NOTICE: Domains, registrars, YOU, and Identity Theft - They Have Something In Common!

[user-7256]

I just read an article in Popular Mechanics, and then went on the 'net to find some sources that confirmed this...

More Info: http://www.domaining.ws/general-news/2006/01/18/identity-theft-linked-to-dns-cache-poisoning

A continually-rising (and becoming almost as popular as phishing) technique for identity theft is called DNS Cache Poisoning. It is the most "deadly" form of identity theft, impossible to catch with the normal eye.

This is where a hacker, trojan, or by other means SOMETHING modifies your computer's DNS cache so that when you type in, for example, www.paypial.com, it goes to www.paypal.com but through a different IP address, to a perfectly identcal website, so when you enter you login info - BANG - they've got your $$$. (this only affects your computer)

Another similar way of doing this (changing nameservers, I mean), also on the rise, is by getting into domainers' registrar accounts and modifying the DNS there to affect ALL users of that domain - NO MATTER the computer, a global effect. VERY dangerous.

This is why registrars must keep their security high (and GoDaddy sends out notifications, too, for a good reason) and YOU have to change your password often! Choose good pwds!

Also, scan your comp and add a firewall so you don't become victim to the DEADLIEST FORM OF IDENTITY THEFT: DNS CACHE POISONING! It's impossible to see or notice unless the fake site isn't well-cloned.

Just FYI,
-Matt

 

[oliciv]

A firewall won't stop either of those attacks...

Regular virus/spyware scans are always good advice though

Microsoft Antispyware is good for this.

 

[user-7256]

Firewalls can help keep the holes shut that trojans attempt to open for somebody to get through and manually modify your DNS cache if they have to.

EDIT: Heh, nice edit. Micro$oft Antispyware actually has been tested and has many vulnerabilities and faults within it, it is not to be trusted. Use Symantec.

 

[oliciv]

DIT: Heh, nice edit. Micro$oft Antispyware actually has been tested and has many vulnerabilities and faults within it, it is not to be trusted. Use Symantec.

Got a source? :hehe:

 

[user-7256]

:hehe: got a source that it's good?

 

[smub]

i go with norton ... it is good so far with my computer

 

[oliciv]

:hehe: got a source that it's good?

My own personal usage of it, my friends usage of it, reading many tech blogs/forums and never hearing anything but praise for it.

I know you have a personal dislike of Microsoft (still not compeltely sure why), but don't judge a product by the company which develops it.

 

[user-7256]

Well, let's get back on topic

 

[DropLister]

cant you just periodically flush you dns
run>cmd>ipconfig /flushdns

 

[weblord]

i hope dns cache hijack is taken care of in the latest version of firefox 1.7.12 i saw 2 extensions dealing with this but im not sure for I haven't downloaded fasterfox yet
https://addons.mozilla.org/extensions/?application=firefox

 

[dongan]

switch off the modem for few minutes.

I never do. but, i think we should do this. will do.

 

[oliciv]

Well, let's get back on topic

Are you saying that, in fact, you made it up because you don't like the company?

 

[Ben]

You mean just editing the Windows HOSTS file? This isn't anything new.

 

[EbookLover]

EDIT: Heh, nice edit. Micro$oft Antispyware actually has been tested and has many vulnerabilities and faults within it, it is not to be trusted. Use Symantec.

You have no idea what you speak of.

Never use symantec products, they are bloatware, they slow down your system and are poor at what they do. Any security professional will tell you that. The post above, I think, is just a MS basher that fails to see that Symantec is just a greedy a corporation as they all are, even like MS.

You can go to http://forums.techguy.org for free tech support from professionals and they will also recommend MS antispy becuase they know it's damn good in conjunction with other programs.

MS antipsy works very well. For spyware I use...

MS antispy,
yahoo toolbar antispy,
Spybot Search and Destroy,
Spywareblaster,
and Ad-aware
and then Trend Micro PC-cillin IS Suite for my virus protection

and my system could not be cleaner nor is the memory and processor bogged down when I use any of these programs, unlike when using Symantec/Norton products which are just bloatware. I even have a 3G processor and 2G of RAM and Norton slows my system down to uselessness when it is running. Bloatware, bloatware, bloatware.

If you use any Symantec/Norton products like the anti virus and you are sick of not being able to use your computer when you do a virus scan because it slows down to an unworkable speed, then you need to check out TrendMicro PC-Cillin. Not only will it scan your whole system fast but you can use your computer while you scan. You can do a free online virus check at any time by going to http://housecall.trendmicro.com. It's awesome!