FYI: Trojan virus

[dreamaiden]

This small article came to me via ASCAP. I had no idea about the information in the paragraph below.

http://www.timesobserver.com/page/conte ... l?nav=5006

"It's being spread through social sites like Facebook, Youtube and Myspace," Lewis said. "People are downloading music through sites like Limewire and the files are infected. And then they are loading them onto their Myspace or Facebook pages. Those sites are offering no protection, so we're seeing second generation infection. If you visit them, you visit them at your own risk."

[X-Trade]

I don't understand that about infection through MySpace or Facebook in particular.

As far as I am aware, there is no facility to upload tracks to Facebook, and on Myspace it can only be done as a Band page. Sometimes people create a band page and illegally upload their favourite track just so they can have it on their profile page, but then I don't think you can get infected by a streaming player anyway. So note this only applies possibly to people illegally uploading tracks of other artists that they don't own in the first place. Legitimate use of the site should be okay.

Also, this quote about 'anything that is free, is free for a reason'. I have to disagree, partly. Yes a lot of things are free and are rubbish, but some things are really good finds. AVG for example is a great antivirus, the personal edition is free, and to be honest the full version like any other 'internet security package' is too much stuff that you don't really need, and will just slow your system down.

Similarly, if I actually get an infection, I would use malwarebytes and superantispyware to remove it. both of these are available for free and will find one or two things that AVG doesn't, but they don't run daily scans (hence why I use them only for actually fixing things or if I'm suspicious).

[iD4rK]

Some things are "free", because you accept trading conditions, you can use this app, and we can check what websites you visit regularly. Or, they have banners. Remeber Kazaa?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kazaa

[X-Trade]

Some things are "free", because you accept trading conditions, you can use this app, and we can check what websites you visit regularly. Or, they have banners. Remeber Kazaa?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kazaa

True.

I guess it really takes a bit of common sense and research to know what you're downloading, but the same goes for paid stuff. I'm sure a number of people will be familiar with the 'fake antivirus suites', that install themselves or you see adverts for and pay for, that tell you have viruses when you don't, slow down your computer, introduce adware, etc.
They are called 'rogue' adware and spyware suites in the business. Like Spyware Cleaner, Alpha Antivirus, Antivirus XP, Vista Antispyware, WinPC, etc.

Realistically, it only takes a bit of awareness to say "hey, this looks like a virus checker, but it is running in an internet explorer window", but many people aren't that aware of what they are doing online or what they are downloading.

[Wings]

Dunno much about spreading viruses or likes, but I do practicea certain sensorship when accepting or downloading files.
However to the remark about Facebook and uploading music; sure you can. At least I have.
Check out my sign. (not for promoting, only for info on this topic)

[Ak5000]

BUT The free softwares or songs are the main culprit i have experienced on my PC that downloading free softwares often damage PC's or system.

[X-Trade]

As I said, it really depends what you download. It takes a bit of common sense. If you don't feel sure about something, don't download it.

However the software I mentioned above (AVG, SuperAntiSpyware, anti malwarebytes) are all good software that are used by many people, at home and Pros alike. And represents the equlivient of a good buy - for free.
It is good value for money, a bit like KORG
AVG in particular is just as good as Norton or Mcaffe but in many cases is just a lot less hassle to use, and doesn't use up as many system resources. Very important to us musicians using DAW software etc. Norton is particularly notorious for using up a lot of system resources.
Take this from someone who actually works in computing.


Of course, some people just don't feel comfortable not spending money on something. In some cases they do miss out.

The other problem with computing is that it is almost the only industry where even the 'Average Joe' can claim to be an expert... And sometimes they are right! But I often find it annoying where people refuse to even acknowledge your advice and would rather base their decisions on someone else's half-educated guesses.

[tpantano]

It is good value for money, a bit like KORG

I tried to calculate their value per money but I got a divide by zero error :-/