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Downadup - Largest
Worm Infection Since 2001 Hits Corporate Networks
A sneaky, fast-spreading computer worm known as Downadup (or Conficker or Kido)
is exploiting a security hole in Microsoft Windows to infect millions of PCs
in mainly corporate networks. It is considered the largest and most serious
corporate virus outbreak since Nimda unleashed its
fury in 2001. It appears Downadup may have been
created to generate income for people who get paid to install rogue antivirus
software called "scareware."
The worm can spread three ways:
- It attacks a vulnerability in the Microsoft Server service.
Computers without the latest Microsoft security patch can be remotely
attacked and taken over.
- It can scan company networks
and attempt to guess passwords.
- It can infect USB data
sticks (also known as thumb drives). While almost all of the Downadup occurrences have involved corporate
networks, it is possible for a home computer to be infected by the
user's corporate PC via the connection of a thumb drive.
Microsoft released a patch to stop the Downadup
worm in October 2008 called MS08-067. To download this patch, visit:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/MS08-067.mspx
In January 2009, the high number of Downadup
infections led Microsoft to enable its anti-malware utility, Microsoft
Software Removal Tool (MSRT), to detect the worm. This optional component is
updated monthly and can scan for and remove some of the most prevalent
threats in circulation today. For details, go to:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx
As always, we recommend you use antispam and
antivirus software, install a firewall, and keep operating system and browser
software updated.
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Free Trial Month Of SecureIT Plus -
PLUS A Free Supported Remote Installation
When you sign up for SecureIT Plus by February 28th, 2009. SecureIT Plus is a fully managed anti-virus /
anti-spyware program that gives you incredible PC protection for only $4.95
per month.
Features:
- Anti-virus protection
- Personal firewall
- Anti-spyware / adware
removal
- Pop-up blocker
- Scheduling capabilities
- Critical Windows updates
- Parental controls
- Disk cleanup software
- Live 24/7 remote technical
support
- Monthly online reporting
- Real time threat monitor
- Guaranteed supported remote
installation available
To sign up today call Polar at 284-7221 or e-mail us at sales@polarcomm.com
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Ask The Help Desk - What Should I Do When My Computer Screen
Freezes Up?
Question: Sometimes when I'm working on my computer, the screen
just freezes up and I'm not sure why. What should I do?
Answer: Some common causes of a screen freeze are:
- Your computer is using up
every bit of its RAM (random access memory) at that point in time
- Running multiple
applications simultaneously
- A computer virus
For a Vista PC, restart your computer by simultaneously
pressing the "Control" (ctrl), "Alt" (alt), and
"Delete" (delete) keys. This is called a warm boot. Pressing this
key combination on a Windows Vista PC will bring up a screen containing five
functions to choose from. Scroll down to the "Start Task Manager"
option. When the Windows Task Manager window opens, click on the
"Applications" tab to see what applications are currently running.
Highlight the applications and click on the "End Task" button. If
quitting the frozen application does not unfreeze the screen, you will need
to repeat the process. Close the Windows Task Manager screen and press the
"Control" (ctrl), "Alt" (alt), and "Delete"
(delete) keys again. This time when the screen appears containing the five
functions, look in the lower right corner and you will see a red button that
looks like a "power" key. You can shut down the computer by
pressing it, or if you click on the triangle next to it, you will see a
pop-up menu that lists other options including "Restart,"
"Sleep," "Hibernate," and "Shut Down."
If this fails, perform a cold or hard reboot, which is turning the computer's
power off and then on. To complete this operation, press and hold the
"power" button until the computer shuts off (usually about five
seconds). Wait a minimum of five seconds before turning the computer back on.
For a Windows XP PC, restart your computer by simultaneously pressing
the "Control" (ctrl), "Alt" (alt), and "Delete"
(delete) keys. This will bring up the Windows Task Manager window. Click on
the "Applications" tab to see what applications are currently
running. Highlight the applications and click on the "End Task"
button. If this fails to unfreeze the screen, click on the Shut Down Menu and
select "Restart" to restart the computer. If this fails, you will
need to perform a cold or hard reboot by following the instructions in the
paragraph above.
For a Mac, the first step is to force quit frozen applications by
simultaneously pressing the "option" (alt), "command" (apple),
and "escape" (esc) keys. When the Force Quit Applications window
opens, highlight the applications you want to quit and select the "Force
Quit" button. A pop-up box will appear asking if you want to force the
selected application(s) to quit; click the "Force Quit" button. If
this doesn't work, simultaneously press the "control,"
"command," and "power" keys to restart your computer.
Your Mac should start up automatically after a brief delay. You can also shut
down an unresponsive Mac by holding down the "power" key for a few
seconds. Wait a minimum of five seconds before turning the computer back on.
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Sites Of The Month - Great Sites To Check Out In February
To Refi or
Not To Refi?
http://www.bankrate.com/brm/calc_vml/refi/refi.asp - With
the current economic crisis, you may be wondering what, if anything, you
should be doing differently with your finances. Should you sell stocks? Put
off retirement? Pay down debt? If refinancing your mortgage is a move you're
considering, use the “Should You Refinance Your Mortgage Calculator” on this
site. By entering basic information, you'll find out your new monthly
payment, monthly savings, difference in interest,
total cost, and months to recoup costs.
Sweet Treats
http://www.hersheys.com/valentines/recipes/ - February
is the month we celebrate love with kisses, hugs, gifts … and delightful
desserts. This site features recipes for cookies, pies, and other sweet
treats to treat your sweetheart. There are heart-shaped cakes,
raspberry-laden glazes, festive fruit, and, of course, plenty of chocolate.
Trip Advisor
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ - Recommendations
from friends always help when traveling. But what if your friends haven't
been where you're going? This website offers millions of reviews from
travelers who have visited a wide selection of destinations worldwide. Get
information on hotels, attractions, and restaurants; get suggestions for your
next trip; or look for bargain travel ideas.
Coming Soon
http://www.film-releases.com/film-release-schedule-2009.php - Winter
is the perfect time for indoor entertainment, and many movies (both big
screen and DVD) will be released in the coming weeks to provide it. This site
lists release dates chronologically, or you can search for the film you've
been dying to see by title, actor, or genre. Click on film titles to get
summaries, cast and director information, and other details. The site also
allows you to download movies to view on your computer, TV, or portable
player.
Jam the Scam
http://www.fakechecks.org/about.html - This
site educates visitors about fake check scams that require you to wire money
to the scammer after depositing a bad check into your bank account. The
site's main message: You are responsible for the missing funds! Take the
Fraud Tests to find out if you are susceptible to being a victim of these
scams, watch the Fake Out and victim videos to learn more, and review the
prevention information to find out how to avoid these costly mistakes.
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Short Tutorial - Setting Up AutoComplete In Your Browser
The AutoComplete (or AutoFill) feature of a browser is
designed to streamline the process of Web searches as well as make it faster
and easier to fill out online forms. In the case of Web searches, this
feature provides a drop-down list of suggestions for websites when you begin
typing a URL into the Address bar. AutoComplete can also automatically
complete information such as your name and address when you begin to enter
them on forms for website registration or online purchases. You can customize
the AutoComplete settings on your browser or turn them off completely by
following these steps:
Setting Up AutoComplete When Using ...
- Web Browser: Internet Explorer 7
- Computer Operating System: Windows XP and Windows Vista
1. With Internet
Explorer open, click your cursor arrow on "Tools" in the menu bar.
Select "Internet Options" from the resulting drop-down menu.
2. When the Internet
Options window opens, choose the "Content" tab.
3. Under the
"AutoComplete" section, select the "Settings" button.
4. The AutoComplete
Settings window will open. Select the check boxes for the AutoComplete
options you want to use under the "Use AutoComplete for" section.
5. Click the
"OK" button in both windows to save your changes and close each
window.
Setting Up AutoComplete When Using ...
- Web Browser: Mozilla Firefox 3.0
- Computer Operating System: Windows XP and Windows Vista
1. With Mozilla
Firefox open, click your cursor arrow on "Tools" in the menu bar.
Select "Options..." from the resulting drop-down menu.
2. When the Options
window opens, choose the "Privacy" tab.
3. Under the
"History" section, click on the box next to "Remember what I
enter in forms and the search bar."
4. Click the
"OK" button to save your changes and close the window.
Setting Up AutoComplete When Using ...
- Web Browser: Mozilla Firefox 3.0
- Computer Operating System: Mac OS 10.4
1. With Mozilla
Firefox open, click your cursor arrow on "Firefox" in the menu bar.
Select "Preferences..." from the resulting drop-down menu.
2. When the
Preferences window opens, choose the "Privacy" tab.
3. Under the
"History" section, click on the box next to "Remember what I
enter in forms and the search bar."
4. To accept and save
your changes, click on the red circle in the upper left corner of the window
to close it.
Setting Up AutoComplete When Using ...
- Web Browser: Safari
- Computer Operating System: Mac OS 10.4
1. With Safari open,
click your cursor arrow on "Safari" in the menu bar. Select
"Preferences..." from the resulting drop-down menu.
2. When the Preferences
window opens, choose the "AutoFill" tab.
3. The AutoFill window
will open. Select the check boxes for the options you want to use in the
"AutoFill web forms:" section.
4. Next to the option
that you selected, click on the "Edit..." button. Here you can view
or change your saved information.
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We hope you found this newsletter to be informative. It's our
way of keeping you posted on the happenings here. If, however, you'd prefer
not to receive these bulletins on a monthly basis, click here.
Thanks for your business!
Best regards,
The
E-Connections Team
Polar Communications
110 4th St E
Park River, ND 58270
800-284-7222
(We have used our best efforts in collecting and preparing the
information published herein. However, we do not assume, and hereby disclaim,
any and all liability for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions,
whether such errors or omissions resulted from negligence, accident, or other
causes.)
©2009
Cornerstone Publishing Group Inc.
Trademarks: All brand names and product names used in this eNewsletter are trade names, service marks, trademarks or
registered trademarks of their respective owners.
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