The Importance of having two layers or more of malware prevention

What do you mean layers?

An abstraction layer (or abstraction level) is a way of hiding the implementation details of a particular set of functionality. Software models that use layers of abstraction include the OSI 7 Layer model for computer network protocols, the OpenGL graphics drawing library, and the byte stream input/output (I/O) model originated by Unix and adopted by MSDOS, Linux, and most other modern operating systems.

Wikipedia

It is like when you go outside on a cold winters day and you put on more than one layer of cloths to prevent yourself from freezing or getting too cold.   It can help protect your from getting a cold or loosing a limb.  This is the same philosophy I will be talking about today.

Isn’t one Antivirus software Enough?

I get asked this question every time that I help remove malware from someone’s system with either a free Antivirus software or a purchased software, and has been infected with malware.  Every Antivirus company will tell you in detail how they can never catch every new or old Trojans, Malware, or Viruses.   They will tell you how the Malware is constantly changing and evolving, and today’s updates might not catch tomorrows malware.

Consulting with a client

I had a consultation today with a client who wanted help with their new Acer AOD250-1962 10.1-Inch Pink Netbook – Over 3 Hours of Battery Life. So i went over email and the usual easy stuff. They aren’t really tech savvy so I had to slowly walk them over to how to get the most out of the of the system.    As I was working on the system and making sure it was running smoothly, I saw their broadband wireless  network was unencrypted, which is something you shouldn’t do.  So I had to talk to them about why it is ’so important’ to keep that encrypted.  You really don’t want people to be watching what you do on your wireless network do you?

So my client asked me to setup and secure there wireless broadband router.   I was being nice and decided, suffice it to say if they were having anyone borrowing their network for illegal stuff, they aren’t no more.

Deciding the need for a Full backup or backing up your important files

This weekend I talked about Backups on the Mike Tech Show listener Round table, and I heard from one or two people saying you can’t do a full backup with Allwaysync, and to a point that is true but I really don’t need a full back and some have said the program is only good for Synchronization and not backup.

I could debate that last point because what is a backup?  Wikipedia defines it as “backup refers to making copies of data so that these additional copies may be used to restore the original after a data loss event”.   So backing up and Synchronizing are essentially the same thing.  Some users will argue that it is getting every file on your hard drive but I don’t think so.   I however will tell you that Most files on your hard drive don’t need to be copied.   Due to the fact that if you get a complete backup of your windows directory you will most ly end up where you left off, Viruses or some file that corrupt.   I don’t make copies of the windows for that one reason, I have all OEM systems and don’t need to worry about the Windows because when I do a system restore, I get my system back to the Factory default.

Miketechshow Listener Roundtable : #242 Backups

We had a great time talking about backing up our system. On a side note, I’d like to tell people that During the Round table, I was restoring my system due to a major network issue. The system wouldn’t stay connected at all to my network or my USB A600 Cricket Modem.  I used the A600 Modem during the podcast with Skype, so the quality isn’t as good as it should but that is due to two different factors.  One I had a cheap headset and two the bandwidth limitations.  This however shows that this is possible and works really well.  I also used the Antenna for the Skype meeting.   It actually seems like a stable connection.   Although Mike has told us in his email this might be the last Round Table, so if you want this to continue you can either email him or twitter him telling him you want to keep seeing these podcasts.  I also talk about Roboform and how I make sure the passwords are backed up.   We did talk about making sure to test our backups, so we know if the backup process works.   I have to say my backup procedure was without doubt working for me.   Even though I had some issues with Vista security updates after the restore, my restore to laptop didn’t take more than an hour to get the programs that I wanted back on the system.
Mike Tech Show Listener Roundtable #242 Backups

PolyMorphic Win32:Vitro Most Viraulent Virus

This seems to be an virus that is getting some people hit hard.   I wanted to blog about this because of the nature of Virus and Trojans.   I have read reports that this might be from Online Movies, and I have to say this is one reason why you must stay away from certain online movies.  I am going to take a guess that this virus requires a special CODEC, and you downloaded it and installed it.  It Could also be the update the Adobe Flash player idea to but still results in getting the Virus.

As I said before you take a risk when you go to sites you don’t trust or know anything about.   You also should know that if you need a “SPECIAL” codec, you should just go on to another site.  These sites that claim they need this special codec means only one thing they want to install something without your Knowledge.

So what is this Virus:

The Virut family of viruses uses polymorphism to hide from all anti-virus protection, it infects executable files. File infection makes it very hard to repair a system that has been infected. W32/Vitro injects code in running processes and hooks the following functions in ntdll.dll which transfers control to the virus every time any of these function calls are made.

Warning Signs of Hard Drive Trouble

For every computer there comes a time when you have a problem with hardware or software. This is for those who want to learn the signs of possible fixes for having hard drive problems. Although if you know you’re hard drive is dieing then you better back it up as quickly as possible. You will of course need to get the back up software to protect your data.  If you have special drivers you will need to backup yours drivers.  If you have an OEM system then you will need to backup the Hidden Partition.

So what are the warning signs of a hard drive failure:

• Unexpected freezing of Windows — When Windows Locks up and you have to reboot or getting a Blue Screen of Death.   You have no choice but to restart because you can’t do anything with windows.
• Losing data files — if you seem to see files being lost or deleted without your direct input.  It might be a sign of a computer virus or it could be a damaged hard drive.