Internet Defense Technologies

The better question is do Spammers try to take advantage of anything that captivates the American attention?

The obvious answer: YES!!!

Get the idea that these guys are like the evil underworld version of advertisers. If they can get your attention, then by god, they will! Shy of running decapitation videos, they will stop at nothing. Although, that may soon become a gray area…

One security specialist from ZScaler, Michael Sutton, (who by the way, has an uncharacteristic resemblance to the dad from the Movie “The Incredibles”, so, how can you not believe him), stated something to the effect that Spammers who are targeting Olympic fans look so bonafide it is hard to tell that you are being hit with Malware. While that statement may make one feel less feebleminded about the fact that they foolishly got infected with something it nonetheless doesn’t change the fact that it is rampant and very dangerous for the end user.

Ultimately, this is a problem that has to be dealt with in the same way any vicious crime is dealt with, severity, incarceration and possibly public hangings, okay the last might be a little rough, but until then the best defense is a good offense.

Don’t download ANYTHING that you don’t FULLY understand. If you have an IT person make sure you have the latest Malware detection and the most up to the minute Spam solution to prevent the door from opening in the first place. If you are your own IT person talk to a friend, get on message boards, and do your research on real solutions to the problem of Spam!

In the past year the number of particles of Spam has increased so substantially it has become a major crisis in the security world.

One of the major issues with Spam is that much of the American public don’t even understand that they are in effect becoming “zombie computers” (a computer that is basically being run by some type of software that has “taken over” the actual computer and now turns out email etc that isn’t actually from the person who owns the computer) for the big Spammers.

Many Americans log onto a site rather innocently only to have their computer become a drone (like a worker bee in a hive, in this case used to illustrate the computer then is “working” for a spammer without the knowledge of the owner) for such large scale botnets as “Zeus” (a designer name for a type of spam/virus) or “Koobface” (another designer name for a type of Spam/virus). Unbeknownst, they become a carrier of viruses, spyware etc.

In real terms, it would be like someone carrying the HEPC virus, not knowing they had it and walking around French kissing everyone they came into contact with – graphic – I know, but nonetheless illustrative.

The recent increase in this doesn’t appear to have a level off point in sight, which is a major problem for the hi-tech industry at large. If the Spam problem continues on this trend the need for anti spam, anti virus, anti Malware solutions could explode.

Dale Begg-Smith competes for a second time in the Olympic Games.

He took home the Gold in 2006 as an Australian Mogul Skier though he hails from Canada (another subject for discontent).

Begg raised more notoriety for his business dealings than for the fact that he took home the Gold. A fact that clearly left him with bitter feelings toward the media and possibly his own fortune made before becoming an Olympiad.

Now that he is back for the 2010 Olympics new questions about his very decency are being raised. Is he a Spammer? Did he pay his way to the Olympics both times on Spyware? Has he been instrumental in propagating Malware on computers?

More basically, if he were Miss Universe would he have his title stripped because of engaging in illegal activities if in fact the alleged illegal activities are factual?

He drives a $300,000.00 car and can pay for anything he needs where his training is concerned, unlike most Olympic hopefuls who have to work tirelessly just to keep up with basic essentials until hopefully they take home the Gold and can make a living via endorsements.

Ultimately, if he is a Spammer, Spyware, Malware propagator, does his perceived odious behavior have any bearing on his mogul skiing and any Olympic medals he might take home?

Isn’t there some irony that he went to Australia, the 1800’s criminal colony for the Brits to perform his alleged illegal activities?

Maybe SPAM would offer him an endorsement:)

If you get this email and you actually are a Western Union customer, go directly to the website to check it out, but don’t click on the link.  This is a phishing attempt:

Dear Customer,

This is your official notification from Western Union. Your account has been limited due to a login attempt failure. To remove this limitation, you have to confirm your information on file with us. To continue, visit our website by clicking here >>

If you do not confirm your information, your Western Union online account will be permanently suspended and deleted from our system.

We are continually improving our website to better serve you. Be sure to check back with us often as we add exciting new services to meet your financial needs.

If you have questions or need assistance, our customer service team is here to help. Just visit our website.
Be sure to remember and protect your Username and Password. You will need them next time you sign in to our website.

___________________
DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE.

There is a new study out which offers some evidence that spam mass mailings can generate sales at a notable rate.

Results show that in the weight-loss category, a significant percentage receiving spam-mail pitches purchased the products.

• 18.5% of those who described themselves as suffering from weight issues bought products
• 5% of those without those hurdles purchased them.

Even, the lesser 5% conversion rate dwarfs direct mail and likely much of so-called permission-based email.

Open rates were also high:

• 40%-plus of those with weight problems opened messages
• 18% of those without weight troubles opened the messages

Helps to answer why people keep sending spam out.

The study appears in the latest issue of the Southern Medical Journal and was conducted by Joshua Fogel, an associate professor in the Brooklyn College economics department, and Sam Shlivko, a former student at the college.

More information:

Losing Argument: Study Finds Spam Works For Weight Loss Pitches

Spam Works for Weight Loss

There is a new trend developing of email spam messages getting some filters that have no message text, just an MP3 file attached.

I have even heard some with the URL being said over heavy breathing (porn site you think?).

From what we have seen there is nothing dangerous with the MP3 file itself, but you don’t want to visit those websites.  Delete the file, you will be fine, nothing critical will be lost.

Malware:  This is a term that is a compound word formed from Malicious and software. Shortened to MalWare.

The word Mal comes from the Latin word Malus which means bad. Ware is usually used to refer a kind or class of merchandise or of a manufactured item like, silverware; glassware, software.

The derivation of this is Germanic and is a literal translation of the word ware.

So, basically this new mad up word means any type of software that is malicious in nature that could cause harm to your computer. This type of software is easily downloaded by visiting a site that offers “free” things. If your computer is not protected by a service that guards against this type of activity you may find an infected computer that no longer operates up to par.

Hope everyone has a great weekend and gets time to enjoy their family and friends.

I am thankful for my family, friends, health and happiness.  Here is to more and many spam free days :)

Ever hear the old adage you get what you pay for?

There is an ever increasing number of fake Spam products that are disguised as real protection for your computer.

This is known as Scareware. It’s those little flicker boxes that jump up on your screen telling you “click here for a free trial - you’ve been infected” or some other such scare tactic.

Imagine for a moment you are walking along a bustling metropolis street and a guy jumps out at you and “Hey hey I got the real deal designer bags over here, come take a look!” he then proceeds to show you “Prada”, “Chanel”, “Fendi” and all sorts of other “real” designer bags at one one hundredth of the cost it would be in Saks or Neiman Marcus etc. Now, you may consider buying one of these bags, but you would have to know somewhere in your mind that they are fake being that they are being sold in a dark alley on a side street by a guy who clearly doesn’t look legit.

That is not unlike Scareware. So, if you imagine the little pop up boxes etc that hit your computers the way you would in real life it is likely you wouldn’t bite.

If someone offered you a free security system for your house you just have to give them a set of keys you probably wouldn’t go for it right?

You get what you pay for.

There are so many problems with service based internet issues today it’s a wonder anyone still emails! From Spam, to Malware, to Viruses, Phishing attempts and on and on it is a barrage of funk.

Imagine walking down the street and people yelling at you to buy this or try that or whatever other random comments real life Spam would consist of. Or if you went into a department store to buy something and no one was there to charge you for your purchases. I’d walk out and never go back!

As was recently announced Google’s Postini was shut down preventing many people from getting emails for hours and some for days.

Service support, per Tweets was nil. Which only adds to the irritation because if there is anything worse than having problems with internet and mail it is having problems with trying to resolve those problems!

There are REAL solutions to Spam and the host of other internet related filth out there!

Total Mail Defense (TMD) – not to be confused with Total Male Enhancement – is one of those providers!

I have had great success, uninterrupted, by using this service. There is no “Spam folder” to have to deal with, it is set up for real people who have real lives that don’t need extra work created by a “solution”.