Malicious code piggyback riding the latest major Build of Windows 7 is estimated to have infected approximately 30,000 users. The malware was bundled into the code of the operating system, a scenario on which Microsoft had provided warnings to users in the past. Leaked builds of Windows 7 Release Candidate (RC) Build 7100 available in the wild have become as common as the actual official interim milestones dogfooded (tested internally) by Microsoft. The Redmond company has not been shy of warning customers to keep clear of Windows 7 leaked bits from illegal third-party sources, especially BitTorrent trackers, and for good reason. Security researchers at Damballa have revealed that pirated, Trojan-infested copies of Windows 7 have been used by attackers to build a botnet, a network of compromised zombie computers under the control of the malware authors.
Tripp Cox, Damballa vice president of engineering, has indicated that the command and control server of the botnet built with the Windows 7 Trojans has been identified and shut down. "Since the pirated package was released on April 24th, my best guess is that this botnet probably had at least 27,000 successful installs prior to our takedown of its CnC command and control on May 10th," Cox explained, according to Alex Kochis, the director of Windows Genuine, pointed out that “leaked Windows 7 RC files that were obtained through bittorrent have been found to have been infected with a trojan. I say that I shouldn't be surprised because in research we supported a couple of years ago we discovered that the typical methods that someone would use to find and obtain unlicensed software (much of it over bittorrent) exposed users to significant risk from trojans and other malware.”
The domain name "codecs.sytes.net" was used for the command-and-control server of the Windows 7 Trojan botnet, Damballa researchers informed. When the CnC was switched off, the rate of infections exploded to no less than 552 users per hour. The Damballa security experts explained that the Trojan built into Windows 7 was designed to download and install additional malware.
"The pirated software is the social enticement initially, and the second state is downloading additional packages of malware installed and distributed via the Trojan on a pay-per-install arrangement," Cox stated, as quoted by DarkReading. Because it is deeply buried into the operating system, and due to yet immature security solutions for Windows 7, end users have little chances of fighting the malicious code.
"We continue to see new installs happening at a rate of about 1,600 per day with broad geographic distribution. Since our takedown, any new installs of this pirated distribution of Windows 7 RC are inaccessible by the botmaster. The old installs are accessible. The countries with the largest percentage of installs are the U.S. (10%), Netherlands (7%) and Italy (7%),” Cox added.
On May 11th, security outfit Trend Micro confirmed TROJ_DROPPER.SPX and TROJ_AGENT.NICE as two pieces of malware associated with pirated copies of Windows 7. No official confirmation was provided on whether the Windows 7 Trojan detected by Damballa was the same as the one identified by Trend Micro.
“A file being hosted in popular torrent sites posing as a copy of the Windows 7 RC was found to be a Trojan by security researchers. The file which arrives with the file name setup.exe is detected as TROJ_DROPPER.SPX. TROJ_DROPPER.SPX drops TROJ_AGENT.NICE. Both files are detected by the Smart Protection Network. Windows 7 Release Candidate was leaked a couple of weeks prior to the official release, and was also hosted by and downloaded from popular torrent sites,” explained JM Hipolito, Technical Communications.
Windows 7 Release Candidate (RC) Build 7100 is at this point in time available for download via Microsoft's official and secure channels. Users will also be able to get product keys to activate the operating system, also from the Redmond company.
information http://news.softpedia.com/news/Pirated-Trojan-Infested-Windows-7-RC-Builds-Botnet-111445.shtml
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
AVG Internet Security 8.5 for Windows 7
AVG Internet Security 8.5 Build 336a1515 is the latest security solution from AVG tailored to Windows 7. The software is among the products recommended by Microsoft on the Windows 7 security solutions webpage, even as the operating system is in Release Candidate stage with Build 7100 available for public download since May 5th, 2009. According to AVG, AVG Internet Security 8.5 is designed to play nice not only with Windows 7, but also with previous releases of Windows, namely Windows XP and
Windows Vista. The latest version of AVG Internet Security is part of an update the security outfit introduced to its lineup of products, including AVG Free Edition and AVG Anti-Virus, which have also been bumped up to version 8.5.
“AVG Internet Security provides multiple layers of protection to ensure nothing slips through,” reads and excerpt from the product's description. “Identity Theft Protection prevents new and unknown threats from stealing your personal information like bank and credit card details. LinkScanner checks every link, making sure you're safe searching the internet and surfing the web, minimizing the risk of you accidentally visiting a poisoned web page. Web Shield detects and blocks malware threats in file downloads and instant-messaging conversations.”
As is the case with all modern security solutions, AVG Internet Security 8.5 offers complex tiers of protection against a variety of threats including viruses, spyware, rootkits, spam and phishing. According to AVG, its security solutions are run by in excess of 80 million customers worldwide. The promise from the security company is that the real-time protection offered by AVG will thwart treats associated with malicious files and applications, but also emails, instant messaging and P2P (peer-to-peer) communications, online transactions and even search results.
Users have the option to grab AVG Free Edition 8.5 and AVG Anti-Virus 8.5, but AVG has only nominated AVG Internet Security 8.5 as offering support for Windows 7.
AVG Internet Security 8.5 Build 336a1515 is available for download here.
AVG Antivirus Professional 8.5 Build 336a1515 is available for download here.
AVG Anti-Virus plus Firewall 8.5 Build 336a1515 is available for download here.
AVG Free Edition 8.5.329.1515 is available for download here.
32-bit and 64-bit Windows 7 (Release Candidate) RC Build 7100.0.090421-1700 is available for download here.
website information http://news.softpedia.com/news/AVG-Internet-Security-8-5-for-Windows-7-111468.shtml
Windows Vista. The latest version of AVG Internet Security is part of an update the security outfit introduced to its lineup of products, including AVG Free Edition and AVG Anti-Virus, which have also been bumped up to version 8.5.
“AVG Internet Security provides multiple layers of protection to ensure nothing slips through,” reads and excerpt from the product's description. “Identity Theft Protection prevents new and unknown threats from stealing your personal information like bank and credit card details. LinkScanner checks every link, making sure you're safe searching the internet and surfing the web, minimizing the risk of you accidentally visiting a poisoned web page. Web Shield detects and blocks malware threats in file downloads and instant-messaging conversations.”
As is the case with all modern security solutions, AVG Internet Security 8.5 offers complex tiers of protection against a variety of threats including viruses, spyware, rootkits, spam and phishing. According to AVG, its security solutions are run by in excess of 80 million customers worldwide. The promise from the security company is that the real-time protection offered by AVG will thwart treats associated with malicious files and applications, but also emails, instant messaging and P2P (peer-to-peer) communications, online transactions and even search results.
Users have the option to grab AVG Free Edition 8.5 and AVG Anti-Virus 8.5, but AVG has only nominated AVG Internet Security 8.5 as offering support for Windows 7.
AVG Internet Security 8.5 Build 336a1515 is available for download here.
AVG Antivirus Professional 8.5 Build 336a1515 is available for download here.
AVG Anti-Virus plus Firewall 8.5 Build 336a1515 is available for download here.
AVG Free Edition 8.5.329.1515 is available for download here.
32-bit and 64-bit Windows 7 (Release Candidate) RC Build 7100.0.090421-1700 is available for download here.
website information http://news.softpedia.com/news/AVG-Internet-Security-8-5-for-Windows-7-111468.shtml
Friday, May 8, 2009
New Video Converter for Mac Website Launched
March 30, 2009 -- iFunia, a leading company in Mac video conversion technologies, announces the launch of their website, http://www.iFuniaVideoConverter.com. The site offers many easy-to-use Mac video conversion programs, developed specially for Mac OS X users to convert their video portable and handy. Users will be entitled to have their popular video files converted to any other video formats for enjoying on iPod, iPhone, PSP, AppleTV and more portable players.
iFunia recognizes the fact that Macintosh users undoubtedly remains the most widely used video conversion format today. Its use stems out of the fact that it is a mainstream trend and can therefore help users quickly and easily convert video on Mac OS X.
Beside the featured all-in-one Video Converter for Mac, iFuniaVideoConverter.com also provide iPod Video Converter for Mac, iPhone Video Converter for Mac, PSP Video Converter for Mac, Apple TV Video Converter for Mac, MP4 Video Converter for Mac, Free Youtube Downloader for Mac and Youtube Converter for Mac. All of those developed for niche market and meet users' needs exactly.
The file conversion technology at iFuniaVideoConverter.com works for all kinds of video from video download websites including YouTube.com, MySpace.com, gofish.com, Break.com, google.com megavideo.com, metacafe.com, vimeo.com.
Consumers who avail themselves of this website will derive lots of benefits. They would be able to get free trial versions of Mac video conversion software that they can evaluate them first. Furthermore, users will be pleased with the simple, friendly interface, the quick conversions and fast processing.
About iFuniaVideoConverter.COM This is a new site that allows you to convert all types of videos on iPod, iPhone, PSP, Apple TV, MP4 and much more. Feel free to go to the site and download the trial versions. We have created this for all the Mac lovers out there.
About the Author
About iFuniaVideoConverter.COM This is a new site that allows you to convert all types of videos on iPod, iPhone, PSP, Apple TV, MP4 and much more. Feel free to go to the site and download the trial versions. We have created this for all the Mac lovers out there.
http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=1502981
How Spywares and Malwares Can Mess up Your Life
Spyware are programs that are installed on computer systems generally without the user's knowledge or consent. Spyware are small pieces of software design to do a number of different things but they overall effect is that they compromise your online safety, security and personal privacy. They are a major threat next to Viruses and install on users pc without their permission and can perform tasks ranging from redirecting your web browser to porno sites to logging every word you type on your keyboard.
Users frequently notice unwanted behavior and degradation of system performance. This is generally the sign of a spyware infestation. These can create significant unwanted CPU activity, disk usage, and network traffic. Removing viruses and spyware completely can be time-consuming and require a degree of technical expertise. On the other hand, ill-considered panic measures can cause more damage than a virus. So that is why it is best to use a trusted software to guard your system from new spyware and remove any existing spyware that may already be present on the system.
Spyware generally enter your PC via infected websites or through some software you downloaded. It may also be present in a zip archive attached to your email. The best way to protect yourselves from these are by using a spyware remover that has an active guard function.
The owners of most of the sites that are infected don't even know about it and consider that their site is working properly but infact with every load of their site they are infecting a new visitor. Sites need help from everyone to stay current. If you find any spyware or unlabeled adware on sites that care about such things, please contribute to the Privacy cause by sending a polite note to the site owner explaining how you found a spyware in their site. Again, this can only be done if you have a spyware scanner with an active guard function. When an infected site loads up, the spyware guard will know of the incoming infection. It will stop the process and notify you, in turn you can notify the owner of that website so that he can get it fixed.
Removing these adware/shareware programs can be very difficult and sometimes complicated to search out all the hidden components and cookies and will require additional assistance. In addition, since most adware programs are bundled & included with other freeware or shareware programs removing the adware can disable the parent freeware program making them inoperable so be prepared to remove or replace the offending freeware program as well. Other signs of its presence are fake firewall notifications saying that your IP is interacting with another IP through Internet. Remove one autoplay entry for some of these products, restart the computer, and it will come right back. There are multiple starting points, all checking for and repairing each other, so that professional cleanup tools are needed to root out all the infected parts of the software at once.
A lot of people don't know the difference between a spyware, an adware and a malware. So it is important that you know the difference between the three. This will help you understand the infection better and will help you in the scanning and clean up process.
Spyware need no further explanation as it has been explained in detail already. Now adware on the other hand are not basically a threat. They are simply advertisement supported softwares. These are usually present in free softwares where the user "agrees" to install a program that is free and ad supported. These ads will only run in the program or while the software is running. Since the user agreed to have such a free software installed, this software cannot be classified as a thread. An example of adware software is the popular downloader DAP. While running DAP will display banner ads in a corner of its own window.
Malware is any program designed to cause problems with the normal use of a computer or for the user of that computer. Examples of malware include viruses, Trojan horse programs, and certain forms of hijacking spyware. Malware refers to more malicious programs that can rob your PC of its ability to run efficiently, and put you in danger of financial loss and even identity theft. The most harmful forms can collect, use and distribute your personal information, like banking passwords and credit card numbers.
About the Author
If you too are a spyware hater then you should check out my blog Spyware Haters. You can also download the software, SpyZooka from there.
http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=1500308
Thursday, May 7, 2009
How Spywares and Malwares Can Mess up Your Life
Spyware are programs that are installed on computer systems generally without the user's knowledge or consent. Spyware are small pieces of software design to do a number of different things but they overall effect is that they compromise your online safety, security and personal privacy. They are a major threat next to Viruses and install on users pc without their permission and can perform tasks ranging from redirecting your web browser to porno sites to logging every word you type on your keyboard.
Users frequently notice unwanted behavior and degradation of system performance. This is generally the sign of a spyware infestation. These can create significant unwanted CPU activity, disk usage, and network traffic. Removing viruses and spyware completely can be time-consuming and require a degree of technical expertise. On the other hand, ill-considered panic measures can cause more damage than a virus. So that is why it is best to use a trusted software to guard your system from new spyware and remove any existing spyware that may already be present on the system.
Spyware generally enter your PC via infected websites or through some software you downloaded. It may also be present in a zip archive attached to your email. The best way to protect yourselves from these are by using a spyware remover that has an active guard function.
The owners of most of the sites that are infected don't even know about it and consider that their site is working properly but infact with every load of their site they are infecting a new visitor. Sites need help from everyone to stay current. If you find any spyware or unlabeled adware on sites that care about such things, please contribute to the Privacy cause by sending a polite note to the site owner explaining how you found a spyware in their site. Again, this can only be done if you have a spyware scanner with an active guard function. When an infected site loads up, the spyware guard will know of the incoming infection. It will stop the process and notify you, in turn you can notify the owner of that website so that he can get it fixed.
Removing these adware/shareware programs can be very difficult and sometimes complicated to search out all the hidden components and cookies and will require additional assistance. In addition, since most adware programs are bundled & included with other freeware or shareware programs removing the adware can disable the parent freeware program making them inoperable so be prepared to remove or replace the offending freeware program as well. Other signs of its presence are fake firewall notifications saying that your IP is interacting with another IP through Internet. Remove one autoplay entry for some of these products, restart the computer, and it will come right back. There are multiple starting points, all checking for and repairing each other, so that professional cleanup tools are needed to root out all the infected parts of the software at once.
A lot of people don't know the difference between a spyware, an adware and a malware. So it is important that you know the difference between the three. This will help you understand the infection better and will help you in the scanning and clean up process.
Spyware need no further explanation as it has been explained in detail already. Now adware on the other hand are not basically a threat. They are simply advertisement supported softwares. These are usually present in free softwares where the user "agrees" to install a program that is free and ad supported. These ads will only run in the program or while the software is running. Since the user agreed to have such a free software installed, this software cannot be classified as a thread. An example of adware software is the popular downloader DAP. While running DAP will display banner ads in a corner of its own window.
Malware is any program designed to cause problems with the normal use of a computer or for the user of that computer. Examples of malware include viruses, Trojan horse programs, and certain forms of hijacking spyware. Malware refers to more malicious programs that can rob your PC of its ability to run efficiently, and put you in danger of financial loss and even identity theft. The most harmful forms can collect, use and distribute your personal information, like banking passwords and credit card numbers.
About the Author
If you too are a spyware hater then you should check out my blog Spyware Haters. You can also download the software, SpyZooka from there.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
freedownloadmanager.org/
| What is Free Download Manager? It is a powerful, easy-to-use and absolutely free download accelerator and manager. Moreover, FDM is 100% safe, open-source software distributed under GPL license. Warning: beware of fake versions. | |||||
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More In addition, Free Download Manager allows you to: adjust traffic usage; to organize and schedule downloads; download video from video sites; download whole web sites with HTML Spider; operate the program remotely, via the internet, and more!For full features list, see the features section. | |||||
System requirements: In order to use FDM, you must have one of the following operating systems installed on your computer: Microsoft Windows 9x/ME/2000/2003/XP/Vista (32bit versions only) | |||||
FDM 2.5 is released!
Dear all! We have released Free Download Manager 2.5. FDM is now released under GNU General Public License!
Of course, this is not the only thing you can rejoice at, as FDM 2.5 opens up new opportunities for its loyal users, as well as for those who are just about to join the FDM community.
What’s new:
- Flash video download
- Audio / video files converter
- Bittorent support
- Easy file sharing
- Remote control
- Portable mode
- Metalink support
- General Public License
- Multilanguage support (desired language may be chosen during installation)
Free Download Manager 2.5 is available for free download here. Enjoy!
274 Responses to “FDM 2.5 is released!”
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