Spyware

Here is a page discussing various myths surrounding Firefox . "We have all seen these banners before or heard people say 'Firefox is faster, Firefox has lower requirements, Firefox is secure, Firefox defends me from all spyware, etc.' How misleading is it? Read on."

Here is a page discussing various myths surrounding Firefox . "We have all seen these banners before or heard people say 'Firefox is faster, Firefox has lower requirements, Firefox is secure, Firefox defends me from all spyware, etc.' How misleading is it? Read on."

Softpedia posted today a small review of three anti-virus software that are free to use, complete with screenshots. Consider using Microsoft's or Adaware's anti-spyware utilities too to keep your XP healthy.

Gktxaspm Toolbar is a Trojan toolbar from the Zlob family. Gktxaspm Toolbar infects your system through corrupt video codec, such as Video Access Codec, which are found on malicious websites. Gktxaspm Toolbar will display a fake security wizard called System Integrity Scan Wizard that links to rogue anti-spyware program PC-Cleaner. Gktxaspm Toolbar has four icons named "Remove Popups", "Scan Spyware", "Security Test" and "Spam Protection", all of which lead to malicious websites that promote rogue anti-spyware software. A yellow bar also appears on the Gktxaspm Toolbar which attaches itself to the top of the search results webpage and says the following message: "Warning: possible spyware or adware infection! Click here to scan your computer for spyware...". None of the products and services Gktxaspm Toolbar distributes are legitimate or trustworthy. It is recommended the immediate removal of Gktxaspm Toolbar.

clipped from www.darkreading.com Permanent Denial-of-Service Attack Sabotages Hardware Smith will demonstrate how network-enabled systems firmware is susceptible to a remote PDOS attack — which he calls “phlashing” — this week at the EUSecWest security conference in London. He’ll also unveil a fuzzing tool he developed that can be used to launch such an attack as well as to detect PDOS vulnerabilities in firmware systems. The danger with embedded devices is that they are often forgotten. They don’t always get patched or audited, and they can contain application-level vulnerabilities, such as flaws in the remote management interface that leave the door open for an attacker, according to Smith. And remote firmware updates aren’t typically secured, but rather set up to occur by default.

Warninglinks.com is a web browser hijacker that comes from Zlob.Trojan family. Once installed, Zlob.Trojan will generate fake security messages that your computer is in danger and with the help of Warninglinks.com hijacker, it will redirect your Home page to www.Warninglinks.com which promotes rogue anti-spyware software products. If Warninglinks.com or Zlob has already infected your machine, we strongly recommend you to scan your system for Zlob and other possible infections.

ProtectStartPage.com is a dangerous rogue website and a browser hijacker from the Trojan.Zlob family. ProtectStartPage.com promotes rogue anti-spyware programs in hopes of profiting from gullible computer users. ProtectStartPage.com may hijack your browser and redirect it to a webpage that advertises rogue anti-spyware programs. ProtectStartPage.com may also display misleading messages of virus threats with on your Taskbar. ProtectStartPage.com misleading message starts: "Warning! W32.Myzor.FK@yf is a virus that infects files with .exe extensions. It attempts to steal passwords and private information from the infected computer. Type: Virus Infection Length: 149,293 bytes Systems Affected: Windows 95, 98, ME, NT (all versions), 2003, Windows XP (all service packs) Systems Not Affected: DOS, EPOC, Linux, Macintosh, Novell Netware, OS/2, UNIX Technical details: Creates files in %Windir%\ directory. By default, this is C:\Windows. Adds values to registry keys: HKEY_LOCAL_MNACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run Scans the hard drive for .exe files and infects any executable files. Searches for passwords/information, which it may send to a remote attacker. Recomendations [SIC]: Click "OK" to download officially approved security software. Always keep your patch levels up-to-date." ProtectStartPage.com may prove dangerous to your security and privacy and, therefore, should be avoided at all costs. If ProtectStartPage.com has already infected your machine, we strongly recommend you to scan your system for Zlob and other possible infections. ProtectStartPage.com advertises rogue anti-spyware programs such as VirusHeat and AntispywareShield.

AXPDefender, also known as AdvancedXPDefender, is a rogue anti-spyware program designed to scare you into purchasing AXPDefender's full version. Once installed, AXPDefender will run a scan of your computer and generate exaggerated spyware threats which are usually false positives. When the scan is complete, the 'scan results' window appears which shows how many spyware threats your computer allegedly has. This tactic is an attempt to trick you into purchasing AXPDefender's commercial version. In addition, AXPDefender may generate annoying popup advertisements that may cause unstable system performance.