Malware Alert

"AntiVirus 2011" attempts to trick users into giving credit card numbers

Malware Alert

BTS has recently been seeing another surge of malware infections of various computers.

Malware is of course short for "malicious software", which is software that is designed to cause all of us trouble.  Sometimes it's just annoying pop-up ads that are a pain in the neck to get rid of, and at other times, it can be full-fledged spyware seeking to track your activities for potentially illegitimate purposes or even trying to steal your identity.  

Because Windows PCs comprise the vast majority of computers in use today, ego- and profit-driven malware programmers usually like to annoy Windows folk the most, but you Mac OSX users aren't totally safe from renegade programmers looking to embarrass Steve Jobs. In other words, every computer user should play safe and be alert when browsing the Internet these days in order to avoid nasty surprises.

Here are some suggestions from BTS on how you can avoid malware and viruses: 

1. Keep your computer up to date, by using Windows update (from All Programs) or Apple software update (from the pull-down menu), which often include security updates.
2. Have current Anti-virus/Anti-malware software installed (ie, Symantec, McAfee, etc.)
3. Do not download or install software from a site whose reliability you have not confirmed.
4. Obviously, you should avoid websites that are known to be unsafe.
5. It is possible, unfortunately, to be infected with a virus or malware from a mere search result
6. Because Internet Explorer is part of the operating system, it can therefore provide unauthorized or unknown access to the OS – it is preferable for security reasons in our opinion to use browsers separate from the operating system, such as Firefox or Chrome.

CNET maintains a free anti-virus recommendation website here.

CNET also has free malware checks here.

MalwareBytes is a good, free software we like that can diagnose malware issues – it can be a bit tricky to install and use, so if you need help, let us know.

iPhones – is there a difference between AT&T and Verizon iPhones?

Well, yes, there are some differences, but they are, in most experts’ opinions, very, very slight. One major difference is that Verizon’s iPhone does offer “hotspot” capability for up to five devices through wi-fi.  At the same time, and most importantly for us, the Verizon iPhone does not allow simultaneous data and voice connections.

Recent networks comparisons have also shown conflicting results. While the Verizon iPhone gets better reception in most places, AT&T's iPhone was faster connecting to the internet (Data).

Oh, and be aware that the Verizon iPhone can’t be used in Europe, while the AT&T iPhone can be.

eCycling

So your 12-year-old niece isn’t interested in your old iPod (she already has an iPhone) and your mother-in-law has declined to take your Dell Dimension (you learn she uses a ThinkPad), so what do you do with your old computer/IT stuff?  Well. recycling old electronic equipment is not only earth-friendly, it can in some cases earn you a few bucks as well.

Earth911 has a pretty cool site (http://search.earth911.com/) that asks what you want to recycle and what zipcode you’re in – Best Buy is a popular one near us in 34^th Street and Fifth Avenue.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a site (http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/partnerships/plugin/partners.htm) that can be helpful as well for recycling information

Apple products (computers, iPods, iPhones, etc) can be recycled through the company (http://www.apple.com/recycling/), which, if they have some value, will give you a gift card or a price reduction.