`Web Rebates` Program Steals Confidential Personal Information

Released on = April 7, 2006, 2:04 pm

Press Release Author = Manish Katara / MicroWorld Technologies, Inc.

Industry = Software

Press Release Summary = Security experts at MicroWorld Technologies inform that a
new variant of 'WebRebates' program, 'Win32.WebRebates.s' is a serious security risk
for computer users. WebRebates claims to offer rebates and discounts when purchasing
items on Internet, however it's found to be a Spyware, Adware and a security hazard
in many ways.

Press Release Body = This program monitors browser activity and other operations on
your PC and reports your personal information to its authors. It also pesters your
computer with annoying pop-ups, apart from clogging your mail box with spam.

WebRebates comes bundled with many software utilities. Once installed, it tries to
get more malware from a series of websites.

In an enterprise, apart from sneaking into the organizational knowledge base, such a
software can also hamper productivity levels in a major way by cluttering
workstations with incessant pop-ups and even pornographic material. With so many
processes running in the background, the performance of computers also gets affected
severely.

"We have observed that on the face of it, most spywares come as a masked utility
like a media player, games software or a browser enhancer, to entice you into it.
But at the backdrop it functions as a dangerous personal information stealing device
that compromises your privacy and confidentiality. Even the utility at the front-end
might be a dubious one that might eventually lead you to financial losses!" says
Govind Rammurthy, CEO, MicroWorld Technologies.

Technically, spywares work by creating a unique identifier on the victim's computer.
This can be achieved by generating a Globally Unique Identifier (GUID) or by storing
a cookie on the hard disk during the installation of the software. Information
gathered via this method can even be sold to third parties and cyber criminals. Some
spywares can act as a dropper of other malware and a direct entry point for hackers.

"The most dangerous development in recent times is that cyber criminals and malware
creators do not want to remain in the underbelly of World Wide Web any more. They
wear newer and cleverer masks to create a parallel economy by making Virus kits,
Trojans and spywares freely available in the market," points out Govind Rammurthy.

Identifying the gravity of threats posed this breed of malware, MicroWorld products
eScan and MailScan give equal importance to fighting spyware and adware as much as
they update cures for emerging Viruses and worms. Because MicroWorld believes that
moderate threats of today could be an invitation for graver ones of tomorrow, says
Govind.

MicroWorld
MicroWorld (www.mwti.net ) are the developers of the world\'s first Real-Time
AntiVirus and Content Security software eScan for desktops and servers. Its
communication security software, MailScan is the first comprehensive e-mail scanner
for your SMTP/POP3 Mail Server. MicroWorld Winsock Layer (MWL) is the revolutionary
technology underlying these products, powering them to several certifications and
awards by some of the most prestigious testing bodies, notable among them being
Virus Bulletin, Checkmark, TUCOWS, Red Hat Ready, and Novell Ready. Combining their
powerful scanner with MWL technology, MicroWorld solutions provide a Real-Time
Proactive security for your systems. For network security of enterprises, eConceal
Firewall is the latest powerful offering from MicroWorld.

Web Site = http://www.mwti.net

Contact Details = Manish Katara
International Marketing - U.S.
MicroWorld Technologies, Inc.
33045 Hamilton Court East, Suite 105
Farmington Hills, MI 48334-3385, USA

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