Security and Privacy

It was brought to my attention by sUBs, a malware researcher who developed Combofix ( a tool to help remove persistant malware threats & rogue scamware from infected computers) that a fake Microsoft malicious software removal tool is spreading
This total piece of scamware is designed to imitate the genuine MMSRT & has the usual fake detections & then entices you buy the latest rogue scamware Shield EC Antivirus which our good friends Sunbelt Software have blogged about.
The last screen clearly shows that they want you to buy this useless scamware

The installer for this piece of malware is detected by several Antiviruses currently as shown on this Virus Total report page

If you are unfortunate to be infected by this piece of scamware, it can be difficult to remove. Don’t fall for all the other scams on the net saying you need to buy other software to remove it. Ask for help on our malware cleaning forum http://thespykiller.co.uk

S!ri is well known in the anti-malware community for his SmitfraudFix program that removes rogue softwares and for his tireless work in tracking down and keeping us all up to date with the ever increasing number of fake AV programs & rogue software

If it wasn’t so serious for the poor infected victim who falls for the scam from a lot of website owners who push certain anti-malware programs ( for high commissions)  that tend not to fix what they say they do , this would be very funny

Read the full story of how S!ri got his own back on them and exposed them for the fraudsters they are

 S!Ri.URZ: Secure Shield fake rogue.

Microsoft Malware Protection Center : Microsoft Security Essentials –
Week One:
http://blogs.technet.com/mmpc/archive/2009/10/15/microsoft-security-essentials-week-one.aspx

The Windows 7 numbers are spectacular for an operating system that
hasn’t yet released for global availability. Even better, about 1/3rd
of Windows 7 Microsoft Security Essentials machines are 64-bit, which is
even more resistant to malware than 32-bit due to PatchGuard.

By looking at detections divided by active Microsoft Security Essentials
machines over the whole population, we see far more detections per XP
machine, with the fewest from Win7. This follows our usual observed
trend of seeing less malware on newer OSes and service packs.

Websense® Security Labs™ ThreatSeeker™ Network has discovered a new wave of malicious attacks claiming to be an update for Microsoft Outlook Web Access (OWA). Victims receive a message leading to a site to apply mailbox settings which were supposedly changed due to a “security upgrade.” Continue reading…

Thousands of accounts on web-based e-mail system Hotmail have been compromised in a phishing attack, software giant Microsoft has confirmed.

BBC News has seen a list of more than 10,000 e-mail accounts, predominantly originating from Europe, and passwords which were posted online.

Microsoft said it had launched an investigation. Continue reading…

NEWS ANALYSIS: Microsoft Security Essentials provides some handy security tools for both consumers and small companies, even though Microsoft created the free Windows security software for home users. And there are quite a few reasons why companies and their IT departments should try it out.

Microsoft’s new free Security Essentials pack for Windows—it works with XP, Vista and the upcoming Windows 7—is being put through its paces by several security experts. And although they’re quick to point out that a free solution like Security Essentials isn’t ideal, it’s actually doing a fine job of stopping malicious programs from wreaking havoc on Windows installations.

But there’s still some doubt in the marketplace over the value of Security Essentials. In many cases, consumers and small companies are wondering if they need to install it on their computers or go with another alternative that doesn’t have Microsoft’s logo affixed to it. Although Microsoft has had a spotty record in the past dealing with security problems, its Security Essentials pack seems ideal for those users.

Here’s why:

1. Microsoft cares about security

An argument could have been made a few years ago that Microsoft didn’t spend nearly as much time as it should have focusing on security, but that’s not true today. Microsoft is firmly focused on improving security in all its platforms. Microsoft Security Essentials is simply the first step toward that goal of securing the Windows operating system.

2. Microsoft can be trusted

Although many people have become disenchanted with Microsoft after its Vista blunder, the company can be trusted. I think it learned its lesson. Microsoft Security Essentials is a reflection on that. The software is capable, it keeps users safe and, most importantly, it’s free. Microsoft isn’t trying to make a buck on security. It’s trying to make its software more secure.

3. There’s nothing to lose

It might seem that Security Essentials is just another attempt to keep corporate computers safe, but what does it hurt to deploy it

via Microsoft Security Essentials for Windows: 10 Benefits for Businesses.

MSE is a free antimalware program that has just been released by Microsoft
Download it directly from the Microsoft Security Essentials Site

Microsoft Security Essentials provides real-time protection for your home PC that guards against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software.

Microsoft Security Essentials is a free* download from Microsoft that is simple to install, easy to use, and always kept up to date so you can be assured your PC is protected by the latest technology. It’s easy to tell if your PC is secure — when you’re green, you’re good. It’s that simple.

Microsoft Security Essentials runs quietly and efficiently in the background so that you are free to use your Windows-based PC the way you want—without interruptions or long computer wait times.

Early testing shows it to be a good basic antivirus without any frills