University of Calgary Researchers Caution Against New PC Threat

Computer security researchers at the University of Calgary (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) have warned against the potential attack which can cause an end-user's laptop to become a menace in the neighborhood without his (the user) knowledge.

On May 21, 2010, the researchers demonstrated at the University the manner in which an Internet-connected laptop could be chosen for loading adware to the neighboring PCs through an unprotected wireless network. During the demonstration, a banner advertisement was placed through a YouTube film archive. The unprotected networks are frequently found at wireless hot spots and cyber-cafes.

The security researchers describe adware as software, which creeps into PCs when something is downloaded like free screensavers or ornamental tool bars. The adware pops up innumerable ads.

Naming the adware as "Typhoid Adware," the researchers say that PCs infected with it behave as unwary carriers. Furthermore, the success of Typhoid is related to its persuasion to other networked PCs to interact with the infected PC rather than their intended system. Thereafter, it places ads through web-pages or videos.

Commenting on the adware's maliciousness, John Aycock (Associate Professor and co-author of a research paper on Typhoid Adware) stated that they were looking at a varied version of adware that didn't exist earlier; however, it was sure to become a danger fast, as reported by AFP on May 22, 2010.

Meanwhile, the UC researchers have produced several safeguards against Typhoid.

According to one, video contents can be protected to enable users view only that which comes from an authentic source.

Another one relates to a method through which laptops are told that they're at a cyber-café so they would raise their suspicion level about interaction with other PCs.

Aycock said that when anyone visited a cyber-café, he could tell his PC that he was there and the system could put up the mentioned safeguards, as reported by Oneindia on May 22, 2010.

By making his findings public, Prof. Aycock thinks the PC safety experts will act positively and start developing 'Typhoid Adware' safeguards and then incorporate them into their anti-malware solutions.

Related article: University Reports Increase in Spam

» SPAMfighter News - 6/3/2010