Anti-virus Software Recommendations

We often get clients asking us for a recommendation on anti-virus software. This occurred last week when one of our clients was infected with a scareware trojan (again).  He couldn’t download anything off the web because the trojan was blocking it and was standing at the anti-virus software rack at the local Office Max. He had been using AVG on his new computer, which didn’t block the scareware.

So let’s talk about antimalware protection for your home office or small business. First, there are Internet security suites that can contain a firewall, anti-virus, antimalware, anti-phishing, anti-spam, parental control, identity theft protection, backup software and any number of other features which you may or may not need.

Then there is dedicated anti-virus/antispyware software that specializes in protecting your computer from a virus/worm/trojan. Read more.
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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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Your Solution To Scareware

Been under the weather for a few days but I’m back in tip-top shape…

I’ve written a few posts on scareware recently. The folks at ZDNet have just come out with an in-depth look at scareware that goes into recognizing, avoiding and reporting scareware. They also include 57 photos of scareware examples.

This problem has grown much bigger than I originally thought. ZDNet, actually Ryan Naraine and Dancho Danchev of their Zero Day blog, say that scareware has “emerged as the single most profitable monetization strategy for cybercriminals”.

This is not just pop-up come-ons, but legitimate looking sales pages for anti-virus software.

The problem is that people who are susceptible to these scams don’t read ZDNet warnings about identifying the hazards.

Here’s your solution.

Buy a reputable security suite. We use ZoneAlarm. It doesn’t take over your computer. It does its job efficiently and, lo and behold, you can actually, manually, shut it down if you need to. The license covers three computers for a year. Renew it annually.

Symantec’s Internet Security Suite is supposedly improved over previous versions, which is when I gave up on them. I’ve never liked McAfee. There are others out there. Buy one. Install it on all of your computers. That’s it.

Now you won’t be tempted to buy something like ‘eAntiVirus Pro 2008′ or ‘Antivirus 2009 Protection’. Once you are familiar with your suite you won’t be tempted by pop-ups claiming to have scanned your computer and found malware.

If you are in business on the web, your business is through your computer. Spend the 60 bucks a year to keep it safe..
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Eco-friendly Scareware?

About six weeks ago I posted about scareware, pop-ups that entice you to click on a button to “fix” your computer.

You’ve probably seen it… you’re surfing along and up pops a window saying something like “Your computer is infected with 182 viruses – click here to fix”.

It’s extortion. They infect your computer and then want money to fix it. It’s another form of phishing, luring you in under false pretenses. The term for it is “scareware”.

community.ca.com  just posted about a new version of scareware, Green Scareware. This variation, called GreenAV,  promises to donate $2 to Amazon rain forests or some such nonsense.

A word to the wise – don’t let your better nature get you into a jam. If you come across this, just close your browser. Hackers often change the X to close the popup to mean it will download the malware.

When you open your browser again, don’t opt for “restore session”, choose new session. You can use your History to go back to any tabs you had open..
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Beware of Scareware

You’ve probably seen it… you’re surfing along and up pops a window saying something like “Your computer is infected with 182 viruses – click here to fix”.

We’ve had several clients who’ve clicked on it and infected their computers. It puts an icon in your SysTray that keeps blatting about going to a web site and paying money to fix the problem. In many cases it limits your access to antivirus sites, can steal personal data and slow your computer.

It’s extortion. They infect your computer and then want money to fix it. It’s another form of phishing, luring you in under false pretenses. The term for it is “scareware”.

Read more.
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