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Showing posts with label Trojans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Trojans. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Facebook...sex addict profile entry mysteriously appears! Trojan intruder!










Provided by Charlie Sheen archives!


Today, I was taken aback when I spied a curious entry on my profile at FACEBOOK.

For some inexplicable reason, there was a post - which I never published personally - which referred to myself as a sex addict.

Ha!

Nothing could be further from the truth!

Sure, I pine for wet sloppy kisses, but with a steady - and not down a back-alley - somewhere!

Obviously - some Trojan intruder (how sexual can you get?) crept in a back door at FACEBOOK (!) - and posted the offending label without my knowledge or permission.

Whoa Nellie!

I know I am sexy, sensual - and popular - but this one takes the cake.

Keep an eye-out on your own profile to ensure false, misleading, or erroneous information doesn't pop up on your homepage unexpectedly, too!

http://www.thetattler.biz




I prefer romance to promiscuous sex!

Friday, April 9, 2010

Chinese Hackers...ghost network used for espionage! Indian Government files cracked...


 
According to researchers in Canada, there is a door to a subterranean “otherworld” on the Internet where Chinese hackers stealth fully roam at whim and indulge in high-stakes espionage.

The complex “ecosystem” has been targeting the Indian government, researchers at the Shadow Server Foundation, have accused.

Through an elaborate clandestine network of social networking hubs, and free web hosting sites, the perpetrators have allegedly gleaned highly-classified documents and other data from the Indian Government, the United Nations, and the even the personal papers of the exiled Dalai Lama.

The criminals are thriving, noted Ron Deiber (Director of the U of T Munk School of Global Affairs).

In the recent past, Citizen Lab (a member of Information Warfare Monitor) - uncovered an espionage network by the name of GhostNet - run by a nefarious band of hackers targeting the Tibetan Government.

The network hacking the Indian government was given the name Shadow.

The hackers make use of a network of computers comprised by malware - software designed to take over, monitor, and harm computers without the owner’s (user’s) knowledge.

I reported on a malicious intruder by the name of the - Soldier Virus - which is currently infecting computers around North American which uses the malware software aforementioned.

Post: 03/31/10

In the near future, I shall be publishing a post with instructions on how to eradicate the nasty intruder on home computers and laptops.

Researchers have been alarmed to learn that simple networks like the one I encountered with the Soldier virus (using malware software) are fast-becoming complex systems moving from simple criminal exploitations to political, military, and illegal acts motivated by a hunger for highly-sensitive intelligence data.

“We see criminal networks increasingly compromising sensitive targets and stealing sensitive information, in addition to typical things that they’re interested in, like credit card numbers and bank account numbers,” added Dieber.

Although the researchers were able to track the hackers to Chinese soil, they were unable to link the intrusions directly to the Chinese Government.

The hackers rely on the victim acting on information (bait) in order to infect their computer with the malware.

For this reason, enticing e-mails (at-the-ready to infect), are used to prey on human nature.

“They will use either compelling newsworthy themes or in some cases , they’ll use very specific information from a previous ‘attack‘, “noted Nart Villeneuve, a chief security official at the SecDevGroup.

Villeneuve cautioned that PC users should keep their eye out for attachments containing pdf’s, word documents, PowerPoints, and Zip files.

The infected files will compromise the user’s computer bringing it under the attacker’s control.

As was the case, when my own laptop became infected with the “Soldier virus“.

“Then they will be able to send documents from the user’s computer to other locations.

Researchers are scheduling a Global Security Summit at the University of Toronto in the fall in a bold-faced effort to policymakers together from the world community so they may share resources in hopes of building sound practices in a realm currently lacking normal procedures or pervasive policing.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Journalists...under attack by hackers! Malicious e-mails & a Soldier Virus!








Today, it was a bit of a relief to stumble across an article in the morning  paper - the San Francisco Chronicle - in which was reported that journalists have been under attack by unscrupulous hackers.

For good reason!

It is heartening to know that I have not been the only writer under attack!

Ever since I reported on malicious viruses I uncovered at google a few weeks ago - and the subsequent battle the owners of the leading search engine has been engaged in with the Chinese Government - my own e-mail has been targeted.

However, contrary to the allegations set forth in the Chronicle's informative article, the hackers have not only forwarded e-mail on occasionn (or deleted it) but also used malicious worms  designed to infect and disable the victim's computer.

In fact, I just reported on a malicious intruder - the Soldier Virus - which popped up on my own computer after checking e-mail at Yahoo yesterday afternoon.

Post:  3/31/10

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2010/03/soldier-virusscam-extorting-money.html

When I was checking the "registry" of my computer, I also located a user key which stated in the caption "blog this".

I determined that the "virus" was designed to disrupt attempts to access blog sites - post articles - and so forth and so on.

In the article in the Chronicle, a reporter noted that one journalist - Kathleen McLaughlin - was a victim last week when her account was disabled (she's a former Chronicle Foreign Service contributor).

"Someone is clearly targeting journalists," she lamented to a New York Times Beijing correspondence.

"It makes me feel very uncomfortable."

The Chronicle noted that for some inexplicable reason, Yahoo has remained silent over the matter, except for a vague statement issued to the press yesterday.

"We are committed to protecting user security and privacy and we take appropriate action in the event of any kind of breach."

If the FBI is involved - and there is an investigation underway - then that reponse would be understandable.

I intend to report the Soldier Virus incident to that Law Enforcement agency by way of their Cyber Crime unit online since the individuals are not only trying to disable computers but also extort money from the victims.

These allegations were reported in my article yesterday (link above).

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Soldier Virus...scam extorting money & holding PC users hostage! BEWARE consumers!!!







Some folks cruising the internet today were upset to learn that their computer was infected with a virus designed to extort money, block access to software programs, and quite generally fu** with their heads.

For instance, one victim was browsing over some material on a web site, when a dialogue box popped up and warned that their computer was infected.

Without their permission, the program - ironically named the "Security Tool" - began a scan.

During that unauthorized probe the user was startled to find that they were blocked from accessing software programs or conducting various functions on their PC.

In fact, when the individual attempted to launch their anti-virus software, the Security Tool blocked their access to the program on the grounds that myriad files were infected).

Then, the scan stopped, and issued an alert that there were 38 viruses and/or trojans threatening to damage their PC, steal credit card information, passwords, etc.

The software instructed the user to request a fix for the problem.

However, when the individual clicked on the link, he was transported to a suspicious-looking page that filled the whole screen.

Now, there was a demand for money to download  the necessary "upgrade" to quarantine and remove the threatening intruders.

The shocked computer owner was asked to input his credit card number, home address, and so forth and so on.

Did the bozos think he was born yesterday?

Curiously, there wasn't any "address" at the top of the page confirming the name of the software developer, their physical addresx, or where they could be contacted online, etc.

Weird, eh?

At this juncture, the victim clicked the X in the top right corner of the web page, to close the dialogue box and order form.

Guess what?

The pop-up box, and scanner, continued to bounce on and off the computer for the rest of the evening non-stop!

The user was also startled to spy an entry for "Security Tool" on the  list of installed programs on the menu.

When the unhappy internet cruiser attempted to use the "uninstall program" function he was unable to.

Why?

Cleverly, the culprits at the back of the scam, programmed "Security Tool" so that it didn't show up on the program list where it should have been posted (thus preventing the victim from being able to uninstall the rogue virus).

Imagine that!

The user hadn't even downloaded (or ordered) the alleged anti-virus program.

After clicking on various links, the upset computer geek finally located a notice tucked away at the bottom of one page (in very fine print!) with  insructions on how to remove the so-called soldier virus.

However, the link for the instructions failed to open, and the dialogue box continued to give alerts, blocks functions, and scan the computer!

At this juncture, the user scoured the order page, in a desperate effort to  locate some individual, web address, or company entity to contact to resolve the problem.

Finally, he stumbled on a two-line notice that stated that if a party was having trouble removing the software program (Security Tool) that they should contact the following web site.

http://www.softsailor.com/how-to/9824-how-to-remove-uninstall-windows-soft-soldier-virus-removal-guide.html

At the web site instructions were provided on what action to take to expunge the offending intruder.

The steps that were mapped out have been posted below.

However, although the site explained in detail the nature of the malicious virus - and the damage it could cause to a laptop or regular desk PC - no "free assistance" was offered up.

No, sir!

The owners of this site were asking a hefty little sum for an anti-virus software program they asserted would remove the dangerous virus from computers.

My antennae went up!

Part of the elaborate scam?

News at 11!

________________________________________________

Info & Instructions

http://www.soldiervirus.com/
________________________________________________

If your computer got infected with the SoftSoldier rogue anti-malware (Scareware) this article will provide all the information about what SoftSoldier is as well as instructions on how to remove it and all related files from your computer.

Just like we stated above, SoftSoldier is a rogue anti-malware. Soft Soldier works in a way that is highly similar to the other rogue anti-malware we talked about in our past articles (Cyber Security, Trust Soldier, Windows Enterprise Defender).

This malware will take the form of video codecs required for an online video or flash updates to install itself on your compute

Once installed, Soft Soldier will create a bunch of files that have random names.

When you restart your computer, you will notice that Soft Soldier will automatically start a scan (it’s actually a fake scan) of your computer.


When this fake scan will be complete, Soft Soldier will tell you that these files are infections and that you need to buy the program to remove them from your computer.

This article is part of our “Malware Removal Tips” series of articles.

Click here for more articles.

These files will be placed in C:\Windows and C:\Windows\System 32.

You won’t know that these files are created.

When you restart your computer, you will notice that Soft Soldier will automatically start a scan (it’s actually a fake scan) of your computer.


When this fake scan will be complete, Soft Soldier will tell you that these files are infections and that you need to buy the program to remove them from your computer.
In addition, Soft Soldier will also display some security alerts stating that your computer is under attack and that malware has been detected.


It will even fake a Windows Security Center that advises you to buy Soft Soldier to protect your computer (the original windows security center does not recommend any program).

SoftSoldier is just a scam, so don’t buy it (contact your credit card company if you already did) and don’t believe the warnings it will give you.

Here is a quick guide on how to remove Soft Soldier from your computer.


Tip: you should print these instructions as you will be needed to close all windows a little later.

Make sure that you follow closely these instructions:


1.Click here to download Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware (MBAM). Save the file on your desktop. Don’t run it yet.

2.Close all open windows and then run the setup file for Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware.

3.Follow the wizard instructions and complete the install without changing any settings.

4.When the install is complete, leave both “Update Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware” and “Launch Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware” boxes checked before clicking Finish.

5.Go to the Scanner tab and select Perform quick scan. Now click on the scan button.

6.Wait for the scan to complete. When it is, click the OK button.

7.Go to the scanner screen and click on the Show Results button.

8.When taken at the screen that shows all detected infections, select them all and click Remove Selected.

9.Wait for MBAM to remove all the infections. Note that MBAM may ask for a restart in order to remove all threats. Allow it to do so if prompted.

10.When the scan is finished, a scan log will be opened. Close it when you are done reading it.

Now you should have removed SoftSoldier and any related files from your computer.


Saturday, January 23, 2010

Google...postpones Android phones for China! Ouch...




As I reported this past week, Google has taken a stand against China on the heels of quarrels with officials overseas in respect to privacy issues, censorship, and recent cyber atttacks launched against google (and ten top U.S. companies) in search of intellectual property and "Corporate secrets" to steal.

In retaliation, google has pushed back its release date for android phones in China.

The nifty google product was manufactured with leading-edge technology by Motorola, Inc. and Samsung.

The two wireless phones were to be introduced to combat hacking maneuvers in respect to internal network security issues.

Anxious consumers are now forced to sit out the stand-off between Google and the Chinese government until the dispute is resolved.

Industry experts on the sidelines note that the Chinese have rarely ever backed down on established National policies geared towards keeping foreigners and adversaries at bay.

In fact, in respect to the issues at hand, it's the same old same old.

The wall protecting China will probably get higher, wider, and longer.





Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Google...Chinese cyber attacks! Virus & trojan alerts posted weeks ago...



Google cyber-attacks in China!



A few weeks ago when I was conducting a search at GOOGLE,one of  my anti-virus program issued an alert about malicious viruses and trojans at the GOOGLE site.

I proceeded to pen a post to alert internet surfers.

Post: 12/12/09

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2009/12/blogspotsecurity-alert-intruder-posts.html

Over the next few days, GOOGLE and media outlets failed to report the  incidents, which I thought was a bit odd.

Meanwhile, on FACEBOOK - after the alert was posted on my home page - a hacker slipped into my site and began to post messages with my photograph and name without my knowledge or permission (in retaliation or was the intrusion just a coincidence?)

The unknown individuals used the FISH TANK game to gain access, so I immediately stopped participating in those kind of software programs being offered by FACEBOOK (or other members).

After I reported the incident to FACEBOOK the hacking at that portal stopped.

So, I expect that technical staff at the popular social hub took action.

Just this past week, though, GOOGLE admitted to having been under attack a few weeks ago during the time frame I mentioned the attacks originally occurred.

So, it appears in retrospect, that my report was correct.

For some inexplicable reason, GOOGLE and the team at their headquarters, kept silent for a couple of weeks.

On Friday, it was reported that GOOGLE and about twenty other companies, were sent e-mails or instant messages addressed to their senior technical managers in a sly effort by hackers to entice them into clicking on a web page links.

When a major anti-virus company got caught up in the ruse, they discovered a flaw in Internet Explorer's Web browser (the one I used to search at GOOGLE when I stumbled on the virus and trojan activity).

Attackers capitalized on the glitch to take control of PC's and began probng the network for intellectual property of high value that they could hijack surreptiously.

Microsoft is now working on a patch to alleviate the problem.

Meanwhile, internet users are being advised to not only use a firewall, but set the level on high.

Officials have underscored that the perpetrators were not naive young hackers tampering on the internet to bolster their egos.

In fact, they believe that sophisticated individuals which high-tech capabilities (who plotted their steps quite carefully) were involved.

It is speculated that their home base of operations was in China.

Google has considered pulling out of China, in fact, because of the security breaches.


It is alleged that China and other overseas nations in that region (and elsewhere) have been involved first-hand in state-sponsored cyber intrusions of commerical and military targets.

James Lewis, a Program Director at the Center for Strateic and International studies,  noted to the press recently that China has been actively pursuing a tech industry.

He has levelled an accusing finger at Chinese officials and alleged that they have sought to accomplish that end by engaging in illicit technological transfer of intellectual property (theft) without permission (and sometiimes even knowledge of the victims).

News at 11!





Saturday, December 12, 2009

Blogspot...security alert! Google has 9 known malicious viruses & trojans! Intruder posts drafts at blogspot web page...





Shortly after I logged on and checked e-mail earlier this afternoon, I surfed over to the Tattler @ Blogspot to pen a post.

When I shifted into edit mode, and the list of published posts and saved drafts popped up in the dashboard, I was quite shocked to spy approximately forty (40) posts inputted as "Untitled" items and saved as drafts.

This startling turn of events occurred at 1:30 pm (PST).

Of course, I was might curious to open the mysterious drafts, but my inner voice issued a warning.

Don't touch 'em!

Google's blogspot has a help center where bloggers at the site are welcome to report  issues to the technical team so that snafus and glitches in the system may be immediately addressed.

So, I posted a notice at the site about the mysterious intruder, with a request that an expert at google offer up suggestions on how to proceed.

Should I just delete the little suckers?

Or, quarantine them somehow, so they may be studied as to their origin - and most of all - their intent?

Curiously, the Norton Security software was operating at the time of the intriguing "attack".

I have to wonder if a hacker slipped in while I was online, or somehow, came in backdoor and also infected other blogger sites.

A few minutes ago, when I zipped over to google's search web site, a Norton Security warning flashed a warning alert on the computer screen.

According to the Norton software, there are nine (9) malicious (dangerous) viruses and trojans on the google web site search page.

Looks like I'm switching to Bing, folks!





Thursday, August 21, 2008

Michael Phelps...gay gossip inspires quote. It's a guy thing!

Rumor and speculation abound...


A couple of days ago I penned a post noting that a sports writer at the TIMES was hinting that Olympic Swimmer - Michael Phelps - might be gay.

Shortly thereafter, the Internet was all a-buzz with speculation.

Today, Kevin Van Valkenburg (a sports writer) asserted for the record that - not only is Phelps straight - but that he has a girlfiend.

However, Kevin poohed poohed suggestions by TMZ that the woman in question was a fellow swimmer.

After a clever cat 'n mouse game, the columnist finally concluded by espousing a philosophical message which I perceive as the quote of the day:

"Some things in a guy's life deserve to be kept private."

He got that right.

Like, what kind of condoms he uses. And - in particular - whether he springs for premium-size latex or "one size fits all".

Yeah, quite a few guys hang in the humbler category.

Then, there's the issue of lovemaking. A woman should never disclose that he likes it doggie-style or missionary-style - or even if he likes to talk dirty - when he gets down 'n nasty.

And, it's a definite no-no to talk about the size - um - grandeur (or lack thereof) of his man tool.

Don't want to give him a Napoleon complex, do 'ya?

By the way, guys - if you ever decide to check out your best buddy (at the urinal, in the locker room, or while showering) to fathom what he's got hanging between his muscular limbs that turns the women (or guys) on - just remember one thing.

Not all studs are "showers".

Uh-huh. Some dudes are "growers".

While flaccid, a regular Joe may look like his co** is the size of a church mouse's.

But, once aroused, his "Johnson" may turn into a roaring monster.

Yup.

That's how legends are born!

If it doesn't fit, you can't convict...