most Famous Revolvers.......

A revolver is a repeating firearm containing a cylinder with many chambers. As the hammer is cocked the cylinder rotates to align the next chamber round with the hammer and the barrel. It is from this action that the revolver gets its name. Let’s look at the world’s most famous revolvers.

1. The Peacemaker colt

The Colt single action army or the Peacemaker is the most famous handgun in history as it is the gun that won the west. It was built by the Colt Manufacturing Company of America and was in service with the US government from 1873 to 1892. . It fires a .45 Colt cartridge and has a six shot cylinder.

2. Webley Mk6

The Webley revolver is of British origin and is manufactured by the Webley & Scott Company and RSAF Enfield.

It is a top break revolver firing a .455 Webley cartridge, has a rate of fire of 20-30 rounds per minute and has an effective range of 50-300 yds.

3. 38 Special Revolver

The .38 Smith & Wesson Special is of American parentage and was manufactured by the Smith & Wesson Company. It fires a rimmed centerfired cartridge (the .38 Special) .and weighs approximately 10 ounces , has an overall length of 8 inches and a capacity for 6 rounds.

4. Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum Model 629

This revolver is of American origin and fires the .44 Magnum cartridges made famous by Clint Eastwood in his Dirty Harry films. . It has a double action and a six round cylinder and has a 3 dot adjustable rear sight.

5. Smith & Wesson model 686

This revolver is of American origin and fires the .357 Magnum cartridges. This cartridge was developed to penetrate automobile cover during the post World War 1 gangster era in the US. The revolver went into production in the 1980’s. It weighs 1.25 Kg is fed by a 6 or 7 round cylinder and has a length of 12 inches.

6. Smith and Wesson Model 10 Victory

This revolver of American origin was in use by the US forces during World War 2 and fires the .38 Special cartridges. It is fed by a 6 round cylinder and has a muzzle velocity of 755 ft per second.  It has a blade front sight and a notched rear sight.

7. Smith &Wesson  Model 500

The Smith & Wesson model 500 is a five shot double action revolver of American parentage. It is built on the Smith & Wesson’s largest frame the X frame and is cited by its manufacturers of being the ‘most powerful production revolver in the world ‘The model 500 fires a bullet weighing 350 gm at a muzzle velocity of 1975 ft per second.

8. Colt Python

The Colt Python is a double action hand gun chambered for the powerful .357 Magnum cartridge. It is of American origin and is manufactured by the Colt Manufacturing Company of Hartford, Connecticut. It is built on  the Colt large’ I’ frame and is renowned for smooth trigger pull, accuracy and tight cylinder lock up.. It was in production from 1955-1996

9. Webley Fosbery Automatic Revolver

The Webley Fosbery Automatic revolver is of British parentage and is manufactured by Webley Scott. . In this revolver the hammer is cocked and the cylinder rotated by sliding the action, cylinder and barrel assembly back on the frame. It fires a .455 Webley Mk2 cartridge and has a muzzle velocity of 620 ft per second.

10. Ruger Super Redhawk

The Ruger Super Redhawk revolver is of American origin and is a double action Magnum revolver made by Sturm Rogers.  It has a weight of 1190 grams and a length of 8.5 inch. It is an example of a revolver having a swing out cylinder.