Serious Flaws In Windows Leave Your Computer Open to Attack

[Admin]

Serious Flaw In Windows Leaves Your Computer Open To Attack

Last week, I told you how I got a virus on my computer. I’m happy to say that my computer is now apparently virus free. I say apparently, because I have run several programs that spot viruses and spyware and have come up completely clean.

That doesn’t necessarily mean that my computer is virus free. It just means that the best software can’t find any. I ran my antivirus software in both the standard windows mode as well as the safe mode.

Sometimes viruses can hide themselves. For example, they attach themselves to your notepad or calculator and only emerge when you use one of these programs.

If you’ve been listening to the news this week (that is, the tech news), you are aware that there is a new threat to almost all computers using the internet. The experts say that the attack is very significant. Other experts say that it is not so bad. If you are using Antivirus Software, you should be fully protected. Microsoft is currently working on a patch that should be available next week.

You can read more about the cyber attack at:

http://news.com.com/Wait+for+Windows+pat ch+opens+attack+wind ow/2100-1002_3-6016747.html?tag=nl

According to cnn.com, the Microsoft patch to prevent this new type of cyber attack will be available on today (January 10th).

To read the cnn.com article go to:

http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/internet/01/04/microsoft.patch.reut/index.html

Should you worry about it? Well, maybe not so much.

1. Make sure you have the latest version of Windows. If you are using Windows XP, your computers should automatically be updated when a patch is available. If not, you should go to Start, Windows Update and make sure that your computer is current.

2. Make sure that your virus protection is up to date. If you are using virus protection older than 2005, it may not protect you from the latest threats.

3. Make sure that you have the latest virus definitions. Your virus software should do this automatically. As in “2.” above, if you are using virus software older than 2005, you need to upgrade your version. Having the latest virus definitions will not fully protect you if you are using an old version of virus software.

4. Turn on your firewall. Go to Start and Help. Search for the word Firewall. Windows will show you how to turn on your Firewall protection. Having an active Firewall prevents most mischievous hackers from getting into your computer. Your Firewall protection will not prevent hackers from entering your computer if you visit an infected web site. It will prevent most hackers from miscellaneously finding your computer and infecting it.

5. Don’t use the internet!!!


Why did I get a virus? In researching virus software online, I entered a search for “virus reviews” on google. I clicked on one interesting site, and I was infected. The virus that infected my computer wasn’t so bad. My virus software warned me of the virus. It just wasn’t able to clean it out. I used some alternative antivirus software that completely cleaned my computer.

Unfortunately, if you are using the internet, you will probably get a virus. You can get it when you read your emails, or when you go to a site you have never been to. It just happens. It’s very much like the flu. No matter how much you wash your hands, you will one day be infected. And if you don’t get the flu, it will be something else. If you don’t get a virus on your computer, it will be spyware. If not spyware, your hard drive will go. Best thing you can do is make sure that you make good backups every day.

Courtesy of PC America Newsletter. Thank you.

[dangman4ever]

Yes I'd advise everyone right now to update Windows. The patch has been released.

Even though there are a ton of articles online advising people to install firewalls, anti-virus, anti-spyware and anti-adware, not many people have done so. Less than 50% of homes PCs are secured according to this article: http://www.technewsworld.com/rsstory/48081.html

And since I'm bored right now, here's a list of free programs for people who have NOT secured their computer yet or people who are strapped for cash and cannot afford to pay for protection:

Firewall
Zonealarm
http://www.download.com/3000-2092-10039884.html

Even though all Windows XP come with a built-in Firewall, sometimes its not on by default or is easily compromised. And a firewall is the best line of defense. So if you don't like the Windows firewall or you feel you need better protection, go with Zonealarm. With Zonealarm, you choose which programs can access the internet and prevent many viruses, worms, or trojans from getting through

Anti-Virus
AVG Free Edition
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/2/lng/us/tpl/v5

Very good AV. Anti-virus software are the second line of defense. Whatever viruses, worms or trojans that a firewall doesn't catch, AV software serves as a backup
and allows you to remove those bad programs. I use it myself and I have not recieved a virus for over 6 months.

Anti-Adware
Lavasoft Ad-Aware SE Personal
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/

Ever got one of those popup ads asking if you want to increase the size of a body part? Thats adware. One of the best anti-adware programs available. Run a scan at least once a month and your computer will be safe from adware and certain spyware

Anti-Spyware
Sbybot: Search & Destroy
http://www.download.com/Spybot-Searc...-10122137.html

Spyware collects every single piece of information about you and sends it out to companies. They also leave your computer open to attack from viruses and trojans. Still the best anti-spyware program since it came out, Spybot: Search & Destroy will protect your computer from spyware and browser hijackers. Like Ad-Adware, run at least once a month to keep your computer safe.

The last two programs I recommended serve to block spyware and adware when you're using Internet Explorer (IE). However using IE extensivey nowadays is just not a good idea. Even though there have been updates to IE that can block adware and spyware, many of today's viruse, worms, trojans,
spyware, and adware are written to infect people through IE. So as another layer of defense, use Mozilla Firefox: http://www.mozilla.com/

Mozilla Firefox is an alternative web browser that has built-in protection against malicious programs. I recommend that everyone switch to Firefox if they want to keep their computer safe.

And so ends my help. Luckily I managed to save a few people today.

[Admin]

dangman4ever, excellent choice. I also use Grisoft Antivirus software, Ad-Aware spyware remover, Spybot SD, and Webroot Spy Sweeper which I got it Free After Rebate (FAR).

I use to use ZoneAlarm for the firewall protection but not anymore.

[dangman4ever]

What do you use as a firewall then?

[Keng]

I only have Anti Spyware by Microsoft.....don't have all the other haha.

[lost-and-found]

yea, zone alarm used to be good before they got bought out. Starting with version 5 they started really sucking. I'm still using them, but i'm using version 4.5...one of the last good releases.

As far as spyware/ad-ware goes, I also recommend using the microsoft anti-spyware utility, it removed some stuff spybot and ad-aware couldn't remove for me. But the microsoft software alone won't find or fix every spyware on your machine, so it's common sense to run more then one anti-spyware software.

Another thing to remember, with exploits like the one mentioned in the post, anti-virus software will not necessarily protect you. Anti-virus companies can only release new anti-virus patches once they identify a threat. So, someone writes a virus, it spreads, anti-virus company gets an infected file so it can write a fix, fix is released. But in the meantime a new virus can be written which uses the same exploit, and this new virus won't be identified by the AV software until the AV company writes a new fix for it.

[dangman4ever]

Originally Posted by lost-and-found

As far as spyware/ad-ware goes, I also recommend using the microsoft anti-spyware utility, it removed some stuff spybot and ad-aware couldn't remove for me. But the microsoft software alone won't find or fix every spyware on your machine, so it's common sense to run more then one anti-spyware software.

I knew there was a program I forgot to list! Yeah running ad-aware, spybot and microsoft anti-spyware will pretty much keep one's computer clean.

And of course AV won't always be able to block new viruses. But there are a few AV programs out there that can detect and block new viruses before a fix comes out. McAfee use to be really good at that in the past. Dunno about now. Anyway having a firewall and AV program working together helps prevent the likeliness of a virus getting through.

Though having a router with hardware firewall helps too.

[Admin]

I stopped using a firewall software after the Zonealarm free edition. Depending on the trusty Windows XP firewall and the router hardware.

[david90]

Tips for a virus free computer.

1. Don't browse shady porn sites.
2. Only download programs from repuatable sites such as download.com
3. Use FireFox browser! <-most important!
4 Don't browse shady porn sites.

My computer is virus free, and I don't even have any of program mentioned above.

[lost-and-found]

and if you've got to browse the shady porn sites, at least use firefox, and never, under any circumstances install any "software that is required to view this" Remember, if it's asking for an installation, it's not worth being seen.

[HardToSpell]

Good information here, thanks!

A really good firewall you guys happened to miss was Kerio's personal firewall. Their site lists it as a 30-day trial, but it keeps working after that. It just loses some things that aren't terribly important for home users like remote administration, ad-blocking, etc. They have a comparative list on their site. Anyway, Kerio provides a lot of customization options, it's pretty lightweight so it doesn't eat up a whole lot of system resources, and has some pretty good documentation.

Its only real possible drawback is it isn't mind-numbingly simple to use. But even if you don't read IEEE whitepapers for fun, you should be able to figure things out pretty quick.

Link: http://www.sunbelt-software.com/Kerio.cfm

[Admin]

Another recommendation for Kerio personal firewall, which is free for personal use. (Wonder why Kerio Technology Inc. is directing customers to Sunbelt-software.com)


Whether you use Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox, you can go to your option menu and disable certain features to further deter unwanted spywares and viruses. I tend to disable Java and enable the "Warn Me before downloading software" checkbox for Firefox.

Keep your antivirus and spyware softwares updated and your operating system updated with the latest patch.

[HardToSpell]

Originally Posted by Kwak

*snip*Wonder why Kerio Technology Inc. is directing customers to Sunbelt-software.com*snip*

I don't think Kerio was making an awful lot of money off it, since it cost fifty bucks for not a whole lot of additions, so Sunbelt bought it and is selling it on the cheap. Hoping for more customers, going for the economy of scale especially since their running cost after buying it is almost zero.

My bet, anyway.