Spyware Hunter

New Dell machines that consist of the Google toolbar as part of a marketing deal also is included with surreptitious software that redirects non-url info typed into a browser window to a Dell-branded page full of ads. For instance if you key in dogfood.cim, rather than obtaining a browser error message, the surreptitious Google Address Redirector redirects the question to an ad-filled page of search results.

David Ulevitch, the founder of OpenDNS, reported in company’s blog that Google and Dell have put in ’spyware’ on Dell machines. The claim was made on the base Ulevitch study of the activities of the Google Toolbar and homepage that gets in preinstalled on IE in new-fangled Dell machines. David Ulevitch also claims that a browser redirector relays users who go into fictional URLs to a Dell-branded page laden with Google ads.

David Ulevitch also reported in the blog that since the software meddle with his company’s ingenious, free DNS service, an opt-in DNS service which makes a small number of intelligent typo corrections, keeps tabs on identified phishing sites, and makes available search result pages for browser bar questions as hot sauce.

If you were to put a heatmap on the Dell-branded page... well, users can only look at ads. Dell and Google’s behavior here isn’t okay. Users never asked for this experience and they can’t get rid of it!

Moreover, this new ‘functionality’ breaks things. Instead of making DNS requests, the address bar now sends single word queries to Google. This application breaks a lot of OpenDNS functionality our users love. Typo correction? Broken. Shortcuts? Broken. Google’s application breaks just about every user-benefiting feature we provide with client software that no user ever asked for.

We enjoy challenging problems at OpenDNS. But we’d rather spend our time making the Internet better rather than solving problems that shouldn’t have been created in the first place. We know that Google is capable of launching great products and services, but this isn’t one of them.

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Crawler, LLC recently announced the release of their Spyware Terminator version 1.9, which is claimed to have widely been assessed by partaking users at Spyware Terminator Forums. The major updates of Spyware Terminator 1.9 are: (1) Setup assistant redesign (2) User interface improvements (3) Improved scanner speed (4) Firefox cookies scan

Spyware Terminator system has considerably been made simple. Numerous alternatives to pre-fix the program have been abridged, making Spyware Terminator easy to use. In contradiction of parallel softwares, this latest upgrading lets users fast setup Spyware Terminator in just a few minutes.

Robert Oesterlund, CEO, was quoted as saying,

Releasing version 1.9 was driven by our efforts to enhance Spyware Terminator’s functionality and ease of use for all our users. We value the input of our users who greatly contributed to these enhancements. delivering a reliable, highly protective security product designed with the user in mind is our number one priority and version 1.9 exemplifies our efforts in achieving this goal.

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House and Senate Democratic leaders must have got alarmed about the security of e-voting machines, as computer Scientists from California University were able to hack into three electronic voting systems used in California and elsewhere in nation.

Team of computer experts, acting on the request of state had hacked into systems from three most famous companies in the business: Diebold Election Systems, Hart InterCivic and Sequoia Voting Systems.

After the investigation, they found every system hack able in one or another way to affect the correct recording, reporting and tallying of votes. Hackers were able to gain physical access to the system, manipulate several; components networked to sever, loading wireless drivers onto the server used to access a wireless device plugged surreptitiously into the back of server and many more other ways.

Although in many cases it might be difficult to alter the results, however possibility of that cannot be denied.

Matthew A. Bishop, a professor of University of California, who led the team, said in the report, that it was surprising that how easily hackers broke not only the physical locks, but also the software defenses meant to block intruders. The addition of security measures after the basic system had been designed appeared to be the biggest problem with computerized touch screen machines, optical scanning systems and broader election-management software.

However, Industry executive criticized the report calling it unrealistic as it was not conducted in the realistic environment and no machine was known to be hacked in any election. He further added that report contains several inconsistencies, alternate conclusions and errors.

Whatever be the level of insecurities detected, what is the point in using these voting machines as pivotal and main source in voting, said Senate and Democratic leaders and proposed a shift to paper ballots and other backup records to increase confidence.

However, election supervisors are waiting for Secretary Bowen’s decision by Friday. Her decision will decide whether to ban these e-voting machines, which can pose problems for the upcoming Presidential elections in February.

Image Credit: MAIL

Via: TECHDIRT

Now, mobile phone and smartphone users will receive same security features, as they are receiving on their PCs and laptops. Soon, Symantec Corp. will offer Symantec Mobile Security Suite 5.0, the designed is designed to provide the same security and data protection capabilities on their Windows Mobile smartphones and PDAs, which has become standard for laptop and other computing devices.

Symantec Mobile Security Suite 5.0 will include antivirus, firewall, anti-SMS spam, and data encryption technologies, which are easy to deploy, manage and maintain. It will provide several integrated security technologies for mobile devices, which are given below:

Antivirus: It immediately detects mobile threats and prevents users from accessing an infected file. Administrators can schedule regular virus scans and updates via Symantec LiveUpdate

Firewall: Symantec Mobile Security Suite 5.0 controls both inbound and outbound network traffic on the mobile device

Anti-SMS Spam: It automatically filters and deletes spam messages, or places them in a separate spam folder

Loss mitigation technologies: It encrypts data on the device and memory cards in case it is lost or stolen. A file activity log helps administrators determine if confidential files have been accessed, and a data wipe tool erases all data after a maximum number of consecutive failed login attempts

Phone Feature Control: It allows administrators to enable and disable certain device features, like Bluetooth, WiFi, and device synching. This limits security vulnerabilities and potential attack vectors by only providing access to those features required for business.

Symantec Mobile VPN: This optional add-on enables enterprise customers to connect to corporate networks through secure IPSec VPN tunnels in order to protect sensitive data and interactions

Network Access Control: When used with the Symantec Mobile VPN, this technology enables IT administrators to ensure only secure, policy-compliant devices can access the corporate network

Tamper Protection: Verifies that the device’s image and security applications have not been tampered with or altered prior to allowing network access

Enterprise Management: Provides a management console for IT administrators with customizable security policies and reporting

Paul Miller, managing director of Symantec’s mobile security group, said,

Many Symantec customers - IT departments and consumers alike - understand that mobile phones represent the new computing platform. Now that the dual-mode Windows Mobile devices permit users to communicate over both cellular and wireless local networks, more and more users are relying on their phones for their personal and business transactions. These ‘pro-sumers’ are looking to security leaders like Symantec to help them protect their information and interactions no matter where they reside - whether that’s on phones, laptops, or PCs.

Image Credit: Ameinfo & SCR

Via: SDA

With the advent of Internet, world has become small. You can access anybody, anytime! It is like world is lying in your feet. But, as in every good thing there is something bad, so do Internet has its own disadvantages. E-mail has become the best source to send and receive messages from any corner of the world. But, nowadays our e-mail boxes are usually filled with spam messages.

Approximately 37% of e-mail users in US have stated that they are receiving more junk as compare to personal mails. On the other 29% found an enhancement in their work accounts. Whereas 28% simply do not consider spam as any problem. Associate Director of Pew, Susannah Fox states that, “It’s maybe starting to become part of life online”, he further added that, “Once something’s part of life online, people feel that they should just stop complaining about it and move on, even though people are still annoyed by it.”

But, the most common complaint among the internet users is spam with pornography. According to Pew, this is one of the most common complaints and it seems that it is dropping as compare to drugs and spam related to finances. Arrival of spam blockers along with software filters have made thing easier for internet users. Thus, spammers have to fight a tough battle to get e-mail ids.
Image: Nlb-Online
Via:usatoday

Privacware, Corp. has launched an integrated desktop firewall and multilayer intrusion prevention software, Privatefirewall 5.0, which delivers signature less, zero hour protection from know or new spyware, viruses, hacking techniques and other intrusions on Windows desktops and servers.

Privatefirewall 5.0 solves the Windows vulnerabilities, which hackers exploit to gain unauthorized access and damages private systems and data. Privatefirewall 5.0 models and monitors system identifies block activity characteristic, known as malware, hacking and phishing, so that users and IT managers of small and medium enterprise can protect the environment and private data more effectively. The new software includes following protection layers, which are given below:

1) Desktop firewall
2) Port manager
3) URL filtering
4) Process monitor and application/system behavior modeling
5) Anomaly detection components

Privatefirewall 5.0 is integrated with eTrust Antivirus and eTrust PestPatrol Anti-Spyware solutions and also supports Windows XP, Windows 2000 and Windows 2000/2003 server. Privatefirewall 5.0 evaluates WinAPI calls and analyzes a variety of system variables, security-sensitive registry keys and alerts administrators. Currently, Privatefirewall 5.0 is available as a stand alone solution to use in home and small business.

Image Credit: PWI Corp.

Via: Managing & Automation

Blaming Russia for initiating hacking attacks, Estonia was recently reported to have said that its websites have been hit by a series of cyber attacks. Leaders in the capital, Tallinn, claim that many of the attacks have emanated from Russia and are being disseminated by state computer servers in the nation. Nevertheless, Moscow says no to any connection in the attacks.

Nato spokesman James Appathurai was quoted by BBC News as saying,

In the 21st century it’s not just about tanks and artillery. We have sent one of our experts at the request of the Estonian authorities to help them in their defense.

The Baltic nation says the assaults started after the removal of a Soviet war memorial in the capital. Ever since the removal, the two countries have been confined into a clash and Estonia has been flooded with denial-of-service (DoS) attacks for the last three weeks, with websites for the government, banks and political parties noted.

A talking head for NATO, stated the organization had dispatched technical specialists to Estonia to help fight the difficulty. Estonian officers have obstructed access to a few of the servers from outside of the nation to put off additional assaults. The Prime Minister of Estonia, Andrus Ansip, has straightforwardly laid blame on the Russian govt of being behind the attacks.

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Be aware of the latest Skype worm, Stration worm. It is not only targeting Skype contacts, but also making its way to other popular IM clients such as AIM, Trillian, Yahoo! Messenger, Miranda and ICQ through Skype.

Chirs Boyd of FaceTime confirms,

The infection checks the registry for evidence of programs like AIM, Trillian, Yahoo Messenger, Miranda and ICQ - however, so far we’ve only seen it fire a message to an ICQ and an MSN Messenger Client.

The worm sends a link and downloadable executable file. If the user clicks the link and downloads the file, then the PC is infected with worm. The worm starts sending messages to Skype contacts.

The Spyware Guide explains the worm uses the tried and tested methods employed by similar infections over the past few months, with the ultimate payload being the Stration Worm.

Although Stration is regarded as low-risk infection and not so prevalent, but it is giving tough times to security venders creating hundreds of variants.

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Agnitum recently released Outpost Security Suite Pro (OSS), which is claimed to be all-inclusive, proactive security, with built-in a single product the company’s much-admired personal firewall, a ground-breaking all-in-one anti-malware engine, intelligent spam filter, tools to put a stop to illegal program interactivity, and self-defense protocols that wedge attempts by malware to bypass or shut down the program.

Mikhail Penkovsky, worldwide vice-president for Marketing and Sales for Agnitum was reported to have said about the product that OSS delivers the strong security expected by users from Agnitum. He further maintains that their broad-based proactive security, brought about round one of the globe’s state-of-the-art personal firewalls, provides efficient, low-impact safety for every users, without regarding their level of experience.

The suite has been brought about on Agnitum’s Outpost Firewall Pro, an award-winning personal firewall that shields over a million users all through the world. For the past many years, Outpost Firewall Pro has included anti-spyware, identity theft security and leak avoidance, plus the groundbreaking community-capable ImproveNet service, which makes users available with hardened and ready-to-use configuration rules that echo real-world application deployments.

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Well, imagine that your favorite media files are running on your computer and suddenly an ad page opens and says, ‘What old fashion music you are sticking to, we have something new for you.’ Then you switch to find some books and again an ad hits your computer screen and giving you a list related to whatever you were typing. Furthermore, you will surely feel bewildered that ads will follow you in whatever context you use a window.

Isn’t it amazing that how an advertiser knows what is going on your computer screen?

Microsoft submitted an adware patent back in 2006 that will use your ‘context data’ from your hard drive to select focus advertising for you to view while you are reading your e-mail, working on word and excel documents.

Yes, that’s true-now, no stone will be left unturned to get access to your data on your hard drive in order to flash an advertisement that matches your interest.

The present advertising relies on individual’s web browsing habits, the type of sites they visit, or kind of search engine used.

This adware framework would utilize almost all the data to assure they it targets the right individual for right product. It can collect data by inspecting your computer settings, user e-mail files, media files, status messages, and files that you download.

Ads would be limited to something around 4 per hour and will only support text or graphical ads, a little insurance that you won’t get tons of irrelevant ads popping up all over your computer screen.

Unfortunately, this patent application filed in February last year, was uncovered recently by InformationWeek, which mentions nothing in context of data security or how it will protect your personal data.

Of, course anybody would like to get rid of unwanted and irrelevant ads which this new patent promises. In reality, it seems nothing more than another method to get better hold on the users and score more points in order to sell their products.

It’s more or less like,‘organized disturbance’ and will follow you with every word you type or every file you open.

Image Credit: EECS

Via: Arstechnica