Government Security News has announced that it is accepting entries for its 2012 Homeland Security Awards Program. The 2012 program includes 45 awards in three broad categories including: Best Vendors of IT Security Products and Solutions; Best Vendors of Physical Security Products and Solutions; and Most Notable Initiatives by Government Agencies.

A week ago (4/20), the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) issued one of its semi-regular "Scam Alerts." This latest notification from the IC3, which is a partnership between the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C), warns people about

• Investment Scams
• The Blackhole Exploit Kit
• A spear phishing attack targeting Certified Public Accounts
• Property rental scams
• A money wiring scam involving offers to advertise a company's logo on your car in exchange for cash

With the outbreak of the Flashback trojan horse virus infecting over 600,000 Macs there is concern within cyber-circles that Macs are becoming more and more a viable target. Here are five points to consider when assessing the Apple security situation.

Iranian officials report a malware attack Sunday (04/22) on the computer systems of Iran's oil ministry and the national oil company. One report says user data from one site was stolen and that both web sites were knocked offline until Monday (04/23). The oil ministry site is said to be back online. Oil production is reported to be unaffected by the attack.

The FBI is seeking information from individuals, corporate entities and Internet Services Providers who believe that they have been victimized by malicious software ("malware") related to the defendants Vladimir Tsastsin, Et Al. This malware modifies a computer’s Domain Name Service (DNS) settings, and thereby directs the computers to receive potentially improper results from rogue DNS servers hosted by the defendants. The FBI says if you believe you have been victimized in this case, they want you to type your DNS information into the search box found on this form.

Information on how to determine your DNS settings, along with other technical details about DNSChanger, can be found here (PDF).

Farmer's Markets apparently do not just sell locally grown, organic produce because on Monday (04/16) a group of international law enforcement agencies arrested a number of people for allegedly running an online marketplace selling illegal substances and it was known as "The Farmer's Market."

One of the alleged operators of the market was arrested in the Netherlands and another in Columbia as he made his way home to Argentina. In total, eight people have been arrested so far in connection with the operation. Records show the market offered everything from LSD and Ecstasy to marijuana, had at least 3000 customers, in all 50 states and in 34 countries.

Governments around the world are under attack by hacktivist group Anonymous. In the past few weeks Anonymous has claimed attacks on China, Tunisia, Uganda and the United Kingdom, while in the past few months they have also attacked a number of U.S. federal agencies, NATO and the Israeli government. In the case of the attacks on China, Anonymous says they have been done in the pursuit of Internet freedom.

With most Mac users thinking they are immune to various attacks, malware and viruses, you may want to re-think your vulnerability. A Russian antivirus company called Dr. Web is reporting some 600,000 Macs are already infected with a trojan horse virus called "Flashback." Here is an article that helps you find out if you are infected and what to do about it.