Posts Tagged ‘Safety’

Is your computer vulnerable? Over 40% of you may be

Saturday, May 21st, 2011

Kaspersky Labs, a major player in the PC Security protection has released its top 10 list of threats for Q1 2011. Their security software detected over 28millions vulnerable applications and files on users’ computers running their software.

This is not to say Kaspersky’s software is bad in any. Quite the opposite actually their security software is one of the best.

Top 10 vulnerabilities for Q1 2011:-

  1. Adobe Reader
  2. Adobe Flash Player
  3. Adobe Flash Player
  4. Sun Java
  5. Sun Java
  6. Apple Quicktime
  7. Winamp
  8. Microsoft OneNote
  9. Adobe Shockwave
  10. Adobe Reader

For those interested in the more technical nature of the top 10 list should head over to Securelist and read the full article.

Now you may think I have listed a couple of applications multiple times. This is correct, however this is because their are multiple vulnerabilities with the applications listed.  40% of users whose machines were scanned by Kaspersky security tools, had the number 1 vulnerability (Adobe Reader).

It could be as simple as a link you click on via Twitter, Facebook, blogs and other mediums in the digital social space. Take this as an example. You see a link on twitter “Top 10 ways to get more customers www.somelink.com/customers.pdf”. Looks like a genuine link. Now if their were some content contained within this PDF file, it could provide the creator with access to your system as if they were sat in front of it. This could result in loss of personal/business data, the start of identity fraud and more.

It really can be that simple.  I would say that most of the applications listed are likely to be installed on most normal users’ systems. So you are vulnerable. Take steps to protect yourself:-

  • Make sure these applications are up to date.
  • Make sure your security software is up to date.
  • Be careful what links you click on. No matter where it is from.
  • Book a Computer Healthcheck and let us check you are protected as much as you can be.

Contact Techi.es today on 0844 500 8324 or email us to discuss.

Virus Phone scam on the increase

Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011

The scam always starts the same way: the phone rings at someone’s home, and the caller – asks for the householder, quoting their name and address before saying “I’m calling for Microsoft (or similar). We’ve had a report from your internet service provider of serious virus problems from your computer.”

Dire forecasts are made that if the problem is not solved, the computer will become unusable.

The puzzled owner is then directed to their computer, and asked to open a program called “Windows Event Viewer”. Its contents are, to the average user, worrying: they look like a long list of errors, some labelled “critical”. “Yes, that’s it,” says the caller. “Now let me guide you through the steps to fixing it.”

The computer owner is directed to a website and told to download a program that hands over remote control of the computer, and the caller “installs” various “fixes” for the problem. And then it’s time to pay a fee: £70-200 for a “subscription” to the “preventative service”.

The only catch: there was never anything wrong with the computer, the caller is not working for Microsoft or the internet service provider, and the owner has given a complete stranger access to every piece of data on their machine.

Don’t fall for it. If you are unsure, Contact Techi.es today on 0844 500 8324 or email us to discuss.

Concerned about your childrens privacy online?

Friday, October 1st, 2010

Are you concerned over what your children are viewing on the internet? Let us help. We are able to offer you a bespoke service which will help you monitor what webpages and content is being viewed on all or any PC’s, Laptop’s etc in your home or office.

Contact Techi.es today on 0844 500 8324 or email us to discuss.