Posts tagged Security
Rogue AV Prevention
Feb 3rd
Do to the alarming number of PCs being infected by Rogue Anti Virus applications I feel the need to talk about the steps required to prevent infection. The common denominator of infected systems that we receive is a complete lack of updates. Updates are your most important defense against the current set of Rogue AV applications. You not only need to do the Windows updates but also all your third party updates. Third party updates include things like Adobe Flash and Reader which have been common vectors of infection. I highly recommend www.filehippo.com and their free update checker at http://www.filehippo.com/updatechecker/ The update checker scans your system and compares your installed applications against their list of down-loadable programs. The application is very lightweight and will alert you whenever an update is available for download.
Windows releases updates every month on Patch Tuesday which is the 2nd Tuesday of the month. We always post a complete list of the current updates and link to other sites with Patch Tuesday info.
Rogue Antispyware at http://rogueantispyware.blogspot.com/ is an excellent source for info about the latest Rogue applications.
The main thing to keep in mind about these new breed of Rogue AV programs is there ability to download more viruses. I have found Trojan Down-loaders on all the Rogue infected PCs that have come in lately. The best thing to do after infection is to disconnect from the network immediately and use another PC to download virus removal tools. The longer your infected PC stays running and connected to the network, the worse the infection will become.
The following steps will help prevent infection.
Make sure you do all your updates, both Windows and Third Party updates.
Run a current updated Anti Virus/Anti Spy-ware application like Sunbelt Vipre
Use a browser like Firefox instead of Microsoft Internet Explorer. I only use Internet Explorer to access sites that still require it.
If you get infected, unplug the network cable immediately and use another PC to download your removal tools. Keep in mind that if you get in over your head, you should call your local computer repair specialist . Sometimes going it alone and trying to repair your PC can actually make it harder for the repair shop to fix the problem later.
So before you head on over to your favorite website, do your updates.
Don’t be an update slacker… oh yeah and have a great day 
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Microsoft Announces an Out-of-Band IE-Patch
Jan 21st
Microsoft plans to release an “out of band” IE patch today to address the Aurora vulnerability.
Microsoft announces Out-of-Band IE-Patch
http://techblog.avira.com/2010/01/21/microsoft-announces-out-of-band-ie-patch/en/
Old MacDonald Bought the Farm IE IE 0-day
http://www.eset.com/threat-center/blog/2010/01/20/old-macdonald-bought-the-farm-ie-ie-0-day
Microsoft Security Bulletin Advance Notification for January 2010
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms10-jan.mspx
Microsoft will patch Internet Explorer today
http://sunbeltblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/microsoft-will-patch-internet-explorer.html
Operation Aurora: Microsoft knew about Internet Explorer flaw for four months
Make sure you you check your Windows updates later on this afternoon by using Internet Explorer to access the following link http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ or by going to Start-All Programs-Windows Update
Don’t be an update slacker…do your updates and have a nice day 
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Is Microsoft Security Essentials essential?
Oct 1st
Is the new free Microsoft Security Essentials really a good thing? Lets see what others are saying and then Ill give my 2 cents.
The ESET Blog had this post
http://www.eset.com/threat-center/blog/2009/09/30/microsoft-security-essential
Symantec post from Sept 29th read: Microsoft Security Essentials: “Reruns” Aren’t Just for TV Anymore
Stress Testing Microsoft’s Free Anti-virus Offering from the Washington Post Security Fix
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/securityfix/2009/09/stress_testing_microsofts_free.html
Thoughts on MSE from the Sunbelt blog
http://sunbeltblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/thoughts-on-mse.html
OK so my 2 cents…I personally will not recommend Microsoft Security Essentials to my clients. As long as other companies continue to provide quality free alternatives to Microsoft products I will continue to recommend them. Putting all your eggs in the “Microsoft security” basket might just end up costing you far more than you thought.
There are currently many high quality free applications available online from Avira, Comodo, AVG and Panda.
As always, don’t forget to do your updates and have a nice day
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Are you using 123456 as your password?
Sep 18th
Are you using 123456 as your password? You are not alone.
http://techblog.avira.com/2009/09/15/proper-passwords/en/
Always use strong passwords and store them in a safe place. BTW..under your keyboard or in the desk drawer does not count as a safe place. I currently use KeePass from http://keepass.info/ and LastPass from https://lastpass.com/ to securely store my passwords. Always use a very strong master password when using a password manager. You can easily create a strong master password by using the first letters from a random phrase like “My computer has 9 viruses and the dog is barking again !” this would result in the password Mch9vatdiba! any phrase will do. So now its time to go and change those passwords, use something strong and stay secure online.
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