The computer virus that could take advantage of you
Do you know there's a brand new computer virus that can get into your computer without you knowing even if you have AntiVirus and AntiSpyware installed? And when you try to get rid of it, it totally wrecks your system?I didn't know until a few days ago. On Thursday, the 25th of November (Thanksgiving), my computer was infected by a virus that literally took control of my web browser and wrecked my machine when I tried to get rid of it.Let me tell you what happened...After we were all done with our Thanksgiving dinner, I went online to do some quick research for my next article. But instead, I stayed up all night battling a virus from hell!Shortly after I got online, my Norton Antivirus and my adware/spyware removal software Spyware Doctor, started going wild with notifications of a virus presence in my computer.I immediately stopped doing what I was doing and got Spyware Doctor to scan my hard drive. Before long, it gave me a report about 196 infected files with Trojan and some other types of adware/spyware virus residing on my hard drive!I was shocked when I saw that. Just the day before the computer was fine!So then, I spent hours going through the whole procedure of removing the virus from my hard drive ? and soon it was clean.
Or so I thought...Here's what the virus was doing:Everything looked normal. If you don't know much about website development, you may never notice that something was wrong. And that's really dangerous, because anything can happen once your system is infected!As I continued with my research, I noticed something very strange. Many of the links that I clicked on, led me to one particular website that was filled with hundreds of different affiliate programs and products.Regardless of what website I would look at, every single website had these links placed on specific key words and phrases, such as: money, internet marketing, data, webhost, home based business, business opportunity, work, and others. And all of the links would take me to this website with the hundreds of products.
That was very unusual.But when I looked at my website, much to my surprise I saw the same links on my site!I couldn't believe it! The links did not exist in my html. But where were these links coming from?It's my website. I wrote those webpages! I didn't put those links there. And yet when I looked at the website the links were there.I called my sister and I asked her if she was seeing the same thing on her computer as I was seeing on my computer. She looked at my website and told me that she wasn't seeing any of those additional links, other than my usual links.That made me realize that something was wrong with my computer.
I saved the file that I was typing for my next article so I could devote my attention to finding a solution for this problem. A strange thing happened as soon as I hit the save button. The file reformatted itself. Hyperlinks were placed on all of the key words (as I already mentioned some) that were found in the file. But who placed those links?When I clicked on the link, it took me to the same page with the hundreds of products.
I got very scared because I felt like I was losing control of my computer. From my previous experience (but not as extreme), I've learned that the virus always stays in touch with the hacker's server, constantly transferring information about my activities gathered from the registry.This looked like a very serious virus. So I immediately unplugged my Internet connection. This way, the hacker was no longer going to be able to pull information from my registry, and I was going to face the virus without any additional input by the hacker.But regardless. I lost the battle.
For THREE FULL DAYS I tried to remove the virus, but without any luck..The Spyware Doctor narrowed it down to one trouble file, which was a type of Trojan that existed in my System32 directory. The Trojan was renaming itself every few seconds by randomly selected names.Norton Antivirus said that this type of Trojan gave no visual indication that my computer had been infected. It was dropping a copy of itself with a randomly named executable file.Every time the Spyware Doctor would find the Trojan, it was unable to locate it and it couldn't remove it. That's because the Trojan already had a different name.Also, what I found out was that I was never looking at my Internet Explorer browser. I thought I was, but I wasn't.
I found a Java Script that was taking the source code from any website that I would go to, reformat it by adding the links to the selected key words and then display the new code in another window that was being generated by a remote server.My original browser window was getting killed and I was looking at a cloned window with inserted links. That was happening with such speed that I didn't even notice it because of my fast Internet connection (cable modem).After I unplugged the Internet connection, my computer was no longer functioning properly. I couldn't access my "windows explorer" window any more, I couldn't open my Internet Explorer window and I lost control over many other functions.But each time I would turn the Internet modem back on, my computer would start to work fine. Only, the Spyware Doctor would give me a notification that over 40 dangerous files were immediately being downloaded into my hard drive.The Trojan virus that I couldn't remove because of its re-naming capability was probably staying in touch with the hacker's server. So I switched the Internet connection off for the last time and I shut down the computer.Right now as I'm writing this, I don't have a computer at home because I gave it to a technician to reformat the hard drive and try to save as many files as possible.
I'm writing this from another computer and I'm really worried that none of my files will be saved... that will mean months of work down the drain!I have since learned that my antivirus and anti-spyware software would not protect me against the Trojan threat. I needed a firewall to protect me, and make sure my computer was invisible online.Please, don't let this happen to you! Install a firewall on your computer so you can make your IP address invisible to hackers.As I'm finishing this article two weeks after the virus attack, my Norton Firewall is working at full force. Every time a hacker tries to send Trojan files to my hard drive behind my back, a window in the bottom right corner pops us notifying me of the dangerous executable files being blocked from entering my hard drive.I lost over 90% of my files but I've learned my lesson the hard way.? You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as the copyright and the source box are included. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated.Courtesy of: http://www.thesuccessmaze.com.
Steve Dimeck, author of ?The Success Maze.?To the people who want to succeed online -- but feel a bit lost in this online ?Maze.?FREE Details: ==> http://www.thesuccessmaze.comFREE E-Book: ==> mailto: ogdteam@getresponse.comAntivirus Email Internet Services Provides Antivirus Software with Subscription to our E-Mail and ISP Services
Fort Lee, NJ (ContentDesk) July 1, 2006 -- Antivirus Email is a consumer products company that offers a suite of privacy protection software, e-mail and ISP services. Antivirus Email will offer anti-virus software as part of its bundle of online protection software. The entire package, included with the standard monthly subscription to Antivirus Email offers spyware protection, a pop-up blocker and internet accelerator software along with the new anti-virus software.With the ongoing threat of damaging viruses to computer systems and the increased awareness to the threats of identity theft, consumers are at risk more than ever. Antivirus Email understands the critical need to provide consumers with an anti-virus product which is both easy to install and easy to use. Antivirus Email's new anti-virus software comes complete with full technical support and virus updates, which automatically install on the consumer's PC, keeping them protected against the latest online threats, as well as...
Antivirus Email Internet Services Provides Antivirus Software with Subscription to our E-Mail and ISP Services
Spyware > Antivirus Email Internet Services Provides Antivirus Software with Subscription to our E-Mail and ISP Services
You need a spyware remover!
If you use the internet, "There is over 90% chance your computer is infected with spyware" - Source CNN.
Just think about it. You probably have at least one, if not more computers in your home. Most computers today have internet access. And if you receive email from others and surf to a couple of sites can you be almost completely sure you have some kind of spyware installed in your computer.
How dangerous are spyware?
Let me give you a short list of things spyware can do,
? Spyware can run completely hidden on your computer
? It can slow down your computer a lot
? It can spy on you and send everything you type to someone else
? It can record everything you do, allowing someone to see it later
? It can spy on you and send account information, passwords, credit card numbers and similar to a third party
? It can "steal" files, pictures, videos and more from your computer
Some...
Spyware > You need a spyware remover!
How To Avoid Becoming A Victim of Identity Theft
With identity theft statistics currently at an all time high, and climbing, it just makes sense that we should all be doing everything we can to protect ourselves.One of the most prevalent yet overlooked ways your personal information and passwords may be being compromised is through the presence of Spyware on your computer.Note these very disturbing Facts about Spyware and Identity Theft:
- 27.3 million Americans have been victims of identity theft in the last five years, including 9.91 million people or 4.6% of the population in the last year alone.
- Spyware infects 91% of all computers. That equates to an alarming 9 out of 10 computers!
Spyware > How To Avoid Becoming A Victim of Identity Theft
The Free Music Download Industry Gains A Valuable Member
MyFreeMP3s.com is a new mp3 download site that offers an abundance of services, including free music downloads. While the service does have a small membership fee (as low as 66 cents a month), there are never any individual download fees when you use their service.
http://www.myfreemp3s.comBoasting over 10 million mp3s available to download, MyFreeMP3s.com will take you step-by-step and show you exactly how to find any song you're looking for, download it, play it, and even burn it to a CD to play in your home or car stereo.Not only do they offer unlimited mp3 downloads, but you can also download movies, games, software, books, and so many other things.????http://www.myfreemp3s.comIn addition to this featured service, they also offer an abundance of extra bonuses and tools, including a free mp3 to wave converter, several CD burning softwares, free audio editors, access...
Spyware > The Free Music Download Industry Gains A Valuable Member
Adware Spyware
Spyware Adware - Now we'll tell you the secret to stopping Adware Spyware: Restrict users from installing this malicious software, forever. Tips for identifying, removing and preventing spyware from being installed on your computer.
Detecting Spyware
Like anti-virus software, anti-spyware software relies on databases of known rogue programs that must be updated weekly to be effective. Detecting spyware files works in much the same way as your anti-virus software by scanning your hard drive files and folders.
There is some very good anti-spyware and anti-adware software is which is free such as adaware se. However you need to be aware that some anti-spyware software may only specialize in locating keyloggers, so it is important that you read the key features of the software before you use it.
Spyware programmers go to a lot of trouble to ensure their software remains hidden and performs the tasks that they require for months...
Spyware > Adware Spyware
Astaro Introduces First Unified Threat Management Solution With Dual Virus Scanning
BURLINGTON, Mass., October 11, 2005 Astaro Corporation today released version 6.1 of its award-winning Astaro Security Gateway software that provides the first unified threat management, network security solution with dual virus scanning, utilizing two of the market leading engines - Kaspersky and ClamAV.Dual virus scanning improves security in three ways:"???By increasing the number of virus patterns, to detect more viruses by their signatures, "???By providing a wider range of virus testing methods, to detect more virus variations that cannot be identified by a simple signature, and"???By obtaining updates from two sources, to reduce the exposure to new viruses."Astaro's success has come from identifying best-of-breed security solutions and integrating them in a single product that is complete and easy to use," said Jan Hichert, CEO of Astaro. "Our customers benefit by having access to the best in commercial and open source technologies. Utilizing Kaspersky and ClamAV virus engines...
Astaro Introduces First Unified Threat Management Solution With Dual Virus Scanning
Spyware > Astaro Introduces First Unified Threat Management Solution With Dual Virus Scanning
Tips on Preventing Becoming the Victim of the Latest Online Identity Theft Scam ? Phishing
Millions of people are becoming victims of identity theft. In many cases they are becoming victims all too often by freely providing personal information online. Email 'phishing' scams seek to lure individuals into phony online sites where they can be fooled into sharing the personal information needed for a thief to steal their identities.Scammers send emails imitating a legitimate website and ask for personal or financial information that they use to commit credit-card or bank fraud or other types of identity theft. Generally, a phishing scam works like this ? you receive an urgent email requests from a bank or other financial institution. The scammers may be using your bank's or credit card's name.
The email note will ask you to click on a link provided to go to one of a scammer's official looking websites. At their website you are ask to share or confirm some personal information. Though it looks like you are at your bank's website, you are at a scammer's website where any...
Tips on Preventing Becoming the Victim of the Latest Online Identity Theft Scam ? Phishing
Spyware > Tips on Preventing Becoming the Victim of the Latest Online Identity Theft Scam ? Phishing
Spyware
This page loaded in 0.02722 seconds.