Windows Security Suite

This is a follow-up to my post about Rouge Spyware.

I thought I was over it until I performed a scan. Thanks to the new version of MBAM I was able to detect rouge files that remained on my system. Maybe the problem with most of us is that we don't take action unless there is evident unwanted activities happening to our computer. If there is something I learned (or relearned), that would be about proper maintenance of computer. See to it that the computer is scanned regularly. Never rely on scheduled scans.

Back to Blogging

I'm sorry for being out for so long. I know that I have left a lot of topics unfinished but I decided to leave it that way (unless anyone would still be interested to those topics - just inform me). For the mean time, I would be sharing topics that might be useful for computer owners.

If you wish for a topic to be finished just leave a comment on that topic or send me an email at cosmic_sniper05@yahoo.com . I would really be glad to know that there is anyone interested on those topics.

'till next post. . .

^_~

Beware: Rouge Spyware on the loose!

I am now encountering a rogue spyware. What is more alarming is that none of my security programs is able to detect it. It is also hard to identify since it does not give the usual means of identifying a malware.

Through the use of Task Manager, I was able to identify it. It is Windows Security Suite. It may seem to be a useful software but actually it is not, instead it may bring harm to the computer. Upon searching Google, I found important information regarding this rogue but I haven't tried the removal tip yet.

I'll update this post after I have solved the problem.

Click here for the information about Windows Security Suite.

Virus? Be More Specific

Most computer users refer to problems on their computers as VIRUS but in the online forum that I'm joining, the term VIRUS is seldom used by more experienced users. Instead, MALWARE is used.

Here are some classifications of Malware:

• Rogue Programs - A Rogue Program is a program that in itself is typically not harmful, but typically use deceptive advertising and false positives as a scare tactic to have you purchase a registered licence of the software.

• Trojans - Trojan Horses are programs that disguise themselves as harmless and beneficial programs but instead have a hidden purpose that you are unaware of.

• Worms - A worm is a program that has the ability to spread from one computer to another on its own.

*Note: If you find something objectionable in this post, please inform me through my email: cosmic_sniper05@yahoo.com


EDIT:
This post is subject to improvement. I'm currently reading more articles to make this post more comprehensive. Please standby for new updates. To those who have links to useful articles, please let me know via my e-mail.

Be Sure that You're Searching a Safe Site

There are a lot of sites throughout the web. Sadly, most of them are infected or contain malicious downloads. This is a serious threat to those who are surfing through their own computers. This could lead to identity theft, unwanted download of virus or trojans, and a lot more. Sure;y you don't want your computer to "Rest In Peace" lol.

Here are some guidelines to make your surfing safer:

• Use an AntiVirus Program that has internet protection. (I use AVG Free Edition. Although it does not offer internet protection as intensive as others, it's still quite good enough.)
• Visit only trusted sites but I know this is a bit impossible. In such cases try to check it here first: www.siteadvisor.com
• Lastly, as they all advise, DON'T VISIT PORN SITES because most of them are infected.

Have a safe surfing!

BB Code

Just recently I've heard about this new code.

It's somehow similar to HTML but this works in forums where HTML does not work. I learned about this type of code on Bleeping Computer. It's an online community where computer lovers meet and discuss computer issues.

Click here if you want to learn about BB Codes. Actually, I've not yet tried it on other forums. or other sites.

Unfortunately, it does not work here. If you have already tried BB Code on other sites please let me know by leaving a comment on this post. In time, I hope to post a new topic about sites where BB Code works.

Put Background Picture to Your USB Flash Drive

Tired of the old white background when opening your flash drive? Express your self by customizing your flash drive so it would reflect the real you. Put your own picture or something that is uniquely you.

Steps:
[ExtShellFolderViews]
{BE098140-A513-11D0-A3A4-00C04FD706EC}={BE098140-A513-11D0-A­3A4-00C04FD706EC}
[{BE098140-A513-11D0-A3A4-00C04FD706EC}]
IconArea_Image=test.jpg

1. Choose a picture that you want to set as background.
2. Save it into your flash drive.
3. Open Notepad. (Start>Programs>Accessories>Notepad)
4. Copy the following text:

[ExtShellFolderViews]
{BE098140-A513-11D0-A3A4-00C04FD706EC}={BE098140-A513-11D0-A­3A4-00C04FD706EC}
[{BE098140-A513-11D0-A3A4-00C04FD706EC}]
IconArea_Image=test.jpg

5. Save the Notepad into your flash drive as desktop.ini

*note: replace "test.jpg" with the filename of your picture.
ex. my_pic.jpg

Setting a background might cause the text (file names) to be hardly seen. To resolve this, change the font color.

Here's how:

Open desktop.ini then add the following text at the bottom.

IconArea_Text-"0x[hexadecimal code of color]"

*ex. IconArea_Text-"0xFFFFFF" => this would change the font color into white

For hexadecimal codes check one of my earlier posts.

Try it now!

(^_~)

Hexadecimal Codes of Colors

I found this site that gives the hexadecimal codes of colors. This would be useful for creating html and for some other purposes.

If you are interested follow this link.

Avoid Being Infected Through USB Flash Drives

Nowadays, a lot of portable storage devices are available in the market. CD, DVD, Blue Ray, Flash Drive (USB), name it and you'll find it almost anywhere. No doubt almost everyone has his own storage device, Flash Drive to be specific.

Though it may be very convenient to use one, the truth is it's one of the leading cause of the spread of computer viruses. Computer shop owners are fully aware of this. Some computer shops are spending much on maintenance because every now and then a virus attack damages the system of the computers.

Some computer shops take this problem by forbidding the use of flash drives. This may be a good idea to avoid being infected from flash drives but It's a silly decision for the business. By doing so, you are driving customers away!

Home users do you think your safe from this menace? ? ?

I don't think so. You may say, "There's no possibility that a flash drive would be inserted into my computer because I have everything that I need in a whole set." but there might be instances wherein you have to bring home a soft copy (file) of a project that your classmate did or perhaps a file from work that is needed to be continued at home. In such cases, you would probably be using a flash drive and if the computer where the file originated was infected with a certain virus, the virus would most probably infect your computer as well.

Don't worry! There are measures you could do to avoid, or at least lessen, the chance of being infected.

Here are simple measures you could do:

• Install an AntiVirus - this is a basic protection that is necessary to every computer. (I use AVG Free)
  
• Install Anti-Malware and Anti-Spyware - these are not alternatives for AntiVirus but rather tools that aid your AntiVirus. (I'm using Malwarebytes' Anti Malware & SUPERAntiSpyware Free Edition)
  
• Keep your Softwares updated - not only the softwares mentioned above but also your operating system (windows update). Having an outdated software is almost like not having it at all. Updates are necesary to protect your system from new threats.
• Disable AutoRun - this is a little more technical but it's definitely important! Some advance viruses run into your system as soon as your device runs, making it more infectious. (Click here for the procedure)
  

Maximize Online Forums to Your Benefit

New to the computer world? Want to know what is the best software or anti-virus for your computer? Having problems with your computer? Or perhaps, you want to share your knowledge about computers?

Maybe you're one of those who do it old school. Stop using Yahoo, Google, or other search engines to answer your problems. Though search engines may be helpful to gain bits of information from the Web, I don't advice to be use it for answering your computer problems (specially if it involves delicate items such as your computer's registry).

The Web connects you from your computer to the rest of the world. It allows you to access different beneficial articles but at the same time it may also connect you to a lot of poisonous sites. This makes you vulnerable to computer infections.

Here are some tips to make your computer safe and secure on the net. Click here.

Going back to using search engines to solve your computer infections. I suggest that joining an Online Forum is better.

Advantages of Online Forums:

• You could ask directly to more experienced users and to experts.
  
• There are times that the problem of your computer is more than what you can notice. In such cases, careful analysis of processes that run in your system is necessary and this is only done by experts who are trained to do such task.
• There are also some online forum sites that post info that may be useful for basic troubleshooting or just to learn more on how your machine and you can work together better.

Disadvatage of Online Forums:

By joining Online Forums, you expose yourself to a lot of information coming from different sources. Some of these may be harmful for your system, specially if you're troubleshooting your machine. Wrong Information may make the condition worse.

Conclusion:

There are a lot of things that you could utilize by joining Online Forums but by doing so you might also be exposing yourself to unreliable information. The key to avoid this is to choose a reliable site and use your personal knowledge before trusting / trying any advice. Your ample computer knowledge may save your computer from being a mere piece of computer chips. But above all make sure to BACK-UP YOUR FILES before doing anything to your computer.

Here's a Site that I recommend:
www.bleepingcomputer.com

I personally use this site and so far I haven't encountered any misleading information. Just take some time to read the basics of the site and everything will go smoothly.

For those who are interested here's my username on that site:
cosmic_sniper05