antivirus

Microsoft Internet Explorer 9–Security Flaws, Bugs and Fixes? Use or Dump? [Advisory]

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The German government urged the public on Tuesday to temporarily stop using Microsoft’s Internet Explorer after a bug was discovered which is yet-to-be repaired. The German government’s Federal Office for Information Security, or BSI, said it was aware of targeted attacks and that all that was needed was to lure Web surfers to a website where hackers had planted malicious software that exploited the bug.

This security flaw in IE may enable attackers to exploit the bug, targeting hundreds of millions of computers, to infect the PC of somebody who visits a malicious website and then take control of the victim’s computer.

ie9-logo

Our advisory in using the IE browsers except IE10 are:

  • Though IE browsers are considered to be most secure ones, we advise for now you look at others
  • The IE big fix will be released in the next few days by Microsoft and will be available for download only then
  • There have been a few attempts to exploit the bug, but German officials claim that this issue can be misused in large scale hacking
  • Users should take proactive actions to ensure that their PCs are well protected
  • For time being we advise all users to download and install the Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit (EMET) version 3.0 which is designed to help prevent hackers from gaining access to your system

Microsoft claims that the Fix will be an easy-to-use, one-click, full-strength solution any Internet Explorer user can install and it won’t even require a reboot of your computer.

We hope that the Fix is releases ASAP and we are sure that Microsoft is working on it.

Download Avast Antivirus 6.0 Free

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Avast free antivirus

Avast, one of the popular antivirus software vendor has recently released the Avast Free Antivirus 6.0 version with some incredible features which you  normally expect to be available only in the paid version of any antivirus program. We are talking about the new features like AutoSandbox and WebRep included in Avast! Free Antivirus 6.0.

>> Apparently AutoSandbox, the  new security feature in the new version is the first automatic virtualization feature to be included in a major antivirus program. This will be used to run any suspicious applications and scripts in a safe virtual environment completely isolated from the actual machine environment.

Avast AutoSandbox screenshot

As you can see in the above screeshot, if Avast detects a potentially unsafe or suspicious program, it will ask whether you want to open it in the virtual environment of the avast (autosandbox).  If the application is actually found to be unsafe, the virtual machine will be shut down and the original computer remains safe.

>> WebRep , another interesting feature works based on the feedback from the global Avast user community.  The feature gives ratings to any webpage you visit (including search results) in the browser. It can quickly warn you about any potentially harmful webpage that you try to visit, based on the input from the millions of Avast users.

Avast WebRep

Avast! Free Antivirus is available as free download for Windows 7 and Windows Vista users (both 32-bit and 64-bit).

Download Avast Free Antivirus 6 (File size: 59.72 MB)

[Download] Microsoft Security Essentials 2.0

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Microsoft security essentials

Microsoft Security Essentials 2.0 has just got out of beta and is available for public download. One good reason to use this antivirus and anti-spyware program is that it is coming from the Microsoft folks and even that too for free! If you are already using an earlier version of the Security Essentials, you don’t need to download the software again. Just run the program and it should automatically update itself to the latest version.

Microsoft security essentials v2

Microsoft Security Essentials runs very smoothly and efficiently in the background taking up very lesser amounts of your CPU resources.

Features of Microsoft Security Essentials 2.0 :

  • Windows Firewall integration
  • Comprehensive malware protections
  • Free to download and use
  • Automatic updates
  • Network inspection system
  • Enhanced protection for web-based threats
  • Easy to use

Microsoft Security Essential keeps itself up to date by downloading updates automatically. As long as the program is in green, your computer is running fine and you can continue working on your PC without any worries. But when it turns to red, it means that your computer is at risk and the program will show you the steps that you can follow to keep your PC secure. The interface comes with a lot of settings giving you more control over the program.

Microsoft security essentials v2 settings

You can configure various settings like:

# Scheduled scan

# Default actions

# Real-time protection

# Excluded files and locations

# Excluded file types

# Excluded processes

# Advanced

# Microsoft SpyNet

Download this free antivirus program from the following links. But please note that your PC must be running a genuine Windows to install Security Essentials.

Download Microsoft Security Essentials 2.0:

For x86 machines (7.5 MB)

For x86-64 machines (9.5 MB)

Supported OS: Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows XP

Fix The AVG Post Update Issue With Windows 7 64-Bit Computers

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AVG logo

64-bit Windows 7 users who are using the free AVG 2011 edition and downloaded the free update 271.1.1/3292 (432/3292) released yesterday have found that this update conflicts with Windows 7 and make it non-bootable, when they tried to restart the system just after installing the update. The affected systems fail to boot the Windows leaving an error message:

STOP: c0000135 The program can’t start because %hs is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem.

AVG responded quickly to do the damage control and issued a few fixes addressing this post update 3292 issue. Apparently AVG has pulled the update from their servers and issued a detailing on how to fix it:

Fixing the Windows 7 64-Bit Issue Post AVG Update:

According to the information issued by AVG,

>> If you have installed the AVG 271.1.1/3292 (432/3292) update and haven’t restarted your system even after the prompt by the AVG to do so, you are lucky. Just install this Fixcorex utility from AVG, this will undo all the changes affected by the update and you can safely restart your Windows after you run this program.

[or]

Alternatively you can delete the following files manually from your system:

C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG10\avgrsx.exe

C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG10\avgrsa.exe

C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG10\avgchsvx.exe

C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG10\avgchsva.exe

>> Critical- If the AVG update has dumped your Windows: If you have already installed and restarted your machine and not able to get into your Windows 7 installation, read this tutorial to fix the issue.

The issue was reported in some Windows 7 users running 64-bit OS. If you have not downloaded the update your system is fine and no need to worry at all.

[Download] Microsoft Security Essentials V2 Beta

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Microsoft connect

Microsoft has released a new beta version of Microsoft Security Versions 2.0. If you are running your PC on Windows OS and couldn’t afford to buy an anti-virus software, it is strongly recommended that you download and use this free security tool from the Microsoft folks.

According to a blog post by Brandon LeBlanc, the new version of MSE (build 2.0.0375.0) is coming with the following new features:

1. Windows Firewall Integration

Windows firewall in MSE

2. Protection for web-based threats

3. New protection engine

4. Network inspection and protection system for Windows Vista and Windows 7

Microsoft Security Essentials 2 Beta

Microsoft Security Essentials v2 beta is now available as free download via Microsoft Connect for both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows. MSE will protect your Windows PC against viruses, spyware, root kits, and Trojans. Security Essentials was launched in September 2009 replacing Windows Live OneCare.

Download:

Register yourself for Microsoft Connect to proceed to the download. There are some download issues if you go for a direct download. It is recommended that you use Microsoft File Transfer Manager (FTM) to download the file mseinstall_en_usx86.exe(7.78 MB for 32-bit) or mseinstall-en-us-amd64.exe (9.82 MB for 64-bit). This beta version is currently available in English (U.S.), Israel, and Brazilian Portuguese .

Security Essentials download

[How To] Remove Trojan.Vundo.H or Vundo.H Virus

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danger

Trojan.Vundo.H also known as Vundo.H is a back door trojan horse program  that will activate corrupt infected local and network computers and download further malware programs onto the system. The Trojan.Vundo.H trojan horse is considered at severe security risk that can alter registry files and radically slow down computer speed.

Though popular anti-virus programs like AVG can detect the virus, it is found that some special anti-spyware program is needed to remove this virus application

Trojan.Vundo.H  infects and alters certain registries which include:

* HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{39458c53-4dae-471a-a480-e3bc0b1d7dd9}
* HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{65d46614-611d-4af2-aa13-a34fc317a96e}
* HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MS
* HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\dslcnnct

Some of the known infected files by Trojan.Vundo.H are given below:

* C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\ugohwe.dll
* C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\subapade.dll
* C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\edapabus.ini
* c:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\voriyeji.dll
* C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\pefedamu.dll

Removal of Trojan.Vundo.H program:

It is very difficult to remove the virus program manually, though it is possible. To monitor the activity and registries of the program we can use Hijack this. To know more follow step 2 in this post.

After a detailed research we have found that this spyware virus can be removed using the spyware program: Spyware Doctor with AntiVirus 2010 for Windows. You can download the program from the link below:

Download: Spyware Doctor with AntiVirus 2010 for Windows

Size: 34.9 MB

Run a full scan and remove the Virus files.

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F-Secure Internet Security 2011 Beta With 6 Months Free Subscription [Downloads]

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F-Secure logo

F-Secure has released the public preview (beta) release of their upcoming Internet Security 2011 suite along with 180 days(six months) free subscription to use and test the new version.Please keep in mind that this is a beta version and hence only use it for personal use.

The new F-Secure internet security 2011 has many performance improvements, security and feature updates compared to F Secure internet security 2010.The new user interface(UI) of the software is stunning.

F-Secure_internet_security_2011_beta

This new beta version is coming up with a brand new tools dedicated to safeguard your online browsing experience.The menu “Online Safety” is added in the 2011 version to provide the same.

Another additional feature in the new version is for managing the program update downloads through the mobile internet connection.As the users using mobile internet through UMTS(3G) or using data cards (like EVDO or 3G), this new setting allows you to set automatic downloads only when you are on the home network and disable it when you are on roaming.

Grab your own copy of F-Secure internet security 2011 with six months free license, during which period you get all the product updates as free downloads.

How to Get  Free Six Months License ?

1. Go and visit this free registration page , enter your details

F-secure six months free registration

2. You will now receive a email with your registration details and confirmation link.Once you confirm it, you will receive another email with the license key.

3.Download F-Secure Internet Security 2011 Beta Installer [Link expired]

Supported OS:

Windows XP, Windows Vista & Windows 7(32-bit and 64-bit)

MyWebSearch Adware: Instruction to Completely Remove My Web Search Toolbar

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my_web_search_uninstaller

MyWay Searchbar commonly known as MyWay Speedbar, MyWay Search Assistant, MyWebSearch, and MyWeb Searchbar is toolbar allows us to query Google, Ask.com, and Yahoo! search engines. The program were classed as adware by some websites and anti-malware applications, although they claimed not to have the adware function. The MyWay Searchbar is currently described by Sunbelt Labs as a Potentially Unwanted Program. [Source: wikipedia.org]

MyWebSearch installed on my system without permission:

How I got MyWebSearch installed on my computer without actually installing it? This happened when I was chatting with a friend in Gtalk. I received a chat as:

You just received a smiley! Go to http://buddies.smileycentral.com/ to see it!

I was curious and clicked it. Then I later found out that it had installed MyWebSearch without my consent. This is only one way of getting infected. There are lots of others also.

Why MyWebSearch is potentially unwanted?

  • My Web Search installs its own programs without any permit.
  • It is difficult to completely remove this program.
  • Even if it is removed from the Add/Remove program, the registry values still remain and tries to run.

How to find out MyWebSearch installed or not?

  • Add ons appear in Browsers like Mozilla/Internet explorer
  • Add ons can also be found in Messengers like Gtalk
  • Unwanted pop ups may come up during internet usage.

How to Remove MyWebSearch Completely from your Computer?

Step 1: Remove the program from Add/Remove programs:

Go to Start Menu –> Control Panel –> Add/remove Programs or Uninstall a program

Search for MyWebSearch and uninstall all the programs shown.

control_panel_remove_mywebsearch

my_web_search_uninstaller

After removing the program, restart the your system.

Step 2: Use HiJackThis to remove the unwanted registry entries and running programs of My Web Search:

HiJackThis is a freeware which can scan your registry for unwanted entries. It is a stand alone program and  doesn’t require installation.

Download HiJackThis v 2.0 : http://www.techrena.net/downloads/HiJackThis_v2.exe

Size: 1.2 MB

Scan your System with the program. Remove the following entries if present:

Click Here to Open The text file containing the entries.

See the image below to see hot to remove the entries: (Click to Enlarge)

fix_registry_hijackthis

Step 3: Remove the My Web Search registry Entries present in the windows registry:

Download the BAT file from the link below:

http://www.techrena.net/downloads/remove_my_web_search.bat

Double click on remove_my_web_search.bat. It will open Command Prompt. While running the commands the command prompt will ask for confirmation to delete the entries. Press Y and enter every time it asks.

confirm_delete_cmd

Ignore if it tells cannot find the value in the path. It is because the values are already been removed.

Now you have successfully completed removing My Web Search bar components from your system.

Note:

1. In order to perform all these actions and  commands you need to have Administrator privilege.

2. If your registry editor is disabled, you cannot perform theses actions. You can refer: How to enable Registry Editor (REGEDIT) to enable it.

BitDefender Internet Security 2010 Free Licence Key [Promotional]

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BitDefender Internet Security 2010

BitDefender is one of the top rated security software manufacturer for PCs.BitDefender offers range of antivirus programs including BitDefender Total Security 2010, BitDefender Internet Security 2010 & BitDefender Antivirus 2010.All these products tested successfully to run on Windows 7 operating system.Backward compatibility of these products allows you to run these editions even on Windows XP (SP2/SP3), Windows Vista.

BitDefender is definitely one of the top antivirus software that any PC user would want to use it.Here we are blogging about BitDefender Internet Security 2010 free license/serial key for 1 year.Follow the instructions given below to get your free license key.

1. Visit this Romanian Promo Site and click on “Ma inscriu!” button.

BitDefender promo page

2. Wait until the promo page loads (more or less like a popup page) and enter your name and a valid email address in the fields.
BitDefender promo page submission

BitDefender promo page mail sent

3. Check your inbox for the mail (generally it should reach your inbox within 15 minutes) and click on the link aici.

BitDefender promo page mail link aici

4. Now you will be asked a series of 6 question as part of the promotion.Don’t bother too much about those questions, just check any options and fill in something in the text boxes and finally click “Raspund” button

BitDefender promo page page survey
BitDefender_promo_page_survey_complete_message

5. Now check your inbox again for the mail that contains BitDefender 2010 license key.

BitDefender promo license key

So now that you have got a 90 days free license key for BitDefender Internet Security 2010, you can just go ahead and repeat the above steps to get 3 more keys like that and now you virtually have a licence keys for 360 days, almost for a year !

Now as you have the serial/license keys with you, follow the direct download links given below to download the BitDefender Internet Security 2010 (both for 32-bit as well as for 64-bit) product.

Direct Download Links:

BitDefender Internet Security 2010 (32 Bit)

BitDefender Internet Security 2010 (64 Bit)

Hurry up, the promo offer is only valid till May 02, 2010.

How to Remove Alureon rootkit To avoid BSOD Crashes in Windows

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Windows Update

This is a very important note for all the Windows users especially 32-bit, that before installing the security updates that Microsoft Windows had released last week, you check if the malware known as Alureon Rootkit is present or not and remove it using the Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool.  If the malware is present in your system and if you happen to install the security update (KB977165) then there is a high possibility that Windows may crash and it may show only a blue screen during startup (Blue Screen Of Death BSOD).

Alureon Rootkit or Win32/Alureon.gen causes problems with the way Microsoft’s patches interact with the kernel, which has led the company to include a package detection logic that prevents the installation of the security update if the rootkit is present on 32-bit systems.

Windows Crash Reported after installing Security updates:

Windows systems crashed during the latest Microsoft security update last week. According to Microsoft this happened because the systems were infected with a rootkit program that made changes to the operating system kernel and it was not due to the update patches.

“The restarts are the result of modifications the Alureon rootkit makes to Windows Kernel binaries, which places these systems in an unstable state,” Mike Reavey, director of the Microsoft Security Response Center, wrote in a blog post. “In every investigated incident, we have not found quality issues with security update MS10-015.”

Download:

Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool

Remove Alureon rootkit To avoid BSOD Crashes in Windows