New Bot Infecting Routers And DSL Modems

There’s a new bot on the net called “Chuck Norris” trying to infect your router or DSL modem. If it’s successful it redirects your browser to a malicious web page that tries to install a virus, then looks for other vulnerabilities on your network.

It can also steal non-encrypted (non-SSL connections) private information and be used to attack other systems like most botnets.

This bot is new, but the attack method is not. It finds routers using default passwords or uses a basic password guessing program to install itself. Because it’s on your router, your anti-virus software can’t see it.

The solution is relatively simple. If you think your router or modem has been infected, just unplug the power source for 30 seconds or so and it should remove the bot from the RAM.

Next, make sure you have a strong password on your router. Look up how to access your router or modem’s interface in the manual that came with it or do a search on the web with the make and model for instructions on how to change the password.

Your router is like the front door to your computer(s). Using the default password is like leaving your front door unlocked..
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Can Google Mobile Search Help Local Businesses?

Google has announced that it is adding location oriented suggestions in it’s Mobile searches. This is in regular Google search, not just Google Maps.

It is, according to Google,

an improvement to Google.com search suggestions offered on Android powered devices and iPhone. Now, Google will offer suggestions based on the phone’s current or last location, making the suggestions more relevant.

From the comments on Google’s Mobile blog the effort has started off with spotty results, but the idea its that eventually you will just have to start typing a search into google.com on you mobile phone and search suggestions will load based on your location.

This will be an advantage for local businesses because potential customers don’t always know to use Google Maps to find your business, although you have to turn on “Save recent locations” and “Allow use of device location” under the Settings link on the google.com home page to use the new feature.

The point is, that with advancing technology it will become even easier for people to find your business using their mobile phones..
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Video – How To Avoid Adobe PDF Reader Vulnerability

PDF files usually seem harmless. People don’t think twice about opening a PDF, even if it’s an email attachment,  or reading one online.

Adobe has acknowledged a vulnerability in its Adobe Reader/Acrobat that allows hackers to hijack data from compromised computers. They are investigating the problem but haven’t come up with a patch yet.

You have two options: disable Javascript in Adobe Reader or use an alternate reader. The video below shows you how to do either option…

The alternate readers described in the video are:

Sumatra PDF

MuPDF Firefox Plugin

Further reading:

Adobe confirms PDF zero-day attacks.

How to mitigate Adobe PDF malware attacks

[Author's Note 1/18/2010] Adobe released a fix for Adobe Reader/Acrobat Jan 15th. If your software hasn’t automatically updated then go here for directions on how to update..
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Heavy Hitters Moving Into Mobile

Mobile phone usage is growing fast, especially smart phones, and some big names are moving into the field.

First, Google is buying AdMob for 750 million dollars.

AdMob is one of the top sellers of banner ads on iPhone applications and Web pages that can be retrieved from mobile phones. The acquisition could help establish Google as an early leader in the small but rapidly expanding mobile phone advertising business. [NY Times]

Advertising sales on mobile phones was a paltry 160 million dollars last year compared for $22 billion for online ads, and the “experts” projections for future ad spending differ radically, but everyone’s in agreement that it has no place to go but up and Google is positioning themselves to be in the lead. Read more.
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Patches From Adobe And MS Coming Tuesday

On Tuesday, October 13, 2009 both Microsoft and Adobe will be releasing patches to close vulnerabilities.

Microsoft will be releasing a massive patch on its regularly scheduled ‘patch Tuesday’. This will include a patch discovered two weeks ago that I mentioned in a post on the New Vista Exploit. Microsoft decided to wait for its normal patch schedule to release the fix rather than coming out with a special patch.

The whole patch download (13 bulletins covering 34 security vulnerabilities) will cover products that include Microsoft Windows, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Office, Silverlight, Microsoft Forefront, Developer Tools, and SQL Server.

Also on Tuesday Adobe will release a patch to plug a flaw in its PDF Reader/Acrobat software is being exploited by malicious attackers as part of their quarterly update schedule.

The vulnerability affects Adobe Reader and Acrobat version 9.1.3 and earlier..
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New Vista Exploit On The Way

ZDNet has just released information on a possible new attack vector for Microsoft Windows Vista.

[It] provides a clear roadmap for hackers to plant malware or open backdoors on Windows Vista Service Pack 1 and 2 as well as Windows 2008 SP1 server

This puts Microsoft in a bind, since its scheduled “patch Tuesday” isn’t for another two weeks. Do they issue a special patch?

In the meantime Microsoft has released a workaround. Or, to do it yourself you can follow the directions in the workaround section found here.

Vista users take heed..
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WordPress Blogs Under Attack

A recent release from ZDNet says that outdated versions of WordPress are susceptible to attack from a worm.

It only affects those with WordPress installed on their own servers, not wordpress.com blogs, and it’s only for versions 2.8.2 and earlier.

WordPress 2.8.4 is out now and all you have to do is log into your WP admin area and at the top of the Dashboard choose “Please update now” as shown in the picture below…

I recommend that you backup your blog prior to the update as a matter of caution prior to the upgrade, then after selecting “Please update now” choose “upgrade automatically” and you’re done.

WordPress has made it much easier to update and now is the time to use it to your advantage..
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New Intel CPU Chips

As a home office or small business owner you’re thinking… Why do I need to know about computer processors? Won’t most any off the shelf computer do?

Well, this is just a quick and dirty overview of the new CPU’s from Intel so when the salesperson at Best Buy is talking to you, you have at least some idea of what they’re talking about.

When I build a computer, I usually go with a processor that’s 2 levels or so below the high end. It’s a lesson I learned from my father, who always used to buy 2 year old Cadillacs – he got a good ride for about half the money.

Intel has just come out with some CPU chips that are a level below their top end, what’s called the i7 900 series. (Sounds like a car from Saab, doesn’t it?)

Here’s the highlights on the new quad-core chips:

Read more.
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