Security researchers fret over Adobe PDF flaw

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/04/30/adobe_0day/

If you have the Adobe PDF reader (who doesn’t?), you need read this and consider the advice  to disable JavaScript in the Reader.

Also, while it appears there is no patch yet, you can use the Help / Check for Updates menu option to see if there are updates available and get the patch when it is released.

Phishers hit Facebook with scam messages!

http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9132322&source=NLT_AM

Keep in mind that attacks like this are on the rise as the numbers of social media users increases and this type of attack could happen on any social networking site. As always, be cautious and skeptical!

Most electronic voting isn’t secure, CIA expert says

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/226/story/64711.html

Of course it’s not.  Need I say more?

Entrepreneur: Learn to Measure Your Web Presence

http://www.entrepreneur.com/ebusiness/webmetricscolumnist/article201332.html

Good article that talks about how to measure the impact of social media on traffic to your web site.

CIO: Create an ongoing culture of security at your company

http://www.cio.com/article/490793/Security_Training_

I strongly urge each business owner / manager to read this article and takes it’s advice to heart!

From the article:

The stakes are high and getting higher all the time. In January, the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) reported that the number of data breaches in 2008 increased 47% compared to 2007. The organization also reported that 35.2% of breaches were due to human error. (Watch a slideshow of the 10 worst moments in network security history.) 

And Ponemon recently released a study showing that the average cost of a data breach grew to $202 per record compromised in 2008, up from $197 per record in 2007. And the average security event cost individual companies $6.6 million per breach in 2008, up from $6.43 million in 2007 and $4.7 million in 2006.

Worse, security breaches result in a loss of consumer confidence, which translates into customers taking their business elsewhere. (Listen to a podcast of five ways to employees can sabotage your network.)

CIO – Study: Sensitive Company Data Ends Up on Facebook

http://www.cio.com/article/490986/Study_Sensitive_Company_Data_Ends_Up_on_Facebook

One more thing to think about.  I personally believe that the pros outweigh the cons, but you should be aware…

Security experts rate the world’s most dangerous security exploits

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/04/24/most_dangerous_exploits/

From the article:
Criminal hackers continue to penetrate many more company networks than most administrators care to admit, according to two security experts who offered a list of the most effective exploits used to gain entry.

ComputerWorld: Preventing Fraud Requires Customer Data Discipline

http://cwflyris.computerworld.com/t/4644344/398581790/178145/0/

 

An increasing number of businesses of all sizes, from the smallest mom-and-pop to the largest corporations, collect more customer data than ever before and this is a trend that will only increase over time as companies look for ways to save money, market better and make it easier for their customers to do business with them.

 

Whether it’s orders stored in an Excel spreadsheet, or a complex SAP based order entry system, hackers and thieves understand the value of this data and are devising new and ever more devious attacks.  You need to ensure that you understand the risks and make every effort to mitigate the risk to your customers!

Cloud computing a ’security nightmare,’ says Cisco CEO

http://cwflyris.computerworld.com/t/4872521/398581790/185519/0/

If you’re thinking about the cloud, read this article.

CIO: Success in Business Takes Generosity

http://www.cio.com/article/490320/Success_in_Business_Takes_Generosity

Great article full of excellent advice!