Adobe 2012 Upgrade email is fake
by Ben Cheever on Apr.26, 2012, under Harmful software, Upgrade notification
Adobe 2012 upgrade email notification
I received an Adobe 2012 upgrade email today that seemed a little bit suspicious. If you take a moment to read it at the bottom you will see what it looks like. But you need to be cautious of clicking links like these warning you about software updates. Adobe Systems, Inc will not usually go out of their way to notify you of new product updates unless you specifically register to do so on their site. You will also notice in the email that there is no unsubscribe link in there anywhere. Also the email sites the location of their Canada location. Which seems odd considering that they are based out of the US and headquartered in San Jose, CA.
Adobe.com is where you get Adobe Acrobat and it’s as if this hijacker is trying to send you to www.2012-acrobat-software-upgrade.com. That is not part of the Adobe.com domain clearly. Just google search for Adobe Acrobat and you can often find non-reputable sites there too.
Besides, a software UPGRADE is a change in major functionality of the software. So that would be like switching from Adobe Acrobat Reader (Free) to Adobe Acrobat Professional. Not an UPDATE from one version of Adobe Acrobat Reader to another.
This is how trojans get on your computer. That is where the trojan virus got it’s name. It’s a tale from the trojan war.
Wikipedia.com definition of Trojan horse
A trojan is a virus that disguises itself as a useful program. Such as a software update, security program, registry cleaner, or something similar. But when it gets on your machine, it infects your PC and could have the potential to steal sensitive information or cause harm to your computer.
This is what an update notification from Adobe should look like:
In the case of Adobe, it’s already designed to prompt you for updates in the system tray with the little Adobe logo that looks like the image I have attached. Don’t be fooled by these emails!
Adobe 2012 isn’t even a product version that is available yet either. My best advice to emails like this, delete them, don’t click links in them and if you are really curious if Adobe systems has an update. Go to Adobe.com or search Google.com for “adobe acrobat update” to see if Adobe lists anything about it on their site.
If you ever questions about an upgrade or else a problem with your Adobe software updating. Please contact me using the contact me button on the left side of my page.
Here is a link to what the email looks like if you are interested
Utah computer repair shop
by Ben Cheever on Dec.21, 2011, under Computer Repairs, Custom PC
My Utah computer repair shop doesn’t charge extra like the other guys…
With My Utah Computer repair shop I run a store front out of my home. Because of this I have a much lower overhead. If you are looking for an affordable rate for a local computer shop or even just an onsite repair guy, I have 10 years of industry experience. I do quality work and I’m honest.
I’m the person to go to for computer repairs, computer maintenance, virus cleanup, software removal, mac repairs, hardware installation, custom PC builds, and network installation and troubleshooting.
I also do house calls if you don’t feel comfortable dropping off your machine or the problem is too difficult to demonstrate outside of your home.
I do the majority of the work from my home, and I have very reasonable rates.
If you are interested in using my services you can get in touch with me by using the Contact Me form on the left. Or by clicking on the “Contact” button at the top right corner of this page. I look forward to hearing from you.
Samsung Galaxy Nexus review
by Ben Cheever on Dec.19, 2011, under Reviews
Galaxy Nexus review done by Leo Laporte from Twit tv. This phone has gotten a huge reputation already because it’s the first smartphone to run Ice Cream Sandwich, Google’s new version of the Android operating system. Verizon is selling it for a reasonable price of $300. It’s designed to be a competitor with the Apple iPhone 4GS.
Enjoy the Samsung Galaxy Nexus review and leave comments below if you like it
CNET also did a very helpful review. They have also included the full specifications of the smart phone on their site.
rootkit on Smartphones – Carrier IQ
by Ben Cheever on Nov.30, 2011, under Harmful software, Online Safety Tips, Security Tools
Rootkit on Smartphones
This new rootkit on Smartphones called Carrier IQ (CIQ) has surfaced. The software has been discovered on Smartphones running the Android platform and possibly even some Blackberry and Nokia models. This thing could be scary since it steals your private information and discloses it to the cell phone carrier companies. I found an article online that discloses what it does. It has been discovered to do everything from logging keystrokes, to keeping track of phone calls that you make, to tracking your location and then uploading all of those details to your cell phone carrier company.
If you own one of these devices, you should probably read this article:
Carrier IQ rootkit found on smartphones and tablet pcs
Here is a video on rootkit for smartphone removal on Androids with the Gingerbread operating system:
Custom computer parts – PC for $300-Act now!
by Ben Cheever on Sep.21, 2011, under Custom PC
I have lots of custom computer parts that are new and used
I can custom build you a computer from parts also. I can make it an affordable price and these machines are often much better quality than a Dell or HP. Here in Payson, UT. These deals usually only last a couple days. Here are the specs. Please let me know if you are interested.
I am working on building a pricing sheet where I plan to have three different models of custom computers to choose from. A baseline model, a middle grade model and an performance model.
Unlike other competitors, I don’t have the high overhead of a storefront.
If you are interested, use the Contact Me link on the left.
Protect your online privacy with smartphones and pictures
by Ben Cheever on Aug.16, 2011, under Security Tools, Uncategorized
Comments Off :exif, iphone, location, privacy, security, smartphone, Utah more...How to avoid phishing scams
by Ben Cheever on Aug.07, 2011, under Online Safety Tips
For those that think that Phishing is something that you do in your spare time as a hobby. Phishing is actually a common term used to explain the process that hackers use to obtain sensitive information off your computer. Such as passwords, bank and credit card account information, and personal information that you wouldn’t normally make public.
Phishing sites are becoming increasingly common now a days. I see them all the time. I even see friends and people I know fall victim to them often. Phishing scams are not new by any means. They are just being seen more and more frequently today. Given the amount of people that are now using Facebook.com – which is at 350 million people and counting. For those that don’t believe that the threat is real. Please read this article written from over a year ago.
What are some ways that you can use to protect yourself from these types of scams:
1) Don’t click on videos and links from people that you aren’t expecting to message you. I know what many of you will say is, oh come on, I click on links all the time or how else am I supposed to watch those videos that friends and family send me, etc. As a general rule, clicking videos from someone, that you are not expecting to send to you. Is a bad idea. Those links could be coming from someone you know and trust who’s account has been compromised also. There are some key things to watch for as well:
– Things that might be designed to catch your interest with catchy headlines or that seem to good to be true like “See this spider crawling under this persons skin” or “see all the people who view your profile and how long they visit it for”.
- Being prompted to enter in your Facebook login information or other personal information when you are already logged into the Facebook site. If you click on a link, or an app and it asks you to login again. This is a major concern. I would close out of that page as soon as possible and go back to Facebook.com. If Facebook.com prompts you to login, then you should be fine. But NEVER enter in your login information on a third party site that you clicked on in a link.
2) Watch out for Spam posted on your wall or your friends walls about friends rating pictures or commenting on pictures that try to take you to another site..
3) Always make sure that your URL at the top shows Facebook.com and not some other site when entering in your personal details or logging in.
The same thing goes for email. I have seen an ever increasing number of “Bank of America” emails telling me that my account has been compromised or that my debit card has been deactivated .The funny thing is, I don’t even have a Bank of America account. I also get them from PayPal.com and other commonly well know and well trusted sites. I NEVER click the links in those emails, if they tell me to update my information, then I go to that website directly and then login from there. Or if anything seems slightly suspicious such as misspelled words in the email. Or the sender shows as bankamerica.org or bankofamerica.biz or something then I don’t bother with those emails and just delete them. If you are ever in doubt, look up their number for customer service on their website and call someone about the email that you received.
Never, ever, put in your social security number or credit card information on-line because of a link that you clicked on from email, facebook, or any one of those sites.
I hope I taught somebody a little something here that was helpful 
Think twice before clicking the “Bin Laden Death” videos
by Ben Cheever on May.05, 2011, under Harmful software, Online Safety Tips
I found this interesting article online. Apparently these links are floating around the internet and through email promising videos of Bin Laden’s death. But they are nothing more than a hoax or they load spyware on your machine.
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Hi! Welcome to my computer repair site!
Here you will find lots of useful information on computer repairs, security, and smartphone information. You can contact me by using the Contact link at the top of the page. Also feel free to join the discussion by leaving comments, and stay updated by subscribing to the RSS feed. Have a nice day!
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