Be Safe on the Internet

[Mistery]

Unfortunately spam and malware (viruses, worms, trojans, adware, spyware) are spreading more than ever. Reports of security companies and malware researchers show a rising tendency.

Due to the boom of social platforms like MySpace, Facebook, Twitter etc., these have become a huge target for cyber criminals, too.

In this thread, you will find some general advice for safer browsing.


1. General Guidelines:

Here you can find some general advice how to make your computer safer:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic2520.html
http://www.malwareremoval.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=4959
http://temerc.com/rulsprtctn.html

If you like, you can do an online scan with Secunia Online Software Inspector from time to time to see if your most common/popular programs are up to date:
http://secunia.com/vulnerability_scanning/online/


2. Beware of Rogue Antivirus and Antimalware Products!

These are programs that are advertised as antivirus, antispyware, antiadware etc. products, which are dubious or even dangerous. Either they do not offer real protection, or even may infect your computer.
Before you download any security software, make sure it's not a rogue. Also only download legit and safe security software from trusted websites.

Reading tipps:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogue_security_software
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm#products


3. Be Careful on Social Platforms (MySpace, Facebook, Twitter etc.) and Other Websites!

Here are just some examples how your computer could be infected, and how to prevent this.

General: 9 Dirty Tricks
http://www.csoonline.com/article/480589/_Dirty_Tricks_Social_Engineers_Favorite_Pick_Up_Li nes
(note, this article has 4 pages)

Problem of shortened URLs on social platforms:
http://security.thejoshmeister.com/2009/04/how-to-preview-shortened-urls-tinyurl.html
http://security.thejoshmeister.com/2009/05/longurl-preview-shortened-urls-no.html

Problem of receiving messages with links, and problem of fake malicious video or music files:
http://blog.trendmicro.com/new-variant-of-koobface-worm-spreading-on-facebook/
http://www.csoonline.com/article/474868/LinkedIn_Facebook_Twitter_Users_Beware

Problem of malicious ads on websites and social platforms:
http://msmvps.com/blogs/spywaresucks/archive/2009/08/03/1712174.aspx

[Mistery]

Virus hunters are raising the alarm for a large-scale spam attack that uses fake Facebook password-reset messages to trick PC users into downloading a dangerous piece of malware.Please read further details here:
http://blogs.zdnet.com/security/?p=4724


Don't get fooled by this malicious trick! Happy and safe surfing :)

[Mistery]

A member of our forums has received a fake email that was meant to spy out their username and password, and to spam their friends:

Hiya : )
Damn : ()
Long time ....
Hi o_oLavasoft, a security company has released a warning concerning such emails:

http://www.lavasoft.com/mylavasoft/securitycenter/blog/new-wave-of-fake-msn-emails

If you have been victim of such an attack, immediately change your password!

[Mistery]

We received new spammed emails disguised as a legitimate email from “Facebook”. This spammed email contains the email subject “New login system” and requests the user to update their account by clicking on the “here” or the “Update” button.Read the details here:
http://community.ca.com/blogs/securityadvisor/archive/2009/10/28/zbot-goes-facebooking.aspx

Don't be fooled by this scam, it downloads a password stealing trojan!

[Mistery]

Similar emails that have been mentioned in the previous posts are now sent around, but this time it's not about Facebook but about Myspace.
However it's the same scheme, and the senders want you to download malicious content.

They claim that for your security the passwords have been reset, and that they are sending you your new password in the attachment.
The attachment however is malicious, and has nothing to do with your Myspace account.

Do not open the attachment, delete such emails immediately!

If you are interested, read more details here:
http://community.ca.com/blogs/securityadvisor/archive/2009/11/04/same-old-schemes.aspx

[Mistery]

There is currently a widespread malware attack, being spammed out to innocent internet users under the disguise of a mailbox deactivation notice.

Be careful, and don't fall into this trap! Do not click links, or open attachments of such emails!


Read details here:
http://www.sophos.com/blogs/gc/g/2009/11/17/mailbox-deactivated/
http://www.symantec.com/connect/blogs/utility-has-zero-business-your-mailbox

[Mistery]

Spam emails claiming to inform about a new login system at Facebook come with links to malicious websites.

Do not click any links or open/install any attachments!

Read details here:
http://hphosts.blogspot.com/2009/11/facebook-botnet-is-your-computer.html

[Mistery]

It's time to update your Flash Player to the latest version, in which several security issues have been addressed.

The new version, which has been released on December 8, is 10.0.42.34.
You can do a version detection test here to find out which version you have:
http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/155/tn_15507.html

If you wish to check if your most common software is up to date, do an online scan here: http://secunia.com/vulnerability_scanning/online/

To update your Flash Player, use the official Adobe site:
http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/

[EscapeGirl]

Internet scams are multiplying as people send more holiday e-cards. An internet security company discovered an e-mail virus this week disguised as an e-card from American Greetings’ BlueMountain.com. This virus will search for bank accounts and log keystrokes to access personal banking information. (Some of this information came from my local newspaper as well.)

Read more here:
http://unified-communications.tmcnet.com/topics/business-email/articles/70677-holiday-e-card-scam-may-end-up-your.htm

[EscapeGirl]

Be careful what groups you join on Facebook! Social Networking sites continue to be targets of viruses and malware.

http://www.geek.com/articles/news/fraudulent-facebook-group-leads-to-malware-scam-20091229/