The First Possible Android Crypto Locker Ransomware Detected

Android/Simplocker could be the first ransomware for Android that actually encrypts files and data of your Android phone and demands a ransom to free your data. Discovered over the weekend, this ransomware was firstly submitted to Virus Total, by Robert Lipovsky, researcher at ESET.

Besides scanning the SD card of your Android devices for images, videos, and documents extensions and then locking them using AES 256-bit encryption algorithm, this ransomware also sends the data of infected Android phone to a command-and-control server, which is hosted on an anonymous Tor network. The data that Android/Simplocker sends also consist of IMEI number, OS version, device model, and product and hardware manufacturers.

On infecting victim’s Android device the ransomware displays message written in Russian demanding a ransom little more than $20. Though the researchers have not yet detected any infections, but that doesn’t lower the risk involved. Using comprehensive Android security app like those of Norton and Kaspersky is a good thing to do. These are tested and all-inclusive security products you can rely on. Simply install them to stay protected, and if problems arise reach experts and avail Kasperskytechnical support .

One good company where you can easily connect to experts is SupportMart. Contact their experts and avail their wide range of support that includes: PC support, Norton InternetSecurity support , OS support, virus removal support etc.

All in all, what is important to learn is that attackers are now shifting towards Android because of the increasing popularity and big user base of Android. Installing good security apps is one necessary thing that every user should do quickly.

Gmail App for Android, First Ever App To Cross 1 Billion Downloads

Google is one of the biggest names in the tech world and the Android platform from the company is the leading OS platform, which is currently ruling the smartphone world. Among Google’s various ranges of services, some pretty well-known services include Google Search, Gmail, Google Plus, and Google Play services etc.

The popular email service from Google ‘Gmail’ has been the most widely used email service worldwide since from almost the last two years, and feels like it will continue to do so. In its winning streak, the Google’s ‘Gmail App for Android’ has become the first-ever standalone app in ‘Google Play’ Store to reach the 1 billion download milestone. The app achieved this milestone in last month and now the download range of the app in Play Store is from 1,000,000,000 to 5,000,000,000.

One big reason for this is that the app comes pre-installed in the Android devices as a part of Google’s licensing. The app is updated automatically when the Android device links to Google Play store.

Gmail is one of the trusted and among the best email services around the world and, this Gmail milestone does shows, how big the number of Gmail users has become. Meanwhile if you have any problems with your Gmail, then it is best to dial Gmailtech support phone number and talk to the experts; doing this can get you quick and effective resolutions.

Good thing is this that there are multiple companies that provide help for various technical issues like support for emails, support for OS, Microsoft Office technical support, support for devices etc. But reaching the good company is what that matters. One ace-leading support company at this front is SupportMart. 

Bitdefender Warns Users against Online Frauds Related To Pets

Bitdefender, one of the leading security solution vendors, is warning users against a new wave of online frauds which relates to alleged sale or relocation of pets. According to the company, this new fraud campaign is a variation of ‘advance fee’ frauds, where a fake website demands for money from the gullible users for transporting or purchasing pets. In one particular case of such, Bitdefender has spotted a company called Pets Relocation, which is supposedly “the leader in the horse relocation industry”, in an attempt of trying to trick users and steal their money.

Besides this Bitdefender warns users against other fraudulent campaigns which included criminals using phone numbers in the UK or attackers impersonating as law enforcement officer or lawyer etc. It is clear that there is a rise in number and severity of attacks. So it becomes necessary for users to install strong antivirus and internet protection software in their systems. Bitdefender antivirus and Bitdefender internet security are good products to choose in this front. However, if you are getting any problems with these solutions then it is best to avail Bitdefenderonline help or call the experts.

One good company to reach at this front is SupportBuddy. It is best known for its easy and effective support like, Bitdefender help, Sony all in one computer support, and support for other popular antivirus software etc.  

To conclude all, it is necessary for the users to stay attentive while they browse internet or exchange data. The attacks are on the rise, even the long lost attack variants rebounds again. The reported fraud campaign is one example of such.    

Importing Mac OS X Address Book Contacts Into Outlook for Mac

Your contacts are one important part of any email software or web app/service, which you use to send and receive emails. Having an address book makes sending and receiving message easier. You don’t have to enter the recipient email addresses every time, when you send an email. Nowadays many of the email clients come with an inbuilt contact list/address book. This address book, in turn comes with a handy set of features which makes managing contacts an easy task.

Outlook is one of the popular email client software, originally for Windows, and now also has a web version, as well as Mac OS X version. If you are using a Mac OS X computer and have Outlook for Mac installed in your system, then here is a small tip for you on importing Mac OS X Address Book contacts into your Outlook. It is an easy task and can be finished in two-three steps.

All that you have to do is open your Address Book, and then drag-drop ‘All Contacts’ option of ‘Group list’, which has all the saved contacts, into your Desktop. This will create a .vcf file on the desktop. Now all you have to do is, open your ‘Outlook for Mac’ and then drag drop the .vcf file into ‘Address Book’ category present in your Outlook. That’s it.

Meanwhile if you get any errors or have problems with any features of Outlook, then it is advised to avail Microsoft Outlook technical support. You can contact good companies like SupportMart and others on this front.

It is also important that you keep your data backed-up. Doing this will give you assurance that even if your system data is lost, still you can retrieve them back. Simply get in touch with good companies, which are into providing online data backupservices and get your data secured.

Researchers Discovered a Hybrid Trojan That Combines Zeus and Carberp

Recent enough the Trusteer team at IBM discovered a new Trojan variant called ‘Zberp’, which is formed by the combination of two other more notorious Trojans: Zeus and Carberp. This newly discovered Trojan draws features from both and then utilizes them for its own use.

Installing good antivirus and internet protection solutions like McAfee is a good thing to do for detecting and removing Zberp, before it infects your data. Its products are easy to use, quick, effective, and usually work smoothly. However, as with every software, you may also get problems with McAfee security software. Calling McAfeetechnical support phone number at time of need and availing their technical support is an easy way to get help. 

Focusing on Zberp, once the Trojan infects the victim’s PC, it then writes a registry key, and then removes the key at every startup and writes it again on every shutdown. This helps it to maintain its persistence on the system and makes it undetected during antivirus scan, performed at system startup. The Trojan can steal information about the computer, take screenshots and send them to criminals, and steal online accounts’ login credentials and data of online forms etc.

VIPRE antivirus 2014 and VIPRE internet security 2014 are the other two good solutions that can protect your data from Zberp. These solutions are updated with latest virus definitions. They will detect the presence of Zberp Trojan before it enters into your system. These solutions give optimal performance and a good thing is that, support for VIPRE products can be availed easily and instantly. SupportMart is one good company that provides reliable VIPRE Antivirussupport. Contact its experts and easily avail help.     

To conclude all, it is not surprising that malware writers are using and combining the codes of two different viruses or malwares. Some of them have been effective. As the source codes of both Zeus and Carberp leaked and are open to all, so this time the attackers have successfully bundled the two together and formed a new hybrid variant. Installing reliable antivirus is necessary for users, as the frequency of Trojan variants attacks is further going to increase in coming future.

Majority of businesses suppose Macs are more reliable than Windows PCs

A recent survey which was conducted on more than 200 IT decision markets, based on the attitude these professionals have towards the use of Macs in Enterprises, showed that 95% of businesses that don't currently present Macs will be likely to offer the same to employees under one condition. The condition is having access to a single central management unit that can manage both Windows PCs and Macs efficiently. The survey showed that 45% of businesses are currently presenting their employees Macs.

The survey even concluded that businesses these days are gearing up to the OS X platform by Apple and many in this line are all set to adopt newer and broader corporate adoptions.

So, for all those IT professionals who are not just ready to look and consider beyond Windows, here are some interesting facts and figures, which cannot be just overlooked

• 77% of IT professionals agreed that Macs are more reliable machine when compared to the Windows machines overall.
• 65% of respondents said Macs when compared to Windows are easier to support.
• Given the competition for talent, 65% of pros commented that presenting Macs will help in attracting more employees.

Meanwhile, the survey also threw light on what are the setbacks keeping pros from adopting Mac to its full potential.        

• 70% of respondents agreed that they do not use Macs at their offices because the expertise to manage these machines seems lacking somehow
• 68% agreed that Macs are not permitted due to its inability to run Windows apps.
• 53% even cited that absence of proper management tools is a hurdle in adoption of Macs.

The survey has only reinforced what we already were aware about. Macs are making way to enterprises but what stops these are the reluctant support offerings. Parallels, on the other hand, has worked on removing two of the biggest hurdles for Macs’ adoption in enterprises, which are freedom to run Windows applications on Mac and offering a central management unit to the IT for Macs and PCs together. Also, to erase any doubts, Mac management plug-ins by Parallels comes with a seal of Microsoft’s approval.

Microsoft is working to enable IT enterprises to manage heterogeneous environment, covering those that use both Macs and PCs.

The author is an experienced Microsoft support specialist who works at SupportMart. The company is a leading name in this scenario known to offer reliable Microsoft Tech Support that can be availed anytime and any day with just one call at the Microsoft technical Support number 1 800 793 7521 toll free.