Businesses using VeriSign are now covered throughout the buying process. From search to browse to purchase, customers are protected from the hazards of online shopping with the addition of new trust enhancements. The best aspect of this technology for businesses is that it’s free to use.

The new features include:

• VeriSign Seal-in-Search
• Daily website malware scans

These new features allow webmasters to deliver trust from the beginning of the process to the end while displaying the most trustworthy logo in the industry: VeriSign. With an ever-increasing number of malicious attacks, this technology is a huge advancement for internet security.

The VeriSign Seal-in-Search feature lets those sites that utilize VeriSign SSL stand out during search engine queries. Users will immediately see the VeriSign logo in the search next to the site in the search results, shopping sites and online listings to indicate their protection and give the consumer more trust. VeriSign is collaborating with comparison shopping sites, listings and many different consumer-based websites.

A recent study conducted by online shopping center, TheFind.com discovered that search engine results displaying the VeriSign logo saw just under a 19 percent increase in click through traffic than those without. This shows consumers recognize and trust sites that display the VeriSign logo.

In addition to the Seal-in-Search and trust logo, VeriSign has also added a much needed daily website malware scanning feature. This will further protect the consumer from malicious attacks and hijackers. On the other hand, the scan prevents website owners from being attacked. The malware scans lessen the chance of a website being blacklisted by sensitive search engines.

The process is that the malware prevention service will notify customers when VeriSign determines a website is infected. VeriSign will also prove websites to customers that are infected which will be an indication to steer clear.

VeriSign has provided the strongest SSL encryption available commercially for many years. This ensures private consumer information is completely protected. Numerous Fortune 500 companies as well as some of the top banks in the world use SSL certificates to guarantee protection.

VeriSign is already by far the industry leader in consumer security. With the addition of these much-needed, fantastic features, consumers can remain at ease knowing their information is full protected from hackers, hijackers and malicious attackers. Additionally with Seal-in-Search, customers have many more secure options to complete their shopping needs.

One of the unfortunate problems with running or using an unmanaged dedicated server is fixing potential security threats. While spam blockers, anti-virus and spyware software will mostly automate this process, there are processes running in the background that may be undetected by conventional software that could be trying to hack the server. Therefore it’s beneficial to familiarize oneself with all security aspects to eliminate these malicious threats.

What is a Rootkit?

One of these issues commonly found within dedicated servers is the rootkit. A rootkit is a piece of software designed by hackers that attempts to take full control of the server without proper access or authorization. Utilizing the rootkit program, the hacker can install drivers, kernel modules, malware or take other types of threatening steps to cause havoc within the server.

The primary issue with a rootkit is that it’s usually undetected by traditional security software so once the hacker takes control, it can be a complete shock and cause major problems. The program also allows for Trojans, commands and other type of harmful viruses to be uploaded.

How does a Rootkit Work?

The general procedure is that once a rootkit uploads hidden utility programs into a system, they open a backdoor to the dedicated server. This can be at any time of day and can be extremely harmful to both the software and equipment.

Solution

It’s always recommended that those without networking knowledge or that are not technically savvy should invest in either Information Technology personnel or a managed hosting service. The latter being a much more economical option. Both the personnel and managed hosting service can provide insight as to the best methods for monitoring and blocking all security threats including uploading rookits.

One of the basic security checks by professionals is for the existence of a rootkit on a server. Keep in mind, a good dedicated server hosting provider does not want the server to go down as it’s bad for business. Most providers offer some type of managed hosting for an extra cost to keep the client satisfied.

Rootkits and the programs they upload can be extremely harmful to the software and hardware within a server. With some many security threats available and hackers’ one step ahead of the software, it’s beneficial to have professionals monitoring the server as often as possible. With managed hosting being the most viable option, this will guarantee proper server maintenance and monitoring.

Web hosting security is the most important area for keeping a website protected and safe from external factors. Everyday websites and hosts are hacked causing malicious code to wreak havoc on users computers and steal information such as credit card numbers, addresses and phone numbers. This can literally ruin an individual’s life.

The most common type of security threat to both servers and websites is malicious code that infiltrates the system. Some code isn’t powerful enough to cause any damage or is caught by an anti-virus program. Other malicious software has shut down major websites causing massive disruptions.

The three most pertinent malicious software categories include the following:

Malware

There are numerous variations of software code that pose a threat to web hosting software, websites, servers as well as home computers. Malware is one of the most dangerous risks threatening the Internet community. Malware is a combination of the terms malicious and software and can impose serious damage to both hardware and software. In most cases, malware effects individual computers but has been known to destroy servers.

Trojans and Keyloggers

Other vicious pieces of code are Trojans and keyloggers. Trojans are especially harmful as they send information to the creator from a computer after they’re installed. This allows the creator to make subtle changes to the computer through the registry information. Many take this a step further and attach keyloggers which record every keystroke made on the keyboard exposing all passwords.

Bot Rings and Denial of Service Attacks

Another major issue effecting web hosts are bot rings. Bot rings are software that causes the dreaded DoS attacks which can shut down servers. A denial of service floods a network with requests. This significantly slows down the network until traffic cannot access anything. These attacks are common and unfortunately one of the most difficult to prevent.

To successfully accomplish a DoS attack, a hacker encompasses a single server making it into a master slave unit. The hacker instructs the mechanism to seek out vulnerable servers, comprising them to partake in the launch of a single computer. This causes so many requests stemming from so many hosts that the network cannot accept regular traffic and consequently goes down.

Malicious software can major damage to both vulnerable and secure networks. This can cause a major loss of customers and users alike. Vital information can be exposed depending on the maliciousness of the attack. When searching for a host, it’s always important to inquire about the security settings an

Just when it seems as though malware and Trojan attacks could not get much worse, along comes yet another to toss a monkey wrench into the works.  The latest Trojan horse program to be released on the Web is the URLzone Trojan that attacks banks.

Is that your bank?

The URLzone Trojan horse program was discovered by Finjan Software at the end of September, 2009 and has been reported as being extremely advanced.  The program rewrites bank pages in such a way that unsuspecting victims have no idea that their bank accounts are being emptied.  With an integrated command-and-control interface, nefarious types can set specific amounts they would like to remove from their victims accounts.

Slippery little bugger

Not only has this bit of malicious coding gathered the interest of Finjan but RSA Security has been tracking and researching URLzone.  Thus far the Trojan horse program has proven to be a bit of a slippery one to catch.  The malware uses several techniques to peg machines being used by law enforcement and investigators in attempts to catch URLzone.  The one good thing to come of is the creators of the program know they are now being watched and reacting.

Just how slippery is this Trojan?  Once it has detected it is being monitored, it continues to force a money transfer.  Instead of using one of its own people, it grabs a legitimate and innocent victim who has been part of legal money transfers in the past and makes it appear as though that person is generating the transaction.  The end result is a bunch of very confused investigators.

To date, over 400 unsuspecting accounts have been used as mules, over 6,400 computers have been infected with URLzone, and the total amount cleared on a daily basis has been in excess of $17,500.

How does it work?

How does URLzone work its way onto unsuspecting computers?  Once the malware executes, a copy is made of itself to c:\uninstall02.exe.  An ID is created and this is sent along with a version ID of URLzone to the command-and-control interface.  This effectively sends a confirmation that the machine in question is now infected with the Trojan.  The command-and-control interface then logs the information, downloads a new executable, and copies itself to the SYSTEM32 directory with a random and hidden name.  The program does not change any existing system files and needs to add itself to the startup registry each time the machine in question is rebooted.

At this point, URLzone hooks itself to the svchost.exe process and quietly checks with the command-and-control interface for new updates and commands while simultaneously watching for web browsers to open.  Once a web browser is opened, the Trojan horse program goes to work and the unsuspecting computer user is completely unaware anything is happening.

Final Thoughts

All in all, the URLzone Trojan horse program is one nasty piece of work.  The best defense any computer user can take is ensuring that their operating system is up to date with the latest security updates and their anti-virus protection software has been recently updated with all the latest information.

Recent statistics released by Dasient show there has been a rise in malware being hosted on web sites – many of these sites are unknowingly spreading the malicious software.  Dasient states that over  640,000 web sites are infected with malware.

Blacklisting by Google

As a result of this sudden rise, Google’s blacklist of infected sites has doubled over the past year.  How does a site end up on Google’s blacklist?  There are several reasons for Google to blacklist a site but in as far as how it pertains to malware, the culprit is doorway pages.

Parading as a doorway page

A doorway page is a page created specifically for search engines.  Anyone visiting a doorway page would be completely unaware of it as they are designed to be invisible to the regular visitor.  These doorway pages are keyword rich specifically targeting each search engine.  The malware being placed on unsuspecting web sites creates exactly this type of blacklisted action.

How malware is placed within the site

Exactly how are these pieces of malicious software being placed into unsuspecting web sites?  They are created using javascript and iframes and are inserted into web site advertisements or even widgets.  In the case of infected advertisements, the ads are designed in such a way as to fool the average user.  The usual modus operandi is to pop-up and flash a warning that the user’s computer might possibly be infected.  Once the unsuspecting user clicks on the ad in any way (either by clicking “OK” or “Cancel”), they are immediately redirected to a web site that sells anti-virus software.  The reality is the user’s computer is perfectly fine and they have been a victim of “scareware”.

How to prevent malware attacks

How can web site owners prevent their web sites from being attacked by malware creators?  One straight forward way to fend off possible attacks is to not use javascripting within the web site.  Another simple tactic is to remove any PHP scripting that requests user input.  This can often be used to use SQL injection tactics.  Placing tighter security rules within the server PHP.ini and htaccess files is also a very good step.

How to repair if already attacked

What if a web site has already been attacked?  If the web site is small, a file by file clean-up can be done.  A thorough search of each file for any unwanted javascript code or iframe coding will have to done.  However, if the web site in question is rather large and extensive, contracting a service that specializes in web site malware removal may be the best option.  There are a few places that can be found on the web that would be able to help should a web site already have this malware infection.

Conclusion

All told, it is a good practice to eliminate javascript and PHP coding that requests user input.  Continuous vigilance over the security of one’s web site, unfortunately, is a fact of life.