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

Some Highlights from TODAY'S TOPICS

The holiday Season is fast upon us. However you celebrate it, gift giving is usually an important part of the festivities, especially for Children. Please Take a moment and Consider this message about the millions of children in the United States who will NOT have a single gift to open on Christmas Day!    be a partner with the official U.S. Marines "Toys for Tots" program in The 5th Annual Internet Toy Drive.                                                          ... thanks ever so much, Richard

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 ► Latest Virus Threats  reported thru Dec 4, 2005 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.
 

                                  
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  Updating my recent alert about Stinger

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The following recommended anti-spyware programs appeared most often during November, 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 -  XoftSpy -
 and - Pest Patrol
 
* 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).
 

  
         
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Enjoy a Healthy, Happy and Secure Holiday Season During the exciting and busy days of the Holiday Season, we might be inclined to overlook, or forget the importance of keeping the security features and protective software up to date on our computers. Many hackers and criminals are counting on this so that they can ply their nefarious trade of infiltrating our computers with dangerous stuff. After the gifts are exchanged and your brand new computers are set-up and ready to explore the Internet, these same criminals know that the security software that comes with nearly all of today's new computers may not be updated first. They'll be waiting . Most new home computers will arrive with some security software. They'll probably have a version of Windows XP, which includes a software firewall.  BUT, it has to be activated by the user first, before going on line! Then, the included anti-virus and anti-spyware programs must also be updated. This is extremely important. Review the instruction for updating and connect to the websites of the safeware providers to download their latest information before you do your fun surfing. I wish everyone a Happy Holiday Season and a Healthy and Rewarding New Year. Thank you for being a subscriber.                                                                                Richard Rossbauer

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                  Practice email security - Is your incoming email Safe?                  Safeguarding you Correspondence                  What if Your Hard Drive Crashed?                  Understanding and Avoiding Phishing                  Practice email Safety - Is your incoming email 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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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.

DOWNLOAD latest cws shredder  which is now a part of 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 Did you know that popular, everyday gadget items like MP3 music players (Apple iPod for example) and digital cameras can "walk" your precious data and records off your premises, right under your unsuspecting nose? In The Hacker's Nightmare™ the danger is fully explained and an inexpensive, easily-implemented solution offered. You'll learn the dangers and the means of prevention. ...and Did you know that your home garbage bin and your office dumpster are gold mines of information to the hacker and the identity thief? In The Hacker's Nightmare™ a retired FBI Special Agent will tell you exactly what he — or anyone else who knows the tricks — can do with your refuse.   Hackers, virus and spyware writers and other unethical persons are becoming more and more sophisticated every day. Their attacks and the undesirable and often dangerous stuff they sneak into our computers slow them down, and threaten our personal lives with increasing severity.   Ever since I found the eBook, "The Hacker's Nightmare" that tells how to really Keep Hackers, Worms and Germs out of my PCs, it has received my highest recommendation to family and friends. It's my Computer Security Bible.       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.   Among the testimonials Bill received recently--  Just one chapter solved a severe problem for this reader:   "... loved it, it's the first computer related thing I've read that makes sense to me as an IT illiterate — can't wait to read the whole book!"                                                           Lucy Fisher - Exec. Director                                                           Private Hospitals' Assoc. (Qld)                                                           Brisbane, Australia And here's another --: "Bill I can't tell you how much time and money I've wasted trying to clean up and protect my computer. Most solutions people sell have been a complete waste.   "Your course, your assistance, YOU Bill, have been the complete opposite. You offer a solution that's simple to understand, enlightening to know, and unbelievably effective.   "If everyone with a computer had The Hackers Nightmare, those dead-beats would have to find a new job! Thanks for everything."      - Alan Saltz - President - YellowPagesProfit.com - New York City NY USA   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 i-Cop members are helping the survivors of the Katrina Tragedy here. Will you join us? However you do it, please open your hearts and help. http://www.katrina-long-term-relief.com/         thank you, Richard

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In a story from CNET News, Thomas Eli Ray was reported to have lost his appeal in the 8th Circuit Appeals Court.

You may have heard about Mr.Thomas Eli Ray. A federal jury convicted him of two counts of extortion in October 2004. The Charge was for attempting to extort $2.5 million from BestBuy by threatening to take advantage of a breach in its computer security system and shut them down.

The BestBuy company called the FBI.

FBI agents traced the extortion e-mail messages to three different email accounts, one belonging to Ray.

The U.S. Department of Justice indicted Ray in December 2003, after obtaining a bunch of search warrants. A federal jury convicted him of two counts of extortion in October 2004.

He appealed the conviction in November, 2005. Ray claimed that someone had broken into his computer and used it to send the extortion messages. During the trial, he tried to put the finger on two people who he said were the likely culprits.

The jurors didn't buy that story. A government witness testified that there was no evidence of anyone else getting into Ray's computer.

On Nov. 22.2005, a three-judge panel of the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected his arguments and upheld an 18-month prison sentence and restitution to BestBuy of $87,398. Ray is also sentenced to a three-year supervised release, during which he's not allowed to possess any "electronic device with access to any online computer service" without explicit permission.

Congratulations to BestBuy management, the Jury, the FBI agents and the three Judges on the Appeals Court bench. Hopefully, this is a strong signal to other would-be extortionists with grandiose ideas.

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                 New Laws Will Help Protect Against Identity Theft

There are approximately 15 anti-Identity Theft bills currently before the U.S. Congress .

It appears that ID theft, and other security issues, will continue to lead to increased government legislation. During the past year, many states enacted security breach notification laws similar to the California law, (as reported in the November issue of our Security Alert News Reporter), in order to protect their residents from identify theft. There have been federal proposals as well, which would most likely preempt state security laws.

Legislators will no doubt continue to dictate the types of security measures that must be taken in order to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive personal information,"

These efforts seem to bode well for all of us and reflect the growing concern of the public-at-large over the increasing threats. It's being addressed by our legislators, as well it should.                                  (Editorial)

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We're going to consolidate all of these 'Good Guys' check marks into one Big One for November √         
'Good Guy Check Marks' to date    √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √  √ √ √
(See Archives)
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► "User Education" is the focus of our Firewalls and Virus Protection website and the "Security Alert News Reporter".  
 
Do your IM and Chat Room Buddies know  How to Find the Best Anti-spyware Software? In case they missed this FREE report on the Firewalls-and-Virus-Protection website, you can read it here and print the report to share with your family, friends and Buddies.
        
As a P.S. to the above comment, encourage your friends to check out our  "Security Alert Blog". Recent Blog entries for November include these helpful and timely posts:

●	How's your Internet Etiquette? On a web site I found recently, the webmaster highlighted some guidelines for being polite and proper when using the Internet. It's a nice gesture toward keeping the Fun in many of the things we do online. Check out the Internet Etiquette site HERE
●	If this is the answer to paying more for safeware,  I feel as if  I'm being set-up.
●	Federal Trade Commission shuts down massive Blogspot         spyware operation
●	Online Predators! The national news services are creating     an awareness of the increasing dangers to our children
●	Identity Theft -There's hardly a newspaper, Radio or TV show that isn't talking about it today
●	Add our information blog to your list of Must Read spyware avoidance resources. The more useful information you have about the scourge of malicious spyware, the better chance you'll have of avoiding the grief and frustration it can bring.
●	Our blog is RSS friendly

            ●   There are dozens more posts available in the Blog Archives.
           Read our Blog Posts HERE. I urge you to Comment, Challenge and
           add your own opinions to ours.

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       With your permission, we'll publish your questions and answers in future 
       issues of the "NewsReporter".
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  Sharing ? If you have the opportunity to help family members, associates, or friends by sharing any of the information in this "News Reporter", please suggest that they subscribe for their own personal copy.

  They can subscribe here and we'll never share their information with third parties.

  If your friends are hesitant or uncertain about the benefits of visiting with us,
suggest that they review the help that's readily available at our one page summary of the Online Security Consideration and Protective Tactics that are designed to keep them safe on the Internet. They Can Check out these Considerations HERE.

 
And finally for this issue, we hope you can take our one minute mini- survey (We'll give you a nifty and entertaining Free eBook on Coping With Your Stresses for your time) and visit our Blog Pages, read our postings and contact us with your comments and opinions.

YOUR Feedback is valued!
Since I want the 'Security Alert News Reporter' to bring you all the information
you look for and help you need to solve problems you  encounter, may I ask you to send me your ideas and tips to make our newsletter even more valuable.

Everything you have to offer will help us do a better job of helping you.
 Thank you. ...Richard

Did you Check out the new Regular Features Supplement   to Issue 19 ?
                            
                           Read our Privacy Policy                   

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As promised in our first issue, we aren't going to stuff your mail box with un-ending mailings every day, week, or whenever. When there's important news about the topics we've noted, we'll let you know, usually monthly. 
To avoid unwanted and unnecessary filtering of our messages, we will send a very brief text email to you. It will have a link to this News Reporter and an un-subscribe link. The email subject line will identify the contents as "Latest Security Alert News Reporter - Issue ##" and the email "FROM" address will be "richard@richardpresents.com"

                                                      
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