DNS Changer Malware information and help

 Today many computer users found that web pages they routinely go to had been replaced with pages that were of no interest to them.  This substitution of destination is a direct result of the DNS Changer Malware*  Regular readers will no doubt recall that we advised Bell Customers (Is DNS Changer Malware hidden in your computer) about the this threat and what action to take back in April this year.

What DNS Changer Malware does

     When you type in a website name your computer looks for the Domain Name on the internet, when a match is found it is  Served back to your computer and the web page you requested opens.  An infected computer redirects your request to a server that contains domains (web sites) that the creators of the malware own.  

     The websites that are opened on your computer are not the ones you asked for and are often passable fakes of real website. The difference being any information you enter on the website may be captured and used for criminal activity and if goods are purchased payments will go into the criminals account and thy will also have your credit card or banking details AND your valid password.

How does the DNS Change do this

The switch is possible, on an infected computer, since the boot instructions have been amended. Unfortunately, reverting back to an earlier back up of the computer operating system will not correct the issue.  The malware will reappear when your computer boots up.

How to fix a DNS Changer infected computer

We could continue explaining about the malware and  how to remove it but The DCWG (DNS Changer Working Group)  have this subject covered in great length.  More importantly they have outlined the steps to take to remove the DNS Changer Malware.



*Domain Name Server

Is DNS Changer Malware hidden in your computer

If you suspect that DNS Malware is hidden in your computer, first check that this is the case by visiting www.dns-ok.ca, then take steps to remove the malware.

DNS Changer Malware instructs your computer to go to a web server that is not the one provided by your internet provider, making it possible for operators to access all the data you enter online and see where you have been whilst on the internet.  The data can then be used to gain access to offline accounts, open new accounts and misuse your credit cards.

It is in the account holders interest, therefore,  to remove the malware.
Bell internet customers can learn how to remove DNS Changer Malware here.


Image Source: Image: Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The World Wide Web celebrates it's 20th birthday

Happy 20th Birthday to the World Wide Web (www). On the 6th August 1991 the first webpage was uploaded and launched.

The internet already had been in existence for over 15 years when the first web page made it's appearance.The internet up to this point was essentially a collection of separate networks which could connect up to each other and transfer information to each other.


Tim Berners-Lee the founder of the World Wide Web 

• Introduced the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) making it possible to allocate a unique location to each web file.  Initially the urls were numberical only.

• Developed Hypertext Mark Up Language (HTML) enabling web browsers to reproduce text and images locations, sizes, colors and styles on a web page.

• Provide links (hyperlinks) within web pages, to other pages to different web sites.

Bell TV Tip : Save money, build a bundle

Bell TV Tip:

How you can save with Bell Bundles :
With Bell TV HD or HD PVR Plus model receiver programing subscriptions adding other  Bell Services

• Internet
• Home Phone 
• Mobility 

can save your money.  When two or more services are bundled discounted rates will be applied.


Get $5 off your monthly bill for each  eligible service. With 5 services to choose from you can combine new eligible plans with those you already have and could be saving up to $25.00 a month for services you wanted anyway.

(ICT North) - Bell Bundles Promotion details

Internet Usage about bandwidth

Bandwidth  -  "The capacity for data transfer"

The bandwidth limit is based on the amount of data transfer that the average internet user uses over a given period of time (month).  Users select an internet plan, with a limit that they think will be suitable, for the purpose which they are using their computer.   Because no two users will use their computer identically the limits vary some may allocate a greater portion of the bandwidth to music download others to online gaming.

At ICT North we are always being asked about bandwidth. When surfing, checking email, watching videos or movies, playing online games, downloading music or uploading photos to the internet with a computer it is easy to exceed bandwidth guideline limits.  

Once the guideline limit is exceeded additional charges are applied so monitoring usage makes sense.

Things that affect bandwidth :

• Surfing  - visiting web sites, web pages or forums, reading online news, searching. 
• Chatting - via messsage boards or specific chat programs.
• Email functions - sending and receiving mail.
• File sharing - downloading or uploading: torrents, music, photos, videos
• Online Activities - streaming audio (listening to the radio etc.,) watching videos, movies, live broadcasts
• Interactive Activities - playing games online via the computer or gaming console.
• VoIP - Voice over Internet Protocol eg Skype phone calls over the internet.
• FTP - File Transfer Protocol: uploading and downloading of files to and from an external server.

Music Download via the Bell Internet

Bell currently have two options for downloading music 


Monthly subscription service - All Access Music*  and 

Individual Track or Album Service - InMusic MP3 Store** 


Both offer a thousands of songs in many different musical styles

*Prices  $14/month or $130/year

Special pricing for Bell Internet customers: $10/month or $90/year

**Prices start from 79¢  (per track)  or  $9.99 Album

(as at 16th january 2011)

Bell Fibe

Bell Fibe™ is the new Bell development in Internet connectivity. The system addresses customer demands for more speed for downloading and uploading movies, photos, music, videosand of course Bell Fibe TV.

Portable Internet
Solution

The service was introduced in February 2010 and is currently 
available to customers, in cities, across Canada.
The Bell Fibe™ operates over a fibre optic network.
Fibe offers four speeds (6, 12, 16 and 25 Mbps) 
and faster upload speeds.








Contact ICT North for information about Bell Fibe™ Internet services