Stop Using Internet Explorer!!!
I don’t know if you’ve been watching the news lately about the problems Google has had with China, but it appears that the bad guys in China have figured out a way to use a vulnerability to exploit Internet Explorer and attack Google and some 20 other odd companies’ websites.
Microsoft has released a patch to repair the vulnerability and if you have automatic updates turned then this should not be an issue. Sort of…
From the experience repairing consumer computers, I have discovered the following:
1. Many people do not have automatic updates turned on, and they don’t do updates manually. Update manually once a week just to make sure you are up to date!
2. Most people are still using Internet Explorer, usually version 7 or version 8. If you’re going to use Internet Explorer, make sure you have upgraded to version 8, weather you like it or not.
3. Many people do not have a newer version of an antivirus. This means you must install the latest software once every year or two. Not just the daily updates that you pay for.
The best advice I can give you is this, STOP USING INTERNET EXPLORER, PERIOD!
Download another browser. For example, Firefox, Chrome, Opera, or Safari. I my favorite browsers are Firefox and Chrome for their safety and speed.
The vulnerability found by leading antivirus companies which used Internet Explorer to attack Google and other companies has already been found and 100 popular websites. And, it’s spreading! When using Internet Explorer, if you visit these sites, you can become infected without your knowledge. Without clicking on anything. Without downloading anything. Just by visiting this site.
It’s time to stop paying me to repair your computer and take matters into your own hands. What’s the easiest way to do that? The first step is to STOP USING INTERNET EXPLORER!!!
Do it now. Go to get GetFirefox.com, click the green download button, and install it.
Virus Win32:Vitro is here. What is it?
Savemybutt.com Newsletter
May 11, 2009 – Issue: 1 – Number: 3
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*** NEW VERSIONS ***
There is a new version of Ccleaner available. Version 2.19.901. You can download and install it from my website, http://savemybutt.com
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*** NEW PROGRAM ***
I will be starting a new referral program in the next week or so. For every person you refer for Remote Computer Services, your account will be credited $5.00 towards your next service all.
I will let everyone know when it is available and how to sign up for it in the next week or two.
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*** VIRUS ALERT *** VIRUS ALERT *** VIRUS ALERT ***
I am not one to use scare tactics when talking about a virus that is spreading, but this one is a doozie.
Name: Win32:Vitro
How Infected: By you click on a fake video codec installation link at free movie sites.
Spread: Medium, less than 10,000 computers infected.
Repairable: NO!
There is a new variation of the Virut Trojan, which began life in 2007, going around called Win32:Vitro. You obtain and install Vitro by visiting websites that ask you to install a video codec that is fake, before you can watch free movies online.
Vitro injects itself into ALL .exe files on your computer slowly and over time, making them unable to run. This includes Notepad, Paint, WordPad, Word, Excel, Outlook and Outlook Express, Quicken, Adobe products, and all of you browsers, and any software you have installed.
It also invites and installs fake clean up tools like Ant-Virus 360 and System Protector as well as others.
You will know you have it if you can not open a program that open just a minute ago or recently or if your anti-virus tells you that a needed .exe file is infected with Win32:Vitro.
The Vitro Trojan WILL, I repeat, WILL require you to back up your data, format your hard disk, then do a wipe of your drive, then reinstall Windows, all of the service packs and updates, all of your software, then restore your data. This IS the only way to get rid of it.
If you have any older software that you do not have the original installation disk to, say goodbye. There IS not way to repair them.
Also, if you use a USB drive, external, thumb, jump, or any other USB storage device that has .exe files on it, they WILL also become infected. That means the will HAVE to be deleted by formatting and wiping that drive as well.
You will not get this virus by visiting You Tube, Hulu, Netflix, Amazon, TV networks, or any other known big name site to watch video. If you frequent some porn sites, illegal movie sites, download illegal movies, or sites that you never heard of to watch video, your chances of getting this virus are huge.
If you are using a product like Acronis True Image to make full image backups onto an external drive, you are in better shape. However, if you backed up since you were infected with Vitro, your backup is now infected as well.
Avast, Norton, McAfee, and all of the good anti-virus programs detect Vitro. But, Vito cannot be removed or repaired. You MUST FORMAT and WIPE the drive to get rid of it.
If you can play movies from YouTube or Netflix you don’t need any video codecs. If they are offered for download and installation, get the heck off that site NOW! And, don’t click on anything on the site.
If you do click on something that says you need it to play video, shut your machine off NOW! Your computer will have to be taken into a reputable service center to try and clean it up before any damage is done. This cannot be cleaned up via remote control either. Make sure the service center backs up you data, photos, and music before they do anything.
Please be careful with visiting sites and clicking on anything that is not familiar. This is not cause by a security hole in Windows or any of your software. You get infected with this because you give it permission to install by clicking on malicious software installations offered to you on malicious or unknown websites.
Use common sense and read what pops up on the screen.
If you don’t know what it is or don’t understand what it is saying, leave that site immediately and call someone for assistance.
Prevent Conficker/Downadup From Bothering You
There is some deja vu in this story. I talked about Conficker back in January when Conficker.B made it’s way around the Internet. Now, Conficker.C is said to be released on Wednesday April 1st.
And, again, the solution to protecting yourself is the same and just as simple. So, is the removal if you have it.
Preventing Conficker from getting into your system
Here is the key. You should already be protected. Yep! If you listen to the show and actually do the things we suggest, you really will have prevented most of the problems your computer will experience. There are two problems that can cause your computer to get infected. The common cold, and YOU!
Well, maybe not the common cold.
But, if you enjoy listening to the show every week and don’t DO what we recommend almost every week, then your computer is partially or fully vulnerable to a lot of malicious infections.
Here are 3 tips that will help you prevent almost all threats from infecting your computer. This includes Conficker.
1. Make sure that you have your Windows Operating System up to date. There are a lot of people who disable automatic updates because it bugs them or because someone told them it’s better to turn it off.
Microsoft issues updates regularly to patch new security issues. You MUST turn automatic updates on.
Also, Microsoft patched the issue that allows the Conficker worm to infect your computer way back in October. Yet, at least 12 million computers have been infected. Go figure.
You can ensure that you have this particular patch by going to http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/MS08-067.mspx. Scroll down and click on the version of Windows you have installed on your computer to download the patch. Make sure it is installed.
2. Next, you need to make sure that you have good active protection. Active means that it is always running, keeping an eye on activity on your computer.
This active protection I am talking about is your anti-virus program. You NEED to have a modern version of a good anti-virus and make sure automatic updates for it are turned on and it is updated.
By modern I mean that your version of Norton, McAfee, AVG, Avast, NOD32, Trend, Bit Defender, and all of the rest of the big named products should be the most current version. No more than a year old.
How much money do you spend changing the oil in your car every year? The purchase of a new copy of a good anti-virus is far cheaper. Or, you can can install one of the good free products like Avast, which I recommend and is available for download by clicking the Downloads link in the menu at the top of the blog, or AVG 8 for new machines.
At least download and install the trial version of a good anti-virus. This will give you at least 30 days of free protection.
3. Finally, avoid the Conficker.C virus. Don’t do searches with the word Conficker or Downadup. The bad guys know you will be looking for information and many sites could be infected.
Stay away from websites that you are not familiar with. Don’t fall for the removal tool tricks. Many of them are fake and will infect you computer.
Don’t use Torrent sites to download music, movies, or files.
Don’t click on attachments in email if you were not expecting them. Especially this week, verify that your sister sent you those pictures.
This worm can be spread using a USB thumb drive or external drive as well as over your
home or business network. If your protection is correct, it should catch it.
Practice safe surf.
If you follow these three methods to protect your computer, the chances are you will not become infected by Conficker or any other virus. Unless you click on something you should not.
How to remove Conficker/Downadup if you are infected.
You know if you are infected if you open any browser and try to go to one of the security companies like Symantec (Norton), McAfee, F-Secure, or any of them and you get an error something like “Page Can Not Load”.
If you need to remove Conficker, download one of the several programs in the links I have listed below and follow the instructions after you install it.
You should do a complete clean up and tune up of your computer after you remove Conficker. There will be other malware on it if Conficker was on it.
Removal Tools (Use any one of them)
I have not used all of these products. They were obtained from their
respective manufacturer sites.
If you are on a network, home or business, unplug your computer from the Internet after you download the tool and before you run it.
Bit Defender Removal Tool
Bit Defender For Computers On A Network Removal Tool
F-Secure Removal Tool
McAfee Removal Tool
Microsoft Removal Tool
Norton Removal Tool
