It has been noted that most Phishing attacks occur on compromised and corrupt web servers, where the phishers and third party intruders can place their phishing web pages unknown to the site operators. This method helps the phishers to gain free hosting and complicates the take-down initiatives, as a suspending domain name or a hosting account can also disable the resolution of the original user's site. That is not all. It has also been discovered that approximately 24 percent of Phishing attacks ( according to the Anti-Phishing Work Group) can result in an avalanche. The Phishing site that is located at the domains of these hackers often targets individual users, employees, on-line services, financial institutions where malware and other forms of Phishing attacks are disseminated through social engineering. These phishing attacks comprise of domain names that are already registered by the phishers and set up on the name servers that are managed by the phishers and are hosted on a quick-flux network of an apparently corrupted consumer-level machines. This quick-flux hosting results in making mitigation initiatives even more complicated, calling the Internet Service Provider to offer a site. Else an IP blocked is not effective until the domain name is suspended at the registry level. Innovative Anti-Phishing Solutions The modern anti Phishing tool software that is provided by top notch service providers gives detailed statistics on the end - user behavior, analyzes security awareness present amongst the employees and identifies all the possible data leakage and assesses Data Loss Prevention. They further scrutinize the incident response program and post this examination they come up with a customized email that is sent to every employee, updating him/her about the responses they gave. Simultaneously, the advanced phishing protection solutions also offer an e-learning module that assists in educating the employees about the security awareness. Few other benefits of these solutions are as follows:- Therefore, an appropriate phishing protection can detect security threats for that are present in a business. Phishing is a by-product of social engineering and is looked up on a criminal strategy that implements technical deception to rob individuals of their personal data, financial data and other identity details. With an advanced anti-phishing solution you can alleviate the same efficiently.
Category: spyware
How to Check If Your Mac Has a Spyware
Being a proud owner (well that's the way every Mac PC user thinks) of an Apple Mac computer, you always have been under this impression that your machine being the piece of next-generation technical excellence would never be plagued by any harmful threats, better known as virus, spyware, or so called malware that affect Windows-based PCs. True, as Macs are based on Unix, they are lesser vulnerable to any harmful Trojan or virus attack than Windows-based PCs. However, this truth seems to have lasted until sometime in the recent past when cyber criminals began to train their guns on Mac PCs. Nowadays, it more seems like cyber criminals have taken oath not to leave Mac PCs without infectionYou can't do anything about these criminals but you can of course take preventive steps to save your machine from them in addition to saving time and money (you very well know both are very precious).Common Symptoms of Spyware Infection:Is it really a Spyware?Most of the times, what you suspect as a spyware is not a spyware but the cookies or temporary files that got into your PC while browsing the internet or downloading music/videos from various websites. These cookies are usually harmless until downloaded from a purposefully designed, genuine-looking website that a user thinks is safe to browse and download from. Music sharing is also one among other ways to have your Mac exposed to virus attacks.A spyware is usually hidden in email attachment that appears friendly to you; once click opened, it starts installing itself on your PC and unloading other malicious programs that convert your PC into a server to exchange information with the client's system. This way, a spyware takes control of your PC, steals data, changes settings, or corrupts the hard drive without your intention and knowledge.How to determine there is a Spyware?Mac computers usually have very good firewall protection that automatically blocks and removes most of the threats. However, if it is somehow has been compromised (you might not know that it has been compromised until some sort of unusual thing happens to your PC), then you should download a spyware-checking program that should detect spyware or any other harmful threat lying in your PC.You can also run free MacScan demo from you click on 'free download', you will be redirected to download the trial version (which is free of course with two buying options of $29.99 and $49.99). After you have clicked on the free trial thing, you will be asked to save the file. Save it to your 'Applications' folder, double click to open and run it. You will see a window popping up giving you an option to run MacScan in authenticated mode, you need to click on 'Yes'. Next, a window will be opened to confirm your password, type in your password again and click on'OK'.If you are running a trial, it will remind you that this will end in next 30 days so you can choose to buy it if you like to, you need to click on'Demo'. Then, the main MacScan window will pop up giving you an option 'Scan' at the bottom right hand corner of the screen to start the scan. Click on 'Scan', you will see another window containing 3 tabs on the top namely 'Quick Scan', 'Full Scan', and 'Custom Scan'. Choose whatever type you want to run, but I suggest you should click on 'Full Scan'tab and then click on the 'Scan'tab at the bottom right hand corner of the screen. (Important: running a 'Demo' version would not give you access to 'Full Scan'option).After you have clicked on the 'Scan'tab, MacScan will start scanning your PC for hidden/potential spyware or other threats. It will take some time and detect all what is thinks is not good for your PC. From the detected items, you can select any one of them to see their descriptions. Once you are finished checking reviews, click on 'Prefs' tab on the top right hand corner of the screen. Now you need to put a checkmark in the box saying 'Detect remote administration programs'. (Important:this option will be deactivated by default as MacScan might select several legitimate applications and notify you of the same.Click on 'OK', and then again click on the 'Scan'button, again click on 'Full Scan', and then 'Scan' to run the scan. It will detect any spyware or possible malicious application. Once MacScan has finished searching, it will showcase different items. Put a checkmark in the box of the item, see its description; ensure it is not a legitimate remote admin program, and click on 'Isolate' button to remove it.Once you are done checking the items that you might want to delete, MacScan will confirm your deletion, click on 'Yes'. It will delete the infected files, click on 'Done'and you are good to go. You can also check the little history that MacScan gives.The article is associated with 'How to Check If Your Mac has a Spyware' on Vtech squad website. VTechsquad, Inc. is the leading third-party service provider of certified online technical support services. Our certified technicians not only resolve virus removal issues but also educate you how to avoid your Mac/Windows PC from future interaction with any type of worm, virus, or Trojan etc. Our other top-class services include Microsoft product support, antivirus issues, malware issues, spyware issues, wireless router issues, printer issues, and non-computer devices etc.
Types of Rootkit Virus
Rootkit is malicious software which is designed to protect/hide the malware, spyware, and bots and prevent them to be detected by normal detection methods. Once it get's installed in the host computer it has lethal potential to turn your important credentials into garbage. It is designed to accomplish the following purposes: Types of Rootkit Virus: How to prevent Rootkits: Thus by using the above mentioned methods you can protect yourself from these kinds of security threats. If you want more information then you can contact 1-855-35 2-1816 or visit Impcsupport website. They also provide reliable computer maintenance tools to remove malwares like rootkit, viruses, spyware etc.
Benefits Of Making Phishing Awareness A Necessity
The main objective of phishing attacks and phishing emails are to deceive or trick an individual user by making him/her think that the source of the mail is authentic. Phishing attacks are meant to steal people of their private and confidential data. There have been numerous instances, where individuals and employees of leading enterprises have reported that phishing mails appear sanguine at first glance. Furthermore, most of them have a compelling content, that urges the reader to part with their personal data or click on the links provided that leads to fictitious websites. These mails generally ask the readers to reply immediately via mail, reply to a phone request or visit an unknown URL.However, if analysed carefully every phishing mail offers clear clues that can let a user know that the link and message is not authentic. Any URL links to web portals that are sent via phishing mails generally opens a web page that though appears like an original brand name, but has certain aesthetic or syntax errors that clearly prove its fraudulence. Ebay, leading banks, Alibaba and other online e-cash and e-commerce sites are common targets and have suffered largely owing to phishing attacks. All these negative impacts needs to be dealt effectively and needs efficient phishing awareness programs.Features of a Phishing MailToday innovative phishing awareness solutions help in educating a layman and employees know more about the features of a Phishing mail. Such emails most often make use of emotional triggers and force users to respond on impulse. Research has revealed that the possible indicators of phishing e-mails comprise of the following:* Improper grammar* Spelling errors* The email address not matching with the enterprise name* Using the name of a real company but providing an incorrect email - address* Forced attempts to prove its authenticity, by making use of words such as "Official"* Has unsolicited request for personal informationIn the recent past, though there has been several standard solutions for phishing protection, most of them have been only addressing the "people risk" aspect of a phishing attack. Furthermore, one of the recent trends that gained prominence is the "incident based reactive approach" that analysis the risk and impacts of phishing based on a particular incident. Esteemed solution providers today provide high-end anti phishing software that helps in updating individuals and employees about the negative impacts of social engineering attacks. Features of this software include the following:* Enables an enterprise in analysing the potential phishing attacks* Provides flexible reporting and includes them back into an organization's chief performance-indicator framework* Provides a detailed "road map" solution focusing on the security awareness and training within an enterprise* Assists in identifying weakness within people, method and technology links* Helps in prioritizing remediation attempts through useful benchmarking and maturity analysis* Helps in increasing employee awareness and expertise to safeguard crucial informationData and network security are two crucial elements that every organization needs to focus on for smooth day-to-day functioning. Advanced phishing protection solution helps an enterprise to attain the same seamlessly and helps in the efficient transfer of data.
Spyware Removal. Pop-ups And Browser Redirects
Nowadays almost all of us use a PC on a daily basis and unfortunately most of us have experienced issues caused by viruses or spyware. If you are have experienced these issues in the past, you will have some idea of how tricky spyware removal and virus removal can be.For those of you who have not, it is possible that these stealthy programs have both compromised your privacy and affected your PC's performance without your knowledge.How can I tell if I have a spyware problem?Whether using a PC for work purposes, online shopping or simply to keep up-to-date with our friends through social media sites such as Facebook or twitter, it's safe to say that many of us now know how to perform basic everyday tasks and know exactly what to expect when using programs such as web browsers. But what happens when things happen that we don't expect?For instance, imagine for a second that you are shopping online for a new pair of shoes and suddenly without warning your Internet browser is redirected to a totally unrelated page which offers you deals on car stereos. You may be inclined to think that somewhere along the line you have clicked a wrong button. But low and behold when you try again, the same thing happens.What is happening?… Is my PC broken?No. Your PC is not broken but this is a clear indication that spyware may be present on your system and that spyware removal may be necessary. Spyware programs have the ability to cause minor annoyances such as allowing pop-ups to appear or the redirecting of your Internet browser, but there are far more worrying aspects to spyware.Spyware programs also have the ability to create a record of everything that you type on your keyboard. This allows spyware to collect all of your personal information, including names, addresses, e-mail addresses, passwords and bank/credit card details. These programs can give the author complete access to your virtual identity, allowing them to use your information in a variety of ways, ranging from low-risk problems such as the advertising of third-party products to you via pop-ups, right up to the more serious high-risk problems including identity theft.If you fear that your system may be infected, you should contact a spyware removal expert for help as soon as possible.
New Age Anti Phishing Software for a Networked Enterprise
Technological innovation over the years has provided organizations with the best tools to drive their business operations. Topping to the list of technology innovation that is most used in today's techno savvy business environment is the Internet which has given a business houses a worldwide access to enter newer markets. Further, the concept of the world wide web has slowly but steadily moved into the enterprises to form a widely networked global organization.However, the internet has become indispensable today. Though it plays a major role in providing a fast and easy method of electronic communication in both day-to-day business and the social circles, it also challenges the internet user with security threats, frauds and phishing attacks. Thus organizations need to do away with ineffective security measures and cater advanced tools to protect the people and process to ensure safety of the business operations. Sophisticated technology alone cannot withstand the pressures from malicious attacks, but require proactive initiatives and timely implementation to control the phishing attacks.The phishing attacks are ways and means to extract critical information from the unsuspecting internet or network end users. With the information extracted in the form of passwords, user name or other basic critical information either personal or professional, these fraudsters then extend their operations to dig out deeper information vital for the organization, leading to security breaches. The standard phishing protection solutions used by most of the organizations address the technology and the process used and some solutions also addresses the people risk factor. However, today's technology based highly networked business organizations need effective anti-phishing software that will cover all aspects of phishing protection.Enterprises today use anti-phishing tools to provide organizations with estimates of security awareness among the employees, identifies data leakage and evaluates data loss and prevention. Further, eminent service providers deploy simulated phishing attacks to prepare the employees with the necessary knowledge to handle real-time attacks. The anti-phishing software also benefits organizations to -??? Assess their employees awareness level on social engineering and its side effects.??? Estimate the probable hazards associated with phishing??? Provides a "road map" solution for ensuring security awareness within the enterprise??? Recognizes the weak links from among the people, method and technology??? Prioritizes remedial action by benchmarking and maturity analysisSuch effective diagnostic anti-Phishing software will help to increase employee awareness against Phishing attacks and safeguard business critical information from the hands of the malicious organizations need to do away with ineffective security measures and cater advanced tools to protect the people and process to ensure safety of the business operations.
How Can You Prepare For The Next Conficker Worm?
So just like many IT professionals you fell fowl of the conficker worm? I am sure every IT professional has a plan for disaster should it ever occur but the conficker worm bit us all in the backside - why? Well, the truth is that not only was this a clever infection that outwitted most antivirus programs but it also took advantage of our lack of preparation when it comes to being fully prepared against malicious attack.Here is a checklist that hopefully will enlighten you and also help you prepare against future problems:1. Do not use simple passwords.This is a simple mistake to make for IT professionals and users alike. Choosing 'password' as your password is inviting trouble. Many hackers and malicious coders will take advantage here. You should have a minimum complexity for your passwords.2. Do not simplify your network share permissions.If you are an IT professional you should know what this means. It means basically do not use the 'everyone' group in your network shares. You should tighten it up and use specific domain groups and only use the minimum required permissions or hackers will again take advantage of this lapse in security.3. Use a good antivirus program.More importantly keep it up to date! If you use a client/server program then this is fairly easy to do but make sure all visitors to your network have adequate protection also.4. Keep your network patched with updates.Antivirus programs are designed to keep attacks out, not necessarily to deal with it once on board. Remember this and keep all of your software including your operating system bang up to date with the latest patches. This could be server updates or client security updates. Microsoft have since developed patches to cover up the weakness in their system that the conficker worm took advantage of, who knows what else is lurking? Guys, keep it patched.5. Prepare for the worst.You may never be able to keep all infections out so be prepared with good up to date images of your machines. Also make sure that all data is backed up properly and you are prepared for disaster with a quick recover should the worst occur.In conclusion do not become lazy when it comes to a good disaster recovery plan. Make sure you use antivirus and it is up to date, make sure your servers and your client computers are all up to date. Ensure you use strong passwords and minimal network shares. If you have images and copies of your software and data backups you are on your way to being prepared for when the next generation of conficker worm or it's equivalent comes looking for trouble.
Remove The XP Antispyware Virus – You Can Fix This Problem Yourself Quickly
If your computer is infected with the XP antispyware virus and you have already tried to remove it you probably know by now how hard it is to get rid of it. Each time you think you have been able to remove the XP antispyware virus and you restart your computer it comes back again within a few minutes. One problem with this malicious software is that it is constantly updated and each time a solution is provided to remove it the criminal who write this update it again.If you are infected with this malware and have been banging your head on the wall in frustration you can still get rid of it without having to wipe everything off your hard drive and reinstall windows.What can you do to remove the XP antispyware virus from your PC?#1 Disable system restore on your computer. Some variants of this malware will hide in the area used by your system restore software and keep regenerating each time you remove it. To do this go to start on the start menu then all programs then accessories and system tools and in that folder click on system restore. Once it opens disable it.#2 Restart your computer in safe mode so you can remove the XP antispyware virus. This malware actively prevents any software or antivirus that can stop it or remove it from working. If you have already tried to run your antivirus software you will have a warning saying it is infected with a virus and it will not run. The only way to get round this is to start your PC in safe mode by restarting it and pressing the F8 key on your keyboard until you see a menu screen appear. Once you see this menu select safe mode with networking.#3 Download a system and registry scanner from the internet and install it. If you have an antivirus software on your PC run a full system scan while in safe mode. Do not restart your computer at all. When the scan has finished and any malicious entries removed run a full scan with the system and registry scanner. This will find hidden malware in windows and in the registry. This step will help you to get rid of the XP antispyware virus from your PC.#4 Once you have done this restart your computer. When it restarts it should be rid of the malware. When you are certain it is re enable the windows system restore utility using the same steps as you took to disable it. Once you have done this you will have been able to remove the XP antispyware virus from your computer for good.