This may come as no surprise to those who have been around computer security for a while, but the BIOS viruses are making a comeback!
One of the first made its debut back in 1999 and was known as “CIH”. But Symantec is reporting a new killer on the block called “Trojan.Mebromi” that affects the Award BIOS and seizes control of a system even before you get to the MBR (Master Boot Record).
Expect this trend to continue….
Read more about it here:
http://www.symantec.com/connect/blogs/bios-threat-showing-again
As always, please insure your systems are using the latest anti-virus (We suggest and sell Trend Micro products such as the amazing Trend Micro Worry Free Business Security), that all updates are applied to your Microsoft Windows operating systems, all applications and support programs from Microsoft Office, to Adobe Reader, Flash and JAVA are at the latest patch levels. Obtain a quality firewall, and use common sense! And don’t forget to BACKUP!
If you suspect your system may be infected, or want to know how to better protect your computer or an entire business full of computers and servers, please call us at 864.990.4748 or email info@homelandsecureit.com. We offer virus removal and cleanup in the Greenville / Upstate, SC area.
We provide sales, licensing, installation and support for Trend Micro and Symantec products. We can sell you one seat, or protect your business with 1000 users!
Watch out for emails from Intuit and other software and service providers that appear to be legitimate and make sense on the surface…
I was told by one of our friends/clients today that they had become infected after receiving an email from “software@quickbooks.com” which read something like this:
Subject: QuickBooks Update: Urgent
<Official Intuit QuickBooks Online logo here>
You will not be able to access your Intuit QuickBooks account without Intuit Security Tool (IST™) after 10th of April, 2011.
You can download Intuit Security Tool here.
After a successful download please run the setup for an automatic installation, then login to Intuit Quickbooks online to check that it is working properly.
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Of course, they thought it looked official and followed the link through and actually authorized the installation of a malicious software package onto her computer.
Refuse to be a victim and stop clicking on every link that comes in email! If you question the authenticity, simply don’t click it!
If you require help in Greenville or Upstate SC, Homeland Secure IT is a phone call away! We provide computer and network security, anti-virus, virus cleanup & removal and computer repair and service. 864.990.4748 or info@homelandsecureit.com
A computer security post on TGDaily.com entitled, “BlackHole RAT Trojan targets Mac OS X” discusses Mac’s very own variant of a Microsoft Windows Remote Access Tool (RAT) called darkComet.
The Mac version is known as “BlackHole RAT” and it is not quite ready for prime time, though it seems to offer a great stepping stone to be used to target the Mac OSX platform. While most Mac owners still believe they are impervious to exploits, blog articles and service requests tend to prove otherwise. The Mac has mainly been an unattractive target to the authors of malware because the rewards for their efforts would be low.
This is basically “security through obscurity” which certainly can work, but Mac sales have been increasing slowly, making the operating system a little more visible on the black hat radar.
Those of you reading this blog probably feel I am beating a dead horse, but now is the time for you Mac owners to get anti-virus on your systems. It actually may be too late, since the Mac is such a great multitasking system, you may be infected, and not even know it. Another thing to seriously consider is backup!
We recommend Trend Micro for your Mac, and offer it for sale. We can also help with Greenville / Upstate SC Mac virus removal and cleanup, as well as Servosity Online Backup for your Mac. Please call 864.990.4748 for more information, or email info@homelandsecureit.com
Our Gift To You - Affordable Service
Computer running slow? It could have a virus…. WE CAN HELP!
Bring your workstation or notebook to our office at 104 Mauldin Rd, STE E in Greenville where we will give you super-fast service and not charge you an arm and a leg!
Our typical virus removal / cleanup takes about an hour and our current rate is $75/hr in our office. This covers Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac OS X and even *nix. We don’t just “wipe and reload”, causing you to lose your settings and require you to reload all your applications. We strive to clean the computer first, removing the malicious software and insuring you safe and secure.
We also offer complete computer, server & network service, repair, support and sales to businesses and individuals in the Upstate. We will go to your location in Greenville, Anderson, Simpsonville, Spartanburg, Taylors, Duncan, Greer, Easley, Clemson, Pickens, etc, but this special is for service performed in our Greenville office only.
Call 864.990.4748 or email info@homelandsecureit.com for more information about this ongoing special.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
As 2010 draws to a close, I have been looking back over the service that Homeland Secure IT has performed and talking with other computer service techs about the work that has come through our doors and not at all surprising is the fact that malware / virus removal & cleanup was one of the most common types of issues tackled.
Not at all an exhaustive study in this, but here’s what the typical notebook and laptop (end user) PC repair and maintenance looks like:
A full 20% of our end user (business and home computer and notebook) service has comprised of something related to malware, viruses, trojans, worms, spyware, rootkits, etc… Whether it was cleaning a machine which was infected, or installing anti-virus to help protect it, a lot of time (and client money!) was invested into this area.
The only other area of computer service that came close was the setup and deployment of new desktop workstations, notebooks, laptops, etc.
What does that tell us? It tells us too many people are running inadequate anti-virus and anti-malware, on unpatched computers.
We can’t remember any of these infections occuring on Microsoft Windows 7 machines, and not a single client with Windows 7 running Trend Micro Worry Free Business Security or Titanium! The majority of them were running Windows XP.
I guess that means if everyone with XP would switch over to a Windows 7 based machine with Trend Micro Anti-Virus, we would lose some revenue, but I think we can live with that! One thing is for sure: Mac and Linux owners better start keeping their systems up to date and get some anti-virus loaded, as they have already overtaken the latest versions of Windows as far as the rate of infections are going!
If you feel your computer may be compromised (signs are strange behaviors, unexpected windows opening, getting a strange website instead of a familiar one, machine running slower than normal, blue screens, lockups, reboots, etc), please give us a call at 864.990.4748 or email info@homelandsecureit.com. We provide complete computer repair, service and support in the Greenville / Upstate SC area.
A New York Times article that was tweeted yesterday by @randomlycb really caught my attention…
It involves a well-to-do gentleman who takes his computer to a local (New York) computer repair facility for a simple virus cleanup / removal in 2006, and things go horribly wrong. The owner of the computer service center tells the PC owner that he has fallen victim to an elaborate attack from a foreign entity that has not only his data in danger, but the well being of his family!
Over the next six years, the computer owner pays the computer service shop an estimated SIX MILLION dollars to keep him safe. The article goes on to explain further oddities revolving around the strange relationship between computer owner and shady computer repair clinic owner.
This is so intriguing that it could be a turned into a movie, except for the part where it is all too real, and a man, his family and others were hurt by the very people he trusted.
The next time you are in need of computer service, don’t let the technician tell you that you need to pay millions of dollars… Select a quality IT company who will give you a reasonable estimate for the labor and a time frame for the repairs. A typical virus cleanup / malware removal can take an hour, sometimes more depending on the severity and the data being dealt with. A reputable repair facility will generally have your computer back to you the same or next business day.
Homeland Secure IT provides business & personal computer service and repair in our Greenville office, or at your Upstate location, including Simpsonville, Anderson, Spartanburg, Easley, Piedmont, Seneca, Duncan, Taylors, Pickens, Mauldin, Clemson, Six Mile. Please call 864.990.4748 or email info@homelandsecureit.com for additional information.
Our number one selling security software to protect small business servers, endpoints (desktops), mobile notebook computers, and Microsoft Exchange email is Trend Micro Worry-Free Business Security Advanced. There’s a good reason for this… Our clients get the most bang for the buck from this product! It even filters SPAM!
Trend Micro products always rank in the highest levels of anti-virus protection, but just as important is the fact that the Trend Micro agents do not slow your computers down like many other products…
Now Trend Micro has taken an already incredible product and turned it up to 11! (sorry for the “This is Spinal Tap” reference).
Worry-Free Business Security v7.0 does everything the previous v6.0 did, and much more.
The following new features and enhancements are provided with version 7.0 of Worry-Free Business Security.
What’s New in v7.0
Version 7.0 of Worry-Free Business Security provides the following new features and enhancements:
o Mac Client Protection (Advanced only) And YES, your Macs need protection too!
o Data Loss Prevention via email templates (Advanced only): data loss prevention content filtering policies prevent sensitive information from being distributed outside the network
o Device Control: regulates access to USB devices and network resources (Frequently asked for by businesses)
o Customized Installation: install only needed components (Cuts down on install size dramatically)
o Enhanced URL Filtering: including Flexible business hour settings and a separate block list from Web Reputation (Many businesses are using this to control their user’s browsing and bandwidth hogging with great success!)
o Enhanced ScanMail for Exchange Support (Advanced Only); supports Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 (Say goodbye to spam and viruses in email)
o Web Reputation Filter: scans URLs in email messages and takes a configurable action when detecting malicious URLs. This feature is separate from spam filtering. (This stops the number one way people are becoming infected)
o Email Reputation Services Filter: helps block spam and malicious emails by checking the IP addresses of incoming emails against one of the world’s largest email reputation databases as well as a dynamic reputation database. It helps to identify new spam and phishing sources and stop even zombies and botnets as they first emerge. (Many businesses claim better success with Trend than with Barracuda and other spam firewall appliances)
o Simpler and easier Security Agent user interface
o Easier replication amongst WFBS servers
o Enhanced blocked page with clear explanation and continue browsing option (Again, helps control those bad websites)
If you are a current subscriber to Trend Micro WFBS, this is a FREE upgrade, the only expense would be for a computer service professional to handle the install and configuration if you do not have your own IT staff.
Those who are not using Trend Micro products will be pleased to find that there is a “Competitive Upgrade” available that will let you transition from McAfee, Symantec, etc. If you are buying Trend Micro for the first time, and not renewing, there are some current specials for you too, such as the Three Years for Two campaign, letting you pay for two years and get a third year for free.
Please call us at 864.990.4748 or email info@homelandsecureit.com for pricing for your business. We also offer installation, configuration and support in the Greenville / Upstate, SC area. Should you become infected, our virus removal and cleanup service is fast & affordable.
- Homeland Secure IT Alert
Homeland Secure IT Alert for Thursday, October 28, 2010
In the news today you will find that a new variant of the infamous Koobface is making the rounds via social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Myspace.
Unsuspecting users are enticed to click a video link in a direct message which links to a bogus YouTube page where they are presented with a thumbnail of the video, which when clicked runs a JAVA applet, and the user will then accept it, thinking they are going to see the greatest video ever. Instead, they get a blank screen more times than not, and have just given access to their computer to the bad guys.
According to various sites, the applet affects Linux and Mac in a different manner than the Windows based systems because it remains running longer, giving attackers a long time to exploit the machine for evil purposes. (So all that wonderful uptime you get from a *nix machine works against you as a Microsoft Windows machine gets rebooted more frequently).
It is suggested that you keep your operating systems updated, your JAVA updated, and keep current and quality anti-virus products on your computer such as Trend Micro. Even an anti-virus package like clamAV is advised over nothing at all. Mac and Linux users need to be very aware that the good old days of running “bareback” are over.
As always, avoid sketchy sites, don’t run JAVA apps unless you trust them. If you are on social media, use some common sense and don’t click on odd looking links, even if they come from your friends.
If you feel you may have been compromised, contact a computer service professional immediately. If you need assistance in Greenville or Upstate SC, we provide complete computer service, virus removal and cleanup and sales of Trend Micro and Symantec security and anti-virus software. 864.990.4748
Homeland Secure IT Alert
Homeland Secure IT Alert
Homeland Secure IT Alert for Friday, October 22, 2010
Apple has issued two advisories which outline Java security updates for OS X 10.5.x and OS X 10.6.x (Tiger and Leopard). These advisories warn of several vulnerabilities in the OS X Java components (a total of 10). There are updates out to address a few of the flaws, however, many still pose a serious risk according to WatchGuard’s security bulletin.
Not to be outdone, Mozilla released a Firefox update fixing close to 13 vulnerabilities in their browser and that is across all platforms, including Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows and Linux…
In both cases, these updates attempt to correct vulnerabilities which exist that could allow your computer to become exploited by visiting a malicious website, or following a link to a malicious website. The solution is to apply updates from Apple to your OS as well as update the Firefox browser. By “exploited”, it means, your computer could have malicious software loaded on it that would give the attacker anything from read access, to absolute, total control, as in a “rootkit” which may be difficult to detect. Some rootkits and keygrabbers have been running undetected on computers for months, even years.
It is always a good idea to avoid unknown sites, and not open random links sent to you by unknown/untrusted sources.
Another must-have is quality anti-virus / anti-malware such as Trend Micro. Their Titantium Security for Microsoft Windows machines and Total Online Protection for Apple Mac systems are affordable and will help you avoid a costly and inconvenient virus cleanup or removal, as well as prevent your valuable data from falling into the wrong hands. We can provide you with these fine products!
If you need assistance with any computer or network security issue, anti-virus, anti-spam, or even a virus removed from your system, please call us at 864.990.4748 or email info@homelandsecureit.com
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More information about these updates are here:
Apple Java 10.5 Update 8: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4418
Apple Java 10.6 Update 3: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4417
Mozilla Security Advisory 2010-67: http://www.mozilla.org/security/announce/2010/mfsa2010-67.html
Homeland Secure IT Alert
TOP 10 REASONS CUSTOMERS CHOOSE TREND MICRO
Homeland Secure IT believes that Trend Micro Anti-Virus / Anti-Malware products offer the best value and best performance, but don’t take our word for it, what follows are the top 10 reasons customers choose Trend Micro:
1. Trend Micro Works hard to make customers happy.
Trend Micro Internet Security is great for business or personal use!
“Trend Micro is just great– professional, responsive, and a real pleasure to work with.” – Craig Berry, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, UGS PLM Software, Plano, Texas
2. Trend Micro understands its customer’s business.
“We are still partnering with Trend Micro today because they offer us more than just point products. They look at our overall environment and help us make the right decisions within the context of our business environment.” - Antonio Traetto, Networks and Storage Manager, IT, Rexam, London, UK
3. Trend Micro saves customers time by delivering easy-to-use solutions
“Once we put Trend Micro products in place, we didn’t have to spend as much time on security. The software takes care of everything for us and it’s working great. With the level of automation that we’ve gained, we don’t have to intervene. This has been huge— to know that our protection has been increased while our work has been reduced.” - Steve Buche, Chief Information Officer, Christian Homes
4. Trend Micro’s leadership and protection earns customers’ trust.
“I appreciate the timesaving, centralized administration of the Trend Micro solutions. But it’s the company’s leadership in technology and overall protection that keeps me a loyal Trend Micro customer. In our business, we have to take care of our buyers and sellers. We take that job seriously and Trend Micro helps us earn the trust of our customers. That keeps them safe and that keeps our company safe.” - Brian Carpenter (CISSP), Sr. Network and Systems Administrator, Heritage Auction Galleries (www.HA.com), Dallas, Texas
5. Trend Micro offers superior protection with multilayered solutions.
“We face very sophisticated, variable threats today—making it hard to keep up. To help us overcome this challenge, Trend Micro gives us an enterprise strategy that includes the best possible messaging protection at the gateway and at the mail server. Multilayered solutions— and strategies for cleaning up unwanted content— create a solid end-to-end approach. This is the extra added value we get from Trend Micro.” - Antonio Traetto, Networks and Storage Manager, IT, Rexam, London, UK
6. Trend Micro goes the extra mile.
“We were very impressed with the help we got from Trend Micro sales and engineering teams. We were used to software vendors that sent us software and wished us luck—Trend Micro was clearly motivated to help us succeed and they were there to provide all the information we needed to make sure our network-wide deployment went smoothly and met all of our requirements.” – Eric Ellerman, Network Manager, IT, Dot Foods
7. Trend Micro offers a range of scalable solutions.
“Through all stages of our growth, Trend Micro solutions have served us very well, reliably adapting and scaling as we needed to provide a stable environment for students and staff.” – Matthew Chapman, Assistant Director, Information Communications and Technology Services, Orange County Public Schools, Florida
8. Trend Micro listens and delivers on its promises.
“The integrated products and centralized management set Trend Micro apart from the competition right from the start. They were the fi rst to cover the desktop, servers, and gateways with a centralized management console. We have been with Trend Micro ever since and it has never let us down. Trend Micro works WITH you. Lots of other vendors don’t. Trend Micro listens and gives us what we need to succeed in our business.” – Gary Hall, Founder, Hall Computer Services, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
9. Trend Micro keeps up with new and evolving web threats.
“Trend Micro™ InterScan™ Web Security Suite and Trend Micro InterScan™ Messaging Security play a vital role in our first line of defense against Web threats by filtering traffic and blocking attacks right at the gateway. We needed to address the growing issue of spyware, phishing, and virus threats, and without Trend Micro products, there would be a gap in our managed services portfolio, and an inability to protect customers from these types of threats.” – Alexandre Rigaldo, Business Security Solutions Manager, Orange Business Services
10. Trend Micro makes life easier.
“Trend Micro offered us a solution that was less complicated than the others. From a technical point of view, it was the speed and simplicity of installation, and we had a good impression of Trend Micro’s overall approach. It was also very important to us to work with a reliable partner—the first-class qualifications and assistance we received from our local Trend Micro team put us completely at ease.” – Massimo Carnevali, Manager Information Systems, City of Bologna, Italy
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There is a Trend Micro product that is right for just about every situation such as Worry Free Business Security (WFBS) and OfficeScan. Tired of Spam? WFBS Advanced and ScanMail can cut your unwanted junk mail down to a trickle. Smaller offices may want a hosted service to protect them from viruses, trojans, worms, malware, spyware, and more.
If you would like information, or a free consultation please email us at info@homelandsecureit.com or call 864.990.4748. We offer the entire line of Trend Micro products & provide installation and support in the Greenville / Upstate SC area. We also offer virus cleanup and removal service should you decide anti-virus is not for you.
