Computer botnets are extremely dangerous and are facilitated by rootkit infections. A botnet is a network of infected computers that can be used for sending out spam, stealing personal information, altering files, changing processes, cyber terrorism, etc.  Hackers use these for various illegal and criminal activities.  It is estimated that over 60 million computers worldwide are infected by botnets.  Rootkits are one of the most complex and insidious type of malware that are extremely difficult to detect and remove.  They can download updates to keep ahead of malware detection tools, as well as download new virus payloads that they install inside their encrypted folders to avoid detection.

Tizer Secure™ has done in-depth research on these botnets and rootkit infections and is providing sophisticated new tools developed utilizing proprietary technology for Windows users to combat them.   The most recently updated dangerous rootkits are Rustock, 4DW4R3, and TDL3 and we offer new tools to detect and safely remove them for free.

Tizer™ Rootkit Razor is our most advanced rootkit removal tool and the newest release is able to detect and safely remove rootkits Rustock and 4DW4R3.  It is compatible with Windows XP, Vista, and 7 (32-bit only) and the newest release is available for download at http://www.tizersecure.com/about_tizer_rootkit_removal.php.

Our team was able to come up with a newer technique to combat the latest version of TDL3 and we have launched a new free tool to detect and remove this particular rootkit called Tizer™ TDL3 Razor.  TDL3 is one of the most dangerous rootkits that will infect Windows XP machines.  It was updated recently over the internet by its developers, making it nearly impossible to detect or remove through traditional security solutions.    TDL3 Razor is able to detect and safely remove the rootkit TDL3 on Windows XP machines with Intel processors and hard disks that use atapi.sys or iaStor.sys drivers.  To the best of our knowledge, TDL3 Razor is the only tool available today that can detect and remove this nasty rootkit infection on both of these drivers.  Microsoft has a malicious software removal tool that appears to include a utility to remove Alureon (another name for the TDL3 rootkit), but in our testing it was able to detect but unable to remove it.  Tizer™ TDL3 Razor can be downloaded for free at http://www.tizersecure.com/about_TDL3_rootkit_detect_remove.php.

Fake emails that claim to be from Facebook are being sent to users that read “Facebook Password Reset Confirmation, Customer Support,” encouraging them to click on an attachment to view their updated password.  What happens when you click on the attachment to retrieve your new password? It downloads a “password stealer” that will steal not only your Facebook password, but any other stored passwords you may have including email and banking passwords.

Hackers are utilizing Facebook because it is the most popular social networking website with about 400 million users.  The Facebook security page on the company website warns users of the spoofed email going around and reminds you that Facebook will never send a new password in an attachment. They suggest social networking users warn their friends about the scam.  The attachment in the email infects computers without any clear signs of what is happening so the user has no idea.  This spam is believed to have been sent using botnets  Cutwail and Rustock, which have the ability to control groups of computers to send out spam like this.  Tizer™ Rootkit Razor was just updated to be able to detect the latest rootkits Rustock and 4DW4R3 that have these hacker capabilities.  Download it free here to scan your computer.

You can expect that out of 400 million Facebook users, a good 10% will click on the attachment and be infected by this malicious virus.  That would mean 40 million computers infected, giving hackers such a large amount of personal information.

The newest, massive hacking network “Kneber BotNet” has breached more than 75,000 PCs around the world. Hackers gained access to private data at nearly 2,500 companies and government agencies. Criminals use a botnet to control an army of computers and usually distribute massive amounts of spam and malware.

With this particular botnet, analysts believe hackers aren’t interested in money, but they have built a secret underground network to rent out or sell stolen personal information to cybercrooks. This botnet is gathering logins for financial systems, social networking, and email and reporting it back to the criminal. Social networking sites can easily be used to spread malware, as Facebook and Yahoo accounts have been hacked the most. Investigations report 68,000 corporate logins were compromised. These criminals have also poisoned search results. If you search for “Kneber BotNet removal” you will likely get results that will contain fake anti-virus software.

Several large companies like Paramount Pictures have been attacked. It is becoming easier to become a cybercriminal as tools for creating these malicious infections are becoming available on the underground economy. Corporations should monitor outgoing traffic. Stay up to date on security software and you will be protected. The Tizer Secure™ behavioral scan will search for unusual botnet behavior. Download the free 14-day trial.

This week we have launched three new tools that are free for personal use. Over the years, computer usage has become part of everyday life and the amount of malicious threats has risen dramatically as users leave computer ports open while surfing the internet. These free tools are Tizer™ UnLocker, Tizer™ SysScan, and Tizer™ Rootkit Razor. All are compatible with Windows XP, Vista, and 7 (32-bit) and have been listed on all major free download websites.

Tizer™ UnLocker is a powerful tool that gives you control over locked files and folders that may be in use by an application. If you are faced with a situation where you want to use, delete, move, or rename a file and get an error message that you can’t, UnLocker is your solution. The advantage it has over similar products is that it allows the user to kill or unlock multiple processes, as well as delete, rename, and move files. It also does not require you to reboot your system after deleting a file like other freeware does. Click here for more details or to download this free useful tool. Tizer™ UnLocker has already been awarded 5/5 stars by soft82.com.

Tizer™ SysScan generates a report for you after it scans your system files, processes, DLLs, and registry. It shows you both legitimate software and unwanted malware and if you are not an expert you may save the log to ask for technical advice on a forum. You also have the option to send your log to the Tizer™ Secure support team for a free analysis. Tizer™ SysScan has a strong advantage over similar tools because it will display hidden processes, modules, drivers, and registry entries while others don’t. Click here for more details or to download.

Tizer™ Rootkit Razor will detect malicious rootkits on your computer through multiple methodologies. It will detect and remove them without damaging your system. Stop rootkits from altering files, changing processes, or stealing your personal information. Take advantage of our advanced rootkit detection technology and find out more details here. It is currently the only anti-rootkit application compatible with the most common Windows operating systems.

Internet usage is part of daily life, and usage continues to rise around the globe. There has been a lot of talk regarding whether an Internet Service Provider (ISP) should be responsible to prevent against the spread of internet viruses. Studies show that about 70% of subscribers assume it is the responsibility of the ISP to provide protection against malware. IT security experts believe an ISP should attempt to increase awareness among customers, but the ISPs are not interested in playing this role. Every computer linking to the internet today has potential to spread new viruses and attacks. Increased bandwidth availability also increases the speed of attacks. A study done by Websense found that as much as 13.7% of searches for trending news and buzz words led to malware. An ISP can see what is flowing through their network and look for virus patterns but customer downloads cannot be controlled. Certain fire-share applications can be blocked or monitored, but does an ISP really want to block these? Many users would not want to be monitored. ISPs find this a challenge, since a user can easily switch providers if security blocks are put in place.

At the very minimum, an ISP should help educate their users on protection from malware and look at offering proactive security to their customer base to make their network safer. If you do not have your computer protected and are looking for comprehensive protection from malware, download the free 14-day trial of Tizer Secure™ and you will be pleased.

A rootkit is when malware, viruses, trojans, and spyware are hidden from computer users and even antivirus programs. They have malicious intent and give access to files and system information without your knowledge. A rootkit attacks your operating system while placing and hiding files. These hidden files are responsible for malicious activities.

For example:
1. A hidden process may indirectly run another process without the user knowing.
2. A hidden port, or a “back door,” may transfer some vulnerable data into your system or transfer some private data such as login information out of your system.
3. A hidden module loaded in a legitimate process may alter the normal behavior of that particular process.
4. Some hidden registry entries may be placed so that a virus/rootkit will start up automatically.

Rootkits alter files, change processes, and distribute spam. These can be attached to a trojan, file, graphic on the web, or spam email and they can tamper with computer files and processes that you cannot even see in the task manager. Only download software from trusted websites, delete spam without opening it, and avoid clicking on banners. Detecting a rootkit that has already infected your computer is easier than you think. Tizer Secure™ offers you protection to allow you to detect these hidden rootkits and easily remove them. Download the free Tizer™ Rootkit Razor removal tool at http://tizersecure.com/rootkitdownload.php. Clean and remove malicious objects that are on your computer today.