A client contacted us to ask for help recently. Aparently when people went to his website, anti-virus warnings were poping up.

After a few minutes it became clear what had happened; a cialis spammer had hacked into the site, uploaded files and folders and coded a ton of spam junk into each page of the site (see image below).

This client had a decent alpha-numeric password, but it did contain a portion of the domain name. We can’t be certain that it was a simple case of hacking, the password could also have been accessed by means of a trojan or keystroke recorder that slipped past the anti-virus program.

It’s ok to use passwords that are easy to remember, but complicate them by using symbols and punction marks.

For example: The domain name Your-Propeller-Head (76 bit encryption) could be used as a password, but we would adjust it something like this Y0ur+Pr0Pe1!Er-HeAd# (109 bit encryption).

It’s still the same password, it just uses more symbols and punctuation than the original. Even though it might be a little tougher to remember, after entering it a few times it would be easy to remember.

P.S. – No Your Propeller-Head isn’t stupid enough to use his actual password in a blog post

Need anti-virus software, but don’t want / can’t afford the name brand programs? Check out Avast. It’s free for non-commercial use and just a mouse click away!

• Avast! 4 Home Edition Anti-Virus is Free

Over the years, we have used a wide variety of Norton products

BUT No more!

When attempting to install a version of Norton Utilities (not on any functioning hard drives) we discovered that we had to pay $35 just to talk to someone to tell them that they locked us out of a legitimate program.

We could have upgraded to the newer version, but why should we pay for a new version of software that won’t run on our legacy test machine when we own a valid license?

Our answer, tell Norton to take a hike; after all even Microsoft will work with you for free when their system tags you as having installed an application too many times.

lick on the Norton Product name below and you will find an application for free or at least less than what Norton charges and they work just as well! as Norton’s products.

• Ghost
• Utilities
• PC Anywhere
• Anti-Virus

Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) helps protect Windows users from spyware and other potentially unwanted software. Known spyware on your PC can be detected and removed. This helps reduce negative effects caused by spyware, including slow PC performance, annoying pop-up ads, unwanted changes to Internet settings, and unauthorized use of your private information. Continuous protection improves Internet browsing safety by guarding more than 50 ways spyware can enter your PC. Participants in the worldwide SpyNet community play a key role in determining which suspicious programs are classified as spyware. Microsoft researchers quickly develop methods to counteract these threats, and updates are automatically downloaded to your PC so you stay up to date.

• System requirements – Find out if you’re ready to download and install Microsoft’s new anti-spyware software.
• Support newsgroup – Although formal support is not offered for this beta, we have set up a newsgroup forum to help get your questions answered.
• Special information for GIANT AntiSpyware users – Current GIANT AntiSpyware users with active subscriptions are advised to continue to use their existing software until those subscriptions end.
• Release notes – Learn about known issues with Windows AntiSpyware (Beta).

Benefits Include

Detect and remove spyware

• Easily detect spyware on your PC. Quickly and easily find spyware that can slow down your computer, display annoying pop-up ads, change Internet settings, or use your private information without your consent.
• In-depth spyware removal returns your PC to normal. Straightforward operation and thorough removal technology make it easy for people of all skill levels to eliminate detected spyware. If you inadvertently remove any programs, you can easily get them back.
• Maintain your PC with regularly scheduled spyware scanning and removal. Regularly scheduled spyware scans help maintain your PC. They can be run when it’s convenient for you: on-demand or on any schedule you set.
• Stay in control of what’s running on your PC. Quickly discover and remove unwanted programs that may have been installed without your consent. If you inadvertently remove any programs, you can easily get them back.

Improve Internet browsing safety

• Help stop spyware in its tracks with continuous protection. Windows AntiSpyware improves Internet browsing safety by guarding more than 50 ways Web sites and programs can put spyware on your PC.
• Protection that doesn’t distract you from using your PC. Windows AntiSpyware works in the background, automatically handling spyware based on your preferences. This enables you to use your PC with minimal interruption.
• Undo unwanted changes to Internet Explorer settings. Easily restore Internet settings that are persistently changed by spyware, including your home page or the default search engine.

Stop the latest threats

• Stop new threats faster with SpyNet. The voluntary, worldwide SpyNet community plays a key role in determining which suspicious programs are classified as spyware. SpyNet participants help to discover new threats quickly so everyone is better protected. Any user can choose to join SpyNet and report potential spyware to Microsoft.
• Spyware expertise you can rely on. A dedicated team of Microsoft researchers scours the Internet to discover new spyware and develop methods to counteract it.
• Automatically stay up to date. Updates to counteract new spyware are automatically downloaded to your PC, helping to keep you protected from the latest