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Advisory Notification
Microsoft Security Advisory Notification Issued: December 31, 2010 Security Advisories Updated or Released Today * Microsoft Security Advisory (2488013) - Title: Vulnerability in Internet Explorer Could Allow Remote Code Execution - http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/2488013.mspx - Revision Note: V1.1 (December 31, 2010): Revised Executive Summary to reflect investigation of targeted attacks. Other Information Follow us on Twitter for the latest information and updates: http://twitter.com/msftsecresponse Recognize and avoid fraudulent e-mail to Microsoft customers: If you receive an e-mail message that claims to be distributing a Microsoft security update, it is a hoax that may contain malware or pointers to malicious Web sites. Microsoft does not distribute security updates via e-mail. The Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC) uses PGP to digitally sign all security notifications. However, it is not required to read security notifications, security bulletins, security advisories, or install security updates. You can obtain the MSRC public PGP key at https://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/pgp.mspx. … Read entire article »
Filed under: MicroSoft Security Updates
What the Heck are Botnets?
“A botnet is comparable to compulsory military service for windows boxes” – Stromberg (http://project.honeynet.org/papers/bots/) Botnets are networks of computers that hackers have infected and grouped together under their control to propagate viruses, send illegal spam, and carry out attacks that cause web sites to crash. What makes botnets exceedingly bad is the difficulty in tracing them back to their creators as well as the ever-increasing use of them in extortion schemes. How are they used in extortion schemes? Imagine someone sending you messages to either pay up or see your web site crash. This scenario is starting to replay itself over and over again. Botnets can consist of thousands of compromised machines. With such a large network, botnets can use Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) as a method to cause mayhem and chaos. For example … Read entire article »
Filed under: PC Security
How to Make Your Computer Run Faster!
So, your computer runs a little slower than you’d like it to. You have to wait up to three or four minutes for it to boot up every morning and you find yourself cursing at Internet Explorer because it won’t boot your email as fast as it did just a few weeks. But, what can you actually do about it? Many people get angry about their slow running PCs, but they have no idea what tasks they can perform to make them run faster. Fortunately, it’s not actually that hard to speed up your machine, if you just start with the right tasks. I have used this software and it REALLY does work folks! Click Here To Grab Your Copy Now! The odds are that you have a computer running less than … Read entire article »
Filed under: Computer Repair, Featured
Parental Peace of Mind
The advent of the Internet, in some respects, made the job of parenting a little harder. We want our children to experience the vast wealth of knowledge available on the Internet and communicate with their friends online (frees up the telephone). Unfortunately, it also potential exposes our children to inappropriate material, obscene pop-up ads, and even sexual predators. In fact, research indicates that 1 in 5 children aged 10 to 17 have received a sexual solicitation over the Internet. This is definitely not something any parent wants to hear, but is forced to face. We need a little assurance that when our children access the web, they can do so safely. Internet filters are crucial to protect your children. One tool that can assist us in this goal is Internet Parental … Read entire article »
Filed under: Parental Controls
Fighting Spam
How prevalent is Spam? According to Scott McAdams, OMA Public Affairs and Communications Department (www.oma.org): “Studies show unsolicited or “junk” e-mail, known as spam, accounts for roughly half of all e-mail messages received. Although once regarded as little more than a nuisance, the prevalence of spam has increased to the point where many users have begun to express a general lack of confidence in the effectiveness of e-mail transmissions, and increased concern over the spread of computer viruses via unsolicited messages.” In 2003, President Bush signed the “Can Spam” bill, in December of 2003 which is the first national standards around bulk unsolicited commercial e-mail. The bill, approved by the Senate by a vote of 97 to 0, prohibits senders of unsolicited commercial e-mail from using false … Read entire article »
Filed under: Spam
About Encryption and Making Your System Secure
What does encryption do for me? Encryption and cryptographic software has been used in many different ways to make systems more secure. This article discusses only a few ways that such software can make your system more secure, including: 1) Encrypting your email 2) Encrypting your files To programs are mentioned that will help encrypt information. There are many more programs out there that will help, but these programs are good and a good place to start as any. They have the added benefit of both being free with source code available. Will encryption stop people from accessing my information? Encryption simply makes it harder for people to gain access to important information, like passwords or sensitive information in a file. The first thing you should know about encryption is that the algorithm that is used … Read entire article »
Filed under: PC Security
How to Remove HDD Doctor Fake Disk Repair Utility
HDD Doctor is a fake utility that pretends to be a disk repair tool. It infects your computer and starts generating fake warning messages that your computer disk is damaged and requires immediate repair in order to safeguard your data. HDD Doctor messages can be very convincing. For example, whenever you try to run any program or application, a critical error message is generated telling you that the application cannot start and that your disk has damaged clusters. Other warning messages received are: A critical error occurred while indexing data stored. System restart required. Damaged hard drive clusters detected. Private data is at risk. Ram memory usage is critically high. Ram memory failure. Additionally, HDD Doctor can hide all your desktop shortcuts and replace your desktop background with a black screen. It can also … Read entire article »
Filed under: Spyware
Computer Diagnostics
The diagnostics that are associated with computers can help to identify any problem or failure that computers show when they are having problems. Diagnostics are used to test out the computer system, which includes both the BIOS and memory, software, and even the hardware that is attached to the computer. The most common types of problems will occur when your computer is down to very low resources, which can either be a low amount of RAM, or a low disk space. These conditions are very common, and generally result in your computer running very slow. This can easily be fixed, all you have to do is defrag your hard drive, and get rid of some programs and files that you no longer use or need. Almost all types of computer diagnostic software … Read entire article »
Filed under: Computer Diagnostics
What is a Virus?
A program or piece of code that is loaded onto your computer without your knowledge and runs against your wishes. Viruses can also replicate themselves. All computer viruses are manmade. A simple virus that can make a copy of itself over and over again is relatively easy to produce. Even such a simple virus is dangerous because it will quickly use all available memory and bring the system to a halt. An even more dangerous type of virus is one capable of transmitting itself across networks and bypassing security systems. Since 1987, when a virus infected ARPANET, a large network used by the Defense Department and many universities, many antivirus programs have become available. These programs periodically check your computer system for the best-known types of viruses. Some people distinguish between general … Read entire article »
Filed under: Featured, PC Security
Watch out for Security Essentials 2011
Watch out for Security Essentials 2011 The Microsoft Malware Protection Center reports that there’s a new name for an old version of fake security software (also known as rogue security software.) Security Essentials 2011 pretends to be antivirus software from Microsoft, but instead of protecting you from malicious software it infects your computer with it. Worse, the software claims that in order to protect your computer you need to pay for this software. You are not only paying for a fraudulent service, but also turning over your sensitive personal and financial information to cybercriminals. Microsoft Security Essentials is free software from Microsoft. We will not ask you to pay for it.For more information and to see a screenshot of this fake software, see New Year, Same Old Rogues. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Computer Viruses
