Technical Tidbits

Before I post part 2 of the “Why is my PC so slow” series, I wanted to tell you about what I just found!

Trend Micro, manufacturer of the reliable PC-cilin, Internet Security software, and RUBotted, has released a new FREE Rootkit Buster! I’ve found this much easier to use then the SystemInternals Rootkit Revealer!

From the initial start up of the program, it allows you to select what areas you want to scan.

The scan took little time to complete and then prompted me to ask if I wanted to see the log file.

For any of you who’ve used the SystemInternals Rootkit Revealer - now owned by Microsoft, I might add - you know that the results are hard to figure out unless your a techie! Well, check out the Trend Micro Rootkit Buster log!

Is that easy or what???

To get your own FREE copy of the Trend Micro Rootkit Buster, just go to the link and get it FREE! No sign-up required, no giving away your first born child, nothing. It’s right there to download!

http://www.trendmicro.com/download/rbuster.asp

And for those of you who aren’t even sure what I’m talking about, a rootkit is a form of malware that hides in your computer and lies to the operating system about what it is so that it can’t get discovered. Hackers, Trojan viruses, keyloggers, and many other ‘bad guys’ use this method to hide inside your machine and steal your data.  (Need more info? Take our course!)

And for those of you who want to correct me on my definition, please don’t. I explain that way so that even the youngest beginner can understand! I know it’s not the “technical” definition!

written by Admin \\ tags: free, kelogger, keyloggers, rootkit, Rootkit Buster, Trend Micro, trojan, Trojan horse

What was I just saying in my most recent blog, “Apple Mac Arrogance or Pure Stupidity?“??

Hmmm, maybe I’m psychic? Or maybe I just know security! Ya think?

In a just published article on InfoWorld and MacWorld, Johnny Evans (MacWorld UK) reports that security vendors, SecureMac and Intego are separately reporting a new Trojan exploit for the Mac.

The Trojan horse is currently being distributed from a hacker website, where discussion has taken place on distributing the Trojan horse through iChat and Limewire.

The Trojan horse runs hidden on the system, and allows a malicious user complete remote access to the system, can reportedly transmit system and user passwords, and can avoid detection by opening ports in the firewall and turning off system logging.

Additionally, the AppleScript.THT Trojan horse can log keystrokes, take pictures with the built-in Apple iSight camera, take screenshots, and turn on file sharing. The Trojan horse exploits a recently discovered vulnerability with the Apple Remote Desktop Agent, which allows it to run as root.

My students have heard me preach and preach about the whole Limewire issue (not to mention bearshare and the others!) and I’ve stated in my referenced blog entry that Mac users are either arrogant or stupid if they believe they are exempt from these kinds of malware.

My God people, WAKE UP and smell the MALWARE!

To read the full InfoWorld Article, click the link: Full InfoWorld Article.

written by Admin \\ tags: hacker, hackers, iChat, infoworld, Intego, Johnny Evans, Limewire, Mac, MacWorld, malware, SecureMac, trojan, Trojan horse