Scareware: Beware New Approach

Scareware, aka fake antivirus, as you may know, is a form of malware usually obtained from a malicious Internet website, that displays ominous warning messages on your PC that states you have been infected with malware. It usually runs a fake malware scan and warns that it has found a very dangerous malware that it will remove for a price. In many cases, the computer is locked up during this process and

Google:Weak Passwords Are Weak Link

A recent CNet.com article reports that “At its I/O conference, two of Google’s top-level security experts, the director of security for Google Apps, and the head of Chrome security;  say the company is intensely focused on the issue, but passwords remain a thorny problem.” The “company”, Google, being intensely focused on security; in my opinion, remains to be seen. However, they stated “Unfortunately the human is often the weakest link in security.”

What a smoke screen! Instead of owning up to royally missing the boat on Google apps for the Android available through Google Play store, they talk about

Protecting Your Money Online

Here’s a great article I found on the Kaspersky Lab Security site. This is good stuff you should be doing to remain safe as you and your computer use the Internet.

With online banking and shopping offering greater convenience, more and more people are using the Internet to conduct financial transactions and make purchases. However, cybercriminals are capitalizing on opportunities to steal consumers’ passwords, identities, and money.

Android Phone Malware On The Rise

A Net-Security.org article states that Android malware continues to rise. F-Secure Labs reports that a new method of distribution of malware to Google Android smartphones has surfaced in the first quarter of 2013—email spam. There appears to be movement from app-based malware to email spam as the method of infecting Android phones.

Google’s “Privacy Rap Sheet”

We see that Google is being sued by this country and that for privacy violations as a seemingly ongoing basis these days. But did you know that this seeming disregard for privacy by Google isn’t just a recent occurrence? I don’t have anything against Google. However, their record…or “privacy rap sheet” seems to speak for itself.

Facebook Android App: Can Take Pictures, Record Audio; Without Your Permission!

A recent BusinessInsider.com article announced that the Facebook app for Android Smartphones can change your audio settings, record audio, and take pictures and videos at any time and without your confirmation. Sounds like fun, huh? Especially since there is already malware that can take control of Android phones,

Anti-virus Programs: Is Running Two Better Than One?

It’s well known that some anti-virus programs are better than others at given times. Mostly because of how soon the signatures (tells that are used to identify malware) are updated. There is also a difference between their methods: some use signatures to identify the malware and some use an analysis of the behavior of the computer and the malware to identify anomalies and alert you when they’re found; and a few anti-virus programs use both methods of detection.

So, given that some are better than others at identifying malware, is it a good idea to run more than one anti-virus program for better protection? The answer is no…and maybe.