The Kypoth Infoblog » Online Security

Kaspersky Internet Security 2010 not updating and internet / web pages not displaying

kypoth-Alex — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 21:18:36 +0000

I have just fixed a problem with a client computer where a new install of Kaspersky Internet Security 2010 was not downloading any database updates and also web pages were not displaying (regardless of browser). DNS checks confirmed the internet was available so I was getting confused as to why Kaspersky wouldn’t connect to its update centre, reporting ”Error connecting to update source, Task cannot be started”.

Web pages were not being displayed within any browser, but I was getting internet access (i.e. Windows Update and Messenger were ok). This led me to suspect some sort of firewall issue, and disabling Kasperksy allowed the internet to work fine. A re-install of Kaspersky made no difference.

So with Kaspersky disabled, I’d got the web browsers working and I downloaded the manual update files. Configured to do the manual update which processed three files and then failed with the same error.

But I’ve never had these problems with Kaspersky before, so was starting to get doubts about this normally great piece of software. I couldn’t find anything relevant on their forums with the search terms I was using. Luckily the client had mentioned to me that the laptop did have Norton pre-installed on it before he installed the Kaspersky… apparently Kaspersky had reported that it removed Norton. A bit of internet surfing later and I came across a thread that pointed the finger at Norton, which I have to say came as no surprise and I really should have started out on that track.

I ran the Norton Removal Tool and hey presto, I can surf the net with Kaspersky fully enabled and the updates downloaded and installed fine.

Job done (curses to you, Norton).

P.S. If you need to download the NRT, go here. If the link is broken, please let me know, then Google “norton removal tool” and look for the symantec site.

How to register for the free version of Avast anti virus scanner

kypoth-Alex — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 20:30:02 +0000

I recommend Avast antivirus to most of my residential customers as it’s free and easy to look after. One thing that some people seem scared of though is registering it when their 60 day trial is up. I’m never sure why, it’s a quick thing to do and it really is free (for home users), you just need to register your email address with them so they can send you a license key. If you don’t register, your antivirus protection stops working, that puts your internet security at risk and that’s not a good thing.

There’s two stages: first is getting your key and second is putting that key into the Avast program on your computer. It’s easy, I promise…

Stage 1 – obtaining the Avast antivirus license key

Go to the registration page on the avast website:

http://www.avast.com/eng/home-registration.v2.php?lang=ENGUK#register-form

Enter your email address (twice to confirm it), enter your name, select your country. You can fill in the optional info if you wish. Enter the three letter verification code and press Register.

Wait for the registration code to turn up in your email.

Stage 2 – Entering the license key into Avast

There are a couple of ways to enter the license key into Avast.

If you see the red box at the bottom right of your screen, click on it and you’ll be shown a splash screen with a picture of the product. Look to the bottom left of the screen and click on ‘I already have a license key’.

If you don’t see the red box, go to the Start menu and find Avast in the program folders, or if I’ve put an ‘Anti Virus and Security’ folder (the padlock icon) on your desktop, double-click the Avast icon in there.

You should now see the ‘Enter your license key window’.

Go to your email program and find the email from Avast.

Click and drag over the license key to select the text and press CTRL and C (at the same time) to copy the text.

Get your email program out of the way so you can see the Avast license key window. Click in the license key field and then press CTRL and V together to paste the key into the window.

Press ok, your license key is confirmed.

Now you don’t have to worry about your virus protection for a whole year. There, wasn’t that easy?

Internet Security – Personal Considerations

kypoth-Alex — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:11:09 +0000

If you’re concerned about your on-line security, good, you should be. If you’re not, then prepare for the worst. Having your credit card abused by Somali warlords is one thing, but if someone steals your identity, you’re going to have a time trying to prove to the government, global corporation or the baliff banging on your door that you are you and not the other person who has re-mortgaged your house or cleaned out your life savings.

So don’t put your middle name on social networking sites, remove your birthdate from all those loyalty sites you’ve signed up for (I use a fake birthday if I have to, bit like the Queen), don’t use your off-line security question (like your mother’s maiden name) on any websites, basically any information that might give someone a headstart in applying for e.g. a credit card in your identity.

Be cautious on-line. You wouldn’t walk down the high street with your cards pinned to your chest like badges, so don’t do the same on-line. Using a credit card (more protection than a debit card) with reputable companies over encrypted connections (look for the locked padlock in your browser) shouldn’t be a problem, but having said that, it’s known that Paypal have been hacked of bank details, etc, so you take your own risk. If you use one credit card for just online sales, then it will at least contain the damage to that card.

Unless you know your computer is virus-free, don’t use on-line banking. Definitely don’t be tempted to use on-line banking on a public computer – call them via phone instead. It’s possible that a virus can change the final destination of a web page (known as a DNS hijack) so that even if you type www.highstreetbank.co.uk, your browser ends up going to www.eastern-eurocrime.com instead. And they will have cleverly copied the pages of highstreetbank (easily – just go to the real site and it’s all there) to make it look as though nothing is untoward at all.

Your computer may be in the comfort of your living room, but the internet is a big, bad world you should be careful in. Trust no-one with personal info unless you know 100% that they’re genuine.

Have a look at the site below for more information…
Microsoft Online Security http://www.microsoft.com/protect/fraud

Internet Security – Protecting Your Family

kypoth-Alex — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:45:14 +0000

If you have children, you should be concerned if they’re using the web. Just remember, the internet is the big, bad world and it’s all just a click away. If you wouldn’t be happy with your kids going to a nightclub in town on their own for the night, then you shouldn’t let them have unrestricted access to the internet.

Don’t allow computers in their bedrooms, put them in a common area. This way you can monitor what’s on screen – pass through the area nonchalantly every now and then. You can install safe-surfing programs (called ‘net nannies’) that restrict access to certain kinds of content but these are limited in that websites have to classify their data for these programs, and whilst the responsible members of the adult industry sign up to this, there’s also an awful lot of irresponsible sites out there. Certain types of communication are pretty difficult to ‘part allow’ – i.e. you can’t let them just chat to their friends. If they can chat, they can do it with the whole world. You can chat through websites too, so unfortunately uninstalling Microsoft Messenger won’t prevent it.

So it’s important to talk to them, find out what they’re doing. You can always claim the dumb parent trick and ask them to show you how to do it - this should at least break the ice and then you can drop in the questions about who, what, when, etc. It’s more than likely just chat between school friends but anyone and everyone has access to the web so warn them of the dangers. They’re not mature enough to make entirely wise decisions (who is?!) and could be easily tricked by those with underhand intentions.

Also be wary of illegal filesharing – by which I mean downloading music or movies that you haven’t paid for. Music can be obtained from iTunes, Napster, etc. perfectly legally and you pay for each track downloaded, but look out for file-sharing apps like Limewire, Ares, Kazaa, BearShare and bitTorrent (there are lots of others). The downloaded files are a haven for malicious software (viruses, etc.), so it’s a good way to infect your computer. I once worked for a well known record company that had two guys that sat on the internet all day long filling the illegal filesharing areas with poor quality data. Not viruses, just tracks with high pitched noises, etc. in an effort to dilute the ‘good’ stuff and make it more tiresome for sharers to download.

Cinema-release blockbuster movies aren’t available for legal download anywhere. There is one site called CinemaNow, which is the only legal Hollywood distribution network, but I’m afraid it’s all old and straight-to-TV movies on there so looks like the industry doesn’t really support the concept. They want you to buy the DVD if you want your own copy, so any full films or TV series on a computer are more than likely illegal.

The same applies to pirated video games which can be downloaded, burnt onto DVD or special cartridges and played in a console (instructions for doing this are freely available on the net, so anyone can be doing it, especially your average tech-savvy teenager).

Don’t forget it’s the parent who’s responsible and you’ll be the one in court or facing a massive fine.

Have a look at these sites for more security info…
Microsoft Family Security http://www.microsoft.com/protect/family/
Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (a UK Government Agency) http://www.ceop.gov.uk
CEOP also have a sub site, “think u know” which contains good info for internet-baffled parents http://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/