Content by Mathew J. Schwartz

Surveillance Software Firm Breached

Mathew J. Schwartz  •  July 6, 2015

Hacking Team, an Italian vendor of "easy-to-use offensive technology" that it sells to government agencies, has been hacked. Leaked customer lists reportedly name the FBI and DEA, plus the governments of Bahrain, Russia and Sudan, among others.

Can Selfies Fight Payment Card Fraud?

Mathew J. Schwartz  •  July 4, 2015

MasterCard is testing a smartphone app that lets users approve online transactions using facial recognition, via the equivalent of taking a selfie. But could such technology be spoofed, and will it reduce card fraud?

Cardinals Sack Employee After Hack

Mathew J. Schwartz  •  July 3, 2015

The St. Louis Cardinals baseball team has fired its scouting director amidst allegations that the team hacked into a database run by its rival Houston Astros team. A related investigation is ongoing.

Bitcoin Exchange Hacked With Word Macro

Mathew J. Schwartz  •  July 2, 2015

An unconfirmed post-breach report for bitcoin exchange Bitstamp shows the organization was targeted by a sustained attack that combined phishing via email and Skype with macro malware to successfully steal almost 19,000 bitcoins, worth $5 million.

Europol Details Online Jihadist Hunt

Mathew J. Schwartz  •  July 1, 2015

Europol has launched a new EU Internet Referral Unit to combat online terrorist propaganda, disrupt extremist recruitment and coordinate related intelligence-gathering and law enforcement response.

Cisco to Acquire OpenDNS

Mathew J. Schwartz  •  July 1, 2015

Cisco announced plans to pay $635 million to purchase cloud security firm OpenDNS to better secure the "Internet of Everything." OpenDNS says the acquisition will leave its products and personnel intact.

OPM Suspends Background Check System

Mathew J. Schwartz  •  June 30, 2015

Following its mega-breach, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management suspends use of its online background check application system, citing a vulnerability. Also, the agency now faces a breach-related lawsuit filed on behalf of federal workers.

Twins Plead Guilty to Hacking Schemes

Mathew J. Schwartz  •  June 30, 2015

Twin brothers, who were once considered computer prodigies, pleaded guilty in federal court to a range of identity theft and hacking-related charges, including an attempted State Department hack.

Analysis: Why the OPM Breach Is So Bad

Mathew J. Schwartz  •  June 29, 2015

Just how bad is the U.S. Office of Personnel Management breach? Consider that spies may now have access to every secret - sexual, financial, familial, medical - shared by personnel seeking security clearances to access classified U.S. information.

FBI Alert: $18 Million in Ransomware Losses

Mathew J. Schwartz  •  June 26, 2015

U.S. businesses and consumers have reported experiencing more than $18 million in losses stemming from CryptoWall ransomware, the FBI warns. Security experts say ransomware's ease of use and low risk fuels the increasing numbers of attacks.

OPM Breach: China Is 'Leading Suspect'

Mathew J. Schwartz  •  June 26, 2015

China is the "leading suspect" behind the OPM breach, says Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, who adds that until the U.S. can meaningfully deter such attacks, it must focus on getting better at defense, not retribution.

China, U.S. Plan Cyber 'Code of Conduct'

Mathew J. Schwartz  •  June 25, 2015

China and the U.S. have agreed to create a new cyber "code of conduct." The move comes in the wake of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management breach, with President Obama urging Chinese officials to help lower cyber-related tensions.

Europol Targets Ukrainian Botnet Gang

Mathew J. Schwartz  •  June 25, 2015

European authorities say they have disrupted a Ukraine-based cybercrime gang tied to $2.2 million in fraud in Europe, the United States and beyond, perpetrated via banking Trojans, botnets and hacking-for-hire services.

Airline 'Hack' Was Denial of Service

Mathew J. Schwartz  •  June 24, 2015

A "deliberate" denial-of-service attack against state-owned LOT Polish Airlines resulted in ground crews being unable to generate flight plans. The airline now says its systems were not hacked, but rather disrupted, and that all airlines face similar risks.

Feds Extradite 'Most Wanted' ATM Hacker

Mathew J. Schwartz  •  June 24, 2015

A Turkish man who allegedly masterminded a string of quick-hit ATM "cash out" attacks - netting at least $55 million - has reportedly been extradited from Germany to New York to face related charges.