novoparatus :: technology explained for the rest of us. » Secured.Paratus

Clean Up Virus Feces

novo — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 11:25:37 +0000

And you can do it without getting your hands dirty too!

Antivirus software is great, but what if it doesn’t rid your computer of the frustrating problems (poo) left in the wake of a serious virus? Many times a virus totally disables everything on your computer. You can’t open internet explorer, control panel or any of your favorite programs. Your only option is to delete everything and start over, or try your luck with Geek Squad. Virus Effects Remover seeks to eliminate this scenario and bring your PC back from the dead.

Even though this guy is free, it’s incredibly robust and a bit complex. Fortunately, you just need to stick to the basics: One Click Registry Heal, Scan Services, Scan Startup, and Check System Files. After scanning and healing these items, Virus Effects Remover should help restore your computer’s settings to normal. If that doesn’t work, you can definitely go deeper with a host of provided tools. We must warn you that tinkering in places you don’t understand could result in unwanted problems. Although, if your computer is mostly disabled by a virus, you don’t have much to lose so it might be worth your while.

The best way to use this tool is for virus cleanup. You’ll want to stick with your traditional antivirus software to completely remove the infection, but this is a fantastic pooper scooper.

:: Virus Effects Remover

Tags: Clean up, effects, Removal, Virus

Mozilla issues security warning for 2 Firefox add-ons

novo — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:01:18 +0000

If you’re a Firefox user and you downloaded the add-on ‘Sothink Web Video Downloader’ version 4.0 or any version of ‘Master Filer’, you just downloaded the Win32.Bifrose.32.Bifrose Tojan virus. Congratulations!

This little guy doesn’t play well with others, so you’ll want to get rid of it as soon as possible. To do that you need to first uninstall those add-ons immediately. Unfortunately, this will not remove the Trojan from your computer. After you’ve uninstalled the add-ons, download one of these free antivirus tools:

Avast
AVG

When the download is complete, install the antivirus, update it and run a full scan immediately. Both Avast and AVG are known to detect and remove this specific trojan.

Windows is the only operating system known to be affected. Mac and Linux users can completely ignore this warning… as usual.

:: Please read: Security Issue on AMO

Tags: Add-on, Extension, Firefox, Mozilla, Vulnerability, Warning

Promiscuous internet? Try Web of Trust

novo — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 02:21:27 +0000

We know. We’ve been there before. Cheated on again by the interweb you love.

Your Google search ended up not being as safe as you thought it was. You clicked on a link and now your computer is puking up 3 trillion pop-ups. Awesome. It may be too late for your current predicament, but we recommend never getting puked on again by using Web of Trust.

This neat little guy adds icons to the end of your search results indicating what links are safe to click on. The reliability of each link is determined by other users who have already made the mistake of clicking. When someone finds a link that brings them to a scary place, they flag it red as unsafe, saving you from following in the same path. If a website is safe, a user can rate it green for everyone.

Unsafe websites are usually full of viruses, pop-ups, or other terrifying things. Scary websites also include terrible shopping experiences. If an online store rips people off, users can flag the site as unsafe for shopping. This can save you from wasting your time and money on less than reputable stores.

If you decide to click on a red flagged link anyway, you enter at your own risk. WOT will still make an attempt to persuade you otherwise.

We think Web of Trust is a fantastic way to add an additional layer of security and give you peace of mind when surfing to the unknown. It can be your private investigator. Kinda like the show cheaters… but without real cheating and stuff.

Tags: Security, Spam, Trust, Virus, Web

Wait, you’re a Mac? And you have a virus?

novo — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 21:19:39 +0000

Yeah the antivirus triple threat cocktail is all fine and tasty, but what if I’m a Mac user? Well, it’s a good thing you asked, because we’ve got just the solution. Did we mention it’s free?

Unfortunately, free antivirus software is hard to come by for Apple computers. Digital thieves and hackers have spent most of their time exploiting Windows and other Microsoft products. Thankfully, we did the searching for you. After plenty of mixing and even more tasting, we found two Mac antivirus tools to be effective (and delicious) enough for the common Mac user.

ClamXav Free Mac Antivirus

ClamXav is an open source free antivirus that has been tried and tested by a large community of Mac security professionals and armatures alike. We were pleasantly surprised to see ClamXav find and quarantine several unwanted viruses. The software allows for several configurations which can help increase its effectiveness. Be warned though, messing with the configuration can increase the possibility of false positives, which means you may accidentally delete a file you actually needed.

iAntivirus Free Mac Antivirus

iAntiVirus is the second tool we found to be successful. It’s a simple, easy to use antivirus program that uses real-time protection. For most users, this is not necessary, but for people who use the web intensively, this may help prevent major problems. Since it’s a free edition, it does not allow for the deep configuration settings that ClamXav does. Thus, we were not able to catch as many viruses with iAntivirus as we were with ClamXav. Still, some protection is always better than no protection.

Speaking of Appletinis, these two tools should definitely get your Mac through the day, especially if you enjoy free stuff, or your Mac is an alcoholic.

Tags: Antivirus, Apple, Mac, Virus

The Antivirus Triple Threat Cocktail

novo — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 03:42:01 +0000

The good news is there’s no hangover the next morning. The bad news is you can’t drink it.

Rooting out malicious software has become a PC reliability and speed-increasing necessity. The best way to do this is with a diversity of tools to make sure the virus is completely removed.

Continuing onto Day 2 in the Four days to a faster computer series, we’re going to show you how to effectively rid your Windows-based PC of digital diseases with a cocktail of three FREE antivirus tools.

1. Spybot Search and Destroy
The first ingredient focuses on removing spyware and shielding your web browser from shady websites. It’s also going to be your first line of defense. Spybot Search and Destroy will effectively remove some of the most stubborn pieces of spyware. If and when your computer becomes mired in trojans and malware, we can tell you that this little dandy will give your pc its best chance for recovery. Additionally, Spybot includes the ability to shield or ‘immunize’ your web browsers from attack. This will help prevent you from downloading garbage when you don’t even realize it.

Spybot Search and Destroy

2. Microsoft Security Essentials
The second ingredient uses real-time protection and helps disable viruses before they become a major problem. We were shocked to find Microsoft’s Security Essentials work just as effectively as expensive security software. After intensive testing, we found Security Essentials to find and remove almost all of the viruses we tested it against. Maybe we were drunk? It’s possible.

Microsoft Security Essentials

3. AVG Free Anti-Virus
The final ingredient focuses on preventing and removing the major infections, the grand daddy’s, if you will. AVG Free Anti-Virus is one of the most effective virus removal tools we’ve used. It has successfully targeted and removed the worst of the worst. Like Security Essentials, it also uses real-time protection which protects you from the bad guys while you work.

AVG Free

After mixing these three ingredients, your antivirus cocktail will protect you from some of the worst threats and significantly increase the speed of your computer. We must warn you though, this will not protect you from everything. There is still a considerable possibility that some viruses may stick no matter what you throw at them. If this becomes the case, it might be best to whip out a real, drinkable cocktail to reduce your stress. Just an idea.

[ :: Series :: Four days to a faster computer ]

Tags: Antivirus, Malware, Removal, Security, Spyware, Virus, Windows

Protect yourself from digital herpes

novo — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 01:14:50 +0000

Who doesn’t enjoy a little casual screensaver or desktop background every once in awhile? It might be the only thing that brightens your day at work.. By the way, if that’s the case you may have a sexual addiction. What you probably didn’t know is that you could be contracting a virus as you download that neat little screensaver or wallpaper. In fact, that’s where most of today’s computer related drama originates from. Who knew?

Instead of searching for these things on Google or Bing, use a reputable website that will guarantee you herpes-free downloads. Screensavers.com or Freeze.com are fantastic sites to go for these items without worrying about infecting your PC.

So remember, never download anything from unfamiliar websites that turn up in Google searches. It’s best to stick with the sites you know are legitimate.

Because knowing is half the battle!

Tags: Desktop Background, Internet, Malware, Screensavers, Virus

Security vendors best quake with fear

novo — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:09:54 +0000

Imperial troops have landed. Or Microsoft launched their own security software. Either one really.

But wait! It gets even weirder! Their latest creation actually works??

While security companies around the globe mock Microsoft’s latest security attempt, we found the app to be quite impressive.

It’s certainly not perfect and it didn’t quite catch everything, but you really can’t complain when the price is nothing. You feelin’ me bra? Absolutely.

:: About Microsoft Security Essentials

Tags: Antivirus, Essentials, Microsoft, Security

When Mr. Technology betrays you

novo — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 19:52:45 +0000

A worthwhile chain-letter you say? Hmmph! We typically destroy chain mail before it can burn our retinas with time-wasting acid. Somehow, somewhere, we received one that drew our attention. The letter had some decent information that could protect you from your own technology.

Two instances in which home gadgets were used as tools for thievery:

The first story explained how a burglar broke into a vehicle at a football game. They proceeded to ransack the car and found a dash-mounted GPS. After a little fiddling, they found the victim’s home address where they used the garage door opener to let themselves in.

The second incident told how a woman’s cell phone was stolen and used to wreak havoc. The burglar found the woman’s husband clearly listed as ‘hubby’ in the phone’s contacts. After he had the phone number, the criminal texted the husband asking for their bank account’s PIN number. Immediately after receiving the answer via text, the burglar went to the nearest ATM and withdrew as much as he could.

Bottom.Paratus: But how can we fix this so we don’t end up being thieverized?? Both instances can be avoided with simple corrections to your devices. Change your home address to somewhere nearby so no one will be able to navigate directly to your house. Secondly, change your significant contacts to a less discrete names. Isn’t it amazing? You’ll be safe from everything! (Not a guarantee)

Tags: ATM, Cell, Garmin, GPS, Mobile, Phone, Security, Text, Tom-Tom

iPhone 3GS: What does the S stand for? Still AT&T? So Sorry?

Download this patch or suffer painful consequences

novo — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:47:23 +0000

You heard right! Microsoft has released a critical security update today that includes at least 9 fixes for critical security vulnerabilities.

It is HIGHLY recommended you make sure your automatic updates are turned on. Make sure to restart your PC once the update has installed.

:: Microsoft July Security Bulletin

Tags: Download, Patch, Security, Windows