Free Trial Software We are adding a section to ThreatLevel that will offer free trials of a lot of different security software products but that won't be live until next week. In the meantime, here is the 30 day free trial for The Shield Antivirus 2007.  ¶ 7:22 AM 0 Comments

  New Spam Shield 4.0 I have been testing the new Spam Shield 4.0 and I am really amazed how well this product works. Now, understand, spam protection is not always easy as what you define as spam is not what I may define as spam so the product needs to learn.

Off the shelf, this is about as smooth as I have seen a product work and I am excited to release it with the 7 Day Trial version.

This picks up all the financial and image spam that I have spoken about. I will post here and email when we release this, probably some time next week.

Labels: Spam Protection

  ¶ 9:49 AM 0 Comments

  My Favorite Spam

















I am not sure about you, but I am calling my broker.

Labels: Spam Protection

  ¶ 2:16 PM 0 Comments

  12 Step Recovery Program For Web Addicts

1. I will have a cup of coffee in the morning and read my PAPER newspaper like I used to, before the Web.

2. I will eat breakfast with a knife and fork and not with one hand typing.

3. I will get dressed before noon.

4. I will make an attempt to clean the house, wash clothes, and plan dinner before even thinking of the Web.

5. I will sit down and write a letter to those unfortunate few friends and family that are Web-deprived.

6. I will call someone on the phone who I cannot contact via the Web.

7. I will read a book... if I still remember how.

8. I will listen to those around me about their needs and stop telling them to turn the TV down so I can hear the music on the Web.

9. I will not be tempted during TV commercials to check for email.

10. 1I will try and get out of the house at least once a week, if it is necessary or not.

11. I will remember that my bank is not forgiving if I forget to balance my checkbook because I was too busy on the Web.

12. Last, but not least, I will remember that I must go to bed sometime ... and the Web will always be there tomorrow!

Sometimes we need to add a little humor to ThreatLevel.

Labels: Humor

  ¶ 2:11 PM 0 Comments

  Security Tip - Trusted Sites List Some spyware and adware will change links to your Internet Explorer Trusted Sites Zone. This can allow sites to run with fewer security restrictions and make your PC vulnerable. Make sure you periodically check the Trusted Sites Zone list to ensure only sites you have specifically added are included. Follow the steps below to assure your Trusted Sites have not been altered.

1. Make sure all browser Windows and other applications (including email)
are closed.
2. Right-click the Internet Explorer icon on the desktop.
3. Choose 'Properties'.
4. Click the 'Security' tab.
5. Click the 'Trusted Sites' icon to highlight
6. Click the 'Sites' button to review the list of sites included.
7. If you see an unwanted site on the list, click once on the site link
displayed to highlight it, then click the 'Remove' button.
8. When finished viewing or modifying the Trusted Sites list, click OK
and then click Apply (if any changes were made).
9. Click OK to exit the Properties menu.

By far one of the best adware spyware programs is Stopzilla. First of all it doesn't just run a free scan, you get a full version for 15 days. You don't pay until you see what it does for you. I like it and if you are looking for an adware/spyware program on its own, this is it.

Labels: Adware/Spyware

  ¶ 2:02 PM 0 Comments

  What is a Rootkit? Rootkits are usually standalone software components that attempt to hide processes, files, registry data and network connections. Rootkits are typically not malicious by themselves but are used for malicious purposes by viruses, worms, backdoors and spyware. A virus combined with a rootkit produces what was known as full stealth viruses in the MS-DOS environment.

From Wikipedia:
A rootkit is a set of software tools intended to conceal running processes, files or system data, thereby helping an intruder to maintain access to a system whilst avoiding detection.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rootkit

Am I Protected?
Rootkits are generally not detected by standard antivirus or antispyware products. Check with your specific vendor to see if you have rootkit protection.

Labels: Internet Security

  ¶ 1:55 PM 0 Comments

  Can I have spam for lunch? It won’t fill you up, but sure, go ahead. Spam is unsolicited email. This means that you never requested to receive the email. Spam can be porn, offers for bank loans or it can be an offer for antivirus software IF you never requested it. Spam CAN contain viruses, phishing attempts and even adware and spyware. In general, if you have antivirus, adware and spyware protection on your computer, spam is generally more annoying than destructive.

How do I stop getting spam?

A legitimate email list will have a Remove link at the bottom and will honor that quickly. Unfortunately an illegitimate company will also have a Remove link at the bottom and if you click it they know they have an “active” email address on their list. What do you do? Unfortunately if you are on a spam list, there is NO way to get off. Don’t try to call the company/sender, don’t reply to the email and curse someone out and don’t threaten with lawsuits … you are just wasting your time as no one is reading it. Spam software is very effective in monitoring and blocking what you see BUT, spam software does not have your brain, so it does not always know what you want to see. A receipt from a legitimate online purchase can get blocked easily, Aunt Ginny sending you a joke can get blocked and anything with an attachment or pictures can easily get blocked. If you get good spam software AND you are willing to put forth a little effort then you can effectively block a significant portion of the spam email you get.

As an industry professional I can tell you that this is probably the most difficult and ongoing frustrating aspect of the online industry. The Can Spam Act has made legitimate companies follow guidelines which are beneficial to the consumer but has done little to stop illegitimate companies from sending spam.

Recently, the spam trend has gotten worse and it is estimated that 90% of email is spam. A New York Times article yesterday (12/6/2006) really shows the depth of the problem and how difficult it is to correct.

Here is the catch ... you place an order online and you go to your email account, the likelihood is that Yahoo, Hotmail or AOL have labeled that spam as it comes from a commercial enterprise.

For the consumer the best solution is good spam filtering software whether it is Spam Shield or another spam product. It takes time and it will alleviate some of the headaches, but stopping spam is really something that the authorities are going to have to get serious about, or we will simply have to deal with it ourselves.

Labels: Spam Protection

  ¶ 8:39 AM 0 Comments

  The First Post Welcome to ThreatLevel  ¶ 4:58 PM 0 Comments