A Fun Way to Learn Microsoft Office

Microsoft Office has developed a different software called, Ribbon Hero 2: Clippy’s Second Chance. It’s supposed to be the fun alternative way to learn office. This is a great way for organizations and IT departments to educate their users to learn office.  The objective is to help “Clippy” with his resume in order for him to land a job, and in that process you are taught to use the suite of applications of office.  Read more »

$1.3 Million Global Cyberscam

A Cybercriminal pled guilty last week for involvement in a cybercrime ring that released fake bank and payroll processing websites which in turn stole more than $1.3 million.

Payroll companies like ADP and Chase bank, Bank of America, and Branch Bank & Trust Co. were the web pages that were sent out and people were tricked into submitting their information. The Cybercriminals swiped birth dates, Social Security numbers, mothers’ maiden names, user names and passwords.

IT support providers should send a bulletin to all their users about this scam. We received this email last week and put our users on notice about this security issue.  Read more »

Stop Facebook Apps from Sharing Your Data

Apps on Facebook can share your personal information even if you’re not currently using the app. If your friends are connected using the apps, your personal account information could be released to the masses of Facebook users. According to the Wall Street Journal expose’, Skype can also collect photos of subscribers and their friends.

It’s important for IT departments to inform their users about these simple ways that others can obtain your information. Some could use this as a deterrent for using Facebook during work hours.   Read more »

The Beastie Boys Malware

The recent sad news of the passing of Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys was tragic news to the music community. His unfortunate passing has triggered cybercriminals to develop malware and capitalize on his death for their own reasons.

As a Beastie Boy fan, this is very disturbing, however I’m not the least bit surprised as this is typical behavior for cybercriminals to act on and to benefit themselves.

IT Support providers and IT departments are looking to educate their users and clients to be wary of such articles circulating in Adam Yauch’s name where the malware exists.  Read more »

Facebook File Sharing Security Breach

Facebook is rolling out file sharing to all groups. Even though it has many restrictions, it still gives some competition and limits the growth potential of cloud storage services like iCloud, Google Drive and Dropbox. MP3 music files and any copyright files are not allowed and the file size is limited to 25mb.  Although this is first version, be sure that Facebook will improve this in the future to compete.

This could be an issue for organizations having users spend too much time on Facebook and losing productivity, and also, IT departments having to deal with new security issues to the Facebook’s file sharing.  There is always a new target for Hackers as these new options evolve on Facebook and other cloud based technology, which is still to be determined.  Read more »

Samsung Galaxy S3 Reviewed

The Samsung Galaxy phone series has taken the Android world by storm. Now with the new Galaxy S3 coming out, things just got even hotter.  It’s battery life is said to be longer than an iPhone and even longer than the Galaxy S2.  IT support providers will find that users will have an easy transition from the previous Galaxy S2. Read more »

Windows Malware: A Decade Security Battle

Malware threats have been around for over ten years now. Microsoft took some hits early in 2002 and has since been taking action to consistently patch solutions.  Microsoft’s patch updates help IT support providers supporting their clients by quickly correcting any issues that hackers have been able to exploit.

Microsoft has taken the lead in the security arena since malware has evolved over the years. PC’s have been the main target. Those threats have become more complex and unique, and even Apple has become a target with their MacBook Pro’s, which Apple had told customers would be immune to such threats.

Hackers are out to either steal or prove their talents at the same time exposing security vulnerabilities whether  it’s government agencies, large corporations or even small businesses with their lack of  security protections.

Read more »

Mastering the iPad

The iPad has taken the world by storm. The device’s huge sales are taking away sales from laptops. IT support providers are becoming more efficient using this technology not only to support their clients but conduct business to solve issues.

How well do you know your iPad? There are some cool tricks and very useful methods to master your iPad.

1. The comma key’s hidden powers

2. Tapping and holding virtual keys

3. Common keyboard shortcuts

4. Auto-correction is your friend

5. Avoiding application exits

6. Closing background apps

7. Track down music playback controls

8. Search smarter

9. Stash more apps in the Dock

10. Launching apps quickly Read more »

Extra Costs In Windows 8?

I was a bit shocked to hear about this one. Windows 8 does not support your DVD’s…that’s right! Apparently, you have to purchase an add-on in order to play DVD’s.  ”Users must pay for a Windows Media Center add-in to Windows 8 Pro if they want to play video DVDs, citing codec costs as the reason.”  It’s real.

IT support providers supporting their users are going to cringe about this extra cost when they have to relay this information to their clients. Windows 8 Media player will be available on all Windows 8, but DVD playback will not be a free option. OUCH!! Can’t we all just get along?

I can imagine the backlash from blogs shouting their distaste for this rare setback for Microsoft, especially when they are looking to make a BIG comeback. Read more »

The Hotel Malware Threat

Believe it! 16 million instances of malicious software from 5.7 million unique Windows-based computers over the past 15 months have infected by Malware.  62% percent of those computers had Trojan horse programs. No matter where you work or where you are and connected to the Cyber-world. There is always a threat.  The most important thing in Security is having the proper IT Service to provide your organization with the best technology to keep these fires out.

Nakedsecurity.sophos.com talks about the Malware threat in Hotel internet connections:

If you follow the field of computer security chances are that you saw the warning issued by the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) this week about using hotel internet connections.

Here’s the full text of the advisory, with some responses sprinkled throughout from yours truly:

Malware Installed on Travelers’ Laptops Through Software Updates on Hotel Internet Connections

Recent analysis from the FBI and other government agencies demonstrates that malicious actors are targeting travelers abroad through pop-up windows while establishing an Internet connection in their hotel rooms.

“Malicious actors”? Are we talking cybercriminal gangs and fraudsters or state-sponsored bad guys from an enemy nation?

“Travelers abroad”? So, you mean that this can’t possibly happen within the United States?

Why the coyness about naming countries? Is it because the FBI doesn’t know which countries this pertains to (other than it’s definitely not happening in the USA)? Is it because they have a list of countries, but they’re not sure if it’s a complete, exhaustive list? Or is it because the authorities don’t want to say which countries?

Recently, there have been instances of travelers' laptops being infected with malicious software while using hotel Internet connections.

“Malicious software”? Can you tell us what malicious software? Is it a particular malware family? Can you at least tell us what the malware is attempting to do?

In these instances, the traveler was attempting to setup the hotel room Internet connection and was presented with a pop-up window notifying the user to update a widely-used software product.

“A widely-used software product”? Why not name it? The FBI isn’t saying a variety of popular products, it’s saying “a widely-used software product”. Should it really be up to us to place bets as to whether it’s likely to be Adobe Flash or not?

If the user clicked to accept and install the update, malicious software was installed on the laptop. The pop-up window appeared to be offering a routine update to a legitimate software product for which updates are frequently available.

Which operating system are we talking about here? Windows? Mac OS X? Linux? iOS? Might have been handy to mention..

The FBI recommends that all government, private industry, and academic personnel who travel abroad take extra caution before updating software products on their hotel Internet connection.

“Government, private industry, and academic personnel..take extra caution”? Hang on. What about the rest of us? Shouldn’t we also be careful if we’re taking our computers overseas, perhaps on vacation? Or is the un-named country where this is happening not the kind of place people go on holiday to?

Checking the author or digital certificate of any prompted update to see if it corresponds to the software vendor may reveal an attempted attack.

But is likely to be beyond the ken of the vast majority of users..

The FBI also recommends that travelers perform software updates on laptops immediately before traveling, and that they download software updates directly from the software vendor’s Web site if updates are necessary while abroad.

Sensible. No complaints with that. But the idea of business people travelling for weeks on end without installing security updates while they’re on the road sounds like it could backfire.

Anyone who believes they have been a target of this type of attack should immediately contact their local FBI office, and promptly report it to the IC3's website at www.IC3.gov. The IC3's complaint database links complaints together to refer them to the appropriate law enforcement agency for case consideration. The complaint information is also used to identify emerging trends and patterns.

What’s fascinating about the advisory is what it doesn’t say. And without more information it’s hard to know how computer users are supposed to take meaningful action to protect themselves other than follow the normal advice of running security software, being careful what you install, running a VPN to hide your browsing from snoopers, etc.

It’s certainly very peculiar that the FBI didn’t share more information in its warning, or mention where in the world it believes it has seen these attacks taking place.

By coincidence, earlier this week, for the first time in almost ten years, a Chinese defense minister visited the United States.

The day before the FBI’s warning was issued, US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta met his Chinese counterpart Liang Guanglie in Washington DC, and told the world’s press that the two countries must work together to avoid cyber war, and emphasised the importance of the relationship between China and the USA.

Maybe there was more that the authorities could have said about this hotel malware threat, but thought it undiplomatic to publicize.

Written by IT Management and Consulting Professionals at FedSolutions.  Thanks for stopping by!