Canada Revenue Agency’s image: Tax Fraud

This video presents “Canada’s new weapon against identity theft”:

• Jun 28, 2012: The new Identity Theft Support Centre opened to help Canadians protect themselves from fraud

• Shirlee Engel reported as follows

Here is an advisory from McAfee Canada for Canadians preparing to file their taxes:

ADVISORY

McAfee Canada Warns Canadians of Tax Scams

Tax season is in full bloom, and McAfee Canada would like to issue a word of caution to Canadians preparing to file their taxes.

Last year, identity fraud cost Canadians $15,981,763.45[i][i]. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is expecting more than 25.4 million[ii][ii] people to submit their tax returns by April 30, 2013. Almost two-thirds of Canadians now file their returns online[iii][iii] and the CRA is encouraging more people to follow suit. This is definitely a favourite time of year for cybercriminals.

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McAfee’s infographic illustrating the infection data for suspicious Canadian-hosted URLs in 2012

McAfee Canada would like to call your attention to two pressing security concerns that Internet users need to watch out for, and provide some tips on how to stay safe online. With the recent Evernote breach of 50 million passwords leaked, McAfee Canada would like to remind users to be aware of and protect against security threats (some of which are coming from our fellow Canadians), and cultivate safe surfing habits.

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In a post that tries to pre-emptively prevents a revolt among iPhone 5 users, Apple has admitted to an apparently pretty bad “lens flare” issue in its camera. Users have been reporting a purplish haze at the edges of pictures with bright scenes. We usually call this “Purple Fringing.” It can be caused by the lens and/or sensor. Apple’s solution, though, takes the prize: “You’re holding it wrong, again!”

Read Apple’s advisory. I am surprised they didn’t just put it down as a new filter effect, as their advisory seems so titled: “iPhone: Camera image effects.”

Canon has posted an advisory concerning its new EF40mm f/2.8 STM “pancake” lens. The problem is that the autofocusing function of the lens may not operate correctly if pressure is applied to the lens barrel while the lens is mounted to the camera (pressure can be applied even while attaching the lens cap or while carrying the camera with the lens attached in a bag).

A workaround is to simply detach and reattach the lens, or remove and reinsert the camera battery to restore the operations. A firmware to address this issue will be available for download in late August, 2012.

Read the advisory at: Canon.

Related Link:

• Canon EF40mm f/2.8 STM

Canon has published an advisory that some people may suffer an allergic reaction to Zinc bis used in the front rubber grips of the EOS Rebel T4i. While Canon has not received any reports of injury or allergic reactions yet, they are warning that, “in rare cases when this substance comes into contact with skin, allergic skin reactions may develop. In addition, if eyes are rubbed after contact with the substance, symptoms, such as red eyes, may develop.”

Free repair service for affected cameras will be available by mid July 2012: the rubber grips will be replaced.

To see if your camera is affected, read the advisory at: Canon.

Summer is fast approaching and many of us are planning vacations. Of course, digital devices get packed with the other essentials. There are, after all, many free Wi-Fi hotspots along the way that allow us to check email and even conduct business (on the sly).

However, according to McAfee Labs, millions of new malware samples get created every year, and the majority target those very same free Wi-Fi networks you are planning to access. Here are some facts about the new dangers you may face with your digital devices on the road and tips about what you can do to reduce the likelihood of falling into one of the traps.

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McAfee Offers Best Practices for Internet Password Safety and Data Security

LinkedIn experienced a data breach yesterday whereby 6.5 million passwords were compromised. McAfee recommends that all LinkedIn users, regardless of whether they were affected, change their passwords immediately to ensure the security of their personal data.

At a time like this, it’s important to reiterate the importance of frequently changing passwords to any and all online accounts. While many websites, including LinkedIn, utilize encryption measures to secure data, it’s good practice to maintain an ever-changing and complex password. The longer your password remains the same, the more likely it will be discovered by someone seeking to gain access to unauthorized information.

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McAfee Labs today released McAfee Threats Report: First Quarter 2012, revealing that cyber threats to personal computers and smartphones have reached a four-year high. Mobile malware has increased significantly, driven by a more than 1,200 per cent increase quarter-on-quarter in Android threats that have been collected and identified. Similarly, the number of malware samples collected by McAfee Labs has increased from more than 75 million at the end of Q4 2011 to 83 million by the end of Q1 2012.

Key findings from the report include the following:

• 8,000 total mobile malware samples were collected by the end of Q1 2012

• Nearly 7,000 Android threats have been collected and identified through the end of Q1

• Q1 2012 exhibited the largest number of PC malware detected per quarter in the last four years

• 83 million pieces of malware samples were collected by the end of Q1, up from 75 million samples at the end of Q4 2011

• Global spam levels dropped to slightly more than 1 trillion monthly spam messages by the end of March

ADVISORY

May 23, 2012

Consumer Alert: McAfee Finds Personal Computers and Smartphones Threats at Four-Year High

8 million new malicious software samples have been detected since January 2012 due to unrelenting spammers and hackers

Since the start of the new year, PC malware (malicious software) has already reached the highest level in four years, according to the McAfee Threats Report: First Quarter 2012. The report exposes a disturbing increase in malicious malware across all PC, Mac and mobile devices. Most importantly, McAfee detected a significant increase in malware targeting Android platform devices. Mac attacks are also on the rise, indicating that total malware could reach the 100 million mark within the year – a record number.

Report Findings:

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Nikon has issued a serious battery recall that could damage your camera if you keep using the defective battery.

SERVICE ADVISORY

EN-EL15 Rechargeable Li-ion Battery Service Advisory

Nikon Inc. is asking your cooperation in connection with a voluntary recall of certain lot numbers of its Nikon Model EN-EL15 rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack. The battery pack can experience a short circuit causing it to overheat and possibly causing the outside casing to become deformed, posing a potential hazard to consumers. There have only been seven (7) confirmed reports of incidents of the problem worldwide, and while no injuries have taken place, Nikon Inc. has initiated this recall of the affected lot numbers as a reflection of its commitment to safety and product quality. We are asking that owners of the affected battery pack return them to Nikon Inc. for a free replacement.

The Nikon EN-EL15 battery pack is provided as a supplied accessory with the purchase of Nikon’s digital SLR D800, D800E, D7000 cameras and the Nikon 1 V1 advanced camera with interchangeable lens. It is also sold separately at retail under Nikon’s model number 27011. The EN-EL15 battery pack involved in this recall was first distributed by Nikon in March 2012 and is still being sold at retail.

This voluntary recall is limited only to those units of the Model EN-EL15 in lots E and F.

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