Computer Support Blog

Apple has announced a media event for September 1, at which the company is expected to announce a new iPod Touch and a refresh of Apple TV, which launched three years ago but never truly caught on.

While most expect Apple CEO Steve Jobs to downplay the Apple TV angle and instead focus on video playback on the iPod, iPad, and iPhone, there is reason to think that Apple TV could be a more long term play for the company.

Jobs has said that until such time as end users could stream television, movies, and other video content from their computer to their TV, with little or no need for tech support or elaborate hook-ups, he didn’t expect Apple TV to be mainstream hit.  That, apparently, still holds true.

What’s interesting to note is that most pre-event reports have indicated that Apple TV is expected to run the same iOS as the iPad and would have access to the iTunes App Store.

Such access could allow Apple TV to be used for games and apps, turning into Apple’s entry into the home gaming market as well.  With television rentals set to be available from Disney, ABC, FOX, FX, and others, Apple could be positioning itself nicely for the long term as an all-in-one home entertainment delivery system.

For now, Apple is expected to put its emphasis on the iPod Touch and watching video content on the other i-devices, ideas general users could grasp without needing tech support.  But, as with everything Apple, a newly refreshed – and more useful – Apple TV is sure to attract attention and could appeal to a more mainstream audience.

About RESCUECOM:

RESCUECOM provides computer repair and computer support, 24/7: Meeting every tech support need including data recovery, virus removal, networking, wireless services, and computer support for all brands of hardware and software. For computer support or information on products, services, or computer repair, visit https://www.rescuecom.com or call 1-800-RESCUE-PC.

For More Information, Contact:

David Milman, CEO

315-882-1100

david@rescuecom.com

Users of Apple’s iTunes store have been victimized yet again, but not because of Apple.

A series of ongoing phishing scams have tricked users of Apple’s online service into revealing login information.  In turn, this has allowed hackers to bypass the Internet security of those users with ease.

Once logged into the account, hackers have rung up hundreds or even thousands of dollars in charges.

Most of the attacks have happened with accounts linked to PayPal.  In many cases, hackers have used the stolen funds to purchase iTunes gift codes – online gift cards – which they can then resell on the Internet for a profit.

Unlike many Internet security attacks which originate with a security breach on the part of the vendor, this attack seems to be largely caused by trusting users being victimized by phishing emails.

These sorts of fraudulent emails are sent to users, often requesting that they verify login information.  Because the emails appear to be legitimate, many users click on the links within them or enter their private account information.

Once hackers posses that info, they simply log in.  The account, and everything linked to it, is easy pickings.

To protect yourself and your iTunes and PayPal accounts, follow these simple Internet security tips:

• Never provide your login information via email
• iTunes and other legitimate businesses will not request such information through email
• If you suspect an email is a phishing attack, report it to the merchant, your ISP, and/or your email provider
• Verify the legitimacy of an email by contacting the supposed sender at the email address or website you know is real

For more information on protecting yourself, read Rescuecom’s 5 Tips to Detect Phishing.

About RESCUECOM:

RESCUECOM provides computer repair and computer support, 24/7: Meeting every tech support need including data recovery, virus removal, networking, wireless services, and computer support for all brands of hardware and software. For computer support or information on products, services, or computer repair, visit https://www.rescuecom.com or call 1-800-RESCUE-PC.

For More Information, Contact:

David Milman, CEO

315-882-1100

david@rescuecom.com

For users of Windows and its associated applications, the news is not good this morning.

Noted Internet security researcher HD Moore, of Rapid 7, reported Wednesday that 40 different Windows applications have serious security vulnerability.

The vulnerabilities are, according to Moore, similar to one found in Apple’s iTunes for Windows.  Apple has patched the vulnerability in that program. Read more »

SYRACUSE, N.Y., August 16, 2010 – McAfee, a top Internet security company, recently announced that malware attacks are at an all-time high.  According to McAfee, 10 million new pieces of malware were cataloged during the first half of this year.  With this Internet security threat reaching such significant heights, Rescuecom offers these tips to protect your computer from such an attack.  Read more »

Facebook users may have been victimized by yet another scam.

Internet security firm Sophos has release information on another ‘clickjacking’ scam that hackers recently used to defraud Facebook users out of $5 a week.

While that may not sound like a very big scam, multiply $5 by even a fraction of Facebook’s 500 million users, and the totals add up quickly. Read more »

Facebook, the world’s number one social networking site, will hold a news event tomorrow at its corporate headquarters, to announce its new location-based service.

While Facebook has confirmed little, it has been rumored that the social networking site might be partnering with Foursquare, which Facebook attempted to buy earlier this year. Read more »

As part of its continued efforts to catch up to Apple in the mobile technology market, Microsoft has announced that it will directly connect new Windows Phone 7 smartphones with its Xbox Live service.

The move was announced at the Game Developers Conference Europe, in Germany.  There, Microsoft revealed a list of Xbox Live games coming to the Windows 7 Phone platform, and reiterated their intent to make portable gaming a focus. Read more »

A new scam has begun spreading virally through Facebook, based on the often requested ‘dislike’ button.

Facebook, which allows users to ‘like’ posts, pages, and other content, has yet to create or approve a ‘dislike’ button.

Now a new scam spreading throughout the site tricks users into installing a rogue application which claims to be a dislike button.

Instead, the application uses each user’s account to virally spread itself, much like the “hot” and “funny” video scams which have plagued the social networking site in recent months.

Those attacks were designed to steal information from users, including their login credentials.

Protect yourself from this scam by avoiding any links, even from friends, that claim to provide a dislike button.  If you’ve already been victimized, deactivate the application, delete all posts referencing it from your wall, and eliminate it from your ‘likes’ and ‘interests’ in your profile.

As with the previous scams of this sort, changing your Facebook password is also recommended.

About RESCUECOM:

RESCUECOM provides computer repair and computer support, 24/7: Meeting every tech support need including data recovery, virus removal, networking, wireless services, and computer support for all brands of hardware and software. For computer support or information on products, services, or computer repair, visit https://www.rescuecom.com or call 1-800-RESCUE-PC.

For More Information, Contact:

David Milman, CEO

315-882-1100

david@rescuecom.com

Microsoft has announced an invitation only event in San Francisco on September 15, to launch the beta of Internet Explorer 9, the newest version of the company’s web browser.

The beta had previously been announced, though no official date was released until this week.

The San Francisco event will focus on the “beauty of the web”, and promote IE 9, which Microsoft hopes will restore it to the top of the browser market. Read more »

Internet Security News:  Hackers Move to the Cloud

Earlier this week McAfee reported that malware has reached previously unheard of levels, with over 10 million new pieces of malware cataloged over the first half of this year.

Unfortunately, not only are hackers developing more and more new bits of malicious code, they’re also developing new ways to deliver them.

Late last month, database security company Imperva discovered a “master hacker” phishing attack that indicated the hackers has based their attack in the cloud. Read more »