Microsoft Researchers: Cyber Crime Losses Exaggerated

Reports of losses from cyber crimes gathered from surveys are greatly exaggerated and often based on unverified, self-reported numbers and skewed results, according to two Microsoft researchers.

In the “Sex, Lies and Cybercrime Surveys” report, Dinei Florencio and Cormac Herley say much of the information on cyber-crime losses comes…

Senators Propose ‘Gold Standard’ for Cybersecurity

In an op-ed for The Washington Post, Sens. Joe Lieberman, Susan Collins and Tom Carper propose a “gold standard” in cybersecurity to help protect networks and computers from hackers and potentially, a “digital Pearl Harbor.”

The proposal would grant the Department of Homeland Security statutory authority to work with the private sector to identify…

Estonian Telecom Services Provider Fights Off Cyber Attack

An unidentified hacker launched a cyber attack against Estonian telecom service provider Elion’s email system, attempting to gain access to 70,000 client accounts, Estonian Public Broadcasting reports.

An investigation determined the intruder failed to access passwords and content. The attack, which came from outside of Estonia, was the largest cyber attack Elion has experienced, the company’s Chief Technical Engineer Kalev Reiljan told Postimees.

The cyber assault began June…

Government Lab Hit by Cyber Attack

The government’s research and development facility, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, was forced to shut down Internet access after suffering a cyber attack, according to Reuters.

“PNNL is experiencing an Internet outage due to a cyber attack,” the laboratory said in a voice mail message at the lab’s office of public affairs.

PNNL spokesman Greg Koller told The Associated Press services were being restored gradually.

“The good news is…

Washington Post Jobs Site Hacked

Hackers last week broke into The Washington Post’s jobs site and gained access to nearly 1.3 million user IDs and email addresses, the news organization revealed yesterday.

Although the hackers were able to access to certain user information on Washington Post Jobs, passwords and personal information such as resumes or contact information were not compromised, according to an email the news organization sent to its users.

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Borneo Sees Spike in Cyber Crime

Borneo saw 7,404 reported incidents of cyber crime in the first half of 2011 –  a 147 percent increase compared to the same period last year, Bernama reports.

Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Datuk Fadillah Yusuf said as more people begin using the Internet, issues and threats — ranging from spam to identity theft…

Gates: DoD CIO Duties Not being Transferred to Cyber Command

A new memo from the Defense Department says the responsibilities of DoD chief information officer won’t be transferred to Cyber Command.

Posted online July 5, the undated memo is signed by former Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, who recently resigned from his role.

According to the memo, obtained by FierceGovernmentIT, Gates had…

Malaysia, UK Sign Agreement to Fight Cyber Crime

The executive branch of Malaysia’s government has decided to sign a memorandum of understanding with the United Kingdom to work together to battle cross-border crime, including web-based ones, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is expected to sign the MoU during his…

FTC: Consumer Confidence in Internet Marketplace Relies on Privacy Protections

The Federal Trade Commission has told Congress consumers must be confident their privacy will be protected if they were to take advantage of all the benefits offered by the Internet marketplace.

“Privacy has been an important component of the consumer protection mission for 40 years,” stated Commissioner

Hackers Hijack Fox Twitter; Tweet Obama Assassinated

While most of America was busy celebrating Independence Day, hackers hijacked Fox News’ Twitter account and posted messages that President Barack Obama had been killed in Iowa while campaigning, according to media reports.

“@BarackObama has just passed. The President is dead. A sad 4th of July, indeed. President Barack Obama is dead,” the hoaxers tweeted, according to Chicago Sun Times. “We wish @joebiden the best of luck as our…