Danger Zone Topics

Take heed my friends if you are searching around the Internet or perusing your email, it seems there are some dangerous, cruddy things out there such as Fake Patch Tuesday emails, fake Microsoft's Software Removal Tool which will put in more malware than it would remove. So stay alert.

Tread softly when searching for these dangerous topics in spam and search results: .pdf files (Adobe vulnerability, above, and two unpatched iPhone vulnerabilities), Attachments with .lnk or .pif extensions (exploits for recently patched Windows flaw) have been reported.

be sure anti-virus applications are updated and functional
avoid opening attachments in spam emails or clicking on links in spam
be cautious opening attachments or following links in email messages
be especially cautious in web browsing if they use QuickTime Player
be alert for updates that are expected soon to fix serious holes in QuickTime Player, Microsoft Windows and Cisco Industrial Ethernet 3000 series routers.

Can the Internet be getting safer? Nah, but this week we do find only one dangerous topic in spam and search results, and that is - Buy.com "invoice" phishing emails. So should you get an email from "Buy.com" with an invoice... for crying out loud - don't answer it!!!

This WeekLs Top 10 Spyware Threats August 18, 2010

Trojan.Win32.Generic!BT: Trojan

2. INF.Autorun (v) (fs): Trojan

Trojan-Spy.Win32.Zbot.gen: Trojan

Trojan.Win32.Generic.pak!cobra: Trojan

Trojan.Win32.Meredrop: Trojan Downloader

Worm.Win32.Downad.Gen (v):Worm.W32

Trojan.Win32.Generic!SB.0: Trojan

Trojan.ASF.Wimad (v): Trojan

FraudTool.Win32.FakeAV.gen!droppedData (v): Trojan

Trojan.Win32.Malware.a : Trojan

Stay on top of all the real-time threats:
http://www.sunbeltsecuritynews.com/AMMM0W/100519-SunbeltSecurityLabs

How Not to Get Infected

Obviously, there are many ways to pick up a virus or other malicious software. We've put together a list of the more common methods of infection so that you know what to look out for and avoid.

Malicious links: (never click on a link unless you know the target destination is safe)

Drive-by downloads: these are the download of spyware, a computer virus, or any kind of malware that happen without knowledge of the user. Drive-by downloads may happen when you visit a website, view an e-mail message or click on a deceptive popup window. Many users click on the window in the mistaken belief that, for instance, it is an error report from their own PC or that it is an innocuous advertisement popup. In such cases, the malicious "supplier" may claim that the user "consented" to the download though he or she was completely unaware of having initiated a malicious software download.

Exploits: these are pieces of malware that take advantage of a weakness in a web browser, e-mail client, Adobe Flash installation or operating system. They install themselves without any user intervention whatsoever. Many take advantage of older vulnerabilities in applications or operating systems that don't have the latest updates installed. This is why it's important to install updates promptly.

Email attachments: infected attachments that arrive in spam emails can infect machines then send emails to everyone in the users address book. These spoofed email messages will contain some kind of enticing story to get you to follow a link to a malicious site or open an attachment which is actually the installer for the malware.

10 email scams to watch out for (click here)

If you are using WordPress, Opera or Firefox, make sure you get your updates.

FAKE Microsoft OUTLOOK Update!!

A fake E-mail notifying of a Microsoft outlook/outlook express Update is going around.

Microsoft DOES NOT send out e-mail notifications of patches/updates. This is malicious software contained in the link . Here is an article about the potential threat. Fake Microsoft patches themed malware campaigns spreading | Zero Day | ZDNet.com.

Remember follow safe computer practices and watch what you download and open in E-mails ....even from senders your know.

Google Sponsored Links Spreading Rogue Anti-Virus Software
sunbeltsecuritynews.com

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New Profile Spy Spam Spreading on Facebook Leads users to a survey scam

A new Facebook scam lures users into signing up for premium mobile services and spamming their friends by promising to show a list of profile visitors. It even instructs users to disable ad-blocking programs. Read the full article :
http://www.sunbeltsecuritynews.com/QU57EP/100811-Facebook-Spy-Spam

How Does a Computer Get Infected with Rogue Antivirus Programs?
The reason these rogue anti-virus programs are successful (for the malicious coders) is because the warning screens very closely resemble legitimate Windows warning screens, plus the rouge software program names closely resemble or sound like legitimate antivirus programs. When you load an infected Web site you might see a warning screen pop up and think that it is a legitimate Windows warning. Users unknowingly are tricked into downloading the software because they believe the warning to be a legitimate Windows messages. You might also be on a Web site trying to view a video and a screen may pop-up telling you that you need to download a codec to view the file. The window prompting you to download the codec looks legitimate, however you are not going to download a codec—instead you will receive one of the many rogue antivirus software programs. In April of this year, it was also reported that systems that had been previously infected with Conficker, found this worm had began installing rogue antivirus programs on infected machines. In the early cases this turned out to be a rogue application called SpywareProtect2009. Kaspersky researchers reported this was a typical rogue program that offered to clean the computer for $49.95. Lastly, if you use file sharing networks you also risk downloading a rogue antivirus as it can be easily hidden inside a legitimate program—that you may or may not be legitimately downloading. For more information on Rouge A/V programs see the full article here
Remember no antivirus program is ALL POWERFULL.. to paraphrase the movie "A Field of Dreams" .. if you click it it will come!!

Malware Watch: Adobe zero day attack, malicious FIFA-themed spam, exploit serving Virus Alerts Click for article

Bogus UPS shipping spam

Trojan resists deletion by attacking the bootloader This is potenitally a very nasty one..

By John E. Dunn | Techworld
Published: 16:05 GMT, 12 April 10

A new wave of bogus UPS shipping spam is being used to push a piece of malware which can render PCs unbootable, security company Webroot has warned. Read full article here,,

WARNING! In these times of Financial trouble Bank info scams will be on the RISE!!

Hey Guys! With all the problems in Washington on Wall street and in the banking sector, more and more phishing scams are on the way! If you get an email from your bank asking you to update your personal info THINK TWICE or even 5 Times..Most banks will not ask for personal info by sending an email it may be or more than likely is someone trying to STEAL your personal info.. PLEASE if you even are slightly afraid or suspicious, CALL the BANK and ask .. (Don't call the number in the email Look it up your self )

Just remember the motto of that great bank " The First Presbyterian Bank of Scotland"; " We cannot save your soul ..But we can save your Money!"

As always be careful opening those junk attachments.

Remember.. Grandpa said" there is no such thing as a free lunch". Everybody wants something...

Safe Computing .. Pat F..

Click on banner to try for free and then buy!

Last up date: 10:36 PM 9/2/2010

Trojan resists deletion by attacking the bootloader This is potenitally a very nasty one..

WARNING! In these times of Financial trouble Bank info scams will be on the RISE!!