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Fuzzy Logic Watch out for fake Microsoft “Security Update” email
Fuzzy Logic Watch out for fake Microsoft “Security Update” email | Watch out for fake Microsoft “Security Update” email |
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| by Alex Zaharov-Reutt | |
| Monday, 13 October 2008 | |
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Page 3 of 3 Quite how an update pushed by Microsoft to Windows Update would “have result in efficient creation of a malicious software” is unknown, but clearly the malware writers are preying upon everyday computer users who wouldn’t know this statement is just a load of bunkum. Featured Whitepaper
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If only online criminals were smart enough to get a native English speaker to check their emails before sending them off in the tens of millions around the world, they might actually have more success. Also laughable is the statement: “we made a decision to issue an experimental private version of an update for all Microsoft Windows OS users”, although once again, most everyday computer users might actually fall for this statement. Being aware that Microsoft, banks and other organisations do not send updates or password requests via email, or conducting “experimental private” tests via email is one key to avoid being duped by these ridiculous (yet to some degree successful) attempts at social engineering. Becoming “street web wise” to these kinds of social engineering tricks is one way to protect yourself – if you’re the slightest bit suspicious, the safest action is not to proceed! Things you can do include: - Making sure you have the latest paid 2009 “Internet Security” suite from whichever vendor and making sure it is updating itself automatically. Norton Internet Security 2009 is a great option, AVG Internet Security 8 (the full version) has “LinkScanner” software contained within to check, in real time, the veracity and safety of the site you’re about to visit. These security packages will also scan your incoming emails and will automatically neutralise malware threats, as happened to me. - Cobbling together your own Internet security suite from free programs (such as AVG Free or Avast Free for anti-virus, ZoneAlarm Free as a better firewall than the one loaded into Windows XP or Vista, Spybot Search and Destroy or Lavasoft’s Ad-Aware to remove malware. - Buying a browser security package (only for IE and Firefox) like ZoneAlarm ForceField which "virtualises" your browsing sessions so anything you are infected by doesn't actually get loaded onto your computer. - When banking online or using other transactional websites, you could also consider buying a browser independent transaction security solution like TrustDefender. TrustDefener identifies malicious crimeware such as the "Yaludle" Silent Banker Trojan which is targeting banks in the USA, Spain, Australia and Germany, as well as other trojans, rootkits, keyloggers and other sophisticated viruses (whether known, and importantly, even if unknown) as these malicious applications will augment your anti-virus/anti-malware security to a completely new level. Or doing all of the above, while being careful what you click on and which attachments you open, knowing that more than ever, we digitally live in the wild, wild web, and the online crims really are out to get us all – whether you’re using Windows, Linux, Mac OS X or something else. |
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