Smart Grid Security Inadequate, Threats Abound

	SpyEye malware borrows Zeus trick to mask fraud | Check Point supports cloud security for Amazon Web Services
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	Smart Grid Security Inadequate, Threats Abound Near chaos. That's the current state of security for smart grids, according to Pike Research. A recent report by the research firm finds that a lack of security standards, a hodgepodge of products and increasingly aggressive malicious hackers will make 2012 a challenging year for securing smart grids. (A smart grid uses IT and smart meters in an effort to make electric utilities more efficient, reliable and sustainable.) Read More WEBCAST: ForeScout Technologies Experts Help CIOs Rethink Threat Prevention This webcast examines sophisticated and targeted threats, security gaps, techniques and new technologies with regards to understanding and defending against zero-day threats, propagating worms, low-and-slow attacks and advanced persistent threats (APT). Learn more. In this Issue SpyEye malware borrows Zeus trick to mask fraud Check Point supports cloud security for Amazon Web Services Hacking For Privacy: 2 days for amateur hacker to hack smart meter, fake readings Two new security books ponder: Just how vulnerable are we? Tips from IT professionals on how to handle virtual desktops, wireless, network performance issues History's infamous social engineers 15 cool energy projects of 2011 Murder, IT security and other mysteries: The stories of Layer 8 in 2011 WHITE PAPER: CA Technologies Can you handle more web traffic than you ever dreamed of? In this executive Q&A, Cloud Luminary and DonorsChoose.org CTO Oliver Hurst-Hiller discusses the importance of being able to seamlessly and quickly switch to a cloud service, the benefits of having all aspects of your company moved to the cloud, and more. Learn More SpyEye malware borrows Zeus trick to mask fraud A powerful bank-fraud software program, SpyEye, has been seen with a feature designed to keep victims in the dark long after fraud has taken place, according to security vendor Trusteer. Read More Check Point supports cloud security for Amazon Web Services Check Point and Amazon Web Services are teaming up to enable Check Point Security Gateway functionality to boost cloud security for business assets. Read More WHITE PAPER: Quantum Big Data: Managing Explosive Growth Are you experiencing a data explosion? The trend toward leveraging Big Data for competitive advantage helps IT professionals successfully meet business goals. Learn how to reliably manage, store and access vast amounts of archived data while protecting it and keeping costs low. View Now Hacking For Privacy: 2 days for amateur hacker to hack smart meter, fake readings At the Chaos Communication Congress in Germany, 28C3, researchers presented "Smart Hacking For Privacy." After analyzing data collected by a smart meter, these gentlemen were able to determine devices like how many PCs or LCD TVs in a home, what TV program was being watched, and if a DVD movie being played had copyright-protected material. In other words, smart meters do have privacy implications that... Read More Two new security books ponder: Just how vulnerable are we? Two recently-published books, "America the Vulnerable" by Joel Brenner, a former official at the National Security Agency (NSA) and "When Gadgets Betray Us," by writer and security analyst Robert Vamosi, have one theme in common: We've come to depend on modern networks and technology, but the compromise of them by attackers is a serious threat to both individuals and society as a whole. Read More WHITE PAPER: Sybase Enterprises Falling Short with Analytics Tools This paper examines the use of analytics and reporting, and offers best practices for integrating solutions for improved business decision-making. Learn More Tips from IT professionals on how to handle virtual desktops, wireless, network performance issues Schools are for learning, and the information technology and security professionals who support networks and applications in the nation's K-12 and university systems are discovering new tactics in what can be challenging IT environments. Here we talk to four professionals in the education realm to get a sense for their top IT issues and what they do to handle them. Read More History's infamous social engineers Read More 15 cool energy projects of 2011 Solar trains, plane, automobiles and even spacecraft among advanced 2011 undertakings Read More Murder, IT security and other mysteries: The stories of Layer 8 in 2011 Today we take a short look back at the most popular stories posted in my Layer 8 column in the past year. The FBI story looking for help from the public was by far the most popular of the year. Read on: FBI wants public help solving encrypted notes from murder mystery Read More
	SLIDESHOWS 10 essential data center appliances With all of the noise in data center networking focused on switches, fabrics and lossless Ethernet standards, appliances like WAN optimizers and application accelerators are often overlooked. But they are important components of the data center/cloud infrastructure, especially as organizations virtualize desktop applications for remote sites. Here's a listing of 10 of the top players, and their products, in data center appliances. GOODIES FROM MICROSOFT SUBNET Everyone who enters will win free training from Webucator. Grand prize: a SharePoint training class worth $2,375. All who enter will be awarded a self-paced class of their choosing. Enter here: http://www.networkworld.com/community/contests. Enter here. MOST-READ STORIES Cisco dumps the UMI personal telepresence very quietly 5 major changes facing the Internet in 2012 iPhone 5 rumor rollup for the week ending Dec. 31 Up-and-coming tech jobs -- and how to land one Mobility, cloud, analytics to reshape IT in 2012 Users desert Windows XP in near-record numbers 10 programming languages that could shake up IT Two new tools exploit router security setup problem Working out RIM's BlackBerry Bold 9930 over Christmas break Microsoft releases first unscheduled patch of 2011
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