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Fine line spam

by certifiedbug on February 18, 2009

in Internet Security

After seeing a post at several forums by someone linking to a download I took a look.

http://freeofvirus.blogspot.com/

Which went to this page rotating ads.

WOT warns about aussiez.com

Run

Yes

Actually the computer wasn’t infected but anyway…

I wrote this article yesterday but didn’t publish thinking I’d take another look today which I did. The link now leads to softpedia for a 58 KB download.

If you the user needs manual help to remove an infection please see the short list in the right side column under “Security Forums”, or the member sites listed at the Alliance of Security Analysis Professionals (ASAP)

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Beware Google Search email alerts on Blogger

by certifiedbug on February 4, 2008

in Scareware Rogues

I saw this article over at NetWorkWorld dated 01/31/08. Google blog used to spread malware

A Google-hosted blog is running phony security content that’s linked to malware, as well as using Google’s automated notification service to try to entice subscribers to click on an infected link, says one security expert.

“This is the first time we’ve seen something like this,” Elzam says. “If you get a message from a Google alert, you might think this is a service you can trust. But it’s directing you to a rogue site with fake security software.

This stuff is not new, but it is getting worse. A few days ago one of my alerts for Google Blogs provided a link which opened to a graphic pOrn page complete with videos, ‘click this to play’. Shortcut to infection via codecs, don’t ever click that junk.

I was watching for blogs containing the word of an outfit not usually associated with pOrn.

Fellow MVP TeMerc has been tracking Malware dispensing Google Blogs for some time:
More Blogspot Malware
Google Blogger Blogs Carry WinAntiVirus Ads

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Storm Worm botnet

by certifiedbug on December 31, 2007

in Internet Security

Storm is evolving into a very complex beast.

From rbnexploit.blogspot

Obviously the Russian Business Network (RBN) is working overtime during the Christmas and New Year holiday, no doubt planning for many in the ISP security and anti-spam arena to be on skeleton staff.

There are some interesting elements concerning which make this attack innovative:

# Although much of that detected is conventional spam, however there is also a large amount of spam which is getting through many anti-spam defenses due to the use of “fake” BlogSpot (Blogger) links

# Although most have identified as the Zhelatin Storm email worm or variant, it is also as the more recent fake codec downloads, dependent upon where the unfortunate user has come from. This now shows a “polymorphic” format, i.e. the virus or exploit has the ability to alter its signature in an attempt to combat anti-virus tools.

RBN – New and Improved Storm Botnet for 2008

Source: Harry Waldron

Intertwined. Malware on Google Blogspot

Users are getting infected every day with no interaction required.
Unlike some of these Zlob\Codec sites where users are duped into
downloading something. Or the current run of Storm variants being
pushed via Blogspot for that matter.

If you have the misfortune to be infected, I suggest you seek help at one of the sites listed in the right side column under “Security Forums”.

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Windows Vista Validation Issues

by certifiedbug on August 25, 2007

in Windows OS

Microsoft’s WGA server went down August 24th 2007, and installations were being flagged as counterfeit because they could not be validated.

Please see this topic:
ATTENTION – Vista Validation 0xC004C4A5 Errors – PLEASE READ (Or read the latest post for resolution steps) in the forums.

Until the situation is definitely resolved, I would advise against shutting down or rebooting your Vista machines.

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