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A Perkin Web Design © 2008 - 2009
June Updates
10th
Virus Total
Web Of Trust
Firefox 3.0.10
Combat Spyware
Most Spyware gets onto your computer by
- Operating system choice
- Default browser settings
- File sharing
- Downloading from unreliable sources
- PC magazines free CD’s and DVD’s
Default browser settings
Microsoft’s Internet Explorer ease of use policy has left millions of users unprotected due to the default browser settings.
Operating system choice
Microsoft Windows is much more vulnerable to attack than other common operating systems such as MAC or Linux.
One reason is that from a security point of view it simply isn't as well put together.
Another reason is the default setting made for ease of use leave it vulnerable to attack. These must be changed to protect Windows on the internet and other networks.
Microsoft firewalls are next to useless, this is in keeping with Bill Gates late approach to the internet, it was incomprehensible to him that it would catch on, six months later he changed his tune and Microsoft did an about turn.
File sharing
Once a computer is infected any file sharing by any user on that PC is likely to result in the infection of the target computer, writing to USB, CD or DVD must also be considered compromised.
Unsuspecting users of Bit torrent, Kazaa and Morpheus can get infected.
Firefox, Safari and Opera
These browser came onto the market later so were better enhanced instead of being entrenched in old methods. Security hardening these browsers is still recommended for today's internet threats.
Downloading from unreliable sources
The Web Of Trust plug-in for Internet Explorer and Firefox warns the visitor to dangerous web site inks. This stops the malware getting on your computer in the first place.
The below comment from a Web Of Trust User Dynex7879
Tue 15 Jul 2008 04:34:16 AM UTC
Site Advisor relies too much on Spam and McAfee Anti Virus which I don't highly regard. There have been dozen of sites that McAfee rated as green but then had comments below from users that talked about Spyware and Adware found on the sites.
Download.com
For two years I had problems with Trojans whenever I used CNET and although I reported it I got back the standard waffle email, so I stopped using them. Now they have tighten up saying their files are scanned by anti virus and anti Spyware software.
Tucows
In the two years I have downloaded from Tucows I have not had any problems.
PC magazines free CD’s and DVD’s
This is how I learnt about Spyware the hard way.
The distributor of spyware usually presents the program as a useful utility this is often promoted by some over worked editor and put onto their media unwittingly.
Gator was my first example of Spyware bundled software on a free CD.
However RoboForm turned out to be a much safer option.
Other instances are a Web accelerator or a helpful software agent. Users download and install the software without immediately suspecting that it could cause harm. For example, Bonzi Buddy, a program bundled with spyware and targeted at children.
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Activity 7th October 2008
The MessageLabs Email Security System discovered a possible virus
or unauthorised code (such as a Trojan) in an email sent to you.
The email has now been quarantined and was not delivered.
Please read the whole of this email carefully. It explains the status
of your email, the nature of the intercepted virus and the next steps
for addressing the problem.
To help identify the quarantined email:
The message sender was
update@update.com
The message originating IP was 64.207.132.112 Culver City, USA
The message title was Please update your online information.
The message date was 07 Oct 2008 05:56:51 -0400
The virus or unauthorised code identified in the email is
F-Secure Security Platform version 1.12 build 6412
Copyright (c) 1999-2007 F-Secure Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Scan started at Tue Oct 7 10:10:22 2008
Database version: 2008-10-07_01
attach/3473536_1X_PM1_EMQ_MH__message.htm: Suspected: Trojan-Spy.HTML.Fraud.gen [AVP]
Scan ended at Tue Oct 7 10:10:23 2008
1 file scanned 1 file suspected