Cyberattack Petya Hits Ukraine Then Spread Globally

The digital world was still not recovered from the ill-effects of WannaCryRansomWare when a new virus PetyaRansomWare, crippled tens of thousands of machines. The harmful virus has affected many large firms, including the food company Mondelez, French construction materials company Saint Gobain, Danish shipping and transport company Maersk, advertiser WWP, Russian steel and oil firms Evraz and Rosneft and more.

Like the WannaCryRansomWare, PetyaRansomWare encrypts the PC and data for ransom. The virus is quickly spreading through networks that use Microsoft Windows. The infected computer system in Ukrainian has been asked for a Bitcoin ransom of $300 along with this message:

“The hard disk of your computer system has been encrypted with a military grade encryption algorithm. Perhaps you are busy looking out for a solution to recover your files, but don’t waste your time. There is no other way to restore your data without our decryption service”.

According to the sources, the attack was first reported in government, state power utility, banks, Kiev’s airport computer systems in Ukraine on Tuesday morning. The officials said that this massive global malware attack has affected all the personal computers, laptops along with the Windows servers. Cybersecurity firms Kaspersky Lab and FireEye Inc (FEYE.O) has told that the “Petya” or “NotPetya” had hit more than 2000 users in The UK, The US, Russia, Ukraine, France, Poland, Germany and other few countries in Asia Pacific.

The virus makes computer systems unresponsive and unable to reboot, which ultimately halts the entire operation and important tasks being performed on that. Now, the affected companies have taken the entire systems offline and trying to find out a solution of this. The U.S. government’s Computer Emergency Readiness Team has said that “Individuals and companies are being suggested not to pay ransom as there is no guarantee that the access will be restored. In addition, the use of unsupported software may lead to increase in cybersecurity threats. Simply, turn off your system as soon as you see that your device is rebooting automatically. This may halt the encryption and protect your files as well as important data.

The author of this article Maria Silvia, is one of the most dedicated and enthusiastic learner as well as writer. She always tries to provide latest and useful information to its readers. Her active and energetic behavior to write and provide ideas on technical topics to its users adds much to our company development. Aol Email Support, Apple Support, Outlook Support and others are some topic on which she worked for our website.

Source: http://help-number.com/blog/cyberattack-petya-hits-ukraine-then-spread-globally/

How to Install Norton Setup on Mac

Norton software suite is one of the most reliable anti-viruses used in many computers. The brand that does not need any recognition has gained popularity globally. Apple Macs are those devices that do not need any antivirus software program as Mac OS is a competent OS that has the ability to secure the files and data it has.

Despite of all having an antivirus installed is not a bad idea, there is no doubt that apple makes safe products what is the harm of keeping the antivirus in it. Besides, virus have found new and different ways to enter into your computer due to which the Apple Macs have also start using antivirus. And what is better than Norton antivirus.

Steps to download your Norton product into Apple Mac:

• Sign in to Norton.
• Click Download.
• Under Install on this device, click Agree & Download.
• By default, the Norton product installer is saved to the Downloads folder.
• When the download finishes, double-click the Norton product Installer.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
• When Live Update finishes installing updates, click Continue.
• In the Installation Successful window, click Restart.
• You must restart your computer to complete the installation process.

Above mentioned are the basic steps that can be downloaded

There is an option for Mac users to get the link for Norton antivirus free download. There is no reason as to why cyber criminals won’t target the Mac OS, so there is an urgency for the Mac users to get a reliable antivirus in order to create a protective layer on their systems. Back in the day, cyber criminals were least bothered about intruding into the Mac computers, but in the recent times, the trend has seemed to change. Windows 10 has been launched by Microsoft and it is safer than ever before.

How easy or difficult it is to install antivirus on Mac computers?

Mac users can easily install Norton antivirus. All they have to do is go to Norton com setup install and follow the steps that are given on Norton.com. With the range of malware and spyware is increasing every passing day, it is extremely important for Mac users to have a top-rated antivirus program that can efficiently keep the viruses away from the computers.

If Mac users find any problem in installing the Norton antivirus program, then they can log onto help Norton com. The makers of Mac computers have also allowed Mac users to install Norton antivirus if they are not sure whether their computers are going to hold up without an antivirus program. If you are using a Mac computer and want to Norton Antivirus download, then you can either go to the official Norton website or any third party website where they sell the authentic version of Norton antivirus. Whatever your choice is, the main thing is to have an antivirus installed on the computer because the viruses have become smarter today and in order to protect your computer system from them. So, without any further delays, get the original Norton antivirus installed on your Mac computer to make sure that it continues to work in a flawless manner. You can choose a 3rd party company to buy the original software if you want, as there is no risk in that.

Maria Silvia, who is the writer here loves to write on latest technology and gadgets. She’s well known for her op-eds and diary pieces, exploring her experience of Apple, Mac products over time, for a more rounded review. She has also written on various topics such as Support for McAfee, Support for Avast, Support for Norton etc.

Source : https://mannupcexpert.wixsite.com/helpnumber/single-post/2017/06/23/How-to-Install-Norton-Setup-on-Mac

McAfee Free Tool To Get Rid of PinkSlipBot Remnants

PinkSlipBot is a harmful trojan that runs in the background and targets specific industries like banking, financial institution and more. First identified in 2007, the virus was created to steal the confidential information, including the location, organization as well as the owner name of the infected system. This enables the attacker to sell this info to some other party and earn money by deploying the targeted malware to the system.

Once your computer system gets infected with this hazardous virus, you will receive many pop-ups asking you to download malicious programs and files to your computer systems. The victim’s computer is controlled through a command-based backdoor, functioned by the control server along with a virtual network computing–based backdoor. The malware is also tracked under three other names, i.e. Qakbot, PinkSlip andQbot.

The virus can be distributed to the other computer system shares the same network. It can also update its latest  version automatically through the control server. To secure your system from this virus, McAfee  Antivirus has launched a new tool named AmIPinkC2, which can be downloaded for free. This tool is a Windows command-line application that completely take away the leftovers of PinkSlipBotthat permits the virus to continue to access previously attacked computer systems as proxy relays, even if the virus has been removed from the system. 

With the deep research and study, McAfee has tracked PinkSlipBot campaigns and presented the complete analysis at the Virus Bulletin Security Conference held in 2016. From the past campaigns as well as activities of PinkSlipBot malware, they have discovered that besides stealing the confidential information and data, this banking trojan makes the use of affected hosts as a proxy server to pass on the information from central control server to other infected hosts, resulting in a mesh type network creation.  

What Makes McAfee’s Free Tool Different From Other Security Tools?

Besides the availability of many other tools that let the user get rid of this hazardous malware and enable their computer system to operate normally, McAfee has made its presence as a leader by enabling its tool to completely remove the leftovers from the infected system. All the other security software and tools were only focusing on removing the malware’s binary files causing the Trojan’s capacity to steal the passwords from the affected computer system. 

McAfee’s new tool will completely remove the remaining files of the PinkSlipBot malware making it impossible for the virus to pass on relay C&C commands as well as hide the exfiltration of stolen information via a mesh of proxies. 

System Specifications

To use this tool, a computer must be running Windows XP or higher along with a hi-speed internet connection. Once you download the tool from McAfee’s website, open command prompt window (Windows + R) and execute the program without using any parameter. Simply type C:\>AmIPinkC2.exeto run this tool in Detect Mode, which will find the PinkSlipBot leftovers on your system. Remove it by following the further instructions and make your work smooth and hassle-free.

Maria Silvia is an experienced writer who loves to study and write about the latest software, critical online threats and way to deal with them. 

Banking Trojan- Lose Your Information With a Hover Over PowerPoint Hyperlink

Spammers are looking for the new ways to make the sufferers to install the malware that automatically gets download when the users hover over a hyperlink in a PowerPoint slide show. 

The new infected way which makes the e-mail recipients to download and installs the malware by running a malicious macro over the network seems out to be a twist to the common advice re-emerged in 2015 and says that “users should not increase the Office macro malware threat resulting by clicking on links from the doubtful sources”.

The new twist will not include macros on the Office malware but will install the malware by hovering over a hyperlink in a PowerPoint slide show has been brought by the Bleepingcomputer. The twist explains that when the user hovers over hyperlinked text in the PowerPoint file after opening it, this result in downloading of the malware accessed by running a PowerShell command linked to a malicious domain.

The malware appears in form of a spam e-mail in front of the users. The particular e-mail appears with the name of the attachment file and subject headers showing it either as an invoice or as a purchase order. A point to be noted about these attached file formats is that they are the open- source version of the Microsoft PowerPoint slide show (PPSX) that can’t be edited rather only viewed, making it different from the normal PPT or PPTX files.

Hovering over the hyperlinked text "Loading... Please wait" displayed in the Microsoft PowerPoint slide show (PPSX) will download the malicious software automatically if the office protected view is not enabled. This protected view was made enabled as a default setting in Office 2010, where the Office display a “security warning” message which will then blocks the malware download.

The PowerPoint file downloads the trojan named as Gootkit or the Otlard, which were known for stealing credentials and bank account information by compromising websites with malicious iframe code and called as Zusy by the SentinelOne (a venture-backed cyber-security located in Palo Alto, California).

At the end of the May, Trend Micro, a Japanese multinational security software company as well as the global leader in cyber security solutions for businesses, networks, etc. has detected a spam operation with the malicious PowerPoint files focusing at organizations running in the Poland, Netherlands and etc. Previously, the macro malware documents are used by the same gang of spammers for delivering different payloads.

Though the present ongoing campaign was not so extensive yet may results as a "dry run for future campaigns", as estimated by the researchers of the Trend Micro.

Trend Micro has written “No doubt that the features such as OLEs, macros, and mouse hovers have their own good and genuine uses but unfortunately they are taken over by the wrong hands. To infect the victim, firstly a socially engineered e-mail and a mouse hover link is made to be appear in front of you and then the second one disabled, creating possibilities to click resulting in downloading of the malware.

Maria Silvia is the writer of this article. She is a keen writer and love to write on technical topics. She does a proper research on every topic before bringing it in front of the user. Her dedication, experience and flair in writing style are helping our website in gaining popularity amongst the clients. She has also written on many topics such as, McAfee Support, Norton Support etc. 

Source: http://www.apsense.com/article/banking-trojan-lose-your-information-with-a-hover-over-powerpoint-hyperlink.html

Norton Mobile Security- Protect Your Mobile Phone From All Online Threats

No one can deny from the fact that the internet is one of the greatest innovations of this century. With the increasing dependency on the internet, we just cannot imagine our lives without it. From purchasing grocery to large appliances, accessing your bank account to sending money overseas, there is hardly any task that cannot be performed on internet. The best part of the internet came into limelight when we all started using it on our mobile phones.

With the growing use of internet, a quick rise in online breaches has also been observed in past few years and the recent wanna cry ransomeware attack is the perfect example of it. This virus has affected more than 74 countries worldwide. There are a number of anti-virus software already available to secure your computer systems and laptops, but that’s really not enough. The same level of security is also required for your mobile phones. It’s because we access our bank accounts, social profiles and more from our smartphones or iPhone. While using such apps or even browsing through the internet, anyone can be a victim of phishing.

Keeping this in mind, Norton offers advanced mobile security for the complete protection of your smartphones and tablets. Key features of Norton Mobile Security are:

• Complete protection against online threats like risky mobile applications
• Single subscription for a number of devices
• Lost and recovery in case of lost or stolen mobile phones
• Keeps your personal information safe and secure
• Scans all mobile apps for a secure browsing and malware protection
• Blocks unwanted calls or text messages

Free or Premium?

Norton mobile security is freemium app.This simply means you can enjoy its basic services at no cost. However, for its advanced security features, you have to subscribe a plan. Norton offers different security plans for Android or iOS phones. Its one-year mobile security plan will give you one year of protection against all malware and viruses.

Using one subscription for multiple devices- Yes, it’s economical!

How about covering all the smartphone or iPhone at your home under one protection plan? Of course, it will save huge money without compromising with the virus protection guarantee. To avail this service, visit Norton official website, sign in (existing users) or register (new users).

System Requirements for Norton Mobile Security

Norton mobile security can be installed on android 4.0.3 or later and iOS 8.0 or later. It will need 50mb of storage space of your device. This security will provide you utmost level of browser support for complete web protection. When you install it on any Android phone or tablet just make sure that the Google play app store is already installed. Please note that some of the Norton mobile security features on Android operating system can be different as that of iOS.

Maria Silvia with her immense experience has written this article. With years of experience in technical writing she stays updated with the newest change in the technology world, only to bring something new in front of her user. Till now she has written on several of topics comprises of Norton Support, Webroot Support, Microsoft Outlook Email, Windows 10 and much more.

Source: http://help-number.com/blog/norton-mobile-security-protect-your-mobile-phone-from-all-online-threats/

How to Customize Windows Desktop with Widgets & Skins?

Desktop widgets available in earlier versions of Windows were very useful and appreciated by almost all Windows users.Even some feel the need of and want to bring these widgets in Windows 10 also.Concerning above fact, Windows provided a free open source desktop customization tool (though not a widget exactly yet provides either the same or even the better experience) named as Rainmeter that enable the users to add widgets and skins to their desktop.

Learn the use of Rainmeter for Windows

Rainmeter is one of the most famous user interface customization tool and hence highly concentrated by the folk. The tool uses the basic models of skins to work, these skins either can be created or applied by the users themselves or the users can downloadthe skin created by someone else.Users can also find lots of good skins at internet (online) and more probably without paying for it as the members of the Rainmeter community generally issue their tasks for free of cost.

Users can begin with the customization process as soon as they have done with the download and installation of any skin of their choice. They can lock the position of the skin after placing it anywhere (their preferred location) on the desktop.A weather skin, the hardware status, the time/clock skins and the to-do list are some of the basic skins that one should think about.

A large number of options as well as huge quantity of combinations are available here, that enables you to download various diverse skins along with to utilize various elements of them in collaboration to gain endless possibilities.Among this vast range, a skin can be functional like a Music player or a to-do app or it can straightforward like a weather widget that only displays the weather simply.

The layouts can also be saved and kept for future use, as the various settings and the relative positions of different skins are stored on your desktop by these layouts and these layouts are supported by the Rainmeter tool.

Rainmeter Skinsavailability

To get the latest skins created by a variety of developers, simply move to the ‘Discover’ section of the Rainmeter otherwise the one who wants to make their own skins, can begin as a basic skin is also included here for them.DevianArt, listed as the biggest storage area for the Rainmeterskinsis the place that essentially provides the people with whatever they want.

Skins for your desktop PCs can also be obtained from other available websites. You can also edit a skin according to your preference simply by right clicking on a skin and selecting ‘Edit Skin’ option.Doing this will make visible a new notepad windows in front of you allowing you to view and edit the code for that exact skin easily.

Creation of Rainmeter skins by oneself

Rainmeter is one of the best tools for those want to customize their system themselves and also a good start for the beginners, it provides the one with the complete manual that allow to easily start at developing skins. The specified manual will guide you all the steps starting from the basics to all the complex concepts of Rainmeter. Additionally, it includes tutorials in case of publishing one’s skin on DevianArt and other similar websites as a package.Hence, everything is provided to you in front of you but the only thing that you have to do is install a good text editor Rainmeter on your system.

As mentioned above, Rainmeter is one of the most famous user interface desktop customization tool and is supported by a large number of active community.There are a large number of fans that makes their desktops more attractive by working on a number of skins. This is the admirable starting tool for the designers or those are interested in the user interface designing and development.

Maria Silvia is the writer here. Finding and making available the new and distinct ideas, information on technical topics to its users is her passion, clarifying the words our website used for her that she is a passionate learners as well as writer. Also, she is a confident technical and professional writer and writes articles on various technical topics that prove to be attractive as well as useful for the readers. She has been working for our website and has written on topics such as support for Windows 10, Windows 8 support, Windows 7 support, etc.