With the sudden onslaught of spyware and adware, there has been a similar onslaught of utilities promising to rid your computer of the dastardly software. But, in classic “Trojan Horse” fashion, many of these programs are actually installing the types of software they are supposed to erase.
Security
MyDoom, Chapter C
By Tom Mighell on
Posted in Security
The latest variant of the MyDoom virus, MyDoom.C, is making its way through the Internet, but not at the same amazing pace of its older brother. The virus has been modified to find only those computers previously infected with the virus, which should limit it to around 500,000 computers.
Zip It….Zip It Good
By Tom Mighell on
Posted in Security
Anyone who received a copy of the MyDoom virus may have recognized that the bug came concealed inside a Zip file, which is a relatively new and evil way of concealing viruses and other bad things. I say evil, because zip files are commonly used to send larger documents or files via e-mail. Microsoft…
MyDoom Update
By Tom Mighell on
Posted in Security
The past few days, our online news has been inundated with updates on the MyDoom virus. Here’s a roundup of recent news on the bad, bad, worm:
- Computer experts are ready to declare MyDoom the worst virus ever, as it accounted for 20-30 percent of all e-mail traffic yesterday.
- A variant of the virus,
…
Beware MyDoom
By Tom Mighell on
Posted in Security
The Novarg (or MyDoom) virus was unleashed yesterday afternoon (I received at least 20 copies of the virus at work myself). Disguised as an error message, when the attached file (usually a zip file) is launched, it sends out 100 infected e-mails in 30 seconds, to addresses located in your computer’s address book. The…
Another Day, another phishing scam
By Tom Mighell on
This time it’s a letter purporting to be from the FDIC (it’s not), warning that if users don’t provide their bank account information online they will lose their insurance protection, citing the Patriot Act as a threat. Again, this is a scam — spread the word.
Goin’ Anti-Phishin’
By Tom Mighell on
Every now and then I mention a new “phishing” scam, where individuals receive spoofed e-mails purporting to be from legitimate websites. Now you can keep up-to-date on the latest in phishing over at Anti-Phishing.org, which features daily headlines on new scams.
Have some cream cheese with that e-mail worm
By Tom Mighell on
Posted in Security
A rapidly-spreading new Internet worm, called Bagle-A, has some bugs in it. But it might just be a rehearsal for a bigger attack to come. Download your latest virus definitions, folks.
Update: a pair of contrary articles on the Bagle-A (or Beagle-A, if you prefer dogs to breakfast products): first is ‘Bagle’ Virus…
I can’t believe this still happens
By Tom Mighell on
It seems that “Cyber-blackmail” is on the rise — this usually occurs when the victims receive an e-mail from someone threatening to delete computer files or install p*rn on their computers unless they pay up.
I know most who read the newsletter and blog already know better, but maybe you know someone who doesn’t, so…
Pest Removal
By Tom Mighell on
Intranet Journal has a great tutorial on Identification and Removal of Spyware. This is a basic, but really good, explanation of the whole spyware mess; I especially like the tips the articles gives on recognizing the major types of spyware. Although programs like SpyBot Search and Destroy and AdAware are terrific for ridding your…