Category: Macintosh

Scareware sites being sent through email!

Paul

setup_security_defender_622.exe Chrome Scareware site on a Linux system!

Don’t try this home!

If you are not careful you could easily get infected with spyware, or worms. I on the other hand know how to fix the problem if it happens or how to prevent it in the first place. I was using a live Kubuntu CD to do my test with the link that was given to me, so I didn’t have to worry to much about infections.  The URL which was given to me was “[Website]/wp-content/plugins/(random letters and numbers)“.   You could easily tell that it was just spam because there was no subject or anything else but a link in the email.   I did this a number a times and I got some very interesting websites:

  • http://scan27.delfasd.co.in (scareware site, See picture above)

  • http://wikimedicinepatients.eu (Canadian Pharmacy) [WHOIS]

  • http://systemtestnow.com  (Scareware site I think) [WHOIS]

  • http://scan7.oggnot.co.in

  • http://update17.oggnot.co.in

Never Run an unexpected Program!

I knew this was scareware site because it automatically sent me a file “setup_security_defender_622.exe“.   I decided to check it out even more so I submitted to Jotti and you can see what they said by clicking the filename.   I also submitted it to the Virustotal to see what it said and I wasn’t surprised but again, you should never run programs that your not expecting.    This is a really old scareware tactic that is still being used today and your self be taken advantage of.

Antivirus is KEY!

To prevent viruses, if your on a computer you really should consider buying an Antivirus.  There is even Antivurs for Macintosh machines, and Linux if your interested.   I don’t know if you really need a Linux antivirus but I guess it wouldn’t hurt to have it.   I think they are far behind Mac/Windows Antivurus programs but yet they are getting better.   You never really know what is needed in the future but you should be ready when it comes.

Which Antivirus Software do you use?

I am quite curious as to which you use when it comes to having an antivirus software.   By all means leave a comment and tell me which one you use or if you found another website that you have found, and I’ll investigate it and tell others about it.

Paul Sylvester

Related articles

Enhanced by Zemanta

Apple Needs to Worry about Security and Virus!

Paul2 Replies

Let’s Face It, Mac isn’t Virus Free no more!

I know I’ve been saying this for a few years, but In all truthfulness it is more of a fact than a few years ago.   Apple needs to change their policy on how they do commercials.   I don’t say that light hearted because I actually think the commercials are really funny sometimes but that is besides the point.  They have not in the past changed their tactics because of the new malware that is going about.   Some experts are saying this malware doesn’t require you to enter a password or even have you allow or deny the installation.  Although, I have no Apple computer to test this observation, it seems quite possible depending on how people have their system setup.   Thought most Mac users are not thinking about security or even the possibility of a virus because of the advertisements that Apple has put up in the past.   More and more their seems to be a growing number of viruses and malware for the Macintosh.

Security Through Obscurity is No More with Apple!

I say that know that in the past most Apple users always thought since the Operating system of the Apple was not well known that they could get away with installing unknown software or programs that Windows users would think twice on.   I honestly don’t see how people would download bit torrent files thinking that they were safe on the Mac because “Apple Could never get a Virus” advertising has stuck in their minds.   Yet Apple has in the past fought this through new changes to their advertising but the fact remains anytime you think of a Macintosh, you first thought would be about it being Virus.   I know some of you probably though the first thought would be the speed and ease of the Operating, and although that is true that isn’t my thought when I think of a Apple Operating System.

Don’t Presume anything!

I might not be a Mac User but I don’t presume anything when it comes to running a Windows or even a Linux Operating System.   That Being said when Apple finally realizes that they are no longer able to hide from the bad guys, then we will see them start fighting back.   Until then though, most Mac Users will make the mistakes they have always done because of Apple stance and the ignorance of the problem.  I have said how hackers will start targeting Apple Users and this seems to be the case even now.   If you have a Mac Machine, I suggest looking for a good Antivirus and sticking with them.   You are not longer safe not having an Antivirus software installed on your system.

Stay Safe!

Paul Sylvester

Related articles

Adobe PDF Zero Day Warnings : Experts agree

Paul

All the Security experts online are talking about The 2 Zero Day Adobe Vulnerabilities:

[ad#cricket-right-ez]As you can see this seems to be one of those Adobe problems we had in the past with [intlink id=”2963″ type=”post”]Javascript[/intlink].   They seem to be having a major problem with Javascript vulnerability and the old saying is to just to disable Javascript in PDF’S again.   Adobe is calling this a Potential Adobe Reader issue and is suggesting that the users disable Javascript until this is fixed with a security update.

This is mostly affect the corporate world more than the private sector because of the fact corporate world will use PDF by sending them through emails.   I suggest installing another reader and these are all free.

Be advised the vulnerabilities affects Linux, Windows, and Macintosh systems.  This will most likely mean that even Macintoshes could be used to [intlink id=”2173″ type=”post”]create even more botnets[/intlink] and will need to disable there Javascript until this issue is fixed or maybe they would like to find another reader themselves.  This also goes for Linux users but I have not heard of anything in the wild yet.

Don’t forget to install some [intlink id=”2205″ type=”page”]free Anti-virus and Free Firewalls[/intlink] to help protect your system from becoming a botnet.

So it Is April 1, 2009 Now What?

Paul

So you survived the [intlink id=”3214″ type=”post” target=”_blank”]April Fools Joke[/intlink] that most people were talking about. Are you more Mindful of what a Virus is and how to best defend against it.  If not let’s go back in the past and talk about some of the necessary Programs:[ad#cricket-right-ez]

  • If you haven’t already installed a [intlink id=”2205″ type=”page”]Free Anti Virus[/intlink], this would be the time to.  Also install a Firewall to better protect you.

  • Never install any software from unknown site — This is most important even though they seem harmless enough there are sites that have [intlink id=”2991″ type=”post”]fake adobe updates or even flash updates[/intlink] that will install Maleware into your system.  So if you have any doubt should visit the main site like Adobe.com to check for updates.

  • [intlink id=”3114″ type=”post”]If something scares you, count to ten[/intlink] —  That is very useful when it comes to scareware sites that like to scare you into buying there fake anti virus software that doesn’t do anything.  I say count to ten because by the time you did you will go looking for information on either that site or that warning and come to the conclusion it was scareware.

  • [intlink id=”2991″ type=”post”]Don’t download untested software[/intlink] —  This is good for those who like to look for programs that are to expensive to buy but they want to have them.  Most of the time Hackers like to use Crackers to infect systems.  Although anything that is questionable can sometimes be infected with a virus so you should stay away from all of them.

  • [intlink id=”3248″ type=”post”]Apple’s OSX isn’t as secure as you may think[/intlink] — I hate when people say they are so glad to have a Mac, and yet it seems to be on the rise.  Macintosh Operating system seems to be getting some attention from Hackers because their more virus and trojans being made for the the Macintosh, so don’t get over confident.

Although these are just a few steps to consider when dealing with virus, trojans, and Worms.  It all depends on the End user to prevent this from happening.   So if you want to protect your identity and system you should consider using the right software.  If your a Vista you should also make sure your not running as an Admistrator, this will also protect your from getting infected.

Mac Users aren’t Immune, so stop broadcasting “You’re glad you have a MAC”

Paul

With the Conficker going on right now, I am seeing more and more Tweets about Mactwitconficker and

twitconficker

[ad#cricket-right-ez]

Now I might not know a lot but this type of Smug confidence will be the downfall of the Mac’s in the coming years.  I have to ask do you not expect to get a virus at ALL?    You see when a company like Apple starts to get above a certain degree in the eyes of the hackers.  They will become a target, not a big target but a target.

In one of my post I talk about [intlink id=”2173″ type=”post”]Mac’s and Botnet[/intlink], you should really read it.  It talks about why Apple will become the next fail whale.    Some other Articles to Consider are:

And So I went into Google to see the trends for “Mac Virus” and Here is what I seen:

Mac Virus Google Trend

As you can tell Mac’s Virus and Maleware are on the rise.  This doesn’t mean you have to worry about the Conficker worm, but you have to Worry.  Most Apple Users are over confident that they will never get a virus or maleware on there system to the point that they will install it because they think they won’t get it.   I’ve seen in the past where Mac users are [intlink id=”2801″ type=”post”]download programs illegally[/intlink] just because they think they are not going to a Virus or Maleware.

It just gets me going when I constantly see people post about how they have a Mac.  I guess that Mac Ads are working but soon very soon they will change.    Although the mentality of the Mac not getting a virus is so god like that one day something like the Conficker worm will hit Mac’s exclusively because of the attitude of users.  Should Mac’s get anti-virus software, has been asked so many times in the past months that it makes me wonder.  Who has made this happen in the first place?  I’d have to point to Apple.  I don’t agree with there MAC Tax when it comes to buying a computer and will never pay for a mac.  So the next time I see people broadcasting they are glad they have a mac, I’ll just have to send them to this page!!  No Operating system is 100% secure or safe, even Linux systems can have viruses.