At Virtual World Computing (VWC) we are pleased to announce our latest contest — the “Anything You Love About Cocoon” contest. From May 19-31, participants may submit an entry to VWC from the contest entry tab on our official Facebook page. The Grand Prize Winner will receive a iPad Mini (Apple is not a participant in or sponsor of this promotion), based on your contribution on the entry form about “why you love Cocoon.” All other contest prizes will be selected in a random drawing.

The official contest rules are posted here at our blog. The grand prize winner will be selected on June 3 and will be based on the participant’s written entry about “what they love about Cocoon”. All other prizes will be selected in a random drawing on June 1.

The remaining 16 prizes include:

(a) One $100.00 iTunes Music Card (retail value $100.00); (b) One $100.00 Amazon.com Gift Card (retail value $100.00); (c) One $75.00 Amazon.com Gift Card (retail value $75.00); (d) Three $50.00 Amazon Gift Cards (retail value $50.00 each for a total $150.00); (e) Ten 1 year subscriptions to either PC World or Mac World (retail value $19.97 each for a total $199.70). The total value of this prize package is $975.00. Only one prize per winner.

All winners will be notified by email within three business days following the close of this contest. All winning participant prizes will be dispensed between June 6-12. The odds of winning the Grand Prize depend upon the written entry. Whether you love the concept of online security and privacy, love a particular Cocoon feature, love to stream their favorite US content when traveling abroad, or you just love Cocoon because it makes you feel soft, fuzzy, and Cocooned – there is only one winner for this coveted grand prize. The odds of winning the remaining 16 prizes depend upon the number of eligible entries received for this drawing.

 Mobile Smart Link: http://a.pgtb.me/pknzbq

All winners will be notified by email within three business days following the close of this contest. All winning participant prizes will be dispensed between June 6-12. The odds of winning the Grand Prize depend upon the written entry. Whether you love the concept of online security and privacy, love a particular Cocoon feature, love to stream their favorite US content when traveling abroad, or you just love Cocoon because it makes you feel soft, fuzzy, and Cocooned – there is only one winner for this coveted grand prize. The odds of winning the remaining 16 prizes depend upon the number of eligible entries received for this drawing.

Pssst Tumblrs! You are invited to enter the Cocoon Anything You Love About Cocoon contest! You have a chance to win 1 of 17 prizes… #GetCocoon

We are stoked to be back on Tumblr! We know it has been quite sometime since we last posted - but, much has been happening in our little corner of the Intertubes! We are expanding! 

We recently added a travel page on Facebook and we also partnered with Marc Klaas of the KlaasKids Foundation to give all our little web surfers a safe browsing experience.

Stay tuned!

The majority of Internet security risk factors can be controlled with the right tools, the right attitude (a willingness to learn and apply the necessary strategies), and the desire to become proactive versus reactive. Keeping your computer free from badware, malware, botnets, viruses, adware, and a host of other nasties plays an important role in extending some decent net etiquette. 

If you think of  surfing the web as an Interstate and the computers that frequent the web as vehicles – driving a stable vehicle on the Interstate is integral to highway safety. Would you feel safer driving next to a car that is well maintained with a current safety inspection sticker intact, or would you feel safer driving next to that dilapidated hunk-of-junk with four bald tires and no safety inspection sticker?

10 Ways To Protect Your PC

 1-Back-up: How and why you should back up your personal computer.

Though this is one of the most neglected areas of computer maintenance,  it is essential to have a clean back-up source if your system has a hard disk failure (crashes) or your data and system files become compromised by a virus.

2-Use strong passwords: Check your password at Microsoft, is it strong?

A weak password such as 123456, password, abc123, or using your first name or pet’s name as your password is the Achilles heel of online security. Passwords are your first line of defense against cybercriminals. Create complex passwords for each site (do not share the same password at multiple sites), change them frequently and create accounts at sites that use good encryption.

3-Use a firewall: What is a firewall?

A firewall is a barrier that can keep destructive forces (hackers, malicious software) from the Internet away from your computer.It can also stop your computer from sending malicious programs to other computers.

4-Use Anti-virus software and keep it up-to-date.  

New viruses and malware is created everyday, so it is important that you keep your definitions updated.

5-Use a reputable malware scanner. Malwarebytes is highly recommended.

6-Don’t use an administrative account to browse the web

Create a new user account with limited rights to surf the web. Since malware requires administrative rights to run on the system – using a nonadministrative account will not enable malicious software to install on your system.

7-Keep your PC operating systems and programs updated.  Secunia PSIis an excellent [Free] option that keeps third-party software updated.

8-Never download pirated software 

According to The Dangerous world of Counterfeit and Pirated Software, pirated and counterfeit software (i.e. unlicensed software and bogus software pretending to be genuine) has become one of the most reliable fast-tracks to the risk of malware infection. –NetworkWorld

9-Be responsible with social networking sites.

Social networking sites are rife with rogue apps and Internet scammers that often prey on user’s to spread their wares via permissions granted by the user. With a little education anyone can stay on top of the bad stuff and have a better Internet experience overall.

Subscribing to the Sophos Security Blog and FaceCrooks will keep you aware of the seedy and unsavory side of social media, along with providing great tips on how to stay safe online.

10-Use a layered approach when surfing the web.

As an example of using a layered approach: You would use a Internet Security Suite to take care of your antivirus needs, an anti-malware product installed such as Malwarebytes, Secunia PSI to check for vulnerabilities, a link scanner like McAfee SiteAdvisor and use Cocoonto anonymize and protect your web browsing sessions.

Layered security is about multiple types of security measures, each protecting against a different vector for attack.” — Chad Perrin, TechRepublic

 When you browse the web it is easy to land on an unsavory site or get hit by a drive-by-download. Today, the virtual threat landscape needs more protection than an antivirus suite or antimalware application. Many exploits utilize 3rd party browser plugins (Flash, Adobe Reader) and if your operating system or browser has a vulnerability – it can easily become an open door that invites hackers in.

By following the above 10 tips, you will be able to minimize the impact that hackers and malicious software can have on your PC.

Do you have more PC Internet safety tips to offer? Please leave a comment at our blog or let us know on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, or Pinterest.

One of the biggest threats to Mac computer users today is the belief that Apple’s operating system is immune to malware and viruse attacks. The Flashback Trojan attack  (April 2012) was a strong reminder to Mac users that third-party software is a vehicle that can and will infect both Windows and Mac computers alike.

[Krebs on Security]: A year ago today, Apple released a software update to halt the spread of the Flashback worm, a malware strain that infected more than 650,000 Mac OS X systems using a vulnerability in Apple’s version of Java.

10 Ways To Protect Your Mac

1-Back-up-Sunday was World Backup Day - when was the last time you backed up your Mac?

 With Apple’s Time Machine software (OS X 10.5 and above) you can perform full-system and incremental back-ups.

2-Use strong passwords: Check your password at Microsoft, is it strong?

A weak password such as 123456, password, abc123, or using your first name or pet’s name as your password is the Achilles heel of online security. Passwords are your first line of defense against cybercriminals. Create complex passwords for each site (do not share the same password at multiple sites), change them frequently and create accounts at sites that use good encryption.

3-Use a firewall & secure your Airport

A firewall is a barrier that can keep destructive forces (hackers, malicious software) from the Internet away from your computer.It can also stop your computer from sending malicious programs to other computers.

To set up the Mac OS X 10.6X and above Firewall:

Click the Apple menu > select System Preferences > select the Security Icon > Click the Firewall Tab > click the *Start Button > Advanced> select your desired Firewall configuration > click OK > close the security pane to save your selections.

* Note: If the Start button is gray, click the lock icon (bottom of window) and enter your administrative password at the prompt.

To secure your Airport:

Change your wireless router password to a strong password and use encryption.

4-Use Anti-virus software and keep it up-to-date.

New viruses and malware is created everyday, so it is important that you keep your antivirus software updated.Sophos Mac Home Addition (free for home users), is simple to install while updating and downloading virus definitions on an hourly basis.

 5-Update OS X and Apps on a regular basis.

-Open software update from the Apple Menu to install updates.

-Open the App Store and download available updates.

6-Disable Automatic File Opening in Safari After Download.

For added security, disable this feature when using Safari > Open Safari Preferences > Click the General Tab > uncheck open safe files after downloading.

Note: If you use Cocoon, all files downloaded from the Internet require user approval.

7-Enable FileVault Encryption.

From the Apple Menu: Open System Preferences > Click on Security & Privacy > Click the FireVault Tab

8-Enable Anti-Malware Definitions

This should be enabled by default. Double-check your preferences to make sure that it is turned on:

From the Apple Menu: Open System Preferences > Click on Security & Privacy > General Tab > check Automatically update safe downloads list

9-Be responsible with social networking sites.

Social networking sites are rife with rogue apps and Internet scammers that often prey on user’s to spread their wares via permissions granted by the user. With a little education anyone can stay on top of the bad stuff and have a better Internet experience overall.

Subscribing to the Sophos Security Blog and FaceCrooks will keep you aware of the seedy and unsavory side of social media, along with providing great tips on how to stay safe online.

10-Use a layered approach when surfing the web.

 When you browse the web it is easy to land on an unsavory site or get hit by a drive-by-download. Today, the virtual threat landscape needs more protection than an antivirus suite. Many exploits utilize 3rd party browser plugins (Flash, Adobe Reader) and if your operating system or browser has a vulnerability – it can easily become an open door that invites hackers in. Surfing with Cocoonon the web can add an extra layer of protection to secure your browsing experience.

By following the above 10 tips, you will be able to minimize the impact that hackers and malicious software can have on your Mac.

Do you have more Mac Internet safety tips to offer? Please leave a comment at our blog or let us know on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, or Pinterest.

datacoupinc:

The default for data sharing at nearly any bank or large company that traffics in personal data is “opt-in”. This is offensive.

I’m a coffee shop connoisseur; the most frequent mistake I see with fellow java-lovers is the ease with which they leave their iPhones or iPads lying on the table when they go to retrieve their order. My iPhone is like a third hand when I am in public space; I never let it out of my sight.

When I am in the city (or a high crime rate area), all my devices are carefully concealed. I never give criminals an open invitation to mug me. My Jeep never announces that any semblance of technology exists within.

The lucrative secondhand market for today’s niftiest handsets has produced an explosion in “Apple picking” by thieves. A used iPad or iPhone can fetch more than $400. –ROLFE WINKLER | The Wall Street Journal

After pressure from Congress, regulators and police departments-  the FCC and four major US carriers (AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile & Verizon) have agreed to form a national joint blacklist database so that stolen devices will not be able to obtain new service. This service should be available sometime in October 2012.

Verizon currently does not allow devices that are stolen to be operated on their network. Sprint cuts off phones that have been reported as stolen and T-Mobile suspends accounts that report stolen phones. AT&T was slow to jump on the bandwagon – but was pleased to join the blacklist initiative.

iCrime

There is a certain mindset that dances to the tune“This could never happen to me!” Get over it already because iCrime could easily happen to you.Gadget theft is big business. My daughter recently experienced the bitter reality of iPhone theft when Siri danced away from a neighborhood BBQ in the arms of a stranger. She was devastated. I couldn’t say “I told you so,” because sometimes people think that the world is made up of entirely nice people.

How can you beef up your security?

Within one hour, Mat Honan of Wired lost his entire digital life to hackers – why? Through the use of social engineering tactics, hackers tricked Apple service reps into granting access to Mat’s iCloud account. Unfortunately, two of his online accounts was daisy-chained – enabling the hackers to gain access to his Gmail and Twitter account. It was a difficult and extremely harsh lesson for Mat to learn and many of us on Twitter sympathized with his pain.

I should have been regularly backing up my MacBook. Because I wasn’t doing that, if all the photos from the first year and a half of my daughter’s life are ultimately lost, I will have only myself to blame. I shouldn’t have daisy-chained two such vital accounts — my Google and my iCloud account — together. I shouldn’t have used the same e-mail prefix across multiple accounts — mhonan@gmail.com, mhonan@me.com, and mhonan@wired.com. And I should have had a recovery address that’s only used for recovery without being tied to core services. –Mat Honan | Wired

Learn from Mat.

Security comes with a price

You are going to have to make a choice betweensecurity and convenience. I have learned thatinconvenience is one giant step toward fightingiCrime. Backing up data, using complex passwords, disabling services that could open the door to stolen devices – is mandatory when it comes down to proactive versus reactive.

I never want to place myself (or my devices) in a “reactive” position!  I am the type of person that often plans ahead for security disasters. It is the same reason that I usedigital surveillance (to upload real-time office images to a remote server) – I take the necessary time to configure and manage my digital assets in order to make life miserable for a potential thief or hacker.

 The Top Ten

1- Backup your iPhone and check the option to encrypt data. You won’t know how much you miss until your iPhone becomes wiped or stolen…

The simplicity of iPhone is that all you have to do is connect your iPhone to iTunes and let it do it’s magic. I use a Windows laptop to back up to the cloud and a Mac to backup locally. I don’t take any chances that either the cloud or the local backup is going to screw me over. Be paranoid – it’s worth it.

2- Use a complex password and set auto-lock on. Strong passwords are still key…

Continue reading 10 Ways To Beef Up Your iPhone at the GetCocoon Blog.

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Fortunately, Gauss left a calling card: Infected computers received a custom font called “Palida Narrow,” so testing for infection is as simple as finding the font. –Jared Newman, PCWorld

Both Kaspersky and CrySyS offer free Gauss online detection tools for windows users. Gauss is cyber surveillance malware that is designed to collect information about infected systems, as well as steal login credentials from banks, email, instant message accounts, and social networking sites.

The Kaspersky Lab Global Research & Analysis Team (GReAT) white paper state that Gauss was designed for 32-bit Windows operating systems, though some modules do not work under Windows 7, SP1. There is also a separate spy module operational for USB drives that are capable of collecting information from 64-bit Windows operating systems.

The new malware, dubbed Gauss for an in-code reference to a German mathematician, is designed to “steal and monitor data from clients of several Lebanese banks,” among other nefarious abilities. The code also includes some kind of “special warhead” that is so well encrypted that Kaspersky has been unable to identify it. –Lee Ferran | ABC News

Gauss is designed to collect information and send the data collected to its command-and-control servers. Information is collected using various modules, each of which has its own unique functionality:

1. Injecting its own modules into different browsers in order to intercept user sessions and steal passwords, cookies and browser history.
2. Collecting information about the computer’s network connections.
3. Collecting information about processes and folders.
4. Collecting information about BIOS, CMOS RAM.
5. Collecting information about local, network and removable drives.
6. Infecting USB drives with a spy module in order to steal information from other computers.
7. Installing the custom Palida Narrow font (purpose unknown).
8. Ensuring the entire toolkit’s loading and operation.
9. Interacting with the command and control server, sending the information collected to it, downloading additional modules.

It is currently unclear to security researchers what the motive behind Gauss is, but it is definitely focused on the financial industry for both information and potential profit. It is most likely that a nation-state is behind the initial creation of Gauss and it will most likely lead to toolkit commercialization in underground markets.

This type of malware will get repurposed, so don’t expect  the Palida Narrow font to remain as an indication of potential infection for long.

Source: SecureList:Gauss: Abnormal Distribution.

(Source: blog.getcocoon.com)