Weak Interface
When the computer people meet the other side

Be careful what kind of security you use…

 So I usually write about industry events but today it’s about you.  This is a personal warning for you, not a company, or your job, YOU.

 

Have you heard of the Conficker worm?  It started sometime in 2008 and persists today.  The reason you need to be aware is because of how it spread initially.  It was bundled in fake security software.  You would be at some website or using some software, email, etc and a message would popup that you have a virus and should download this free software to get rid of it. 

 

So thinking, “Hey it’s free and will help…” You download it.  Only there was no virus. Now there is you just downloaded it.  Now it will make every effort to block actual antivirus software from removing it.

 

I must admit it’s insidiously clever to have a virus masquerade as antivirus software.  Unfortunately the user will suffer for not checking on the software.  In this case you don’t necessarily need an expert to review the software before you install it. 

 

I advise before you install anything on your computer and I do me anything, from Microsoft products to shareware, a quick web search will give you some insight into whether it’s a good idea or not.  The few minutes it might take is worth it to protect yourself.  Somewhere an expert has reviewed the software and likely blogged about it.

 

There have always been scam artists and thieves.  Online they can reach more people, farther and faster than ever before.  Be careful out there.

 

Until next time.

 

BTW one of my New Year’s resolutions is to blog more, at least once a week.  So stay tuned….

This entry was posted on Monday, January 4th, 2010 at 9:52 am and is filed under movies. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.