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News

• Avast closes Jumpshot amid data privacy concerns

  Avast will close the Jumpshot analytics business at the center of a data privacy scandal, putting hundreds of jobs at risk and deepening a slide in its shares.

• Antivirus merger: Avast offers $1.3 billion for AVG

  Antivirus vendor Avast Software has agreed to buy rival AVG Technologies for US$1.3 billion in cash.

• Malwarebytes still fixing flaws in antivirus software

  Malwarebytes said it may take three to four weeks to fix flaws in its consumer product found by Google security researcher Tavis Ormandy.

• 'Tiny banker' malware targets US financial institutions

  A banking trojan, known for its small size but powerful capabilities, has expanded the number of financial institutions it can collect data from, according to security vendor Avast.

• 'Reveton' ransomware upgraded with powerful password stealer

  A type of malware called Reveton, which falsely warns users they've broken the law and demands payment of a fine, has been upgraded with powerful password stealing functions, according to Avast.

• Antivirus products riddled with security flaws, researcher says

  It's generally accepted that antivirus programs provide a necessary protection layer, but organizations should audit such products before deploying them on their systems because many of them contain serious vulnerabilities, a researcher warned.

• UK student develops antidote for first Android file-encrypting ransomware

  Victims of Simplocker, the first file-encrypting ransomware threat for Android devices, can recover files without paying cybercriminals because the malicious program uses a hardcoded encryption key.

• Avast takes community forum offline after data breach

  Prague-based antivirus company, Avast, said, on Monday, it took its community forum offline after a data breach, but payment information was not compromised.

• Avast: Users frequently hitting websites loaded with ransomware

  Fresh statistics from the maker of a widely used free security product show the extent to which users are encountering file-encrypting malware known as ransomware.

• Microsoft to start blocking adware that lacks easy uninstall

  Microsoft has toughened its criteria for classifying programs as adware and gave developers three months to conform with the new principles or risk having their programs blocked by the company's security products.

• New information-theft malware 'Napolar' is gaining traction, researchers warn

  A new piece of information-stealing malware that appeared earlier this year has been rapidly gaining traction during the past few weeks, with hundreds of infection attempts being detected every day by antivirus vendors.

• Malicious browser extensions pose a serious threat and defenses are lacking

  Although the number of malicious browser extensions has significantly increased in the past year many security products fail to offer adequate protection against them, while others are simply not designed to do so, according to a security researcher.

• Norton Internet Security 2010 beta

  The just-released beta of Symantec's Norton Internet Security 2010 is more notable for what's under the hood than what you actually see. However, if you're planning to try it out, you'd better not do it on your main PC – this is not only a beta release, but a temporary one as well. Currently, the installed beta says that it is good for only 14 days.