SecurityOrb.com is recommending delay to Windows 7

SecurityOrb.com is recommending that users delay any early migration to Windows 7 until more information is collected and Microsoft works out the bugs. It is our experience, with any new operating system (OS), especially Microsoft based operating systems, there is always a painful period before they work out the kinks.

There are many risk attributed to upgrading to a new OS, they are listed below:

1. Lost of data
2. Incompatible hardware
3. Terrible performance
4. Security related issues

Google News Alert for: linux desktop

Google News Alert for: linux desktop

LXer Weekly Roundup for 18-Oct-2009 LXer (press release) ARMing desktop Linux: For a brief time in 2008, the Linux desktop actually owned a segment of the desktop industry: netbooks. When netbooks first showed up, ... See all stories on this topic

Hulu desktop for Linux Ghacks Technology News This desktop widget is now available for Windows, Mac, and (are you ready for it?) Linux! Yes, it's available for Linux, so all of us Penguinistas can enjoy ... See all stories on this topic

CNET News Microsoft's Windows 7 launch: Deals, deals, deals CNET News ... AM PDT I think the story that no one is writing is that Win 7 and Snow Leopard cement that fate of Linux on the desktop as a mainstream OS for homes. ... See all stories on this topic

2009's Top 10 Reader's Choice Linux Distributions DaniWeb (blog) Tinycore - Tiny Core Linux is a very small (10 MB) minimal Linux GUI Desktop. It is based on Linux 2.6 kernel, Busybox, Tiny X, and Fltk. The core runs ... See all stories on this topic

Teeth-Gnashing and Tongue-Lashing Over Desktop Linux Foot-Shooting LinuxInsider.com By Katherine Noyes Desktop Linux has been driving a lot of debate in the Linux blogosphere of late, much of it in response to a post about the five ways ... See all stories on this topic

No Linux Finger Pointing, Please InformationWeek (Apple is scarcely mentioned, even if Apple effectively commands five to ten times Linux's desktop slice.) Or hardware manufacturers are blamed, ... See all stories on this topic

On Mobile Phones, Firefox's Big Bet Is Nokia & Android GigaOm (blog) “It is a different day, same story on the mobile as it was on the desktop,” Lilly quipped. On the desktop, Firefox continues to try to disrupt the ... See all stories on this topic

Google News Alert for: Computer Forensics News

Google News Alert for: Computer Forensics News

Computer Forensics Proves “Balloon Boy” a Hoax NewsReleaseWire.com (press release) The Heene family's e-mails secured by computer forensic engineers have proven the "Balloon Boy" stunt a hoax. The e-mails sent months before the event show ... See all stories on this topic

E-Banking on a Locked Down PC, Part II Washington Post A local computer forensics expert later determined that an infection from the "Zbot Trojan" (aka, "Zeus") had allowed the attackers to re-write the bank's ... See all stories on this topic

Email is most common method employees use... Siliconrepublic.com 20.10.2009 Email is the most-used method to steal information from companies by employees, according to Ireland's leading computer forensics and information ... See all stories on this topic

How to copy a live server to enable investigation of a security incident Search Security For DD we'll use DCFLDD -- this version of DD was created by the US Department of Defense Computer Forensics Lab. It is functionally identical to the normal ... See all stories on this topic

Candis Preparation is needed to beat scareware Candis Jens Kirschner, training manager for computer forensics courses at 7Safe, said that scareware creators are producing more sophisticated viruses which are ... See all stories on this topic

Google News Alert for: computer hack

Google News Alert for: computer hack

Socialite Ali Wise Charged With Hacking Into Voicemail 700+ Times BrickHouse Security Blog The recently fired Publicity Director for Dolce & Gabbana, Ali Wise, has been charged with using an illegal software called Spoofcard to hack into her ... See all stories on this topic

BBC News Cost of cyber crime reaches £390m BBC News "What they were trying to to is hack into the computer system and steal data," explained Simon Dennis, the club secretary. Please turn on JavaScript. ... See all stories on this topic

MSN Money Futures pointed to a lower open as Wall Street nudged the bar for earnings higher. MSN Money The company apologizes for having scantily clad women at its Open Hack Day event in Taiwan. What do a bunch of computer nerds and lap-dancing ladies have in ... See all stories on this topic

Hack NASA: it is said to be easy Reseller News It has been eight years since Gary McKinnon took a troll through the NASA and the US Department of Defence computer systems; with the US government ... See all stories on this topic

DHS Secretary Stresses Cyber-Security Requires Partnerships, User Awareness eWeek “We see thousands of attempts a day to hack into our nation's government, military and private sector networks," she said. "We've had computer viruses and ... See all stories on this topic

Google News Alert for: Computer Forensics News

Google News Alert for: Computer Forensics News

Electronically Stored Information (ESI) Management is Top of Mind for ... Reuters ... the industry`s leading provider of paper and electronic discovery, computer forensics and ESI consulting, jury consulting and courtroom presentation ... See all stories on this topic

IT Update: Guidance Software Legal Business Online An enterprise can minimize this danger by utilizing the best computer forensics tools available, for response to security incidents so that collecting data ... See all stories on this topic

Planet Data Raises the E-Discovery Bar on Consultative Client Services with ... Earthtimes (press release) ... Eisenberg also established his position as an innovator and expert in the discovery of Electronically Stored Information (ESI), computer forensics, ... See all stories on this topic

Google News Alert for: linux desktop

Google News Alert for: linux desktop

Apple and Linux Forces Rain on Windows 7 Parade PC World Neither is Canonical, a vendor that also plans to release the next edition of its desktop Linux OS, 9.10, on October 29, "one week after Windows 7," ... See all stories on this topic

Timesys Delivers a Comprehensive, Low-cost Linux Solution for Altera's Nios II ... Reuters The desktop build system offers more flexibility than other Linux build platforms by allowing users to integrate third-party packages, custom applications ... See all stories on this topic

Red Hat's number one Computerworld ... as always, wants to tie you down, desktop, laptop, server and all to Windows, Red Hat is continuing to show that an open-source, open-standards Linux ... See all stories on this topic

IBM Teams With Ubuntu For Windows 7 Alternative ChannelWeb The new solution, the IBM Client for Smart Work, includes the Ubuntu Linux desktop PC operating system; ibm's Lotus Symphony office suite including a word ... See all stories on this topic

IBM and Ubuntu Linux supporter team up to compete with Microsoft Windows 7 DailyTech Canonical, the quiet backer behind Ubuntu, hopes to gain higher market presence with the use of a cloud Linux desktop suite designed for netbooks and other ... See all stories on this topic

EvriChart: A Linux Success Story ZDNet By migrating to a Linux/Open Source-based Web application, it paved the way for full desktop Linux adoption at his company. I asked Tony to summarize his ... See all stories on this topic

Google News Alert for: computer hack

Google News Alert for: computer hack

Jewish Exponent 'Hack' Job Jewish Exponent He also earns $20 an hour remedying the computer problems of family and friends. A Wall Street Journal story about Ari's hacking prompted an online ... See all stories on this topic

Passenger advocate claims Delta hacked her e-mails Atlanta Journal Constitution ... to obtain hacked e-mails from her computer to help them derail her efforts to protect air travelers from lengthy tarmac delays and other inconveniences. ... See all stories on this topic

Bank says online system is secure in wake of hack job Plainview Daily Herald "We recommend that you never provide any financial or personal information through the computer and always ensure that your computer is protected by good ... See all stories on this topic

Al-Qaeeda' commander Abu Musa Misri killed in Drone attack in N. Waziristan Online - International News Network Iqbal Butt told that more the latest cell phone more will be risk of being hacked. The latest cell phone is like a mini computer while subscribers are also ... See all stories on this topic

W32.Exkowen

W32.Exkowen
Risk Level 2: Low
Discovered: October 15, 2009
Updated: October 15, 2009 7:11:02 PM
Type: Virus
Infection Length: 47,073 Bytes
Systems Affected: Windows 98, Windows 95, Windows XP, Windows Me, Windows Vista, Windows NT, Windows Server 2003, Windows 2000

W32.Exkowen is a virus that infects executable files on the compromised computer. It also spreads through removable drives and network shares.

Protection
• Initial Rapid Release version October 15, 2009 revision 033
• Latest Rapid Release version October 15, 2009 revision 033
• Initial Daily Certified version October 15, 2009 revision 032
• Latest Daily Certified version October 15, 2009 revision 032
• Initial Weekly Certified release date October 21, 2009
Click here for a more detailed description of Rapid Release and Daily Certified virus definitions.
Threat Assessment
Wild
• Wild Level: Low
• Number of Infections: 0 - 49
• Number of Sites: 0 - 2
• Geographical Distribution: Low
• Threat Containment: Easy
• Removal: Easy
Damage
• Damage Level: Low
• Payload: Spreads through removable drives and shared folders.
• Modifies Files: Infects executable files on the computer.
Distribution
• Distribution Level: Low
• Shared Drives: Spreads through removable drives and shared folders.

Discovered: October 15, 2009
Updated: October 15, 2009 7:11:02 PM
Type: Virus
Infection Length: 47,073 Bytes
Systems Affected: Windows 98, Windows 95, Windows XP, Windows Me, Windows Vista, Windows NT, Windows Server 2003, Windows 2000

Once executed, the virus may drop the following files:

• %Temp%\delus.bat
• %Temp%\newok.exe.exe

The virus may create the following file:
%Windir%\system[RANDOM NUMBERS].tmp

The virus then attempts to infect all executable files on all drives, network shares, and removable drives.

The virus may drop additional malware on to the compromised computer.
Recommendations
Symantec Security Response encourages all users and administrators to adhere to the following basic security "best practices":
• Use a firewall to block all incoming connections from the Internet to services that should not be publicly available. By default, you should deny all incoming connections and only allow services you explicitly want to offer to the outside world.
• Enforce a password policy. Complex passwords make it difficult to crack password files on compromised computers. This helps to prevent or limit damage when a computer is compromised.
• Ensure that programs and users of the computer use the lowest level of privileges necessary to complete a task. When prompted for a root or UAC password, ensure that the program asking for administration-level access is a legitimate application.
• Disable AutoPlay to prevent the automatic launching of executable files on network and removable drives, and disconnect the drives when not required. If write access is not required, enable read-only mode if the option is available.
• Turn off file sharing if not needed. If file sharing is required, use ACLs and password protection to limit access. Disable anonymous access to shared folders. Grant access only to user accounts with strong passwords to folders that must be shared.
• Turn off and remove unnecessary services. By default, many operating systems install auxiliary services that are not critical. These services are avenues of attack. If they are removed, threats have less avenues of attack.
• If a threat exploits one or more network services, disable, or block access to, those services until a patch is applied.
• Always keep your patch levels up-to-date, especially on computers that host public services and are accessible through the firewall, such as HTTP, FTP, mail, and DNS services.
• Configure your email server to block or remove email that contains file attachments that are commonly used to spread threats, such as .vbs, .bat, .exe, .pif and .scr files.
• Isolate compromised computers quickly to prevent threats from spreading further. Perform a forensic analysis and restore the computers using trusted media.
• Train employees not to open attachments unless they are expecting them. Also, do not execute software that is downloaded from the Internet unless it has been scanned for viruses. Simply visiting a compromised Web site can cause infection if certain browser vulnerabilities are not patched.
• If Bluetooth is not required for mobile devices, it should be turned off. If you require its use, ensure that the device's visibility is set to "Hidden" so that it cannot be scanned by other Bluetooth devices. If device pairing must be used, ensure that all devices are set to "Unauthorized", requiring authorization for each connection request. Do not accept applications that are unsigned or sent from unknown sources.
• For further information on the terms used in this document, please refer to the Security Response glossary.
•

The following instructions pertain to all current and recent Symantec antivirus products, including the Symantec AntiVirus and Norton AntiVirus product lines.
1. Disable System Restore (Windows Me/XP).
2. Update the virus definitions.
3. Run a full system scan.

For specific details on each of these steps, read the following instructions.

1. To disable System Restore (Windows Me/XP)
If you are running Windows Me or Windows XP, we recommend that you temporarily turn off System Restore. Windows Me/XP uses this feature, which is enabled by default, to restore the files on your computer in case they become damaged. If a virus, worm, or Trojan infects a computer, System Restore may back up the virus, worm, or Trojan on the computer.

Windows prevents outside programs, including antivirus programs, from modifying System Restore. Therefore, antivirus programs or tools cannot remove threats in the System Restore folder. As a result, System Restore has the potential of restoring an infected file on your computer, even after you have cleaned the infected files from all the other locations.

Also, a virus scan may detect a threat in the System Restore folder even though you have removed the threat.

For instructions on how to turn off System Restore, read your Windows documentation, or one of the following articles:
• How to disable or enable Windows Me System Restore
• How to turn off or turn on Windows XP System Restore

Note: When you are completely finished with the removal procedure and are satisfied that the threat has been removed, reenable System Restore by following the instructions in the aforementioned documents.

For additional information, and an alternative to disabling Windows Me System Restore, see the Microsoft Knowledge Base article: Antivirus Tools Cannot Clean Infected Files in the _Restore Folder (Article ID: Q263455).

2. To update the virus definitions
Symantec Security Response fully tests all the virus definitions for quality assurance before they are posted to our servers. There are two ways to obtain the most recent virus definitions:
• Running LiveUpdate, which is the easiest way to obtain virus definitions. 
If you use Norton AntiVirus 2006, Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition 10.0, or newer products, LiveUpdate definitions are updated daily. These products include newer technology.

If you use Norton AntiVirus 2005, Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition 9.0, or earlier products, LiveUpdate definitions are updated weekly. The exception is major outbreaks, when definitions are updated more often.
• Downloading the definitions using the Intelligent Updater: The Intelligent Updater virus definitions are posted daily. You should download the definitions from the Symantec Security Response Web site and manually install them.

The latest Intelligent Updater virus definitions can be obtained here: Intelligent Updater virus definitions. For detailed instructions read the document: How to update virus definition files using the Intelligent Updater.

3. To run a full system scan
1. Start your Symantec antivirus program and make sure that it is configured to scan all the files. 
For Norton AntiVirus consumer products: Read the document: How to configure Norton AntiVirus to scan all files.

For Symantec AntiVirus Enterprise products: Read the document: How to verify that a Symantec Corporate antivirus product is set to scan all files.
2. Run a full system scan.
3. If any files are detected, follow the instructions displayed by your antivirus program.
Important: If you are unable to start your Symantec antivirus product or the product reports that it cannot delete a detected file, you may need to stop the risk from running in order to remove it. To do this, run the scan in Safe mode. For instructions, read the document, How to start the computer in Safe Mode. Once you have restarted in Safe mode, run the scan again.


After the files are deleted, restart the computer in Normal mode.

Google News Alert for: linux desktop

Google News Alert for: linux desktop

BBC News Why Microsoft can't afford Windows 7 to fail BBC News ... insurgent open-source rival Linux or a revolution in how we use computers, when the actual computing moves from desktop machines to the "cloud" where ... See all stories on this topic

New Droid TV spot happily rips Apple CNET News Perhaps monolithic Linux will succeed on phones better than it has in the desktop arena since it's open source and free. Time will tell and somehow I'm ... See all stories on this topic

First Syllable Server Interactive Web App Demoes REBOL 3, ORCA OS News ... operating system family, including Syllable Desktop. REBOL 2 is already included in Syllable Server, and the Linux builds of REBOL 3 also run on it. ... See all stories on this topic

10 things to do after installing Linux TechRadar UK Getting online from a Linux desktop will feel no different to browsing the web on any other desktop, because it uses the same tools. ... See all stories on this topic

DHS to hire up to 1,000 cybersecurity experts

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/10/02/dhs.cybersecurity.jobs/index.html