How Can You Protect Your Android From Malicious Software

As android devices continue being targeted by hackers and cybercriminals, it is clear that users need to understand the ways in which they can protect their devices from the intruders. Some of the most dangerous malware attacks on androids are fake banking apps, android Geinimi and DroidDream. The fake banking apps lure customers to enter their login information and this compromises their bank accounts.

Similarly, android Geinimi malware corrupts android games download sites and users downloading these games end up infecting their devices. Android fake player manifest as a media player and silently sends SMS to premium phone numbers. Bank accounts, confidential business information and personal details can be stolen by these malware thus causing financial loss and reputation damage.

Apparently, smartphone users are not very keen on malware vulnerabilities of their devices and this means that they are not taking strong measures to curb the problem. There are different ways in which android malware invasions can be prevented. One way in which the malicious software programs and codes are spread is through downloads. The most targeted are games download sites.

It is advisable that users not download apps from unauthorized or illegal apps stores. It is essential that you read and understand apps permissions before you download them. Users need to pay attention to apps they install in their devices. Hackers and phishers use popular apps to spread malware to your android devices. You may think that you are downloading the real legitimate apps but in the real sense, you are infecting your smartphone.

If you see free apps that are mainly found in paid versions, you need to watch out. These spammers will lure you because they know that you will not let go a free app that is initially in paid version. Another way in which you can protect your smartphone device is by using passwords. You also need to make sure that you change your passwords often and not use one password throughout.

Smartphones are mainly targeted because users do not update their operating systems when new versions are released. This is one challenge users have faced. In addition, some carriers and manufacturers of android devices are releasing older OS platforms in the market, giving hackers an opportunity to invade the devices. Users should make sure that they get the latest secure versions of operating systems immediately they are released in the market.

Moreover, users should refrain from sharing their confidential or personal information in public internet connections like Wi-Fi. Installing antivirus and anti-malware programs that are sourced from reputable companies is another way in which users can protect their devices from attackers. Such anti-malware apps help detect and remove malware from your smartphone.

The anti-malware programs should also be updated regularly to make sure that they are able to detect and remove newer versions of malicious codes. In a nutshell, android users should get more information about their device vulnerabilities and how they can keep off from the attackers. This will ensure that they do not infect their androids with malicious software that could steal their confidential information

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How to Protect Your Computer in 5 Easy Steps.

1# Use an Anti-Virus software

If you have a PC or Mac you must have an Anti-Virus and if you don't, get it now. Mac users please don't think you are safe because you have an Apple computer. Although it is technically true that Macs don't have Viruses, Mac treats are related to pirated software, social network scams (Facebook, Twitter), and socially engineered websites that can run malicious code on your Mac and collect your information.

What most Mac users don't know is that a Mac can still transmit and spread Windows viruses. If you have an infected file with Windows malicious code, and share it with your Windows friend, they will get infected. Be smart and protect your computer regardless of the Operating System you are using.

An Anti-Virus can help detect most malicious software before they affect your computer. Obviously having an Anti-Virus does not mean it will catch everything but better be safe than sorry. There are many softwares out there that will help protect your computer. Try to get one that gives you a complete protection. A software that has an Anti-Virus, Spyware, malware and web browsing protection.

For PC users you can use Microsoft Security Essentials. It is free and works just as good as any other Anti-Virus.

http://windows.microsoft.com

For Mac users you can use Sophos. It is free and will do a great job. http://www.sophos.com

Make sure you schedule the Anti-Virus to get updates regularly so you get the latest definitions.

2# Keep your softwares and operating system up to date:

Update your programs, operating system, and browsers regularly. It will help prevent many problems and patch security holes. Always update via Windows updates or Mac updates. While browsing the Internet, if you get a popup asking you to run any updates, it is a scam. See # 3 for more details.

3#Pop-up and email warnings:

Unscrupulous companies use pop-up ads to display false warnings about your computer. This is most common with pop-up warnings that you see while you're surfing the Web.

Do NOT click any button in the pop-up. Such as a "Close", "No" button or the "Close" box that may appear in the upper-right corner of the pop-up. Closing a pop-up that way might actually install a virus or other malicious software on your computer. To close a pop-up ad:

For windows, press Ctrl-W

For Mac, press Command-W.

You may receive an email warning that claims to be from a computer "expert" warning you of a virus. These are usually hoaxes. Do not follow the steps described in any email unless you're sure the threat is real.

4# Be aware of emails:

When you receive an email with an attachment that you are not expecting, do not open it. Simple rule: Don't trust but verify. If your email provider does not scan your emails before they are delivered to your mailbox, scans the attachments with your Anti-Virus.

If the email is not from someone you know and trust: don't open it, scan it (personally I will just delete it, especially if the subject or body is catchy). Do the same with emails that have suspicious links. If the attachment is from someone you know and trust but did not expect: Scan it.

5# Check your Firewall.

Every operating system comes with a built in Firewall to prevent unauthorized access to your computer. Make sure it is turned on.

How to turn on a firewall on windows: Start Menu /Control Panel / Windows Firewall

How to turn on a firewall on Mac: Apple Menu / system preferences / security and privacy / Firewall

These 5 little steps will not only protect your computer but will extend its longevity. By protecting your computers, you are also protecting your personal information but know that the rest of the responsibility falls on you. So make sure not to click and open anything without make sure it is a legitimate source.

Jacob Ouaknine is Sales Engineer and Account Manager at M6iT Consulting

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How to Protect Yourself From Facebook Hackers Who Contact You As Friends!

I was connected to Facebook the other day, and I received a chat message from an old friend of mine, someone I knew at the university, and to whom I never talked since that time, that is some 19 years ago.

After some chat about how each one was doing, he asked me if I could do him a favor: He needed a recharge card for a cell phone for someone in Paris, and he told me that he will transfer money to me via a money transfer service.

I was feeling that it was strange to receive a favor request from a friend to whom I haven't talked for ages, but it was maybe logical since his country of residence was not the same as mine. Thus, I asked him when he wanted the card, and he said "right now, today".

Then he added "I don't like to ask anything from anyone, but I really need it, and because you're like a brother to me, I am asking you... "

I was never like a brother to that person! Was there a secret virtual bond between him and me without me realizing?

Still, since the favor he asked for was not a big deal to me, and since I like to serve friends, I was going to follow. I enquired further, and he told me to get him a 3 months recharge card or 2 cards of 1 month, which is not very familiar to me because I don't know how the recharge cards process works.

All that happened through Facebook chat. Right after, and while I was preparing myself to go get the card, I started reasoning:

-What was the eventuality of a friend to whom I haven't talked for 19 years contact me suddenly and ask for a favor?

-Why would a friend to whom I was never very close tell me I am like a brother to him?

And then it came to me that it was not him, that it couldn't be him. It was someone using his account to request recharge cards from his contacts or other favors.

There was no doubt to me anymore that my friend's account was hacked, and that the person who contacted me was a hacker trying to take advantage of the bonds and relationships of my friend. Maybe if I asked him a question about my friend or how I knew him, etc. he could even answer because Facebook contains a lot of personal information.

I looked in my friend's Facebook page if any information about his mobile number or email was found (even though email is not even secure because the hacker may have reached his Facebook account from hacking his email, or he may have also hacked his email account) to contact him and tell him that his account was hacked, but I couldn't find any.

I then told the hacker that I will contact him to give him the card number, and as expected he told me that his mobile was not with him (under repair): actually I didn't even know the number, I was just bluffing. I told him that I couldn't give him the card if I couldn't call him, he first asked why, then he said that he will contact me.

In my case, and even though the friend that contacted me was someone that I haven't talked to for years, I believed at first that it was him. But the hacker could have done better, and read in the hacked account past chats or in the hacked account contact friends walls how the hacked account holder used to interact which what friends in particular, when, in which way, etc. and thus the possibility is there.

This is why I decided to write this post, so that:

- If a friend (even a close one) contacts you via email or Facebook or whatever electronic means (chat software, small messages, etc.), you do not communicate personal information to him or her until you make sure in a way or another that it is him or her

- If you feel someone is asking you for something strange or unusual, do not hesitate to be suspicious, because it is the right attitude.

- Most importantly, use different complicated passwords for all your electronic email and social accounts with a lot of special characters and a combination of numbers and letters both upper and lower case.

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How to Protect Your Computer From The DNSChanger Malware Infection

As of July 9th, 2012, the Internet Systems Consortium will be shutting down the rogue DNS servers utilized by the DNSChanger malware infection. During an FBI sting, agents brought down a hacker ring from Estonia last year under Operation Ghost Click. If your computer is one of the 1 million computers that were infected by the DNSChanger virus, you will lose internet access on July 9th, 2012. The reason you will lose access, is that your computer may be using one of the temporary DNS servers setup by the FBI to retain access to infected computers during the shut down of the surrogate DNS servers used for the hacker ring.

How to Tell Whether DNSChanger Has Infected Your Computer

The FBI has setup a website that will allow you to find out if your computer has been infected with the DNSChanger rootkit. By visiting dns-ok.us you will be able to check and see if your computer has been inected. While the website looks very cheap and almost fake, it is the correct website that was setup by the FBI. If you live outside of the US, you will need to check for alternative websites to check for an infection.

If you computer is infected by the DNSChanger virus, you will unfortunately lose internet access until you have had the malware removed from your computer.

What Do I Do if My Computer is Infected by DNSChanger

Once you've figured out that your computer has been infected by the DNSChanger virus, it's time to start figuring out how you'll get the rootkit removed from your computer. The first thing that you'll need to do is to create a backup of all of your critical files including your personal files, pictures, music and movies. After you've completed this, your safest bet is to completely format your computer's hard drive and perform a complete clean installation of your operating system.

If you would prefer to avoid reformatting your computer, there are tools that can help you remove the rootkit malware and may be able to restore your computer to it's previous state. There are programs that have been released specifically designed to remove the DNSChanger rootkit from your computer. Simply Google DNSChanger or check out Kapersky Lab's TDSSKiller.

If the infected computer is on a network in your home or office, you will need to manually check every computer on the network to ensure that no other computers were infected. You will also want to check your router to ensure that it wasn't infected by the rootkit as well.

Once all of the above checks have been done and you feel you have removed the malware from your computer, recheck everything to ensure that your computer is no longer infected and you should be ready to go on Monday when the servers are shut down. By following the steps listed above you will be able to prevent your computer from losing internet access.

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