bits and bytes

Storm Worm not done yet

tashi — Sun, 04 May 2008 22:31:00 GMT

Despite the article at computerword.com April 22, 2008 reporting that Microsoft’s Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT) had made Storm pretty insignificant, the botnets appear to be preparing for another attack, possibly targeting around Mother’s Day...(read more)

Time Flies

tashi — Sat, 03 May 2008 03:39:00 GMT

Now in my third year as a Consumer Security MVP, the time has flown since I started this blog with the best intentions to be prolific. My first post on this blog, Life on the Forums "They may win the battle but not the war." A phrase that comes...(read more)

Debate with rogue antispyware maker

tashi — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 20:55:00 GMT

I have been following a discussion of iedefender at CastleCops which is five pages long so far. The topic started with: "Attached below is a copy of IEdefender (hxxp://www.iedefender.com/) a new rogue software." To which the vendor replied:...(read more)

DirectRevenue-Best Offers, shuts down

tashi — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:25:00 GMT

Posted on DirectRevenue's home page and giving no reason for the sudden closure. "Best Offers and Direct Revenue have ceased operations. To service legacy consumers we are maintaining this page of uninstall instructions, an uninstall software...(read more)

Microsoft Security Intelligence Report, third volume

tashi — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 03:12:00 GMT

From the Webpage portal: "The Microsoft Security Intelligence Report (SIR) provides an in-depth perspective on the changing threat landscape including software vulnerability disclosures and exploits, malicious software (malware), and potentially...(read more)

VirusRay, latest Zlob rogue anti-spyware program

tashi — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 19:53:00 GMT

The Zlob Trojan Downloader typically poses as audio or video codecs, required to be installed on your computer so you can watch or listen to certain media. VirusRay is just the latest infection that downloads and installs rogue anti-spyware programs and...(read more)

Internet Explorer 7 Re-Release for Windows XP

tashi — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 18:54:00 GMT

Good news. "Today, we updated the installation experience to make IE7 available to as many Windows users as possible. As of today, IE7 will no longer require Windows Genuine Advantage validation, and will be available to all Windows XP users. If...(read more)

Windows Live Translator Beta

tashi — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 05:02:00 GMT

Microsoft’s Live Translator, in Beta and powered by Systran, has been quietly released. I received a few 500 Internal Server errors, and not all the translations worked all the time, but it is early days yet. Like other translator tools, Live Translator...(read more)

Zango Drops Lawsuit

tashi — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 23:24:00 GMT

Zango Drops Lawsuit Against PC Tools "Adware company Zango has voluntarily withdrawn its lawsuit against security software company PC Tools, which Zango accused of illegally removing its software from users’ PCs without their express permission....(read more)

Tafiti - Silverlight Application

tashi — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 06:19:00 GMT

Microsoft has launched Tafiti, http://www.tafiti.com/ a search engine built on Microsoft® Silverlight. http://silverlight.net/ This is not your usual search interface and has rich visualizations. Check it out....(read more)

Microsoft August 2007 Bulletin Release Advance Notification

tashi — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 21:35:00 GMT

Scheduled August bulletin release day, August 14, 2007. The Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC) "Next Tuesday, we’re currently planning to release nine security bulletins: Six Microsoft Security Bulletins affecting Microsoft Windows with a...(read more)

Warning to WordPress & Joomla theme users

tashi — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 17:19:00 GMT

Weblog Tools Collection posted an alert regarding a site called Templatebrowser dot com, which provides direct downloads to public blog themes. Apprantly the themes have been modified to include an additional functions.php file, calling home after a theme...(read more)

Ben Edelman Charges Zango is in Violation of FTC Agreement

tashi — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 05:02:00 GMT

Among the allegations: "Widespread Zango “ActiveX” Installations without Unavoidable, Prominent Disclosure of Material Terms (XP SP1 and Earlier). Details. Widespread Zango Banner-Based Installations without Unavoidable, Prominent Disclosure of Material...(read more)

Firefox v2.0.0.6 released

tashi — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 05:08:00 GMT

From an administrator account, start Firefox > Help > Check for Updates. Or download: http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/all.html "Release Date: July 30, 2007 Security Update: The following security issues have been fixed: MFSA 2007-27 Unescaped...(read more)

TRUSTe finds Rogue Distributor Exploiting Security Flaws

tashi — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 05:04:00 GMT

TRUSTe Blog: RelevantKnowledge Removed from TDP White List for Three Months "After notification by several sources, TRUSTe investigated a distributor installing comScore’s RelevantKnowledge on consumer machines through a security exploit." "The...(read more)

Critical Vulnerabilities in FireFox, Thunderbird and Opera

tashi — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 18:06:00 GMT

Secunia Advisory SA26095 Mozilla Firefox Multiple Vulnerabilities: http://secunia.com/advisories/26095/ Description: "Some vulnerabilities have been reported in Mozilla Firefox, which can be exploited by malicious people to conduct spoofing and cross...(read more)

Storm Worm Attacks

tashi — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 16:06:00 GMT

The subject matter varies in the attempt to get people to download the bad exe file. Sample: "Virus Activity Detected! Dear Customer, Our robot has detected an abnormal activity from your IP adress on sending e-mails. Probably it is connected with...(read more)

Spam Trojan Uses Generated Yahoo and Hotmail Accounts

tashi — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 07:25:00 GMT

Security company BitDefender reports a new threat, dubbed Trojan.Spammer.HotLan.A, using automatically generated Yahoo and Hotmail accounts to send out spam email. “There are only about 500 or so new accounts being created every hour,” commented head...(read more)

Microsoft Security Bulletin Advance Notification for July 2007

tashi — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 01:52:00 GMT

The Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC) "Next Tuesday, we’re currently planning to release six security bulletins: · Three Microsoft Security Bulletins affecting Microsoft Windows with a Maximum Severity rating of Critical. These updates will...(read more)

Windows Vista Family Discount Program Ends June 30th

tashi — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 04:29:00 GMT

Vista Team Blog "We’ve been pleased with the response to the program, which has enabled thousands of multi-computer families to upgrade more than one PC in their home to Windows Vista." You can still take advantage of this offer until 11:59...(read more)