Computer Tips -Tech Info

US-CERT is addressing the issue of spyware. According to Spyware Confidential, they’ve released a document (pdf) on the matter, including techniques to guard against spyware. Education and awareness are two elements that are highly emphasized.    Send article as PDF   

As if you needed another reason to not like SPAM ( no, not the hormel product, we’re talking junk mail here.) A couple days ago I mentioned a post at the sans institute talking about an email that was circulating and the link within that email took you to a malicious site (redirected) and attempted […]

Since the massive id theft ring was uncovered, I’ve been reading the Sunbeltblog frequently. Today, they have an interesting post about the various explanations for spyware on peoples computers. They tag it the “other person syndrome”. I’ve heard this before too. “Well, the neighbors kids were over and ever since then we’ve had all sorts […]

SecurityFix is talking about the computer security industry. Further, computer users spend $9 billion a year on computers repairs from spyware and antivirus. This reminds me of a recent story of a man that threw out a perfectly good machine because it was infested with spyware. For starters, I do computer repair. I charge $40/ […]

There another two fascinating posts in the saga of the massive identity theft that was reported in the Sunbelt blog. For starters they detail the beast here. It sounds truly devious, MAY still be related to coolwebsearch after all. It turns off Windows firewall and runs through Internet Explorer (thereby bypassing any other software firewall.) […]

Over at the Security Fix, Brian Krebs is talking about spyware and the fact that keeping up-to-date on patches, and running current antivirus with current definitions is not enough to protect your machine from spyware. He sums it up by saying common sense is the best defence.    Send article as PDF   

It’s an older post, but I just discovered it…. July 21st… spware confidential reports on a virus masquerading as an itunes installer that actually brings along some adware (4 different applications) for fun. This apparently was distributed over the AIM messenger network.    Send article as PDF   

Sunbeltblog has another update related to their earlier story about the massive identity theft ring. In this story they make clear that the keylogger was NOT directly related to coolwebsearch. It was apparently seperate and independant it was discovered during a coolwebsearch infestation, but appears unrelated.    Send article as PDF   

Sunbelt blog, reports that they have uncovered a MASSIVE amount of personal data, ranging from usernames to passwords to banking information and much more while investigating spyware. They found keylogger transcript software with lots of personal information. Sunbelt develops software to protect against spam and spyware and other security threats. A keylogger is software that […]

Well, things are shaping up a little better today on some fronts. My webhosting provider apologized for the offensive tone of the subject of their message to me. (Given that they provided the script that they warned me about.) And they’ve taken my suggestion to pass word along to ALL of their customers that have […]