Making basic computer handling ethics and basic online personal security course as the new drivers license to using your computer? Part 2

In the previous blog, I asked if there is a need to a mandatory program acting as the basic driver's license to using your computer online.

Look at the content at securing our e-city(link). It contains basic security advise and scenario of how internet is becoming the haven for cybercrimes. 

Still unclear how this could relates to you?

Scenario 1

Internet based sex predator posing as children troll internet chatrooms and forum and even facebook in search of new victims. Victims who are oblivious tend to divulge personal information such as what school do they attend, how old they are, their current whereabouts, their routine and even contact numbers. 

Scenario 2

Cyber bullying is a new phenomenon where oppressive messages are sent via chat programs often intimidating victims. 

Scenario 3

Digital pictures of one self, if taken improperly can used as a object for cyber extortion if it lands in wrong hands(happens often enough). How about ransomware? Some malware are known to maliciously encrypt your data(without your knowledge) and unless you pay for the ransom/fee, you will not be able to get the data back.

Scenario 4

People continue to click on phishing links and divulge most sensitive information with regards to their banking account. We see fake Maybank and CIMB links on a daily basis. Persuasive emails such as friend stuck in London asking for monetary help or even a Mrs Mandela wanting to pass you several millions of dollars could make you lose some money.

It was mentioned during the conference that cybercrime is fast overtaking drugs as the most lucrative business for criminals. The punishment meted out is puny in contrast with making and distribution of illicit drugs. In some countries, cyberlaws are non-enforceable. 

So in the end, I ask the same question again.....and for some reason I keep nodding my head and thinking aloud STOP, THINK, CONNECT.

This blog is maintained by Basic Gateway as the distributor of ESET products since 2005.

Making basic computer handling ethics and basic online personal security course as the new drivers license to using your computer?

We attended and exhibited in the recently concluded CyberSecurity Malaysia Awards, Conference and Exhibition 2010 held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. The theme focus was on securing our digital city.

ESET is part of the pioneering team in creating such a collaboration program via securing our ecity program(link) which was introduced in 2009 in San Diego, USA. ESET collaborated with private and governmental organizations in creating awareness and education program which was freely available to all business and institutions and private citizens within the San Diego area.

CyberSecurity Malaysia is interested and we can presume that they are drawing execution plans in doing this. Now the question that beckons our consideration, should we start a program in basic fundamentals in using computer and going online in a ethical and safe manner and make this a curriculum in schools. The same can be applied as a KPI measurement goal for employees in both government and corporate sectors. This would be equating to a driver's license to start using your computer online.

Driving programs incorporate basics of handling of the vehicle as well as safety precaution and law and rules on driving to avoid accidents. Should we do the same given that using computers and going online requires us to understand basic safety to avoid being a victim of cybercrime, online scams or even Internet predators.
 
While we know of some corporate organizations in Malaysia which carries out such programs, these programs are internally drawn and revolves on aspect related to the corporate ethics guideline on behavior and use of computer. Should we create a national level program which can be use on all levels.

More on this issue to come in our next blog.

This blog is maintained by Basic Gateway as the distributor of ESET products since 2005.

Looking for ESET products with the right after sales support?

The Antivirus industry has gone through a whole lot of changes of late. A good number of reputable vendors are beginning to move at very aggressive pace to secure customers including offering prices that are very attractive in order to grow or even maintain market share. Thus we now see that consumers are looking at price offering as an attractive if not the primary decision making on choosing an Antivirus brand. 

While we at Basic Gateway and ESET are not exempted from this trend, we would like to stress that after sales support is equally important. At Basic Gateway, we have made significant investments into ensuring that customers purchasing ESET products receive sufficient support using the products we sold.

Home Versions of ESET software purchased via Basic Gateway are eligible to receive basic support  at no extra charge. These support including via telephone and email during office hours only. Our technical team may request for remote access to your computer in event the problems are not resolvable or you may not be experienced enough to make the changes as per our technical team's advise. In case of virus infection, our technical is able to escalate and revert to you with an update for ESET signature typically within a 6-8 hour turnaround time. This turnaround time is subject to complexity of the malware sample submitted as well as other factors.
  
Business Version of our software purchased via Basic Gateway are eligible to receive multi level support based on the contract agreed during purchase. These support contract include support via telephone and email and onsite and remote assist. In event that you have signed a 24x7 contract, our support engineer with named technical person will be available to assist you round the clock. Our technical team may request for remote access to your computer in event the problems are not resolvable as deemed necessary by our team. In case of virus infection, our technical is able to escalate and revert to you with an update for ESET signature typically within a 4 hour turnaround time. This turnaround time is subject to complexity of the malware sample submitted as well as your contract provisions. A contractual support tieback with ESET may become necessary for large organization which may have global/regional operations.

Users may contact us at 1-300-22-3738 for support or email to us at nod32support@nod32.com.my or 365support@eset.my. All emails are logged as case files and you can view the case progress at http://support.basicgateway.com/

Interested to work with us? Call us at 03-78772284  or log on to our website at www.basicgateway.com and talk to our channel managers today. 

This blog is maintained by Basic Gateway as the distributor of ESET products since 2005.

Stuxnet...Again?

The Register, an online news portal on the IT industry has reported that a local Antivirus company, Rising has has confirmed that China is now being hit by the Stuxnet worm. Rising Antivirus reported that over 6 million computers have been identified as being infected although industry experts are raising doubts of the estimate.

Although it was not stated but it is believed that the same variant of Stuxnet reported earlier is the same ones infiltrating China which means that the infection wave is still moving across the globe. 

I wonder if the reported attacks are due to to the high piracy rate in China of the Microsoft Operating System causing users using pirated products to turn off Windows updating and thus becoming an easy target.

It should be cautioned that the Antivirus program is not and should not be used as a protection substitute to Windows Update. They are complimentary of each other and that is why a number of Antivirus providers including ESET is now embedding Windows update notification as part of its core program.

ESET's blog on this matter ESET blog

Source link The Register

This blog is maintained by Basic Gateway as the distributor of ESET products since 2005.

Fake branded handbags.... fake Smart Security

ESET via its blog yesterday announce that a rogue malware has been using the Smart Security name to dupe customers to thinking that they have an infection that only Smart Security can clean and you will need to pay for the software which will clean the infection.

This sort of scam has been going around for quite a while and has various names such as XP Defender, Antimalware Guard and Antispyware  Protector. Sounds genuine?It is not unfortunately. 

This how the real ESET Smart Security interface looks like and ESET's 30 day trial policy allows you to install, scan and remove malware without forcing you to buy the software first.

Stay safe everyone. 

This blog is maintained by Basic Gateway as the distributor of ESET products since 2005.
 

More on Stuxnet

As I was reading on the Internet, I stumbled across a a post on F-secure blog on the issue with stuxnet that corroborates with the story ESET and every other security company has on the origins and target of this malware. Read about this blog post here

Interestingly, further down the post, a youtube video link by F-Secure showing a demo by Symantec reseacher, Liam O'Murchu during the recent Virus Bulletin Conference (VB2010)in Vancouver about how Stuxnet can affect systems linked to an infected SCADA system.

Now, someone can start on a blockbuster Hollywood movie script...

This blog is maintained by Basic Gateway as the distributor of ESET products since 2005.

Stuxnet, the big question....

The issue with Stuxnet has been making new over last few weeks. While ESET has been regularly blogging on thier official blog at blog.eset.com about this issue, the big question remains. Was Stuxnet developed by a nation state sponsored to attack/infiltrate Iran? Iran has reported that their nuclear facility was infected by this malware and further reports that they have clean up the problem. Some news portal are going as far as linking it to specific countries.

We don't have the exact answers (but we are certain that ESET users are continuously protected against the stuxnet threat). A whitepaper written by ESET's research team attempts to clarify some of the characteristics of the virus, but the question remains to be answered. The more technically adept readers can read this research paper here

What is your opinion?

ESET products are distributed in Malaysia by Basic Gateway Sdn Bhd since 2005.