Saved from a Malicious Stalker!

Once again my life was saved by Microsoft's free antivirus.  I was busy browsing the web from Stumbleupon and I probably clicked on a link on some of the sites I've been browsing. Suddenly a window appeared - it is a Microsoft Security Essentials window. It was warning me of a possible threat found on that website and is trying to access my machine.

I remember having this same issue in another machine of mine that is quite old and is still using the Windows XP on it. Once infected with the virus, whenever I go to Facebook, I go to a different site with the same url as the facebook's. Can you believe that? 

It's not a joke when you face this same scenario so if ever you have been infected with a virus here is what you should do.

Protect Yourself From Virus-Infected Media!

A girl friend asks you if you could print a document for her since her printer is not working so she handed you her Flash USB drive. You managed to help her print and she thanks you for it. Going back to your PC, you noticed that there is something wrong. A virus just got into your PC. How? Your friend unknowingly infected your machine with her virus-infected Flash USB drive.

This usually happens now. A friend of mine tried to copy some freeware games I had and if not for my Avast Antivirus, I would have been infected as well.

The thing is Microsoft made this override system where it automatically detects autorun.inf in every media you plug in your computer and run it without question. Stupid, isn't it?

Well Panda Security has made a small utility to disable this feature NOT MICROSOFT. Yes, Microsoft didn't even think about this small hole that eventually was used efficiently by virus programmers.

Here is an info about their utility:

Panda USB Vaccine is a free solution designed to protect against this threat. It offers a double layer of preventive protection, allowing users to disable the AutoRun feature on computers as well as on USB drives and other devices:

Vaccine for computers: This is a ‘vaccine' for computers to prevent any AutoRun file from running, regardless of whether the device (memory stick, CD, etc.) is infected or not.

Vaccine for USB devices: This is a ‘vaccine' for removable USB devices, preventing the AutoRun file from becoming a source of infection. The tool disables this file so it cannot be read, modified or replaced by malicious code.

This is a very useful tool as there is no simple way of disabling the AutoRun feature in Windows. This provides users with a simple way of disabling this feature, offering a high degree of protection against infections from removable drives and devices.

Visit the site below to download the program. You may have to fill-up some information but it is just a small price to pay.

http://www.pandasecurity.com/homeusers/downloads/usbvaccine/

or download it here - I made it available just in case you don't like to give them information about your email address.

2 Reliable Antivirus Software

There are 2 reliable softwares that I trust now and they are both FREE!

First, the Microsoft Security Essentials. I know most of you will say Microsoft! Well, it was my first reaction as well. One good thing about it is, it is FREE! Yes, you heard me right, I already said that the first time - Sorry!.

The reason they are doing it is, it's their system that this virus creators that are crashing. I don't know what they ate and whoever cooked it, I'm glad he did. I just hope that they have done that along time ago. Atleast they have come to their senses.

Only thing here is, you must have a legit Microsoft Windows. Sorry about the others.

And the other one is none other than Avast Antivirus. Guys with pirated copies of Microsoft Windows, I know you'll be delighted to have this software. I have tested it and it is also a great antivirus. It's also FREE! and very easy to use. They also have daily updates for antivirus definitions.

Actually, there is a limit of 60 days to use the FREE copy but after 60 days and you are still not convinced to buy a licensed copy, you can just get a new 60 days serial number. I don't know how many times you can do it but from what I've heard, you can get a 60 day evaluation license as much as you want to.

UPDATE: (Sept 02, 2010) Currently, when you register at AVG, you'll be sent a serial number which is valid for one year - so it is not 60 days anymore - Yipee!)

I've tried AVG but it sucks, dunno about others. Kaspersky, I've also tried it. It's also good but heavy on the hardware coz it uses a lot of memory. Worst thing I used is McAfee, like Kaspersky, it is hungry for more memory.

This are great protection specially to all those who use PayPal and AlertPay on their online money-making websites. Still, be cautions in web hopping. Happy Surfing guys!