Keyscrambler protects your keystrokes

Keyloggers are a new threat, and can be used even on computers that otherwise seem safe. They record your keystrokes, and therefore could allow thieves to steal your passwords, credit card info, and other data that could be used against you.  Keyloggers can even be put on supposedly secure computers by plugging in a USB Flash drive with the keylogger running, and leaving it to be collected later with the valuable stolen data.

KeyScrambler Personal is freeware and works like this:

• Encrypts your input at keyboard driver level as it enters your computer
• Decrypts it at the destination application
• End to end protection gives keyloggers only indecipherable data to record
• Works even on security compromised computers
• Protects all parts of the browser and everything you type into a webpage on all websites.

This protects you online in the more popular browsers and sites.  For protection for email and other areas, you can upgrade to one of the pay versions if you think you might need it.

RUBotted checks to see if you’re in a botnet

Trend Micro has freeware that checks to see if your computer is being hijacked for use in a botnet.

The freeware is called RUBotted.

“Malicious software called Bots can secretly take control of computers and make them participate in networks called “Botnets.” These networks can harness massive computing power and Internet bandwidth to relay spam, attack web servers, infect more computers, and perform other illicit activities.

Security experts believe that millions of computers have already joined Botnets without the knowledge of their owners. By using remotely-controlled computers, the criminals in charge of the Botnets try to remain anonymous and elude authorities seeking to prosecute them.

RUBotted monitors your computer for suspicious activities and regularly checks with an online service to identify behavior associated with Bots. Upon discovering a potential infection, RUBotted prompts you to scan and clean your computer.”

Far too many people are unwittingly having their computers used part-time to spread spam, viruses, attack people and companies… and all of these could get you in trouble with your Internet Service Provider, and even the Law!

Operating System:

• Windows 2000 Professional (with the latest Service Pack installed)
• Windows XP Professional or Home Edition (with the latest Service Pack installed)
• Windows 2003 Server (with the latest Service Pack installed)
• Windows Vista (32-bit version only, with the latest Service Pack installed)

Hardware:

• Intel Pentium 350MHZ (minimum)
• 250MB of free hard drive space
• IPv4 Internet connection

Infected? Me?

Gizmo’s Tech Support Alert newsletter has an editorial on what to do if you think your computer might be infected with a virus, a trojan, or some other kind of malware that’s making it act up.

Good advice and good links to help.

Rootkits have nothing to do with gardening

Rootkits are one of the newer hazards on the Web, and may include trojans.  They are designed to take control of your computer with or without your knowledge (usually without) and do who-knows-what with it.

They might report back your activities to somebody (to detect any suspected violations of copyright on music, for example) or something more sinister.

Fortunately, there are a number of programs to detect and deal with rootkits, and some of them are even free.

Find a good one at Antirootkit.com .

Ad-Aware to detect malware

Ad-Aware is available in a free version (as well as pay versions with more features).  This is a great — and FREE! — way to check for malware (viruses, trojans, adware, etc.) on your system, and you should use it to double-check your regular anti-virus software.

Ad-Aware is something you should update and then run every so often — say, monthly– and you can use the Internet Fixes advice on how to do it.

Ad-Aware needs to be downloaded each time, as it does not have automatic updates for the free version.  The latest version is always the one you downloaded today.

Looking for traps with LinkScanner Online

LinkScanner Online Free. “LinkScanner Online service will visit the URL in a controlled environment on our servers. LinkScanner Online will inspect it in real-time for whether it is hiding any exploit code and, if so, what exploit. Use LinkScanner Online to inspect: Links forwarded by friends, Web sites displayed on search results, Any link with suspicious characters or web site you have never visited.”

Recommended by Gizmo’s Tech Support Alert newsletter.

Get the MajorGeeks on your side

MajorGeeks has software to check for problems and malware as well as other good stuff.

Recommended as a PC Magazine Top 100 Undiscovered Web Site of 2007.

Free malware check - are you Infected or Not?

Infected Or Not will do a free check for malware.

Recommended by PC Magazine as a Top 100 Undiscovered Web Site of 2007.

[update of 2008/6/2]

Another free check is available as a-squared Free which is “a full tool to clean your computer from Malware. Not only Spywares, as detected by classic Anti-Spyware programs, but also especially Trojans, Backdoors, Worms, Dialers, Keyloggers and a lot of other destructive pests, which makes it dangerous to surf the web.”

Note: be sure to download the latest version of a-squared Free each time, as it does not automatically update in the freeware version.

Opinions differ…

It’s recommended that you use more than one anti-malware / spyware tool, just to be safe.
But sometimes, when your antimalware tools disagree, and one program says you have a problem, but another/others don’t, here’s advice on how to find out what’s really going on, from Windows Secrets.

Google Pack up your troubles in your online software

Google Pack is a group of software helps with some very useful items.  Pick your own pack and download just the items you want.  All freeware, no malware included.

• Google Earth
• Google Desktop
• Norton Security Scan
•  Firefox with Google Toolbar
• Google Toolbar for IE
• Adobe Acrobat Reader
• Skype
• StarOffice (a complete office suite of software)
• Spyware Doctor
• Picasa
• Google Photos screensaver
• Google Talk
• RealPlayer

Dr. Web CureIt: freeware scanner for anti-virus/malware

Clif Notes Newsletter has a review of the Dr. Web CureIt scanner, with a link to it.
A scanner is different from a regular anti-virus in that it runs only when you say, and only once.  It doesn’t normally scan all your incoming stuff.  If you suspect you might have an infection, or just want to take the precaution on a regular basis, it can be helpful.