Air Force Cyber spending could increase, Symantec releases anti-malware software and more

By RyanKamauff

Here are the top cyber news and stories of the day.

• Air Force CIO: Cyber spending could increase – While the overall DoD budget will be receiving cuts, the Air Force CIO, Lt. Gen. Michael Basla says he intends to see cyber spending either stay the same, or increase in the future. The USAF cyber budget will be between $3.5 and 4B until 2019. “We cannot afford to take reductions in the cybersecurity space and it may be one of the growth areas in a very tight budget environment,” Basla said. Via FedScoop, more here.
• Symantec releases first anti-malware software to work with VMware vShield security system – The Symantec Endpoint Protection (12.1.2) “can be used to scan, detect, block and remediate against anti-malware in Windows hosts used in the VMware environment with the same effectiveness as SEP used in a non-VMware environment.” This capability could really increase the security provided by virtual machines. Via Network World, more here.
• Cyber criminals can hack on the cheap thanks to Google – New research is showing that Google (and presumably other cloud providers) are giving hackers and malicious actors access to a huge amount of computing capabilities (on the cheap). Via CloudPro, more here.
• Google Chrome shows best anti-phishing detection, test finds – an NSS Labs report has found that most web browsers block at least 90% of the time, with Google’s Chrome marginally outperforming the rest. Chrome caught 94% over a ten day period, with IE 10 at 92%, Safari at 91% and Firefox at 90%. Via ComputerWorld Malaysia, more here.
• Windows AutoRun malware spreading, experts warn – Apparently there is a new virus that hides in autorun.inf files. It is especially perplexing because Windows 7 and 8 PCs do not launch these files. USB driver or flash memory can infect unpatched PCs. Via Compterworld UK, more here.
• National Archives names first chief innovation officer – Pamela Wright has been named the first chief innovation officer of the National Archives. “This new office is charged with fostering a culture of innovation at the National Archives,” [said Archivist David Ferriero].

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