Malware attack strikes, posing as Skype password change notification

If Skype users didn't have enough to worry about this week security-wise (with a worm spreading across the system), there's now another threat to warn about.
Emails have been spammed out by cyber-criminals, posing as messages from Skype, claiming that you have changed your password on the service.
Here's an example of one such email (click on it for a larger version):

If you look carefully, you may spot that the spammers made a clumsy spelling mistake:

Password successfully changed
Your new Skype password has been set.
You can now view your attached call history and inscturtions how to change your account settings.
If the changes described above are accurate, no further action is needed. If anything doesn't look right, follow the link below to make changes: Restore password
Talk soon,
The people at Skype

Perhaps surprisingly, the links really do point to the genuine Skype website at skype.com.
However, a file (Skype_Password_insctructions.zip) is attached to the email, and if you make the mistake of unzipping and executing its contents (Skype_Password_inscructions.pdf.exe) you run the risk of infecting your Windows computer.

The malware, which is detected by Sophos products as Troj/Backdr-HN, opens a backdoor onto your computer, giving remote hackers access to your system.

The danger is, of course, that users worried by the recent worm will be frightened that their Skype password has been changed without their consent, and open the attachment - and thus infect their PC.

As always, be on the lookout for unsolicited suspicious emails and always be wary of opening attachments which arrive out of the blue. In this case, the file is using the well-known "double extension trick" to dupe the unwary into believing that they might be clicking on a PDF rather than executable code.

Metropolitan Police malware warning issued - Beware the ransomware attack!

ComputerWorld today reports that the UK's Metropolitan Police has warned Windows users of a malware attack that poses as a message from the computer crime-fighting cops themselves.

The ransomware attack attempts to lock the computer, and posing as an unofficial notice from a law enforcement agency, claims that the victim's PC has been determined to have visited illegal websites.

Only payment for a fine, claims the message, will restore the computer's functionality.

Various versions of the alert messages have been seen - here's one example:


Part of the poorly-worded alert reads as follows:

Attention!!!
The process of illegal activity is deleted. According to UK law and Metropolitan Police Service and Strathclyde Police investigation your computer is locked!
The following violation is detected: You IP-address "[redacted]". Forbidden websites containing pornography, child pornography, Sodomy and called violence against children on, violent material toward people were visited from this IP-address!
Moreover and e-mail spam was sent you're your computer, emails containing terroristic materials. This locking serves to stop your illegal activity.
To release a lock your computer you should pay the fine in amount of £100. In the case of ignoring the payment, the program will remove illegal materials while keeping your personal information is not guaranteed.

Of course, it's very likely that you haven't been visiting extremist websites or viewing child abuse material. That may just be the hook used by the fraudsters to trick you into taking the warning seriously. Ransomware is nothing new. We've seen plenty of examples in the past where cybercriminals have duped users into coughing up cash in order to get their computer working properly again.

But the threat of legal action, and what - on first glance - might appear to some computer users to be a sign that they are in trouble with the police, could be enough to scare some into electronically transferring funds post haste.

The police recommend that anyone who is duped by the scam should contact their credit card company immediately, and underline that they would never use such tactics to make contact with the public or demand funds.

It's likely that the messages are appearing on computer users' screens because they have become infected whilst visiting compromised websites, or have been duped into installing malicious software onto their computer.

Sophos has linked Mal/Bredo-Q to some of the reports we have seen of this particular ransomware attack, but of course it's perfectly possible that malicious hackers could use other malware to display the same or similar messages posing as police warnings.

As always, keep your security patches and anti-virus solutions updated, and your wits about you.

Slate: Pay up or the hard drive gets it - ransomware malware

Malware

You’ve just opened a Web page or clicked a link in an email when your computer’s desktop goes gray. A browser window pops up with the FBI logo in the top left corner. Below it is a live webcam feed with a picture of someone’s face. You try to click away but find that your browser is locked. With a start, you recognize the face staring at you from the screen: It’s you.

This isn’t the plot of a Japanese horror film. It’s a frightening form of malware called “ransomware” that has been seen with increasing frequency in recent months. No one knows exactly how many people have been hit with it, but security firm McAfee reports that it recorded more than 120,000 new samples in the second quarter of 2012, a fourfold increase from the same quarter last year.

There are many variants of ransomware, all of which begin by locking you out of your own machine. The next phase: trying to blackmail, intimidate or otherwise spook you into forking over cash. You probably shouldn’t do it. But it’s easy to see why a lot of people do.

The version I described in the first paragraph is the product of a virus called Reveton, which you can contract either by clicking a malicious link or visiting an infected website, which triggers an automatic download. Beneath the video feed, which registers the surprise on your face as you recognize yourself, are your computer’s IP address and hostname and an urgent message: “Your computer has been locked!” Scroll further and you’ll find yourself accused of possessing illegally downloaded files in violation of federal copyright laws. (A new iteration claims that you’re in violation of SOPA, the Stop Online Piracy Act — which, as serious netizens know, never actually became law.)

The crime, you’re told, is punishable by a fine or up to three years in prison. There’s only one way to unlock your computer, according to the warning on your browser, and that’s to pay up. And if you don’t pay the specified “fine” within 48 or 72 hours — often by purchasing a prepaid cash card such as Green Dot’s Moneypak, which makes the transaction hard to trace — it claims that you’ll be locked out of your machine permanently and face criminal charges to boot.

The criminal charges are bogus, of course, but the threat of being permanently locked out of your files is real, says Chet Wisniewski, senior security adviser at the data-security firm Sophos. Some victims have reported that, after a certain amount of time passed, their files were in fact deleted. On the other hand, it’s unclear whether paying up actually helps, or if it just prompts the bad guys to try to squeeze more out of you. One thing security experts do know is that the scam appears to be automated. It would be a mistake to assume there’s an actual human on the other end whom you can persuade to take it easy on you because you really, really need those files.

So what should you do if you’re unwary and unlucky enough to contract a ransomware Trojan? First, instructs Sophos’ Paul Ducklin in a helpful video, don’t panic and don’t do anything rash. Once the malware has control of your machine, chances are that most of the damage has already been done. In theory the hackers could mine your files for private information, but in practice they rarely do. Too much effort for an uncertain reward.

And ignore those threats not to tell anyone about the attack. Unless you’re an expert yourself, it’s a good idea to enlist the help of a computer security expert to help you figure out how to handle it. The FBI — the real FBI — also recommends filing a complaint at www.ic3.gov.

As with most forms of malware, the best protection here is simply to avoid visiting compromised websites or clicking on any suspicious-looking links, whether on the Web or in emails, Twitter or Facebook messages, or even Skype messages. Keeping your operating system and apps updated with the latest security patches always helps, and anti-virus software can be an additional prophylactic. But this particular type of attack also reinforces the importance of backing up your files. Otherwise, you might never see them again.

It’s conceivable, some security types admit privately, that paying up could prompt the criminals to restore them. But the official advice is that you never should, and in most cases that’s the advice that makes the most sense.

Equation

BAD EYES - Can you read?

REALLY BAD EYES

Try to read on first attempt.

Windows 8

Ever since Windows 8 Consumer Preview was released, many users have been itching to try out the shiny new operating system. Microsoft Inc.  (NASDAQ:MSFT) has already confirmed that all Windows 7 applications will work on Windows 8. But what if you have upgraded your operating system (OS) to Windows 8, and  are not comfortable in with the new OS?

It is always recommended to have a dual-boot between Windows 7 and Windows 8, instead of upgrading. Dual booting is very easy, as the user just needs to create a new partition and then install Windows 8 on that new partition. When booting, a user can select the OS that he wants to boot using the boot manager.

If your processor supports Virtualization technology, then you can also install Windows 8 on VirtualBox. This is by far the best method to try out any new OS without worrying about losing any data or creating a new partition.

If you have upgraded to Windows 8 from Windows 7, then unfortunately the only way is to format the system drive and re-install Windows 7. You can format the system drive in which you have installed Windows 8, which will protect all data on the other drives. Remember that formating the system will erase all your data, settings and everything.

In case you have installed Windows 8 on a separate partition, excluding the original system drive, then follow the below guide to downgrade from Windows 8 to Windows 7.

Disclaimer: ValueWalk is not responsible for any data loss during this process. We recommend backing up your important files before proceeding. 

Follow the below tutorial to downgrade from Windows 8 to Windows 7

Step 1:

The first step involves removing Windows 8 from boot loader. To do this, you can use a free utility, EasyBCD. Download and install this utlility. Open the program (with administrator rights). From the sidebar, click on ‘Edit boot menu’. Select ‘Windows 8 Consumer Preview’ and click on ‘Delete’. Tick mark the checkbox for previous version of Windows to load that by default. Save the settings.

Step 2:

From the sidebar, click on ‘BCD backup/repair’. Select ‘Re-create/repair boot files’ and then click ‘Perform Action’.

This would remove Windows 8 from boot loader. Test it by restarting your system. If your computer directly boots to Windows 7, then you are set and its time to move to step 3. But if you are still able to see Windows 8 option in the boot loader, then follow the above process again carefully.

Step 3:

Now that we have got rid of the boot loader, its time to remove the Windows 8 partition. Decide whether you want to remove the partition and merge it, or whether you want to just format it. If you select the latter option, then all you need to do is to just right-click on that Windows 8 partition and click on “Format”.

However, if you want to merge this partition and extend the space, then you need to open Disk Management. Type “disk management” from the Start menu and press enter; select the Windows 8 partition. click on ‘Delete Volume’ and then click ‘Yes’ to continue. Right click on the free space and click ‘Delete Partition’m then click on ‘Yes’ to confirm. Now you will be able to see ‘unallocated’ space. Select the drive that you want to extend and right click ‘Extend Volume’. Click ‘Next’, and if you want to utilize all the unallocated space click ‘Next’ again. Click on ‘Finish’ to complete this process.

That’s all you need to do. Hope this method helps you to get rid of Windows 8.

USB Finger Mouse

Innovative design
Operate the USB Finger Mouse between your index finger and thumb
Multi-tasking function allows users to write or type when operating the USB Finger Mouse at the same time
Shorten the operation time between keyboarding and operating the Finger Mouse
Ethereal and deft, without bulk
1/3~1/4 weight to the conventional optical mouse
Plug and play
USB powered

Instructions:
Insert the index finger into the elastic-ring and adjust your finger position until you feel comfortable and move the Finger Mouse smoothly
Do not adjust the elastic-ring too tight or it will interface with the effect of blood circulation
Align your index finger tip and the Finger Mouse light sensor tip to the same height
Use your thumb to control the 'Right Button', 'Left Button' and 'Scroll Wheel'
Place your middle finger at the grip area to provide support when you are double-clicking
Contact the USB Finger Mouse light sensor tip to the surface, such as clothes, trousers... for operation

Specifications:
Size: 62x23x33mm (WxDxH)
Cable length: 1.2m
Weight: 35g
Button: 2 buttons and scroll button
Interface: USB (A type connector)
Reading system: Optical sensor system (ball less)
Resolution: 800dpi
Support Windows ME/2000/2003/XP

LED Glass with Liquid Censors

Overview:
Super eye catching LED lights
Main switch on/ off control
Detachable LED base, easy and convenient for cleaning and washing
Perfect for drink competition, see who is the first to finish the drink and put down the mug to turn off the LED
Guaranteed to build moods for your party
Perfect decoration for your party, bar or wedding
2*AG13 batteries(included)

Worlds Smallest Petrol Engine…

Worlds Smallest Petrol Engine…

Scientists have created the smallest petrol engine in the world (less than a centimeter long not even half an inch), small enough to power a watch or any small gadget.The mini-motor which runs for two years on a single squirt of lighter fuel is set to revolutionize technology associated with it. It generates 700 times more energy than a conventional battery. It could be used to operate laptops and mobile phones for months doing away with the need for charging. 

Experts believe it could be phasing out batteries in such items within just six years. The engine, minute enough to be balanced on a fingertip, has been produced by engineers at the University of Birmingham. At present, charging an ordinary battery to deliver one unit of energy involves putting 2,000 units into it. The little engine, because energy is produced locally, is far more effective. One of the main problems faced by engineers who have tried to produce micro motors in the past has been the levels of heat produced. The engines got so hot they burned themselves out and could not be re-used. The Birmingham team overcame this by using heat-resistant materials such as ceramic and silicon carbide.

Charge your cell phone battery with Peepal leafs.

Its very Strange But True Very True.

Now, you do not require any mobile charger... to charge your mobiles. Only there is need to use green leaf of Peepal tree and after some time your mobile will get charged.

No soon the people came to learn this development, they tested it and found encouraging results. If your mobile has been discharged and you are inside a jungle then you need not to use any charger. You Should pluck two Peepal leaves and your work would be done.

It is very good idea and easy to charge your mobile. You would have to open your mobile battery and connect it with Peepal leaf. After that without shaking mobile set you should set the battery in your mobile set. After some time your mobile would be charged.

Though it is unbelievable but as soon as the residents of Chitrakoot came to know about the discovery they could not believe the news. But when they saw it practically then the incident proved true.

Now hundreds of mobile holders are using this technique and charging their mobiles.

Whereas according to the botanists, it is just changing mutual energy into electrical energy power can be saved in battery. Similarly, it is also possible. They said that it is the subject of research.

Step by Step guide to charge your mobile battery using Peepal leaf:-
1- Open your mobile cover
2- Take out your battery
3- Take two to three fresh leaves of Peepal/Pipal/Ashwattha tree
4- Touch the stub of these leaves on your mobile battery terminal for a minute
5- Clean the mobile battery terminal with the soft cloth
6- Put your battery again in your mobile and switch it on
7- Now you can see the result
8- If required repeat the process with fresh leaves