Hacker used Twitter to control infected PCs

Baack · Aug 16, 2009

Twitter's been having a rough couple of weeks.
A researcher looking into the attacks that knocked Twitter offline last week discovered another, unrelated security problem.
At least one criminal was using a Twitter account to control a network of a couple hundred infected personal computers, mostly in Brazil. Networks of infected PCs are referred to as "botnets" and are responsible for so much of the mayhem online, from identity theft to spamming to the types of attacks that crippled Twitter.
Jose Nazario with Arbor Networks said he found a Twitter account that was used to send out what looked like garbled messages. But they were actually commands for computers in a botnet to visit malicious Web sites, where they download programs that steal banking passwords.
The affected Twitter account was taken down. Twitter didn't immediately respond to e-mails for comment.
Nazario said what appeared to be the same person was doing the same thing on an account with a Google Inc. service called Jaiku, which is similar to Twitter.
Click to expand...

http://tech.yahoo.com/news/ap/20090814/ap_on_hi_te/us_tec_twitter_the_botmaster

cherokeechief · Aug 16, 2009

it seems that most of the attacks start outside the US. if i recall there was an attack on facebook or my space awhile back.
most of the time this is caused by PC users that are not fully protected. always a good thing to keep the anti virus and firewall programs up to date and running at all times.

rookietrucker · Aug 17, 2009

Cisco makes a excellent hardware based firewall with a gui interface or a command line/hyper terminal (for the more experienced). Called the ASA 5505, the interface is fairly easy to use with a basic knowledge of networking. The cost could set you back $350-400 but I think it's worth it. You can also buy the book that can help guide you to setting it up for around $65.

This is just a suggestion for anyone looking for a good hardware based firewall at home or small business.

Log in or Sign up

Forums

Find Trucking Jobs

Hacker used Twitter to control infected PCs

Baack Road Train Member

Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

Wait, employers can't reach you!

cherokeechief Light Load Member

rookietrucker Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

Wait, employers can't reach you!

Log in or Sign up

Useful Searches

Find Trucking Jobs

Hacker used Twitter to control infected PCs

Baack Road Train Member

Wait, employers can't reach you!

cherokeechief Light Load Member

rookietrucker Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

Wait, employers can't reach you!