U.S. Government News

Money Making Secrets Misled Consumers: FTC Settles Charges

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 06:32:28 PST

Two brothers have agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they misled consumers with false earnings claims for work-at-home schemes involving free government grants, mystery shopping, online surveys, and data entry. Under the proposed settlement, they are banned from marketing work-at-home opportunities in the future.

Microsoft Product Alert: Microsoft Updates for Multiple Vulnerabilities

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 06:55:07 PST

Vulnerabilities in a variety of Microsoft products could allow an attacker to gain control of your computer.

Domain Registrations Scam: FTC Halts Cross Border Con Artists

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 07:45:28 PST

Thousands of Small Businesses and Nonprofits Billed for Domain Registrations They Didn't Get

FBI Warns Cyber Criminals Targeting Users of EPPI Cards

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 09:21:18 PST

The FBI and its partner, the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), have received reports of phishing attacks targeting users of EPPICards. The EPPICard is similar to a debit card. EPPICards are issued by a state agency for the purpose of receiving child-support payments. The cards are currently used in 15 states.

FBI Warns Cyber Criminals Targeting Users of EPPICards

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 19:58:48 PST

NASA Employee Suspended Blogging on the Clock

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 07:47:56 PST

An investigation by the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) found that the employee used his NASA e-mail account to send partisan political e-mails, and made numerous partisan political postings to his blog while on duty in his federal workplace. He was also found to have solicited political contributions.

Scam Alert: Don't Send Money To Fake Grants And Sweepstakes Schemes

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 07:21:09 PST

OIG special agents are warning the public that an international telemarketing fraud scheme—in which callers claiming to represent a government agency tell potential victims they have won huge sweepstakes prizes—has spread to more places around the world and likely will continue.

Cyber Alert: Java Sun Updates for Multiple Vulnerabilities in Java

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 16:01:34 PST

If you have Sun Java installed, then you should apply updates from Sun to remedy these vulnerabilities. Follow these instructions to update your version of Java.

Internet Alert: St. Valentine’s Day E-Card Carries Storm Worm Virus

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 07:04:53 PST

If you unexpectedly receive a Valentine’s Day e-card, be careful. It may not be from a secret admirer, but instead might contain the Storm Worm virus.

Cyber Safe California Summit 2008 - March 4

Sat, 26 Jan 2008 17:29:57 PST

Join leaders from business, government, law enforcement, education, and community organizations for a two-day summit on cyber safety, privacy, and identity theft.

Adobe Updates for Multiple Vulnerabilities

Fri, 21 Dec 2007 07:43:38 PST

Adobe Flash is affected by multiple vulnerabilities. Adobe has released Security Update APSB07-20 to address these vulnerabilities, the most serious of which may allow a remote attacker to take control of your computer.

Counterfeit Microsft Computer Products Snabbed

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 09:57:32 PST

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Savannah Port of Entry have seized over $100,000 in computer keyboards with counterfeit Microsoft "flag" logos.

Shopping Safely Online

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 10:46:59 PST

Online shopping has become a popular way to purchase items without the hassles of traffic and crowds. However, the Internet has unique risks, so it is important to take steps to protect yourself when shopping online.

Cybert Alert: Apple QuickTime RTSP Vulnerability

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 07:58:35 PST

Apple QuickTime for Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac OS X contains a vulnerability that could allow an attacker to gain access to your computer.

How to Maintain Your Privacy - Online and Off

Sat, 17 Nov 2007 09:31:59 PST

You may be following the news on the proposal for a Do Not Track list to protect Internet users from targeted online advertising. The Do Not Track list, advocated by consumer groups including the Electronic Privacy Information Center , would be similar to the National Do Not Call Registry that protects consumers from unwanted phone solicitors.

Apple QuickTime Updates for Multiple Vulnerabilities

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 06:29:23 PST

OS X users should use the Mac OS X Software Update feature to download and install Apple QuickTime 7.3. Consider scheduling Software Update to check for updates automatically (this option is enabled by default). Microsoft Windows users should upgrade to Apple QuickTime 7.3 .

Federal Trade Commission Reports Spoofed Email

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 17:41:24 PST

Any computer system can be affected when a person is a victim of social engineering, such as what can occur when malicious code is inadvertently downloaded from an attachment in a spoofed email.

FTC Releases Consumer Fraud Survey: 30.2 Million Americans Fell Victim to Fraud

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 05:56:08 PST

The Federal Trade Commission today released a statistical survey of fraud in the United States that shows that 30.2 million adults – 13.5 percent of the adult population – were victims of fraud during the year studied.

Virsus Alert: Don't Open Bogus Email that Claims to Come From the FTC

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 05:54:04 PST

A bogus email is circulating that says it is from the Federal Trade Commission, referencing a "complaint" filed with the FTC against the email’s recipient. The email includes links and an attachment that download a virus. As with any suspicious email, the FTC warns recipients not to click on links within the email and not to open any attachments.

Cyber Alert: RealNetworks RealPlayer ActiveX Playlist Vulnerability

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 19:36:16 PST

RealNetworks RealPlayer for Microsoft Windows contains a vulnerability that could allow an attacker to take control of your computer when you visit a malicious web site.