<ul><li>Scammers are leveraging fake apps to steal money in the name of cryptocurrencies.</li><li>Sophos Group has identified 167 counterfeit Android and iOS apps used by attackers to steal money.</li><li>The fake apps were immaculately designed to mimic Barclays, Binance, Gemini, Kraken, and more.</li><li>After the victim installs the application, the researcher said that the scammers would convince the victims about investing in cryptocurrencies.</li></ul>British cybersecurity company Sophos Group has <a href="https://www.sophos.com/en-us/press-office/press-releases/2021/05/sophos-uncovers-167-fake-android-and-ios-trading-and-cryptocurrency-apps.aspx">identified</a> 167 counterfeit Android and iOS apps used by attackers to steal money from people who believe they have installed financial trading, banking, or <keyword id="6613577" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="cryptocurrency-apps">cryptocurrency apps</keyword> from a trusted organization.<br /><br />After the victim installs the application, the researcher said that the scammers would convince the victims about investing in cryptocurrencies. Jagadeesh Chandraiah, a senior threat researcher at Sophos, said that this <em>modus operandi</em> was "driven by the recent significant rise in the value of <a href="https://wazirx.com/signup?invite=2kpah6gr&amp;utm_source=business-insider&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=microsite">cryptocurrencies</a> and interest in low-cost or free stock trading."<br /><br />For example, researchers identified an instance in which an attacker found a victim on a dating app and eventually manipulated him into installing a fake app. Once the fake app was installed, users would mention their existing account details, allowing the scammers to steal money from the real account.<br /><br />In another instance, the scammers created a fake version of the App Store download page. A user assumes it to be a safe and trusted page and proceeds to enter their Apple ID credentials. Now they stand compromised. This method of attack is called phishing.<br /><br />With the boom in cryptocurrencies, there is a higher chance of users getting carried away with lucrative deals, offers, or promises. And, technology has enabled real-time trading from our mobile phones, making it a perfect point of contact for an attack. The fake apps were immaculately designed to mimic Barclays, Binance, Gemini, Kraken, TDBank, BitcoinHK, Bittrex, and BitFlyer.<br /><br />Binance and Kraken are among the top <a href="https://wazirx.com/signup?invite=2kpah6gr&amp;utm_source=business-insider&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=microsite">cryptocurrency exchanges</a> globally and have a higher brand recognition when one's discussing <keyword id="6357017" type="DEFINITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="cryptocurrency">cryptocurrency</keyword>, in particular. "People trust the brands and people they know – or think they know – and the operators behind these fake trading and cryptocurrency scams ruthlessly take advantage of that," Chandraiah added.<br /><br />What's worse is, these apps had a legitimate customer support function that helped users transfer their money to banks in Hong Kong. The security firm is confident that these apps are a part of a single extensive operation. Servers accessed by Sophos revealed the scammers had collected KYC (Know Your Customer) documents from individuals who resided in Malaysia, South Korea, China, Japan, and India.<br /><br />Many of them believed they were buying or investing in a cryptocurrency, but in reality, their savings simply got siphoned off to an obscure bank account overseas. With the vast global financial system, it becomes near impossible for authorities to track down the source. And with cryptocurrencies, it becomes an exponentially difficult task.<br /><br />Experts always recommend installing apps from trusted sources like Google's Play Store or Apple's App Store. External .apk (Android) or .ipa (iOS) files are not screened by any third party, posing an immediate risk to your phone and its data. If you're logging in to your account from a browser, always check the address bar for the "green lock" icon. It'll show you the website's certificate to authenticate whether the page you have visited is legitimate.<br /><br />It is important to note that Sophos has shared details of these apps and they should now be picked up by malware detection apps. Hence, using anti-virus software on your phone will be highly suggested if you actively install apps directly, bypassing the app stores.<br /><br />"Last but not least, if something seems risky or too good to be true – such as high returns on investment or someone from a dating site is asking you to transfer money or cryptocurrency assets into some 'great' account – then sadly, it probably is." the report cautioned.<br /><br /><br /><strong>SEE ALSO:<br /><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/good-nutrition-is-vital-if-you-are-recuperating-from-the-coronavirus-here-is-what-you-should-have/articleshow/83083748.cms">Good nutrition is vital if you are recuperating from the Coronavirus — here is what you should have</a><br /><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/from-bhel-to-heg-and-cg-power-these-infrastructure-stocks-have-turned-10000-to-as-much-as-30600-in-just-six-months/slidelist/83104471.cms">From BHEL to HEG and CG Power ⁠— these infrastructure stocks have turned ₹10,000 to as much as ₹30,600 in just six months</a><br /></strong><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/apple-iphone-se-3-smartphone-launch-date-specifications-expected-price-in-india/articleshow/83107752.cms"><strong>iPhone SE 3 launch date, specifications, price in India and everything else we know so far</strong></a><br />

Sophos exposes 167 fake cryptocurrency and trading apps used by hackers to steal money

<ul><li>Check Point has revealed vulnerabilities in <keyword id="18635" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Amazon">Amazon</keyword>’s <keyword id="101252" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kindle">Kindle</keyword> e-readers.</li><li>All one needs to do is open a malicious e-book and hackers can get access to your device.</li><li>The process can be quite easy as the distribution of self-published e-books on the Kindle is not very difficult.</li></ul>Amazon’s <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/amazon-is-reportedly-exploring-a-kindle-with-a-folding-screen-that-opens-and-closes-like-a-real-book/articleshow/83928374.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Kindle </a>e-readers are probably one of the few devices one would suspect to get hacked. Cybersecurity firm Check Point researchers have discovered loopholes that can potentially let attackers gain access to a Kindle. The threat might not sound as scary but it can give hackers control over locally connected networks through the Kindle in addition to stealing data on the device.<br /><br />The process of the exploitation is quite easy as it requires the user to open a malicious e-book on the Kindle. Once the malicious e-book is opened, hackers can get access to the Kindle and carry out activities like deleting your entire library and steal information like your Amazon credentials. Hackers could even turn your Kindle into a malicious bot and then gain access to other devices connected to your Wi-Fi. <br /><br />It’s also quite easy to publish e-books for users to access it on their Kindle e-readers. The Kindle Store has a self-publishing service that lets self-published authors upload their e-books. There’s also Amazon’s “send to kindle” service that makes it easy to send e-books. The fact that e-books are used to install malicious software is quite unheard of makes this even easier for hackers.<br /><br />Check Point also highlighted how this Kindle exploitation could be an easy operation for hackers to target specific audiences. This could be based on the demographics of users by selecting popular e-books to target a specific group of users speaking the same language or dialect.<br /><br />“To use a random example, if a threat actor wanted to target Romanian citizens, all they would need to do is publish some free and popular e-book in the Romanian language. From there, the threat actor could be pretty certain that all of its victims would, indeed, be Romanian – that degree of specificity in offensive attack capabilities is very sought after in the cybercrime and cyber-espionage world,” Check Point said in a release.<br /><br />There haven't been any reported issues of this Kindle vulnerability. Check Point said it informed Amazon about these vulnerabilities in February this year. Amazon later patched it through a firmware update version 5.13.5 for the Kindle in April. If you’ve updated your Kindle to the latest version it should be fine. For a more detailed technical explanation of this, you can check out Check Point’s <a href="https://research.checkpoint.com/2021/i-can-take-over-your-kindle/">blog</a>. <br /><br /> <strong>SEE ALSO:</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/vultur-android-banking-malware-can-screen-record-everything-on-your-phone/articleshow/85002118.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">This new Android banking malware can screen record everything on your phone</a><br /><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/amazon-is-reportedly-exploring-a-kindle-with-a-folding-screen-that-opens-and-closes-like-a-real-book/articleshow/83928374.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Amazon is reportedly exploring a Kindle with a folding screen that opens and closes like a real book</a><br />

Amazon’s Kindle e-readers could be prone to hacking through malicious e-books

In a bid to make people safe from spam and scam calls, <keyword id="6355629" type="DEFINITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="google">Google</keyword> has announced a new feature named <keyword id="9470829" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="verified-calls">Verified Calls</keyword> on its Phone app. It comes pre-loaded on several Android phones and will be available for download later this week on more Android devices in select countries, including India.<br /><br />The ‘Verified Calls' shows the caller's name, logo, reason for calling and a verification symbol indicating that the business has been authenticated by Google.<br /><br />"This is done in a secure way and Google doesn't collect or store any personally identifiable information after verification," the company said in a statement on Tuesday.<br /><br />Verified Calls is initially rolling out in the US, Mexico, Brazil, Spain and India, with more countries to come.<br /><br />A 2019 report by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) found that phone calls were the number one way people reported being contacted by scammers.<br /><br />While most people said they hung up on those calls, those who lost money reported a median loss of $1,000.<br /><br />"We've been piloting Verified Calls for a few months, and the early results indicate that it improves the likelihood of someone answering a call," Google said.<br /><br />For instance, banks calling to alert a customer about a possible fraudulent transaction can increase answer rates by stating the call reason.<br /><br />"We also have existing partners — including Neustar, Five9, Vonage, Aspect, Bandwidth, Prestus, Telecall, and JustCall — ready to help brands improve their answer rates by using Verified Calls," Google said.<br /><br /><b>SEE ALSO:</b><br /><br /> <b><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/google-removes-6-malicious-apps-infected-with-joker-malware/articleshow/77890027.cms">Google removes 6 malicious apps infected with Joker malware</a></b><br />

Google introduces Verified Calls to help identify business callers in India

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="3779615" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="zelle">Zelle</keyword> is safe, as long as you know and trust the person you're sending money to.</li><li>Once you authorize a payment, it'll go through, and there's no form of fraud protection.</li><li>Zelle runs through your personal bank's digital infrastructure, so it's as secure as your bank.</li></ul><p>There's no shortage of peer-to-peer digital payment apps; in 2017, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/zelle" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Zelle</a> joined the ranks of services like PayPal and Venmo as a simple way to send and receive money via your mobile device. Unlike the alternatives, though, Zelle is backed by hundreds of banks and directly transfers money between accounts in minutes. </p><p>That speed - and its status as the "official" digital payment system built into many banking apps - makes it a target for criminal activity, which has led some experts to question the app's overall safety. </p><h2>Zelle is safe if you know who you're sending money to</h2><p>Zelle was built by banks and was engineered to be safe. "Zelle is safe because it uses data encryption which offers users increased protection. From a <keyword id="6355135" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Privacy">privacy</keyword> perspective, it's safer than alternatives, like Venmo and Cash App, since it's harder for <keyword id="386981" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="scammers">scammers</keyword> to access users' personal information," said Nishank Khanna, chief marketing officer at Clarify Capital. </p><p>But some well-publicized incidents of fraud are a cause for concern, and Zelle's consumer protection isn't especially robust if things go wrong. </p><p>The biggest drawback of Zelle is that it doesn't offer fraud protection for authorized payments. In other words, if you purchase something online and use Zelle to pay for it, you have no recourse if you never receive the item you paid for.</p><p>For example, if you use Zelle to purchase an item from Craigslist, and it turns out you were scammed, Zelle won't refund you. Thus, <a href="https://www.zellepay.com/support/im-unsure-about-using-zelle-to-pay-for-goods-or-services-from-someone-i-dont-know" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Zelle advises</a> that you only use the service to pay people you absolutely know and trust. </p><div type="image" title="Zelle app" height="450" width="600" msid="82109947" hostid="261"></div><p>Ted Rossman, a senior industry analyst at CreditCards.com said, "The key with Zelle is to only send money to people you know and trust. Once the money is sent, it's gone. There's no pending status, no chargeback mechanism, no buyer protections of any sort. If you send money to the wrong person, you're basically at the mercy of that stranger to send it back."</p><p>In fact, some criminals try to capitalize on that. "Some scammers deliberately encourage you to pay them via Zelle with the intent of stealing your money. If someone you don't know is requesting a payment via Zelle, I'd suggest declining," Rossman said.</p><p>But you're not entirely without protection. In many cases, it all comes down to whether you authorized the transaction; if you did, you're not protected. But <a href="https://www.zellepay.com/pay-it-safe/understanding-fraud-and-scams" target="_blank" rel="noopener">unauthorized transactions are usually fully reimbursable</a>. </p><p>"Zelle's ease-of-use can also make it possible for malicious parties and fraudsters to use social engineering to acquire Zelle credentials," said Tom Kelly, president and CEO of consumer privacy company IDX. Social engineering is when a scammer lies about their identity or goal to trick victims into giving them personal information.</p><p>Criminals have used social engineering to contact victims and request the two-factor code that Zelle requires to set up accounts. In situations like this, criminals can easily set up a Zelle account on their own device using a victim's credentials.</p><p>You can defend yourself against these types of attacks the same way that you defend yourself from <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-phishing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">phishing attacks</a>, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-malware" target="_blank" rel="noopener">malware</a>, and other <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/twitter-hack-social-engineering-how-to-avoid-2020-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">social engineering attacks</a>: Keep your data and personal information secure, don't divulge info to people you don't know, and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-create-a-strong-password" target="_blank" rel="noopener">make your passwords unique and strong</a>. </p><div type="image" title="online shopping laptop with credit card" height="1249" width="2500" msid="82109948" hostid="261"></div><h2><strong>Alternatives to Zelle</strong></h2><p>"I would never suggest using Zelle for a first payment," said Jake Hill, founder of DebtHammer. "If you're exchanging money with someone for the first time, use something like PayPal. The fees are terrible, but PayPal offers a much larger safety net. Once you've established a relationship of trust with this person, then you can begin using Zelle for the convenience of instant wire transfers."</p><p>So what are the alternatives to Zelle? There are several:<br /><br /></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-set-up-a-paypal-account" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>PayPal</strong></a>: One of the oldest peer-to-peer digital transaction apps in existence, PayPal is easy to use and has no fees for exchanging money among friends and family - but the fees are relatively high for purchasing goods and services. More importantly, it offers limited protection when buying goods and services online.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-send-money-through-google-pay" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Google Pay</strong></a>: Google Pay is the default transaction system on many Android phones, though it's not as commonly used as apps like Venmo and PayPal. Nonetheless, it's an easy way to share money with friends and family without paying a fee, and it integrates with a wide array of Google devices, apps, and services.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-send-money-on-venmo" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Venmo</strong>:</a> Positioned as a sort of social transaction app, Venmo is designed as a smartphone experience where you can see the activity of friends and family (but transactions can also be made private). It's easy to use Venmo to split bills, though there's a 3% charge if you use your credit card with Venmo.</li><li><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-does-cash-app-work" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cash App</strong></a>: Square's digital payment app is very similar to Venmo (though it lacks the social features like the ability to see how your friends and family are spending their money). It also charges a 3% fee to send money via a credit card, though it's one of the few apps that directly supports cryptocurrency.</p><div type="image" title="Square Cash App" height="895" width="1791" msid="82109949" hostid="261"></div></li></ul><a data-type="5fc81e076bba795a3f23058b">How to use the Venmo mobile app to make or receive payments</a><a data-type="6036c14a9614fd5f7841efe9">Is PayPal secure? How the service protects your transactions, credit card data, and more</a><a data-type="5ef0c968aee6a86d671421b6">'How secure is my password?': How to test the strength and security of your passwords using an online password-security tool</a><a data-type="5dd2d7ef3afd3755be396aa4">'Why is my PayPal money pending?': 5 reasons why PayPal holds funds, and how to expedite your transaction</a>

Zelle is a safe way to send and receive money, but beware of scammers

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"></div></div></div></p><ul class="summary-list"><li>Financial companies do a lot to keep your money and identity secure, but you are an important part of your own <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-secure-accounts-protect-information-online-hackers-2019-10">digital security</a>.</li><li>Using strong, unique passwords is vital to keeping hackers and cybercriminals at bay.</li><li>Human error is one of the most common causes of a security breach. Learning what to look out for is important for your online security.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/yourmoney?utm_source=bullet">Read more personal finance coverage</a>.</li></ul><p>While many people think that the safest way to manage your money is with paper, these days the opposite is true. If you use good digital security and cyber hygiene practices, your money and information are safest with a digital-first approach.</p><p>Follow these good habits when managing your finances with your phone or computer to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/7-emerging-technologies-that-cybersecurity-experts-are-worried-about-2019-10">keep the digital bad guys at bay</a>.</p><h2>1. Always use secure and unique passwords</h2><p>Your bank, investment, credit card, and other financial accounts come from companies that use cutting-edge digital security technology. From a secure connection to your browser using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) to strong security practices in their data centers, bank-level security does a good job at keeping hackers out.</p><p>However, it doesn't do much good at all if your password is public information. Many companies that don't deal with your money get hacked every year. If you use a lot of different online services, odds are your account information has leaked at least a few times over the years. If you use the same password at every website, that means cybercriminals can access all of your accounts.</p><p>Use a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-use-password-manager-store-protect-yourself-hackers-lastpass-1password-dashlane-2017-2">secure password manager, like LastPass, Dashlane, or 1Password,</a> to create a unique, random, strong password for every single website and app. I've used LastPass since 2010. Despite falling victim to numerous hacks, the damage never spread to other accounts thanks to unique passwords everywhere.</p><h2>2. Keep your computer and phone updated</h2><p>When you see a notification from your phone or computer that there's an update available, you <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-make-phone-safe-security-tips-2019-9">should almost always update right away</a>. Updates might bring new features or change your battery life, but they also usually come with a swath of bug fixes and security improvements.</p><p>That goes for apps and programs you have installed on your devices as well. It takes just one bad app on your phone for a criminal to view your screen, log your passwords, and get into your accounts.</p><p>Silent viruses and worms on computers do the same on both Windows and Mac. One kind of <a href="https://www.ubs.com/microsites/wma/insights/en/life-events/2018/how-to-avoid-ransomware.html">malware called ransomware</a> can lock your precious data unless you pay a ransom.</p><p>To add an additional layer of security, set updates to automatic where available and install every new security update right away.</p><h2>3. Use a virus scanner and firewall program</h2><p>Most people know you need to use some kind of virus protection, but many people are not nearly protected enough. Security experts suggest that <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/fighting-ransomware-with-antivirus-2016-1">big-brand virus scanners and firewalls</a>, when kept up-to-date, should keep your devices safe from most threats.</p><p>Windows users have great built-in programs to handle virus scanning and firewall needs without paying for an extra third-party tool, though many users feel safer with a program like McAfee, Norton, Bitdefender, or Kaspersky running in the background.</p><p>Mac users sometimes think they don't need virus protection, but they absolutely do. Avast, Sophos, Norton, and Malwarebytes are popular antivirus brands for Mac.</p><p>It's a good idea to add virus and malware protection on your Android or iOS smartphones and tablets as well. If you use it to log into your bank or email, it should have virus protection.</p><h2>4. Use a VPN on public WiFi</h2><p>If you spend time at coffee shops, hotels, airports, or anywhere else with public WiFi, you have an extra security need to take care of. Public networks may put you at risk for digital snooping through a Man-in-the-Middle attack or similar hack. But you can <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/computer-safety-security-tech-accessories-vpn-2018-6">keep those prying eyes away</a> with a quality virtual private network (VPN) on your device.</p><p>A VPN creates a secure internet tunnel between your computer or phone and a remote server. All of your internet traffic between that server and your device is encrypted. Not even the internet service provider can read the contents of what's going through with a VPN in place. There are many reputable VPN providers with varying features and costs to choose from.</p><h2>5. Beware the bad email link</h2><p>Because virus scanners and anti-malware apps are so good, cybercriminals look to one of the biggest weaknesses a computer has to break through: its user. Humans clicking on bad links in phishing and spam emails is one of the top ways hackers gain access to a computer.</p><p>Once you click on a bad link, a website may be able to install malware without your knowledge. All of a sudden and without warning, your passwords and account information could fall into the wrong hands. If you don't know the person on the other end of the email or it looks at all suspicious, don't click the link.</p><h2>You are the first line of defense</h2><p>Your bank works hard every day to keep your accounts safe, but if you let your username and password slip into the wrong hands, there's only so much that can be done to keep them out. If you follow good practices, use unique passwords, and avoid bad emails, you should be in the best shape to keep yourself digitally secure.</p><ul class="read-more-links"><li>More <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/personal-finance-insider">personal finance</a> coverage</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-airline-credit-card-comparison-delta-united-american">What's the best airline credit card?</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com//best-cash-back-credit-cards">The best cash back credit cards</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/are-cds-a-good-investment">Are CDs a good investment?</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/when-to-save-money-in-high-yield-savings">When to save money in high-yield savings</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-rewards-credit-cards">Best rewards credit cards</a></li></ul>

I'm a former banker, and I swear by 5 strategies to keep my money safe online

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span><a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2F38.media.tumblr.com%2F58b99bc79ff2a0d74ca9332c7a319b93%2Ftumblr_n8v5yqLafK1roj4vro1_500.jpg&amp;imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fdonbroco.tumblr.com%2Fpage%2F6&amp;h=500&amp;w=500&amp;tbnid=D0cfS8r7JsD9NM%3A&amp;zoom=1&amp;docid=cyVkMLd3LUWMJM&amp;itg=1&amp;ei=qPh-VNHfJ8S0ggTi-YKgDw&amp;tbm=isch&amp;ved=0CCQQMygIMAg&amp;iact=rc&amp;uact=3&amp;dur=4272&amp;page=1&amp;start=0&amp;ndsp=19">Tumblr</a></span></p></div><p></p></div></div>Two-factor authentication is an important way to help keep your online accounts safe - but it's not perfect.</p><p>It requires an extra layer of proof before anyone trying to log in gets access to an account.</p><p>After the password is entered correctly, a temporary code known as a one-time password (OTP) is sent to the account owner's smartphone. The code is then entered to complete the login process.</p><p>That way, even if the user's password is guessed, stolen, or cracked, the attacker can't get into the account without physical access to the paired phone.</p><p>But if the attacker is able to smuggle rogue software onto a user's smartphone, they can defeat two-factor. Researchers at cybersecurity firm Symantec <a href="http://www.symantec.com/connect/blogs/androidbankosy-all-ears-voice-call-based-2fa">have discovered malware</a> that can steal OTP codes and use this to hijack a user's accounts. (The malware was <a href="http://www.theregister.co.uk/2016/01/18/updated_android_malware_steals_voice_two_factor_authentication/">previously reported on by The Register</a>.)</p><p>The malware is for Android smartphones, and is called Android.Bankosy. It specifically targets two-factor authentication codes delivered by automated phone call. Normally, after entering their password, the user will receive an automatic call from the company, which will tell them the OTP code to enter to gain access to their account.</p><p>But Android.Bankosy redirects the user's phone calls to the phone of the attacker, letting them steal the OTP code and access the account. Two-factor is often used to protect bank accounts - meaning that bypassing it can be highly lucrative for hackers.</p><p>Some two-factor systems use text messages rather than phone calls to deliver codes, and Symantec says it has seen malware capable of stealing these too.</p><p>Of course, for this exploit to work, the attacker has to be able to get the malware onto the smartphone in the first place. They might do this by exploiting another security hole, or smuggle it using an app installed from outside of the Google Play Store.</p><p>Similarly, they also need the user's original password. This might be stolen via a "man-in-the-middle" attack when the user is browsing on an insecure network, or via keylogging malware.</p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-galaxy-s6-apple-iphone-6s-comparison-features-2015-12">7 ways the Samsung Galaxy S6 is better than the iPhone 6s</a></h3>        <div>            <div>        <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="RvcmIyeDrz5o1xUM5hqpulpdksh9vTWQ" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>        </div>        </div>            </div>

Hackers have figured out a way to defeat a key protection on online accounts

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Reuters / Ricardo Rojas</span></p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>Here is what you need to know.</p><p><strong><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/bitcoin-ethereum-prices-january-17-2018-1">Bitcoin falls below $10,000 as cryptocurrency 'bloodbath' enters a 2nd day</a></strong>. The sell-off is a continuation of one that started Tuesday amid concerns about regulation in the Asian market.</p><p><strong><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/bank-of-america-fourth-quarter-earnings-q4-2018-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bank of America beats earnings expectations</a></strong>. The company reported adjusted earnings of $0.47 a share, beating consensus Wall Street estimates of $0.45 a share.</p><p><strong><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/goldman-sachs-fourth-quarter-earnings-q4-2018-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Goldman Sachs beats on earnings despite trading woes</a></strong>. The firm reported adjusted earnings of $5.68 a share, beating Wall Street analyst expectations of $4.90 a share.</p><p><strong><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/trump-gop-tax-plan-this-one-stock-will-get-biggest-boost-2018-1">We crunched the numbers to find the one stock set to get the biggest boost from the new tax law</a></strong>. We've sorted through all of the guidance provided by Wall Street experts and developed a methodology that helped us to arrive at the one company that should emerge as the king of tax.</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/stock-market-news-credit-suisse-3-possible-drivers-volatility-this-year-2018-1"><strong>Credit Suisse identifies things that could drive the stock market crazy in 2018</strong></a>. The firm sees sharply higher bond yields, a possible trade war, and geopolitical risks pushing equity volatility higher this year.</p><p><a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/uk-economy-interview-with-jpmorgan-asset-management-karen-ward-2018-1"><strong>The chief UK strategist at JPMorgan's $1.7 trillion investment arm reveals her biggest fear for the British economy in 2018</strong></a>. Karen Ward says Brexit uncertainty is stopping businesses from investing, which in turn is stifling growth.</p><p><strong><a href="https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2018/01/found-new-android-malware-with-never-before-seen-spying-capabilities/" rel="nofollow">Kaspersky Lab said it found an Android spying</a></strong><a href="https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2018/01/found-new-android-malware-with-never-before-seen-spying-capabilities/" rel="nofollow"><strong> app</strong></a>. The malware, said to come from Italian vendors, relies on five distinct exploits to gain root access and can go as far as stealing WhatsApp messages.</p><p><a href="http://markets.businessinsider.com/indices?utm_source=markets&amp;utm_medium=ingest?utm_source=markets&amp;utm_medium=ingest" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Stock markets around the world were mixed</strong></a>. China's Shanghai Composite (+0.24%) climbed, while Germany's DAX (-0.1%) slid. The S&amp;P 500 is set to open up 0.32% near 2,791.50.</p><p><a href="http://markets.businessinsider.com/earnings-calendar?utm_source=markets&amp;utm_medium=ingest?utm_source=markets&amp;utm_medium=ingest" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Earnings reports continue to be released</strong></a>. Bank of America and Goldman Sachs have already reported, while Schwab and US Bancorp are also set to report before the market open. Alcoa and Kinder Morgan are due to announce quarterly earnings after the market close.</p><div><p><strong><a href="http://markets.businessinsider.com/economic-calendar?utm_source=markets&amp;utm_medium=ingest?utm_source=markets&amp;utm_medium=ingest#date=01/11/2018&amp;name=&amp;countries=us&amp;eventtypes=&amp;tab=1,2,3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US economic data is light</a>. </strong>Industrial production will be released at 9:15 a.m. ET, along with capacity utilization. Data on the NAHB Housing Market Index will come out at 10 a.m. The US 10-year yield is down 1 basis points at 2.54%.</p></div>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/stretching-before-after-workout-explained-2016-12">An exercise scientist explains what everyone gets wrong about stretching</a></h3>        <div>                    </div>    </div>

10 things you need to know before the opening bell

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Getty/Jed Jacobsohn</span></p><p class="caption">Usain Bolt.</p></div><p></p></div></div>Good morning. Here's everything you need to know in the world of <keyword id="35666" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="advertising">advertising</keyword> today.</p><p><strong>1. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/snapchat-buy-search-startup-vurb-for-over-100-million-2016-8">Snapchat is paying $200 million to buy a search engine that helps people find things to do.</a> </strong>Vurb bills itself as an "experience" search engine.</p><p><strong>2. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/mobile-game-shifted-ad-budget-to-youtube-influencers-2016-8">Mobile game "Best Fiends" shifted almost all of its ad budget to YouTube influencers.</a></strong> The developer behind the game, Seriously, says this has helped it rack up 2 million daily active users and 5 million fans across all platforms.</p><p><strong>3. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/android-malware-spreads-using-google-adsense-advertising-network-kaspersky-researchers-2016-8">A nasty Android malware appears to be spreading using Google's online ad network.</a></strong> Researchers from security firm Kaspersky found the malware was being distributed by AdSense.</p><p><strong>4. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/dominos-adds-salad-to-menu-2016-8">Domino's is banking on mom guilt to boost sales.</a></strong> It has added salad to the menu.</p><p><strong>5. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/usain-bolt-wins-live-nbc-end-of-era-2016-8">Usain Bolt's historic run on Sunday night marks the end of an era for NBC's Olympic coverage.</a></strong> For NBC, Bolt's run was the pinnacle of its Olympic broadcasts.</p><p><strong>6. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/peter-thiel-gawker-sale-2016-8">Billionaire investor Peter Thiel published an op-ed in the New York Times on Monday about why he chose to begin his battle against Gawker Media.</a></strong> Thiel said he would "gladly support" anyone else in the same position as former wrestler Hulk Hogan, whose lawsuit against Gawker he helped fund.</p><p><strong>7. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/bbc-doubters-wrong-killing-millennial-tv-channel-bbc3-2016-8?r=UK&amp;IR=T">There is no proof killing £1 billion TV channel BBC3 was a good idea.</a></strong> We run a health check on the BBC's youth channel, six months after it was yanked from the airwaves to become online-only.</p><p><strong>8. <a href="http://digiday.com/platforms/redesign-snapchat-discover-saw-viewership-grow-engagement-dropped/">Snapchat's recently-redesigned Discover section is seeing an increase in reach, but a decline in engagement, Digiday reports.</a></strong> The data comes from a presentation deck Snapchat sent to its Discover partners earlier this summer.</p><p><strong>9. <a href="http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/ad-day-nike-celebrates-iron-nun-86-year-old-triathlete-god-her-side-172977">Nike's latest ad celebrates an 86-year-old nun who is a record-breaking Ironman triathlete.</a> </strong>It's the latest in the brand's "Unlimited" campaign.</p><p><strong>10. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/why-comedy-central-cancelled-late-night-show-2016-8">Comedy Central canceled a late night show because it couldn't go viral.</a></strong> "The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore" hasn't "resonated," according to Comedy Central's president Kent Alterman.</p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-watch-perseid-meteor-shower-this-week-2016-8">How to watch the most incredible meteor shower of the year that's happening now through August 24</a></h3>        <div>            <div>        <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="VvaHY3NTE6t3YEBSTSEp4WBZvQ6lUt-W" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>        </div>        </div>            </div>

The 10 things in advertising you need to know today

<p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span><a href="https://www.csis.org/events/national-security-division-10">CSIS</a></span></p><p class="caption">David S. Kris speaking at a CSIS panel event in September 2016.</p></div><p></p></div></div><p></p><p>Many crimes can be solved by following the money, and that may hold true for the growth of ransomware attacks - though the money itself may be different.</p><p>Countering the increasing use of ransomware - <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/stay-safe-ransomware-2016-6/#researchers-have-seen-an-incredible-3500-increase-in-criminal-infrastructure-that-helps-run-ransomware-campaigns-1" target="_blank">malware that attacks computers and networks</a> and encrypts files, which criminals then demand payment in order to decrypt - may require action against hard-to-trace cryptocurrencies like bitcoin that are often used to pay the criminals behind the attacks, according to David S. Kris, former assistant attorney general at the US Department of Justice's national-security division.</p><p>"I think the way to attack this - and I think the way you're probably going to see some legal change over the next few years - is on the other end, with respect to the payments," Kris said during the question-and-answer session of a Center for Strategic and International Studies <a href="https://www.csis.org/events/national-security-division-10" target="_blank">panel event</a>.</p><p>"And as I understand it - again, without having studied it too extensively - is that, you know, fintech is what is enabling this, cryptocurrency," Kris added.</p><p>Reports of ransomware use have increased considerably in recent months.</p><p><span>"In the last six to 12 months, this has just gone so aggressively to the business environment," <span>Marcin Kleczynski, CEO of cybersecurity company Malwarebytes, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/interview-with-malwarebytes-ceo-marcin-kleczynski-about-ransomware-2016-8" target="_blank">told Business Insider in August</a></span>. "We see companies from 25 people all the way to 250,000 people getting hit with ransomware."</span></p><p><span></span></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Malwarebytes</span></p><p class="caption">An Osterman research survey sponsored by Malwarebytes found that 54% of businesses surveyed had come under attack from ransomware in the 12 months through August 2016.</p></div><p></p></div></div><p></p><p><span>Tech firm <span>Kaspersky Lab said this summer that the number of victims attacked was growing at an alarming rate - up from 131,000 in 2014-2015 to 718,000 in 2015-2016, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/afp-police-cyber-firms-tackle-ransomware-hacking-threat-2016-7" target="_blank">according</a> to AFP. Some researchers have seen a <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-36459022" target="_blank">3,500% increase</a> in the web infrastructure needed to run ransomware campaigns.</span></span></p><p><span>According to Kleczynski, some banks have begun stockpiling bitcoin - which currently trades about about <a href="http://www.coindesk.com/price/" target="_blank">$600 to one</a> - in case of a ransomware attack. <span>"I talked to a couple of banks, and they say they have 50-100 bitcoin ready at all times in a wallet to deploy if a ransomware attack hits," <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/interview-with-malwarebytes-ceo-marcin-kleczynski-about-ransomware-2016-8" target="_blank">he told Business Insider's James Cook</a>.</span></span></p><p><span><span>A report this summer found that hackers employing ransomware could pull in as much as <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/flashpoint-report-ransomware-2016-6" target="_blank">$7,500 a month</a>. And while individual victims are usually only hit with demands <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/android-phones-with-ransomware-2016-6" target="_blank">for a few hundred dollars</a>, the likelihood that they will pay has made ransomware an appealing venture for hackers.</span></span></p><p><span><span>And financial-services firms and individual people aren't the only potential targets. </span></span></p><p><span><span>A NASCAR team <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/a-nascar-team-paid-hackers-after-crucial-data-was-held-to-ransom-before-a-race-2016-6" target="_blank">admitted</a> to paying hackers after its computers where hit with a ransomware attack. </span></span><span><span>In August, security researchers demonstrated <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/hacking-conferences-paranoia-2016-8" target="_blank">a ransomware attack on a smart thermostat</a>, raising the possibility that Internet of Things devices will come into the crosshairs.</span></span></p><p><span><span></span></span></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>© AFP/File Philippe Lopez</span></p><p class="caption">Hackers have reportedly stolen $65 million worth of Bitcoins from a major Hong Kong exchange Bitfinex, which has now suspended all transactions</p></div><p></p></div></div><p></p><p><span><span>The appeal of ransomware has no doubt been burnished by cryptocurrencies like bitcoin coming into the mainstream. </span></span></p><p><span><span>"</span></span>I personally would not be surprised to see over the next few years increasing regulation that maybe makes it more challenging for these kinds of anonymous, substantially untraceable - I don't want to say it's completely untraceable - payments to be made," Kris said during the CSIS event.</p><p>"I think probably where you're going to see legal change is in the area of the payment scheme. That may be wrong, but that's sort of what I expect."</p><p>However authorities choose to counter the use of ransomware, it's unlikely the threat will go away any time soon.</p><p><span>"The extortion model is here to stay," a Kaspersky Lab expert <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/android-phones-with-ransomware-2016-6" target="_blank">said in a statement</a> about rising ransomware attacks on Android users.</span></p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/mac-computer-users-data-compromised-ransomware-apple-bitcoin-2016-3">Mac users are being attacked by malware that locks their computer and demands a $400 ransom - here's how to protect yourself</a></h3>        <div>            <div>        <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="h4MjVwMTE6O1F0HxU-M1pMSZkPBH7epl" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>        </div>        </div>            </div>

Cryptocurrencies like bitcoin may become a target in the fight against ransomware

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right click-to-enlarge"><div><div class="image on-image"><a title_source="Warner Bros" title_caption="Zeus in chains." class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/538dac4eeab8ea6c1c248e90-960/wrath-of-the-titans-liam-neeson-zeus.jpg"><span class="sprites click-to-enlarge-icon" title="Click to enlarge"></span></a><p class="source"><span>Warner Bros</span></p><p class="caption">Zeus in chains.</p></div><p></p></div></div><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/us-disrupts-one-of-the-biggest-hacking-and-extortion-rings-ever--russian-charged-2014-6"></a><strong>Apple dominated the news yesterday with its WWDC developers' conference. But a bunch of other non-Apple stuff is going on too!<br /></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/us-disrupts-one-of-the-biggest-hacking-and-extortion-rings-ever--russian-charged-2014-6"><strong>1. Authorities in nearly a dozen countries have gotten control of Gameover Zeus, a botnet that controlled between 500,000 and 1 million machines worldwide.</strong></a> The U.S.-led international operation disrupted a crime ring that used the malicious software for stealing banking credentials and extorting computer owners, the Justice Department said on Monday.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/live-blog-wwdc-2014-2014-6#ixzz33ZVErKuE"><strong>2. Here's everything that was announced at Apple's WWDC yesterday.</strong></a> The big stories: its operating systems for Mac, iPhone, and iPad are getting updates.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/apple-wwdc-2014-6"><strong>3. Apple is not done growing the iPhone user base.</strong></a> CEO Tim Cook said "Over 130 million customers who bought an iOS device in the past 12 months were buying their first Apple device."</p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/apples-tim-cook-just-ripped-android-to-shreds-2014-6"><strong>4. Cook ripped Android to shreds yesterday</strong></a><strong>.</strong> Android - with all its malware - is a a "toxic hellstew of vulnerabilities," he insisted.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/new-google-glass-frames-dvf-2014-6"><strong>5. Check out these high-fashion versions of Google Glass.</strong></a> They're from Diane Von Furstenberg.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/houzz-valued-at-23-billion-2014-6"><strong>6. Houzz, a home-remodeling site, is trying to raise a Series D investment round of $150 million.</strong></a> That would bring the startup's valuation to $2.3 billion. Houzz is like Pinterest for people interested in home design. It's part marketplace, part social network, where users can share tips and photos of home improvement projects.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/maker-studios-layoffs-report-2014-6"><strong>7. Disney is expected to let go of about 10% of the 380 employees at Maker Studios - the multichannel network it just acquired - as early as this week.</strong></a> Disney just bought the company for $950 million.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/who-is-mark-zuckerbergs-wife-priscilla-chan-2014-6#"><strong>8. Here's the story of Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan.</strong></a> Told in pictures.</p>
<p><a href="http://online.wsj.com/news/article_email/new-chip-to-bring-holograms-to-smartphones-1401752938-lMyQjAxMTA0MDAwMjEwNDIyWj"><strong>9. There is a chip that can produce holograms on a smartphone.</strong></a> Ostendo Technologies Inc. has spent the past nine years quietly working on miniature projectors designed to emit crisp videos and glasses-free 3-D images for smartphones and giant screens, the Wall Street Journal reports.</p>
<p><a href="http://mashable.com/2014/06/01/myspace-old-photos/"><strong>10. MySpace is emailing users old photos of themselves in hopes of enticing them to return to Myspace.</strong></a> The emails include one or two old photos and a line that reads, "The good, the rad and the what were you thinking..." along with a link that takes users to their profile, Mashable reports.</p>

10 Things In Tech You Need To Know This Morning

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div><span>More than 60% of dating mobile apps on Android are vulnerable to cyber-attacks that can allow hackers to </span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">hijack your dating profile and impersonate you, according to a new <a href="http://www.securityintelligence.com/datingapps">IBM Security study</a>.</span></p><p>The weaknesses let strangers change your content and images, communicate with other app users, and even leak private information about you that's inadvertently stored on your smartphone, IBM says. </p><p>The study doesn't cover 41 dating apps on Apple's competing iOS system. By amazing coincidence, <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/apple-ibm-the-irony-2015-2">IBM and Apple have a major business partnership</a> - but we're sure that has nothing to do with the quality of this survey! For the record, IBM tells us it's not a platform issue, but a developer one. So chances are there are the same issues on iOS too. </p><p>Because apps used by people to find love use phone features such as cameras, microphones, storage, GPS location services, and billing information, it's not just your identity that could be compromised.</p><p>The researchers say hackers can upload malware to devices, track your every movement through GPS, steal bank details, and take control of your phone camera and microphone. According to the analysis, 73% of 41 dating apps use location information to operate; 48% have billing details. Although they are not named in the survey, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/tinder-is-launching-a-premium-service-2014-10">Tinder now charges users for certain functions</a>; <a href="http://hinge.co/">Hinge requires people to set their location</a> to find people to match with. </p><p><span>One in 10 Americans have used a dating site or app, up 66 percent over the past eight years. </span><a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/happn-dating-app-romance-and-stalking">There are 200,000 Londoners alone using the new app Happn</a> to find love. </p><p>IMB Security VP Caleb Barlow said in a statement that dating apps give users a feeling of "trust that gives hackers the opportunity to exploit vulnerabilities". Hackers aren't just getting into the back end of the apps via software vulnerabilities, in other words. They're also pretending to be daters and phishing for your personal details, which they can use to reverse engineer your login identity and passwords.</p><p>"Consumers need to be careful not to reveal too much personal information on these sites as they look to build a relationship with another user on these dating apps."</p><p>IBM's suggestion is for users to "be mysterious," which basically means don't divulge too much personal information until you're comfortable with the person your engaging with, and to check app permissions and use only trusted WiFi networks.</p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/eighth-grader-invents-braille-printer-2015-1">A 13-Year-Old Made A Revolutionary Invention Out Of Legos And Now Intel Is Investing In His Company</a></h3>        <div>            <div>        <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="5oanB2cjrl7OZQZKJ15oB_-fMpAdPXBF" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>        </div>        </div>            </div>

IBM says hackers can hijack your online dating profiles and pretend to be you

Apple's new iPad is a total misfire that shows how out of touch the company is with schools and kids

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Flickr/Rodrigo Bernal</span></p><p class="caption">Hackers increasingly want access to your most personal online moments.</p></div><p></p></div></div>Hackers are adopting a much more personal way to attack people.</p><p>Rather than just cashing in on stolen credit card data or social security numbers, cyber criminals are instead trying to steal some of your most personal online data for extortion. Think messages, pictures, even health information.</p><p>And because people willingly put so much information about themselves online, hackers have a lot of material to work with. </p><h2>How hackers are turning your personal data against you</h2><p>From dating apps to health tracking services, people in general are just putting more sensitive information about themselves on the internet.</p><p>But just because you choose to use an app or online service that collects sensitive data doesn't mean you want it shared with the rest of the world. Hackers are taking advantage of this and increasingly stealing this kind of information so that they use it for extortion. </p><p>For example, after the Ashley Madison breach in August, there were a number of reported incidents where scammers had collected personal information of those impacted by the data leak and then threatened to alert a user's family to their activity if they did not pay a certain amount of money. </p><p>According to at least <a href="https://blog.cloudmark.com/2015/09/01/does-blackmailing-pay-signs-in-bitcoin-blockchain-of-responses-to-ashley-madison-extortion-emails/" target="_blank">one report</a>, the Ashley Madison hack scammers may have earned about $6,400 in blackmail payouts from the leak. </p><p>"The Ashley Madison hack is incredibly interesting because you are taking this very intimate private data that people thought was private and now it's not. And that's pretty devastating," Caleb Barlow, vice president of IBM Security told Tech Insider. "It may be the breach that rings the bell and gets people to really think about what they share online."</p><p>Earlier this month, reports began to surface in New Zealand that some <a href="http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/283593/skype-sex-scam-sparks-police-warning" target="_blank">Skype users were also being blackmailed</a> for their activity online. Users who had conducted "intimate activities" via video messages with strangers they met using the service were later told that they must pay up or the captured footage would be exposed. </p><h2>Ransomware is becoming a hacker's favorite tool for extortion</h2><p>One of the tools cyber criminals are using to get people to pay up is a special form of malware called ransomware.</p><p><a href="http://www.techinsider.io/how-to-protect-yourself-from-ctb-locker-ransomware-2015-6" target="_blank">Ransomware</a> typically works by either holding a computer hostage or by blocking access to files by encrypting them. To regain access to a computer or files, hackers generally require the victim to pay a ransom of several hundred dollars to a few thousands dollars, usually in the form of Bitcoin.</p><p>But cyber criminals are experimenting with new ways of making ransomware more effective.</p><p>For example, on Tuesday researchers at the <a href="http://research.zscaler.com/" target="_blank">security firm Zscaler</a> warned that a porn app called "Adult Player" was actually a malicious app that installed ransomware on the user's device and took compromising pictures of people why they watched porn. The Android app then locks the user's device, displays the image of the user and demands that the user pay $500 via PayPal before regaining access to their device.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>zscaler</span></p><p class="caption">One of the ransomware messages that Zscaler found in its research.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The popularity of these new kinds of ransomware is only the rise, according to data from <a href="http://www.mcafee.com/us/resources/reports/rp-quarterly-threats-aug-2015.pdf" target="_blank">McAfee Labs</a>. </span></p><p>In the second quarter of 2015, the security firm detected 58 percent more new ransomware samples than the first quarter of 2015.</p><p>And as more of our devices become connected to the internet, we can also expect to see new kinds of ransomware evolve, Etay Maor, a senior fraud prevention strategist at IBM, told Tech Insider.</p><p>"We are entering an era of really personal breaches. With so many connected devices, we are going to see a real shift. Consumers are going to get really hurt," Maor said.</p><p>Why? Because unlike when your bank account gets hacked and the bank reimburses you, hackers will begin to come directly after the consumer. For example, a hacker could use your home security camera to take take pictures of you and hold them hostage until a ransom is paid or they could use ransomware to freeze your connected car until you pay up.</p><h2>How to protect yourself from online extortion</h2><p>The most important thing anyone can do is be careful what they share online, Barlow said. Realize that any app or online service you use can be breached and all of that data can be published online. </p><p>Also, be careful where you place devices connected to the internet, as they can also collect sensitve information that can be used against you. </p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"The simple fact of the matter is, we are deploying sensors everywhere, there are cameras everywhere, there are microphones everywhere. Any place there is one of those input devices can be used in the wrong way. Everything can be hacked it's just a matter of how much time and effort it takes to do it," Barlow said. </span></p><p>To protect yourself from dangerous mobile ransomware, people should not download apps that are not from legitimate app stores. Also, be wary of email attachments and links in emails from people you don't know. </p><p>And in the case you do become a victim of some form of online blackmail, the<a href="http://www.techinsider.io/how-to-protect-yourself-from-ctb-locker-ransomware-2015-6" target="_blank"> best thing you can do is alert law enforcement</a>, security experts said. </p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/hackers-ashley-madison-client-information-2015-7">Here's the type of info hackers have after breaking into the extramarital hookup site Ashley Madison</a></h3>        <div>            <div>        <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="ViaDFkdjqYAnmokhNuwEhJWAd8e5-lu0" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>        </div>        </div>            </div>

Hackers are coming after your most intimate data

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div>Good morning! Here's what you need to know. </p>
<p><strong>1)  Ukraine Cease-Fire Is Announced, But Is Nowhere To Be Seen. </strong>Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko's press office said he'd reached a cease-fire agreement with Vladimir Putin. But a Kremlin representative said no such agreement was in place, and fighting continued in Ukraine's east. "Putin and Poroshenko in fact discussed the steps that would be conducive to a cease-fire between the militias and the Ukrainian security forces,"  Putin's press secretary Dmitry Peskov, <a href="http://ria.ru/world/20140903/1022566481.html" target="_new" class="icon ">RIA Novosti reported</a>. Russia cannot negotiate a cease-fire "because it is not a party to the conflict," he said according to <a href="http://www.marketwatch.com/story/russia-agreed-on-peace-process-not-cease-fire-kremlin-2014-09-03">MarketWatch</a>.</p>
<p><strong>2)  Obama Sending More Personnel To Iraq. </strong>The President has authorized an additional 350 military troops <span>"protect our diplomatic facilities and personnel in Baghdad, Iraq," according to a spokesman. "The decision was made at the recommendation of the Department of Defense and noted that additional forces will not serve in a combat role," <a href="http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/national-international/273670781.html?_osource=SocialFlowTwt_NYBrand">NBC said</a>. "Additionally, the President will be consulting this week with NATO allies regarding additional actions to take against Islamist militants."</span></p>
<p><strong>3)  Apple In Crisis?</strong> BI's Jim Edwards argues that on the eve of one of the iPhone 6  announcement, the company now faces a crisis of confidence thanks to the celebrity hacking scandal. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com.au/apple-six-hour-itunes-store-outage-2014-9">There was also an iTunes outage last night</a>. "T<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">rust is a huge part of the Apple brand. </span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">People use Apple because its products "just work," and because all the hackers and malware tend to be on Windows and Android systems, not Apple's OS and iOS platform....</span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">Now, Cook is in danger of seeing that trust slip away. He was just about to ask consumers to place </span><em style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">even more</em><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"> faith in iCloud, which will sit at the center of ambitious plans to extend Apple's mobile payments capabilities (through NFC and Touch ID), its online e-commerce strategy (through iTunes, the app stores and Beats), through improvements to its Mac operating system (OS X Yosemite will have an iCloud Drive storage system) and through Handoff, a new system that lets you switch your work between your Mac and an iPad seamlessly. </span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">Instead of the tech media being filled with stories about how exciting this is all going to be, blogs are running </span><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-switch-off-icloud-photos-2014-9">"how to" guides for people who want to switch off iCloud</a><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">."</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"><strong>4)  Today's Bad Europe News.</strong> </span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">According to </span><a href="http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/ITY_PUBLIC/4-03092014-AP/EN/4-03092014-AP-EN.PDF">Eurostat</a><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">, retail sales fell 0.4% in the Euro area in June. For what it's worth, it's only the first time since January that this figure has declined. Meanwhile the purchasing managers' index for services firms fell to 53.1 in August from 54.2 in July, though it is still well above the crucial 50 level that marks an expansion in activity, <a href="http://on.ft.com/1BaY3Cl">reports the FT's Claire Jones.</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"><strong>5)  U.K. Services Growth Fastest In 10 Months.</strong> </span><a href="http://www.markiteconomics.com/Public/PressRelease.mvc/c376e02b9014499a8c402bdadf5f7451">The Markit/CIPS services purchasing managers' survey for Britain</a><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"> hit 60.5 in August, up from 59.1 in July</span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">. </span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">Samuel Tombs, senior UK economist at consultancy Capital Economics <a href="http://on.ft.com/YaO2aH">said per the FT</a> that the strength of the survey "provides reassurance" that the economic recovery is not losing pace and that "the UK is set for a period of strong, non-inflationary growth." Meanwhile analysts expect the Bank of England to leave rates unchanged at its policy meeting this week <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/afp-bank-of-england-set-to-hold-rates-at-record-low-0.50-2014-9">according to AFP</a>.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"><strong>6)  Norway Oil Slowdown.</strong> Oil companies expect to invest 19% less<span> in Europe's largest oil producer in 2015 than 2014, according to a new survey. Norway has become increasingly dependent on oil revenues, and the slowdown is likely to hit the broader economy. </span></span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">"</span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">Lower oil-sector investments may limit overall growth and lead Norway's central bank to lower its expectations of future rates, as an economic slowdown would normally call for lower key rates to boost growth," <a href="http://www.marketwatch.com/story/norways-oil-sector-may-see-sharp-fall-in-spending-2014-09-03?link=MW_latest_news">Marketwatch's Kjetil Malkenes writes.</a> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"><strong>7.  Commerzbank CEO Calls For Common Bonds.</strong> Martin Blessing, the head of one of the world's largest banks, published an op-ed arguing Euro zone lenders should begin issuing Eurobonds to help boost the Euro. <a href="http://on.ft.com/YaZ7bz">FT</a>: "</span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">The Commerzbank chief argued in the article that the European Central Bank's response to the crisis, which has involved buying government debt, and the bonds issued under the European Stability Mechanism bailout vehicle meant sharing debt burdens was 'already a reality.' </span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">Mr Blessing, who has chaired the board of Germany's second largest bank since 2008, said on Wednesday that eurobonds 'would permanently establish the euro as a globally important currency, ensuring the sustained importance and competitiveness of Europe.'" <span>Germany's finance ministry quickly pushed back saying this would let peripheral countries off the hook from reforming their economies.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"><span><strong>8.  LVHM Cuts Hermes Loose.</strong> </span>LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA will devolve its $7.5 billion holding in Hermes International SCA after a French ruled in favor of the Birkin bag maker, Bloomberg's Andrew Roberts reports.</span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"> LVHM "<span>will distribute the stake to its shareholders and institutional investors, leaving...holding company Groupe Arnault with an 8.5 percent interest, the Paris-based company" Bloomberg said. LVMH currently holds about 23 percent of Hermes. </span>Hermes had sued LVHM after they'd built up holdings that caught Hermes equity holders unawares. The resolution reduces "the speculative appeal of Hermes which goes back to being a normally traded company," one analyst told Bloomberg. Hermes shares fell 11% in Paris, while LVHM climbed 3.9%.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"><strong>9.  Data.</strong><span> All day we'll learn light vehicle sales for August. Consensus</span><span> is for an increase to 16.5 million SAAR in August from 16.4 million in July (Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate). At 10 a.m. we get factory orders for July</span><span> consensus is for a 10.5% increase. And </span><span>at 2 p.m. we get the Fed's Beige Book survey of economic conditions. </span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"><span><strong>10.  Markets.</strong> Stocks in Europe and U.S. futures surged on the Ukraine ceasefire announcement. Germany<span>'s DAX Index rose 1.2%. </span>London's FTSE climbed 0.9% <span>In Asia, Hong Kong's Hang Seng China Enterprises Index of mainland shares jumped</span><span> 3.2%, its biggest rally since November according to Bloomberg. Dow futures were up 74 points.</span></span></span></p>

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