Avira Security Software Detects Java 7 Exploits

Users Can Relax... A Little Bit

Tettnang, Germany —- January 12, 2013 – Security expert Avira announced today that all of its antivirus and security software products have been updated to detect the latest Java 7 zero-day exploits.

Millions of computer users are at risk from the Java zero-day vulnerability, which allows hackers to inject malicious code into even fully-patched Windows or Linux computer operating systems.

Fortunately, Avira customers can relax a bit as all Avira software products now protect against generic exploits of the Java 7 vulnerability. Although detecting the exploits does not fix the Java 7 flaw, it keeps Avira customers safe from having their computers used in potentially malicious actions and from losing their private data.

"Whenever a vulnerability like this is discovered – especially when it is in a widely distributed software like Java – the bad guys are quick to write exploits that take advantage of the flaw," said Sorin Mustaca, IT security expert at Avira. "While Oracle ultimately needs to patch Java, in the meantime we can at least prevent our customers from falling victim to the exploits."

Links

• To download Avira security software, visit: www.avira.com/en/downloads

Computer Users Should Disable Java 7 Owing To Security Flaw, Experts Say

Malware may put Internet offline to thousands this Monday — how to make sure ‘DNS Changer’ doesn’t harm you
by Branden Goyette
New York Daily News
July 6, 2012

Tens of thousands of Americans whose computers are infected with malware will lose Internet service Monday. Here's a quick explanation of what led to this impending Internet blackout and how you can avoid being left in the dark.

Over a year ago, hackers used an online ad scam to infect more than 570,000 computers around the world with malware called DNS Changer that could make the devices carry out tasks without their owners' knowledge. The FBI wanted to shut down the servers that the hackers were using to control the infected computers, but they realized that the victims of the hack would suddenly lose Internet service if they did so.

The feds set up a transitional system that allowed them to take down the hackers’ servers while still allowing computers affected with the malware to get online.

But they’re set to pull the plug on that system at 12:01 a.m. Monday, July 9 — after that, anyone with an affected machine will be kicked off the Internet until they rid their computer of the malware.

So how can you avoid being among those who lose Internet?

First, it's important to note that if your computer is infected with DNS Changer, your antivirus software won't help. And if you use a Mac, don't think you're immune — Comcast reports that they've already spotted the malware on several Apple computers.

To do a quick check on the health of your computer, visit www.dns-ok.us. If you see a red background, your machine has been infected. If you see green, that's good — though the site notes there's still a chance your computer is infected.

To make sure that your computer is malware free, go to www.dcwg.org, the website of the DNS Changer Working Group, a collection of experts the FBI recruited to deal with this hack attack...