twesbutler's posterous http://twesbutler.posterous.com Most recent posts at twesbutler's posterous posterous.com Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:40:04 -0800 Free "Online Security Scan” Could Cost You... http://twesbutler.posterous.com/2009/12/13/free-online-security-scan%e2%80%9d-could-cost-you http://twesbutler.posterous.com/2009/12/13/free-online-security-scan%e2%80%9d-could-cost-you When you get a warning message that you to update the security software for your computer you read a little further.  “Why not?” you think because of all of the pop-ups, email warnings, and threats of malicious software lurking on the ‘net, you proceed and click “Scan”   Five minutes later you wish you could “undo” what has just happened. The free scan claims to discover a variety of issues, and within a matter of seconds, you’re getting a host of other warnings to purchase this security software.  After shelling out about $35 or more for the software, the software claims that your issues are fixed.  The reality:  nothing was wrong in the first place.  The worst news, however, is that the program now installed on your computer could be destructive. According to the FTC attorneys, scammers have found unethical ways to create realistic but phony “security alerts” that look like they’re being generated by your computer, but they actually are created by a con artist and sent through your Internet browser.  These, by the way, are not specific to Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, or Safari.  No browser is immune.

How To Identify These Scammers!

The new term is “Scareware”.  These types of programs take advantage of a person’s fear of online malicious software.  The scam has many variations, but here are some more common symptoms.  For example:
  • you may get ads that promise to “delete viruses or spyware,” “protect privacy,” “improve computer function,” “remove harmful files,” or “clean your registry;”
  • you may get “alerts” about “malicious software” or “illegal pornography on your computer;”
  • you may be invited to download free software for a security scan or to improve your system;
  • you could get pop-ups that claim your security software is out-of-date and your computer is in immediate danger;
  • you may suddenly encounter an unfamiliar website that claims to have performed a security scan and prompts you to download new software.
Purveyors of this fine software go to great lengths to help convince people that their product is valid.  For example, if you buy the software, you may get an email receipt with a customer service phone number.  If you call, you’re likely to be connected to someone, but that alone does not mean the company is legitimate.  These scammers are very intellingent and have spent many hours organizing these well-designed and profitable schemes designed to steal people’s money and leave them stranded with no recourse but to cry “HELP!”

How Do these Con-Artists Do It?

First, these individuals buy ad space on trusted, popular websites. These advertisements may look legitimate and helpful to the user, but they actually redirect the unsuspecting user to a fraudulent website that performs a bogus security scan. The site then causes a barrage of urgent pop-up messages that pressure users into downloading worthless software. One visit to a website promoting AdawareAlert took me to a flashy, attractive site but following the links to customer support… the links were not there.  Not only that but my malware software called “Malwarebytes” detected this communication into my computer via browser was malicious.

What to Do?

If you’re faced with any of the warning signs of a scareware scam or suspect a problem, shut down your browser. Don’t click “No” or “Cancel,” or even the “x” at the top right corner of the screen.  Some scareware is designed so that any of those buttons can activate the program.  One sign that you might want to leave the session is if you try to click your “back” button trying to escape by going back in history, you find that the software will not let you but wants you to “stay for a little infection session”. In this case, force yourself out of your browser by clicking “Alt-F4”, no matter what browser you use. If you get an offer, check out the program by entering the name in a search engine. The results can help you determine if the program is on the up-and-up.  But beware, many articles exist that promote said software as being “reputable” but in reality it is not.  Do your homework! The last resort is to visit the FTC.gov website or call by phone at 1-877-FTC-HELP to report fraudulent acts.  Investigators would need to know details about the purchase and on what website on which it was purchased.  .

Good Security Practices!

Check that your security software is active and current: at a minimum, your computer should have anti-virus and anti-spyware software, and a firewall.  A program called “Malwarebytes” is a comprehensive free tool that you can use which is very popular and highly rated.  You can buy stand-alone programs for each element — or a security suite that includes these programs — from a variety of sources, including commercial vendors and your Internet Service Provider.  There are also many reputable free versions of security software that you may use as well. For a free mini-course that will help you protect your home computer network from malicious software visit  http://nospyware4me.com.

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http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/685306/me.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wjK2B6iUf4d Todd Butler top-rated-anti-malware Todd Butler
Wed, 02 Dec 2009 02:05:33 -0800 Free Home Network Computer Virus Protection http://twesbutler.posterous.com/2009/12/01/free-home-network-computer-virus-protection http://twesbutler.posterous.com/2009/12/01/free-home-network-computer-virus-protection Are you upset over having to spend SO MUCH MONEY to keep your home network of computers clean and optimized and free of malware? Are you struggling to find a way to maximize your network's uptime and minimize downtime for as little investment as possible using some of the best free internet antivirus and anti-spyware? Who wouldn't want a safer home comptuer network while spending less money, saving more time, and leaving the stress behind! The first step outlined by Stephen Covey in "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" is "Be Proactive". What if this were applied to you and your family in your home computer network? Yes, but who has time time? Good question! What if you were to learn some proven and tested principles that you could apply to your home computer network using the best free internet antivirus and anti-spyware programs and FREE tools that would actually save you time and money and stress in the long run? Would you be interested? My name is Todd Butler and I teach families how to protect themselves from malicious software on the 'net. The old adage, "Give a man a fish and feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime" can be adapted and applied to your home computer network. "Give a family a clean home computer network and let them travel safely on the 'net for a day. Teach the family how to keep their home computer network clean and let them travel safely on the 'net for a lifetime." Over the last 10 years, as a former Computer Technology instructor and current IT professional, I developed a multi-layered appraoch to home computer network security that has proven to save time, money, and stress for those who use it. In the early days I searched for the best computer virus protection products that would do it all for me, so I could "set it and forget it" and go on my merry way. Well, I learned that this was not possible. As much as antivirus and antimalware companies want you to believe that, it simply is not true. The more software that a company integrates into a total antivirus and antimalware solution, the more it bogs the computer down and starts to immediately become an annoying and regretful experience for the end-user. What makes my technique so practical is that it is simple, yet comprehensive, and everything is accomplished by using FREE software and FREE tools. But just because you use free computer virus protection products does not automatically keep you safe. You have to plan your strategy so that if one tool or program fails to detect a malicious piece of software then another tool on another layer will help stop the malicious activity. I have developed a FREE mini-ecourse that begins to cover some of these strategies and helps the end-user practice being proactive with their home computer network. Yes you can protect yourself from malicious software by using FREE Software and FREE tools! To sign up for the FREE mini-ecourse, please visit my website at http://nospyware4me.com.

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http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/685306/me.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wjK2B6iUf4d Todd Butler top-rated-anti-malware Todd Butler