Would those be the only common networks where we could track down usage data? Well, could we also consider networks found in computer gaming centers and cyber cafes? Yes, and in fact, these shops actually treat their customers and users as temporary “subjects” to be observed whenever they use a PC unit.

How exactly are they using the computer monitoring software program to watch their customers? Let’s take a deeper look at the environment of a typical cyber cafe or computer gaming center to find that out.

Primary Features

The basic qualities that make cyber cafes and computer gaming centers similar to a standard network are as follows:

- The network layout uses a star topology.
- Hardware and software specifications are standardized for each unit.
- Overall usability and functionality doesn’t change regardless of the unit used (except for the server unit)

Because of these general similarities, could we then safely assume that a computer monitoring software would work more or less the same in these environments? We absolutely cannot.

Why? Because unlike a static office network, computers in these rental shops always dynamically switch users throughout the day. Unless the payment system is somehow connected to a banking system, it is almost impossible to perfectly keep track and monitor each and every user that enters the shop.

This means that the “final focus” of the computer monitoring software would not be on the person using the computer, but will be limited only to the computer itself.

General System

With the focus of the monitoring software purely shifted towards the computer unit, we shall then present the two major characteristics of the tracking system:

First, since the user data is eliminated from the equation, collected usage data is expected to be radically simplified. This means no more active tracking of software installation, monitor screenshots are to be less emphasized, and keylogging would ultimately be out of the question. The units in these establishments are made for public use after all, which inherently explains the need to simplify the tracking system.

Second, while it omits most of the data typically needed in a computer monitoring software, the remaining data categories are actually held tightly within the software’s own unique system. This system ultimate changes depending on how the cyber cafe generally runs, but a good hint on how it works is that it is mostly run by using chronological data.

Actual Tracking Plan

All in all, the tracking systems in a cyber cafe or computer gaming center are simply there to make sure that the unit can always be used efficiently by any customer. Only generic usage data like time duration and activity status are the ones that would truly bear a monitoring significance. The entire system is built primarily for the purpose of protecting the establishment’s investments (the computers), and to keep each unit always ready to do business.

Author Bio: This is a guest article by Natalia David, who is a blogger by profession and an author who significantly contributes towards Cell phone and PC security. She recently read about computer hacking that attracted her attention so she shifted her interest towards computer monitoring software and keystroke logger. If you want to know more about Natalia you can follow her on twitter @NataliaDavid4

It also allows you to view the videos and photos taken from the cell phone that has the software installed. Users just have to log into their Mobile Spy account through internet browser.

What is Mobile Spy and How it Works?

Mobile Spy is a software application that allows Android users to monitor their mobile phones in real time. A unique cell phone spy software traces the activities of the person using the Android phone powered with Google technology. Mobile Spy is a small installed application that initiates each time the mobile phone begins to boot.

After Mobile Spy is installed on the Android phone, it starts recording call activities and text messages and then uploads the data silently (through the Internet) into the private Mobile Spy account of the Android user. Whenever signal is available, this cell phone spy system records the GPS locations once in every fifteen minutes. GPS rates vary and results can be viewed through Online Control Panel, which is accessible through any phone web browser.

Mobile Spy is a program that gets directly loaded into the Android phone, with a target to monitor cell phone activities. The cell phone spy system works on silent mode until the interface, to modify settings is active. The Online Control Panel is where Android users can log in to their account to view the results recorded and uploaded by the mobile device. The LIVE Control Panel is an optional add-on that can be purchased. It displays the live location of the mobile device, directly emails all recorded logs to the user’s email address, and allows to remotely gain control over the device.

Logging Features

Mobile Spy is a powerful cell phone spy system with the following logging features:

- Ability to monitor call activities, SMS, and GPS online in real time
- Safely stored logs in secured and private Mobile Spy account
- Control Panel is accessible at any web browsers
- Flexible time to login anywhere and anytime in order to view results without direct access to the device
- All activities including time/date stamp are detectable through mobile number
- The below logs are instantly captured and uploaded:

> Call log – Every call is logged along with the time and duration stamp, be it incoming or outgoing
> SMS Log – Every text message is logged even if the logs on the device are erased. It includes broad text as well.
> GPS Locations Log – All the positions of GPS are uploaded every 30 minutes along with a link to the map
> Contacts – Every contact including new ones are logged and recorded
> Calendar Events – Each calendar event whether locations, time, and date are logged
> URL Log – All website and URL addresses are logged by the mobile browser
> Photo & Video Log – All videos and photos taken are logged and can be viewed

The LIVE Control Panel of Mobile Spy is an innovation that permits Android users to perform live control and surveillance on their mobile device from anywhere. This function is done by the cell phone spy system in a secured manner. With this feature, Android users can now view the screen of their mobile device (just like a television) along with the instant map of the current location. The control panel includes instant commands such as “send an SMS from the device”, and “initiate a normal call”. Other inclusions of the control panel areas follows:

- Locking/unlocking of the device through an optional siren alarm
- Securing the updated SIM information in case the mobile device is stolen or lost
- Accepting silent SMS commands for Lock, Wipe Data, SIM info, GPS Location, and more
- Enabling delivery of all logs to the user’s email address

Other Features:

Mobile Spy is a new cell phone spy technology that may sound complicated but very easy to use. It is ideal for monitoring all Android mobile devices. Along with the purchase and subscription of the Mobile Spy package with exclusive features, you also get excellent customer support. Some of the excellent features of cell phone spying application include:

- Instant Download
- Step-by-Step Guidelines
- Customized Username
- Monitoring of up Three Mobile Devices
- Online Tech Support
- Free Updates
- SniperSpy
- The Truth

Sometimes we harbor virus on our computers (PC) without knowing that they really are there. If we do know how these viruses behave, and the main feature and effect on our systems, we will not that there are a whole lots of them on our system and we thereby give them space to operate to their fullest until a lot of unrecoverable damage has been done to our system. This article will help you to detect virus, worms, spywares and malwares without anti virus and anti spyware software.

How to Detect Viral Infection of Your PC (Computer)

Wondering how to find out if your computer has a virus? Some of this virus might even appear invisible that our anti-virus can never detect them and we will generally believe that our system is virus free without knowing that our system is the home ground of well-groomed virus that deals with people’s files. So as to avoid this and even detect the status of virus on our system even without the help of anti-virus, I will like to talk about some things to take note of so that we can detect the presence of virus on our system.

Programs take too long to Load

Part of the things that virus does once it have the avenue to enter the system is to go and attack the files that once opened, they will have the avenue to spread to other file. The reason for this is that those file will always need some other file to enable them run easily and smoothly and those file needed are hidden on the system. But once they have the opportunity to attack those files, it will aid them in spreading to other hidden files that are on the system.

As tis is been done, it will make it hard for anti-virus to detect them and if they eventually detected, the anti-virus that did not have the capacity of healing them will not be able to deleted those files because some of those hidden files are important operating system files that must be deleted because they aid in the smooth running of the O.S.

Once these files are deleted, you will discover that the system will complain of missing important O.S files and therefore will not be able to boot. Once the anti-virus have attack this programs, you will then discover that whenever you run those programs that run easily, they will be taking long before they will run. Once you see this, note that virus are already having their way on your system.

Accessing Disk Takes a long Time

Usually, the data disk that we sometimes want to install on our system contains executable files that always need the permission to access O.S files so that they can register the program which they represent into the folder that contains other programs. This folder is one of the major file that virus always look to attack because it takes them closer to the O.S files.

Check Out This List of Top 6 Best Antivirus Protection Program of 2011

Now, once this software are inserted into the CD/DVD drive on our system, and the presence of those executive files have been detected by the virus, the y will now attack that file with all they’ve got that is why access the disk during their attack makes the dis takes longer time before it can be accessed.

*Note: This only applies to a situation whereby the disk you want to read is a clean one. That is, it hasn’t scratched.

Files Disappear and File with Strange Name Appear

After your files have been successfully attacked by virus, as a result of the virus destroying your files, the files will one after the other begins to disappear. You might even be making use of that particular file and then you suddenly discover that the file will just change from what it used to be to something you have never seen before. Once you see this, know fully well that there is virus on your system.

Executable Files Change in Size

Once the virus has the access to attack the executable files on our system (mostly those people that like storing software on their system) you will discover that they will change in size and either the size increase abnormally or it reduce. This is because the main file that is very important for this executable file has been taken over by the virus. Once this is done, the virus then has all authority to alter the size of these files.

If this situation has not gotten out of hands, you can easily use a good anti-virus to scan your system and once the anti-virus have discovered the virus, you can ask the anti-virus to repair those files. But in a situation whereby important O.S file has been tampered with (that is the out of hand situation), the only and best solution is to reload (reinstall) the operating system.

Guest Author: Odesanya Taiwo is a tech writer and a tech blogger who writes for a technology blog, techatlast. He also spends time to provide latest news for thenewsofthepeople, a news website.

So believe it or not; your MacBook’s Battery is vulnerable to Viruses, Malware and Meltdown if a hacker decides to target it and bring it down.

What Apple Macbook Battery Hacking is About?

Charlie is just someone who wants his Mac to be safe from hackers. He is not out there to make Apple feel embarrassed. He wants Apple to go one step further, and make its devices foolproof. “I don’t want to be their adversary. I want to have them fix stuff — and I want them to get better“, Charlie said.

If you have a software problem or if someone hacks your device, you can reboot and have your system running like a horse again. But what to do when someone can affect the hardware with the use of a software? Charlie Miller has found a way to shut down the charging system in your Mac by playing around with the software.

How Apple Macbook Battery Hack Works?

There is a dedicated system for charging your laptop. There is a constant interaction between a computer and its battery module. The battery module is responsible for calculating how much more battery the computer needs, when to cut the power off. And for running that battery module, Apple has given software.

This software has passwords, so that a user does not rupture it in any way. Charlie Miller just goggled for those passwords and found them. He hacked his Mac, entered the passwords and changed the software according to what he wanted it to do. And now he can do many queer things.

Also Check: Best Tips For Macintosh Crash/Freeze Troubleshooting

He can change the software in a way that the computer doesn’t know whether the battery is connected to it or not. And your Mac won’t get charged, and you will just keep checking the battery wire connectivity to your Mac. And will keep checking if the battery is plugged in properly to the electric socket.

Implications:

If someone is heartless enough, he can force your Mac to blow. And it’s not in theory. If someone changes the battery software in such a way that the computer keeps getting charged, then it can blow up, leaving you with burns.

Solution:

The solution is that Apple should change the default passwords which are keyed in when the Mac is manufactured. Charlie presented his hacking technique at the Black Hat security conference. And he thinks that changing the passwords will stop this kind of Mac hacking. So, if next time you are going out to buy a Mac, then do open your wallet with a pinch of concern.

Author Bio: This guest post is contributed by Amanda Kidd, who by profession,  is a blogger and writer who is very vigilant while selecting perfume she selects only top perfume. Writing on beauty portal is something she loves to do and she believes that a healthy body is a prime requisite for a beautiful skin. Beside this she also likes to write on Environment Issues.

Two security consultant (ethical hackers) have used text messages to unlock the doors and start the engine of a brand new Subaru Outback. This event was conducted by two security researchers from iSec Partners named Don Bailey and Matthew Solnik. Don and Matthew got an Android phone and used a technique they referred to as “war texting” wherein they used two unnamed remote control products that are for locking and unlocking.

The men set up a GSM network and, after just a couple of hours, hacked the password and authentication messages sent between the server and the car.

With this information, they were able to send text messages that opened the doors and brought the car engine to life, effectively allowing them to steal the Outback off the conference floor. And we thought, controlling the 1969 Pontiac GTO via an iPod Touch was a cool hack!

Black Hat is an annual gathering of hackers and security professionals in Las Vegas. Researchers hope that by showing off how to hack certain systems, the computer industry will take steps to make infrastructure and consumers safer.

Don Bailey says he can unlock thousands of cars across the United States simply by sending a few texts from his Android phone. And that’s not even the scary part.

“I could care less if I could unlock a car door,” Bailey told during the conference at Caesar’s Palace. “It’s cool. It’s sexy. But the same system is used to control phone, power, traffic systems. I think that’s the real threat,” he stated.

The hack affects many kinds of devices that connect to cellular GSM networks, like the one used by AT&T. As cars and plenty of other stuff — from pill bottles to trees — start connecting to cell grids and the Internet, they become more vulnerable.

It’s indeed worrisome that this technique could be used on traffic control systems, security cameras, SCADA sensors, which are employed in industrial systems like the power grid and water supply.

Thankfully, the research hackers said they would not reveal information about their hacking technology or any other vulnerable cars until manufacturers had the opportunity to make design changes. Keeps in mind that similar remote-control apps are used by General Motors, BMW and Mercedes.

Also check out – How to Send a Text Message (SMS) Using Email? At any rate, isn’t it concerning that modern cars like Subaru Outback can be hacked by something as simple as an SMS? What do you think? And talking about cars and technology, a new app has been released on the iTunes store by motors.co.uk. This app allows the user to browse a huge database of cars for sale. The cars are second hand but they include a huge range of manufacturers. Download the app for free today.

Google redirect virus is a browser hijacker that causes redirection to infected websites while you are simply browsing the Internet. Basically, after you type in a specific word or phrase into Google search engine and click Enter, you get redirected to some advertisements, p0rn-related websites, etc.

It can also completely block certain websites. This activity is not only annoying but it can also infect your system with some spyware infections which later on may reveal your private information, including passwords or credit card details.

If you are an experienced computer user you may fix this problem by entering the registry. However, if you are not sure which files to remove or change do not mess with it. These files can have random names so it is difficult to track them.

The easiest way to fix Google redirect virus is by scanning your system with a reliable antispyware program. if it doesn’t work, you can try these easy steps:

1. Check your hosts files for malicious entries. If you see more IPs, you should delete them.

2. Go to Control Panel -> Network Connections, right-click on your Local Area Connection icon and choose Properties. Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click Properties. Select “Obtain an IP address automatically” and “Obtain DNS server address automatically”. Save the changes.

3. Check you proxy settings on Internet Explorer. Launch it and go to Tools -> Internet options, Connections tab and click LAN Settings. Unselect all checkboxes and click OK.

4. If you use Mozilla Firefox, check you proxy settings there too. Go to Tools -> Options, click Advanced and open Network tab. Go to Settings, select “No proxy” and click OK.

5. Check Internet Explorer add-ons. Go to Tools -> Add-ons. Disable all add-ons that you cannot verify. You can reinstall good ones later.

If nothing works, it’s very likely that it’s a tdss rootkit. In this case and generally, the easiest way to fix Google redirect virus is by using a reliable antispyware program: Malwarebytes, Spyware Doctor, Superantispyware, Hitman Pro, etc. And here is a list of top 6 Best Antivirus Protection Program of 2011.

Guest Author: This is a guest article by Renata who is blogging for 2-viruses.com covering the main security issues there and writing tutorials on how to remove newest malware infections. Renata follows the latest news of computer security industry and alerts visitors of 2-viruses.com about latest vulnerabilities and parasites.

Here are some more variation of wall post phrases that this worm seems to be using while spreading on Facebook:

1. OMG <your facebook profile name> you should untag yourself in this vid
2. OMG <your facebook profile name> why are you in this vid
3. hey <your facebook profile name> you look so stupid in this vid
4. hey <your facebook profile name> why are you in this vid
5. hey <your facebook profile name> i can’t believe youre tagged this vid
6. ROTFL <your facebook profile name> what are you doing in this vid

When the user clicks on the video, it seems to be loading in an enlarged video player window.

But the real problem starts when the user clicks on the apparently innocent ‘Play’ button on the enlarged video screen. Once you click the Play button, it does not play any video, but instead displays a message that reads, “Select Address bar.  Press Ctrl+V. Press Enter.“

But here is what it does in the background. As soon as the user had clicked on the first video link, it starts scanning the user’s friends list and generates a malicious code, which the worm copies into the clipboard memory.

When the user selects the address bar and presses <CTRL>+<V> (which is the keyboard shortcut for paste) then <ENTER> , he/she ends up posting a similar OMG why are you tagged in this vid type message on one of his/her friend’s Wall.

At this moment, it is not yet known what kind of data, apart from your friends list, is accessed by the worm. But knowing some of the past Facebook worms and their malicious abilities, the possibilities of this OMG/WTF worm can be scary!

So how to prevent this spam? Simple, don’t click on any suspicious links in Facebook however attractive it may appear! Hackers are just exploiting the curious nature of human mind to good use in doing their job. To avoid getting such malicious wall messages, you may restrict other people (who are NOT your friends and not in your contact list) from posting on your wall. For doing this, choose:

“Account -> Privacy Settings -> Customize Settings -> Things others share -> Friends can post on my Wall ( Enable / Disable ).”

There are over 200,000 applications on the Android App Store/Market today – up from 50,000 a year ago while the store was launched – but the huge growth in the platform has brought with it a rise in malicious apps designed to steal user data.

Unfortunately, this issue highlights the flaws in Google’s open store approach compared to the tightly controlled nature of Apple’s iTunes App Store.

Over the past few months, Android users have been victims of threats ranging from various levels of intensity. What began first as a threat tool for desktop users has now furthered onto the mobile users.

Keeping this view in mind, a host of anti-virus applications have been released in a last ditch. For instance, this week security firm Webroot released its Webroot Mobile Security for Android software, which is available on the Android Market. There is a free and paid version.

Even Google has been trying to be proactive to fight such malware attacks, but often the outcome has been far from desirable. One instance would be the attacks that a malicious app called DroidDream began doing rounds. Although Google did intervene but most of the damage had been done already.

In another instance, on Wednesday, Google removed multiple applications from its official Android Market application store that contained malware.

Google’s move came after AegisLab, a security firm based in Taiwan, released a security alert warning that applications including iBook, iCartoon, iGuide, iCalendar, Sea Ball, LoveBaby, and 3D Cube Horror Terrible — all published by “zsone”–contained code designed to quietly send SMS messages to premium telephone numbers in China, resulting in either a one-time charge or an ongoing subscription.

At least 11 Android apps contain malware that is rigged to automatically send text messages from your Google Android smartphone to phone numbers in China. Moreover, 17% of all reported smartphone infections “were due to SMS Trojans that sent SMS messages to premium-rate numbers, often at irretrievable cost to the user or enterprise.“

However, even though alarming the four-fold increase in malware targeting Android isn’t unexpected. “You don’t have to be extraordinarily smart to write mobile malware these days because most devices don’t have any security tools to stop the malware,” said Dan Hoffman, chief mobile security evangelist at Juniper Networks.

Asked whether the reported rise in Android malware meant anti-virus programs for the platform were desirable or necessary, a Google spokeswoman did not directly answer the question.

“We are committed to providing a secure Android Market experience for consumers,” the spokeswoman said.

In the meantime, watch where you procure mobile device applications, and especially beware third-party application stores, for example in China, where access to the official Android Market remains blocked. In particular, criminals often hide malware in clones of well-known applications, and especially Android games.

So if you are a Google Chrome fan and had enjoyed it as a browser that can not be hacked (thanks to Chrome’s inbuilt sandboxing approach which is key to the browser’s core protection from hacking attacks), then rejoice no more — Google Chrome browser now has been hacked and cracked!

This attack code is designed to pierce key defenses built into Google’s Chrome browser, allowing the hackers to reliably execute malware on end user machines.

The security firm said that the attack required sophisticated attack code and breaks through Chrome without exploiting a Windows Kernel vulnerability. They released video proof showing that it’s possible to force the browser to download and run a calculator application without the browser crashing or computer showing any signs of something going on. In a regular attack, this calculator would be replaced with a hacker made payload (malicious program).

The exploit apparently works with “default” Chrome installations on all 32-bit and 64-bit Windows systems. The tested Chrome version was 11.0.696.65.

Google said it was unable to confirm Vupen’s claims. “The exploit … is one of the most sophisticated codes we have seen and created so far, as it bypasses all security features including ASLR/DEP/Sandbox,” said Vupen in a blog post Monday. “It is silent (no crash after executing the payload), it relies on undisclosed (‘zero-day’) vulnerabilities and it works on all Windows systems.“

VUPEN Pwned Google Chrome Sandbox Bypass [Video]

This video is showing the latest version of Chrome running on a 64-bit version of Windows 7. By loading the address of a specially designed website, the researchers are able to force the browser to download and run a calculator application without crashing or showing any other signs of anything fishy.

And evidently it is not just Google Chrome’s security that has been exposed by this hack. The Vupen attack code also bypassed Windows 7′s ASLR (address space layout randomization) and DEP (data execution prevention), two other security technologies meant to make hackers’ jobs tougher.

“This code and the technical details of the underlying vulnerabilities will not be publicly disclosed,” said Vupen. “They are shared exclusively with our Government customers as part of our vulnerability research services.“

But even though Vupen has  refused to reveal to the public or Google what the holes are, hopefully Google fixes the vulnerabilities soon before other hackers catch wind of the exploit and start making use of it.

For example, a recent study which tracked 40,000 networks in six UK cities found that just under half didn’t have a password and no, or only very basic, security encryption that can be hacked within seconds.

It’s not just a privacy concern either; allowing hijackers on your wi-fi could slow your connection significantly. So what can you do? Here are three simple things that take just five minutes and will leave your wireless broadband network much more secure.

1. Change WEP password to WPA:

Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) was the old standard method of encrypting wireless networks. The idea is that the router generates a random sequence of letters and numbers – either 10 or 26 characters long – and that becomes the network password.

Sounds secure and, for a while, it was but it turned out that breaking the technology was a walk in the park for hackers. Don’t believe me? Try Googling ‘hack WEP connection‘. Scary isn’t it?

That’s why WiFi Protected Access (WPA) and WPA2 are now the standard form of protection for newer wireless routers. As well as many in-built security improvements, WPA means that you can choose your own password for the network, making it potentially much more secure.

In short, if you have a choice, always choose WPA. If your router only allows WEP connections that’s better than nothing but it may be time to upgrade.

2. VID (that’s very important devices):

Most routers now allow users to set an ‘access list‘ of specific devices which can gain access to the wireless network. All routers do this slightly differently so I’m not going to go into too much detail but, in general, entering the router’s IP address into your browser and then look in the advanced settings to find a way to set a list of allowed devices.

Some routers also allow you to simply check a box saying that new devices are not allowed to join the network. That’s ideal if you only really have one or two devices using the wi-fi.

3. Change your SSID:

Your SSID is the name you see when you search for wireless networks in the local area. You can usually configure your router so that the network name isn’t broadcast at all but that’s not so convenient if you’re looking to connect devices yourself.

Another deterrent to hackers is simply to change the SSID network name from whatever the factory setting is. That shows that you’ve changed your wireless network setting and makes your network look more secure right from the off.

Guest Author: This is a guest article by Julia Cook who is a staff writer for Choose.net, a consumer site that helps users to compare broadband deals. The site also features guides on topics such as where to get the best mobile broadband for iPad.