Computer Repair Services
Posts tagged Malware
How to prevent “Scareware” (Rogue Antivirus)
Practically all my service calls the last two months have been due to Scareware related issues. Rogue anti-virus programs that claim every program is infected and that for some amount of money your computer can be secured. Unfortunately, the scareware program IS the infection and your money is sent immediately to some far off country while little if any relief is provided for your payment. It is a scam. And the worst part of it is you no longer have to be surfing the seedier side of the Internet to become a victim!
The authors are actually paying people to infect you, which means it is being included in blogs, forums, even websites you actually pay to use. Typically they rely on your trust of a website to open up the security of your web-browser, to drop your guard, to OK a download.
They operate primarily by using Javascript Code. Javascript is very common and the internet would be a horribly bland place without it, which makes it the perfect vehicle. Javascript are little snippets of code that are included in websites to generate dynamic content, like time stamps and the like. They allow a website to offload some of the heavy lifting and More >
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Using LIMEWIRE safely
A majority of my service calls have two things in common. A Virus and Limewire. Limewire is a very popular P2P program typically used for sharing music and videos over the internet. Unfortunately, it is unmoderated and many files are mislabeled to get you to download them, where they then reveal their true nature, loading spyware/malware and viri onto unsuspecting users. In the good old days of viri, they simply trashed your operating system, forcing you to reload everything. These days they try to remain undetected, lurking in the background, sending your passwords and other information to some secret server deep in Siberia, or popping up porno ads when Grandma looks up “Whitehouse” on the internet.
While the legality of P2P programs is still being fought over in the courts and Internet Service providers are still struggling under the increased bandwidth useage, Limewire is going to be around, if only because it’s what all the kids like to use. So, with a few tips outlined below, let’s try to at least make it safer to use!
1) Secure your operating system! Securing Windows XP will assist you in securing your Windows XP installation. Windows Vista users should be ok out of the box, provided More >
Securing Windows XP
- Visit Windows Update:
Make sure that you have all the Critical Updates recommended for your operating system and Internet Explorer. This includes SP1, SP2 and Sp3 if you use Windows XP. The first defense against infection is a properly patched Operating System.
- Windows Update: Windows Update
- If you have Word, Excel, Outlook or other Office programs installed. Consider using Microsoft Update instead of Windows Update. See the FAQ page here for more information: Microsoft Update
- Also, download and install Microsoft Baseline Analyzer. (Note that MBSA is only for Win 2000 SP3 or later and Office XP or later) When run, it will check system for security exposures, including missing updates. I suggest running it weekly. You can obtain more information here: MS Baseline Analyzer
- Adjust your security settings for ActiveX:
Select Internet Options from the Control Panels, or from Internet Explorer (Tools -> Internet Options)
Press ‘default level’, then OK
Now press “Custom Level.”
- In the ActiveX controls and plug-ins section set these options: ‘Download signed ActiveX controls’ – Prompt ‘Download unsigned ActiveX controls’ – Disable ‘Initialize and script ActiveX controls not maked as safe’- Disable All other options accept the default
- For Windows XP SP2+ users, check this link for additional steps you can take to secure Internet More >