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Downadup - Largest Worm Infection Since 2001 Hits Corporate
Networks
A sneaky, fast-spreading computer worm known as Downadup (or
Conficker or Kido) is exploiting a security hole in Microsoft Windows to infect
millions of PCs in ma inly corporate networks. It is considered the largest
and most serious corporate virus outbreak since Nimda unleashed its fury in
2001. It appears Downadup may have been created to generate income for people
who get paid to install rogue antivirus software called
"scareware."
The worm can spread three ways:
- It attacks a vulnerability in the Microsoft Server
service. Computers without the latest Microsoft security patch can be
remotely attacked and taken over.
- It can scan company networks and attempt to guess
passwords.
- It can infect USB data sticks (also known as thumb
drives). While almost all of the Downadup occurrences have involved
corporate networks, it is possible for a home computer to be infected by
the user's corporate PC via the connection of a thumb drive.
Microsoft released a patch to stop the Downadup worm in
October 2008 called MS08-067. To download this patch, visit:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/MS08-067.mspx
In January 2009, the high number of Downadup infections led Microsoft to
enable its anti-malware utility, Microsoft Software Removal Tool (MSRT), to
detect the worm. This optional component is updated monthly and can scan for
and remove some of the most prevalent threats in circulation today. For
details, go to:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx
As always, we recommend you use antispam and antivirus software, install a
firewall, and keep operating system and browser software updated.
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Meet the TechTeam!
Our Internet department has a new name - TechTeam! We
still provide the same great service as in the past - just under a new
name! Let our experienced TechTeam:
- provide you with personalized service
picking out a computer that's just right for you. We offer HP,
custom built and Dell for business.
- make sure your existing computer is
operating at its best with our computer diagnostic and repair
services. Bring your computer in now through the end of March and
receive 10% off computer repair!
- perform on-site networking and
installation. Our TechTeam provides free consulting for both
residential and business customers.
- design and host a website to give you
presence on the web.
Call your local NU-Telecom office or visit TechTrends at 15
Berens Boulevard in New Ulm (off Highway 14 across from the airport) to visit
with a member of the TechTeam today!
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Ask The Help Desk - What Should I Do When My Computer Screen
Freezes Up?
Question: Sometimes when I'm working on my
computer, the screen just freezes up and I'm not sure why. What should I do?
Answer: Some common causes of a screen freeze are:
- Your computer is using up every bit of its RAM (random
access memory) at that point in time
- Running multiple applications simultaneously
- A computer virus
For a Vista PC, restart your computer by
simultaneously pressing the "Control" (ctrl), "Alt"
(alt), and "Delete" (delete) keys. This is called a warm boot.
Pressing this key combination on a Windows Vista PC will bring up a screen
containing five functions to choose from. Scroll down to the "Start Task
Manager" option. When the Windows Task Manager window opens, click on
the "Applications" tab to see what applications are currently
running. Highlight the applications and click on the "End Task"
button. If quitting the frozen application does not unfreeze the screen, you
will need to repeat the process. Close the Windows Task Manager screen and
press the "Control" (ctrl), "Alt" (alt), and
"Delete" (delete) keys again. This time when the screen appears
containing the five functions, look in the lower right corner and you will
see a red button that looks like a "power" key. You can shut down
the computer by pressing it, or if you click on the triangle next to it, you
will see a pop-up menu that lists other options including
"Restart," "Sleep," "Hibernate," and "Shut
Down."
If this fails, perform a cold or hard reboot, which is turning the computer's
power off and then on. To complete this operation, press and hold the
"power" button until the computer shuts off (usually about five
seconds). Wait a minimum of five seconds before turning the computer back on.
For a Windows XP PC, restart your computer by simultaneously pressing
the "Control" (ctrl), "Alt" (alt), and "Delete"
(delete) keys. This will bring up the Windows Task Manager window. Click on
the "Applications" tab to see what applications are currently running.
Highlight the applications and click on the "End Task" button. If
this fails to unfreeze the screen, click on the Shut Down Menu and select
"Restart" to restart the computer. If this fails, you will need to
perform a cold or hard reboot by following the instructions in the paragraph
above.
For a Mac, the first step is to force quit frozen applications by
simultaneously pressing the "option" (alt), "command"
(apple), and "escape" (esc) keys. When the Force Quit Applications
window opens, highlight the applications you want to quit and select the
"Force Quit" button. A pop-up box will appear asking if you want to
force the selected application(s) to quit; click the "Force Quit"
button. If this doesn't work, simultaneously press the "control,"
"command," and "power" keys to restart your computer.
Your Mac should start up automatically after a brief delay. You can also shut
down an unresponsive Mac by holding down the "power" key for a few
seconds. Wait a minimum of five seconds before turning the computer back on.
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Sites Of The Month - Great Sites To Check Out In February
To Refi or Not To
Refi?
http://www.bankrate.com/brm/calc_vml/refi/refi.asp - With
the current economic crisis, you may be wondering what, if anything, you
should be doing differently with your finances. Should you sell stocks? Put
off retirement? Pay down debt? If refinancing your mo rtgage is a move you're
considering, use the “Should You Refinance Your Mortgage Calculator” on this
site. By entering basic information, you'll find out your new monthly
payment, monthly savings, difference in interest, total cost, and months to
recoup costs.
Sweet Treats
http://www.hersheys.com/valentines/recipes/ - February
is the month we celebrate love with kisses, hugs, gifts … and delightful
desserts. This site features recipes for cookies, pies, and other sweet
treats to treat your sweetheart. There are heart-shaped cakes,
raspberry-laden glazes, festive fruit, and, of course, plenty of chocolate.
Trip Advisor
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ - Recommendations
from friends always help when traveling. But what if your friends haven't
been where you're going? This website offers millions of reviews from
travelers who have visited a wide selection of destinations worldwide. Get
information on hotels, attractions, and restaurants; get suggestions for your
next trip; or look for bargain travel ideas.
Coming Soon
http://www.film-releases.com/film-release-schedule-2009.php - Winter
is the perfect time for indoor entertainment, and many movies (both big
screen and DVD) will be released in the coming weeks to provide it. This site
lists release dates chronologically, or you can search for the film you've
been dying to see by title, actor, or genre. Click on film titles to get
summaries, cast and director information, and other details. The site also
allows you to download movies to view on your computer, TV, or portable
player.
Jam the Scam
http://www.fakechecks.org/about.html - This
site educates visitors about fake check scams that require you to wire money
to the scammer after depositing a bad check into your bank account. The
site's main message: You are responsible for the missing funds! Take the
Fraud Tests to find out if you are susceptible to being a victim of these
scams, watch the Fake Out and victim videos to learn more, and review the
prevention information to find out how to avoid these costly mistakes.
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Short Tutorial - Setting Up AutoComplete In Your Browser
The AutoComplete (or AutoFill) feature of a browser is
designed to streamline the process of Web searches as well as make it faster
and easier to fill out online forms. In the case of Web searches, this
feature provides a drop-down list of suggestions for websites when you begin
typing a URL into the Address bar. AutoComplete can also automatically
complete information such as your name and address when you begin to enter
them on forms for website registration or online purchases. You can customize
the AutoComplete settings on your browser or turn them off completely by
following these steps:
Setting Up AutoComplete When Using ...
- Web Browser: Internet Explorer 7
- Computer Operating System: Windows XP and Windows Vista
1. With
Internet Explorer open, click your cursor arrow on "Tools" in the
menu bar. Select "Internet Options" from the resulting drop-down
menu.
2. When
the Internet Options window opens, choose the "Content" tab.
3. Under
the "AutoComplete" section, select the "Settings" button.
4. The
AutoComplete Settings window will open. Select the check boxes for the
AutoComplete options you want to use under the "Use AutoComplete
for" section.
5. Click
the "OK" button in both windows to save your changes and close each
window.
Setting Up AutoComplete When Using ...
- Web Browser: Mozilla Firefox 3.0
- Computer Operating System: Windows XP and Windows Vista
1. With
Mozilla Firefox open, click your cursor arrow on "Tools" in the
menu bar. Select "Options..." from the resulting drop-down menu.
2. When
the Options window opens, choose the "Privacy" tab.
3. Under
the "History" section, click on the box next to "Remember what
I enter in forms and the search bar."
4. Click
the "OK" button to save your changes and close the window.
Setting Up AutoComplete When Using ...
- Web Browser: Mozilla Firefox 3.0
- Computer Operating System: Mac OS 10.4
1. With
Mozilla Firefox open, click your cursor arrow on "Firefox" in the
menu bar. Select "Preferences..." from the resulting drop-down
menu.
2. When
the Preferences window opens, choose the "Privacy" tab.
3. Under
the "History" section, click on the box next to "Remember what
I enter in forms and the search bar."
4. To
accept and save your changes, click on the red circle in the upper left
corner of the window to close it.
Setting Up AutoComplete When Using ...
- Web Browser: Safari
- Computer Operating System: Mac OS 10.4
1. With
Safari open, click your cursor arrow on "Safari" in the menu bar.
Select "Preferences..." from the resulting drop-down menu.
2. When
the Preferences window opens, choose the "AutoFill" tab.
3. The
AutoFill window will open. Select the check boxes for the options you want to
use in the "AutoFill web forms:" section.
4. Next
to the option that you selected, click on the "Edit..." button.
Here you can view or change your saved information.
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We hope you found this newsletter to be informative. It's our
way of keeping you posted on the happenings here. If, however, you'd prefer
not to receive these bulletins on a monthly basis, click here.
Thanks for your business!
Best regards,
FETCH and the NU-Telecom
Team
27 N. Minnesota, New Ulm, MN 56073 507-354-4111
137 E. 2nd Street, Redwood Falls, MN 56283 507-627-4111
22 S. Marshall, Springfield, MN 56087 507-723-4211
221 Main Street, Aurelia, IA 51005 712-434-5989
Visit us on the web at www.nutelecom.net
(We have used our best efforts in collecting and preparing the
information published herein. However, we do not assume, and hereby disclaim,
any and all liability for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions,
whether such errors or omissions resulted from negligence, accident, or other
causes.)
©2009
Cornerstone Publishing Group Inc.
Trademarks: All brand names and product names used in this eNewsletter are
trade names, service marks, trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
owners.
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