At this time, we have only made two videos available: Email and Web Browser Security.  However, we will be uploading more new videos soon showing you how to:

1. Turn off unnecessary and potentially harmful Windows services,
2. Install and configure a world-class Anti-spyware program,
3. Install and configure a world-class Anti-Virus program,
4. Install and configure a world-class firewall program,
5. Install, configure, and use a world-class encryption program,
6. Install and configure a secure Wireless network,
7. Install and configure a simple, but effective and cost-efficient backup solution,
8. and other important security-related topics

All of our videos are downloadable and viewable with Microsoft Windows Media Player.  This will allow you to play them, pause them, rewind them, or do just about anything you need to learn the content.

We are confident these videos will help raise the level of security for everyone who purchases them.

Be Safe.  Be secure!

PC-Armor.com

I just downloaded my version and will install it after this post.

Hopefully, the world will follow suit and download the greatest browser available…

As with other types of spam, we scrutinize all comments very carefully before deciding to publish them.

Cheers!

PC-Armor.com

What happened was the Trojan hijacked the desktop and changed it to a Bright Red background with a warning stating that the computer was infected with a malicious program and provided a link to for the user to click to purchase a program that would clean the computer.  Obviously, this was not a legitimate link, so I copied the link location to notepad and it pointed to hxxp://antispyspider.us/69.  DO NOT GO TO THIS LINK, IT IS VERY BAD!  Some other things this infection did was change the IP address and subnet mask; disabled the Task Manager and Registry Editor; and caused Internet Explorer to launch every couple of minutes to connect to the malicious site.  There was also a service that was added to the computer and it launched when Windows XP started.

The steps we used to try and defeat this nasty infection included:

- Running “msconfig” to disable all programs from starting
- Disabled the “Service” that was installed
- Turned off the System Restore feature, since we didn’t want anything malicious to be included in a restore
- Installed and ran CounterSpy, which found many malicious files, registry entries, and cookies.  We removed everything successfully

But we could not kill the Trojan, so I googled “AntiSpySpider” and found a very good web page showing how to kill this critter and if you need the instructions, you can get them from:

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/malware-removal/antispyspider

The fix includes running a program to restore the registry editor, as well as a file to restore the task manager.  The instructions do a great job showing the victim how to remove this threat, so if you are one of the unfortunate souls, try this fix.  Then if you get it removed, you might consider running CounterSpy and F-Secure Internet Security; both of these programs have been quite dependable protecting our computers, as well as people we know.

Just a quick note for those of you who may be looking for encryption software…Laura Milligan posted a great article on the Bootstrapper blog today listing 50 different Encryption Programs and how each could benefit your needs.

This is a nice compilation and Laura organized the programs in different categories to help you make an easier and better choice.  You can read the article on the Bootstrapper Blog here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5zxOLZ5jXM

For those who are not aware of how accessible your personal data may be to a cybercriminal, you may want to view the trailer.  It will probably make you think twice before voluntarily giving your personal information to any one person or business.

Stay safe

The contestants did a very good job of presenting how cookies work and you can view the videos  at: http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/cookiecontest

If you are confused about what cookies are and how they work, you may want to check out the videos.

Why should you know about this feature?  Well, it is possible, and in fact has happened, where an attacker who gained access to a system, either locally or remotely, is able to retrieve any information found in this repository.  The information found could include user name/password combinations for PayPal, eBay, online banking accounts, email, and pretty much any other type of authentication information.

This feature is enable by default to save time and make surfing more convenient; however, if you are concerned about computer security and protecting your personal information, it is possible to turn it off.  The only noticeable change is that you will be required to enter your user name and password for accounts that Windows previously stored.  I would prefer to enter the information and know that there are no traces that can be retrieved from my computer.

To turn this feature off, open Internet Explorer, click the “Tools” menu and then select “Internet Options” from the side menu.  You will now see the Internet Explorer “Properties” windows and will notice a number of tabs across the top; click the tab labeled “Content” and then click the “AutoComplete” settings button.

This will bring up another window with various autocomplete options that will most likely have check marks next to to them.  Remove all of the check marks, starting with the “Prompt me to save passwords” option, and then click the “OK” button.  If you have Internet Explorer version 6 or earlier, you should see two additional buttons allowing you to “Clear Forms” and “Clear Passwords”; if you have these buttons, click both of them to clear your history and then you are finished.  Otherwise, follow the next step, which is for Internet Explorer version 7.

Next, click the “General” tab and then click the “Delete Forms…” and “Delete Passwords…” buttons and confirm.  This will clear any data that was previously stored.

Now, you are just a little bit more secure!

The body of the email states:

NEWS RELEASE: 

Google just announced that it is sharing its AdWords program with local individuals who want to earn funds from home on their computer.

This is a legitimate program, so you must be serious about earning extra every month.

For more information…

They want you to click a link, which was removed for your protection

Spammers and scammers often entice the recipient with a way to earn money and of course, they include a link for all interested parties.  I’m not sure where the link(s) will  take the user or even if their computer will become infected with Trojans and other malicious code.  All I know is that when I start seeing emails with similar subjects start flooding my Inbox, I become HIGHLY suspicious very quickly. 

You may consider monitoring the SANS Internet Storm Center, US-CERT, and other security sites to see if new articles start surfacing regarding this particular email subject, BEFORE, you click the links contained within the email.

Stay safe!

http://stopbadware.org/pdfs/trends_in_badware_2007.pdf

“Trends in Badware 2007” starts with a brief history about viruses, why they were initially created, and how and why they evolved into the many different forms threatening everyone’s personal privacy today.  The rest of the reports discusses the different types of attacks that are now threatening all Internet-connected users, how each threat infects computers, and the types of damage each one is capable of inflicting.

We encourage everyone to read this report; it is well worth your time and will undoubtedly raise your level of awareness and encourage you to invest in good protection!