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A Net of Thieves is a great starting place, read this article!!! click link above or at bottom of page.
Destructive and Nuisance Viruses: Once in the mainstream, they just get passed around, not intended for the most part, but because they are programmed to take advantage of security issues we take for granite.
You can't be too careful. I have been dealing with Virus removal for a number of year and 'things' are getting busier. For the month of June, so far, I have dealt with W32.Magistr.24876@mm, W95.MTX, W95.Hybris.Gen, W32.Badtrans.13312@mm, just to mention a few. Just got another Email and sure enough it was infected with the W32Magistr Virus. I called the party and notified them, fortunately they had discovered it and dealt with it. I can't over emphasize the importance of Updating your Virus program monthly, if not bi-monthly. When I say 'update' I must remind you of these issues;
 | You buy, have installed, download from the Internet, or whatever way a Virus Protection program finds its way into your computer, it requires some maintenance!!!!!!!!! |
| The program was developed and released at some time in our past. It could have been last month, even last year, so the Data it uses to detect the Viruses MUST BE CURRENT!!! Not from last month or last year. You might as well save your money and not even put it on, unless it is equipped with today's current Data. |
| Even if it Scans your system regularly, scans your E-mail, shows you pictures of how it will squash little virus bugs, DON'T get a false sense of security. |
| Some of the better programs like Symantec (Norton) or McAfee, have pop-up alerts to notify you of when updates are available. This is only if this feature has not been disable, ignored, or originally miss configured. |
| Most times it is referred to as 'LIVE UPDATE' and you answer YES-OK-NEXT-Continue, or whatever is required. Call for HELP if your not sure. |
So it is up to you to 'USE PROTECTION' so to say.
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Norton AntiVirus Web Site |
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McAfee AntiVirus Web Site |
Destructive and Nuisance Viruses: Once in the mainstream, they just get passed around, not intend idly for the most part, but because they are programmed to take advantage of security issues we take for granite.
| Have a good Anti Virus program in place. I suggest ‘Mcafee’ or ‘Norton’ and it is a definite must to keep the Virus definitions current. These can be updated regularly via the Internet. |
| Set your Email preference’s to Plain Text. This is to avoid the Attachments from being automatically opened when your mail is viewed. And most of these viruses come as an attachment. |
| Do not open any files attached to an email from an unknown, suspicious or untrustworthy source. |
| Do not open any files attached to an email unless you know what it is, even if it appears to come from a dear friend or someone you know. Some viruses can replicate themselves and spread through email. Better be safe than sorry and confirm that they really sent it. |
| Delete chain emails and junk email. Do not forward or reply to any to them. These types of email are considered Spam, which is unsolicited, intrusive mail that clogs up the network. |
| Do not download any files from strangers |
| Exercise caution when downloading files from the Internet. Ensure that the source is a legitimate and reputable one. Verify that an anti-virus program checks the files on the download site. If you're uncertain, don't download the file at all or download the file to a floppy and test it with your own anti-virus software. |
| Update your anti-virus software regularly. Over 200 viruses are discovered each month, so you'll want to be protected |
| Back up your files on a regular basis. If a virus destroys your files, at least you can replace them with your back-up copy. |
| When in doubt, always err on the side of caution and do not open, download, or execute any files or email attachments. |
| iT'S TOO EASY AND IT COULD COME FROM THE MOST UNSUSPECTING SOURCE. CLICK HERE but don't panic. I say again "DON'T PANIC". |
| Don't open attachments ending with the extension: .exe - .bat - .com - .vbs - .scr - .pif WRITE THESE ON A POST-IT AND STICK IT TO your MONITOR , this will help. Don't be fooled!!!! example: newtune.MP3.scr This looks like a sound file but the extension is .scr (a no no) or schedule.DOC.pif LOOK CAREFULLY |
| Your virus program can only do about 70% of the security job, YOU have to use about 30% of good |
A few things to watch for:
| Attachments that don't seem to do anything. |
| Duplicate E-mail messages from the same source (like 2 from Aunt Vira, same subject or not, received at the same time). |
| Illegal Error message, entering, using, or closing your Mail or Internet Browser. |
| Programs not opening as usual. |
| Unusual screen anomalies or unusual Icon behavior. |
| Can't seem to connect to the Internet. |
If you suspect something is different, Email us at getcomputerhelp@shaw.ca and make sure you have the subject line 'this has no attachment'.
Another safeguard; Enter as a new contact in your Address Book, the following;
First Name: AAA Last Name: AAA - and the Email address as getcomputerhelp@shaw.ca
Viruses tend to mail a copy of themselves to people in your Address Book, so if we are at the top of the list, they will send themselves to me and we will be alerted.
W32.Netsky.B@mm (information found at sarc.com)
W32.Netsky.B is a mass-mailing worm that uses its own SMTP engine to send itself to the email addresses it finds when scanning the hard drives and mapped drives. This worm also searches drives C through Z for folder names containing "Share" or "Sharing," and then copies itself to those folders.
Removal using the
W32.Netsky.B@mm Removal Tool
Symantec Security Response has developed a
removal tool to clean the infections of W32.Netsky.B@mm. This is the easiest
way to remove this threat and should be tried first.
W32.Mydoom.A@mm
W32.Mydoom.A@mm (also known as W32.Novarg.A) is a mass-mailing worm that arrives as an attachment with the file extension .bat, .cmd, .exe, .pif, .scr, or .zip.
When a computer is infected, the worm sets up a backdoor into the system by
opening TCP ports 3127 through 3198, which can potentially allow an attacker to
connect to the computer and use it as a proxy to gain access to its network
resources.
In addition, the backdoor can download and execute arbitrary files.
Symantec Security Response has developed a removal tool to clean the infections of W32.Mydoom.A@mm.
W32.Beagle.B@mm
W32.Beagle.B@mm is a mass-mailing worm that opens a backdoor on TCP port 8866. The worm uses its own SMTP engine for email propagation. It can also send the attacker the port on which the backdoor listens and a randomized ID number.
| Symantec Security Response has developed a removal tool to clean the infections of W32.Beagle.B@mm. |
Other Top Threats
W32.Welchia.B.Worm
W32.Swen.A@mm
W32.Blaster.Worm
Read carefully and follow the instructions regarding Microsoft Patches and Updates!!!
virus info from www.sarc.com Norton Anti Virus's Site
Security
Who's watching?
Internet Security: Today, This is an issue worth addressing. Your computer can have a considerable amount of personal information regarding YOU. This is your business, but , too easily accessed via the Electronic Hwy by ‘hackers’ and ‘information gatherers’.
| Personal Procedure Knowledge |
| Upkeep of your Anti Virus Protection |
| System Security and Firewalls |
Knowledge
Your personal knowledge regarding the way you go about operating your affairs while using the computer is one of your more most powerful weapons against Invasion of Privacy.
As we WORK, PLAY, or EXPLORE old or new avenues from our computer, can be compared to driving, walking or riding to downtown to do our shopping, attending school, or even dating. We exert caution in doing so, just out of habit. Well, we must develop good habits while 'driving' our computer places!!
If you are using a Dial-up Server (using a telephone line), then your are connected to the Internet once your connection is made. If you surf the web, newsgroups, or check Email, you are subject to approach. Once you disconnect, there is usually just you that you are subject to, and things like Viruses, Hackers, etc. are reasonably kept at bay. Use the suggested procedures regarding Email attachments and downloaded program even once your off-line.
Anti Virus Protection
See above section Remember this. If you discover a virus on your system, it is often not necessary to lose your data. Lot's of people and shops will tell you that they must Format (erase everything), this is not necessary most of the time. Call someone who will deal with your needs a little more personably.
Your avenue to the Web is like a door in your house. Go out the front door to connect to the Web but be sure you lock it (also the backdoor and any other doors too). Keep it secure to the best of your ability.
A Firewall is like a sentry or guard dog whose job is to watch things for you while your away. We don't want vandals coming into our house and wrecking these things we have put our time into. A great Firewall is presently available for free from the Web. It is ZoneAlarm from ZoneLabs . Twice it has picked up malicious virus programming from within my Email. Even before Norton had to act. Version 2.6
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A very interesting issue is
'what goes on in the background while you are doing your computer
usage. I downloaded Real Player and noticed that there were times I
almost felt like I was 2nd in line to go online from my computer.
I learned that there was a small unnoticeable program sending out
information regarding my computer habits. Well, I have been told
that they don't do that anymore (??), ehh?.
I downloaded Winamp, a very effective and simple media play. I like simple straight forward programs that do their intended function. Well, again I was feeling like I was 2nd or even third in line now. My ZoneAlarm keep asking me if it was okay to allow 'WebHancer' to go online. I visited Webhancer's web site and discovered their intentions. It was installed as a result of loading WinAmp. www.webhancer.com "WebHancer measures web site performance from the perspective of more than seven million desktops, giving e-businesses a window on the levels of performance real people will tolerate." as quoted from their website. |
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| Who's spying on you. You would be surprised
by the number of programs on YOUR computer that you didn't
knowingly install.
Check out this LINK for a Freeware program that searches, lists, and allows you the ability to remove such 'spyware' programs.
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Time Magazine published a great article last June regarding Internet Security called 'A Net of Thieves' which is worth reading. or |
