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Information Technology News TrustDefender highlights danger of updated Torpig rootkit and variants
Information Technology News TrustDefender highlights danger of updated Torpig rootkit and variants | TrustDefender highlights danger of updated Torpig rootkit and variants |
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| by Alex Zaharov-Reutt | |
| Wednesday, 14 January 2009 | |
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While this could well bring joy to Mac OS X and Linux users who run operating systems that are both safer than Windows and aren’t targeted anywhere near as viciously as Windows, it’s not very helpful to the billion or so Windows users out there, many of whom either aren’t running any protection, or are using outdated protection or whose current protection just isn't good enough. TrustDefender says this trojan/rootkit attacks you before your operating system boots up, and suggests that if the creators of this malware were so inclined, then they could potentially target other operating systems – although clearly Windows systems are where their efforts are currently directed. The lack of widespread Internet security protection on all Windows PCs is one of the reasons why Microsoft is bringing out its own “Morro” Internet Security package later this year, likely in conjunction with the release of Windows 7, but the fact today’s rootkits are so devious makes one wonder why Internet Security companies aren’t working even harder to defeat rootkits – and cleanse already infected computers. I saw “already infected” because your Internet security program should, depending on which one it is, protect you from being infected in the first place. But if your security is non-existent, not updated or not able to protect against the Torpig rootkit, getting infected could well be just a matter of time. It’s also a huge wake-up call to Internet security companies and Microsoft to harden its defenses– rootkits have been around for a while now, after all. Otherwise, your private and financial information (and transactions) are at risk of becoming part of the underground economy – and you’re at risk of becoming a victim. It’s also a huge burden on financial companies who are the ones footing the bill for their customers losses and this must be affecting their bottom line operating budgets, especially as banks fight to fend off unnecessary costs in today’s “credit crunch” world. This is why, if you’re a Windows user, you need up-to-date Internet security software – or as Mac and Linux users will happily tell you, you should consider switching your operating system and/or computing platform. However, as noted, Windows is the standard (for better or worse), and there is software that can protect your financial transactions from being snooped on, even if your PC is infected by the Torpig rootkit. Naturally, that program is TrustDefender, with the blog post on the rootkit threat noting that: “TrustDefender will successfully protect the user from this attack by default. TrustDefender will alert you that your Windows Kernel has been compromized and will automatically secure the internet banking transaction regardless.” TrustDefender’s blog also notes how an already infected computer then loaded with Norton Internet Security 2009 doesn’t detect the Torpig rootkit at all, which should be very alarming to the Symantec Engineering team. Continued on page 2, including a link to a video clip showing an Internet security software protected computing being infected by Torpig / Sinowal / Mebroot - please read on! |
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