Rinbot Worm Threatens Big Business Networks

A new computer virus targeting antivirus vendor Symantec's security software has hit a division of at least one big U.S. corporation and is still considered a threat to other networks.

The virus, which has reportedly infested CNN and Turner Broadcasting System, is the latest strain of the Rinbot computer virus, which hijacks network systems and takes control of computers remotely.

The latest variant of the worm is designed to exploit security vulnerabilities embedded in Symantec's antivirus software. After a system is affected, the virus quickly spreads and takes over computers with the intention of turning the network into a botnet, or "zombie" network. The Rinbot worm opens a back door in affected networks and connects to an IRC (Internet relay chat) server, allowing an attacker to send commands.

Companies can avoid the consequences of a virus attack by completely updating their antivirus software. If you have the latest security patches in place, it shouldn't have an impact.

Resize Icons in Windows Vista

If you are running Windows Vista you may have noticed that the desktop icons are rather large in size and stay large even if you increase the screen resolution is the large icons on the desktop. This is most likely done to keep the desktop icons from getting too small with super high resolutions.

There are two things you can do to decrease the size of the icons on the desktop. Technically you only need to know about the second method but we will go over both.

Method One

1. Right click on a blank area of the desktop

2. Select the View option

3. Choose which size you want to use for your icons. The choices are as follows:

Large Icons
Medium Icons
Classic Icons (this will make them the smallest of the 3 options)

Method Two

This is a much better way to adjust the size since it gives you more flexibility. You can make the icons tiny or so big that they fill up your screen!

1. Close or minimize your programs and left click on the desktop to make it active

2. Place your mouse pointer on a blank part of the desktop and hold down CTRL while scrolling with the wheel on your mouse.

3. Scrolling forward increases the size of the icons while scrolling backwards decreases them.

4. When you find a size you like simply release the CTRL key

All Tips

Dawa writes in with a troubleshooting question
Q. I have got eight computers in my office. I tried to do a peer to peer network; well I can access the internet from all the computers but could not share files or the printers. So could you please tell me where I may be going wrong?

A. Make sure you have Client for Microsoft Networks installed under the properties of your network adapters on all computers. Right click My Network Places and then pick Properties. Then right click your local area connection and pick Properties again. Make sure Client for Microsoft Networks is in the list. If not then you need to click on Install and add the Client for Microsoft Networks.

Next make sure you are all part of the same workgroup. Right click My Computer and select Properties. Then go to the Computer Name tab and where it says Workgroup, make sure they are all the same. If not click on Change and make all of the workgroups the same.

Finally you need to share some folders to make them visible on the network.

Here is a similar question from a reader who wanted to know how to setup a small office network.

All Questions

Vista's Firewall Has Security Flaws

Windows Vista's firewall can easily be subverted because of design decisions made by Microsoft Corp., a researcher at Symantec Corp. said Friday.

The Unblock button for the firewall can be accessed with the access level of a standard user. This configuration of privileges creates a point of vulnerability that undermines the effectiveness of the firewall's policy and allows attackers to code their malware so that the software surreptitiously clicks the button. Hackers could then download other malicious codeor hide the command andcontrol traffic between an infected PC and the hacker.

Be aware of your actions so you do not allow any un-wanted exceptions to the Windows Firewall rules.

Full Story

Go to The OCT News Blog

Is there something you would like to see on the newsletter or OnlineComputerTips.com?

Please send us a suggestion

Free Tech Forums:
Find even more help by joining our Online Computer Tips Fourms today.

Join Our Forums Now

Resources and Fixes:
Find the latest resources, fixes and updates for your comptuer.

Learn More