Online tools that help millions of Americans work from home may be exposing both workers and businesses to cybersecurity risks, a new report from the Department of Homeland Security has found.

Newly discovered malware, dubbed "Backoff," was found to have infiltrated computer networks through commonly used remote desktop software such as Microsoft's Remote Desktop, Apple Remote Desktop and Chrome Remote Desktop, says the report.

"Backoff" was used for a number of attacks on retailers, analysts found, and it was almost never detected by standard anti-virus software.

Hackers used it to retrieve customers' credit card data through several retailers' Point of Sale (PoS) systems, the Homeland Security report said without naming the retailers affected. Citing anonymous sources, the New York Times reported that they include Target, Neiman Marcus, P.F. Chang's, Sally Beauty Supply and Goodwill Industries International.

In the Target security breach last winter, hackers apparently gained access to the company's computers and PoS system through the network of a third-party vendor, later identified as a heating and refrigeration company that did business with Target.

Working with the Secret Service, the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center, and Chicago-based Trustwave Spiderlabs, experts found that several variations of "Backoff" have been active since October 2013, and have been linked to at least three separate forensic investigations. The malware's capabilities include logging keystrokes, uploading discovered data, updating malware and executing further malware.

The Homeland Security report also suggested some strategies to help prevent attacks by "Backoff" or other types of PoS malware. They include:

More than three million employees telecommuted as of 2012, according to data released by Global Workplace Analytics, and many use some version of the remote access software vulnerable to this security breach.

Now that details of "Backoff" have been published, Homeland Security says it expects companies will quickly update their anti-virus software to detect it.

But even after this particular security gap is addressed, Point of Sale systems will remain a tempting target for cybercriminals. According to a Symantec report released in February, attackers who steal credit card numbers as well as the cards' security codes from a retailer's PoS system can turn around and sell the data for up to $100 per card.

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Remote access software vulnerable to hackers

CNET Top 5 - DIY home security systems
http://www.cnet.com/cnet-top-5 The best home security solutions you can set up all on your own.

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Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) July 30, 2014

Jordan Frankel, commonly known as the The Security Sensei, is an internationally renowned security consultant and victims' rights advocate. Mr. Frankel continues to warn women and families about the rise of one of America's most underreported crimes: home invasion. Mr. Frankel, the Founder and Executive Vice President of Global Security Experts (GSE), Inc. is pressing law enforcement agencies to start recording the number of home invasions committed each year, so citizens can better protect themselves against this increasingly deadly threat.

Numerous times, many law enforcement and city officials have told me off the record that cities have no desire to advertise violent crimes in their communities, said Frankel. This means that often, violent home invasions are lumped into categories like burglary, which does not communicate the violent nature of many of these incidents.

Unlike burglars, home invaders deliberately target occupied dwellings with the intention of using fear, intimidation and violence to obtain valuables. Home invaders operate in a violent brazen fashion, working quickly to enter and exit your home in a brief time window. Homeowners who refuse to comply with invaders demands can be met with violence upon themselves or their family members. Unfortunately, a kicked-in door is typically the beginning of most home invasion nightmares that may include robbery, kidnapping, rape or worse.

"Sadly, home invasions are on the rise in the United States. Criminals strike indiscriminately in quiet towns, wealthy suburbs, middle class neighborhoods and counties nationwide. The criminals responsible for this terror have no regard for human life; they will murder or maim to steal valuables and other precious items. The severity of these acts demands better cataloguing by law enforcement because this information can enable women and families to guard against this heinous crime," states Mr. Frankel.

Consider the following frightening statistics:

Enter OnGARD, the patent pending security door lock/brace designed by GSE. Five years in development, the unique two-piece design utilizes both the strength of the floor and the same space age polymer used in US fighter planes. OnGARD's remarkable strength easily resists blows from kick-ins, shoulder slams and even sledge hammers," says Mr. Frankel.

Without OnGARD a door frame will likely splinter and separate from a deadbolt during a home invasion. For example: An average sized male using a 5 pound sledgehammer can easily destroy the door frame and/or deadbolt with just a few quick blows, leaving a family vulnerable to a burglar or attacker. Doors protected with the OnGARD door brace can withstand a force up to 1800 lbs PSI.

"An alarm system alone cannot keep your family safe, said Frankel. An alarm system typically sounds only after a break-in has occurred, which means the intruder in most cases has already entered the home. Sadly, criminals can do the 'unthinkable' between an alarm sounding and the police arriving on scene. And law enforcement may not respond for as much as 30 minutes!

A typical homeowner can install OnGARD is less than 10 minutes. For only $99.00 dollars, this extraordinary device could quite simply save your life. Get one step ahead of the criminals and install OnGARD today.

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News 12 at 6 o'clock / July 29, 2014

AIKEN COUNTY, S.C. (WRDW) -- Shirley and Elmer Hickey invested in a home security system for piece of mind. While satisfied with Vector Security, they were not happy with being stuck in a contract.

"Here comes SHS knocking on the door," said Hickey. In June 2013, Hickey said a salesman from Safe Home Security (SHS) promised to get her out of the Vector contract, if she switched to SHS.

"The representative was talking to somebody on the phone. I assumed what he told me is what he was doing. He was talking to Vector," said Hickey. In less than an hour, Hickey said SHS had its alarm system installed in her home. "They were real fast too," said Hickey.

But instead of getting 1 bill, she received 2. One from SHS and the other from Vector, which told her the service was never canceled. Hickey said just weeks later, she received a another house call. This time, from Point Smart Home Security. This time, Hickey said she was ready.

"I'm going to tell you just like I told the other one. I can't do nothing now because I'm already stuck with these other two now. He said, oh that is not a problem. I don't even think they are licensed in this area," said Hickey. She said the representative told her the alarm was installed improperly, and tossed her a sales pitch she could not resist.

"I'll tell you what I will do. I will just pay them off," said Hickey. The very next month, she received bills from Point, SHS and Vector. None of her contracts were ever canceled. Now she is getting collection notices from Vector and SHS. Hickey said she feels taken advantage of. "These people are very good at what they do, and they have no heart," said Hickey.

We contacted all three security companies, and their representatives told us they do make door-to-door sales, but do not use high pressure sales tactics.

Meanwhile the Federal Trade Commission said if you advertise with decals or a yard sign that you have an alarm system you may keep burglars away, but it is a magnet for competing companies.

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12 OYS: Woman duped into 3 security systems for 1 home

July 29, 2014 Home security scammer target of state AG lawsuit Hendricks residents among those filing complaints

Anonymous Hendricks County Flyer The Hendricks County Flyer Tue Jul 29, 2014, 11:03 AM EDT

Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller has filed a lawsuit against Jerome Edmond and USA Promotions for making illegal pre-recorded calls and for impersonating an ADT home security systems representative.

This marketing followed several high profile home invasions that raised public safety concerns.

The Attorney Generals office received nearly 160 complaints alleging that someone made automated telemarketing calls, sometimes called robo-calls, advertising ADT security systems. The complaints were received from 13 counties from Central and Northern Indiana, with the most from Marion, Hamilton and Hendricks.

Reportedly, the pre-recorded message stated, in part: This is a public safety call. Due to the rise in residential burglaries in your community, ADT will be giving you a free ADT Home Security Alarm System with free installation and activation which means you pay absolutely nothing out of pocket for this security system. This promotion expires in your community this week so its important you return our phone call right away.

ADT confirmed that no one affiliated with ADT placed the calls.

This is scamming at its worst, Zoeller said. Taking advantage of public fear with unsolicited and illegal robo-calls requires aggressive enforcement actions. It is encouraging that people who received these calls recognized they shouldnt be receiving them and asked the Consumer Protection Division to help protect them from further calls or additional victimization.

The lawsuit seeks fines and penalties and a permanent injunction against Edmond, an Illinois resident, and his unregistered company U.S.A. Promotions, for calls violating Indianas Telephone Privacy law and the states Auto-Dialer law, and for falsely representing that he was an affiliate of ADT. The lawsuit also seeks recovery of the Attorney Generals costs of investigation and prosecution.

In June, the Attorney Generals Office also filed suit against Power Home Technologies, Inc., a North Carolina home security seller. That case is still pending.

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Home security scammer target of state AG lawsuit