The Firewalls-and-Virus-Protection.com
   Security Alert News Reporter   

Some Highlights from TODAY'S TOPICS

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 ► Latest Virus Threats  reported Feb 11, 2006 by McAfee ,
US-CERT, Panda™ and other advisory services. (US-CERT is the operational arm
of the National Cyber Security Division (NCSD) at the Department of Homeland Security)
 
   Full descriptions including virus characteristics, symptoms, aliases and removal instructions are available by clicking on the links. This virus alert is in addition to those posted in previous month's News Reporter issues. You can review previous Virus Alerts in the Archive files.
 

Usually, it's very difficult to repair the damage phishing scams cause, however, there are some really fine and effective Programs available to Home and Small Business computer users to improve online security and minimize adware, Trojan horse/Zombie and general malware threats. You'll need at least two or three.
 

The following recommended anti-spyware programs appeared most often during January, 2006, on the top rated research and anti-spyware reporting websites, including Spyware Warrior:

Microsoft AntiSpyware*,  Webroot Spy Sweeper (CLICK for Free trial), -
Spyware Doctor-   Spybot Search and Destroy -  Adaware -  Pest Patrol,
XoftSpy (Click Here ) to Download a Free Spyware Scan and MacScan for MAC users
 
* Microsoft AntiSpyware  is currently available as a FREE Download, but you can't use it
 with Windows 95 or 98. I use it on my windows 2000 and Windows XP PC's, have it set for automatic updates and daily scans. Like SpywareBlaster (Download) it's designed to  monitor in Real Time.

Keep in mind that you must also have up-to-date anti-virus software(*) and a
strong firewall, plus the latest updates for your browser (Internet Explorer,
Firefox, Netscape, Opera... whichever one you use).
 

[Free Spyware Scan - Click Here] Click here Xoftspy v3.2                          Xoftspy is the latest in spyware detection and removal. Xoftspy will hunt down and remove from your machine all known spyware/adware that is on the market today. 91% of PC's are infected with spyware. Try Xoftspy right now for FREE and see for yourself if your PC is infected! Spyware & Adware are files that are installed on your computer without your knowledge. They allow companies to monitor your Internet browsing patterns and even allow companies to inundate you with those annoying "pop up" ads! Most people are familiar with freeware, shareware, cookies, media players, interactive content, and file sharing. What they may not realize is that some of the aforementioned may contain code or components that allow the developers of these applications and tools to actually collect and disseminate information about those using them. They can track your surfing habits, abuse your Internet connection by sending this data to a third party, profile your shopping preferences, hijack your browser start page or pages, alter important system files, and can do this without your knowledge or permission. The security and privacy implications of these exploits should be quite obvious and undesirable on any system or network! Works with: Microsoft Windows 98/Me/NT4/2000/XP Free File Scan Now

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► alert about Stinger You can get the February 2nd Free updated virus checking and removal STINGER tool at the  Firewalls and Virus Protection site . STINGER,  (compliments of McAfee's Anti-virus and Vulnerability Emergency Response Team - AVERT) was updated on February 2, 2006 to detect and remove more than 50 current viruses including Sober.   It's a great little program that still fits neatly on a floppy disc - a perfect way to clean up your computer if a worm or other 'rogueware' has disabled your ability to get back on the Internet to update your security ware.   Whenever updated versions become available, I'll post a notice here, on the Firewalls and Virus Protection website and in the Security Alert Blog.

         
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Some recent additions to our reviews of Family Safe sites                                                                                      At the top of the list of results at a recent Google search for Child Safe web sites was "FirstGov for Kids", the U.S. government interagency Kids' Portal. It's a great site. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has many great publications, too. I put a download link for their "Personal Safety for Children - A guide for Parents" in the Features Supplement.   Check them out in the new Features Supplement   CLICK HERE

We post these Kid Safe Sites, because like you, we care about the safety and security of our children and grandchildren....and to help parents, grandparents and guardians guide today's young internet surfers to safe sites. There are many other website creators who feel the same concerns and responsibility. These are just a few of their sites that we have personally reviewed and tested as safe for our Grandchildren. Check them out and share them with the young people you care about. 

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► Publications - Use these Reports to help your family and friends:
 
    . For those of you who have visited our Firewalls website and Security Alert Blog, you know that the information there is directed toward keeping you safe from hacker and cracker attacks. Additions to our bookshelf are selected with the same purpose - and we encourage you to share our reports freely. Don't miss the NEWest Free report

Copy or Download these reports from the Publications Page in the new Features Supplement. CLICK HERE
eBooklet	"23 CRITICAL ALERTS You Should Consider when Maintaining Your Computer Security and Protecting  Your Personal Safety"
eReport	Protect Yourself and Family from Dangerous Chat Rooms and  Instant Messages.
eBooklet	Online Security while Traveling in the United States and Abroad.
eBook	"Travel Cheap - Travel Well!"- Confessions of A Traveling Pauper
eReport	Don't get trapped by Rogue Anti-Spyware software
eBooklet	Is Your Firewalls and Virus Protection Safe Enough?
eBooklet	Is a Keystroke Logger Being Used To Spy On You?
eReport	How Much Money would it cost you to regain the use of your computer  after a serious virus infection?
eReport	Internet Glossary - alphabetical list of terms used in many of the articles and news reports that relate to the Internet
Copy or Download these full reports from the Publications Page in the new  Features Supplement. CLICK HERE
Free Identity Theft Guide      NEW!                                            A Breach in your personal privacy protection could easily lead to online and offline Hackers and thieves stealing your identity. The contents of this Free Report include   Protection Strategies   Safe Credit Card Practices   Why reveal your Social Security number?   Document Destruction   Common Sense Things to avoid   What you must do if the Worst Happens      with the telephone numbers to call and the                                     organizations to contact. It's a five page report you can download, print and freely share with your family and friends. Download the Identity Theft Guide from this month's Regular Features Supplement HERE.  Save the file to your Desktop - it'll be easier to find.                                       ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~                                                             To Top
There are a lot more Articles and Reports at the Firewalls and Virus Protection website. Look them over for the helpful 'keeping safe' info they contain. Our most recent library additions include                Identity Thieves - Internet Outlaws                Choosing Anti-Virus, anti-adware and anti-spyware programs                Identity Theft Using Your Wireless               Practice eMail Safety - Is your incoming mail safe?                               and visit the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website with its many publications relating to protecting the security of your family, both on the internet and off. They are FREE. You can go to their pages covering                    Consumer (family) Protection HERE. or take a look at  "Take Charge - Fighting Back Against Identity Theft" Free report HERE.

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Did you Check out the new Regular Features Supplement  to Issue 21?
 

Browser Hijacking is still a major problem. One of the outstanding sources for information about browser hijackers and tools to remove these predators is still available on the SpywareInfo.com website.         It's loaded with powerful information and helpful advice that zeros in on the hijacking problem. If you are experiencing any similar problems, be sure to follow the link to their forum. There are literally thousands of postings from which you will learn and possibly find the advice that will help you resolve your own issues.        You can download HijackThis from the Software link on the SpywareInfo website. Be sure to read and follow their instructions to the letter if you want good results.                 We learned about this program from the extraordinary website and forums built and maintained by James Healan, webmaster of SpywareInfo.com., and whenever we can, we send a small donation to help keep them online.

DOWNLOAD latest cws shredder    (Version 2.19, Nov 05) Free from Trend Micro http://www.intermute.com/products/cwshredder.html  It'll find and remove those nasty Cool Web Search trojan horses.

To Top  Here's a powerful, inexpensive, and helpful resource to help you maintain your Internet Security and Personal Identity In The Hacker's Nightmare™ a retired FBI Special Agent tells you exactly how to really Keep Hackers, Worms and Germs out of your PCs. Here's what Bill Hely has to say about his eBook:   "When I was researching and writing The Hacker's Nightmare™ I was determined that there would be chapters that alone would be worth the cost of the whole book. Different chapters to different people that is... depending on individual needs and interests. Based on feedback from my readers I am confident that I have achieved that aim. I mean, read the testimonials for yourself!" Bill Hely, 20 plus year veteran of internet security consulting. has loaded it with valuable information and  plain common sense. We could fill this and future issues of our News Reporter for the next few months just talking about them. I've included some of Bill's outstanding, informative, and helpful articles in the Articles and Reports pages of the Firewalls and Virus Protection website. Please visit and check them out.      Bill has designed a webpage that describes many of the security tricks and tools that will help keep that nasty stuff out of your computer. Review The Hacker's Nightmare Story HERE. Some sample (Free) chapters are available to early visitors.   and here's My Favorite Resource                   i-Cop is a resource I'm proud to be a part of.   You have probably noticed the various references to it throughout this newsletter, the Firewalls and Virus Protection website and my Blog.   It's the International Council of Online Professionals, i-Cop for short. I believe anyone actively using the internet to provide information, services or sell products will benefit by subscribing to i-Cop's publication - The Internet Marketing Trade Journal. It truly sets the standard for Honesty and Integrity Online. I'm proud to be a member.   This FREE ezine is vitally important to online business owners and anyone even considering making money online! We keep folks informed about all online issues and programs to participate in, or avoid. Subscribe to The Internet Marketing Trade Journal here:: http://www.i-Cop.org/trade-journal.htm                  ...Richard

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January 25, 2006

Identity Theft Again Leads the List

The Federal Trade Commission today released its annual report detailing consumer complaints about fraud and identity theft in 2005. Complaints about identity theft topped the list, accounting for 255,000 of more than 686,000 complaints filed with the agency in 2005. The complaints, filed online or at a toll-free number, are shared via a secure database with more than 1,400 federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, and law enforcement and consumer protection agencies in Canada and Australia.

“With a call or a click, consumers can file complaints with law enforcers across the country and around the world,” said Deborah Platt Majoras, Chairman of the FTC. “These reports provide ammunition that helps law enforcers fight fraud and identity theft.”

Identity theft complaints represented 37 percent of the 686,683 complaints filed. Other top categories of fraud complaints for 2005 include:

• Internet Auctions - 12 percent
• Foreign Money Offers - 8 percent
• Shop-at-Home/Catalog Sales - 8 percent
• Prizes/Sweepstakes and Lotteries - 7 percent
• Internet Services and Computer Complaints - 5 percent
• Business Opportunities and Work-at-Home plans - 2 percent
• Advance-Fee Loans and Credit Protection - 2 percent
• Telephone Services - 2 percent
• Other - 17 percent

Some other findings from the report include:

• Internet-related complaints accounted for 46 percent of all fraud complaints.
• The percent of Internet-related fraud complaints with “wire transfer” as the reported payment method more than tripled between 2003 and 2005.
• Credit card fraud was the most common form of reported identity theft, followed by phone or utilities fraud, bank fraud, and employment fraud.
• The most frequently reported type of identity theft bank fraud was electronic funds transfers.

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Other FTC activities

Feds arrest alleged Internet ID thief

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Los Angeles recently announced the arrest of a  California man on wire fraud and other charges. He is alleged to have deceived America Online customers into divulging their credit card information over the Web

Jeffrey Brett Goodin of Azusa, Calif., was charged with using illegally obtained information to make unauthorized charges using the credit and debit cards of his American Online victims.

He allegedly conned his victims, all of whom were America Online subscribers, by sending e-mails urging them to "update" their AOL billing information or lose their service.

The e-mails allegedly sent by Goodin appeared to have come from AOL's billing department (a scam known as phishing). The e-mails, which were sent by the thousands, directed recipients to bogus Web sites operated by Goodin, and prompted potential victims to enter personal information, including credit card and
debit card numbers.

Goodin, 45, charged with wire fraud and the unauthorized use of a credit card, faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison. The FBI, the Secret Service and police in Ontario, Calif., all helped investigate the case.

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Congratulations to  the FTC for progress-to-date and aggressiveness in enforcing the consumer protection laws.
They get another of our 'Good Guys' check marks  √                             
 Good Guy Check Marks to date  √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √  √ √ √ √ √