Computer Safety & News

Microsoft Security Essentials improved from 22nd to 6th place in recent AV-Comparatives Prevalence testing.  The most common and prevalent threats were tested among different AV products and Microsoft scored well in this area.   http://securitywatch.pcmag.com/security-software/326487-microsoft-goes-from-cellar-to-stellar-in-new-antivirus-test http://www.av-comparatives.info/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/avc_prevalence_201403_en.pdf https://www.microsoft.com/security/portal/mmpc/shared/protection.aspx http://securitywatch.pcmag.com/security-software/317280-why-microsoft-doesn-t-need-independent-antivirus-lab-tests   Microsoft commissioned the well-known lab AV-Comparatives to re-evaluate a recent test taking prevalence of samples into account. This was […]

F-Secure is featuring an excellent series of articles during August 2014 related to dangers of ransomeware attacks   Ransomware Race (Part 1): CryptoWall ups the ante http://www.f-secure.com/weblog/archives/00002729.html   This summer has included the appearance of two strong new malware families onto the file encrypting Windows ransomware market: CryptoWall and CTB-Locker. Of these, CTB-Locker has been the more advanced […]

Approximately 4.5 million Community Health System patients appear to be impacted by major data breach recently reported: http://www.komando.com/happening-now/267459/hackers-steal-4-5-million-patient-hospital-records http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-28838661   Hackers got into the hospital’s systems and installed a virus that stole upwards of 4.5 million patient records. The information stolen includes names, Social Security numbers, patients’ home addresses, birthdays and telephone numbers. So far it seems […]

The 10 features and ideas enumerated in this article provide an excellent list of features to consider for the Threshold project. http://www.itpro.co.uk/desktop-software/21498/windows-9-10-features-we-want-to-see QUOTE: Windows 9, also known as “Threshold”, is expected to arrive sometime in 2015 and hopes and wishes from users definitely aren’t in short supply ahead of its unveiling. Tickets to the Build […]

This recent article documents that APR2014 MS14-018 cumulative update provides foundational base for Win7’s version of IE 11 to continue installing updates http://www.networkworld.com/article/2363701/windows/microsoft-strips-some-windows-7-users-of-ie11-patch-privileges.html https://technet.microsoft.com/library/security/ms14-018 QUOTE: Users who have not installed the IE security update issued on April 8 — identified by Microsoft as MS14-018 — on Windows 7, and who rely on Windows Update to […]

Critical Security updates to Microsoft Windows, Internet Explorer, Sharepoint, Framework, and other products became available on Patch Tuesday.  Users should promptly update to enjoy best levels of protection.  https://isc.sans.edu/forums/diary/Microsoft+Patch+Tuesday+-+August+2014/18521 http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/security/bulletin/ms14-aug

In the Akamai Study below, Virginia was rated as having fastest Internet speed in USA http://www.cnet.com/news/what-us-state-has-the-fastest-internet-speed-virginia/ http://www.akamai.com/dl/akamai/akamai-soti-q114.pdf QUOTE: If you’re looking for the fastest Internet service in the US, you should pack your bags for Virginia. With an average of 13.7 megabits per second, Virginia tops the country for the speediest Internet access, according to Broadview […]

Some users may get unusual messages after applying September Patch Tuesday updates where out-of-date Active X controls are present.  For example, new controls to block outdated JAVA and FLASH extensions may require users to update these components to completely resolve these warning messages. While transition may be a little painful, this serves to better protect […]

The use of small 70×70 pixel tiles to emulate the classic START menu for frequently used programs from START menu or even a full menu are presented well in attached article:   http://www.techrepublic.com/article/pro-tip-how-to-reconfigure-the-start-screen-in-windows-8-1/   I told you that I’d decided to stop pining away for the Start Menu and take a closer look at what’s available […]

Lookout mobile security warns of new ScarePakage that masquerades as FBI lock on smartphone demanding money to unlock https://blog.lookout.com/blog/2014/07/16/scarepakage/   Lookout has discovered a highly concerning piece of malware that targets the U.S. The malware can render your phone inoperable, can cause loss of access to data, and otherwise attempts to extort you with a […]