Computer Safety & News

This Computer World evaluation shares a comprehensive review of latest version http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9248650/Surface_Pro_3_deep_dive_review_Has_Microsoft_finally_got_it_right_ QUOTE: However, if you think of the Surface Pro as a laptop plus tablet, things look better. You’ll have to buy a Surface Pro Type Cover for $130, putting the total starting price at $930. That’s not a bad price for a premium […]

A “Lessons Learned” evaluation from ISC is shared with two valuable recommendations https://isc.sans.edu/forums/diary/Cryptodefense+infection+some+lessons+learned/18165 QUOTE: Cryptodefense made its appearance around February this year on the back of the success of Cryptolocker. The basics remain the same though and once infected the malware searches out PDF, doc(x), jpg and a few more document types and encrypts those. […]

Cryptolocker is a highly destructive attack that can permanently encrypt files so they cannot be recovered without paying for a key to unlock.  This new attack is well described and realistic enough to trick some users. https://isc.sans.edu/forums/diary/Fake+Australian+Electric+Bill+Leads+to+Cryptolocker/18185 https://www.virustotal.com/en/file/ad9692b0d589faf72121e4c390138dfe872fe913f73dd1edb699e60bab38f875/analysis/ QUOTE: The e-mail claims to come from “Energy Australia”, an actual Australian utility company, and the link […]

The Open Source TrueCrypt product and website encourage users to seek alternatives as some compromises to user safety may have been discovered.  There is not a lot known about these warnings so far.  Further developments are likely to emerge later. http://securitywatch.pcmag.com/security/324131-truecrypt-shut-down-what-to-use-now-to-encrypt-your-data http://grahamcluley.com/2014/05/truecrypt-insecure/ https://isc.sans.edu/forums/diary/True+Crypt+Compromised+Removed/18177 QUOTE: If you use TrueCrypt to encrypt your data, you need to […]

Computer World documents a small but highly sophisticated botnet below: http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9248541/Researchers_find_a_global_botnet_of_infected_PoS_systems QUOTE: The botnet contained almost 1,500 compromised point-of-sale and other retail systems from 36 countries, researchers from IntelCrawler said.  Security researchers uncovered a global cybercriminal operation that infected with malware almost 1,500 point-of-sale (POS) terminals, accounting systems and other retail back-office platforms from businesses in […]

KME Systems offers advice for encryption attacks that can permanently damage files with 1024 bit key strength http://kmesystems.com/a-new-form-of-ransomware-targets-mac-computers-as-well-as-pcs/ QUOTE: Backup your files before Cryptolocker infects your computer. Due to the popularity of these ransomware viruses, PC and Mac users should regularly backup their files. Once the malware has infected a computer, there’s no way to […]

This CNET forum post offers informative cleaning tips: http://forums.cnet.com/7723-6121_102-619335/how-do-you-safely-clean-the-inside-of-your-desktop-computer QUOTE:  I noticed that my computer box vents were grossly blocked by a blanket of dust. Even the back of my computer where all the cords are connected to it was covered with dust and spider webs. OK, I’ll admit I’m not a clean freak, and […]

KME Systems has informative blog and note that Apple Mac systems should safeguard from new malware attacks circulating in wild http://kmesystems.com/a-new-form-of-ransomware-targets-mac-computers-as-well-as-pcs/ http://kmesystems.com/category/blog/ QUOTE: Ransomware is malware used specifically for cyber data kidnapping. Cryptolocker, an updated form of ransomware, is used by cybercriminals to encrypt a victim’s data with a strong 1,024-bit algorithm.  The cybercriminal then […]

A new version of the Microsoft Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit 4.1 is now available: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=41138 QUOTE: EMET 4.1 Update 1 release includes new functionality and updates, such as: * Updated default protection profiles, Certificate Trust rules, and Group Policy Object configuration. * Shared remote desktop environments are now supported on Windows servers where EMET is […]

It is important to set strong passwords even if a website’s password policy does not require it.  Ending a password with an “*” or “$” is one good technique, along with using differing passwords for each website.  This article evaluates strong and weak password protection policies among major websites. http://securitywatch.pcmag.com/security-software/323808-popular-websites-password-policies-leave-consumers-exposed QUOTE: Dashlane’s researchers analyzed the […]