Security Hole Discovered In Adobe Reader

Adobe Systems late Tuesday acknowledged that all versions of its popular Acrobat and Reader software, for Windows, Mac and Linux, contain at least one, and possibly two, critical vulnerabilities that leave users open to a javascript exploit.

Until a patch is released Adobe is recommending users disable javascript to avoid this issue.

Windows users can disable javascript in Reader and Acrobat by selecting Preferences from the Edit menu, selecting javascript, and unchecking the Enable Acrobat JavaScript option.

Mac users can disable javascript in preferences, under the Adobe Reader or Adobe Acrobat menu.

Safer Internet Surfing

Whew busy busy busy, to many machines infected with spyware, rouge anti-virus and pop-ups. Many of you are probably already aware that several browsers have the ability to allow surfing the Internet without add-on's.

Internet Explorer and Firefox both offer safer browsing without add-on's. Add-on's are those lil programs and scripts that allow us to see and hear the cool stuff in web pages.

While we all love the bells and whistles online they are becoming increasingly dangerous to our computers. It is estimated that web site infections by rouge anti-virus and trojans via active x controls are rising daily.

Good Luck and Safe Surfing.

New Conficker Threat?

Conficker Update

I had a feeling this threat wasn't to be written off so easily. The Conficker worm released a new update to infected pc's via P2P programs in the last few days.

Conficker.e is downloading and installing fake security software. Often called rogue anti-virus or scareware it advises users they are infected with bogus malware and then opening 100's of pop-ups until they spend $50 to buy a useless program or pay a local repair shop to remove it. Rogue antivirus software has become a huge business, large enough for even Microsoft to worry about.

Conficker.e seems to have teamed up with Waledac authors.
Waledac is a malicious program that turns infected computers into spam bots, steals personal data, and opens up the users computer to any number of remote operations.

We'll need to keep a close eye on this one.

Have you been infected with Conficker or another form of malware?

Let us know.

Windows XP To Be Supported To 2010

While this may not seem to fall in my normal category of security, it really does. Microsoft may be done with Windows XP and I realize its 8 years old, however many of us have several years left in our "newer" computers that simply won't run Windows Vista or the new Windows 7 slated to ship in 2010.

I don't know about you but I am not ready to run out and get a new computer just because Microsoft wanted a new operating system.

I think we as consumers have every right to the service packs and security fixes without having to purchase a new product.
Most users have propreitary computers that shipped with the orginal XP or SP1. If a restore is necessary, and it will be... they are not safe. Windows has to many bugs and security holes.

Maybe Microsoft ought to offer a complete service pack download before it pulls the plug on XP for good.

You tell me...

Avast Anti-Virus Won the Poll

Thanks to all of you that read this blog and voted on your favorite anti-virus.
Avast Anti-Virus was the Winner among you. Your feedback is greatly appreciated.
This month we'll look at the favorite spyware removal tools you like best. I look forward to the results.

Confiker A Bust, I'm not so sure...

The conficker worm which showed up about 6 months ago has became one of the most talked about and reported on malware since the cih virus of 1998. While its not destructive in nature it has the potential to cause havoc for many computer users. There was big hype this week about a mass launch on April 1st, 2009.

News sources seem to think that the writers of Conficker, also known as downadup was defeated due to all the hype and press. I can't say I agree with this, there are still thousands of computers out there infected with this malware and they aren't even aware of it, furthermore these boys are not stupid. I beleive they will bide their time quietly sending out their new and improved version and wait til the hype dies down.

Anti-virus companies are still scrambling to add signatures to remove it. If you installed the Microsoft patch months ago you may be protected. If you install it now and have the worm its moot.

Virus and Spyware removal is what I do best and I'll not write off this one just yet.