Network News
ALERT: Fake Microsoft E-mails
There is an email campaign out that is designed to lure unsuspecting users into visiting a website advertised as an official Microsoft website in order to obtain critical windows updates, when in fact if you follow the link you will end up downloading and installing a trojan that will give remote control of your computer system to an attacker.
For more information visit the link below:
http://www.sophos.com/virusinfo/articles/fakemsupdate.html
NOTE: Microsoft does not issue updates in this way. They do not send updates in HTML format, so do not click on any links in email messages that you receive stating that you need to apply Microsoft updates.
All customers are urged to ONLY obtain updates for Microsoft operating systems and products products by first visiting http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com or http://www.microsoft.com directly.
Security Recommendations
Just a few suggestions to all of our customers that will help secure your computer systems from compromise / intrusion by outsiders.
This article will discuss Operating System Updates, Antivirus Software, Firewalls, and Adware/Malware Removal Tools
Operating System Updates
When you purchase a computer from a large manufacturer such as Dell or Gateway, they generally have a site specific to their customers where the customer can go and find information about Operating System Updates.
Additionally, operating system vendors (Microsoft, Apple, Redhat, etc.) provide support for their operating systems via various means. All of them provide a support site where the customer can go to check for, download and install operating system updates.
Since Microsoft Windows is the most common end-user operating system, we will discuss this one in greater detail.
For Microsoft operating systems that have not reached end-of-life, MS provides operating systems updates and support.
It is VERY important that Microsoft Windows users make it a routine practice to check for Critical Updates and Security Updates for their operating systems. New vulnerabilities are discovered quite often - sometimes MS releases Critical Updates one or more times per month. If you get in a routine of visiting Windows Update and applying Critical Updates in a timely fashion, you will significantly lessen the chance that your system will be compromised by some remote attacker.
Antivirus Software
All customers should consider purchasing/obtaining antivirus software to install on each computer of theirs that has access to the Internet - and on each computer that has access to another computer that has access to the Internet.
Certain platforms are more vulnerable to viruses. Microsoft Operating Systems in general are the most common target of viruses / backdoor trojans / worms. However, users of all operating systems should contact your operating system vendor and ask about what options are available for your particular operating system.
The majority of our customers run some version of Microsoft Windows. These customers should purchase antivirus software, install it, and then be sure to perform routine updates of your virus definitions to ensure that you are as protected as possible against viruses, especially those propagated via email.
Some common antivirus software is listed below:
There are many others as well. Some of those listed above may be available for free, and some will require you to purchase the software. The choice is up to you.
Firewall Software
A firewall helps to protect your system from unauthorized access by outsiders and rogue programs that may become installed on your system.
All customers should consider the use of a firewall on their systems that connect to the Internet. Before you do so, you need to do some research to decide which firewall best suits your needs/budget. You also need to be aware that running a firewall can sometimes limit the type of things you are able to do over the Internet, such as file sharing. This is by design. Most good firewalls allow you to modify the settings in the event that you do have problems accessing certain Internet-related services while the firewall is active. Consult your firewall documentation and the company website of the firewall vendor for support.
Windows XP comes with a rudimentary but useful firewall called ICF (Internet Connection Firewall). Users of Windows XP should definitely consider enabling ICF on their systems.
Click here to learn how to enable or disable ICF in Windows XP.
If you enable ICF and then find out that you are having trouble using certain programs or accessing certain Internet services when your firewall is enabled, visit Microsoft Support and search for a solution there.
Some common firewall software is listed below:
There are many others as well. Some of those listed above may be available for free, and some will require you to purchase the software. The choice is up to you.
Adware/Malware Removal Tools
Some common Adware / Malware removal software is listed below:
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