Category: Windows Vista tips

How computer viruses use word of mouth to infect systems!

Paul

Social Networks Hype Cycle (Photo credit: fredcavazza)

Social Network is Culprit!

I remember some very interesting Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites used in the past to get people to click on an infected link.  This is one of the oldest techniques.   The virus post something on your twitter account or your Facebook account about something really interesting.   Even if you trust your friend, sometimes the friend or twitter account that you know aren’t really in control of what they post.   This is the first line of trust that the virus makers use to spread their viruses until other computers and systems.   You should never click any link unless you know where it is going.  Although this is becoming less and less troublesome, I am sure it isn’t going away but just biding it’s time to come out and strike another day.

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Microsoft Get Ready for Patch Tuesday. 6 Bulletins

Paul

According to Arstechnica there will be 6 Bulletins and each of them are very interesting:

  • Bulletin 1: Critical (Remote Code Execution), Windows

  • Bulletin 2: Critical (Remote Code Execution), Windows

  • Bulletin 3: Critical (Remote Code Execution), Windows

  • Bulletin 4: Important (Elevation of Privilege), Virtual PC, Virtual Server

  • Bulletin 5: Important (Elevation of Privilege), ISA Server

  • Bulletin 6: Important (Remote Code Execution), Office

[ad]It looks like there will be another Directx Patch for those who have Directx 7 through 9.0c.  It also seems they will be Patching the Virtual PC and Server and ISA Server.    Microsoft will also be patching 2007 Microsoft Office System Service Pack 1.  They will also Be Releasing 14 different patches for non Critical status.

The Directx Flaw that was reported in May is reportedly being patched and that is why we have these Directx updates that are comming down from Microsoft.

So Now is the time to get [intlink id=”2883″ type=”post”]Autopatcher[/intlink] updated to the lastest updates and schedule a time next week for you to test and install these updates.   I would recommend updating your [intlink id=”2205″ type=”page”]anti-virus and Firewall[/intlink] software if you have any, if not it is time to get them and install them.

Using Malwarebytes to get Rid of Malware

Paul

Malwarebytes

I have been using Malwarebytes for quite some time.  I have the Installer for Malwarebytes in place on a  USB drive so i can use anywhere I go. I have seen several computers with very old Viruses and this actually detected them.

[ad]How Malwarebytes useful

  • Malwarebytes has a really good protection module to help prevent infections in the first place, but that requires you to buy it.  It should never be used without at least a [intlink id=”2205″ type=”page”]firewall installed[/intlink] but it is a good defense against what I like to call a Drive by install.

  • Automatically create logs of Malware that is found — This is good to for people who want to be able to check out what might be infected.   Also good to help identify the virus or Trojan, and find out how to uninfected it.

  • Cheaper than buying AVG — Cost $24.95 which is half of the cost of buying AVG.

As you can see buying Malwarebytes can be cheaper than buying AVG or Norton and protects your almost as if you have a brand name.   I think if a customer can’t afford $50 this would be the next best thing to suggest being that it will at least protect the system.   You can always install a [intlink id=”2205″ type=”page”]Free Anti-virus[/intlink] along with Malwarebytes to better protect your system.   This is one way to not have to buy expensive antivirus and yet still protect your systems from Malware.

No matter if you Buy Malwarebytes or use the Free version you are better off then not having it.  With the Free Version you can’t unlocks real-time protection, scheduled scanning, and scheduled updating.  These can be done manually without the having any Real time Protect.   You can scan manually and Schedule manually without buying the full version.  This is still a good buy, I recommend this to all my customers.

A few Zero Day Exploits in the wild — Heads up

Paul

Several different Security Vendors are Reporting that there is an ActiveX and Directshow exploits out in the wild.

The Directshow file in question is : msvidctl.dll

[A work around to prevent this]

[ad]It involves an ActiveX control called the Microsoft Streaming Video control and there is no workaround that I know of just yet.   Microsoft is aware of these exploits but we don’t know when they will release the patches.
These flaws mean that if you visit an Infected site you will most likely install software that you really don’t need or want.   You should be cautious where you go especially on chinese servers because some of them are reporting that they have seen an overnight bloom of sites that have these exploits in place.

People should take care and [intlink id=”2205″ type=”page”]install anti-virus and firewalls[/intlink] even the free ones are the best choices right now to defend againts these types of attacks.  You should also make sure you have the updated virus definitions and make sure you have the latest version of the AV program.

It is also suggest for users to not use Internet Explorer to prevent some of these exploits but take care and install a good browser, I would suggest Firefox to better protect your computer from some of these exploits.

Hulu Days Of Summer are here again

Paul7 Replies

huludaysofsummer09

So we have it here right now, and it starts out really good.   You can watch Stargate SG1 Season 1 through 4 the whole summer.  The last of the Mohicans was the frst movie they brought out for this event.  I rember last years one where we had to guess the coming week.  Some of the ones that I did last year were:

Now I don’t know all that will come this summer but I would of liked to have clues like we did last year. That would of been really fun.  Oh well, I will keep watch on this and see what comes from this.   I also have been using the Hulu Desktop more and more, it seems to work well with [intlink id=”3059″ type=”post”]A600 Cricket modem[/intlink] really well.  For those who have it, I would suggest using the lowest quality of playback for using it.  It really isn’t bad quality for watching shows and such on.   You really don’t have to worry to much about buffering.  Although you should check your settings on the [intlink id=”1009″ type=”post”]player and change them[/intlink].

On a side note this week and next I will be really busy so I don’t know if I will update as much as I have in the past.  This is summer afterall so it might be off and on this summer until everything goes back to normal in the fall.  I will update the blog when I can this summer, so don’t you fret to much!!