The Zeus is loose: Cybercriminal software package goes open-source
The Zeus is loose: Cybercriminal software package goes open-source
“Zeus” is basically a software suite for cybercriminals, kind of the Microsoft Office of malware. It lets budding bad guys set up “botnets,” secretly turning your computer into a slave, to do their bidding and send back your private information without your knowledge.
Until recently, Zeus cost thousands of dollars on the black market. But this week, the Zeus source code is out there for free — anyone can download it, use it, improve it.
We talk first with Chet Wisniewski with the security firm Sophos. He says Zeus has let even novice bad guys get more sophisticated, particularly when it comes to skimming information while you’re logged in doing online banking. He says now that the ability to run Zeus is free, we can expect more attacks from new cybercriminals getting into the game, but keeping your antivirus software up to date is a worthy defense.
Alex Cox, principal research analyst for NetWitness, points out open-source means open to everybody, including the network security and antivirus firms working to figure it out.
And just why has Zeus flown free? Did the evil genius behind it, and presumably making money from it, himself get hacked? Or is this part of the evil plan? Cox thinks he/they are moving on to bigger and badder things.
Finally, we take a diversion into an odd little development in the bizarre-branch-of-the-technology-family-tree known as electronic cigarettes. E-smokers, unite! (Your packs can soon give you a hand with that.)
Stories You Might Like
There’s a lot happening in the world. Through it all, Marketplace is here for you.
You rely on Marketplace to break down the world’s events and tell you how it affects you in a fact-based, approachable way. We rely on your financial support to keep making that possible.
Your donation today powers the independent journalism that you rely on. For just $5/month, you can help sustain Marketplace so we can keep reporting on the things that matter to you.
