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Definitions:

Virus
Malware
Phishing

Virus Information and Resources
( Play it safe... wear a computer condom! )


Headlines
SPAM ALERT! Robbed, stranded and need cash help!
Will your Internet be cut off by DNS Changer on Monday, July 9?

Phishing Attacks (Definition and Information)
Malicious mail (malware) looks like legitimate Canada Post message
Phone scammers target PC users with phony virus reports

BEWARE of possible virus-infected messages
Features

Anti-Virus Software/Firewalls

Anti-Virus Information

Internet/E-mail frauds and scams (ie. Nigerian)

Reporting I-net/E-mail frauds and scams

PC Mag's Security Watch

Trend's free virus scanner

Virus Hoaxes Information

Warning about attachments

(Please advise us if any of the links below do not work.
Web sites change often today.)

For today's

Click here


The latest virus security news... Click on the story you want to read.


 

Virus-related stories we have compiled...

 

SPAM ALERT!
Robbed, stranded and need cash help!
Saturday, July 28, 2012) This email came across our screen this weekend. It is a variation of a hacker's request for money from a stranded tourist, usually a friend or person you know, because the hacker has "stolen/hacked" their email:

Subject: MY DUBAI VACATION........(I NEED YOUR HELP!!!).

My sincere regrets for this sudden request, things actually got out of
control on my trip to Dubai (UAE).. I was mugged and all my belongings
cash, cellphone and credit cards were all stolen at "gun point" It's such a
traumatic experience for me. I need your help flying back home as I am trying
to raise some money.

I Am Cash Strapped at the moment. I've made contact with my bank but the best
they can do is to mail me a new card which will take 3-5 working days to arrive here, am currently concluding my documentation at the embassy so i can fly out, I need you to lend me some money to sort my self out of this predicament, will pay back once I get this over with. Please let me know if you can assist me in anyway so i can forward you details to effect a transfer. You can reach me via email since my phone was stolen. Await your positive response.

DO NOT reply to these emails. They are a ruse, a trick to get you to send money.
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Will Internet be cut off by DNS Changer Monday, July 9?
Compiled by Patrick Meikle, C.C. Editor
(July 2012) A little over a year ago, an eastern European criminal hacking group infected over 570,000 computers around the world with a piece of malware called DNSChanger. Up to 7,000 Canadian PC or Mac users could be infected.

The malware modified the DNS (Internet address) configuration of the affected computer to request web page addresses from a hacker controlled server. In addition to assisting a client computer to finding the web server they were seeking, this hacker-controlled server manipulated users' web searches in order to direct them to fraudulent websites and also issued advertising (as a means of payment for the hackers) and potentially other malware.

DNS (or Domain Name Service) is a method to convert human-readable web addresses (eg www.example.com) to computer-friendly addresses (in this case, 192.0.43.10). This is similar to looking up a person's phone number in the white pages telephone directory - you know their name, but the telephone system requires a number.

After the FBI broke up the criminal operation, they set up temporary DNS servers to keep the virus-infected computers connected to the internet. Now, as of Monday, the FBI will shut down the temporary DNS servers which means that those users who are infected, could be disconnected from the web if they still haven't removed the virus by July 9.

Will your Internet be cut off by DNS Changer on Monday?
The good news is if you're among the 7,000 Canadian PC or Mac users — or the tens of thousands more worldwide —still believed to have machines infected with the nasty DNSChanger virus, you can spare yourself the misery of being cut off from email, Twitter, Facebook and other online distractions by performing a simple test.

How to check for virus
Visit the website
www.dns-ok.ca/ and click on a link agreeing to run your computer through the DNSChanger malware checker. The page should refresh and show you either a green or red banner, with a message stating whether DNSChanger has been detected.

Go to www.dns-ok.ca/ and click on a link agreeing to run
your computer through the DNSChanger malware checker.

If it's green, you're in the clear. If the banner is red and a message confirms the virus has been detected, you can go to one of several websites set up to help inform the public about the virus and the related FBI operation for further instructions on how to remove it:

To read the full story, click here.
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  Phishing Attacks (Definition and Information)
Definition:

Phishing is attempting to acquire information (and sometimes, indirectly, money) such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication. More...

We would like to remind our readers to beware of e-mails asking you to click on an
internet link or provide your personal information. This is known as 'phishing' and
is one of the main causes of identity theft. Legitimate organizations (banks, Internet providers, etc.) will never request your password information in an email.

You will from time to time receive emails titled "Dear Account Owner" or even using your real name, someimes from a bank or a legitimate looking company and often from a foreign country (usually asking you to help someone to unload large amounts of cash). These are undoubtedly phishing attacks.

General rule: If you feel uncomfortable providing the requested information, then don't. If you feel uncertain about email that looks legitimate, forward it to the real bank or business or Internet provider, or call the company and they will probably advise you on how to proceed.
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Malicious mail (malware) looks like Canada Post message
Definition:

Malware, short for malicious software, is software used or created to disrupt computer operation, gather sensitive information, or gain access to private computer systems.
More...

On June 20, 2012, the Canadian Cyber Incident Response Centre of the Government of Canada notified federal government departments of a phishing campaign in which malicious actors are falsely representing Canada Post in order to deliver malware to recipients. This may go further than just government recipients, so be aware!

The e-mail appears to be from Canada Post and is a fake package delivery attempt notification.

There are multiple variations of this e-mail in circulation. These e-mails instruct the recipient to: print the e-mail and visit their nearest Canada Post outlet; click a link in the e-mail to view the delivery status of the package; or click a link to download a shipping invoice.

Clicking on the link to download the alleged shipping invoice will prompt the recipient to open or save a .ZIP file to their computer. The .ZIP file contains a virus which will download malware to the computer.

The e-mail address of each phish appears to come from Canada Post and may look something like this: <tracking[@]canadappost[.]com>.

If you receive an unsolicited message from Canada Post or any other sender, be cautious and follow these best practices:

  • never click on any links found within the message;
  • don't open any attachments;
  • do not reply;
  • delete the message.

Read more...
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  Phone scammers target PC users with phony virus reports

Many people in the 613-833- and 613-446- telephone exchanges (Cumberland/Rockland) are being called by fraudsters purporting to be a “tech support specialist” from Microsoft. They are telling people that their computers are coming up with error messages and may be infected with a virus. They then ask the "customer" to log on to a website that will help them to eliminate the virus. Read more...
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BEWARE of virus-infested messages that are currently going around!

There seems to be another virus type message circulating. I have received several over the past few days.

The message comes from a legitimate email source... usually from someone who has YOUR email address on their list.

None of the people whom I have received messages from ever sent such a message and were totally unaware that their email list had been compromised.

The messages have various titles in the subject line, but the messages themselves look like this:

QUOTE:
<b><span style="font-size: 23pt;">
<a alt="y4x1b7s20uxmpot0zzf
rkqg641htbdo0arxkbtf
lyyrznwnuf32bgareiyt"
id="qjfofeug8mnp1yfbviy
qxx10s7lv44wciouo2t7"
href="lhk2e79ff5rt0g.lm3.me/sd_editor@canaanconnexion.ca/pzsp
igf4bngmlbtgvez7gp_ViewMsg" >
Click here to see the attached photos</a>

END QUOTE

If you receive such a message, simply delete it, and as a courtesy you might want to inform the sender.
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In this day and age of political and electronic terrorism we run the risk of personal attacks both physically and electronically. We can't let the cowardly bastards win. Just as we must not stop travelling, we must not stop using the Internet for both our pleasure and our commerce.

It is tough to protect ourselves from random acts of terrorism when venturing out in the real world... as the September 11(2001) and other recent attacks and threats have shown, but electronically we do have the means to guard against virus invasions, through the use of good anti-virus software and local firewalls.
If people venture out into the Internet today, without having adequate anti-virus software they are fools, plain and simple. Basic protection is affordable and easy to install. This page is meant to help you to protect your computer assets by offering several useful resources, but keep in mind, in today's sophisticated world, even the best of protective measures cannot stop all threats.

Here are some basic steps to start:

DO NOT open any e-mail and or attachments from anyone you do not recognize (unfortunately even well-meaning family members can unknowingly send viruses that attach themselves to files and e-mail messages... particularly Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Word software).

DO NOT forward any hoax messages without checking them out first - see below (they are just as annoying as the viruses themselves and tend to clog the internet with useless mail).

DO run your anti-virus scanning software often (with our volume of mail we do this once a day).

DO update your anti-virus software data often (these are free downloadable updates that add new virus names to your existing protection list).


Commercial anti-virus software:
Two of the main anti-virus softwares currently available that work well, and offer automagic downloadable updates, come from: McAfee VirusScan and Symantec (Norton) (Canada). Another software is BitDefender, (formerly AntiVirus eXpert), go to their site and click on "home user". Any good computer or office store (ie. Staples) has these. They are easy to install and well worth the price.

Free anti-virus software:
The following companies offer decent anti-virus software for free: AVG Technologies, AVAST (anti-virus advanced set). These are also easy to install. (NOTE: If you do a Google search using "free antivirus software" you will find several other free anti-virus resources.)

Firewalls:
Firewall protection is important if you have a high-speed connection that is typically a constant hook-up to the Internet. ZoneAlarm and Sygate are personal firewalls that automatically block known and unknown Internet threats, barricading your PC against hackers and data thieves. They are easy to install and use, and have free versions for home use. (NOTE: if you are using more than one computer and have a router, it will aslo act as a firewall, but you have to remember that if you enable a firewall such as one provided by a Microsoft operating system, it might block communications between your computers on a local area network (LAN).

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Anti-Virus Information:

  • About's Antivirus Software with Mary Landesman - Everything antivirus, from your Antivirus.About.com guide. Vendor and virus information, history and future of computer viruses. Check out thier section on E-mail viruses: "Viruses can infect simply by reading, or in some cases, previewing, email. Discover what these email infectors are and steps you can take to prevent infection. "
  • Anti-Virus Information Exchange Network (AVIEN) - AVIEN is a grassroots network started from the need of organizations to receive cutting edge information, even if only tentative and general, directly from others, to help prevent infections before they infiltrate;
  • BitDefender - is a provider of PC anti-virus software and computer security services. Their Professional Edition "An advanced virus protection package that includes an on-access scanner, a Mail Monitor, Download Control (web browser) Script Wall and special support for Office 2000. With both real-time virus protection and an on-demand virus scanner you are fully protected from viruses, Trojans, backdoors, logic bombs, macro viruses, and other malicious programs..." Their mission is to ensure the protection of systems against computer viruses, to do antivirus research, to develop new technologies for monitoring all possible ways to infect a system and, last but not least, to educate the IT public of the danger of computer viruses.
  • Central Command - is a provider of PC anti-virus software and computer security services.
  • CNET's Virus Alert page - Knowledge is the best defense against e-mail viruses. Now, you can keep up-to-date on the latest e-mail viruses courtesy of CNET's Virus Alert page. Checking this page periodically can help you spot virus-laden e-mail attachments. Remember to be cautious of any unsolicited e-mail attachments, even if they come from people you know. What else can you do to protect your computer from viruses? The Virus Alert page also gives you a wealth of instructions and advice for protecting your computer, handheld, and even your chat application from infection.
  • Computer Associates - Virus Information Center - The Virus Information Center serves as a rich, up-to-the-minute resource, containing detailed information on viruses, worms, Trojans, and hoaxes, as well as valuable documentation on the implementation of comprehensive antivirus protection. CA’s eTrust Global Antivirus Research Centers monitor around-the-clock to defend against the damaging effects a virus outbreak could cause.
  • Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) - The CERT Coordination Center (CERT/CC) is a center of Internet security expertise, (an online security watchdog) at the Software Engineering Institute, a federally funded research and development center operated by Carnegie Mellon University. We study Internet security vulnerabilities, handle computer security incidents, publish security alerts, research long-term changes in networked systems, and develop information and training to help you improve security at your site.
  • McAfee Virus Information Library - More than 58,000 virus threats exist today. The McAfee AVERT Virus Information Library has detailed information on where viruses come from, how they infect your system, and how to remove them;
  • MessageLabs - is a provider of Internet-level managed email security services, protecting customers from email-borne threats such as viruses, unsolicited mail, malicious and sensitive content and pornography, before such content comes anywhere near their network boundaries.
  • SecurityFocus.com - SecurityFocus.com is aprovider of security information services for business. It is designed to facilitate discussion on security related topics, create security awareness, and to provide the Internet's largest and most comprehensive database of security knowledge and resources freely available to the public.
  • Sensible Security Solutions - Canada's anti-virus professionals, "Providing corporate and government organizations with enterprise-level anti-virus solutions."
  • Symantec - is a world leader in Internet security technology and provides a broad range of content and network security solutions to individuals and enterprises. The company is a leading provider of virus protection, vulnerability assessment, intrusion prevention, Internet content and e-mail filtering, remote management technologies and security services to enterprises around the world. Symantec's Norton brand of consumer security products leads the market in worldwide retail sales and industry awards.
  • Symantec's AntiVirus Research Center(SARC) - Provides latest virus threats and security advisories, virus definitions, removal tools and loads of reference material. RECOMMENDED!
  • Symantec's AntiVirus Download area - This link will allow you to download the latest virus definitions.
  • Trend Micro - specializes in network antivirus and Internet security software and services. Its solutions protect the flow of information on PCs, file servers, email servers and at the Internet gateway, providing a complete, centrally-controlled VirusWall for enterprise networks.
  • ViraLock anti-virus software prevents the spread of e-mail viruses and worms like Klez, Sircam, Magistr, Nimda and others, allowing them no escape from an infected computer. Unlike traditional anti-virus software like Norton AntiVirus and McAfee VirusScan which blocks known viruses from coming in, ViraLock makes certain that all viruses, known or unknown, are unable to get out. ViraLock works seamlessly alongside your traditional anti-virus software to give you complete protection.

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Internet/E-mail frauds and scams (ie. Nigerian):

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Reporting Internet/E-mail frauds and scams:

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PC Magazine's Security Watch:

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Trend Micro's free online virus scanner:

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Virus Hoaxes Information:

  • Hoaxbusters - A public service of the DOE-CIRC (U.S. Department of Energy Cyber Incident Response Capability). Their pages describe some of the warnings, offers, and pleas for help that are filling our mailboxes, clogging our mailservers, and that generally do not have any basis in fact. In addition to describing hoaxes and chain letters found on the Internet, we will discuss how to recognize hoaxes, what to do about them, and some of the history of hoaxes on the Internet;
  • Hoax-slayer - Hoax-Slayer is dedicated to debunking email hoaxes, thwarting Internet scammers, combating spam, and educating web users about email and Internet security issues. Hoax-Slayer allows Internet users to check the veracity of common email hoaxes and aims to counteract criminal activity by publishing information about common types of Internet scams. Hoax-Slayer also includes anti-spam tips, computer and email security information, articles about true email forwards, and much more. New articles are added to the Hoax-Slayer website every week.
  • McAfee Virus Hoax Page - There are a lot of viruses out there. But some aren't really out there at all. Virus hoaxes are more than mere annoyances, as they may lead some users to routinely ignore all virus warning messages, leaving them vulnerable to a genuine, destructive virus. Next time you receive an urgent virus warning message, be sure to check the list of known virus hoaxes..
  • Snopes Web Site - Urban Legends
  • Sophos Hoaxes - Virus hoaxes are false reports about non-existent viruses, often claiming to do impossible things. Unfortunately some recipients occasionally believe a hoax to be a true virus warning and may take drastic action (such as shutting down their network). Sophos provides information about virus hoaxes to assist companies and individuals. Although we do provide information about some non-virus-related hoaxes, chain letters, scams and misunderstandings, the primary aim of this section of the website is to provide information about hoaxes which are virus-related.
  • Symantec's Threat Explorer - The Threat Explorer is a comprehensive resource for daily, accurate and up-to-date information on the latest threats, risks and vulnerabilities. This site is just overflowing with information about various urban myths, legends and virus hoaxes;
  • VMyths.com for more virus hoax information;

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End of virus news

Do you have a link you would like to add to this list? Send us an e-mail: patrick [at] anabelassociates.com

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C-R TOWNS:

Rockland

Bourget

Cheney

Clarence Creek

Hammond

St. Pascal

 

Alfred-Plantagenet

Bearbrook

Cumberland Village

Curran

Navan

Sarsfield

Wendover

Rockland on the Internet

Today's Gas $$$

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