Watch out for fake virus alerts

Rogue security software, also known as "scareware," is software that appears to be beneficial from a security perspective but provides limited or no security, generates erroneous or misleading alerts, or attempts to lure users into participating in fraudulent transactions.

How does rogue security software get on my computer?

Rogue security software designers create legitimate looking pop-up windows that advertise security update software. These windows might appear on your screen while you surf the web.
The "updates" or "alerts" in the pop-up windows call for you to take some sort of action, such as clicking to install the software, accept recommended updates, or remove unwanted viruses or spyware. When you click, the rogue security software downloads to your computer.
Rogue security software might also appear in the list of search results when you are searching for trustworthy antispyware software, so it is important to protect your computer.

What does rogue security software do?

Rogue security software might report a virus, even though your computer is actually clean. The software might also fail to report viruses when your computer is infected. Inversely, sometimes, when you download rogue security software, it will install a virus or other malicious software on your computer so that the software has something to detect.
Some rogue security software might also:

• Lure you into a fraudulent transaction (for example, upgrading to a non-existent paid version of a program).
• Use social engineering to steal your personal information.
• Install malware that can go undetected as it steals your data.
• Launch pop-up windows with false or misleading alerts.
• Slow your computer or corrupt files.
• Disable Windows updates or disable updates to legitimate antivirus software.
• Prevent you from visiting antivirus vendor websites.

Rogue security software might also attempt to spoof the Microsoft security update process. Here's an example of rogue security software that's disguised as a Microsoft alert but that doesn't come from Microsoft.

Example of a warning from a rogue security program known as AntivirusXP.
For more information about this threat, including analysis, prevention and recovery, see the Trojan:Win32/Antivirusxp entry in the Microsoft Malware Protection Center encyclopedia.
Here is the legitimate Microsoft Windows Security Center:

Screenshot of legitimate Microsoft Windows Security Center.

To help protect yourself from rogue security software:

• Install a firewall and keep it turned on.
• Use automatic updating to keep your operating system and software up to date.
• Install antivirus and antispyware software such as Microsoft Security Essentials and keep it updated. For links to other antivirus programs that work with Microsoft, see Microsoft Help and Support List of Antivirus Vendors.
• If your antivirus software does not include antispyware software, you should install a separate antispyware program such as Windows Defender and keep it updated. (Windows Defender is available as a free download for Windows XP and is included in Windows Vista.)
• Use caution when you click links in email or on social networking websites.
• Use a standard user account instead of an administrator account.
• Familiarize yourself with common phishing scams.

If you think you might have rogue security software on your computer disconnect yourself from the internet immediately and give us a call at Outhouse IT, the longer it's on your PC uninhibited with internet access the more harm it can do.

Give us a call 905-366-8234

Newest online scam are "tainted" images

Never let it be said that scammers aren't innovative. The latest scam to come across the web are "tainted" images from a Google Images search. 

What happens is that certain images on click will redirect you to sites you didn't want to go to in order to sell you something you didn't want, or in more extreme instances leading to what's known as "scareware" sites to try and scam you into installing malicious software on your computer.

The next time you perform an image search, be cautious because it will take time for Google to index the bad stuff and filter it out appropriately.Of course, a good anti-virus will protect you in most cases, but it's still better not to travel down the dangerous path if it can be avoided!

Social media marketing for Disaster Restoration Contractors

Scott Kendall of The Technology Coach has been invited to speak at the Disaster Restoration Contractors annual conference in Toronto may 12th

Scott's popular talk on Social media advertising is always a hit, full of real world practical advice for small business owners on making the most of small business marketing budgets through the use of Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.



All restoration industry professionals
Insurance Professionals
Environmental Engineers
Abatement Contractors
General Contractors wanting to learn more about the industry
Carpet Cleaners wanting to learn more about Water Damage

The top 3 reasons to attend the DRC Show: Network:

Join hundreds of industry professionals at Canada’s only Restoration Show.

DRC Sessions that are tailored for all:

Track O – Owners and Managers
Track M – Marketing & Sales
Track T – Technical
Track C – Contents
Track T1 & T2 – Technical
Track D – Commercial Drying

Great Line up of Exhibitors including our Green Aisle:

What other show allows you to stay up to date on restoration products, equipment and services all under one roof? The DRC Show has become the Primary Purchasing Show for restoration contractors so come prepared to save!

This easter Protect Your Electronics From Dust Bunny Infestation!

Everyone was eagerly anticipating the upcoming Easter egg hunt which was tradition for the family. As the adults prepared lunch in the kitchen, the children scampered about in the yard. Sounds of glee filled the air as they innocently ran around, everyone happy as can be. All while unaware of the impending Attack of the Evil Easter Dust Bunnies!

Dust bunnies are small clumps of dust that form under furniture and in corners that are not cleaned regularly. They are made of hair, lint, dead skin, spider web, dust, and sometimes light rubbish and debris, and are held together by static electricity and felt-like entanglement.

This special report on the effect of dust on electronics reveals some startling facts. It discusses how dust can block vents or insulate components internally to cause overheating of some of the higher power PC components like the CPU which can go up nearly 30o F. It can also create problems with mechanical components, like fans and optical drives.Worst of all it can collect on hard drive connectors and components causing overheating and data loss!

Test show that the temperature increases due to a build-up of dust causing an increase in temperature can lead to complete and abrupt failure.

The keyboard and mouse are also affected by dust. Though these are easy to replace items, their
reliability can degrade rapidly when infused with dust. Stuck keys and “sticky” mouse operation are most frustrating to operators and can create both errors and productivity loss.


Slowing things down, reducing your computer lifespan and generally causing freezing, crashing and other annoying and unproductive technology problems. Damn those bunnies!

Dust can cause irreversible harm to computer electronics and its associated electromechanical components. Without protection from dust, serious computer errors, loss of information, or complete failure can result.

So this spring, as you're thinking of cleaning the garage, the attic or the office, think also of your technology and give us a call, we'd be happy to complete a on-site system tuneup at your office and ensure you're running in tip top shape!

Two Ways Old Technology Hurts Your Business. Get Rid Of It As Soon As You Can

I can appreciate that with all the challenges you face as a small business owner, the idea of holding on to what works, for as long as it keeps working, seems to be a good one. After all, why shouldn’t you keep that ten year old printer?

You can still get ink for it online at that specialty dealer in buffal, and it prints just fine. Or how about that 8 year old laptop, sure it’s not quite as fast as some of the newer models but it gets the job done right?

The powers that be in the tech world are ever pushing new advancements to drive sales and profits and you don’t want to contribute to this vicious cycle! I empathize with you. I too like to squeeze the last drop of productivity out of the things which I have invested. But lets consider some of the potential downside to holding on to technology too long.

Reliability: The cold hard truth is that things are designed to last for only a certain range of time. We have all come to know the term “built in obsolescence”. This is not to say that you can’t push these limits, but once you start down this road you are rolling the dice on uptime and overall performance. If any of these devices are involved with “mission critical” functions within your organization than you may be taking a risk without the appropriate level of reward in return. Most tech related devices have a lifespan of three to five years. If you take this into consideration ahead of time it is possible to budget for the necessary upgrades instead of having to face a crisis.

Productivity: This is a huge area of discussion because it is often difficult to measure. In the section above I mention “Mission Critical” functions. So, for example, we can look at a File or Email Server that is past its prime of 3 years. In the fourth year there are sporadic performance issues that ultimately lead to the need for replacement. If this results in a server down scenario then it is easy to count the number of hours that productivity has been halted. What is more difficult to measure is the loss of time and productivity during the periods when the server was not operating at peak efficiency. These losses could be the result of slower speeds, frequent need for techs to reboot server, email outages, etc.

When we look at productivity issues for “Non Mission Critical” machines we find similar problems. I am consistently amazed to discover the inventive and ingenious methods workers employ in an effort to overcome technical stumbling blocks to complete their job functions. I am oft reminded of the days when the youngest family member would have to stand in a specific position with “tin folied” antenna in hand to get the perfect television reception. While these “work-arounds” are commendable, they are also great productivity killers that can be largely avoided with the proper technology in place to get the job done.

So is your technology "getting the job done"? Is it as productive as it could or should be?

Give us a call at Outhouse IT we'd be happy to help you complete a small business technology assessment and see where you really stand.