Technology News

How to protect from viruses that spread through USB drives

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 12:39:00 +0000

As USB drives become cheaper day by day, their usage is growing. Most of the virus today spread through USB drives. This post is concentrates on how prevent viruses that spread in this way.

As I told previously, My posts concentrate only on windows security. In all versions of windows, when ever a removable device is plugged in you might seen an AUTOPLAY dialog popping up. This shows tasks that can e performed on that removable device. Whether you utilize this feature or not, this is mostly utilized by viruses to run automatically in your system.

Most common viruses have a configuration file by name autorun.inf which contains information what to do when you plug in a removable device. This is exploited by viruses which create/modify autorun.inf to that will make themselves to automatically run when an infected removable device is plugged in.

So first to prevent viruses running automatically remove this feature by disabling autorun.This can be removed manually by registry editing or else by using software. Secondly you should not double click drive icon in My computer, instead you should right click it and click on explore.

All viruses are usually hidden, because they make them selves as system files. Manually one can remove virus files by removing all hidden files in the removable disk which one did not copy into it.Hidden files can be shown by enabling “show hidden files and folders” and disabling “Hide protected operating system files” under view tab of FOLDER OPTIONS present in TOOLS menu of any explorer window.

Also there are antivirus softwares that are specialized to remove viruses that spread thru USB removable devices.One of them is USB DISK SECURITY. This is not a freeware. But you can find licenses by googling.

I can give you a Download link to trial of this software which has functional limitations.The snapshot of this software is given here.

Technorati Tags: USB Disk Security,Antivirus

Preventing Viruses from affecting a computer

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:24:00 +0000

It is inevitable requisite of every user of the computer to prevent viruses from attacking his/her computer.To help this cause,I am trying to help those people who have minimal knowledge of how do viruses attack computer’s operating system and also the people who are advanced users in my forth coming posts.

I would try and publish preventive measures and also the solutions to most of the viruses in a understandable way even to an amateur user.Before doing this, I would like to explain some ways through which viruses attack computers.However my posts would be mainly concentrated on Windows Operating System.

If you notice something that’s not usually there, it might be a virus. Or if you notice websites or applications popping up at random or at startup without your opening your browser, your computer could have some form of unknown malware in it that you need to remove with updated antivirus software. If there are such symptoms on your computer, and your antivirus software cannot fix it, then it might be a good idea to get in touch with your antivirus software’s customer or technical support, so they can study the problem, and possibly include the new malware or virus in their definitions list.

Coming to the matter,Today I am posting what is a virus program and how it would attack an OS

Virus

A virus infects other files, by injecting the malicious code into the code of the legitimate file. Viruses can infect both data and program files.To get more about what a virus is visit [this link].

A virus attacks a computer in many ways.However here I am posting some of the ways through which virus can attack a computer.

It may attack through Internet or through any Removable devices(DVDs, CDs, Pen Drives, Memory Sticks)

In next post, I will post how to prevent virus which attacks a computer through Removable Devices.

Keep watching for my upcoming posts…

Windows SteadyState : Share your computer without any worry

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 17:23:00 +0000

Windows SteadyState is a tool developed by Microsoft that gives administrators enhanced options for configuring shared computers, such as hard drive protection and advanced user management. It is primarily designed for use on computers shared by multiple people, such as internet cafes, schools, libraries etc. SteadyState is the successor to the Shared Computer Toolkit. SteadyState is available free of charge from Microsoft for computers running Windows XP and Vista. A 64-bit version is not currently available.

The features of the Windows steady state include

Windows Disk Protection

SteadyState includes the ability to revert a computer to a previously stored state every time it reboots, or when an administrator sets it to. When Windows Disk Protection (WDP) is turned on, writes to the boot volume (the volume containing the Windows directory) are stored in a cache file created by SteadyState. WDP offers three modes of protection- Discard, Persist, Commit.

User Settings

User accounts can be locked or forced to log off after certain intervals. A locked account uses a temporary copy of the user's profile during the user's session. When the user logs off, the temporary profile is deleted. This ensures that any changes the user made during his session are not permanent. The user's session can also be limited to a specified duration, or logged off if idle.

Software Restriction

SteadyState provides simple control of more than 80 restrictions covering both individual users as well as the system as a whole. Many of these settings are based on Windows' Group Policies, while others are implemented by SteadyState itself. Using SteadyState, an administrator can forbid a user from performing actions that may be undesirable for that environment. Some settings include the ability to turn off the control panel, disable registry editing tools, disable the command prompt, and stop the user from executing batch files or programs not in the windows or program folders.

Computer settings can also be applied. Since SteadyState would normally remove any Windows updates or security patches installed, SteadyState can be configured to check for and apply updates in a manner that they will not be removed upon rebooting. Administrators can also choose to make other system-wide changes, such as disabling the welcome screen, removing the shutdown dialog from the logon screen, and hiding the built-in Windows Administrator account.

The administrator can block access to specified programs on a per-user basis. SteadyState presents a list of programs found in the Program Files directory of Windows and on the common desktop. Programs from other locations can be added manually.

[Download link for SteadyState 2.5]

Microsoft Office takes to the web

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 06:40:00 +0000

For the people who have been waiting for Microsoft's answer to Google. Here's the answer..

Microsoft announcing a free web-based version of its Office software.

Office 2010 will include lightweight versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote when it ships next year.The new web offering will compete with Google's free online Docs suite launched three years ago.

Last week Google took aim at Windows with news of a free operating system while in June Microsoft introduced a new search engine called Bing.

And its the turn of Microsoft with the news of Office web 2010.

You can find previews of the Office 2010 and its web counterpart at this site

Google’s Chrome OS – A beginning of Web OS

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:31:00 +0000

There have been rumors circulating all over in recent past about Google releasing an Operating System.Now this has been officially confirmed by Google yesterday through their blog as Chrome Operating System. The Chrome OS is conceptually different from any normal OS like Windows family or Linux family.It is a new project that's a natural extension of Google Chrome browser.Google Chrome OS will run on both x86 as well as ARM chips.

This will be a new, lightweight operating system, designed from the ground up — not based on Android — and originally targeted at netbooks.Netbooks running Google Chrome OS will be available for consumers in the second half of 2010.

The announcement rightly points out that the major operating systems available today were designed before the web existed. With most people’s computing activity centered on the web today, a new OS that makes the web the platform makes a lot of sense.It might be just a web or cloud OS that makes most of it’s work in web and a light work in host.For people primarily using web apps, a lightweight operating system designed for working on the web with instant access to all of your applications and most of the heavy lifting done by the cloud could be perfect.

The software architecture is simple — Google Chrome running within a new windowing system on top of a Linux kernel. For application developers, the web is the platform. All web-based applications will automatically work and new applications can be written using your favorite web technologies. And of course, these apps will run not only on Google Chrome OS, but on any standards-based browser on Windows, Mac and Linux thereby giving developers the largest user base of any platform.

Speed, simplicity and security are the key aspects of Google Chrome OS.They say that they’re designing the OS to be fast and lightweight, to start up and get you onto the web in a few seconds.

But let’s not get too excited just yet — Chrome OS isn’t expected to be available until the second half of 2010.

Cooliris-Turn your browser into a 3D Photo viewer

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 07:27:00 +0000

Cooliris is a wonderful plugin that transforms your browser into lightning fast 3D photo and video viewer giving you ultimate cinematic experience.

Using Cooliris, You can do following things:

You can directly enter the search query into this plugin and view images continuously on your computer from popular search engines like Google, Yahoo.
It supports photo viewing from image hosting sites like Flickr, Picasaweb.
You can also view images from Facebook continuously on an endless 3D wall stream.
You can also search videos from Youtube, Hulu.
You can get 3D window shopping from Amazon and other sites along with price and specifications of the product on the same screen.
You can browse through the news along various categories like Entertainment, Sports, Technology on the same screen along with pictures related to them.
You can even enjoy full-length Movies and TV Shows.
You can view your pictures which are stored locally on your computer and can have slideshows of them with a double click.

Preview:

Compatibility:

Cooliris comes in many flavors. Here are the browsers and operating systems that it supports.

OS/Browser	Firefox 2	Firefox 3	IE6	IE7	IE8	Safari 3	Safari 4	Flock	Flock 2
Windows XP	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	no	no	yes	yes
Windows Vista	yes	yes		yes	yes	no	no	yes	yes
Mac OS X Tiger	yes	yes				yes	beta	yes	yes
Mac OS X Leopard	yes	yes				yes	beta	yes	yes
Linux		yes

File size is 2.9 to 3.5 MB approximately you can your add-on here

Microsoft Security Essentials Beta on Next Tuesday

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 07:35:00 +0000

Microsoft recently announced that it is discontinuing Windows Live OneCare and it would release a free antivirus Microsoft Security Essentials (previously codenamed morro).Last November, Microsoft explained its decision to phase out Windows Live OneCare by saying that a product more focused on security would serve consumers better. The company will stop selling Windows Live OneCare through retail channels at the end of June.

Microsoft Security Essentials works with Windows XP, Windows Vista, and the forthcoming Windows 7 operating system, according to the company. It's designed to require less space and fewer computing resources in order to be useful on less-powerful PCs and in situations with constrained bandwidth. But the software, Microsoft claims, offers the same protection as the company's enterprise malware products, which provide, or attempt to provide, protection against viruses, spyware, rootkits, and Trojans.

However, it seems to be Microsoft products are making rounds in file sharing networks before they even release.So is this beta! making rounds in file sharing networks.

But users who want to download and install Microsoft Security Essentials Beta are recommended to wait till a full version is released.

Conflicker,Worm:W32/Downadup.AL removal tools

noreply@blogger.com (madhu) — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 18:21:00 +0000

Worm:W32/Downadup.AL

The Downadup (Kido, Conflicker) worm creates copies of itself in:

• %System%\[Random].dll
• %Program Files%\Internet Explorer\[Random].dll
• %Program Files%\Movie Maker\[Random].dll
• %All Users Application Data%\[Random].dll
• %Temp%\[Random].dll • %System%\[Random].tmp
• %Temp%\[Random].tmp

Note:[Random] represents random name.

Modifies time stamp of each file

Creates autorun.inf file in every partition with the following content

Open=RUNDLL32.EXE .\RECYCLER\jwgvsq.vmx

The worm may create the following files on removable and mapped drives:

%DriveLetter%\RECYCLER\S-%d-%d-%d-%d%d%d-%d%d%d-%d%d%d-%d\[...].[3 random characters]

%DriveLetter%\autorun.inf

Once executed, the worm copies itself as the following file:

%System%\[RANDOM FILE NAME].dll

Next, the worm deletes any user-created System Restore points.

It creates the following service:
Name: netsvcs
ImagePath: %SystemRoot%\\system32\\svchost.exe -k netsvcs

Then the worm creates the following registry entry:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\netsvcs\Parameters\"ServiceDll" = "[PathToWorm]"

The worm connects to the following URLs to obtain IP address of the compromised computer:

[http://]www.getmyip.org
[http://]getmyip.co.uk
[http://]checkip.dyndns.org

The worm spreads by exploiting the Microsoft Windows Server Service RPC Handling Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Most of the antivirus and security related domains are blocked by this worm

for more detailed discription visit http://www.f-secure.com/v-descs/worm_w32_downadup_al.shtml.

removal tools:

McAfee Stinger: get stinger from this link

Symantec: get removal tool fr0m this link also visit this link for removal instructions

Fsecure: ftp://ftp.f-secure.com/anti-virus/tools/beta/f-downadup.zip

Fsecure: ftp://ftp.f-secure.com/anti-virus/tools/beta/fsmrt.zip (non specific tool)

Bitdefender: http://www.bdtools.net/

Trend Micro: http://www.trendmicro.com/ftp/products/pattern/spyware/fixtool/SysClean-WORM_DOWNAD.zip

Microsoft: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=AD724AE0-E72D-4F54-9AB3-75B8EB148356&displaylang=en

Free 1 year license for PC Tools Internet Security

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 07:51:00 +0000

PC Tools Internet Security is an all-in-one security suite featuring award-winning anti-spyware, anti-virus, firewall and spam protection.

Don't compromise your security with second best!

PC Tools Internet Security Suite offers powerful anti-spyware, anti-virus, firewall and spam protection in one application.
Detects, removes and blocks all types of spyware, adware, viruses, Trojans, worms, keyloggers and other online threats.
FREE friendly support for all customers.
Frequent updates ensure that you are always protected against the latest known threats.
Protection from hackers, intruders and other unauthorized software or network attacks.
Spam filtering for protection against unsolicited email.
Intelligent automatic protection makes it simple to use for novices but configurable enough for expert users.

Industry-Leading Spyware Protection. Trusted by Millions World Wide.

PC Tools Internet Security includes Spyware Doctor, the most awarded anti-spyware protection worldwide. Spyware Doctor alone has been downloaded over 110 million times, with a million more downloads each week. Spyware Doctor is trusted by millions worldwide to protect their identity and PC against spyware, adware and other malicious threats.

PC Tools Internet Security Full Version Information

Current Version:
2009 (6.0.1.440)

File Size:
24,748 KB

Operating System:
Designed for Windows® Vista™ 32-bit, XP and 2000

Release Date:
March 31, 2009

Protection Against:
Spyware, Adware, Trojans, Viruses, Worms, Keyloggers, Identity Theft, Hijackers, Tracking Threats, Rogue Anti-Spyware, Unwanted Software, Phishing, Popups, Hackers and Bad Websites.

Download it and get license at http://www.pctools.com/wbc/

Please follow the instructions given in that page and get the license with one year technical support from pctools

Free Live Cricket streams

noreply@blogger.com (madhu) — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 20:35:00 +0000

Series: World Cup 2011

watch it live

For Match schedules see it on right side cricinfo widget

There are many sites offering Live cricket streams but they are filled with maximum ads popups.The links posted here offer live stream with minimum ads. So you can watch cricket without ads pop ups.

live stream 1

live stream 2

live stream 3

live stream 4

All Links posted above are 100% working.

Technorati Tags: live cricket