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Posts tagged Security
Microsoft FixIt Wizard for critical flaw in 100 applications
Sep 1st
Microsoft has released a software tool that helps system administrators protect PCs against a critical class of vulnerabilities found in more than 100 applications from a variety of software makers.
The FixIt Tool works only on machines that have already installed the workaround Microsoft published last week. The latest point-and-click release is designed to make the previous workaround easier to use and fine-tune a variety of settings that will ensure compatibility with applications such as Outlook 2002, members of the Microsoft Security Response Center said.
To apply the patch(s):
Visit http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2264107 - Download the update appropriate for your version of Windows. You will be required to reboot after installation. Apply Microsoft Fix it 50522 by selecting RUN when prompted. The FixIt will set the parameters added by the 2264107 for 100 apps while providing a safe setting for Outlook 2002 as outlined in the article.
Trojan preying on out-of-date Java installations
Aug 22nd
Sunbelt Blog | August 20, 2010
A piece by Marian Radu on Microsoft’s Technet Blog is warning that users who have failed to update the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) on their machines are vulnerable to drive-by downloads by a Trojan called Unruy. That Trojan has been associated with rogue security products. Radu said the vulnerability (which was patched in March) is being actively exploited.
Browsers running JRE versions up to version 6 update 18 are vulnerable. The current JRE version today is version 6, update 21.
Users can easily check their version of Java and download necessary updates here: »www.java.com/en/download/manual.jsp
http://sunbeltblog.blogspot.com/2010/08/microsoft-drive-by-trojan-preying-on.html
Facebook Privacy Scanner Tool
May 18th
This one-stop privacy fix-up tool for your Facebook profile, ReclaimPrivacy, tells you what you need to know. Using it is simple: Just surf over to ReclaimPrivacy.org and look for the link that says “Scan for Privacy.” Add that link as a bookmark in your browser, either by dragging it onto a bookmark toolbar or by right-clicking it and selecting the “Bookmark” option.
Now head over to Facebook. Sign into your account, then open the bookmarked link.
This will cause ReclaimPrivacy’s Facebook privacy scanner to open right at the top of your current Facebook window. Within a few seconds, ReclaimPrivacy will scan through six areas of potential privacy concern and let you know how your account stacks up.
ReclaimPrivacy analyzes everything from your personal information controls to your “instant personalization” settings. It even checks account settings that affect what your friends could inadvertently share about you without your knowledge.
For each area, ReclaimPrivacy will give you a green (“good”), yellow (“caution”), or red (“insecure”) ranking. If you hit yellow or red, it’ll provide you with specific steps to fix the problem so you don’t have to waste time searching for the right setting.
YouTube: Facebook Security Scanner How-To
Source: »www.networkworld.com ReclaimPrivacy Facebook Scanner: »www.reclaimprivacy.org/
More >‘Bulletproof’ ISP for crimeware gangs knocked offline
May 14th
One of the internet’s most resilient and crimeware-friendly networks was knocked offline Friday after the plug was pulled on its upstream service provider, security watchers said.
Russia-based PROXIEZ-NET lost its connection to the internet at about 3 am California time, according to Zeus Tracker, a website that monitors the status of internet service providers used to control PCs infected by the notorious Zeus crimeware package. Before it was disconnected, the “bulletproof” provider hosted 13 known Zeus command and control channels, making it the most Zeus-friendly ISP, Zeus Tracker statistics show. Read the complete story at http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/05/14/zeus_friendly_proxiez_mia/