Pop-Up Ad Installs Program That Steals Bank Passwords

Author: Identity Theft 911 IB

http://www.identitytheft911.com/education/alerts/20040630_pwd.jsp
A malicious program that installs itself on Windows computers through a pop-up ad can read keystrokes and steal passwords when victims visit any of nearly 50 online banking sites, including Citibank, Barclays Bank, and Deutsche Bank.

When a victim visits one of the targeted financial sites, the malicious program logs the keystrokes entered, then transmits the account holder’s captured username, password, and other account information to identity thieves.

Financial sites typically use the browser’s built-in encryption to protect login information transmitted over the Internet. However, because this program captures the sensitive information as it is keyed in and thus before it reaches the browser that encryption provides no protection against this exploit.

The scammers’ code exploits security flaws in the Microsoft Internet Explorer web browser to install itself secretly on the victim’s computer. The scammers appear to have hacked into one or more servers operated by online advertising networks in order to insert malicious code into pop-up ads.

The code downloaded via the malicious pop-up ad which uses a .gif file extension to masquerade as an image file actually incorporates two programs. One is a browser “helper file” that secretly intercepts usernames and passwords for the targeted sites before they reach the browser application itself. The other is a file-dropper, which installs the keystroke logger on the victim’s machine by exploiting a security hole in the Microsoft Internet Explorer web browser.

After the account information has been captured, the data is encrypted by a program hosted on a remote server and sent to the attackers.

Microsoft has advised users of its browser to raise security settings to high until the company is able to issue a security patch. However, a series of serious attacks including one last week that exploited Windows and Internet Explorer flaws to install malware and steal data from visitors to leading web sites have led the U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team (CERT) and other security experts to recommend that users avoid Microsoft’s browser altogether.

Military Fiber Optics Installation: What To Look For In A Training Program

Author: Christine Harrell

Fiber optics has become a major player in the government and military sector. It makes sense; optical fiber cable has proven itself time and again in terms of signal security, performance, bandwidth, durability, and lower per-channel costs. With military fiber optics technology now in such high demand, an increasing number of companies are surfacing with training programs, but not all are created equal. In this article, we’ll discuss 5 critical elements to look for in a military fiber optics training program.

#1 Training for multiple fiber optics equipment manufacturers Even if you’re planning to use one particular manufacturer, you never know when you may need to switch fiber optic manufactures or need to integrate fiber optics accessories from different manufacturers. While each manufacture offers training for its own products, it’s important to choose a fiber optic training program that focuses on multiple manufactures such as Delphi, AFSI, AOS, and Glenair. This means an unbiased training on the differences, strengths and weaknesses of various manufacturer products.

#2 Manufacturer-approved courses Though it’s best to choose a fiber optic training course that includes instruction on the technology of multiple manufacturers, it’s important that the training program be certified by the various manufacturers being discussed. Manufacturers are the authorities on their own products so you’ll want to be sure that the information you receive in training is approved by the manufacture.

#3 Fiber optic training specific to military guidelines Military fiber optics installation and maintenance practices adhere to different guidelines than commercial fiber optics. For example, MIL-STD-2042B (SH) sections 5 and 6 details the standards governing the use of fiber optics on U.S. Navy ships. Unless the fiber optic training teaches to these guidelines, the skills and knowledge won’t comply with military standards.

#4 On-site training In the past, if you wanted an education, it was up to you travel to the training destination. Some fiber optic training programs still operate this way, but many will bring the training directly to your facility. In today’s fiber optic training industry, your company doesn’t have to foot the bill for travel expenses and downtime associated with sending technicians off-site for training.

#5 Published list of past clients A company’s list of past fiber optic training clients speaks volumes about its credibility and level of expertise. Companies that have past clients such as NASA, Lockheed Martin, and various branches of the military, show solid reasoning that a company can deliver on its promise.

Whenever a newer technology enters the market, the process of training the necessary people and make the mass switch from the old model to the new can seem daunting. Using these 5 guidelines to choose your fiber optic training program can help you get your team up trained quickly and thoroughly on in this growing technology.
About the Author

Author is a writer for AmericanFO who specialize in military fiber optics training. For additional information you can visit http://www.americanfo.com.

Windows Part 1: Un-Install Programs, Update Windows, Defragment Hard Drives

Author: Take back control over your windows computer! Part 1: un-install programs, update Windows, defragme

Take back control over your windows computer!

Part 1: un-install programs, update Windows, defragment hard drives

This is the first of many more articles to come. I will show you step by step how you can take back control over your windows computer. Just follow my instructions and soon you will be using your computer to work or play again instead of spending hours trying to just keep it running. Best of all, I won’t try to sell you anything. I will show you ways to do many things on your computer for free. As with most instructions, please read the whole thing before doing anything.

Lets start with a little house cleaning. Close all programs on your computer. Click on the “START” button in the bottom left corner, select “Settings”, then “Control Panel”. A new window should have opened up. Double click on “Add/Remove Programs”. This will show you most of the programs installed on your computer. Go through the list and if you find any that you installed, but no longer need or use, just un-install them. This will free up disk space. Some un-install programs will ask you to restart your computer. When you are done go ahead and restart again. Windows loves to be restarted. Be careful that you do not un-install programs you are still using and also do not un-install any Windows updates. Basically, if you don’t know what it is, don’t touch it!

After a clean restart, we will now make sure your computer has the latest updates installed. Click on “START”, then on “Windows Update”. If you do not have Windows Update in the START menu, open Internet Explorer, then click on Tools, then on Windows Update. Follow instructions on the Microsoft Update website and install all available critical updates for your computer. Restart when prompted to do so. Also, select to automatically check for updates. But do not select to automatically download and install them. You always want to be asked before downloading and installing updates! This can take a long time and just let your computer do it’s thing. You can do something else in the meantime. Restart when you are done.

Now that your computer is updated and we’ve also done a little house cleaning, it is time to de-fragment the hard drive. Windows is not very efficient in where it puts stuff on your hard drive. After a while it gets fragmented. But Windows includes a tool to clean that up. You should do this at least once a week if you use your computer on a daily basis. Double-click the “My Computer” icon on the desktop. A new window will open and show you all hard drive, CR ROM drives and other storage devices connected to your computer. In most cases your main hard drive will be labeled the “C:” drive. If it has any other letter, that’s OK too. Right-click on it, then select “Properties”. Another window will open. At the bottom to the right click on “disk cleanup”, then select all check boxes. If you have off-line web pages, do not select them. If you don’t know what they are, you probably have not used that feature and can select it. Then click on “OK” and on “Yes” in the confirmation box. Once this is cleaned up, click on the Tool tab and then on “Defragment now”. In the new window, click on Defragment again and let the computer defragment the hard drive. Depending on the size of your hard drive, this can take several hours, especially if it’s the first time you do this. Just let it run until it is done. Repeat these steps for all other hard drives you have on your computer.

That’s all. You have now deleted un-needed programs, updated Windows and de-fragmented your hard drive. Restart your computer and your computer will be more secure and run better than before. Check back for more articles on how to take back control over your computer.
About the Author

For more information, tips and trick about un-install programs, update Windows, defragment hard drives and much more, check out Winagra.com

Windows Part 1: Un-Install Programs, Update Windows, Defragment Hard Drives

Author: Take back control over your windows computer! Part 1: un-install programs, update Windows, defragme

Take back control over your windows computer!

Part 1: un-install programs, update Windows, defragment hard drives

This is the first of many more articles to come. I will show you step by step how you can take back control over your windows computer. Just follow my instructions and soon you will be using your computer to work or play again instead of spending hours trying to just keep it running. Best of all, I won’t try to sell you anything. I will show you ways to do many things on your computer for free. As with most instructions, please read the whole thing before doing anything.

Lets start with a little house cleaning. Close all programs on your computer. Click on the “START” button in the bottom left corner, select “Settings”, then “Control Panel”. A new window should have opened up. Double click on “Add/Remove Programs”. This will show you most of the programs installed on your computer. Go through the list and if you find any that you installed, but no longer need or use, just un-install them. This will free up disk space. Some un-install programs will ask you to restart your computer. When you are done go ahead and restart again. Windows loves to be restarted. Be careful that you do not un-install programs you are still using and also do not un-install any Windows updates. Basically, if you don’t know what it is, don’t touch it!

After a clean restart, we will now make sure your computer has the latest updates installed. Click on “START”, then on “Windows Update”. If you do not have Windows Update in the START menu, open Internet Explorer, then click on Tools, then on Windows Update. Follow instructions on the Microsoft Update website and install all available critical updates for your computer. Restart when prompted to do so. Also, select to automatically check for updates. But do not select to automatically download and install them. You always want to be asked before downloading and installing updates! This can take a long time and just let your computer do it’s thing. You can do something else in the meantime. Restart when you are done.

Now that your computer is updated and we’ve also done a little house cleaning, it is time to de-fragment the hard drive. Windows is not very efficient in where it puts stuff on your hard drive. After a while it gets fragmented. But Windows includes a tool to clean that up. You should do this at least once a week if you use your computer on a daily basis. Double-click the “My Computer” icon on the desktop. A new window will open and show you all hard drive, CR ROM drives and other storage devices connected to your computer. In most cases your main hard drive will be labeled the “C:” drive. If it has any other letter, that’s OK too. Right-click on it, then select “Properties”. Another window will open. At the bottom to the right click on “disk cleanup”, then select all check boxes. If you have off-line web pages, do not select them. If you don’t know what they are, you probably have not used that feature and can select it. Then click on “OK” and on “Yes” in the confirmation box. Once this is cleaned up, click on the Tool tab and then on “Defragment now”. In the new window, click on Defragment again and let the computer defragment the hard drive. Depending on the size of your hard drive, this can take several hours, especially if it’s the first time you do this. Just let it run until it is done. Repeat these steps for all other hard drives you have on your computer.

That’s all. You have now deleted un-needed programs, updated Windows and de-fragmented your hard drive. Restart your computer and your computer will be more secure and run better than before. Check back for more articles on how to take back control over your computer.
About the Author

For more information, tips and trick about un-install programs, update Windows, defragment hard drives and much more, check out Winagra.com

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