Facebook...stupid security measures frustrate! Clueless staff idiots!

Today, at a cafe in San Francisco, I attempted to log-in to my account at Facebook as usual, when I encountered a stupid automatic security measure from the staff at the social hub site.

Although I have accessed my account from the same location over the past week, the dialogue box alleged that since the WiFi service was "allegedly" one that I never facilitated before, that it would be necessary to establish my identity before access would be allowed to my account!

I can appreciate the necessity of security measures, but what followed next, was sheer lunacy!

Instead of requesting pertinent relevant information to firmly establish "who I am" (such as password and/or ID number), Facebook elected to select photos from my "friends" list, with a demand that I identify individuals they "circled" (copy-catting Perez Hilton, I dare say!) in the snapshots posted on my facebook pages.

Ludicrous!

For starters - they picked "friends of friends"  in the publicity stills - who I have never met in my entire life.

How am I expected to fathom who a total stranger is?

Facebook members who fail to correctly answer two of the so-called "identifying" questions will be denied access on the grounds they established they were not the owner (member) of the account.

But, get this!

One minute, Facebook is arguing to the news media that their service should permit other individuals to be informed of a member's location status, when they are kibitzing on line.

In the next, they are questioning from whence an individual logs on - in spite of the fact it is a matter-of-record in their "private files" - that the Member has checked in from that "hot spot" on dozens of occasions.

The folks at Facebook are idiots in my estimation!

As Leonardo DiCaprio might say in - "Catch me if you Can" - do your concur?

There outta be a law against such nonesense!

Facebook is more trouble than its worth at this juncture.

Facebook denies access on looney-tunes grounds!

http://www.thetattler.biz

Soldier Virus...scam extorting money & holding PC users hostage! BEWARE consumers!!!

Some folks cruising the internet today were upset to learn that their computer was infected with a virus designed to extort money, block access to software programs, and quite generally fu** with their heads.

For instance, one victim was browsing over some material on a web site, when a dialogue box popped up and warned that their computer was infected.

Without their permission, the program - ironically named the "Security Tool" - began a scan.

During that unauthorized probe the user was startled to find that they were blocked from accessing software programs or conducting various functions on their PC.

In fact, when the individual attempted to launch their anti-virus software, the Security Tool blocked their access to the program on the grounds that myriad files were infected).

Then, the scan stopped, and issued an alert that there were 38 viruses and/or trojans threatening to damage their PC, steal credit card information, passwords, etc.

The software instructed the user to request a fix for the problem.

However, when the individual clicked on the link, he was transported to a suspicious-looking page that filled the whole screen.

Now, there was a demand for money to download  the necessary "upgrade" to quarantine and remove the threatening intruders.

The shocked computer owner was asked to input his credit card number, home address, and so forth and so on.

Did the bozos think he was born yesterday?

Curiously, there wasn't any "address" at the top of the page confirming the name of the software developer, their physical addresx, or where they could be contacted online, etc.

Weird, eh?

At this juncture, the victim clicked the X in the top right corner of the web page, to close the dialogue box and order form.

Guess what?

The pop-up box, and scanner, continued to bounce on and off the computer for the rest of the evening non-stop!

The user was also startled to spy an entry for "Security Tool" on the  list of installed programs on the menu.

When the unhappy internet cruiser attempted to use the "uninstall program" function he was unable to.

Why?

Cleverly, the culprits at the back of the scam, programmed "Security Tool" so that it didn't show up on the program list where it should have been posted (thus preventing the victim from being able to uninstall the rogue virus).

Imagine that!

The user hadn't even downloaded (or ordered) the alleged anti-virus program.

After clicking on various links, the upset computer geek finally located a notice tucked away at the bottom of one page (in very fine print!) with  insructions on how to remove the so-called soldier virus.

However, the link for the instructions failed to open, and the dialogue box continued to give alerts, blocks functions, and scan the computer!

At this juncture, the user scoured the order page, in a desperate effort to  locate some individual, web address, or company entity to contact to resolve the problem.

Finally, he stumbled on a two-line notice that stated that if a party was having trouble removing the software program (Security Tool) that they should contact the following web site.

http://www.softsailor.com/how-to/9824-how-to-remove-uninstall-windows-soft-soldier-virus-removal-guide.html

At the web site instructions were provided on what action to take to expunge the offending intruder.

The steps that were mapped out have been posted below.

However, although the site explained in detail the nature of the malicious virus - and the damage it could cause to a laptop or regular desk PC - no "free assistance" was offered up.

No, sir!

The owners of this site were asking a hefty little sum for an anti-virus software program they asserted would remove the dangerous virus from computers.

My antennae went up!

Part of the elaborate scam?

News at 11!

________________________________________________
Info & Instructions

http://www.soldiervirus.com/
________________________________________________

If your computer got infected with the SoftSoldier rogue anti-malware (Scareware) this article will provide all the information about what SoftSoldier is as well as instructions on how to remove it and all related files from your computer.

Just like we stated above, SoftSoldier is a rogue anti-malware. Soft Soldier works in a way that is highly similar to the other rogue anti-malware we talked about in our past articles (Cyber Security, Trust Soldier, Windows Enterprise Defender).

This malware will take the form of video codecs required for an online video or flash updates to install itself on your compute

Once installed, Soft Soldier will create a bunch of files that have random names.

When you restart your computer, you will notice that Soft Soldier will automatically start a scan (it’s actually a fake scan) of your computer.

When this fake scan will be complete, Soft Soldier will tell you that these files are infections and that you need to buy the program to remove them from your computer.

This article is part of our “Malware Removal Tips” series of articles.

Click here for more articles.

These files will be placed in C:\Windows and C:\Windows\System 32.

You won’t know that these files are created.

When you restart your computer, you will notice that Soft Soldier will automatically start a scan (it’s actually a fake scan) of your computer.

When this fake scan will be complete, Soft Soldier will tell you that these files are infections and that you need to buy the program to remove them from your computer.
In addition, Soft Soldier will also display some security alerts stating that your computer is under attack and that malware has been detected.

It will even fake a Windows Security Center that advises you to buy Soft Soldier to protect your computer (the original windows security center does not recommend any program).

SoftSoldier is just a scam, so don’t buy it (contact your credit card company if you already did) and don’t believe the warnings it will give you.

Here is a quick guide on how to remove Soft Soldier from your computer.

Tip: you should print these instructions as you will be needed to close all windows a little later.

Make sure that you follow closely these instructions:

1.Click here to download Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware (MBAM). Save the file on your desktop. Don’t run it yet.

2.Close all open windows and then run the setup file for Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware.

3.Follow the wizard instructions and complete the install without changing any settings.

4.When the install is complete, leave both “Update Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware” and “Launch Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware” boxes checked before clicking Finish.

5.Go to the Scanner tab and select Perform quick scan. Now click on the scan button.

6.Wait for the scan to complete. When it is, click the OK button.

7.Go to the scanner screen and click on the Show Results button.

8.When taken at the screen that shows all detected infections, select them all and click Remove Selected.

9.Wait for MBAM to remove all the infections. Note that MBAM may ask for a restart in order to remove all threats. Allow it to do so if prompted.

10.When the scan is finished, a scan log will be opened. Close it when you are done reading it.

Now you should have removed SoftSoldier and any related files from your computer.

http://www.thetattler.biz

Facebook...tracks log-in sites! Invasion of privacy...

If you're one of those gung-ho dudes anxious to hook up at a popular social hub - and inclined to fudge on your age - it may be wise to jot down the fake year you inputted for practical reasons.

For example, the other day when I started to log-in at Facebook, I was quite startled when a pop-up box notified me of a security alert.

In so many words, Facebook requested that I input my birthday, on the grounds that their server determined I was logging-in from a web site I never used before to access my homepage.

Fortunately, I was honest about my age when I signed up, so there was no problem providing the info in order to pass muster with Facebook's security protocol.

Frankly, though, I was a little put-off by the intrusion.

For starters, it ticked me off to learn that Facebook was monitoring (and storing) log-in checkpoints without my knowledge ('til now).

Notiwthstanding that practice - which I believe is in violation of my right to privacy - I find  the whole process inappropriate for a couple of reasons.

For starters, it was my understanding that the reason I was asked to select an ID and Password when I signed up at Facebook, was to guarantee access once I verified my identity by providing that information.

In addition, the request flew in the face of "logic", if you ask me.

For example, individuals with laptops tend to travel with their computers in tow - and therefore - are inclined to log in at various locations in one city or another where WiFi  services are provided by a myriad of carriers.

Duh!

I can only surmise at this juncture that Facebook must be experiencing some security breaches which have forced the company to be overly protective of their clients and the published home pages and profiles online.

To me, though, it smacks of  overkill.

Facebook is not Fort Knox, after all, just an entertaining place to mix and mingle now and then.

No more, no less.
.
Facebook, don't bother me needlessly.

Or, violate my right to check in from the WiFi location I choose, without scrutiny!

http://www.thetattler.biz

Google...postpones Android phones for China! Ouch...

As I reported this past week, Google has taken a stand against China on the heels of quarrels with officials overseas in respect to privacy issues, censorship, and recent cyber atttacks launched against google (and ten top U.S. companies) in search of intellectual property and "Corporate secrets" to steal.

In retaliation, google has pushed back its release date for android phones in China.

The nifty google product was manufactured with leading-edge technology by Motorola, Inc. and Samsung.

The two wireless phones were to be introduced to combat hacking maneuvers in respect to internal network security issues.

Anxious consumers are now forced to sit out the stand-off between Google and the Chinese government until the dispute is resolved.

Industry experts on the sidelines note that the Chinese have rarely ever backed down on established National policies geared towards keeping foreigners and adversaries at bay.

In fact, in respect to the issues at hand, it's the same old same old.

The wall protecting China will probably get higher, wider, and longer.

http://www.julianayrs.com/

Twitter...cyber attack paralyzes tweet-ville! Botnets or rogue hackers with secret agendas...

We gotta fix that little sucker!

Like me, you innocently inputted the Internet address for twitter in your browser yesterday and naturally expected to be transported (as usual without much fuss or fanfare) to the popular social networking site for your daily fix of pop culture.

But, what was this?

An error code blandly flashed on the computer screen.

"Denial of access".

Huh?

Did twitter simply pack-up-shop with nary a tweet good-bye - another fly-by-night outfit gone the way of the dinosaur?

I was optimistic: not!

As I multi-tasked a myriad of windows that flitted off-and-on the screen with the flick of a finger, I kept my chin up, as I creatively explored ways to find my way back to the twitter "nest".

At google, I spied a link to twitter in response to search references to moi, but a hasty click on the link was fruitless.

No back-door way in, dudes!

Or, in Arnold vernacular (Bill Clinton's, too), no cigar!

About twenty minutes later, though, I was in like Flynn!

Twitter was just humming along - all-a-tweet business as usual - and none the wiser?

Say, what?

According to Internet experts - and half-baked news flashes streaking out across the splintered blogosphere on the unexpected black-out at Twitter - a cyber attack rendered an all-across-the-net "denial of service" scenario that summarily paralyzed the normally high-trafficked site.

Was it the nasty handy work of a disgruntled tweeter - out to exact punishment (and a little mischievous mayhem) - on the heels of being rejected by twitter's socially-elite?

Or, a jealous rival out-to-ruin Twitter, for being just a little too tweet?

Curiously, the day before, I suffered a bit of a (sexual) attack at my twitter home page.

Yeah, what-a-way to go!

Shortly after I clicked on a link in my yahoo mailbox to scan the profile of a tweeter just starting to "follow me" on the twitter website, the screen was flooded with a barrage of racy sexual images and a naughty request by the new tweeter to perform a hardcore sex act.

I penned a post on the incident to warn fellow tweeters.

Post: 08/05/09

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2009/08/twitterporn-creeps-into-social.html

Golly, do 'ya suppose the expose (and subsequent rejection) prompted the full-scale attack?

Who knows!

According to security experts examining the widespread attack, fingerprints of a sophisticated operation involving "botnets" was uncovered.

In a nutshell, giant armies of personal computers, had been taken over by hackers unbeknown to their owners.

Funny, that!

At a coffee clatch at a doughnut shop the other morning, I warned fellow java drinkers to be sure to turn off their computers at night so that kind of clandestine (illegal?) intrusion was kept at bay.

Thomas Holt, a professor at Michigan State's School of Criminal Justice, put it this way:

"Botnets are very stable platforms able to engage in all sorts of cyber crimes."

He surmised that launching an attack on a popular web site - such as Twitter - was an excellent exacting way to measure the capability (and power) of a botnet.

Gosh, if that was just a dress rehearsal, what's next?

Jerry Dixon, a former director of the National Cybersecurity Division at the Department of Homeland Security, advanced the idea further when he speculated that hackers may have used the twitter incident to demonstrate the potency of their skills.

They are similar to hit men, but with digital packets instead of bullets, he warned.

In the anti-virus arena, Beth Jones (Internet security squad at Sophos) noted that her contemporaries in the field have theorized that the attack was caused by a computer worm known as a Koobface.

"It was professionally written," she concluded.

On a more innocent level, the worm could be used to flood Internet-based e-mail boxes, with spam mail for commercially-based purposes.

In the wake of the unexpected onslaught, Twitter has taken the position that they were a victim of a distributed "denial of service" attack.

In simple terms, this kind of "dark" overt intrusion, is intended as a disruptive attempt to overwhelm a website by issuing a a mind-boggling number of computer-generated requests that the computer can not ultimately process.

Consequently, the attack causes the site to "crash".

Today, twitter is up-and-running and life is tweet once again.

Watch your back!

http://www.julianayrs.com