Lavasoft News has compiled a list of "security shorts" - summaries of other online security stories making news around the world this past month.

Malware hijacks your email, sends death threats
A new species of malware found in Japan automatically sends threats from your PC and frames you for sending death threats.


Computer users warned of ‘Ransomware’ scam
 Authorities are warning the public about a cyber scam that locks users out of their computers and attempts to scare them into paying a “ransom” to regain control.


The 25 worst passwords of 2012
SplashData, which makes password management applications, has released its annual "Worst Passwords" list compiled from common passwords that are posted by hackers.


Barnes & Noble pulls PIN pads after fraud ring hits stores
Barnes & Noble, a popular American bookstore, has yanked PIN pads from all of its nearly 700 stores nationwide after discovering that scammers tampered with the devices at 63 locations to carry out card skimming fraud.


Malware Uses Trending Celebrities to Drag New Victims into Botnets
A new illicit campaign using celebrity names such as Madonna and Rihanna infects computers with malware and recruits users into rapidly growing botnets, according to Bitdefender.