Computer Virus Infection indicators:

We want to install latest antivirus in our PC and after installation we think our computer became safe and secure but we have to know our computer is infected or not,for this there is no need of huge technical skill simply monitor your PC and find out is behave of your PC match  with following behave.

Virus Infection indicators:

1. Your computer always stops responding when you try to use Microsoft Office products.
2. You cannot start Windows Task Manager.
3. Antivirus software indicates a virus is present.
4. You received an e-mail message that has a strange attachment. When you open the attachment, dialog boxes appear or a sudden degradation in system performance occurs.
5. There is a double extension on an attachment that you recently opened, such as .jpg.vbs or .gif.exe.
6. An antivirus program is disabled for no reason and it cannot be restarted.
7. An antivirus program cannot be installed on the computer or it will not run.
8. Strange dialog boxes or message boxes appear on screen.
9. Someone tells you that they have recently received e-mail messages from you containing attached files (especially with .exe, .bat, .scr , .vbs extensions), which you did not send.
10. New icons appear on the Desktop that you did not place there, or are not associated with any recently installed programs.
11. Strange sounds or music plays from the speakers unexpectedly.
12. A program disappears from the computer, and it was not intentionally uninstalled.
13. A virus infection could also cause the following symptoms, but these symptoms could also be the result of ordinary Windows functions, or problems within Windows that is not caused by a virus.
14. Windows will not start at all, even though you have not made any system changes, or you have not installed or removed any programs.
15. Windows will not start because certain critical system files are missing, and then you receive an error message that lists those files.
16. There is a lot of modem activity. If you have an external modem, you may notice the lights blinking extensively when the modem is not being used. You may be unknowingly supplying pirated software.
17. The computer starts as expected sometimes, but at other times it stops responding before the desktop icons and taskbar appear.
18. The computer runs very slowly and it takes a long time to start.
19. Out-of-memory error messages appear, even though your computer has plenty of RAM.
20. New programs do not install properly.
21. Windows spontaneously restarts unexpectedly.
22. Programs that used to run now stop responding frequently. If you try to remove and reinstall the software, the issue continues to occur.

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10 Computer Threats You

Strong anti-virus software and firewalls do a great job of protecting our computer systems. But even when virus definitions are fully updated and firewalls properly configured, there are still insidious threats that can worm their ways in, stealing your data or hijacking your PC and leaving you none the wiser.

Fake Tech-Support Calls

That job isn't fixing your computer. In fact, he's really just after your personal information.

If you receive a call like this, hang up, call the company the bogus technician claimed to be from, and report the incident to a legitimate representative. If there really is a problem, they'll be able to tell you; if not, you just thwarted a data thief.

DNS Redirection

Internet service providers (ISPs) such as Time Warner Cable and Optimum Online claim they're trying to help with DNS redirection, but the reality seems to come down to money. Domain Name System (DNS) redirection overrides your browser's normal behavior when you can't reach a webpage. Instead of displaying the normal 404 "File Not Found" error, the ISP sends you to a page of the ISP's choosing — usually a page full of paid advertising and links.

Innocent though that practice may be, computer viruses can do the same thing, redirecting your browser to a hostile page the first time you misspell a domain. With ISPs, you can opt out of their DNS redirection (you'll find links below all the ads); with viruses, stay on your toes. Make sure you know what your browser's default 404 page looks like, and take action if you see anything different.

Open DNS Resolvers

Another danger lies in the way some DNS servers are configured. An "open resolver" can offer information it isn't authorized to provide. Not only are open resolvers exploited in distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, but an attacker can "poison" the DNS cache, providing false information and incorrect resolutions that must be detected to be corrected.

If your browser trips over a case of cache poisoning, the agents in charge of a hostile server can glean detailed information about your system — especially if you're in the middle of an important transaction. How can typical users solve this dilemma? The chilling answer: They can't. It's up to Internet service providers to address the problem.

Fraudulent SSL Certificates

A Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate reassures your browser that the site you've connected to is what it says it is. If you're looking at "HTTPS" instead of plain old "HTTP," you know there's security involved, such as when you log in to your bank account or pay your phone bill. The most trusted SSL certificates are issued by designated Certification Authorities worldwide.

But what happens if that trust between browser and website is exploited? Acquiring or creating fake SSL certificates is unlawful, but happens often enough that we need to be aware of it. On multiple occasions in 2011, the discovery of false certificates suggested an attempt to spy on Iranian citizens as they used Gmail and Google Docs. According to the website of computer security firm F-Secure, "It's likely the government of Iran is using these techniques to monitor local dissidents."

Session Hijacking

If you spend afternoons using your laptop in a café with an open Wi-Fi network, you might not be the only person logged into your Facebook or eBay account. Firesheep, an add-on for Mozilla's Firefox browser, lets its users sneak a peek at other people's browser activity if they're all on the same wireless network.

While the illicit observers can't get a glimpse of secured pages, many sites secure only their login pages; once you're logged in, your presence is maintained purely through cookies, packets of data that your browser stores to keep track of your browsing needs. But Firesheep lets its users copy your cookies, and after that happens the site you're logged into can't tell the difference between you and them.

Though it can be used for darker purposes, Firesheep should serve more as a warning to websites with private user accounts: They need to take security seriously. Guarding the main gate isn't the limit of their responsibilities; attackers don't need to storm the castle when a guest leaves the door open.

Man-in-the-Middle Attacks

While you're still sipping your latte on that unsecured network, even your encrypted messages may not be all that safe. A Man-in-the-Middle (MTM) attack occurs when an attacker intercepts communications and proceeds to "relay" messages back and forth between the lawful parties.

While the messaging parties believe their two-way conversation is private, and might even use a private encryption key, every message is re-routed through the attacker, who can alter the content before sending it on to the intended recipient. The encryption key itself can be swapped out for one the attacker controls, and the original parties remain unaware of the eavesdropper the entire time.

SQL Injection

Databases using structured query language (SQL) rely on specially formatted queries to locate and return requested data. Human or automated attackers can send requests that exploit the database's internal codes to alter the query as it's processed. This year alone, SQL injection was the culprit behind a number of notorious security breaches, such as hacker group LulzSec's alleged theft of data from the Sony Pictures server.

Once again, the solution to this problem isn't in the user's hands.

"Well-designed software avoids the problem by weeding out any queries that don't meet strict standards," said Beth Paley, a software training consultant and co-founder of Acrotrex Medical Business Systems in northern New Jersey.

Paley advises those who create and maintain database apps to "use whitelisting, not blacklisting," letting only specific data through instead of keeping only specific data out. That way previously unseen SQL injections won't get through.

Disguised Filenames

Modern operating systems accommodate speakers of languages such as Arabic and Hebrew by featuring codes which can reverse the direction of type to display such languages correctly: written right-to-left instead of left-to-right.

Unfortunately, these "RTL" and "LTR" commands are special Unicode characters that can be included in any text, including filenames and extensions. Exploiting this fact, a malware purveyor can disguise ".exe" files as other files with different extensions. Your operating system will display the "disguised" name, though it still treats the file as an executable — launching it will run the program and infect your computer. Practice caution with any and all files from unknown sources.

Banking Trojans

A Trojan is malicious software that disguises itself as innocent program, counting on you to download or install it into your system so it can secretly accomplish its malicious tasks. The infamous ZeuS Trojan and its rival SpyEye take advantage of security holes in your Internet browser to "piggyback" on your session when you log in to your bank's website.

These monsters are in the Ivy League of computer malware; they avoid fraud detection using caution, calculating inconspicuous amounts of money to transfer out of your account based on your balance and transaction history.

While financial institutions continue to increase the layers of security involved in large transactions, such as requiring confirmation through "out-of-band" communications — such as your mobile device — digital crooks have lost no time adapting to the changes, with banking Trojans able to change the mobile number tied to your account and intercept that confirmation request. If you're a tempting target, fear is an understandable response. It's just another part of a digital arms race that shows no signs of slowing down.

Facebook Everywhere

It's hard to find an individual who or a corporation that isn't on Facebook. The social networking site has become an ever-present hub for everything online. For some less savvy users, Facebook is the Internet.

With developments like Facebook Connect and Open Graph, Facebook is virtually opening its doors to any third party that wants in on the action. You may have already noticed that Facebook displays ads targeting your specific demographic information, based on the personal information you've posted and activities you've participated in.

What you might not have noticed is that other sites have started targeting your Facebook demographics as well. Any time you browse the Web without first logging out of Facebook, other sites can get access to any profile information you've marked as fit for public consumption.

Don't want every site on the Internet to see you coming a mile away? Just remember to log out of Facebook every time.

This story was provided by SecurityNewsDaily, a sister site to LiveScience.
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Wi-Fi networks under virus risk

Indian computer security analysts have detected and alerted Wi-Fi users in the country against a possible virus attack that could lead to crashing and hacking of secure networks.


The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), country’s national agency to respond to computer security incidents, has found that the “Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) contains a design error that could allow a weaker-than-expected defence against brute-force attacks, which could allow an attacker to gain unauthorised access to the affected system.”
A brute-force attack, in computer terminology, is a programme that is used to crack and stealthily enter into an encrypted and password protected system while WPS is a popular method for setting up a new wireless router for a home network.
“The virus is streaming in the Indian Internet networks with a high severity. The combat mechanisms are being deployed,” a computer security analyst with a government agency said.
“An un-authenticated, remote attacker within range of the wireless access point could use the PIN (password) to gain unauthorised access to the device to retrieve the password for the wireless network or change the configuration of the device.
“Failed attempts to exploit the vulnerability could lead to a denial of service condition,” the CERT-In said in its alert to Wi-Fi users.
The agency also said that reports (with the agency) indicate that some WPS devices “do not implement any kind of lockout policy for brute-force attempts, which greatly reduces the time to perform a successful attack.”
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2012 Best Computer Protection Software Comparisons and Reviews

Today, it isn’t uncommon for one person to own a smartphone, tablet, laptop and a desktop. These devices keep us constantly connected to the web, and they house our media collections, documents, files, software and other personal information. Because these computing devices contain so much of our personal lives, they have become prime targets for cybercriminals or virus. With identity theft ,cybercrime and virus affecting increasingly more people, it is crucial that you protect all your devices from virus so you can keep your personal information personal. To save yourself from virus, the hassle of finding a different application for each of your computing devices, sintuhack guide  about all-in-one computer protection software.

             All-in-one computer protection provides one license to protect all the devices you need to secure: computers, tablets and smartphones from virus and from cyber crimnal as well as from malware. Having similar antivirus computer security keeps a familiar and user-friendly interface consistent throughout all of your devices and offers a much larger selection of features and protection technology.

Why Buy All-in-One Computer Protection Software?

With identity theft and cybercrime and virus  affecting increasingly more people, it is crucial that you protect all your devices from virus ,malware so you can keep your personal information personal. To save yourself from virus ,malware the hassle of finding a different application for each of your computing devices

Many of the best all-in-one computer virus protection apps can provide security for Apple products such as MacBooks, iMacs, iPhones and iPads. Even though Apple devices are less susceptible to being infected with malicious malware, it is better to be safe than sorry. Plus, having strong protection on your Apple product keeps you from inadvertently passing dangerous threats to other devices.

All-in-One Computer Protection Software: What to Look For

When it comes to keeping all your computing devices and the data stored within them safe from virus ,malware, your average computer security software will not do. You need to find an all-in-one application that will cover the wide range of devices you own and additionally shield your data from any known or unknown threat from virus ,malware. Antivirus software is only as good as the protection it offers from virus ,malware.

Devices Protected

The best computer protection offers security for both your PC and Mac from virus ,malware. You can install the application on all of your mobile devices including your Android tablet, iPad, iPhone or other smartphone platform. However, even if the software says it supports a device, make sure it is compatible with the operating systems on all your devices and that it will work when you update or upgrade your operating systems.

Performance

No matter how many features are included on the application or how easy it is to use, if the security software does not protect your devices from dangerous threats, it is simply taking up valuable space. The best applications will protect all of your computing devices from viruses, worms, Trojans and spam. There should also be strong antispyware and antiphishing tools featured on the software to protect your device from intruders.

Features

The features included with antivirus software add to its protection and security. The ability to protect your device on a wireless network, along with email and website protection are a few features offered on the best applications. Online backup is also an excellent tool and allows you to keep your data safe if something were to happen to your device. In addition, anti-lost and anti-theft features are must-have tools for protecting any data or personal information you have stored on your smartphone.

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ATM malware spreading around the world

IDG News Service - Cash machines around the world are hosting malware that can harvest a person's card details for use in fraud, a situation that could worsen as the malware becomes more sophisticated, according to a security researcher.Analysts at Trustwave's SpiderLabs research group were surprised earlier this year when it obtained the ATM malware sample from a financial institution in Eastern Europe, said Andrew Henwood, vice president of SpiderLabs's Europe, Middle East and Africa operation. Trustwave does forensic investigations for major credit card companies and financial institutions as well as penetration tests.
"It's the first time we have come across malware of this type," Henwood said..[malware]
The malware records the magnetic stripe information on the back of a card as well as the PIN (personal identification number)..[malware] That data can be printed out on the ATM's receipt roll when a special master card is inserted into the ATM that launches a user interface. It can also be recorded on the magnetic stripe of that master control card."We were surprised at the level of sophistication," Henwood said..[malware] "It does make us generally pretty nervous.[malware]."Most ATMs run security software, but financial institutions haven't focused on their security as much as other systems, Henwood said."ATMs were kind of an afterthought and were considered to be fairly stable," Henwood said. "I'd say there's not been enough focus in the past on ATM infrastructure."
Those who wrote the malware have detailed knowledge about how ATMs work, Henwood said. The sample they tested ran on ATMs using Microsoft's Windows XP operating system.[malware].[malware]
The sample did not have networking capabilities, but that may be a natural evolution. That's particularly dangerous since most ATM machines in developed countries are networked. The danger is that the malware could be engineered into a worm that, once on one ATM, spreads through all ATMs on a network, Henwood said.To install the malware, a person would need access to the inside of the ATM or a port in which software could be uploaded. That means insiders could be involved, or cybercriminals have picked a lock on an ATM in order to install the software, Henwood said.
taken from computerworld.
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