Advanced-Tokens-Manager

Normally, you can use Windows 7 serial key during installation on the same machine for activating Windows but online activation have some limits. If you install Windows on your system many times due to reasons like virus threats, system files corruption, etc. then online activation is a great problem. 7Tokens Manager is a freeware tool which will back up the Windows 7 Retail, OEM and MAK licenses (your genuine license) and then restore it.

Features:

    Backup’s RETAIL / OEM / MAK licenses
    Backup Certificate / Serial / Tokens.dat
    Backup license files
    Dynamic interface
    Very lightweight and fast
    Programmed with security features
    5 min is estimated time required to restore your activation

   http://forums.mydigitallife.info/threads/27341-Advanced-Tokens-Manager-The-Activation-Backup-Solution

Advanced PDF Utilities Free

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PDF has been widely used for electronic documents in our daily life, either in work or personal file exchange. To expand your PDF abilities, Advanced PDF Utilities Free combines most
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It also includes printer & scanner support to print out the PDF and scan the paper document to PDF. Additionally, the PDF OCR function allows you to change images and PDF into editable text.

http://www.pdfcore.com/

New malware ransomware locks your computer - asks for $200

Ransomware is a type of malware that locks your computers, encrypts your files, etc. to prevent you from accessing your data and asks for money if you want to regain access. In other words, your data is held ransom, hence the name ransomware.

A new ransomware is floating around the internet pretending to be from the United States government, claiming the target computer has been locked because the user either illegally downloading copyrighted content, software, or child pornography. The randsomware uses the well-known but extinct Stop Online Piracy Act (the act that was never made law) as cover, claiming your computer has been put on the 'S.O.P.A. Black List' and your computer is being locked by the 'Stop Online Piracy Automatic Protection System'.

In classic ransomware style, anyone affected by this ransomware is asked to make a payment of $200 within 72 hours (by purchasing a MoneyPak prepaid voucher) or else risk all their data being erased. Interestingly enough, people who don't have access to MoneyPak stores (aka everyone outside United States and Canada -- MoneyPak is a legitimate business who is unfortunately abused for these types of schemes), you can send a 200 euros through Western Union. I guess us North Americans get a discount since this is our law.

Aside from for money, the ransomware claims that users can be provided with one decrypted files as proof that the hackers can, and will, unlock your files after you pay. I wouldn't suggest taking them up on that offer -- who knows what they will e-mail you back as an attachment.

What makes this ransomware different than others is it tries to create an aura of legitimacy by pretending to the be the American government. Many people will probably think twice before giving into the demands of a ransomware attack if the attack is obvious ransomware. However, this ransomware makes it look like it is the United States government that is locking your computer, which is likely to persuade more people into giving in demands -- thanks to fear or otherwise. The media attention given to SOPA/PIPA earlier this year only magnifies this effect.

It isn't entirely clear how users are being infected by this particular ransomware but it does look like only Windows machines are being infected.

If you are infected, as with most competent ransomware, there really isn't any way to unlock your computer unless you know how to break the encryption (which likely isn't going to happen). It is recommended to not pay the thieves because there is no guarantee that they will actually unlock your files and they could very well simply target you again because they know you will pay. The best thing to do when infected is simply wipe your computer and restore your data from backups, assuming you have some. Once you are up and running, make sure to install the appropriate security measures -- including but not limited to a competent anti-virus -- and avoid shady files and websites.

Computer cold call virus scam – scammers outsmarted!

 Joint action between three international regulators has thwarted a massive global phone scam, with US authorities winning court orders to close down and freeze funds of imposters posing as Microsoft employees offering to fix PC viruses.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (the ACMA), the US Federal Trade Commission and the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission collaborated to share key intelligence about the operations of the Microsoft imposters.
This scam was one of the most commonly reported scams in 2011, with computer hacking scams contributing more than 23 per cent to the total scam reports to the ACCC.
SCAMwatch urges you to remain alert – this type of scam continues to do the rounds, with scammers impersonating other well known and trusted companies or government agencies to slip under your radar.
If you receive a call out of the blue from a stranger requesting access to your computer, money or your personal details, just hang up.

How these scams work
You receive a call out of the blue from someone claiming to be from (or have a relationship with) Windows or Microsoft and that they have detected a virus on your computer.
To confirm the diagnosis, the caller asks you to open Windows Event Viewer on your machine to check if it is infected. Several error messages are listed and this reinforces their claims, even though errors are common and usually harmless. The caller tells you that these are of significant concern and offers to refer you to a ‘technician’ who could fix the problem—for a fee.

At this point, you’re offered a number of solutions that seem to make perfect sense. Depending on the intent of the particular scammer involved, the ‘technician’ might:
    Install an antivirus program on your computer—typically the kind that you can download for free from reputable companies—and charge up to $250 for the service.
    Ask for your credit card details but install nothing. Your details might then be sold to other parties or used for fraudulent purposes.
    Install malware on your computer—this enables your computer to be controlled remotely for other illegal and harmful activities.
    Access and steal personal and financial details from your computer.

Follow-up scam
Scammers have also been known to make follow-up calls to people who initially fell victim to the scam. In these calls the scammer falsely claims to be from a foreign government, foreign law enforcement body, or from your bank, and offers to recover the money that you initially lost— in return for a fee.

Protect yourself

    Suspect: Don’t accept anything at face value—if it sounds unlikely or too good to be true, it probably is.
    Think: Recognise the signs—if you’re being pressured to act, disclose personal details or send money to a stranger, it’s almost certainly a scam. For example, Microsoft never makes unsolicited phone calls about its products.
    Report: Act quickly—tell SCAMwatch and stop scammers in their tracks.
    Ignore: Never respond. Just hang up, or delete the SMS or email after reporting.

Report

You can report scams to the ACCC via the SCAMwatch report a scam page [ https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/content/index.phtml/tag/reportascam ] or by calling 1300 795 995.

Mozilla discontinuing Thunderbird

Mozilla discontinuing Thunderbird, calling it “not a priority for Mozilla” Some say 13 is an unlucky number. For Mozilla Thunderbird, the organization's open-source email client, it certainly is: just over a month ago, version 13.0 was released, and now its rapid development has come to an end. According to the Chair of the Mozilla Foundation Mitchell Baker, Mozilla will release one more major version on November 20th of this year, and then release just security updates for another year. He says that much of Mozilla, including the Thunderbird Team, have concluded "on-going stability is the most important thing, and that continued innovation in Thunderbird is not a priority for Mozilla’s product efforts". He also explains that "most Thunderbird users seem happy with the basic email feature set" and most other email users are now using web-based interfaces such as Gmail and Hotmail. Are you a fervent Thunderbird user, or have you moved onto the wonderful wonderful world of webmail?

You have won a voucher !!!

Commonwealth of Australia site SCAMwatch is warning consumers not to respond to text messages which claim you have won a voucher, when in fact you are entering into an expensive mobile premium SMS service.

How this scams works

You may receive a text message from an unknown number congratulating you on winning a voucher from a competition you supposedly entered into. This scam uses (without authority) brand names and logos of well-known companies and products in order to make the prize look legitimate. The voucher is for a high dollar value, which makes it especially attractive. You will be provided with a code to enter into a website to claim your voucher. Once the code is entered the website link will redirect you to another website confirming your win. On the second website you will be requested to enter your mobile number. It has been reported that if you enter your number you may be subscribed to a mobile premium service (mps). Mps can be activated by typing your mobile phone number into a website resulting in you receiving an expensive phone bill you didn’t expect. Similar scams are perpetrated via email with links to online scam surveys.

Protect yourself

Never give your mobile phone details in response to an unsolicited SMS. Never enter your mobile phone number into a website unless you are certain that the website is genuine. Never enter details into a website which you visited by clicking on a link in an SMS. Never respond “Ok” or in the affirmative to SMS messages you receive out of the blue and have no knowledge of. Responding to these messages could subscribe you to further expensive competition and prize alerts. If in doubt about the authenticity of an SMS, always contact the business or service provider to verify that the request is genuine. Never rely on contact details provided in an SMS. Instead, find genuine contact details independently from an authentic source. Be very wary when filling in online surveys. Scammers commonly use these surveys to steal your valuable personal information.

Report

You can report scams to the ACCC via the report a scam page on SCAMwatch [ http://www.scamwatch.gov.au/content/index.phtml/tag/reportascam/ ] or by calling 1300 795 995.

More information

Visit the Australian Communication and Media Authority’s mobile premium services http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_311207 – information for consumers web page.

Stay one step ahead of scammers, follow @SCAMwatch_gov on Twitter or visit http://twitter.com/#!/SCAMwatch_gov

JB Hi Fi have also issued a warning about this type of scam via their twitter account http://twitter.com/JBHiFi/statuses/215558178123956224

Ninite

There are loads of small apps you have to install when you get a new PC, or reformat your old one, including your favorite browser, chat software, and various utilities. With Ninite, you can install them all in one click and save yourself hours of tedium.

Go to the Ninite website [  http://ninite.com/  ], choose your favorites by clicking checkboxes, and then download your own customized installer that places all those software picks on your new machine.

What to choose from this load of freebies? Might we suggest Dropbox, the easiest file synchronizer in the world? In addition to that, all the usual suspects are there, including Adobe Flash, Thunderbird, Firefox, Skype, Security Essentials and even iTunes. Out of 81 choices, there’s bound to be a few in there you’ll need. One click and you’re done.

By the way, Ninite’s install routine doesn’t surreptitiously add any of those pesky toolbars or any other junkware. Try it out — you’ll love it.