CONFLICKER WORM INFO

Here is some information on the new worm called CONFLICKER..... Dave


Personal computers and laptops already infected with Conficker could automatically be linked to the servers operated by the hackers.
By Mc Nelly Torres | South Florida Sun-sentinel
9:35 PM EDT, March 30, 2009
Cyber security experts are warning that a new variation of Conficker, a fast-spreading computer worm also known as Downadup, could attack millions of computers on Wednesday -- April Fool's Day.

Personal computers and laptops already infected with Conficker could automatically be linked to the servers operated by the hackers.

Esteban O. Farao, a consultant with Enterprise Risk Management, a Miami security consulting company, said the worm is not destroying files or stealing data, but it has the capability to do so.

"The main concern about this worm is that it is capable of downloading additional code from the hacker's Web site or through a peer-to-peer connection," Farao said. "Consequently it can bring more functionalities or receive instructions."
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Experts say it's unknown whether the worm will cause havoc or merely turn out to be an April's Fool prank. But people can protect their computers by using security software.

Howard Schmidt, a former White House cyber security adviser, said computer users need to download an application of Microsoft software to detect and disable the worm. http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=AD724AE0-E72D-4F54-9AB3-75B8EB148356&displaylang=en

Experts also advise keeping your security applications and operating systems updated.
"The most interesting thing about this worm is that every time someone finds out a way to get rid of the worm, it reinvents itself with more rigor and better technology," Schmidt said.

Authorities have not identified the culprits behind the worm or their intentions. Microsoft has offered a $250,000 reward to bring the Conficker creator to justice.

The Conficker worm, which has infected 10 million computers outside the United States, is a program that exploits weaknesses in Microsoft's Windows operating system including Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008.

The worm surfaced last November in computers on weak networks such as those in coffee shops, airport or offices. The second variation can spread via shared networks, including removable drives such as USB devices.

This worm also blocks infected systems from downloading new security software or receiving updates for security software. After attacking, it connects to a server where it receives instructions to propagate and gather personal information. Conficker creates a back door in the system where the worm can download and install additional programs.

Albert Whale, owner of ABS Computer Technology Inc., a Pittsburgh company that offers computer consulting services, said experts think the hackers are making money by getting information to send spam or attack people they don't like.

"Hackers spend 24 hours a day perfecting their craft," Whale said. "People don't even spend an hour a week securing their computers."

Staff researcher Barbara Hijek contributed to this report.

From OCSO on a class

I just got this from the Sheriffs Office
Please send out to all your Neighborhood Watch (NW) contacts...
Subject: Personal Safety Class
Good Morning All,
I will be giving a two hour senior personal safety class to any seniors that wish to come. The class will include the following; what information should they carry on them, purse no purse, if approached in a parking lot what should they do, what they need to pay attention to when in the community, identity theft, scams. This is free to them but I need an R.S.V.P. from all participating. Please pass along my phone number.
Location: Orange County Sheriff’s Office; 2500 West Colonial Drive.
When: Wednesday, April 8
Time: 9:30 – 11:30
Cost: Free
For: All Seniors
I would really appreciate any help that I could receive on getting this out into the community. In advance thank you for all your time.
Laura Lang
Community Relations Specialist
Senior Programs
Florida Elder Crime Prevention Practitioner
Senior Academy and Triad Coordinator
407-254-7375

History of Orange County Sheriffs Office

The first sheriff of Orange County dates from the earliest days of Florida's statehood in 1845. On January 31, 1845, the area known as Mosquito County in Territorial Florida was renamed Orange County, a name reflective of the spreading blanket of orange groves throughout the region. Less than six weeks later, on March 3, 1845, Florida's status as a territory was changed to that of statehood. The first statewide election was conducted on May 26, 1845. William Henry Williams was elected to serve as Orange County's first sheriff.

Since 1845, numerous prominent individuals have held the position of the Orange County Sheriff, including David William Mizell. Mizell was the first and only sheriff killed in the line of duty. There have been numerous theories and tales regarding the story which lead to his demise, ranging from the local tradition of the 'Barber-Mizell feud' to Reconstruction politics to a lawman simply attempting to do his additional duty of levying fines and collecting taxes.

Much has changed within the Orange County Sheriff's Office since the first sheriff was elected more than a hundred and fifty years ago. Every sheriff elected since then has strived to improve the agency. Today the Orange County Sheriff's Office has a budget of over 140 million dollars and over 2,400 employees. Sheriff Jerry L. Demings was elected Sheriff of Orange County in November of 2008 and was sworn into office in January, 2009.

Sheriff's Office personnel are involved with providing direction and role models for the county's young people through the D.A.R.E, School Resource, Police Athletic League, and after school and summer B.A.D.G.E. programs. The agency also has programs for the elderly, the disadvantaged, and all community members through Community Policing outreach programs such as Victims of Crime Assistance League(VOCAL), and the Senior and Civilian Police Academy. Additionally, members of the agency and numerous citizens are assisted through the Sheriff's Chaplain Program, one of the largest in the nation, composed of all-volunteer ministers.

In recent years the agency has improved its computer, communications and records management systems. Mobile data terminals have been installed in patrol vehicles as well as the use of automatic vehicle locator system to ensure rapid response to citizen's calls for service. New .45 caliber semi-automatic weapons were issued to all deputies, replacing their 9mm, and new facilities were built in order to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of the agency. Many functions, such as criminal investigation, were consolidated and moved to the new facilities. In addition, enhanced training for all members of the agency was implemented. Thanks to all sworn and civilian personnel, including volunteers, the Orange County Sheriff's Office became the first Nationally and State certified Law Enforcement Agency in Orange County.

New Crime Stats for our Area

None this month, way to go Bent Oak, lets keep up the GOOD WORK!!!!! Dave

RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 090025054 527 ROGER WILLIAMS RD 2009/03/12
AUTO BURGLARY 090024540 2110 S AURORA DR 2009/03/12
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 090023239 147 E 15TH ST 2009/03/08
STOLEN VEHICLE 090023199 19 E HAMMON DR 2009/03/07
STOLEN VEHICLE 090022919 1317 S ORANGE BLOSSOM TL 2009/03/06
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 090022541 135 E 15TH ST 2009/03/06
AUTO BURGLARY 090401460 1406 BROWN DEER CT 2009/03/05
COMMERCIAL BURGLARY 090022540 145 E SANDPIPER ST 2009/03/05
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 090022258 101 PROSPER DR 2009/03/05
STOLEN VEHICLE 090025056 1601 S WASHINGTON AV 2009/03/03
AUTO BURGLARY 090021793 1632 WEKIVA CROSSING BV 2009/03/03
AUTO BURGLARY 090021467 1503 GOLDEN PINE CT 2009/03/02
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 090021054 2600 MCQUEEN RD 2009/03/01
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 090021038 1321 ROSSMAN DR 2009/03/01
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 090020787 2633 ORCHARD DR 2009/02/27
COMMERCIAL ROBBERY 090019992 1220 E SEMORAN BV 2009/02/26
COMMERCIAL BURGLARY 090018773 454 W MAIN ST 2009/02/23
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 090019286 1517 GAYLE RIDGE DR 2009/02/23
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 090025674 1249 FOXFIRE DR 2009/02/23

New Phone Scam

I got this out of the paper, thought it was interesting..... Dave

Polk sheriff: Phone scam targets grandparents
The sheriff of Polk County issued a warning this week about a telephone scam targeting people with college-age grandchildren.

At least two people have lost thousands in the scam, according to a news release from Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.

"When the victim answers the phone, the person on the other line says, 'Grandma?' (or 'Grandpa?') in hopes that the victim may at that point say the name of one of their grandchildren in response,'' the news release says.

"Then the suspect says, 'Yes, it's me' and uses the name just given to him. The suspect then portrays himself as that person's grandchild, saying he needs money for an emergency."
Recently, someone posing as someone's grandson duped the grandparent into wiring $3,500 to supposedly repair a car that was damaged while he was in Canada.

Then, that same victim got another call from a man who said he was a Niagara Falls police officer. "This man told her that she needed to wire an additional $4,200 to pay for repairs to property that her grandson had damaged during his car crash. The victim complied,'' the news release said.

Crime Stats for our area

Crime Case Number Address IncDate
COMMERCIAL BURGLARY 090018773 454 W MAIN ST 2009/02/23
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 090019286 1517 GAYLE RIDGE DR 2009/02/23
AUTO BURGLARY 090018340 1424 LAKECREST DR 2009/02/20
COMMERCIAL BURGLARY 090018342 1422 E SEMORAN BV 2009/02/20
COMMERCIAL BURGLARY 090018343 1420 E SEMORAN BV 2009/02/20
STOLEN VEHICLE 090018659 2152 OLD DIXIE HY 2009/02/20
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 090017245 140 W 19TH ST 2009/02/14
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 090015903 3000 CLARCONA RD 2009/02/13
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 090016059 535 ROGER WILLIAMS RD 2009/02/13
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 090015041 115 S AURORA DR 2009/02/11
STOLEN VEHICLE 090014669 1300 WADE RD 2009/02/10
STOLEN VEHICLE 090014673 3000 CLARCONA RD 2009/02/10
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 090013839 326 ROLFE DR 2009/02/09
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 090014034 120 S APOLLO DR 2009/02/09
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 090013559 78 N THOMPSON RD 2009/02/07
AUTO BURGLARY 090013315 12 E ELLA J GILMORE ST 2009/02/06
STRONG ARM TO PERSON 090012997 29 W 17TH ST 2009/02/06
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 090012349 8113 GILLIAM RD 2009/02/04
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 090012403 348 E 13TH ST 2009/02/04
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 090012591 3000 CLARCONA RD 2009/02/04
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 090011578 2446 CAROL WOODS WY 2009/02/02
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 090011588 133 SUMMIT ASH WY 2009/02/02
COMMERCIAL BURGLARY 090011480 1317 E SEMORAN BV 2009/02/01

What is Phishing?

Here is some information on Phishing..... Dave

Phishing is an email scam in which the criminal sends out legitimate-looking email in an attempt to gather personally identifiable information from recipients. The message appears to come from a well-known, legitimate website, such as PayPal or Bank of America, and will state that there is something wrong with the recipient's account information. The email will provide a link for the recipient to click on which takes the recipient to a counterfeit website made to look exactly like the legitimate one. The recipient is then asked to enter personally identifiable information. For more detailed information on phishing scams, please refer to our Phishing page on SecureFlorida.org. You can report phishing emails to the Anti-Phishing Working Group. If you are the victim of a phishing scam, please follow the steps outlined by the Anti-Phishing Working