UPS Virus Warning and Removal Information

There is a UPS virus continuing to make it’s rounds out there that arrives via an email claiming to inform you of “Package Delivery Failure”. It instructs you to print out a document and when you do that the virus is launched causing problems.

The virus is for real as this post on urban legends states: UPS Virus Warning

If the virus makes it into your system(s) here are some steps to take to clean it off of your computers: UPS Virus Removal from Computer

Fake Anti-Spyware

Do not download any of the rogue anti-spyware programs listed on this page:

• AntiVirus Gold
• ContraVirus
• Errorsafe (AKA system doctor)
• MacSweeper
• PAL Spyware Remover
• Pest Trap
• PSGuard
• SpywareStrike
• Spyware Quake
• Spydawn
• Spylocked
• SpyShredder
• Spy Sheriff
• Spy Wiper
• UltimateCleaner
• WinAntiVirus Pro 2006
• WinFixer
• WorldAntiSpy

DO NOT DOWNLOAD any of these as they are fake anti-spyware programs.

Top Spyware

Currently the top Spyware you need to be concerned with are listed below with links to more information provided by Wikipedia and other third party sites:

1. Zlob Trojan or Trojan.Zlob – Once installed, it displays popup ads with appearance similar to real Microsoft Windows warning popups, informing the user that their computer is infected with spyware. Clicking these popups trigger the download of a fake anti-spyware program (such as Virus Heat) in which the trojan horse is hidden.
2. Vundo Trojan or Virtumonde – Vundo is a Trojan horse that is known to cause popups and advertising for rogue antispyware programs.
3. Virus Heat – VirusHeat is the latest rogue anti-spyware program installed via Zlob Trojans

Voice Authentication Makes Sense

Problem: How does an organization really know that the person in front of them, on the phone with them or logging into their Website or intranet with a user name and password really IS the person they claim to be?

Solution: Voice authentication. Humans have unique characteristics that can’t be copied or stolen. Our eyes, fingerprints, and voices are examples most often referred to when IT security is involved. The solution we think is on the verge of expanding dramatically across both private and public sectors uses voiceprints as a biometric authentication method.

What is ‘voice authentication’? Voice authentication is a type of user authentication that uses a persons voiceprints and pattern recognition software to verify the identity of someone. Voice authentication relies on the fact that vocal characteristics, like fingerprints and the patterns of people’s irises, are unique for each individual.

Why is it better? Organizations of all types will find ways to incorporate voice authentication technology into their overall security gameplan. Whether verifying an employee logging in from a homeoffice, a credit card client calling in for account information, or a taxpayer requesting information from the IRS, voice authentication gets the job done.

The key benefit of this biometric technology over the others is that the verification can be done remotely over any phone line. Of course it needs to work, and after years of evolving, voice authentication is now ready for primetime. It’s secure, reliable, and cost effective.

Another key benefit is people have been using their voices to gain access to information over the phone since there were phones. So transitioning users from a system where a series of personal questions (birthdate, favorite pet, mother’s maiden name, etc…) to one where the user is asked to repeat a few set of random numbers so the system can verify that the voice is the users shouldn’t pose any transitioning problems.

With the exponential growth in online transactions (financial and non-financial) the need for an added layer of security on top of the ‘password’ is growing as well. When logging instead of being asked for your password, you’ll be asked to enter a phone number where you can be reached. Almost instantly the user’s phone will ring and after successfully repeating a few randomly generated numbers and the identity verification process is completed the user will be granted access.

Of course the technology needs to be secure, and it is. Of course it has to be cost effective and it appears to be.

Watch for some exciting news on this front over the coming months along with reviews of some of the players in this space.

iPhone Security Solution from IceWEB

The problem: the extremely popular iPhone is being scooped up by employees all over and IT security professionals are now dealing with potential gaping holes in their corporate security. For more information on the problem read this article on ITSecurity.com.

The solution?: IceWEB recognized the potential security issues with the iPhone long before the stampede began and has built iPhone compatibility into it’s IceMAIL hosted Microsoft Exchange email platform. Non-IceMAIL and IceMAIL users alike can try this IceWEB with their iPhones free for 30-days. For more information on this solution check out the company’s Website IceWEB.com and this press release on Yahoo or this one on the company Website.

Your feedback is welcome!