Blacklisting is a common security tactic - information about a known bit of malware is distributed, and endpoint security tools search and destroy. Conversely, another approach called "whitelisting" only permits known safe programs to run at all. It can be a sturdy layer of extra protection; however, the system lock-down that sometimes results can be a pain for IT admins to manage. 10 Oct 2008
USA: Financial institutions have until 1 November to comply with a revised set of rules under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act, also known as Facta. EMC and its RSA security division have developed software that helps ensure compliance. 9 Sep 2008
Why sell somebody else's product line when you can do a better job offering your own? That was the question that ultimately pushed Jan Hichert, CEO of Astaro, and two other cofounders to develop their own Internet security solutions for a market they viewed as needy of attention - the small- to medium-sized business (SMB) segment. 29 Aug 2008
Did a computer intrusion at a Best Western hotel in Germany open the door for a hacker to steal the records of 8 million customers and pull off "the greatest cyber-heist in world history", as a Scottish newspaper put it? Or was the incident a significantly more minor affair, affecting only 10 customers at the one facility, as claimed by Best Western International? 28 Aug 2008
Finding the right balance between privacy and convenience online is best left to individual consumers; they are more vested than anyone in protecting their personal information. More control will enable them to decide what information they want to share and how they want to share it. 8 Aug 2008
USA - The Department of Justice has charged 11 people with the theft of millions of account numbers from a long list of US big box retailers including TJ Maxx, OfficeMax, Barnes & Noble, Boston Market, BJ's Wholesale Club, Forever 21, DSW, Dave & Buster's and Sports Authority. 8 Aug 2008
Diageo, owner of Johnnie Walker, one of the world's best-selling Scotches, has developed new technology to crack down on whisky counterfeiters. 5 Aug 2008
Computer hackers are whipping out exploits at an accelerating rate, according to a new IBM security report. They're able to come up with ways to attack newly discovered vulnerabilities faster thanks to automated programs, and they also benefit from well-intentioned security researchers who make too much information available too soon, according to the report. 4 Aug 2008
USA - At first it seemed like ordinary shoplifting - stuffing a few pairs of jeans into an oversize bag and walking out of the store. But the thieves got bolder. They began showing up in groups of five or six in the middle of the day, spraying store clerks with mace and knocking customers out of the way as they gathered armfuls of clothes. Sometimes they tossed a brick through the glass. Sometimes they drove a truck through the front door. 28 Jul 2008
Weeks ago, security researchers spotted a domain name system flaw that could spell trouble for the entire internet. They attempted to keep things quiet while they created and distributed a patch admins could use to plug the holes. But the flaw was leaked, it's in the wild, and some DNS admins may be caught with their pants way, way down. 28 Jul 2008
Enterprises using certain kinds of open source software may be exposing themselves to serious security risks, according to a study from Fortify Software. The study, which focused primarily on non-commercially supported OSS, found many packages have no ground rules for reporting bugs and do not adequately inform users about how to use the applications safely. 22 Jul 2008
Two people were arrested for selling counterfeit tickets outside Newlands Stadium before the opening of the Vodacom Challenge soccer match in Cape Town with a further seven arrested for being in possession of such tickets inside the stadium. 22 Jul 2008
Over 50% of emerging and small businesses in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban experienced one or more incidents of crime in the past year. 17 Jul 2008
USA - A judge's ruling in the Viacom vs. YouTube case sets a new and permissive standard for parties seeking to get their hands on the data companies retain about their customers. While not a legal precedent, the ruling will serve as a reference in future cases, potentially laying bare the trail of search terms we all leave behind. 14 Jul 2008
USA - As an 11-year veteran of e-commerce, web design writer and home business expert, Dennis Gaskill, was used to seeing sales slow down in the weeks leading up to the tax filing deadline. At the time, he attributed his sluggish sales to consumer concern over rising oil prices and the overall economy. After a few more weeks of further declining sales, however, it became clear that this was more than a short-term fluctuation. 11 Jul 2008
USA - Retailers should use the standards set by the Payment Card Industry as a starting point when ensuring that their customer data is as secure as possible, suggests Kristin Lovejoy, IBM's director of corporate security strategy. 10 Jul 2008
In June, actor-comedian Desmond Dube led a massive anti-crime march dubbed the Million Man March Against Crime on the Union Buildings in Pretoria. The event signalled South Africans' growing concern and anger about crime. 4 Jul 2008
NEWSWATCH: Major supermarket and retail chains in the Western Cape have said there's been an increase in shoplifting, IOL reports. The focus of these thefts, however, has shifted from luxury goods, such as clothing, jewellery and electronics, to everyday necessities like food and domestic appliances. 3 Jul 2008
Global denim brand Levi Strauss' South African division has thrown down the gauntlet to the counterfeit syndicates that are importing, producing and selling fake merchandise in the country and thereby crippling the local retail industry. 2 Jul 2008
Put down the vendor white papers and turn down the volume on that webinar. If you want to secure your data and pass a PCI (Payment Card Industry) audit, take a look at the past - the long-ago past. 1 Jul 2008
