Website redirects to malicious virus site - malware, trojans, adware, spyware

Recently had to deal with a client's major website problems - someone had managed to log into the webhost server and modified some settings to cause any traffic coming through the major search engines to be redirected to a malicious website which would quickly infect the user's computer with up to a dozen viruses, trojans, spyware and adware.

Turns out that the web server's hidden ".htaccess" file had been hacked, causing search engine traffic to be redirected to the malicious site. Accessing the correct website directly was not a problem; just coming through a search engine like Google, Bing, MSN, AltaVista, Ask, etc. would lead to the redirects.

Here's some info about the problem from Stopbadware.org:

.htaccess redirects

The Apache web server, which is used by many hosting providers, uses a hidden server file called .htaccess to configure certain access settings for directories on the website. Attackers will sometimes modify an existing .htaccess file on your web server or upload new .htaccess files to your web server containing instructions to redirect users to other websites, often ones that lead to badware downloads or fraudulent product sales.

 

Other techniques used by hackers to redirect your website traffic:

Malicious scripts are often used to redirect site visitors to a different website and/or load badware from another source. These scripts will often be injected by an attacker into the content of your web pages, or sometimes into other files on your server, such as images and PDFs. Sometimes, instead of injecting the entire script into your web pages, the attacker will only inject a pointer to a .js or other file that the attacker saves in a directory on your web server.

Many malicious scripts use obfuscation to make them more difficult for anti-virus scanners to detect:

Some malicious scripts use names that look like they’re coming from legitimate sites (note the misspelling of “analytics”):

If you need additional help with a similar problem, email me at
info@northdelta.net

tags: malware, malicious, virus, trojan, re-direct, web site problems, tech support, can't access my website, htaccess, worms, ad ware, spy ware, 188.72.246.96 antivirus

Entertainment 2010 coupon book free shipping and special discount offer: Restaurant coupons, travel deals, shopping

Entertainment 2010 coupon book special offer and free shipping

 

Packed with over $24,200 in local savings:

• 426 Dining Discounts
• 252 Attraction Discounts
• 101 Shopping Discounts

• Over $15,000 in Travel Discounts
• Movie Ticket Discounts
• And Much More...

Coupons are valid now through November 1/2010. Books available now for Vancouver BC, Vancouver Island, Okanagan, Toronto, Montreal, Winnipeg, Regina, Edmonton, Calgary, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Hawaii, Miami, Orlando, New York, Phoenix, Dallas, Houston, Chicago and more...
Order online and get sale prices and Free Shipping now!

Enjoy hundreds of half price restaurant deals and discounts on hotels, travel, attractions and retail shopping. Makes a great Christmas gift idea!

Crucial RAM memory discount offer: Canada, USA, UK : DRAM, Flash USB, SoDimm upgrades

*****
Click to get Get 5% off at Crucial

Make your computer go further. And your money.
A RAM upgrade is an affordable way to boost your PC's performance — and a cost-effective way to extend the life of your system.

 A simple RAM upgrade from Crucial can give you what you're looking for, at a fraction of the price of a new system. That means you can enjoy more speed, effortless multitasking, enhanced multimedia experience, and more—all without breaking the bank.
Find your system through the user-friendly Crucial Memory Advisor tool. It can help practically everyone — even if your PC is an older model. In just three clicks, you'll find the system and upgrade options that meet your needs and your budget. And it's simple to install your own memory—and our friendly technical support folks are just a phone call away if you have any questions.

Not sure of the exact model? Or maybe someone else built it for you so it's a no name brand — no problem! Use the The Crucial System Scanner to detect the memory already installed and get recommended upgrades for your computer!

Crucial memory is high-quality, guaranteed compatible, and backed by a limited lifetime warranty. Upgrade your RAM today. It's the solution that makes sense.

More info at Crucial.com USA and Canada. Crucial UK

tags: Acer memory, Apple memory, Asus memory, buy memory, buy ram, card reader, compact flash, compactflash, Compaq memory, computer memory upgrade, computer memory, computer ram, crucial memory, ddr, ddr2, ddr3, Dell memory, desktop memory, dimm, emachines memory, flash card, Gateway memory, how much ram, HP memory, H-P memory, IBM memory, laptop memory, Lenovo memory, Mac memory, memory chips, memory configurator, memory deals, memory module, memory ram, memory selector, Memory Stick, memory upgrade, memory, micron memory, micron ram, micron, motherboard memory, pc memory, pc100, pc133, pc2100, pc2-5300, pc2-6400, pc2700, pc2-8500, pc3-10600, pc3-12800, pc3-14400, pc3-16000, pc3200, pc3-8500, ram prices, ram upgrade, ram, sdram, Secure Digital, SecureDigital, server memory, simm, sodimm, Sony memory, Toshiba memory, USB flash drive, USB

Microsoft's Free Antivirus Software - Download link for Microsoft Security Essentials

Microsoft Security Essentials is a free download from Microsoft that is simple to install, easy to use, and always kept up to date so you can be assured your PC is protected by the latest technology. It’s easy to tell if your PC is secure — when you’re green, you’re good. It’s that simple.

Microsoft Security Essentials runs quietly and efficiently in the background so that you are free to use your Windows-based PC the way you want—without interruptions or long computer wait times. It also runs quietly in the background scheduling scans when the PC is most likely idle and interrupting the user only when there is an action required to keep their PC secure. It employs practices like active memory swapping and CPU throttling to limit the impact on your PC performance, even on older or less powerful PCs.

This isn’t a security suite product that provides rich PC tuning capabilities or backs up your data. But if what you’re looking for is “install and forget” malware protection and solid quality Microsoft Security Essentials may be just what you’ve been waiting for.

Recent viruses, trojans and worms to be aware of include

* Trojan:Win32/Small.SD
* Trojan:Win32/Gruwt.A
* Worm:Win32/Pushbot.NN
* PWS:Win32/Yahoopass.H
* Spammer:Win32/Tedroo.AA
* TrojanDownloader:ASX/Wimad.CJ
* Worm:Win32/Nuqel.R
* PWS:Win32/OnLineGames.FY
* PWS:Win32/Yahoopass.A
* Worm:Win32/VB.BN

Download Microsoft's Security Essentials software here

Laptop battery overheating recall: Find out HP, Compaq, Acer notebook and laptop models affected

An overheated laptop computer left on a couch caused a fire that killed a 56-year-old Vancouver man, the Coroners Service of BC Canada has concluded.

The fire started after the laptop was left on a couch, plugged in and turned on. Because of the lack of ventilation under the laptop, less than an hour later the lithium-ion battery overheated and burst into flames, sparking the fire that eventually killed the man.

The coroner did not release the make of computer involved in the death, but did say several makes of laptops have been recalled in recent years due to problems with lithium-ion batteries overheating and bursting into flames.

Since 2004 in B.C., 4 other laptops have either overheated or short-circuited when left plugged in, causing fires. The death earlier this year, however, was the first in B.C. blamed on a laptop fire, the coroner said in statement.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

HP / Compaq has recalled lithium-ion rechargeable batteries are used with various HP and Compaq notebook computers. Models that can contain a recalled battery include:

HP Pavilion	Compaq Presario	HP	HP Compaq
dv2000 dv2500 dv2700 dv6000 dv6500 dv6700 dv9000 dv9500 dv9700	A900 C700 F700 V3000 V3500 V3700 V6000 V6500 V6700	G6000 G7000	6720s

The notebook model is located at the top of the service label on the bottom of the notebook. Batteries that can be subject to the recall will have one of the following bar code labels (^ in the code can be any letter or number):

62940^^AXV^^^^

65033^^B7U^^^^ 65033^^B7V^^^^ 65033^^BGU^^^^

65035^^B7U^^^^ 65035^^B7V^^^^ 65035^^BGU^^^^ 65035^^BGV^^^^

67059^^V8U^^^^ 67059^^V8V^^^^

Sold at: Computer and electronics stores nationwide, hp.com and hpshopping.com from August 2007 through March 2008 for between $500 and $3000. The battery packs were also sold separately for between $100 and $160.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately remove the recalled battery from their notebook computer and contact HP to determine if their battery is included in the recall and to request a free replacement battery. After removing the recalled battery from their notebook computer, consumers may use the AC adapter to power the computer until a replacement battery arrives. Consumers should only use batteries obtained from HP or an authorized reseller.

For information on Acer's laptop battery overheating recall programs, visit here

McAfee Antivirus Anti Spyware Software Half Price Sale

McAfee Antivirus, Anti Spyware Software Discount Priced

McAfee Total Protection, now half price!:

Fast Anti-Virus and Anti-spyware Protection
Detects, blocks, and removes viruses, spyware, adware and rootkits.
NEW QuickScan
Lets you check for threats in the most commonly infected areas on the computer in less than 10 minutes and on modern machines within seconds.
Network Manager
Lets you easily fix security issues on your home network from one PC. Provides easy and automatic printer and file sharing across computers on your home network that you trust.
Web Site Safety Ratings
Adds safety ratings to sites and search engine results based on comprehensive spam, adware, and online scam safety tests so you know exactly what website is safe to visit.
Anti-phishing
Warns you before accessing dangerous scam websites that try to steal your personal information.
Shredder
Allows you to effectively remove any and all traces of confidential files from your computer.
Computer maintenance
Provides automated tools to keeps your PC running at peak performance.
Identity Protection
Let’s you shop, bank and trade online safely by asking permission before personally identifiable information like PIN’s, bank accounts, Social Security numbers are sent from your PC.
IMPROVED Anti-spam
Helps keep your inbox free from unwanted, fraudulent and offensive emails.
Parental Controls
Let your children go online safely at times that you define.
Data Backup
Save copies of your most valuable files automatically wherever you want on a CD/DVD, USB, external, or network drive.
NEW Network Monitoring
Alerts you when intruders try to connect to your wireless home network.
Email and IM Link Checker
Search or click on links from friends, knowing your PC won’t be exposed to viruses or threats. Link Checker identifies and prevents you from clicking on harmful web site links in your browser, email, or instant messages.
NEW File Protection
McAfee Anti-Theft encryption software lets you password protect your files on your PC (included as a BONUS Internet download).

McAfee Total Protection is hassle-free, all-you-need security ideal for people who are constantly online researching, communicating, shopping, banking, trading or viewing entertainment. It features the award-winning McAfee SiteAdvisor® Plus web security tool that blocks risky web sites. New for 2009 - McAfee Total Protection includes McAfee Anti-Theft as a bonus Internet download of software that password-protects valuable files in case your PC is lost, stolen or compromised. Get a free 30 day McAfee trial download, or purchase today for 50% off!

Recently discovered viruses:
PWS-Gamania.gen.e!e1198ad97616 Trojan 5716
W32/Pate.a!d31e50161070 Virus 5716
W32/HLLP.Philis.an!7706aab20852 Virus 5716
W32/Autorun.worm.e!ff66586ffc81 Virus 5716
Generic PWS.ak!cf3a26752287 Trojan 5716
FakeAlert-GT.dr!ec49e1ffb2a5 Trojan 5716
Generic PUP.a!79c9388d76ff Program
Generic Dropper.jq!30bf3d7d87fc Trojan 5716
W32/Chir.b@MM!49e7667f6c92 Virus 5716
Generic PWS.y!rf!7a6fddcb75b0 Trojan 5716
Generic VB.e!cc750b5c9c29 Trojan 5716
W32/Expiro!7f47fca68caf Virus 5716
W32/HLLP.Philis.an!76fe474f9b0d Virus 5716
W32/WBoy.a!d16fedff3c33 Virus 5716
PWS-Zbot.gen.g!411aa9e5ae40 Trojan 5716
BackDoor-DUG.a!cfd3c426231f Trojan 5716
Generic FakeAlert.d.gen!43a79418979f Trojan 5716
W32/Virut.n.gen!9994a1687d13 Virus 5716
Generic Downloader.c!bb64da0f5924 Trojan 5716
W32/YahLover.worm!cde9777d2ba6 Trojan 5716
Adware-TryMedia!cda810ba2326 Program 5716
W32/WBoy.a!cd92a4783d71 Virus 5716
W32/WBoy.a!cd8b0603c007 Virus 5716 Low 01/01/0001Generic.dx!e36acc24740a Trojan 5716
FakeAlert-GV!33289f15c9e7 Trojan 5716
Dialer-Generic!ccdf43fffbec Program 5716
Backdoor-CEP.gen.q!a264f5c4589c Trojan 5716
W32/Koobface.worm!64a4e6737938 Virus 5716
FakeAlert-CM!97562dc63aaa

tags: antivirus, trojan removal, worm, spyware, remove viruses, mcaffee, norton, symantec, anti phishing, canada, free download

Upgrade to Microsoft Windows Vista? Not Recommended

If you are debating about upgrading your corporate computer system to Windows Vista, we would recommend sticking with XP or Apple OS if you use Macs. From our experience, Vista has so many security updates and driver incompatabilities that you are better off keeping with XP and just making sure that you have the latest security updates from Microsoft. We have converted PCs from Vista back to XP and found a huge performance increase as well as increased reliability and security.

For increased security, please visit our page here