Kerio Personal Firewall
Highly respected  free firewall that almost went out of existence until it was rescued.  This is becoming the free firewall of choice by professionals.

Zone Alarm Personal Firewall by Zone Labs
Protects your computer by placing a barrier between your PC and all network traffic coming in and going out of your computer.  Make sure you are downloading the free ZoneAlarm firewall and not the ZoneAlarm Security suite which is “nagware”.  What that means is that after 30-60 days of free use, the software begins to nag you to upgrade to the paid version.

A rootkit is a stealthy type of malicious software (malware) designed to hide it existence from the Windows operating system as well as hide from Antivirus and AntiMalware scanners. 

Kapersky Anti-rootkit utility – TDSSKiller is a free utility provided by Kapersky that will scan for Malicious rootkit software on your computer. 

McAfee now provides a Rootkit scanner -  A Rootkit is basically a malicous program (virus) that hides itself by using invalid WIndows characters – Microsoft will not let you create a file or folder with characters – !@#$%^&*()….).  Most antivirus scanners can not detect rootkits.

Special Note:   Remember – If your computer appears to be infected the first step I perform is a Windows System Restore.  A system restore will return your computers system files to a state recorded on a particlulare date and time you have selected.

The longer the virus, malware, or scare-ware is running the more deeply it can embed itself into your computer, even disabling the ability to install antivirus / antimalware scanners.  When you perform a system restore the malicious files may still be on your computer but the modifications made by the virus that allows it to run when the computer starts up or the changes to critical system files will have be removed and restored.  You need to still need to scan your computer after the system restore with an updated Anti-virus and / or Malware scanner.

To perform a system restore:
Start / (all) Programs / Accessories / System Tools / System Restore. Restore your computer to an earlier date and time (when your computer was not infected).

Malware Bytes (free edition Scanner – Purchased version provide realtime protection)
I started using this little GEM of a scanner when some of my Favorite scanners failed to detect or remove nasty infection like the Vundo Virus, AntiVirus 2008/2009/360 and many others.  This scanner detects virus, malware, trojans, and other unwanted programs by how they behave, what they access, if they are monitoring keystrokes, spawning / creating / modifying exiting programs.  This is my favorite scanner -  1/2012.
Go to MalwareBytes.Org to download the free version (using C-net).  But, because the C-net download can be confusing, click here to download directly from FileHippo.com

Super Antispyware scanner
Download the free version of SUPERAntispyware protection. The free utility is one of my favorite tools that I install to detect and remove malicious software.

ComboFIX
This free utility should only be downloaded from Bleepingcomputer.com as the author has authorized this as the only distribution source.  This powerful utility is included in my toolkit but should be used by experienced technicians (or desperate users).  The creator of this utility also warns that the utility should not be used without supervision or it could cause your computer to not operate correctly.

Panda Cloud antivirus and Malware Scanner -  Cloud based scanning does not require you to install the software but simply initiate the scan from within your web browser.  The utility make take a little longer but this type of scanner has the advantage of being able to scan your computers when the virus prevents the installation of traditional  removal tools.

Microsoft  Malicious Software removal tool -  Anti-Malware and Virus protection.  This tool continues to be updated by Microsoft and now include Botnet detection.

Norman Malware Cleaner – PC Magizone rated this scanner just below Malware Bytes by only a few points so it must be pretty good.

Special Note:

Remember – If your computer appears to be infected the first step I perform is a Windows System Restore.  A system restore will return your computers system files to a state recorded on a particlulare date and time you have selected.

The longer the virus, malware, or scare-ware is running the more deeply it can embed itself into your computer, even disabling the ability to install antivirus / antimalware scanners.  When you perform a system restore the malicious files may still be on your computer but the modifications made by the virus that allows it to run when the computer starts up or the changes to critical system files will have be removed and restored.  You need to still need to scan your computer after the system restore with an updated Anti-virus and / or Malware scanner.

To perform a system restore:
Start / (all) Programs / Accessories / System Tools / System Restore. Restore your computer to an earlier date and time (when your computer was not infected).

Most Internet Service Providers (Comcast, ATT, brighthouse) provide a free Anti-Virus security suit.  If your ISP does not provide antivirus protection, select one of the free suits below.

Microsoft Security Essentials
Free antivirus and Malware protection from Microsoft.

AVG Anti-Virus
Click on the link for information on Grisoft’s free and fully functional version of their popular anti-virus software. Free for home use and registration is not required. Download Here

Avast
This is my far the best free antivirus programs.   Ed has installed this on one of his home computers and it works as well as others he has used. Free for home use and registration is required.

Avira Antivirus
Avira has a free antivirus software that can be used for personal use and support Windows XP, 2000, and 98.   Free AntiVir Personal Edition – Download here

Symantec / Norton Security tools – A list of specific programs that will remove an individual trojan or Virus

Show Notes:

Education Embraces E-learning: Jim Rarus and Anupam Chugh talk about RESA’s role is expanding education in Wayne County through online resources.

Celebrating the iPod’s 10th Anniversary: The little device that shook the world.

Here kitty, kitty.  Taming Lion and installing iOS5 on Apple devices.

Our second hour is focused on answering listener questions that have been sent to us by email.  We will tackle each issue in a roundtable format and even call some of our listeners to answer their questions personally.  Don’t miss this segment of our show.

Podcast: October 22, 2011 – Hour 1
Podcast: October 22, 2011 – Hour 2

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Malware Protection

Thanks to Dave Sawyer, Technical Director, Microsoft Heartland Division for these interesting and useful links:

Microsoft Security Report http://www.microsoft.com/security/sir/default.aspx

Take your browsers for a test drive and compare the results http://ie.microsoft.com/testdrive/Views/SiteMap/

Your Browser Matters (Shows how your browser protects you) http://www.yourbrowsermatters.org/#/home

Microsoft Home Security Essentials Suite (32 and 64 bit available) http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security_essentials/default.aspx

Steve Sinofsky, MS Windows Chief, presents Windows 8 Build: http://channel9.msdn.com/events/BUILD/BUILD2011/KEY-0001

It may look like a legitimate Netflix app, but it’s not. Users of devices with the Android OS need to beware of a phony Netflix application that looks a lot like the real thing but delivers a nasty payload designed to steal account information.

The folks in Redmond want you to be up on the latest threats to computing and what you can do about that.  They recently released their semi annual Security Intelligence Report.  Here is a quick outline of their findings and steps consumers can take.

Key findings in volume 11:

• A new method of analyzing malware distribution indicates that the zero-day vulnerability accounted for a very small percentage of actual infections in the first half of 2011
• One of the more prevalent threats involves social engineering, or manipulating people into performing actions or divulging confidential information. This is where a cybercriminal targets a human vulnerability rather than a software vulnerability.
• Another finding indicates cybercriminals abuse Autorun to install malware such as malicious and potentially unwanted software.

Tips for consumers:

• Keep all software on your systems updated
• Third-party as well as Microsoft
• Use Microsoft Update
• Updates all Microsoft software
• Use strong passwords
• Run anti-virus software from a trusted vendor
• Keep it updated

Download the Microsoft Security Update Guide: www.microsoft.com/securityupdateguide

Following a national gathering on cyber security, Governor Rick Snyder of Michigan has established a center for Cyber Security in Ypsilanti, MI near the heart of two great universities and the Metro Detroit area.

The State of Michigan won five awards in information technology, more than any other state, at the National Association of State Chief Information Officers in Denver, Colorado.  Michigan Tech News