From the malcontents who bring us fake antivirus software comes “Antivirus 2010,” a Windows scam so sneaky it puts its predecessors to shame. It looks horrifyingly realistic (see screenshots) and it goes all-out in pretending to be legit:
- Mimics Windows’ own Security Center with warnings to register the fake software
- Mimics Internet Explorer errors to imply you need the fake software before you can visit web sites
- Mimics Windows startup screens to imply you can’t start your computer without registering the fake software
- Creates phony errors in Windows to imply your computer is unusable without the fake software
- Pretends to find and fix problems that aren’t present on your computer
- Offers a realistic-looking web site for download and registration
and the topper, in case you try to Google it to see if it’s real:
- Redirects your machine to fake web sites with fake reviews extolling the fake software!
Antivirus 2010 is showing up everywhere from sponsored Google links to MySpace comments, so be sure you’re running legitimate antivirus programs and don’t forget to subscribe to Tech Tips for the latest computer news.
For the fourth year the Better Business Bureau has awarded Guidry Consulting its Complaint-Free Award for excellence in customer service. Thank you all for your support and referrals!
Many people come to me frustrated not only with their computer problems, but with the kind of unsympathetic tech support that gives real IT specialists a bad name. I try to leave every customer more content with their computers than when we started. If you’re tired of substandard tech support, contact me and let me show you what I can do to help.
Guidry Consulting, Inc. is a BBB Accredited Business and participant in its OnLine Reliability program.
Bugs in PDF files have always been a problem, which is why it’s a good idea to use the latest version of Acrobat. Now is a good time for a reminder because a recently discovered flaw provides a new way for viruses to infect you via PDFs.
Click here to download the latest version of the Acrobat Reader software, but there’s no fix for this particular flaw yet. To protect yourself in the meantime, disable JavaScript in Acrobat for Windows by selecting Edit, Preferences, JavaScript and unchecking the Enable Acrobat JavaScript box.
For many people, the Internet is synonymous with the Web. Actually the Web is a service that runs on the Internet, like email or file sharing; it happens to be the most popular service at the moment because it’s so versatile. If you use Windows, you probably access the Web through Internet Explorer, the big blue E on your desktop.
I recommend that you not use Internet Explorer. Why? Because IE, for all that it comes with Windows, may not be the safest way to access the Web.
Built into IE are special mechanisms (collectively called ActiveX) used by web developers to create code. This is good in some ways; it makes web sites simpler and less expensive to design. Unfortunately the same mechanisms can also be used by viruses to infect your computer. Newer versions of IE offer more protection, but IE’s intrinsic weaknesses are part of the reason why viruses are particularly virulent in the Windows world.
There is a Catch-22 in that some web sites require you to use Internet Explorer (or function so poorly without it that it’s pointless to try). Often these addresses end in “.asp” or “.aspx,” meaning they were written in Microsoft’s web language. If you must use Internet Explorer, lock it down to minimize the risk. Otherwise I strongly encourage you to explore alternate web browsers.
In March I’ll teach you about Streamlined Surfing. If you have any computer questions click Comments below this article, and don’t forget to subscribe to the email version of Tech Tips for bonus tips and product reviews.
If an alternate web browser is safer than Internet Explorer, which one should you use?
The most popular is Mozilla Firefox, available for both PC and Mac. I use it on both platforms. Another option for PC and Mac is Opera, which tends to do better with IE-insistent sites. Windows users might want to explore Google Chrome (a version for Mac is in development). And Mac users can rely on Apple’s default browser, Safari. Be sure to set the alternate browser as the default when asked. For more information on alternate browsers, please visit the Alternate Browser Alliance.
You can also install plug-ins to enhance your browser’s capabilities. I’m fond of McAfee SiteAdvisor for security. You can find Firefox plug-ins on Mozilla’s site.
Next month we’ll talk about How To Organize Your Email. If you have any computer questions click Comments below this article, and don’t forget to subscribe to the email version of Tech Tips for bonus tips and product reviews.
Every holiday we get a spate of viruses, and every holiday I feel compelled to warn you about fake electronic greeting cards. Trust me, virus writers will do just about anything to get you to click on their infectious links, so ignore those pretty Valentines.
In other news, a recent ruse demonstrates how computer security bleeds into everyday life. In Grand Forks, North Dakota, miscreants went so far as to put phony parking tickets on cars. The link that purportedly takes the victim to a police web site is actually infused with malware. This is an example of social engineering, when hackers use real-world tricks to achieve digital domination. Another is the ever-popular leaving of USB flash drives in public places. Most people don’t hesitate to try them on their computers, at which point hidden viruses go to work bypassing firewalls and introducing back doors into networks.
Watch out for these scams, and don’t forget to subscribe to the email version of Tech Tips for the latest computer news.
A recent vulnerability discovered in some Hewlett-Packard LaserJet printer models serves as a reminder that even your printer can be used against you.
This particular advisory concerns black and white LaserJet 2410, 2420, 2430, 4250, 4350, 9040, 9050 series, and HP Color LaserJet 4730mfp, HP Color LaserJet 9500mfp and HP 9200C Digital Sender. A bug in the administrative interface could be used to obtain any document that has been sent to the printer. Many printers today keep digital copies of what they’ve printed, a potential security risk for any business. To patch such vulnerabilities you need to update your printer’s firmware, or the little bit of software that lives inside the printer itself.
This is a good time to remind all of you that you should check for new printer software on a regular basis. Your printer could easily be the subject of an advisory similar to this one. To learn if there is updated software for your printer, visit the manufacturer’s web site and look under “support.”
From the malcontents who bring us fake antivirus software comes “Antivirus 2010,” a Windows scam so sneaky it puts its predecessors to shame. It looks horrifyingly realistic (see screenshots) and it goes all-out in pretending to be legit:
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