This issue of SunbeltSecurityNews contains:

Own a Single-user VIPRE? Upgrade Now To Home License For Just $19.95 You run VIPRE and love it. But what about the other PC's at the house? We have a special, limited time upgrade offer. You can upgrade now and just pay the difference (20 bucks) between the Single License and the Unlimited Home License (UHL). But wait, it gets better. Your UHL starts fresh and you get a new 12 month subscription! Do the math. Wait and pay 30 bucks later, or buy the upgrade now and get a whole year for 20 bucks. A no-brainer! Remember this is for a limited time only, get that upgrade now! Click here to learn more and order: http://www.sunbeltsecuritynews.com/100203-UHL-Upgrade

Editor's Dossier

Greeting SSNers,

All I can say is wow! We have gotten so much incredible email on the subject of backups; I could probably do two more issues of SSN. However, I think will call it a break for now. Please do continue to write me about this subject as we can plan a future issue if there is sufficient interest and new ground to cover. Keep your eyes open - the bad guys are at it again (did they ever stop?). There are many scams running taking advantage of the devastating situation in Haiti with email scams, scareware, etc. Stay alert and avoid the bad hats.

Enjoy the latest issue of SunbeltSecurityNews. And remember stay safe out there.

Best,
Larry Jaffe
Editor SunbeltSecurityNews
Follow us on Twitter: @SSNtweet
SSN Forums:
http://www.sunbeltsecuritynews.com/100203-Forum-Discussion

P.S. You can write to me at any time, I want to know how you feel about Internet security and if you have any ideas for articles or subjects you would like us to cover. Email me feedback@SunbeltSecurityNews.com

PS: Did you know this newsletter has a sister publication for XP users called WXPnews? You can subscribe here, and tell your friends:
http://www.sunbeltsecuritynews.com/100203-WXPNews

PPS: And now we have the new Win7News that covers your new OS. You can subscribe here, and tell your friends too:
http://www.sunbeltsecuritynews.com/100203-Win7News

Own a Single-user VIPRE? Upgrade Now To Home Site License For Just $19.95 You run VIPRE and love it. But what about the other PC's at the house? We have a special, limited time upgrade offer. You can upgrade now and just pay the difference (20 bucks) between the Single License and the Unlimited Home License (UHL). But wait, it gets better. Your UHL starts fresh and you get a new 12 month subscription! Do the math. Wait and pay 30 bucks later, or buy the upgrade now and get a whole year for 20 bucks. A no-brainer! Remember this is for a limited time only, get that upgrade now! Click here to learn more and order: http://www.sunbeltsecuritynews.com/100203-UHL-Upgrade

Cool Tools

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Never reinstall your XP again. New technology: easy set-up, no loss of data or applications. The ultimate professional repair tool. Free comprehensive PC diagnostic with every scan, get it now!
http://www.sunbeltsecuritynews.com/100203-Reimage

Eyes Only Your Viewpoint on Security Issues

Here is one that was hard to find on the Net. I bought a 32 GB USB from EBay user Sunrise1688 and it came with a virus in it. Sorry I don't remember the complete name of the file now. The Internet seems to have many folks inquiring as to what they have and how to get rid of them but not necessarily how they got them. You might insert a note in the next news that people need to have their virus protection take a look at the USB immediately upon receiving it. Thanks for the good work you and your group does in trying to maintain PC sanity. S. M.

Operations: What You Need To Know

Here are some things you need to look into and look out for folks. First of all, Google released Chrome 4.0.249.78 for Windows and it repairs a number of vulnerabilities. Additionally, Adobe is recommending that users with Shockwave Player version 11.5.2.602 and earlier delete them from their systems, restart and install Shockwave 11.5.6.606, Microsoft has issued an out-of-band patch (not on the monthly 'Patch Tuesday') for critical vulnerabilities in Internet Explorer, which allow remote execution of code. These vulnerabilities have been held at least partially responsible for cyber attacks on Google and more than two dozen other major companies. There are reports of numerous malicious sites that exploit the flaws. Make sure you get it. Go to Windowsupdate now and update your PC for free:
http://www.sunbeltsecuritynews.com/100203-Windows-Update
There are some mighty dangerous topics to be leery of in your spam and web searches, including Apple Tablet, unknown Facebook app, and Valentine's Day- themes. So do not search on these terms, or if you do, be -very- careful with the results you get back.

• Trojan.Win32.Generic!BT: Trojan
• Trojan-Spy.Win32.Zbot.gen:Trojan
• Exploit.PDF-JS.Gen (v): Exploit
• Trojan.Win32.Generic!SB.0: Trojan
• Virtumonde: Adware (General)
• Trojan.ASF.Wimad (v): Trojan
• Trojan.Win32.Malware: Trojan
• MyWebSearch Toolbar: Potentially Unwanted Program
• INF.Autorun (v): Trojan
• Trojan.Win32.Agent: Trojan

Stay on top of all the real-time threats:
http://www.sunbeltsecuritynews.com/100203-SunbeltSecurityLabs

Dirty Tricks

Cybercriminals quickly mobilized following the news of a massive earthquake that hit Haiti on Tuesday, by introducing several hundred compromised domains embedded with bogus blackhat SEO (search engine optimization) content related to Red Cross donations and general Haiti earthquake relief information. More at ZDnet:
http://www.sunbeltsecuritynews.com/100203-Hacker-SEO-Campaigns
Here is an interview with him. And in it, around the three-minute mark, he says: "People have really gotten comfortable not only sharing more information and different kinds, but more openly and with more people. That social norm is just something that has evolved over time." Well I beg to differ. How about you? Send me an email.
http://www.sunbeltsecuritynews.com/100203-People-n-Privacy
Back at the dawn of the Web, the most popular account password was "12345." Today, it's one digit longer but hardly safer: "123456."
http://www.sunbeltsecuritynews.com/100203-Passwords
When I am asked the question "Which is more secure, Mac or PC?" I find myself stumbling around for a response because I don't have a clear-cut answer. I use both. And I use antivirus software with both. So I decided to conduct an informal survey of a bunch of security experts and see what they had to say in the hopes that people can use the information to help them come to their own conclusions. This is an interesting article over at cnet news:
http://www.sunbeltsecuritynews.com/100203-Mac-vs-PC-Security
All Cathi "Cat" Paradiso knew for sure, as she learned that her Web access was being shut off, was that she was losing her struggle to stay calm. To Paradiso, the customer-service representative from Qwest Communications on the phone with her could have been speaking Slovenian for all the sense it made. Her Internet service was suspended... Hollywood studios accused her of copyright violations... she illegally downloaded 18 films and TV shows..."Zombieland," "Harry Potter," "South Park..."
http://www.sunbeltsecuritynews.com/100203-ISP-Piracy-Suspension

Zone - Cool Products & Other Stuff

I am always looking for some hot stuff to share with our readers maybe you are too. Hit me back at feedback@SunbeltSecurityNews.com.

Use your mobile phone to leave messages on your block, your street, at the coffee shop, or anywhere you happen to be. Respond privately or publicly to messages from people in your neighborhood. It's easy: you don't even have to sign up.
http://www.sunbeltsecuritynews.com/100203-BlockChalk
The technology industry is going retro - moving away from remote controls, mice and joysticks to something that arrives without batteries, wires or a user manual. It's called a hand.
http://www.sunbeltsecuritynews.com/100203-Hand-Gestures
This is the most beautiful commercial I have ever seen. While many "drive safely commercials" tug at your heart strings with death, dismemberment and the emotional aftermath of a car accident, this one from Sussex Safer Roads entitled Embrace Life tugs in an entirely different way.
http://www.sunbeltsecuritynews.com/100203-Beautiful-Commercial
'Wingtip Draggin Comedy Act' - some of the most skilled flying by any pilot I've ever seen.
http://www.sunbeltsecuritynews.com/100203-Aerobatic-Comedy
An amazing 3-year-old hip hop dancer. This kid knows he can dance!
http://www.sunbeltsecuritynews.com/100203-Hip-Hop-Star
The most spectacular Boeing 747 fly-by you'll see this week:
http://www.sunbeltsecuritynews.com/100203-Boeing