Carputers News and Computer Tips

Lee Mathews writes at Download Squad: 

Now, it’s not my intent that anyone actually follow this horrible, horrible advice. It’s just that so many people seem to think this type of behavior is perfectly normal computer use. 

So here it is: my 5-point method for turning your computer into a quivering pile of malware-infested, hacker-friendly trash. 

Though this is written tongue-in-cheek, it is good advice! 

Unfortunately, as is the case with most good advice, it is indeed a pity that the people who would benefit most from it also are the least likely to read and heed it…

Here’s a classic example of why - an article that makes for an interesting read.

What happened when ‘Penelope Retch’ answered her spam e-mail… What would be the experience in 10 countries when everyday people, armed with a PC and e-mail account McAfee provided for the Global S.P.A.M. Diaries project, clicked through the spam and chronicled the results?

We’ve found the best anti-spam measure (besides being very careful about giving out your email address) is a free GMail account from Google.  You can use it to check and filter almost any other email account you may have, and their spam filter is the most effective we’ve ever seen or used.

If you want to try this, but need help setting it up, contact us!  We’d be happy to help!

Those of you that are running the free (and pay) versions of AVG 7.5 are probably getting messages about upgrading to version 8.0.  Virus definition updates and support for the free version of AVG 7.5 will end as of 05/31/2008. There is a free version of AVG 8.0, but it is not easy to find, and the update messages steer free users towards the pay version.

The free version of AVG 8.0 is available from this web page. Use the second link down, which will pull the file directly from AVG’s servers.

It is strongly recommended that, when installing AVG 8.0 Free, a custom (rather than default) install is selected.  We would suggest NOT installing the “Web Shield” nor the “AVG Security Toolbar”.  Users have reported better performance without having these options installed.  

As always, if you need assistance or have questions about securing and protecting your computer or network, contact us!  We’d be happy to be of assistance! 

Erica George writes on the stopbadware.org website:

“(This) short report is a plain-English explanation of badware threats to user privacy and security, based on our research over the past year. It explains online security issues such as compromised websites, social networking scams, and other badware trends that pose significant risk to the average internet user.”

The report is a great explanation in layman’s terms of what computer users are up against.  It is highly recommended reading.

As always, if you need assistance or have questions about securing your computer or network, contact us!  We’d be happy to be of assistance! 

Some of you still are, for whatever the reason.  If you still are, here are a couple of resources:

Windows 98 + ME *still* alive campaign

98 FE + 98 SE + ME updates + patches + (hot)fixes

Though these operating systems are no longer supported by Microsoft, there remains a group of enthusiasts and volunteers who make free support and patches available for these systems.

Reg Adkins writes:

When I lose productive time at work it is usually because of a problem I have encountered with my computer. And any time I have a computer problem it is usually related to one of the following items.  In order to be a little proactive I have built this little checklist.  I have automated as many of them as I can and if much of your livelihood depends on your technology functioning smoothly I suggest you consider doing the same.

Our real-world experience has taught us that it is always easier and cheaper to prevent problems ahead of time wherever possible than it is to fix problems after they occur.  If you need assistance implementing this checklist, or if you have any questions about maintenance or the proactive measures you should take to avoid potential computer problems, contact us! 

Can you tell a fake Web site from a real one?  Do you always know which e-mails are legitimate?  Take the McAfee SiteAdvisor phishing quiz and the SonicWALL Phishing IQ Test to test your ability to detect dangerous phishing scams.

Each of these sites will show you example Web sites or e-mail messages and ask you to identify the authentic site or message.  They will also test your general knowledge about internet-related scams.

Be sure to read the results closely, as they point out telltale signs of phishing sites such as misspellings and suspicious Web addresses.

OnGuardOnline.gov provides practical tips from the federal government and the technology industry to help you be on guard against Internet fraud, secure your computer, and protect your personal information.

As always, if we can be of assistance in securing your computer, contact us!

Earlier this year, we blogged about botnets.  Today’s news headlines include an Associated Press article written by Lara Lakes Jordan titled FBI pulls plug on several botnet hackers.

Some excerpts:

“More than 1 million computers — possibly yours, too — are used by hackers as remote-controlled robots to crash online systems, accept spam and steal users’ personal information, the FBI said Wednesday.  The government has no way to track down all the computers, both in the U.S. and elsewhere, that hackers have massed into centrally controlled collections known as botnets.

FBI Deputy Assistant Director Shawn Henry said that people should have their computers checked regularly for evidence of botnet infection, including using antivirus software or security firewalls.  ‘People have their cars inspected once a year to make sure they’re safe,’ Henry said.  ‘You’ve got to do the same types of things with your computers.’”

Carputers specializes not only in malware removal, but in computer system hardening - taking proactive steps to make certain that your computer’s potential vulnerability is minimized.  This includes user training and awareness as well as anti-malware software and PC configuration.

If you have questions or need assistance protecting your computer and your personal data, contact us!  We would be happy to be of service to you.

Takashi Katsuki writes on the Symantec Security Response weblog:

 Recently we came across an interesting Trojan sample… What makes it interesting is that the author has obviously taken great pains to make it appear legitimate.

The trojan shows up on your PC in the form of a “Microsoft Piracy Control” screen.  If you decline to activate Windows, your computer shuts down.  All other functions (like the Task Manager) are locked out.

If you choose to “activate”, a new screen appears which asks for all sorts of personal and financial information.

This Trojan teaches us all a good lesson - Trust No One. This is the slogan from the TV show The X-Files, and very much applies when it comes to protecting your personal information.

Excellent advise indeed.  If you need help removing trojans, viruses, or other malware from your PC, or if you have questions about securing your PC or network, contact us!  We’d be happy to be of assistance.

Listible has a great list of 172 providers of online file storage, backup and transfer.  If you’re not backing your critical data, pictures, and other irreplaceable files off offsite, you should be.  Many users back up to writable CDs, DVDs, or to an external hard drive, but what about fire, or flood?  Offsite backup is cheap (sometimes even free) and painless if you have broadband internet access.  Specifically, we like Mozy for ease of use.

If you have questions about offsite backup, or need help getting set up, contact us!  We would be happy to be of service to you.