Java Security - Version 7 Update 11 Now Available

You have probably heard about a recent security threat related to Java. This threat affected versions 7update10 and previous versions. It affected the browser plug-ins and not the Java program on your computer itself. A new update - version 7update11 - is now out. Download and install it. This fixes this latest problem. 
Note: when installing, un-check the option for installing the Ask Toolbar, as this is unnecessary and annoying.

Background
Java is a background program that a lot of web pages and programs use to run things. Unfortunately, malicious software/viruses often use Java to run too. This has ALWAYS been the case and is nothing new.

To stay safe while using Java, keep it up to date (when it pops up wanting to update, update it). Check to make sure you don't have old versions (in Add or Remove programs or Programs and Features). Remove old versions of Java if you have any.

Also, regardless of the Java issue, you should always make sure your anti-virus program is up to date and is working properly and scanning your computer regularly. As an added security level, I recommend installing the free version of Malwarebytes and running a manual scan with it if you suspect you might be infected by something that may have got by your main anti-virus program. 

User Behaviour
You could have the best and most up to date security, but if your habits on-line are bad, you can still infect your computer.
- Avoid bad sites that are infected (often Google and your anti-virus program will warn you when you try to go to one of these sites, but not always).
- When you download a program or a file, always scan it with your anti-virus program (especially from a suspicious site (you can usually do this by right-clicking on the file on your computer and choosing to scan with with your anti-virus program from the drop-down menu).
- Don't let friends, guests, relatives on your computer. If you do, run a full scan with Malwarebytes as well as with your main anti-virus program. Also, look for programs they may have installed and un-install them if you don't want them. 

AVG Free 2013 Installation and Configuration Guide

AVG Free 2013 just came out. Here is my guide for a clean basic installation and configuration.

Print these instructions out, or bring them up on another computer in order to follow them through the process.

Download it from here and choose either the 32bit version or the 64bit version. If you still have Windows XP, you most likely need the 32bit version. Most people running Vista or Windows 7 (or 8) will need the 64bit version. When in doubt, try installing the 64bit version. If it's not the right one, the installation won't get all the way through.

AVG Free has a new interface to fit with the new Metro theme in Windows 8. Love it or hate it, there it is.

INSTALL

• Close any open programs, including your browser.
• Run the file you downloaded.
• Accept the license agreement
• Check Custom Install and un-check the 2 boxes below that. Next. Note: some of you may have those 2 options show only below Express Install. If so, then these will be dealt with further in the Custom Install.
• Un-check Additional installed languages. Make sure AVG Add-Ons is UN-checked. Next
• Some of you may get a separate window for the AVG Security Toolbar option. If so, un-check I would like to set AVG Secure Search as my default... and un-check Improve my Internet protection .... Next.
• If you have a slow machine (or something more than a few years old) now is the time to go to the bathroom, have a beer, read a book, do the laundry or something that will take a while. If you have a modern or fast machine, don't go anywhere, it will only take a few minutes.
• When that is done, un-check I want to improve my security by participating ... (or leave it checked if you don't mind the program sending AVG anonymous information about threats it bumps into and security issues related to AVG in order for AVG to use this info to improve their program). I leave this checked. Note: for some of you, your browser might open with a notice from AVG that they are sad to see that you uninstalled the Security Toolbar. Ignore this and close the browser.
• Click on Restart Now
• If your operating system asks if you want to restart now, yes, restart.
• Wait for your computer to restart and wait for AVG window to open. If it doesn't, double-click on the AVG tray icon. If your tray icon ends up hidden, un-hide it (click the little up arrow and choose Customize and beside AVG, change to Show icon and notifications, and then click OK)
• Click on Update Now. Let it update. Continue doing this until it says You are currently up-to-date. From the Update screen, to get back to the main screen, click on the back arrow on the left side (white arrow in green). 

CONFIGURE

• Now, time to configure
• Go to the main AVG Free screen
• Click Options (top right), Advanced Settings
• UN-check AVG Advisor Notifications (mainly just annoying messages)
• Click on the + sign beside Scans and then on Removable device scan.
• Check Enable Removable device scan, and Heal/Remove virus infections without asking me
• Scroll to the bottom of this window and change Adjust how quickly ... to High Priority. Apply
• Back on the left, click on the + sign beside Schedules, and select Scheduled Scan
• Check off Enable this task
• Leave the default setting or adjust to a day and time of the week when the computer is normally on.
• Apply
• Okay and back to the main screen. And close (X in the top right corner).
• Eventually, usually within an hour from installation, AVG will pop up and ask you to do an initial scan. Do it.

TIPS AND NOTES

• Everything that you will ever see in the Notification area (bottom of the main AVG screen) regards upgrading to the paid version of the program. For most people you can ignore this. 
• Fix Performance - Don't use this. There are better free tools out there and most things like this that profess to tune up your computer only make it worse. 
• If you accidentally upgrade to the paid version or a free trial of the paid version, you may find, among other things, that you get a lot of annoying messages popping up while you are on-line, and that you can't access some web pages that you regularly access. To revert back to the free basic version, remove the program via the Windows Control Panel and Add or Remove Programs (Windows XP), or Programs and Features (Windows Vista, 7). Once you select to remove/uninstall it, you will be presented with various choices. Choose the one that converts or reverts you to the free, or basic protection/version.

AVG Free 2012 - Installation Guide

The new version of AVG Free is out. Here are my instructions for installing/upgrading to AVG Free 2012. 


Download the latest version from these links and save the file to your computer.


32 bit version
64 bit version


Which version should I use?
To find out if your operating system is 32bit or 64 bit, click on Start, Control Panel and System. This will bring up a window that will show this information.
If that is too complicated: If you are running Windows XP, or if you got Vista as an upgrade, or, if you got Vista when it first came out, you should most likely pick 32 bit.
If you got Vista later, or if you are using Windows 7, you should, in most cases, download the 64bit version.

What if I install the wrong version?
If you are running a 64bit operating system, it will allow you to install either version. Either version will work fine in a 64bit system (but the 64 bit version will run faster). If you are running a 32bit operating system and you try to install the 64bit version, it won't let you install it. When in doubt, try installing the 64bit version first. If it lets you install it, then you have made the right choice. If not, ho harm, download and install the 32bit version.


These instructions assume you are upgrading from a previous version of AVG Free.
If you are installing AVG fresh (not upgrading from a previous version), the steps may be slightly different.


Print these instructions out before continuing.


Installation
Once you have downloaded the installation file (see link above), run the file.
* Accept the License Agreement
* Choose Custom Install. [Vista and Windows 7: also un-check Installs and displays the AVG Gadget...], Next
* Un-check Additional installed languages, Next
* Un-check both: I would like to set AVG Secure Search... and Improve my Internet protection..., and Next.
... wait for it to install ...
* Un-check: I would like to get news...
Choosed to check or uncheck (doesn't matter): I want to improve...
Restart Now
....
* Double-click on the AVG tray icon to open the interface. [Win7 - if it has disappeared, click on the little up arrow in the Notification Area, choose Customize, scroll down to the AVG icon and change the setting to Show icon and notifications. Okay]
* Hide Notification at the bottom (this is an ad for the paid version)
* Click Update Now. If there are any updates, Update Now. Repeat this until it says you are up to date - Update completed successfully.
 
Note: Although AVG automatically checks for updates once a day (once for definitions and once for the program), you should manually check when you first install it as there might be updates waiting and updating right away after installing lessens the chance that you might have to restart the computer again after a day due to a special program update).

Configuration
* Tools, Advanced Settings, Scans. Click on the tiny arrow beside this to open the subsections. Removable Device Scan. Enable, and check off (leave the other things checked that were checked off already - do not uncheck them): Automatically heal..., Report enhanced set of ..., and drag the slider under Adjust how quickly Scan ... all the way to the right. Apply, OK.

* Also in Advanced Settings: Schedules, Scheduled Scan: Enable this task. Run at specific time interval. Check for once a week. Default setting is every Wed at noon. Leave if this is okay for you, change if another time is better.

Note: if you have a computer that is less than 5 years old, then the AVG automatic scan should run fine in the background without slowing down your computer. If your computer is older and the AVG scan is slowing things down while you try to work, right-click on the tray icon, choose Running Scans and then Pause all scans. When you are done working, un-pause the scan.

* Make sure Run on computer startup if task has been missed is checked off. Apply, OK.
 
You can ignore My Apps, PC Analyzer, Family Safety and LiveKive.

* Close interface.
* Done.

It will download and install updates automatically, and run a weekely scan automatically. Sometimes program updates will require you to restart your computer. It will ask you to do this when applicable.

Note about the trial paid version.
If you do make the mistake of installing the trial of the paid version, and you would like to have the Free version instead, remove AVG (In XP: Start, Control Panel, Add or Remove Programs. In Vista/Win7: Start, Control Panel, Programs and Features). When you initiate the removal procedure, you will be given the option to convert to the Free version. 

How to Stop Spam on Facebook

How to Stop Spam on Facebook - Scameo
Here are instructions on how to deal with and help stop Spam on Facebook.
The first step when you see Spam posted on your wall:
Hover at the top right of this post. An X mark will appear. Click this x mark to remove the post or report as spam.

Read the link for further details.

Important backup aspects

Maximum PC | 11 Painfully Obvious Back Up Mistakes to Avoid - Page 1
Click the link to review important backup aspects.

Untrrackerd keeps Apple from tracking your iPhone/iPad locations

Canadian app takes Apple's eye off your iPhone

OTTAWA — A Canadian software developer has created a program that
allows iPhone and iPad users to wipe clean the location history of their
devices — a day after security researchers unleashed a privacy uproar
by revealing that Apple Inc. records the location details in a hidden
file on the user's phone and copies the unencrypted data to the user's
home computer.

Ryan Petrich of Edmonton said Thursday he's
being bombarded with emails and online messages about his new tool
called "Untrackerd." When installed, the program deletes the location
tracking information, held in a hidden file called consolidated.db,
every 30 minutes.

The iPhone developer launched the free
program late Wednesday after news broke that — ever since Apple updated
the devices last year — the new phones have been keeping track of where a
user goes in a secret file, using information gleaned from nearby
cellphone towers and Wi-Fi networks. Locations and time stamps are then
copied to the owner's computer if the two are synchronized.

...

Read more: http://www.montrealgazette.com/technology/Canadian+takes+Apple+your+iPhone/4665017/story.html#ixzz1KMHJqHGe

Greater security via https coming - in a while - for Facebook

The Facebook Setting You Should Change as Quickly as Possible
Excerpts:
Facebook has at long last offered an option to use the encrypted "HTTPS" protocol,
a feature it will begin rolling out today but won't finish for a "few
weeks." You should check now if it's available, and sign up as soon as
it is enabled for your account. The performance overhead is minor—zippy
Gmail, for example, uses HTTPS for everything—and it's an important step
to keep your Facebook account safe from being hijacked on an open or
poorly secured wireless network.
...
You can sign up for Facebook HTTPS by going to Account Settings and then selecting "Account Security," third from the bottom. Then click under "Secure Browsing" — if it's there. Facebook says everyone should have this by the end of the day, but in the meantime you might be missing the relevant option toggle.

Malware in Facebook news feeds

Facebook news feeds are beset with malware - The Inquirer
Bitdefender claims that one in five news feeds on Facebook contains some sort of malware.

The outfit looked at 14,000 user profiles and worked out that the
bulk of the infectious software on the ego-stroking and privacy
shredding website was written by independent developers.

Anything that uses the phrase "Free trial! Click here!" is likely to lead to a malware infection.

...

"Here You Have" virus

McAfee: New Worm Eats Your AV Software | Maximum PC
Watch  out for the new one. Don't click on unknown links in emails.

The worm is spread by email with a link to a seemingly innocent PDF
file or raunchy WMV download, though users who click will get much more
than they bargained for.

"When a user chooses to manually follow the hyperlink, they will be
prompted to download or execute the virus," McAfee warns. "When run, the
virus installs itself to the Windows directory as CSRSS.EXE (not to be
confused with the valid CSRSS.EXE file within the Windows System
directory). Once infected the worm attempts to send the aforementioned
message to email address book recipients."

McAfee says it can also be spread through accessible remote machines,
mapped drives, and removable media through Autorun replication. Once
infected, the virus attempts to cripple and delete security services,
including popular AV software like AntiVir, Avast, AVG, McAfee, Panda,
and a whole bunch of others.

Keep your antivirus program up to date as well as the definitions. And old antivirus program with recent definitions won't do the job.

How to find out if your Facebook account has been hacked

How To Find Out If Your Facebook Account Has Been Hacked
Head over to Facebook and log in,
assuming you haven’t already logged in. Click the “Account” button in
the top-right corner, then click “Account Settings” to get the
preferences page we’re looking for. You’ll notice a new addition:
“Account Security.” ... read the link to see how this works.

Hacker Disguise Trojan Horse as Windows 7 Compatibility Checker

Hackers Disguise Trojan Horse as Windows 7 Compatibility Checker | Maximum PC
Be on the lookout for a rogue program masquerading as a piece of
software that helps users determine whether or not PCs are compatible
with Windows 7, warns
security firm BitDefender.
...

McAfee update deletes part of Windows XP

McAfee Update Thinks Windows XP is a Virus | Maximum PC
Users of McAfee's corporate antivirus product found themselves wrestling
with some pretty serious
problems today. The most recent DAT update for the antivirus suite
caused the scanner to identify the benign Windows svchost.exe file as a
virus. The antivirus' course of action is clear; it deletes the file.
The result is a lot of crashed PCs and unhappy IT departments. This
isn't even the first
time McAfee has had an error like this.
...

Get the problem fixed, then remove McAfee and install AVG Free

Why do people create computer viruses?

Why do People Create Computer Viruses? | Technibble

There are hundreds of thousands of viruses out there (if not
millions) and they often designed for different objectives. Most of them
fall under the following categories:

• To take control of a computer and use it for specific tasks
• To generate money
• To steal sensitive information (credit card numbers, passwords,
  personal details, data etc.)
• To prove a point, to prove it can be done, to prove ones skill or
  for revenge purposes
• To cripple a computer or network

Read the link for more details.

Most of the viruses I find and deal with on a regular basis on client computers generally fall under points 4 and 2 - to prove it can be done and to generate money.

PDF threat

Foxit and Adobe Warn Users of PDF Attack | Maximum PC
...
Didier Stevens, an IT consultant with Contraste Europe, discovered the
vulnerability, which entails getting PDF viewers to automatically
execute embedded executables when the PDF file is opened. ...
...

"To address the specific problems outlined, Foxit has added a warning
dialog box that will pop up when a PDF file is opened with Foxit
Reader, asking the user to agree to execute or not," the company
continued. "This solution adds a layer of safety yet maintains Foxit
Reader’s compliance with current PDF standards."

Adobe already has a warning box in place, but Stevens claims there's a
way for hackers to partially alter the dialog. According to eWEEK,
Adobe is discussing the potential threat but didn't say if it would take
any further precautions.

So, Foxit has dealt with the threat while Adobe has not yet.

Download the latest version of Foxit Reader here to fix this security hole.

Facebook Password Reset threat

Beware of the Facebook Password Reset Confirmation Malware - Tech Salsa
If you get an email claiming to be from Facebook and stating that they had to change your password, don't open the attachment. Delete the email. Then log into Facebook and change your password just to be safe.

If you do get infected by this threat, download and run Malwarebytes to get rid of it, then log into Facebook (after you have removed the threat) and change your password.

Avoid Online Scams

The Complete Guide to Avoiding Online Scams (for Your Less Savvy Friends and Relatives) - Scams - Lifehacker
Keep safe and avoid these main 5 online scams.

Facebook Ads - Keep Your Own Pictures Out Of Them

Did you know that 3rd party applications, and Facebook can use your Facebook posted photos and pictures in their ads? Yes, they can now.
To block your pics from showing up in ads on your friends' FB pages:
Go To
Settings
Privacy Settings
News Feed and Wall
Facebook Ads
Close the pop-up that appears (Worried about Privacy? Your photos are safe)
Change this setting:
Allow ads on platform pages to show my information to
Choose: No One
Save Changes.

Now, scroll down to the next one:
Show my social actions in Facebook ads to
Choose: No One
Save Changes

Done - go back to your home page in Facebook.

(Thanks for the heads-up Richard U.!)

Protect your Facebook profile from scammers

Facebook Impostors – How To Configure Your Profile To Protect Yourself From Scammers

There are some decent basic privacy tips in this article for Facebook users.

AVG Free version 9 to be released by mid-October 2009

Download AVG Free Edition 8.5.420 - FileHippo.com
Watch the above link mid-to-late October for the free version of AVG 9 (anti-virus and anti-spyware).
AVG 9 claims to be much improved in performance/speed and in threat protection.

AVG glitch shows iTunes as a Trojan

Technical Bulletins - AVG Software | AVG antivirus & Internet security software support
If you haven't update AVG since July 25th and you have iTunes, AVG might think that iTunes contains a trojan. Update AVG to fix this. If AVG has moved part of iTunes to its vault, click on the above link for the steps to restore the important iTunes files.