PLEASE READ-New Computer-Internet Threat

John Sabato · 08-01-2008, 11:03 PM

As some of you know, I make my living as a computer security consultant to the federal government.

Today I became aware of a new threat and I wanted to make you aware of it so you can avoid it.

The threat comes through forums similar to this one, or may even come through this one.

An attacker will join the forum to get into the area of trust and then unleash the maleware in the form of a Private Message to every member the "bot" can find.

So if you receive a Private message from a member that you are not personally acquainted with, be sure to NOT click on any link that is inside the message. The link will take you to a website that is either virus laden and will infect your computer OR you will be transported to a PORN site that will try to keep you from exiting... and probably leave some form of tracking software or malware on your computer for the future.

so LET's BE CAREFUL OUT THERE... being forewarned is being fore-armed...

BACK UP YOUR CRITICAL DATA and update your antivirus software definitions OFTEN

larry · 08-01-2008, 11:22 PM

A big thank you for your warning John.

davidkachel · 08-01-2008, 11:46 PM

John,

It always helps to mention what platforms are susceptible. It saves all the Mac and Linux folks from running around checking.

John Sabato · 08-02-2008, 12:50 AM

David, since the extent of the threat is not known, ALL computer users need to be aware that the threat exists and take whatever precautions their operating system supporting software (antivirus, etc.) suggests...

I would imagine that any operating system that will run scripts, and especially java is susceptible.

Went Blakely · 08-02-2008, 04:30 AM

Thanks for the heads up John, i've had this type of thing happen before to me, BIG headache to fix

Piker · 08-02-2008, 04:47 AM

This is why I run 4 different anti-virus/ ad-aware/spyware programs every week... NO I'M NOT PARANOID!...just really really careful....

Ron Smith · 08-02-2008, 08:59 AM

I just had to do a full recovery thanks to one called "Antivirus XP 2008". It slows everything to a Dial-up speed and gradually locks up your computer. I was told by my security help desk that it will mutate each time it hits a firewall, etc., and will eventually find a way around it.

It comes in attached to e-mails.

Ida-Alp · 08-02-2008, 06:00 PM

Thanks for the heads-up John. I'm being pestered by a program called "Winspywareprotect" Any info on it?? Thanks--Al

kpolak · 08-02-2008, 08:09 PM

Thanks for the warning. I am on a couple of other forums, and have passed along the message.

Kurt

Edward Tinker · 08-02-2008, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ida-Alp
Thanks for the heads-up John. I'm being pestered by a program called "Winspywareprotect" Any info on it?? Thanks--Al

Al, when you run across something like this, put it into www.google.com and see what comes up;

http://www.wiki-security.com/wiki/Pa...SpywareProtect

Ed

Ida-Alp · 08-02-2008, 10:04 PM

Thanks Ed--I found it and and was able to delete it in the" task manager" A very handy device!! Al

John Sabato · 08-15-2008, 01:25 PM

Here's another new threat... be really careful what you click on to "update" something you already have...

http://www.windowsvistaplace.com/ant...pyware-removal

08-01-2008, 11:03 PM	#1
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,154 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,306 Times in 1,097 Posts	PLEASE READ-New Computer-Internet Threat As some of you know, I make my living as a computer security consultant to the federal government. Today I became aware of a new threat and I wanted to make you aware of it so you can avoid it. The threat comes through forums similar to this one, or may even come through this one. An attacker will join the forum to get into the area of trust and then unleash the maleware in the form of a Private Message to every member the "bot" can find. So if you receive a Private message from a member that you are not personally acquainted with, be sure to NOT click on any link that is inside the message. The link will take you to a website that is either virus laden and will infect your computer OR you will be transported to a PORN site that will try to keep you from exiting... and probably leave some form of tracking software or malware on your computer for the future. so LET's BE CAREFUL OUT THERE... being forewarned is being fore-armed... BACK UP YOUR CRITICAL DATA and update your antivirus software definitions OFTEN __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

08-01-2008, 11:46 PM	#3
davidkachel User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 784 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	John, It always helps to mention what platforms are susceptible. It saves all the Mac and Linux folks from running around checking. __________________ A heroin habit would be cheaper.

08-02-2008, 12:50 AM	#4
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,154 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,306 Times in 1,097 Posts	David, since the extent of the threat is not known, ALL computer users need to be aware that the threat exists and take whatever precautions their operating system supporting software (antivirus, etc.) suggests... I would imagine that any operating system that will run scripts, and especially java is susceptible. __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

08-02-2008, 04:30 AM	#5
Went Blakely User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 231 Thanks: 4 Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts	Thanks for the heads up John, i've had this type of thing happen before to me, BIG headache to fix __________________ Went Blakely

08-02-2008, 08:59 AM	#7
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	I just had to do a full recovery thanks to one called "Antivirus XP 2008". It slows everything to a Dial-up speed and gradually locks up your computer. I was told by my security help desk that it will mutate each time it hits a firewall, etc., and will eventually find a way around it. It comes in attached to e-mails. __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

08-01-2008, 11:22 PM	#2
larry User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 106 Thanks: 26 Thanked 15 Times in 8 Posts	A big thank you for your warning John.

08-02-2008, 04:47 AM	#6
Piker User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 12 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	This is why I run 4 different anti-virus/ ad-aware/spyware programs every week... NO I'M NOT PARANOID!...just really really careful....

08-02-2008, 06:00 PM	#8
Ida-Alp Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Nampa ID Posts: 116 Thanks: 81 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Thanks for the heads-up John. I'm being pestered by a program called "Winspywareprotect" Any info on it?? Thanks--Al

08-02-2008, 08:09 PM	#9
kpolak User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 12 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for the warning. I am on a couple of other forums, and have passed along the message. Kurt

08-02-2008, 10:04 PM	#11
Ida-Alp Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Nampa ID Posts: 116 Thanks: 81 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Thanks Ed--I found it and and was able to delete it in the" task manager" A very handy device!! Al

08-15-2008, 01:25 PM	#12
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,154 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,306 Times in 1,097 Posts	Here's another new threat... be really careful what you click on to "update" something you already have... http://www.windowsvistaplace.com/ant...pyware-removal __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*