80% of U don't know how dangerous the internet IS
polycounter lvl 18
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Criminals hijack consumers' PCs by the thousands every day and use them to do their dirty work. Armies of zombies, for example, are now regularly used to attack Web sites and extort their owners.
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http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6560512/
I try to convince people of this at work, but they look at me like I'm paranoid....even though I've fixed their infected computers about a half a dozen times.
http://www.winpatrol.com
http://soho.sygate.com/products/spf_standard.htm
http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/1/
http://www.microsoft.com
Alot of these problems can be avoided, paticularly when all the stuff you need is free.
Criminals hijack consumers' PCs by the thousands every day and use them to do their dirty work. Armies of zombies, for example, are now regularly used to attack Web sites and extort their owners.
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http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6560512/
I try to convince people of this at work, but they look at me like I'm paranoid....even though I've fixed their infected computers about a half a dozen times.
http://www.winpatrol.com
http://soho.sygate.com/products/spf_standard.htm
http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/1/
http://www.microsoft.com
Alot of these problems can be avoided, paticularly when all the stuff you need is free.
Replies
AND.. if just give up a bit of your personal privacy you will be protected! Hurm.. Where have I heard that before?
Gotta like that ad for AOL tacked on to the end too.
Zombies indeed.
Most of the content of that MSNBC article seems to be lifted off of the above Frontline Video about Cyber Wars.
This is not a new idea, just that people are not concerned about it.........however, these are the same people that have a shitload of spyware on their computers.
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They make it sound like every computer is daisy-chained and if one falls to l33tz0mb3haxor//OMGROFLBBQPLO they will all fall domino style.
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That's exactly what happens. They ain't seeking an individual but rather making an army to subdue an opponent.
Kdr is dead right about the useless holes in security there is in ms products and os
As for my own saftey: I have a firewall, antivirus software, WinPatrol and several trustworthy antispyware tools. I also took some other safety measures to protect my PC.
All my ports are in stealth. I'm probably still prone to some attacks, but I've had no trouble over the past 3 years. It may be a good idea for me to install the programs you all have listed as well.
Computers owned by friends and family have none of the above. I spent most of Thanksgiving trying to remove an "apole.exe" process on my neighbors computer that constantly uses about 90% of the CPU. I can't find info about it anywhere, so I have no idea what it's doing. WeatherBug and Gain is stuck on it as well. Their computer is barely usable, and they've only had it a few months.
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Increase Your Speed & System Performance.
Defeat the JPEG Exploit and Vulnerability!
Detect & Neutralize Spyware. Detect & Neutralize ADware.
Detect & Neutralize Viral infections. Detect & Neutralize Unwanted IE Add-Ons.
Detect & Restore File Type Changes Automatically Filter Unwanted Cookies.
Avoid Start Page Hijacking. Detect HOSTS file changes.
Kill Multiple Tasks that replicate each other, in a single step!
Stop programs that repeatedly add themselves to your Startup List!
Delete and Remove the most Stubborn Infections
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That's why you should install Winpatrol
I think that it is maybe time to start heading the other way in regards to software development and particularly the operating system. I figure that 90% of the users online at any given time dont really need the full power that is being offered by some of the current operating systems available. A better plan might be to offer a basic operating system with out the bells and whistles and allow the user to decided what they want when the want it. Another idea is a babysitting program where the user can subscribe to a service that will monitor their system for anytime unusual. Sure there is a privacy issue but Im sure my mom for one would love to have things set up in such a way where she does not have to worry about virus or spyware.
http://www.winpatrol.com
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Increase Your Speed & System Performance.
Defeat the JPEG Exploit and Vulnerability!
Detect & Neutralize Spyware. Detect & Neutralize ADware.
Detect & Neutralize Viral infections. Detect & Neutralize Unwanted IE Add-Ons.
Detect & Restore File Type Changes Automatically Filter Unwanted Cookies.
Avoid Start Page Hijacking. Detect HOSTS file changes.
Kill Multiple Tasks that replicate each other, in a single step!
Stop programs that repeatedly add themselves to your Startup List!
Delete and Remove the most Stubborn Infections
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That's why you should install Winpatrol
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noserider, thanks for the heads up.
I'm been using AV software for years, and onc I got broadband about 4 years ago I had a firewall installed within days. I can remember it, installing Zonealarm and seeng the number of attempted attacks.
The last PC I bought outright came with Norton AV and internet Security, and after I had paid for my first subscription I ditched both products in favour of Zonealarm and AVG again.
But in this day and age, the amount than an untrained person can do to the car engine is minimal. Its not the days where a pair of filthy wummans knikcers will fi a fanbelt. There are no fan belts.
I turn off every program that contacts the internet, except for AVG Anti Virus. The way I figure it why would I want a program to contact the internet if I'm not contacting it myself?
Basically, internet usage should be flat lined, inactive, if you're not using it.
I use Internet Explorer because Winpatrol generally fights any exploits Explorer encounters. Winpatrol was built to protect IE exploits.....and now Winpatrol protects Mozilla too.
in my experience, most ppl that get spyware are looking at porn , or opening and executing mail ... thats just how most of the pcs i fix are ..
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Not only the persons who are looking for porn, warez, or open/execute unsafe mail are infected with spyware. Visiting sites hosted on 'free' webhosts can be very dangerous, but visiting other sites can be a security risk aswell. A lot of people are looking for free software products, but although there are a lot of good programs around, there are many programs contaminated with spyware aswell. Some of these contaminated programs are even pretending to protect your computer from spyware/adware!
You might want to check this list with evil 'anti-spyware' tools: http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm
If you really want to test the vulnerability of your system, go to the above URL.
Goto the ShieldsUP!! Services
Click on the Grey Buttons for: File Sharing, Common Ports and All Service Ports.
I achieved a perfect score....most likely because I turned off all the MS executible programs that contact the internet automatically.
unfortunatly when i want to be online i have to use internet cafe or the like, and they tend to be rather diseased boxes at the best of times...
all anti-virus sites were added to his hosts file as localhost.
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He's got a trojan.
There's a remote executible that'll put anti virus url's in the host file. This causes the computer to not be able to open those websites.
Purpose of that is so you won't be able to get anti virus help to remove the trojan. The trojan is probably pinging constantly info on your fathers computer to the offending hackers computer.
I know, I've encountered the same problem. Generally AVG or Winpatrol will help you identify and remove it.
Most likely your father has 2 lsass.exe files to. One of them is fake, and not doing good things on the computer.
Cyber criminals, many of them operating out of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, have stepped up spamming, identity theft, and fraud, stealing valuable information and money from consumers and businesses.
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http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6671443/
Basically, I'm posting this stuff to get it through people's head that it's not some kid in a college dorm that is doing this stuff.
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A poll conducted in October shows 90 percent of computer owners install security software, but only 10 percent regularly update it. The Harris Interactive poll for Bentley College found that 30 percent are not knowledgeable about computer viruses, 40 percent dont know about spyware, and 35 percent believe the government should require the computer industry to ensure that all home computers are secure.
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Thank you, that was my big laugh for today.
Lopez lost $90,000 when an unauthorized wire transfer moved the funds from his small business account to a bank account in Latvia. As a small business account holder, Lopez has fewer rights than consumers would if facing the same situation........Online banking is increasingly popular in the United States. This year, about 55 million people will bank online, according to analyst firm Gartner. But the system is fraught with perils.
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Still think your computer is just a toy?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6713033/