Sep 24 2010
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Malware Detected Please Download Fake AV

By Kim Edwards

Alarms go off and the computer lights up like a Christmas tree, my wife yells from downstairs: “We have a Virus!”. My heart races and I believe that I am suffering from tachycardia. I quickly scream to her: “Touch Nothing! Hands off the keyboard!”. Even before I inspect the computer, I tell her it is probably a fake Anti-Virus trying to trick her into downloading this malicious code. Right away, I see this professional looking  window that lists a bunch of file infections and asking for a full scan or for the user to buy the software to remove the viruses that do not even exist. 

Aug 04 2010
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My Friend Sent Me This Link

By Kim Edwards

I just received an e-mail from my best friend with an embedded link. The link seems meaningless and not something my friend would send. However, it comes from a trusted source which is my friend’s e-mail account. The link must be safe or else my buddy would not send it … wrong … you are letting your alter ego prevail.

Jul 03 2010
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To Click or Not To Click

By Kim Edwards

From my previous post – Is your computer secure– I indicated that novice users should never click on links. In this post, I will help you identify bad links and give you tips on when to click on a link.

When receiving a curious link, most users enter a split personality mode like Smeagol in Lord of the Rings. Your alter ego says click on it, while your heart says don’t. Unfortunately, sometimes the alter ego prevails, we click and we get infected or Phished. Let’s decompose a link so that you can make educated decisions on whether to click or not.

May 22 2010
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Is your computer secure?

By Kim Edwards

Security is not an easy thing for the average consumer. The methods and procedures to ensure that you are not vulnerable to attacks are typically difficult and prone to configuration errors. With so many solutions out there, where does a consumer start?

Since Windows dominates the consumer market, let’s focus on securing this beast. Let’s use the analogy of physically securing one’s house. If I lock the door with my super expensive medico lock, but I leave my basement window open, am I secure? So I then lock all my windows, great I am now secure … Wrong!! The thief kicks on my door which has the expensive lock but I forgot to reinforce my door frame and within 5 big kicks, the thief is in. I reinforce my door to the point that the thief will need to drive a car through it. Haha, I showed that thief that he cannot mess with me … Wrong again!! The thief breaks my basement window and enters my house again. Now I need lock bars across all Windows and make it look like Alcatraz except people are trying to get in instead of out. I hope that you are starting to see my point.