XPCleaner Descriptions:

XPCleaner is the latest rogue anti-spyware software that endangers the world of computers. XPCleaner usually installed itself onto your PC without your permission, through Zlob.Trojan, Virus or fake software. XPCleaner will display fake system alerts or fake security alerts to trick user to buy the paid version of XPCleaner, in order to remove the potential and reported problems. Not only does it cause your machine to slow down dramatically, it would also put your privacy and data in risk.

Download SpyHunter* Spyware Detection Utility.

Manual Removal Instructions:

Stop XPCleaner Processes:
(Learn how to do this)
XPC.exe

Find and Delete these XPCleaner Files:
(Learn how to do this)
XPC.exe
XPC.lnk
XPC.url
Uninstall XPC.lnk

Remove XPCleaner Registry Values:
(Learn how to do this)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\XPCleaner

Download SpyHunter* Spyware Detection Utility.

You can also download the free version of Avira Antivir to remove the spyware (update)

AntiVirus
ALWIL Software avast! v4.7 Home Edition (32/64-bit) (28 language versions)
ALWIL Software avast! v4.7 Professional Edition (32/64-bit) (28 language versions)
ALWIL Software avast! Virus Cleaner Tool - version 1.0.209 (32-bit) (Czech)
ClamWin portable v0.88.5
ESET NOD32 v2.70.31 or newer (32/64-bit, Installs as 32-bit under Vista x64)
Etrust Etrust EZ CA Antivirus v8.2.0.13 (32-bit)
Grisoft AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition v7.5.441 (32-bit)
Grisoft AVG Anti-Virus Professional Edition v7.5.441 (64-bit)
Kaspersky AntiVirus 6.0.2.614 and later versions (32/64-bit) (64 bits runs as 32 bits)
Kaspersky Internet Security 6.0.2.614 and newer (32/64-bit) (64 bits run as 32 bits)
McAfee McAfee VirusScan 11.2 build 7.2.144 only works with 32-bit,they are working on 64-bit patch
McAfee McAfee Security Center 11.2 build 7.2.144 only works with 32-bit,they are working on 64-bit patch
McAfee AntiVirus 8.5i (32-bit)
McAfee McAfee Site Advisor for IE or Firefox (32-bit)
McAfee Stinger v2.60 (32-bit)
Microsoft Windows Live OneCare 1.5 (32-bit - NOTE: Have to open some ports to get Windows Mobile Device Center to work )
Norman Virus Control
Panda Antivirus 2007 (32-bit)
Softwin Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 10 Build 247 (32-bit)
Symantec Norton Antivirus 2006/2007 - NOTE: Download the latest version, more info here
Symantec Norton Internet Security 2006/2007 - NOTE: Download the latest version, some info here
Symantec Norton 360 Beta
Symantec Antivirus Corporate Edition v10.2.224 - NOTE: Disabling Microsoft Windows Defender may help solve sluggish performance.
Symantec Antivirus Corporate Edition v10.2.276
Trend Micro PC-cillin Internet Security 2006 v14.57 (32/64-bit)
Trend Micro PC-cillin Internet Security 2007 - (NOTE: Get the latest version)

Browsers

Avant Browser 11 Build 25
Browzar 1.2.0.1 (32-bit) (Do NOT use this! It´s a fraud, a SCAM!)
Deepnet Explorer 1.53 beta (32-bit)
Flock 0.78 (32-bit)
Maxthon 1.5.9 build 30 and 2.0
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.2 (32/64-bit)
Off By One 3.5.d (32-bit)
Opera 9.xx (32-bit)
Portable FireFox 1.5 (32-bit)
Torpark 1.5.0.7a (32/64 Bit)
Netscape 8.1.2 (32/64 Bit)based on Firefox

Codecs & Converters

3ivx
Advanced Vista Codec Package 4.3.5
Combined Community Codec Pack
DivX 6.5 ( Note: DivX Converter requires an update - pending release )
Electronic Cosmo’s MPEG Suite 1.5 (32bit)
ffdshow (use Celtic Druid’s (x64)
FLV to AVI Converter Ver_3.1 (32-bit)
K-Lite Codec Pack v2.8 / K-Lite Mega Codec Pack v1.61
Quick Time Alternative [latest version]
Real Alternative [latest version]
StormCodec v6.10.00
SWF Video Converter v_3.0.18 (32-bit)
X Codec Pack v2.1.2 or newer
WinAvi convertor
Tmpeg video convertor
XVid v1.1.2

Compression

7-Zip (32/64-bit)
Advanced RAR Password Recovery 1.53
Flash Optimizer- compress SWF Ver_1.48 (32-bit)
IZArc 3.6
PowerArchiver 2006 Version 9.64
TUGZip 3.4+
Ultimatezip 2007 (ver 3.1) 32-bit
WinAce 2.5, 2.65
WinRAR 3.70 (BETA) - Works perfectly.
WinRAR 3.4 (installs/runs fine as user, just asks for permission), 3.51, 3.60 and 3.62 (32-bit) (must be run as Administrator)
WinZip Pro 10.0 (build 6685 and 7245) and 11.0 (build 7313) (32/64-bit) (WinZip 11.0 is 100% working)

Download Managers

Bearshare 5.2.5 (32-bit)
Bit Comic v0.60 to v0.85 all supported
BitTorrent 5.0.5 (32-bit)
Download Accelerator Plus 5.3(DAP)
Download Accelerator Plus 8(DAP)
Download Master
FlashGet 1.73 Build 128 (32/64-bit) and 1.8 Final (32-bit)
Free Download Manager
GetRight 6.1
HiDownload 6.95
Internet Download Accelerator
Internet Download Manager 5.06 beta
Leechget 2006
Microsoft File Transfer Manager
RapGet 1.26
ReGet Deluxe 2.6
Thunder5 5.5.6.274 (Chinese Simplified/Traditional)

Emulation
Daemon Tools 4.00 (32-Bit)
Daemon tools 4.06
Daemon Tools 4.08HE (32-bit/64-bit)
DOSBox (0.63 tested in 32 bit, worked fine)
Jnes 0.5.3 works great
Kawaks 1.57
MAME32 (Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator)
Nestopia (32-bit)
Project 64 1.6 and 1.7 beta work perfectly
ScummVM 0.5.1
RockNES (32-bit)
UltraISO 8.6.0.1936
ZSNES 1.51 (32-bit)
Xi Software Net Transport 2.28

Firewalls / IDS’s
Bitdefender Bitedefender Internet Security 10
Iolo Personal Firewall (32 bits only)
JeticoPersonal Firewall v.2 beta jpf2beta NOTE: This will NOT uninstall properly, and may cause probles. If you have to uninstall, do so in safemode, then scan registry for Jetico and delete all corresponding keys.
Kaspersky Internet Security 6.0.2.614 and newer (32/64-bit) (64 bits runs as 32 bits)
Kerio WinRoute Firewall 6.3 BETA build 2397 (64-bit) NOTE: Driver won’t install on a 32-bit.
McAfee McAfee Personal Firewall 11.2 build 11.2.121
Microsoft Windows Live OneCare 1.5 NOTE: MS are currently (02/22/07) offering a 90-day trial for free. OK as an interim until some that actually work show up. (PT-BR unavailable)
Pc Tools Firewall Plus 2.0 (32 bits only)
Symantec Norton 360
Symantec Norton Internet Security 2006/2007 - NOTE: Download the latest version, more info here
Trend Micro PC-cillin Internet Security 2007 - NOTE: Get the latest version, more info here
Vista Firewall Control (native 32 and 64 bits) Incoming/outcoming program control

Messengers
AIM 6.0.28.1 / Aim Classic 5.9 Had a few problems with 5.9. It didnt like to run sometimes. / AIM Lite 0.31
A-Patch (MSN Messenger Tweaker) A-Patch for Windows Live Messenger Version: 1.3.0 RC1 (build 54) - Compatibility: Windows Live Messenger 8.0.0787, 8.0.0792, 8.0.0812, 8.1.0064, 8.1.0066, 8.1.0068, 8.1.0106, 8.1.0168 & 8.1.0178
A-Patch (Live Mail Desktop Tweaker) A-Patch for Windows Live Mail Desktop Version: 0.1.5 Beta - Compatibility: Windows Live Mail Desktop
Gaim 2.0.0beta6 (32-bit)
Google Talk
IBM/Lotus SameTime Connect v7.5 (32-bit)
ICQ 5.1
ICQ 6 Preview Version
Messenger Plus Live 4.11
mIRC
Msn Messenger 7.5
MySpaceIM
MirandaIM 0.5 Unicode
Paltalk Messenger 9.0 Build 177 (Shows Its stopped working on exit but works fine)
QIP (Quiet Internet Pager)
Skype (Disable Aero - Works with Aero on 32-bit Vista Ultimate)
Teamspeak 2 RC2
Tlen
Tribal Voice PowWow v3.50 (32-bit/64-bit) - some UI elements in the Community chat window render strangely
Trillian Pro 3.1
Windows Live Messenger 8.1 (32-bit)
X-Chat
Xfire
Yahoo Messenger

Peer to Peer
Ares 1.9.5, 1.9.9
Ares 2.0.5
Azureus 2.5.00 or newer(32-bit)
BitComet 0.77, 0.8x (32- and 64-bit)
BitTornado
DC++ v0.698
DC++ RevConnect
eDonkey2000 1.4.3 Lite
eMule 0.47x with a lot of modes (32-bit)
FrostWire 4.13.1.4 Beta (clone of LimeWire PRO and uses Java like it)
iMesh 7.0 (32-bit)
KCeasy 0.18 or better
LDC++ 1.0 2a
Limewire
Limewire PRO
LimeWire Acceleration Patch
Lphant v 3.00 B5
myTunes Redux
Neo Mule 4.25 (32-bit)
Orb MyCasting
Pando — ultima version
Shareaza 2.2.3.0
Soulseek 156c, 157 test 8
Strong DC
Thunder5 BT 5.6.0.280 Beta (Chinese Simplified/Traditional)
uTorrent 1.6
WASTE 1.5 beta 3, asks for admin access, works fine afterwards
WinMX 3.54 (Beta 4)

Development tools
Bloodshed C++ Compiler - Crashes if cache is created. Works fine otherwise (32-bit)
Crimson Editor 3.70 Release
ConTEXT v0.98.5 (32-bit)
Eclipse 3.2.1
JCreator Pro
JDK v1.5
JDK v1.6
Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Professional Edition (32-bit) (use the SP1 for Vista service pack for optimal Vista compatibility)
Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Team Suite (32-bit) (use the SP1 for Vista service pack for optimal Vista compatibility)
Microsoft Visual SourceSafe 2005 (32 Bit) (Compatibility warnings, but works)
Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Express Editions: Visual C++ 2005 Express Edition (32 Bit) (Compatibility warnings, but works)
Microsoft Visual Studio 6.0 Professional Edition (32 Bit) (SP6) (Compatibility warnings, but works)
Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 Enterprise Edition (32 Bit) (SP6) (Compatibility warnings, works poorly)
Microsoft Visual Basic 5.0
Microsoft Visual Basic 1.0 (16-bit abandonware, but runs on RTM 32bit version)
Netbeans IDE v5.5
Notepad++ 4.02
Programmers Notepad 2 (32-bit)
SharpDevelop 2.1 RC 1
Sun Java Runtime 6.0
Tinn-R 1.19.1.6 (32-bit)
UltraEdit v10.10a and higher (32-bit)
Vim v7.0 (32-bit)
vlite v0.5 beta
WinHex v12.0 SR-1
WinMerge v2.3.10.0 (32-bit)
Textpad 4.7.1 (works perfectly)

Source

Now you need open Computer Management tool, you can do this by bringing up the RUN box by Win key + R and then type “mmc compmgmt.msc” without quotes.

Select Disk Management from left menu. You will see a list with all your partitions, select the partition where you have installed Windows Vista, right click on it and choose Format.

Once you choose to format it will ask for certain settings, I recommend you to use the default settings for both and press the OK button.

The formatting process can take from a few seconds up to several minutes. The duration depends a lot on the size of the partition and the type of formatting (normal or quick format). When finished, you will no longer have Windows Vista installed on your system.

VirusHeat Descriptions:

VirusHeat, or VirusHeat 4.3, or VirusHeat 3.9, is the latest counterfeit anti-spyware software that endangers the world of computers. It’s believed that VirusHeat is a new variant of VirusProtect, SpyLocked and SpyCrush. VirusHeat usually installed itself onto your PC without your permission, through Zlob.Trojan, Virus or fake software. VirusHeat will display fake system alerts or fake security alerts to trick user to buy the paid version of VirusHeat, in order to remove the potential and reported problems. Likely error messages include, “Your computer is infected with Spyware. Your Security and Privacy are in Danger” or “Spyware programs can steal your credit card numbers and bank information details. The computer can be used sending spam and you may get popups with adult or any other unwanted content” or “System has detected a number of active spyware applications that may impact the performance of your computer. Click the icon to get rid of unwanted spyware by downloading an up-to-date antispyware solution.” Not only does it cause your machine to slow down dramatically, it would also put your privacy and data in risk.

It becomes obvious that VirusHeat must be removed from your computer in order to protect your data and privacy. You can try our recommended SpyHunter* Spyware Detection Utility, which is very intuitive and highly efficient. VirusHeat can be removed automatically. However, if you are familiar with registry edit and dll files in Windows, we strongly recommend you to try the VirusHeat manual removal instructions. It might take time and patience, but it is equally effective if you get it right.

As always, we will constantly update the instructions to combat against VirusHeat and its variants. Please feel free to post comments if you have any questions or suggestions regarding VirusHeat. This is a great community and I am sure that you would find the answers you need to safeguard your data integrity and privacy. Good luck!

Download SpyHunter* Spyware Detection Utility.

You can also download the free version of Avira Antivir to remove the spyware (update)

Manual Removal Instructions:

Stop VirusHeat Processes:
(Learn how to do this)
VirusHeat 4.3.exe
VirusHeat 3.9.exe
VirusHeat.exe

Unregister VirusHeat DLL Files:
(Learn how to do this)
iinqyl.dll
wuuawkz.dll
ecxwp.dll
tvtpwp.dll
cjuvwa.dll
eeioq.dll
txdkfh.dll
wbchha.dll

Find and Delete these VirusHeat Files:
(Learn how to do this)
VirusHeat 4.3.exe
VirusHeat 4.3.lnk
VirusHeat 4.3.url
Uninstall VirusHeat 4.3.lnk
VirusHeat 3.9.exe
VirusHeat 3.9.lnk
VirusHeat 3.9.url
Uninstall VirusHeat 3.9.lnk
ecxwp.dll
wuuawkz.dll
tvtpwp.dll
cjuvwa.dll
eeioq.dll
txdkfh.dll
wbchha.dll

Remove VirusHeat Registry Values:
(Learn how to do this)

Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\VirusHeat 3.9.exe
917f93bf-6714-4e11-8982-59db2e0f88fc
{E94EB13E-D78F-0857-7734-5E67A49FFFF1
0979850F-6C3E-4294-B225-B3D3C4A6F2A1
1BB2DA5F-B78F-44EA-BDA1-771CBE1DEC68
2A4E73C5-BA3C-4391-B7E5-FFE8D3BD6245
8D42769F-07D8-494D-AAB4-AA1652C541FA
A1922071-390C-418D-916D-91209E95D286
A1F8CD95-CFB3-43D1-A956-63441CC058C1
A63B46AD-96A7-4A2C-BD8F-8CD097E1593A
A65F98DD-2360-468C-B76E-B1B84C0D547C
AE2AEED0-BE1B-4BA2-826E-20D1991081B8
D7F73787-6206-4BBA-BDC0-7CFA9940DBCB
E770F739-2968-4ED9-A63C-DC1938DC82A2
631E9E48-B066-43DA-92AC-6DADF61B173B
65C1361C-E696-4AF0-9E21-81910193F352
77DCE805-C8CE-48AA-A47F-BFA6CC7704B3
CFAFA83C-855B-4E3D-92B9-A587995B675A
44A923CA-F430-4F85-9F84-5153ECDB882E
4E6E21EC-9D72-4164-8A53-74786A467872

Download SpyHunter* Spyware Detection Utility.

You can also download the free version of Avira Antivir to remove the spyware (update)

Today I went for the CEH v5 exam, EC-Council certification# 312-50, I'd been studying for it for a while. It had no less than 150 questions - and pretty tough ones too - but I managed to pass it (85% which is OK considering US law was part of the Qs).

I can really recommend you to go for this exam - it's somethin' else dude! The questions are short and exact (still multiple choice), but just the process of going there is VERY cool and interesting. Personally I downloaded a lot of spooky tools and guides, created an isolated network with virtual machines and tested, tested, tested. It was fun I can tell you - I can't seem to stop studying this stuff!

I also read 2 books on the journey:
- Michael Gregg: Certified Ethical Hacker Exam Prep (very good)
- Kimberly Graves: Official Certified Ethical Hacker Review Guide (very brief)

If you're a totally cool (and white) hacker dude already, you could probably go for the latter only (it will give you the overall idea of what this exam is all about, the CEH terminology etc). BUT the first one mentioned, by Michael Gregg, is a VERY good introduction (broad and deep) into the world of haxin' actually.

The whole idea with this exam is, that to be a professional penetration tester or security consultant, you need the skills and tools of the hackers. Put yourself in their place and start looking for your (or your customers) weakest link! A security system is only as strong as its weakest link - that also means, that security is a process (maintenance).

Security is, and always will be, a mixture of: Prevention + Detection + Response!

.

if you got a e-mail with a subject is “paypal confirmation” . paypal want to review your account and you can click a “Resolution center” for your confirmation. A “resolution link” is www.paypalupdate.com. So ignore it and do not click a link because PAYPAL NEVER SEND ANY E MAIL AND CALL US LIKE DEAR CUSTOMER OR DEAR PAYPAL MEMBER. Paypal always use our real name when paypal send us a e-mail.

So for paypal member, please be careful. if you got a peculiar e-mail report it to paypal. If you already click that link and already write username and your password, maybe a best advice is close your account as soon as possible.