Fake Android security app gets to top position

“Virus Shield” app became a top-selling hit, with the help of some presumably fake reviews – but does absolutely nothing. The app was apparently downloaded 10,000 times at $4 before the plug was pulled by Google. ESET have a good guide to spotting scammy apps - I particularly like the suggestion that when downloading you should think like you were shopping on eBay. And not blindly trusting 5* reviews is perhaps the hardest thought to overcome, conditioned as we are to check, and trust, reviews on sites like eBay.

UK Safer Internet Day - Today!

It's UK safer internet day today. Worth checking out the resources and quiz at the UK Safer Internet Centre website.

Fake LinkedIn Phishing Profiles - Highly Convincing

Knowbe4 report a very professional phishing attempt using a fake LinkedIn invitation. The fake profile that had been set up was very convincing. It was exposed by performing a 'reverse search' on the image of the person on their fake profile, and it turned out to be a stock image from a commercial website. Of course, in time the criminals will use a photo of someone who can't be traced so easily. Another angle would be to mimic the profile of people you might vaguely know, to encourage you to acept the fake invitation e.g. from someone in your company. A simple but potentially effective threat that just underlines the need to avoid clicking on links in emails.

Cyber to the Citizen

More sterling work to try and improve online security as the BCS teams with Get Safe Online to help educate communities on cyber security.

Are you cyber streetwise?

The new UK Government information site for Cyber Security awareness is worth checking out. 'Cyber Streetwise' is very well-crafted, somehow the way it invites you to meander through a cartoon-like street scene encourages you to click and read snippets of useful information about cyber security for small businesses and home users.