Tech tips -
I was just reading a Symantec Security Blog about a new Trojan (falls into the virus scanning software requirement) called Peskyspy that targets Skype.
Apparently, this nasty piece of software can record your Skype conversations. It does this, not by usurping the security or encryption features of Skype but by actually intercepting your voice as it is passed to the sound card in your computer.
So, here you are, talking away and this software is making an MP3 of your conversation. This MP3 can now be uploaded to another site and can be replayed by the criminal on the other end.
How do you get infected with this Trojan? Same as usual, a spam message with a link to an infected website or an infected attachment. You should know better than to open this stuff anyway... right? Sometimes that is easier said than done.
Now, you are thinking to yourself, if some jackass wants to record my conversations he is welcome to it. If he wants to sit there and listen to aunt Martha's search for baby clothes and the latest "guess who is getting divorced report," knock yourself out.
I was thinking the same way until it crossed my mind that these MP3s can be transcribed and then searched for personal information. The kind of information that is required for identity theft. Now, that threat has become more than just a mere privacy concern.
Speaking of privacy, it looks like the Office of the Privacy Commissioner is ok with the Deep-Packet Inspection software being used by Internet Service Providers like Bell Canada. DPI is being used to throttle applications that use bit torrent.
As part of this process, ISPs, knowing both the account and ip address of the user would also know by default what you are accessing online and they would know that in real-time.
The commissioner's office doesn't think this information is being used in an inappropriate way by the ISPs. The ISPs will be required to make it more "clear" on their website that they are collecting this information.
If you want to read more about DPI, check out Mark Goldberg's blog at www.mhgoldberg.com/blog/ . This guy usually has something interesting to say about a variety of Telecom Trends.
I don't always agree with him, especially his rant on Sept. 1 about the penetration of internet access in Canada. He should try sitting in my house with 1X service that is not much better than two tin cans and a piece of string. Other than that, this guy has qualifications out the ying yang and seems to know what's going in the world around him.
You can also check out the website the Privacy Commissioners Office has dedicated to DPI at dpi.priv.gc.ca .
toddmusseau@gmail.com
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