Epidemic

Oh well, we’re in the middle of one of the worst epidemics, no question about it! I haven’t seen something like this for a very long time: everybody’s calling in with infected computers. Apparently, there’s a whole bunch of new nasty malware out there, invisible to most antiviruses as of yet. Be extra careful with what you click on and where you go on the Internet. Visually examine every link before clicking (point your mouse at it, watch the full address in the status bar below). Examples of syntax: payments.paypal.com = legit, while payments.paypal.paymentsforlife2010.com = bogus. In the 1st example “payments is a subdomain of paypal.com vs. both “paypal” and “payments” as a subdomain of “paymentsforlife2010.com” in the 2nd example. Here you’re really surfing paymentsforlife2010.com. A couple of days ago a client of mine received an email supposedly from “DHL” to say that they’d tried to deliver a package but couldn’t reach him with a “click here to reschedule delivery” link. It only took him one click.

A few extra steps to take to avoid getting infected:

1. Even if you’re not using it, upgrade the the latest Internet Explorer to here: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/Internet-explorer/default.aspx

2. Install all the latest updates and patches from Microsoft, including those to Internet Explorer.

3. Upgrade your antivirus to the latest version. I use AVG Free Edition and you can get the full installation package here: http://filehippo.com/download_avg_antivirus If you’ve been using AVG, install on top of your existing version, it will upgrade and reboot computer. Otherwise, either upgrade what you have or remove and install something else. For faster computers I also like Kaspersky Internet Security that can be downloaded from http://www.kaspersky.com/ . Heavy guns and armor. Needless to say, I assume no responsibility for any damage directly or indirectly resulting from any advise I give here. Follow my suggestions at your own risk!

Immediately following the upgrade, reboot your computer and upon restart, update your antivirus till it there are no more updates.

4. Upgrade FireFox to the latest here: http://getfirefox.com

At least for a while, try and not browse the Internet on computers that you work on. Don’t go anywhere you don’t have to.

If you get hit with one of these, turn your computer off and don’t use it until you get help. There’s absolutely no self-disinfection this time.

Hang in there, people. Most antiviruses should be brought up to speed shortly. There’s already a few patches from Microsoft along with the new version of MS Malicious Software Removal Tool. Install it, too.