Another Phishing Email ---

Several reports received from users receiving an email claiming to be from Microsoft and talking about the Microsoft Services Agreement...and asking users to click on links.

This article from Computerworld has more details:

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9230858/Rogue_Microsoft_Services_Agreement_emails_lead_to_latest_Java_exploit


If something looks suspicious, never click on a link. Research it, ask someone or call the source but do not email back or use the phone numbers listed on the email and do not log into your account from within a suspicious email.

Fix available now for Java

There's a new download that will now address the issues reported last week on Java version 7 product.

See the article here for more info
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9230786/Oracle_s_emergency_Java_patch_blocks_zero_day_exploits_researchers_confirm?taxonomyId=17

Here's a link to the download of the latest version of Java which is now available :
http://java.com/en/

when you download this please watch for OPTIONAL programs wanting to download and UNCHECK those boxes if you do not want to download them.

To disable JAVA on an iPhone here's a link with pictures to help:




http://browsers.about.com/od/allaboutwebbrowsers/ss/iphonejava.htm


To disable it in the iPad:
Go to Settings then Safari then slide the button next to JAVA SCRIPT  to OFF

Java Security Alert - NEW

You might have heard about this ..it was in the news very recently. Java

vulnerabilities found that might allow malware viruses into your computer.

The company that issues Java updates (Oracle) does not have a "fix" for

this yet.

Many technical websites are recommending we disable it from our computers.

 

It will mostly affect the online experience of those that play online games

 

Good web articles to read.. some a bit technical ..scroll down for the fix that is easiest to do:

 

http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2012/08/29/java_zero_day_vulnerability_why_you_should_disable_java_on_your_browser_right_now_.html

 

http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/261562/six_ways_to_protect_against_the_new_actively_exploited_java_vulnerability.html

 

http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/636312

 

 

http://securitywatch.pcmag.com/none/302019-security-warning-disable-java-now

 I've read up on this and there's a way to disable it in every browser such

as Internet Explorer, Safari, Foxfire, Chrome

 

Of course Internet Explorer...the most widely used is the most complex to

disable. So a recommendation is to uninstall it to be on the safe side.

 

 

 First you have to find out if you actually need to do this or not.

*NOTE for Work Computers* ******Talk to your IT Dept*---Do not make changes

yourself.

 

One quick way is to go to your Control Panel and in the area where you

Uninstall Programs scroll down and find JAVA

 

*if it is a version 7 then yes..uninstall that program*. If it is an older

version...you can leave it in. *Only the most recent version 7 is posing a

risk.*

 

 Here's the info for the other browsers:

 

 

In Firefox, select "Tools" from the main menu, then "Add-ons," then click

the "Disable" button next to any Java plug-ins.

 

 

In Safari, click "Safari" in the main menu bar, then "Preferences," then

select the "Security" tab and uncheck the button next to "Enable Java."

 

 

In Google Chrome, type "Chrome://Plugins" in your browser's address bar

then click the "Disable" button below any Java plug-ins.

 

 

In Opera. First, enter about:config in the address bar. Click the Java

heading to expand that section, un-check the checkbox, and click the Save

button.

Email Scam - Phishing  --phony IRS email

This one is making it's rounds again, asking recipients to download an attachment and provide
personal information. 

Please know that the IRS would never contact you via email. Here's the website to the IRS
and some of their Fact Sheets on Scams to watch out for:

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=155682,00.html

If you receive one of these emails you can forward it to the IRS at this email address:  phishing@irs.gov

Review the link above and there's lots of good information there from the IRS.

Remember to ensure your virus protection is active and performing scans. If you have not changed your email password in over a year, it would be a good idea to do so.

Use a combination of letters, numbers, symbols, upper/lower case characters.
Keep a list of passwords in a notebook do NOT save them inside your computer!

I just recently fixed a computer with this Ramsomware issue.  The FBI has issued an alert you can read about it here: http://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2012/august/new-internet-scam

Basically it comes in via the Internet and you end up downloading it. Then it flashes a very legitimate looking FBI message that says you're locked out and have installed child pornography.

Then it demands money to clean it up. In some cases if you have a webcam it even shows you a screen shot of your own room!  Very scary.

If you end up with this, shut down the computer, unplug from the Internet and get technical help. You won't be able to fix it yourself.

To protect yourself make sure the following is in place:

Microsoft Windows Updates are being performed
Virus protection is installed, active and running scans
Browsers ( Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla, etc)....are using the latest versions.
these browsers have the anti-phishing, smart filters and pop up blockers protecting your pc.
**Browsers will automatically pop up a message letting you know you need to update them..do it!
Internet Explorer updates usually come in via Microsoft Windows Updates.

Also be very careful installing freebie programs and items such as coupon toolbars etc. They often
slow down your browsers and let spyware and junk in.

Call me if you have issues! 330 461-1945
Pieri Levandofsky

It affects those of us with Windows Vista and Windows 7 systems.

The Sidebar feature ( the little icons/gadgets that would load up on the right side of the screen that one can customize) have been found to have some security vulnerabilities.

they could allow an attacker to access your system via these gadgets.

Microsoft is recommending you disable the Sidebar right away.

You can read about it and apply the FIX in this Microsoft link. It has been verified and is true:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2719662 read the article and scroll down

they show a Fix IT For Me link #50906 that will disable this.

 

You click on it, then click RUN and continue through the prompts then RESTART your computer.

you can also search online you will find lots of tech sites talking about this.

Please let your friends know about this --again this involves anyone using Windows Vista or Windows 7

Pieri Levandofsky