There are times when malware seems to be everywhere. Even a large, security conscious company like Google can be exploited. This week, Elinor Mills reported that Google Doodle had been compromised:

Online scammers are taking advantage of the public’s interest in the Google Doodle to spread malware, a security firm warned on Tuesday.

In so-called “SEO poisoning,” scammers use search engine optimization techniques to increase the distribution of malware. They create special malware-rigged Web sites or hide malware on legitimate Web sites they’ve compromised and then use tags associated with popular search terms to get them listed high up in search engine results.

And with the holidays nearly upon us, malware will be in our email. For example, hackers will load malware onto email that looks like a holiday greeting card. Once the person opens that email – expecting it to be from a friend or family member – the computer can be compromised. Consider this a warning to not open any email greeting cards this year.

This holiday season is an opportune time for hackers. They too have expenses and they know that people online are rushing. Hackers are counting on any lapse of attention to have malware installed on more and more machines. That is why we recommend security programs such as Webroot Internet Security Essentials (WISE):

… With unmatched antivirus, antispyware and firewall security, WISE provides blockbuster protection for your PC. In fact, the technologies in WISE have won a combined 11 PC Magazine Editors’ Choice awards! These technologies provide more complete protection than competing products to proactively block: viruses, spyware, worms, trojans, data theft, rootkits, hackers, intrusions, keyloggers…

Webroot is allowing up to three computers to be protected and with a ten dollar discount. This works out to an amount under seventeen dollars per computer. It is a huge bargain.

Protect yourself with an award winning program. We want you to be safe online. This would be an exceptional gift to any friend or family member who does not pay much attention to internet security. This is an easy to use program that you can give for year round computer security. And remember, this offer will protect up to three machines.

Malware on the Rise

There’s something that has always bothered me about Microsoft charging for OneCare – which is like selling the disease and then charging for the cure. I’ve been accepted into the new OneCare affiliate program, and I’ll offer it to my readers if you really want to buy the product (sorry, couldn’t convince Microsoft to offer any coupons).

I was reading Scot Finnie’s latest newsletter (a recent Mac convert, FWIW). He linked to a comprehensive Windows Personal Firewall Analysis (which I read with great interest). The “winner” was Comodo Firewall Pro v2.4.18.184. Moreover, this product is absolutely free.

Comodo is delivering this highly rated firewall free as a cornerstone of our initiative to empower consumers to create a safe and trusted online experience whenever you go online.

Empowering consumers?! Creating a safe and trusted online experience!? Are they CRAZY!?

Comodo’s main revenue comes from authenticating web business with SSL certificates (e.g. we put the padlock on websites). The more consumers are comfortable being online and shopping online, the more businesses that will be created that will need our services.

Wow. Now that’s a philosophy I can back. Too bad it doesn’t work with Vista yet. Any personal experiences with Comodo Firewall Pro – or reactions to the tests from Matousec?

Best Firewall for Internet Security

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