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Panda Free Cloud Antivirus was recently featured on Fox 8 News.  If you don’t want to watch the actual video, read the article here

Panda Security has reported the appearance of a new worm, FTLog.A, which spreads through the popular Fotolog social networking site, a photo-blogging portal used by almost 30 million users around the world.

“Cyber-crooks are increasingly exploiting social networking sites to spread their creations as they offer a huge number of potential victims,” says Jeremy Matthews, head of Panda’s sub-Saharan operations. “We have already seen malicious code that exploits Facebook or Twitter. Unfortunately, this time it’s Fotolog’s turn.”

The worm spreads by inserting comments in the targeted user’s page prompting them to click a link, supposedly pointing to a video. This comment reads as follows: “hey xxxxxxxxx, encontré este video tuyo acá” – hey xxxxxxxxx (user name), I found a video of you here. If the user clicks the link, the system will ask for permission to download a divx video codec, which is actually the worm.

FTlog.A comment inserted in Fotolog

Once installed, FTLog.A redirects the browser to a site with explicit content and a webpage that asks users for their data in order to claim a (false) prize. If the user clicks Get Free Access a setup.exe file is downloaded which, once run, installs the MediaPass Plugin.

It also changes the Internet home page and injects code into the browser to display pop-up ads, disrupting the user’s browsing experience.

To prevent this type of infection it is important to remind users not to click suspicious links from unknown senders and keep an up-to-date antivirus solution installed on their computers.

More information is available at Panda’s encyclopaedia.

For pictures of this infection, check out Panda’s Flickr stream.

In recognition of Panda Security’s move into cloud-based security services for SMBs and home users, the security vendor has been recognised as one of the “20 Coolest Cloud Security Vendors.” by CRN US.

According to the channel magazine, “Panda has further immersed itself in the cloud computing arena after it unveiled cloud-based antimalware services for SMBs … In addition to cloud-based antivirus, spam filters and Web scanning engines, security companies are now launching cloud-based DLP and authentication and log management technologies. Here are our picks for the coolest cloud security vendors helping to foster the SaaS phenomenon and drive it forward in 2010”.

In November 2009, Panda launched its free retail cloud offering, Panda Cloud Antivirus, along with a cloud solution for SMBs, Panda Cloud Protection.

The list was based on nominations from Solution Providers rating technology, channel influence, effectiveness and visibility along with business and sales impact. The final selections were made by a panel of Everything Channel Editors.

“This latest acclaim further rewards our company’s strategy of offering leading-edge services that respond to market needs,” says Jeremy Matthews, head of Panda’s sub-Saharan operations. “Our solutions can be centrally managed through a simple, secure Web console and, thanks to Collective Intelligence technologies, offer even greater detection ratios of new malware. Importantly for companies in today’s climate, they also deliver major cost savings, as there is no need whatsoever for any investment in infrastructure.”

Recent reviews of Free Panda Cloud Antivirus that laud its effectiveness against detecting and blocking malware include:

• PCMag.com: In a December 2009 review, Panda Cloud Antivirus was awarded the Editors’ Choice ranking with 4 out of 5 stars, where it was noted by reviewer Neil Rubenking for its impressive effectiveness against malware attacks. Panda holds the Editors’ Choice ranking among competitive products from avast!, AVG, Microsoft Security Essentials and others.
• AV-Test.org and PC World: Ranks #1 in malware detection rates among other free software solutions by Avira, avast!, Microsoft Security Essentials, AVG, Comodo, PC Tools, and ClamAV. Panda Cloud Antivirus’ detection rate in this test was 99.4 percent.
• Tech Herald: Panda Cloud Antivirus scored 85 out of 90. Reviewer Steve Ragan states, “Cloud AV is clean looking, fast, and free. If you are currently without Malware protection, then this is a solid pick.”
• Softpedia: “Results of our in-house testing of its detection put it among the best security applications, with a detection rate of almost 96 percent. This is one of the best scores in the last couple of years with paid products and freebies in the same pot.”
• CNET: Seth Rosenblatt rated Panda Cloud Antivirus 4 out of 5 stars, saying, “Panda Cloud Antivirus is notable as a free security solution for two reasons: Panda is a reputable security vendor making its first foray into the realm of freeware security, and the program’s goal of freeing up system resources by putting much of the program’s heavy lifting in the cloud is definitely attained.”

Download Cloud Antivirus Free

Today, 95% of malware is aimed at stealing passwords, which makes users who handle valuable information potential targets for cyber-criminals. Speakers at the second international Security Blogger Summit held in Madrid last Thursday expressed concern about this and the easy way in which malware is distributed as well as the difficulty to apprehend those responsible.

The roundtable, which included Kurt Wismer, renowned security opinion blogger, John Leyden, cyber-crime columnist for The Register, Marc Cortés, marketing expert and author of Interactividad.org and Javier Sanz, (ADSL Zone.net author) identified Eastern Europe and China as the main sources of malware, criticising governments’ lack of action in fighting this threat.

“Apart from the difficulty of arresting a hacker for illegal activities carried out outside of a country’s jurisdiction, there is the problem of actually making sure that a hacker’s virtual identity actually corresponds to that of the detainee,” explained Paloma Llaneza, a member of Spain’s National Cyber-Security Advisory Council.

Participants also commented on the speed of cyber-attacks and the lack of resources from authorities to stop them. “The law is always one step behind cyber-crooks and this prevents authorities from acting more swiftly,” explained Yago Jesús, blogger and author of SecurityByDefault.com.

Joseph Menn, an investigative journalist who has comprehensively covered security issues, indicated that even in countries like the United States there are laws dating back to the 1970s that are no longer capable of stopping present-day Internet attacks.

“There are many legal obstacles that make stopping these groups incredibly hard. If you are a hacker and operate in a country other than your own, it is very difficult to arrest you,” said Menn.

The scale of the problem is daunting. According to cyber-crime expert Brian Krebs, “Cyber-crime is becoming more and more similar to drug trafficking. These organisations are exclusively motivated by money and operate using pyramidal structures. Each group within the organisation has its own responsibilities: some develop malware, others identify banks to attack, and finally some others spread the malicious code.”

“The best thing would be to be able to demand some responsibility from private businesses and public institutions,” suggested Jesús while Krebs recommended drawing up a blacklist of non-recommended sites which he believes could prevent a huge number of attacks by warning users of websites that could infect them.

Krebs also explained the need to demand more responsibility from Internet Service Providers. “If we have laws in the United States that force Internet service providers to shut down Web pages that offer pirate music or video files within 48 hours, there should be similar laws for cyber-crime.”

Education, awareness and legal responsibility

Education and awareness issues were also discussed at the summit. Several participants spoke in favour of a common sense approach.

“Just as we lock the door after leaving our house or getting out of the car, we should do the same thing with the Internet,” said Alejandro Suárez, an influential Internet blogger in the Networks SL blogging network.

Marcelo Rivero, Infospyware.com’s author, echoed this: “We must be aware of what activities can lead to an infection and what cannot. Common sense is necessary to surf the Web.”

“Unfortunately, young people establish a communication channel that parents many times cannot advice them on. We should act on the Internet in exactly the same way as in real life in order to minimize risks,” added Rivero.

Tonight at 7pm South African time, Panda’s second annual blogging event will be streamed live from Madrid, Spain.

The three-hour summit will consist of a roundtable discussion, bringing together several American and Spanish security experts and other Internet figures. This edition will focus on Internet users’ security, including education and awareness issues; legislative regulations, inter-country coordination and privacy limits, as well as initiatives and actions required to improve the security situation.

Watch it live here.

Panda Security’s free antivirus, Panda Cloud Antivirus, has received Microsoft’s ‘Compatible with Windows 7’ certification after passing the company’s quality checks, for both 32-bit and 64-bit systems.

Panda Cloud Antivirus is the first antivirus especially designed to offer protection from the cloud. Available free from www.cloudantivirus.com, it safeguards users from new malicious code practically in realtime as all processes take place on the Internet, minimising any impact on PC performance. The release version of Panda Cloud Antivirus was launched on November 10 after being in beta since April 2009.

Adopting a next-generation approach to IT security, Panda Cloud Antivirus is driven by Collective Intelligence, Panda’s advanced system which gathers malware information from its global community of users in the cloud. The system can automatically identify and classify new malware strains in minutes, combining local detection technologies with real-time cloud-scanning to maximize protection while minimizing resource consumption.

Recently, Panda Cloud Antivirus won the “Editors’ Choice™” distinction for free antivirus solutions from PC Mag. The publication’s security analyst Neil Rubenking said in the review: “It’s a very good, very lightweight tool even when measured against the for-pay security antivirus available. And it’s the best free antivirus software available.”

Panda Cloud Antivirus scored a perfect 10 in rootkit and rogue antivirus detection.

“Panda Cloud Antivirus is impressively effective at keeping malware from infesting a clean system,” said Rubenking. “It’s a powerful defender against malware attacks—and it’s free.”

Panda Cloud Antivirus has also won top honors in PCWorld’s comparative review as the best antivirus for detecting malware.

Download it for free here.

Facebook is currently experiencing a massive surge is fake virus warnings. The fake warning is distributed via email and users are forwarding it or publishing it on Facebook walls, thereby further spreading the hoax. The text of the fake warning reads as follows:

ALERT >>>>> Has your Facebook been running slow lately? Go to “Settings” and select “application settings”, change the dropdown box to “added to profile”. If you see one in there called “un named app” delete it… Its an internal spybot. Pass it on. about a minute ago….i checked and it was on mine.

There is no associated link, but if users search the Web for more information, they will encounter numerous malicious websites designed to download fake antiviruses.

The fake antivirus (or rogueware) in this case is cold LivePcCare.

Panda have urged Facebook users not to help spread this fake AV rumour. To make sure that you system isn’t infect you can go to our free tools page.

Keeping safe on the web doesn’t have to cost the earth — not least because of a range of free Panda tools we’ve got for you here on CyberSafety — check ‘em out here. Want more info about how they work? Give the folks at Panda a ring — 0860 PANDA [72632].

Below is the low down of the tools:

Panda Free Cloud Antivirus
Recognised for being “the first anti-virus without an update button”, Panda Cloud Antivirus delivers the fastest protection against the newest and most dangerous viruses. This is made possible thanks to Collective Intelligence, which guarantees the fastest protection against the newest and most dangerous malware.

Panda USB Vaccine
This is a free tool for vaccinating your USB memory sticks and other external devices to prevent contamination from viruses and other threats.

Panda Anti-rootkit
A free tool to detect if your computer contains rootkits (applications that help hide other threats).

Panda Safe CD
This utility will clean your PC when it is infected and your usual antivirus cannot resolve the problem.

WOT Security plug-in for your browser
Panda Security and WOT offer you this free plug-in for your browser, to warn you whenever you’re about to access a dangerous Web page.

Enjoy!