The Mission of the United Nations Environment Programme is to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.

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World Environment Day 2009

Solution? – Contain Conficker

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The Internet Is Infected

Set Internet and Local intranet security zone settings to “High” to prompt before running ActiveX Controls and Active Scripting in these zones:

1. On the Internet Explorer Tools menu, click Internet Options.
2. In the Internet Options dialog box, click the Security tab, and then click the Internet icon.
3. Under Security level for this zone, move the slider to High. This sets the security level for all Web sites you visit to High.  If no slider is visible, click Default Level, and then move the slider to High.

Configure Internet Explorer to prompt before running Active Scripting or to disable Active Scripting in the Internet and Local intranet security zone:

1. In Internet Explorer, click Internet Options on the Tools menu.
2. Click the Security tab.
3. Click Internet, and then click Custom Level.
4. Under Settings, in the Scripting section, under Active Scripting, click Prompt or Disable, and then click OK.
5. Click Local intranet, and then click Custom Level.
6. Under Settings, in the Scripting section, under Active Scripting, click Prompt or Disable, and then click OK.
7. Click OK two times to return to Internet Explorer.

Enable DEP for Internet Explorer 7

1. In Internet Explorer, click Tools, click Internet Options, and then click Advanced.
2. Click Enable memory protection to help mitigate online attacks.

Of course, for those of us that use Firefox or Opera, we don’t have to worry about stuff like this.

* UPDATE 12/17/08: Security Update for Internet Explorer

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For All The Internet Explorer Users In The House

For those that don’t understand why, these software updates fix any bugs (errors) found after the initial release and often add new features to the software on your machine – and that’s a good thing.

You’ve been warned; now go secure those PCs!

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98 Out Of 100 PCs Run Insecure Programs

You may have received a call from the 809 area code. The woman said ‘Hey, this is Karen. Sorry I missed you–get back to us quickly. I have something important to tell you.’ Then she repeated a phone number beginning with 809. We didn’t respond.

They get you to call by telling you that it is information about a family member who has been ill or to tell you someone has-been arrested, died, or to let you know you have won a wonderful prize, etc. In each case, you are told to call the 809 number right away. Since there are so many new area codes these days, people unknowingly return these calls.

If you call from the US , you will apparently be charged $2425 per-minute.

Or, you’ll get a long recorded message. The point is, they will try to keep you on the phone as long as possible to increase the charges. Unfortunately, when you get your phone bill, you’ll often be charged more than $24,100.00

WHY IT WORKS:

The 809 area code is located in the Dominican Republic. They are not regulated by the US laws.

The charges afterwards can become a real nightmare. That’s because you did actually make the call. If you complain, both your local phone company and your long distance carrier will not want to get involved and will most likely tell you that they are simply providing the billing for the foreign company. You’ll end up dealing with a foreign company that argues they have done nothing wrong.

Please forward this entire message to your friends, family and colleagues to help them become aware of this scam

Sandi Van Handel
AT&T Field Service Manager
(920)687-904

Additional information on these area codes can be found from AT&T at: AT&T – 809 Area Code and Other Long Distance Phone Scams

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Avoid 284, 809, or 876 Area Code Calls

“The USB ban should be effective in stopping the worm,” says Ryan Olson, director of rapid response for the iDefense computer security firm. G\L guys!

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DOD: “I Want You”, But Not Your Malware Too

To be honest, I haven’t used ZA for a few years now, having switched to Comodo’s free firewall product about a year ago. It had tons of options to tweak, and in the end, I became disenfranchised with the notion of setting them each time I restored my Windows box (every few months).

In the end, I switched back to the default firewall that comes with Windows, and since I never have any problems anyway, I feel it’s good enough for my SOHO box. That being said, I’m never one to pass up on a good deal, especially when it’s free ‘as in air’.

If you find you have malware problems in one form or another, a good firewall is your first line of defense against the World Wide Web. G/L.

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Fight Malware For Free With ZoneAlarm Pro Firewall – Today Only

As investigators have noted, if last year is any foreteller of future events, one week from today will show a peak in the amount of malware activity across the internet as people rush to online shops for their holiday shopping.

To avoid any mishaps, ensure your operating system, browser of choice, and anti-malware software is up to date. Also, please don’t fall for any internet / email scams.

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USA’s Thanksgiving = Peak Malware Season Too

1. A state election board’s Website could be spoofed, for instance, with purposely deceptive information on polling-place locations, times, and voter registration rules.
2. Phishing emails could be pushed out to voters, offering phony information on polling sites, voter records, voter registration, and voter registration status in an effort to confuse or scare away voters, for instance.
3. Pharming emails could use hijacked domain names such as “Get Out the Vote,” according to the report, as a way to redirect voters to fraudulent sites.
4. DOS attacks could be launched on voter information sites or voter help hotlines in order to disrupt the process.
5. “Rumor-mongering” efforts could be launched that seed fake stories through blogs about election delays or cancellations “due to an emergency.”
6. Poll workers could be targeted by social engineering tactics that result in delays in poll-location openings or other disruptions.
7. A “Google bomb” could be set to boost a Web page ranking with phony links.

I was gonna send this in an email to some family members when I realized I might as well broadcast it to everybody. It’s certainly a problem we all have to deal with while online, and being aware of these tactics can definitely prevent headaches down the road.

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Unsavory Tactics This Election Season