Security

Back in May of 2005, I read that my favorite freeware antivirus program (Grisoft AVG) was changing to shareware ("try and buy") with the release of their next version. I was panic-stricken! That set me to looking for a new freeware antivirus ... alternative. Not too long after my search, I was amazed to find that there were in fact two viable alternatives to Grisoft, inlcuding: avast! and AntiVir. I personally settled on using Avast! antivirus, and have been using it ever since. On a related note: it turned out that Grisoft AVG continued to offer a free edition, after all. If you're curious as to ... (view more)

Are you being scammed? Need to know the definitive answer right now? Rest assured, the answer lies on this page. Please read the below article carefully. Please also note that I will NOT answer personal questions pertaining to scams because I have ... yet to encounter a question which has not already been answered on this page. Thank you for your understanding. You are, however, more than welcome to email me if you found this page helpful. ;-) -- Infopackets Reader John Doe writes: " Dear Dennis, I found your web site through Google when searching for eBay and SquareTrade. Question: we are ... (view more)

How sure are you that your web browser is secure? Relatively sure? Not so sure? Imagine for a moment just how many people in the world are running MS Windows. And now, imagine how many of those people don't update their computers on a regular basis. ... Are you one of them? 'Cause if you are, your browser is most likely insecure -- and that means that your computer is susceptible to Trojans, Spyware, and Worms. What to do? Scanit Browser Security Test is a free checkup and reports just over twenty major vulnerabilities in Internet Explorer. And best of all: Scanit isn't just limited to Internet ... (view more)

SpyFalcon is the latest rogue anti-spyware program that dupes unsuspecting users into registering (paying) for a full version of the program in order to remove a supposed Spyware infection. SpyFalcon operates in the same manner as SpyAxe and ... SpywareStrike by issuing fake warning messages similar (and almost identical to) Windows Update Notification balloons. Click here for an example. Like SpyAxe and SpywareStrike, SpyFalcon infects the host computer due to an exploit in MS Windows. The exploit can be resolved after infection is removed and after visiting Windows Update Web site. Both steps ... (view more)

Winfixer is also known as: Virtumonde, and Msevents, and more appropriately: Trojan.Vundo. Trojan.Vundo is a component of a Spyware program and is known to be installed by visiting a web site link contained in a spammed email. How To Remove Winfixer ... / Virtumonde / MSEvents Save these instructions to your desktop for later use. Download the Vundo Fix to your desktop. Go to your Desktop; double click VundoFix.exe. Place a check in the checkbox labeled 'Run VundoFix as a task'. You will receive a message stating that VundoFix will close and re-open in a minute or less. When VundoFix re-opens, ... (view more)

You may have recently heard about the Windows Metafile vulnerability. Steve Gibson at GRC.com has written the definitive tool to detect if your system is still at risk. He calls this vulnerability "Metafile Image Code Execution" or "MICE" and he ... calls his detection tool, "MouseTrap". Do you still have MICE? Most of you are already protected by a Windows Update. Even so, I recommend you download and run MouseTrap to be certain that your computer doesn't have MICE. If the MouseTrap shows you do have MICE, Steve's article on the WMF page contains tips on how to get rid of your little rodents. ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader Windy H. writes: " Dear Dennis, I keep important information (such as credit card numbers) stored on my PC. The sensitive information, however, is disguised in such a way that if someone were to 'break in' to my PC, they would ... never realize that it is my credit card number. Question: I always go back to my repository program to cut and paste my credit card number into order forms when I make a purchase online. If there was a stealth Keylogger installed on my system, would it be able to detect the numbers I am entering? " My response: The short answer is "yes ... (view more)

SpywareStrike is the latest rogue anti-spyware application to hit the 'net. As early as last week, users began reporting popups, homepage redirects, and annoying taskbar popup security warnings indicating that there was "an intrusion" on their PC. ... SunbeltBlog reports that infected machines are being redirected to fake "online security" websites, including (among others): securitycaution.com, dnserror404.com, todaywarnings.com, updatesystempage.com, and yoursecuritysystem.com. [Sample screenshot here]. All of these sites are designed to dupe unsuspecting users into ... (view more)

SpywareStrike is the latest rogue anti-spyware application to hit the 'net. As early as last week, users began reporting popups, homepage redirects, and annoying taskbar popup security warnings indicating that there was "an intrusion" on their PC. ... SunbeltBlog reports that infected machines are being redirected to fake "online security" websites, including (among others): securitycaution.com, dnserror404.com, todaywarnings.com, updatesystempage.com, and yoursecuritysystem.com. [Sample screenshot here]. All of these sites are designed to dupe unsuspecting users into ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader S. Frisch recently asked a question regarding rootkits: " I've been hearing a lot of talk these days about 'rootkits' and how they can infiltrate Windows (regardless of whether or not you have a Firewall installed). What is your ... opinion of rootkits? I've also heard that there are programs that can help to defeat rootkits (with frequent updates): Rootkit Revealer, Ghostbuster and Blacklight. Do you think any one is better than the other? Do you think installing these programs is necessary? And if so, are there any others that are better?" Before answering this question, let' ... (view more)