Top 10 scams of 2006

Department of Consumer Affairs top 10 scams of 2006

When PDFs attack!

Security flaws in PDF reader

Microsoft Internet Explorer Security Alert

If you use Internet Explorer you should head over to Microsoft.com for the latest patch to the program.

If you want more scary details, Click here

Beware of eBay Scammers

An Ebay rip-off angled to get account details

Full details

What Is Spyware?

§
Readers are advised that the information about internet security programs is supplied on the understanding that you will make your own enquiries as to the "fitness for purpose" of any program.

The NSM has no association with the creators or distributors of any of the programs mentioned and therefore cannot be held responsible for the failure of any program to act as you might expect.

Spyware - details and programs to combat the problem

Web Password Hashing

PwdHash is an browser extension that transparently converts a user's password into a domain-specific password.

Which Spywhere removal tool?

Various spyware removal tools rated

What is "phishing"?

How to go "phishing" for an illegal living

SpoofGuard - SpoofGuard is a tool to help prevent a form of malicious attack called "web spoofing" or "phishing."

Latest Viruses

My account has recently received numerous emails (one supposedly from DELL computers) with a PIF attached.

I very much doubt that DELL had anything to do with the email sent in their name!

More Details

If you receive an unexpected email from anybody with anything other than a .TXT file extension, delete it. It is almost certainly a virus.

And, even with the .TXT extension you have to be careful as virus writers sometimes give their work a double extension such as:

.SCR.TXT

Never open an unexpected email with any of the following extensions: .BAT
.COM
.EXE
.PIF
.SCR

Never open anything with a double extension, even ones including the "harmless" .TXT.

Details about Double extensions and a complete list of executable files

Virus writers fight amongst themselves (Includes samples of subject lines to look out for )

Internet Security Programs

Browser Security Test

Can someone hack into your computer via your browser? How vulnerable you are?
Scanit's Browser Security Test automatically checks your browser for various security problems. When the test is finished you get a complete report explaining the discovered vulnerabilities, their impact and how to eliminate them.

Pretty Good Privacy - PGP

PGP is the world's de facto standard for email encryption and authentication, with over 7 million users worldwide. PGP Security in concert with MIT, are proud to provide freeware versions of PGP products to non-commercial customers. These products provide limited, but important, capabilities including secure e-mail, file encryption and peer-to-peer VPN. PGP freeware products are available from the MIT Distribution Center for PGP. Please note that Network Associates and MIT do not provide Technical Support for freeware products.

Internet Firewalls

Zone Alarm - All Windows

Easy, Always-On Internet Security
ZoneAlarm™ is essential for DSL and Cable modem users providing rock-solid protection against Internet thieves, vandals, and hackers. More than 8 million PC users have downloaded ZoneAlarm. ZoneAlarm is free for personal and non-profit use.* read more

Download ZoneAlarm! You may have to do a little digging to find the freeware version!
DoorStop - Macintosh Only

DoorStop is a software-based firewall program for Macintosh servers. Unlike conventional firewalls, which are usually expensive, dedicated hardware devices, DoorStop is software that you install directly on the servers you wish to protect. DoorStop is easier to set up and use than a hardware firewall and provides the same capabilities, at lower cost. With DoorStop, you can specify precisely which machines should have access to which services, and you can keep track of both allowed and denied access attempts to those services. DoorStop works well with a wide range of Macintosh-based Internet servers, including AppleShare IP, WebStar, and Open Door's ShareWay IP product line. Download DoorStop here.

Proxy Servers

Proxy Servers is a server that allows viewing access to blocked websites. Below is a list of links that lead to constantly updated lists of proxy servers.

http://www.proxies.hotmail.ru/proxies

http://tools.rosininstrument.com/cgi-bin/fp.pl/showlog?

http://proxies4all.cgi.net/

Bulgaria - 195.24.55.24:8080
France - 195.242.79.21:8080
Columbia - 209.88.62.76:8080
USA Interlog.com - 207.34.202.2:3128
Home.com - 24.112.47.107:8080

How to Reach a Blocked Site

First find a proxy server. Use the list above or search the internet for proxy servers. Even a good proxy server might not work later. Therefore, learn how to find them. For these instructions we will use an actual proxy server in Taiwan with the technical specs: 139.223.199.194 Port 8080

Then proceeds as follows:

Go to START.
Go to SETTINGS.
Go to CONTROL PANELS.
Go the INTERNET.
Check Proxy Server.
Enter address - 139.223.199.194
Enter port - 8080

Tracing Programs

Hack Tracer - Windows 95/98 - Download here.

Hack Tracer will make your computer "stealthed." Any attempts at pinging or port scanning will receive no response. Unsolicited UDP packets and TCP connections will not get through. In short, the computer cannot be detected from outside. Hack Tracer introduces a feature that lets you geographically trace hack attempts. Hack Tracer will bring up a map and trace the route from your computer through every step back to the hacker's computer. The program also allows you the option to upload the data from a hack attempt to Sharp Technologies security center for study, investigation, and product improvement.
This is a 30-day trial. Registration costs $40.

Virus Scanning Programs - PC

InoculateIT Personal Edition - Windows 95/98/NT/2000 - Download here

AVG Anti-Virus System - Windows 95/98/NT, 4MB RAM, 256-color display - Download here.

With this free distribution version of the popular AVG Anti-Virus system, you will get a reliable tool for your computer protection against computer viruses. This download has scanners, a resident shield, and an email scanner. AVG contains a powerful testing engine with heuristic abilities: Virus Stalker, which is certified by independent testing laboratories. Every month you can download the latest update file for your AVG installation, free of charge. (Freeware)
Note: The Download Now link will direct you to a form on the developer's site that you must fill out before downloading the file.

Virus Scanning Programs - Mac

Disinfectant - OS 7 and above. - Download in USA, Australia, Austria, Switzerland

Disinfectant provides basic virus protection for your Macintosh. Disinfectant does not automatically scan floppies, but it does scan files upon launch and monitors your system for any unusual activity. You can also have Disinfectant manually scan floppy disks, if you choose. Disinfectant does not protect against Trojan Horse viruses. This version of Disinfectant now correctly scans for the MBDF B virus. Version 3.7.1 corrects a problem that could crash some Macintosh computers. (Freeware)

Agax - OS 7 and above - Download here.

Agax is an expandable, free Mac antivirus program. It offers both standard virus-scanning facilities and more advanced background protection, so you don't get infected in the first place. Agax is very loosely based on AntiGax, the developer's first antivirus program, which dealt with only one virus (Graphics Accelerator, or SevenDust E). The virus-fighting capabilities of Agax are determined by which additives are installed. Additives are just like plug-ins, only more essential. Note that this means Agax can only protect against known viruses. If you would like to read Agax's manual, click here. This version introduces general fixes and improvements. (Freeware)

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