Skype Targeted With Worm

Skype, the VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is considerably less secure than traditional telephone lines. Many people have switched to using Skype because of the savings they can make, and many have abandoned their traditional telephone lines altogether.

Skype was founded in 2002 and was bought by ebay in 2005 for US$2.5 billion. It has seen a steady rise in the number of subscribers to its service.

However, it still has many pitfalls, including the latest Worm called ‘W32/Ramex.A’.

It spreads through the peer-to-peer instant chat utility and is activated when a user clicks on a link within an instant message asking recipients to download a file.

It is very cleverly disguised within a jpeg image of soap bubbles, one of Windows default built-in wallpapers which has been embedded with a malicious executable code.

This code installs Spyware that can easily steal passwords and other personal information. It may also block users from visiting certain websites and stop programs from running or responding. It also connects to a remote server to download additional malicious code.

It is often titled ‘really funny’ or ‘look at this crazy photo sent to me’ with a clickable link. Once clicked, users who continue to download the file then have the risk of their machine becoming infected, and it then uses Skype’s application program to access files on the infected machine. The worm then attempts to replicate itself and then send out messages to recipients on the users contact list.

Ensure your anti-virus is up-to-date, windows updates are downloaded and installed, especially The Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool, which was last updated September 11^th 2007. To remove the worm and its variants go to the link below and Download the file, save it to your Desktop (or location where you store downloaded files) and once the download is complete, select Run and the program will install.

You then have the option of a Quick Scan, Full Scan or Customized Scan.

Select Quick Scan and if any Malicious Software is found you will be prompted to run a Full Scan which may take several hours depending on your machines hard drive capacity but it’s worth it for the safety and security of your PC.

Download Here

What Is Clipperz

Clipperz can be used to store and freely organize any kind
of confidential textual information, such as passwords,
confidential notes, burglar alarm codes, credit and debit
card details, PINs, software keys, and so on.
Clipperz is free and completely anonymous.
Nothing to install. Nothing to backup.

Clipperz lets you submit confidential information into
your browser, but your data are locally encrypted by the
browser itself before being uploaded.

The key for the encryption process is a passphrase known
only to you. Clipperz simply hosts your sensitive data in
encrypted form and could never actually access the data in
its plain form.

To quickly grasp features and benefits of Clipperz, please
refer to these resources:

1. A video tutorial to learn how to access your web
services without typing username and password
http://www.clipperz.com/support/video

2. An introduction to “Clipperz Compact”, the edition for
the Firefox sidebar
http://www.clipperz.com/support/user_guide/clipperz_compact

3. Discover the “offline copy”, a read-only version to be
used without Internet connection (and maybe moved on USB drive)
http://www.clipperz.com/support/user_guide/offline_copy

For any further information about features and security
http://www.clipperz.com/

What are the system requirements?

To date, you only need any recent version of a Internet
Explorer, Opera or any Mozilla-based browser, such as
Firefox. Support for other browsers is coming soon as well.
It is recommended that you use a reasonably powerful
computer, and a fast Internet connection, because that will
make it more fun.

IE7 needs a custom procedure to install the bookmarklet
Instead of dragging it, you should right-click
on the link, and choose the “Add to favorites …” menu
item.
After selecting “Add to favorites …” (and having
dismissed a warning message), a dialog appears where you
have the option to choose where to add the bookmarklet:
Favorites, Links, etc…
Beware that IE7 comes with most panels hidden, so you may
need to make them visible using the contextual menu on the
browser toolbar, or clicking on the “star” button to make
the favorites panel visible.
Then when you open an account that you need to log into,
go to the account and enter your details then go to the
Favourites Menu and click on the Clipperz bookmarklet that
you have installed, then simple copy the code and enter it
into a new card in your Clipperz account.

There is an excellent Forum and Discussion group which
will assist with any problems that you may have.
I suggest that you go to http://www.clipperz.com/ and watch
the video. It is an amazing program where all of your
passwords are fully encrypted and saved, and you need never
remember another password.

This program is simplicity in itself, have a look and give
it a try.

As with all the safety and security items that I look
at it is free. So what have you got to lose?

Securing Windows XP

With its default configurations, Windows XP is not very secure. However, by making some simple changes,you can secure your system and data from attackers and viruses.

Automatic Updates
Keeping your system up-to-date is crucial to maintaining security. Microsoft releases security updates and makes them available for download on the Windows Update web site.
Using the Automatic Updates feature, Windows XP can be configured to download and install updates for you automatically at a time that suits you.

Scheduling this task is very simple. In Windows XP, use the following steps to enable this feature:
1. Right click My Computer and select Properties.
2. Click the Automatic Updates tab from the System Properties box.
3. Select the option to Automatically download the updates, and install them on the schedule that I specify.
4. Select the day and the time when you want the updates installed.
5. Click Ok.

Windows Firewall
Windows XP includes the Internet Connection Firewall service. In Windows XP Service Pack 2, the ICF is renamed to Windows Firewall and it is enabled by default. It is designed to protect your computer from intruders while it is connected to the Internet.

Note: if you are setting up a home network, do not enable Windows Firewall on your LAN (Local Area Network)connection. Only enable it on the Internet connection. If you enable it on your LAN connection, it will block File and Printer Sharing.

Important NoteIf you are using Zone Alarm Free Firewall DO NOT enable the Windows Firewall.

User Accounts
Windows XP includes various built-in user accounts. There are certain steps that you should take to ensure they are not compromised.

Disable the Guest Account. The guest account has always been a huge hacker hole and should remain disabled if it is not required.

Require passwords for all user accounts. Obviously, blank passwords are a bad idea if you care about security.Make sure you assign passwords to all accounts, especiallythe Administrator account and any accounts with Administrator privileges. All passwords should be a minimum of eight characters in length.

In Windows XP Home Edition all user accounts have administrative privileges and no password by default.Make sure you close this hole as soon as possible.

Rename the Administrator account. By renaming the administrator account hackers will have to guess the password and the name assigned to the account.

Don’t make it easy for hackers, renaming the Administrator account will stop some hackers in their tracks, and will deter the more determined ones. They won’t know what the group permissions are for an account, so they’ll try to hack any account they find and then try to hack other accounts toimprove their access. If you rename the Administrator account, try not to use the word Admin in its name. Pick something that won’t make it easy for others to guess.

Remote Desktop
Windows XP Professional’s Remote Desktop allows users to connect remotely to your computer.Although it can be useful for obtaining remote assist with troubleshooting problems, it is also an open door for intruders. Remote Desktop should always be disabled and only enabled when it is needed.
To disable Remote Desktop right click on My Computer, select properties then click on the Remote tab and untick the check box beside Allow Remote Assistance invitations to be sent from this computer.

Anti-virus Software
Anti-virus software is a program designed specifically to detect and remove viruses, making it an essential application to install. Once you install anti-virus software,it will scan your computer and clean any viruses it finds.

Some of the more popular antivirus software programs are listed below, though I refuse to pay for these as mentioned below you can get the same protection for free.
1. Trend Micro
2. McAfee
3. F-secure
4. Symantec
5. Computer Associates
6. Panda Software
Most anti-virus software must be purchased or it may be included with the purchase of a new computer for a limited time.

I highly recommend the use of AVG-AntiVirus available fromhttp://free.grisoft.com/doc/avg-anti-virus-free/lng/us/tpl/v5

I have covered this with a tutorial athttp://cotojo.wordpress.com/2007/04/27/avg-anti-virus-installation-guide/

Important note: DO NOT use more than ONE anti-virus program on your pc as this will cause conflicts.

I prefer to use AVG which scans daily and also runs in the background continuously. On a monthly basis I use Trend Micro housecall online.

Screensavers
Ok, so you are sitting at your desk, or left it for a while and suddenly, a nice image appears on your screen. Ok it’s your screensaver. However, screensavers can serve a much more important purpose other than providing us some cool images, and preventing screen burn.

Enabling a screensaver can increase the security on your computer.
Use a password protected screensaver, this stops others from accessing your computer.
You can configure a screensaver to start when your computer has been idle for a specific amount of time (eg: 5minutes). By password protecting the screensaver, the computer is locked when the screensaver starts. This is a simple idea for additional security. You will need to enter the correct password to resume using your pc.
So once a password protected screensaver has been enabled,you can walk away from your computer knowing thateverything is secure. In Windows XP, you can use the steps outlined below to enable a password protected screensaver.
1. Right click a blank area on your your desktop and click Properties.
2. From the Display Properties dialog box, select the Screensaver tab.
3. Use the drop down arrow to select your screensaver of choice.
4. Change the Wait value to specify how long the computer can remain idle before the screensaver is started.
5. Select the On resume, password protect option. If you do not select this option any activity will cause the desktop to appear.

Give your pc a quick tune-up at http://pcpitstop.com
Run the Full Tests from the menu on the left of the page after creating a user account and password.

Go to http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html
The Belarc Advisor builds a detailed profile of your installed software and hardware, missing Microsoft hotfixes,anti-virus status, CIS (Center for Internet Security) benchmarks,and displays the results in your Web browser. All of your PC profile information is kept private on your PC and is not sent to any web server. I would recommend that you print off the results page as it contains details of your Drivers and Software License Keys, useful if you have to perform a format.

Scan for any viruses at http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

Check to see if your ports are Open, Closed or in Stealth mode athttps://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2

Check your internet connection speed at
http://www.abeltronica.com/velocimetro/pt/?idioma=uk&newlang=uk
Click the green arrow beside the flag on the top right of the header and select your language. Scroll down to Speedometer and click on Test Now.

Remember to always back-up your system or create a restore point before making any changes.

Safe surfing everyone
cotojo

MRU-Blaster Guide

MRU-Blaster is a program that does one large task - detect and clean the MRU (most recently used) lists on your computer.

This program is Freeware, although donations are accepted

goto: http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/mrublaster.html

Download this program, I suggest that you place a NewFolder on your Desktop and rename it 'Downloads'. You can then download the various programs that I pass on to you in one central location, and always make back up copies.

The additional plug-ins are described below and allow you to clean out your Temporary Internet Files and Cookies. MRU-Blaster enhances the protection of your privacy!

MRU-Blaster setup: Take care setting this up.

When installed go to Settings and tick boxes1,3,4,6,7,8,9, & 10 on the left hand side.
Tick boxes 3,5,6, 7 & 8 on right hand side, then Save Setting.

Click on 'Go To Plugins' then click cookie blaster. Do not save any cookies as they are used to monitor your internet activity.

Click on 'IE Temporary Internet File Cleaner', tick EnableSecure Deletion of Files and click radio button 'Specify a custom number of passes and set to 7. Then save Settings & Run Now.
Using this program frequently only takes a few seconds and removes traces of the Most Recently Used (MRU) lists on your PC. These lists contain details of the name/locations of the files you have accessed. Traces of these are left scattered through your registry and unless removed are there for all to find.

One very important thing - do NOT save your passwords on your hard drive and do NOT tick the boxes asking to remember your login details.
Open any text document and type in the URL, Username and Password for each site that you have a password for, save this to either a floppy disc, flash drive, or other removable media, Do NOT save this text file on your hard drive।

I will cover another program for using secure passwords in the near future.

goto: http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/mrublaster.html

Safe surfing everyone
cotojo