| Nine Ball |
| Another Web Threat Similar to Conficker |
 Nine Ball is the latest major web threat targeting legitimate websites to redirect users to malicious sites owned by the attacker. The way it works is when a Web user is redirected or visits an infected site either a Trojan or spyware is downloaded on their machine. Once infected, the victim’s PC can be compromised for a password, social security number, credit card number, or other confidential data.
According to the Internet Security firm Websense, Nine Ball has already compromised over 40,000 websites. It is difficult for a security company to track them because the sites track the user by IP and if they see a repeated IP then they redirect them to ask.com. Nine Ball is hard to eliminate because once they install the Trojans on a PC, it constantly mutates.
It is not easy to figure out if someone is a victim of Nine Ball, however, if you feel you may be a victim please contact us and we will check your system to see if there are any unwanted applications or programs running. Currently, there is no sure way to eliminate Nine Ball. In order to protect yourself make sure your programs are up-to-date and install appropriate security software.
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| Warning to BlackBerry Users |
| Business users advised not to open e-mail attachments until there is a fix |
 Although we have updated our BlackBerry servers with the software security patch issued, the following information is for those who are not within our network. At Sierra we are pro-active and deploy patches immediately as they become available.
BlackBerry maker Research in Motion has made a warning regarding BlackBerry devices’ vulnerability to hacker attacks. Research in Motion has suggested that business users refrain from opening e-mail attachments on their devices until they install the patch. According to security experts, if the patch is not installed, there is a very high risk that hackers could take advantage of the vulnerability.
The problem Research in Motion is facing right now is not unique across technology companies. Once a security flaw is announced, criminals rush to exploit them because it may take months for companies to install patches and for users to protect themselves against hackers.
The newly discovered security problem can allow hackers to take control over servers running BlackBerry systems by sending e-mails with tainted attachments in Adobe Systems' PDF format, according to computer security researchers. If the device's user opens one of those attachments, it would seek to install malicious software on the server at the data center that runs a company's BlackBerry network. Hackers could then use that server to send spam or steal corporate data.
In a security warning posted on its website, Research in Motion recommends that BlackBerry Smartphone users open attachments from trusted sources only.
An interim patch available from RIM's website fixes the flaw. The patch also includes the fixes for the previous PDF distiller bugs.
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| GestureTek, Inc. |
| No more Remote Control? |
 New technology will soon enable you to purchase a TV that will no longer need a remote control; enter motion controls not buttons. Simply by moving your hands or body one can access information and control interactive content. GestureTeck, Inc., a Silicon Valley-based company has developed this new patented video gesture control technology called, “webcam-based hand, face, and body tracking solutions.”
This “gesture recognition technology” functions on any camera-enabled consumer electronic device such as televisions, cable boxes, stereos, DVD players, computers, electronic games, etc. If a device has a camera that accepts commands then it can be programmed to operate via sign language and can isolate and recognize individuals; noise, lighting, crowds, etc. will not affect its’ performance.
Visit the following link to see a video of gesture recognition technology –
http://www.gesturetek.com/newscenter/media.php?media=71
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