Virus

Oct 6 2009   7:55AM GMT

Hotmail passwords leaked online due to phishing attack

Posted by: Yasir Irfan
Hotmail password, pastebin, website, Hotmail, windows live, Neowin, password change, Security, phishing, illegal, hacking, Hotmail accounts, Virus, scam, password, protection, phishing attack, Microsoft's Security Response Center, Microsoft's PR teams, Windows live blog, @hotmail.com, @msn.com, @live.com, Hotmail passwords leaked

 

According to CNET latest updates, thousands of Windows Live Hotmail passwords have been leaked online due to phishing attack.  Some sources say more than 10,000 Windows Live accounts briefly appeared on web site PasteBin, including accounts on email domains like @hotmail.com, @msn.com, and @live.com. The list of leaked addresses starts with A & B. This news is raising fears among the Windows Live Hotmail users.

 

Microsoft has confirmed this news and it was first reported by Neowin. So if you’re a Live Hotmail user and you suspect you may have been affected, now’s the time to change that password and security credentials. If you are using the same password for other sites it’s strongly recommended to change the passwords and security credentials as well. Do act now

 

Do check the Windows live blog for more updates as well. And Microsoft strongly recommends its customers to using the following protective security measures

• Renew their passwords for Windows Live IDs every 90 days
• For administrators, make sure you approve and authenticate only users that you know and can verify credentials
• As phishing sites can also pose additional threats, please install and keep anti-virus software up to date

Neowin was to first act by reporting this incident immediately to Microsoft’s Security Response Center and to Microsoft’s PR teams in the UK and US. After leaning this breach, Microsoft “immediately requested that the credentials be removed and launched an investigation to determine the impact to customers,” it wrote on its Windows Live blog. 

 

Oct 2 2009   2:49AM GMT

Free Security Software from MICROSOFT! “Microsoft Security Essentials”

Posted by: Yasir Irfan
Security Essentials, Microsoft Security Essentials, Malware, Spyware, Moro, Virus, anti-virus, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, MacAfee, Symantec

 

Microsoft just rolled out their new Security Software as free download available in nineteen countries, as per Microsoft Middle East spokesperson the localized version for Middle East will be only available at later part of 2009.

 

 

The latest offering from Microsoft “Microsoft Security Essentials” protects the consumers from viruses, malwares and spywares. The “Microsoft Security Essentials” is released freely without any registration or renewal demands.

 

As we know the real-time security software’s are available but at a price, this effort from Microsoft can at least assure some of its loyal customers to get a high-quality protection which is easy to get and easy to use.

 

 

Microsoft’s latest offering - “Microsoft Security Essentials” - protects consumers from viruses, spyware and malware, and will be released freely without any registration and renewal demands in an effort to “encourage broader adoption of anti-virus protection.”

 

Initially Microsoft codenamed “Microsoft Security Essentials”as “Morro” will be released in 8 languages. It will be available for Windows XP SP2 or SP3, Windows Vista and Windows Live and can be downloaded from Microsoft’s web site http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

 

Lest see how MacAfee and Symantec face the challenge.