McAfee

Malware targeted toward Android devices continues to surge, says a new report from McAfee, pushing 2011 to become the busiest year in history for both mobile and general malware.

The amount of malware infecting Android devices during the third quarter grew almost 37 percent from the second quarter, according to McAfee's Third-Quarter Threats Report (PDF). Android's growing demand among consumers has made it an increasingly ripe and inviting target for cybercriminals.

How inviting? Almost all new mobile malware over the third quarter was aimed squarely at Android. Legacy software being what it is, though, among all mobile platforms, … Read more

Google's open-source software leader has lashed out at companies selling antivirus software for mobile devices including Google's Android operating system, calling them "charlatans and scammers."

Chris DiBona, Google's open-source programs manager, unleashed his tirade after seeing a press report about "inherent" insecurity of open-source software, which is used not just in Android but also Apple's iOS. He argued that Android, iOS, and Research in Motion's BlackBerry OS don't need antivirus software.

"Virus companies are playing on your fears to try to sell you BS protection software for Android, RIM, … Read more

For a high-end suite, McAfee Total Protection 2012 (download) isn't a bad program. It's just not a particularly good program, and it misses being great by several miles.

We liked its interface, a continuation with only minor adjustments from its 2010 overhaul. The feature set is generally competitive, too, although this update really only brings it into line with the middle range of competitors. It doesn't really push the envelope as to what a high-end suite can do for its customers.

Its biggest problems lie in its performance, and for a security suite that can be the … Read more

When writing a weekly column about the apps business, it's easy to get caught up in the new opportunities, capabilities, and trends emerging in this burgeoning area. It's equally easy to forget they come with new threats.

These threats, which include rogue apps that can swipe your personal data or steal passwords for your bank accounts, are real and growing.

A recent study conducted by security software provider McAfee found that that amount of malicious software, also known as malware, targeting Android had jumped 76 percent since the previous quarter, a remarkable rise in just three months. At … Read more

Move over, Cameron Diaz, there's a new leader in the race to be the "world's most dangerous celebrity."

Former Victoria's Secret model and current host of "Project Runway," Heidi Klum is the Internet's "most dangerous celebrity," security firm McAfee announced today. According to McAfee, when people type Klum-related queries into a search engine, nearly 10 percent of the results are "malicious."

"Fans searching for 'Heidi Klum and downloads,' 'Heidi Klum and 'free' downloads,' 'Heidi Klum and screensavers,' 'Heidi Klum and hot pictures' and 'Heidi Klum and videos' … Read more

Intel demonstrated technology today that is designed to provide greater protection for computers from malware and other threats by taking advantage of features built into the processor.

Intel today showed off McAfee DeepSafe at the Intel Developer Forum, providing the first official glimpse into how the company plans to integrate the technology and expertise it got from the $7.68 billion acquisition of McAfee it announced last year and completed earlier this year.

The technology sits below the operating system level and allows McAfee to develop what Intel calls "hardware-assisted" security products. The aim is to easily detect … Read more

Think of it as carjacking for the Digital Age.

The increasingly sophisticated systems running a car may lead to new vulnerabilities, according to a study (PDF) released today from security software provider McAfee in partnership with mobile software provider Wind River and embedded security provider Escrypt. Those systems could allow hackers to take control of the car, track its location, and even access devices that are connected to it, including smartphones and tablets carrying valuable personal data.

The potential threat comes as hackers have increasingly shown a willingness to attack companies, government officials and agencies, and even Hollywood. Hacker groups … Read more

A recent study has found that Apple's iOS is still untouched by malware, whereas users who choose Google's Android platform are 76 percent more likely to encounter funky software, making it the most susceptible mobile operating system in the world.

McAfee's Threat Report for the second quarter of 2011 outlined the issues facing mobile OS developers. It seems as though Apple's strict stance on iOS apps and games has thus far thwarted any attempts at malware.

The only attacks on iPhones were only able to harm jailbroken phones. (Remember the Rick Astley exploit?) And only a … Read more

While the momentum of Google's Android platform has drawn new partners and customers, it has also attracted new threats.

Security software provider McAfee said today that the amount of malware, or malicious software, targeting Androids phones jumped 76 percent since the last quarter, making it the most heavily attacked mobile operating system. In addition, the company has found 12 million unique types of malware in the first half of the year, a 22 percent increase from a year ago, and expects to end the year with a database of 75 million samples of malware. McAfee today released its threats report for the second quarter (… Read more