Computer Security
New Threat Poses as Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor
May 10th
A new threat has been discovered that is spreading rapidly though email. The email includes a message that asks the user to test their computer to see if it will be able to run Windows 7.
The email contains a .zip file which has the “Windows Upgrade Advisor” inside. If you run the program what you will actually get is a Trojan that steals passwords from your computer as well as other important information.
The Trojan will also open a backdoor to allow the download of other malicious software.
What You Need to Do:
- Do not open emails from people or organizations you do More >
A New Way to Steal Your Identity - Copy Machines
May 5th
So, you have your anti-virus, firewall and anti-spyware installed. You have a hardware firewall on your router. You computer is fully updated to prevent zero-day attacks. You keep your wallet chained to you at all times and never leave your credit cards anywhere. You shred ALL your important papers and documents and store the ones you can’t shred in a locked safe. Your identity is safe…right? Think again.
Just when you thought you knew all the ways thieves steal your information, something pops up that takes us all by surprise. Copy machines. That’s right, copy machines are your new threat. Since More >
Getting rid of your old computer - The Right Way
May 3rd
It seems like over the years we have to buy new computers to keep up with the changing technology in our world. It’s actually quite nice to always have a new machine; the problem with getting a new computer is that you have to figure out what to do with the old one. If you are like me, then you end up with old computers in your basement just taking up space.
Should you just throw it away? No! There are actually a few general laws that state that you shouldn’t just throw out your old electronics because they can be More >
Facebook Ad Directing to Fake Anti-Virus Page
Apr 12th
A malicious ad for greeting cards on Facebook redirects clickers to a page selling fake anti-virus software. The ad is intermittently displayed with a Farm Town ad which has over 9 million monthly users.
The website may tell you that you are infected and ask you to buy the removal software.
What You Need to Do:
- Don’t install anti-virus software without researching it first.
- If a site or program is saying that you are infected with something, call your technicians at INVISUS to have them investigate. They will remove any infections that may be on your computer. Remember, it is free to call if More >
What’s the deal with Microsoft Updates?
Apr 12th
Every week I get a message from Microsoft that pops up next to my clock . It says that updates are ready for my computer. Mostly this message is just annoying and I click the ‘X’ to get rid of it. I don’t have time to do whatever Microsoft wants, in fact I don’t want to have anything to do with Microsoft. Have you found yourself having the same thinking process?
Well, let me put this in perspective. Yes Microsoft can be overbearing sometimes and we don’t have to do half of the things they want us to do, but updates More >
Cyber Warfare is a Serious Threat
Mar 5th
FBI Director Robert Mueller gave a speech to an Internet security conference yesterday where he voiced his concerns over Internet threats and gave a bold warning of the importance of security at all levels, from the government to the home user.
“Terrorists have shown a clear interest in pursuing hacking skills and they will either train their own recruits or hire outsiders with an eye toward combining physical attacks with cyber attacks,” Mueller said.
He noted a cyber attack could have the same impact as a “well-placed bomb.”
Mueller did not specify a particular government, but did state that there are nations out More >
Mariposa – 13 Million Computer Botnet
Mar 4th
The Mariposa botnet has 13 million computers under its control. These computers have been tasked to do the usual botnet thing. You know, steal information including banking information, credit cards, and usernames and passwords.
Having 13 million computers under your control is pretty amazing, but what astonishes me is the tool used to take over these computers. Mariposa is based on the Butterfly botnet kit which can be easily purchased online.
What makes this tool unique is that you can’t classify Mariposa as a virus or a Trojan. It is whatever the hackers command it to be.
3 people have been arrested in More >
Grandmother Scammed for Thousands!
Mar 4th
A scammer, posing as a grandson, gets a grandmother to willingly give up thousands of dollars in one of the new scams that is becoming more popular amongst scam artists.
Here’s what happened: Earlier this week a supposed Grandson called his Grandmother, out of the blue, to ask for money because he got arrested at the Winter Olympics in Canada and needs $3000 for bail. Grandma feels bad, and because it is time sensitive, sends the money right away only to find out that her real Grandson never called at all.
This begs the question, “How did the scammer find out the More >
If It Can Happen To Them, It Can Happen To You
Mar 2nd
Virus news is almost a daily occurrence now. I don’t think I have passed a day that there hasn’t been some kind of virus attack. You would think by now we could figure out how handle viruses better, but as we all know, hackers are always one step ahead.
Last week, a well-known Utah based website, KSL.com, was part of a virus attack that infected visitors who went to that site. What this means is that every person that went to that website was subject to a virus infection.
When visiting the site, a box would appear warning the visitor that they More >
I Bid Farewall To “Stranger Danger”
Mar 1st
Just when you thought it was safe to tell the world who you are and that you are not at home, a website comes along and tries to show us how dangerous it is.
Do you leave tweets or Facebook updates telling people that you are somewhere other than your home? If so, chances are that more than just your friends know. A new website called Please Rob Me is out scouring the social network community and finding those users that tell their friends that they are at the movies, or out getting a coffee, or went to lunch with someone, More >