avast! Antivirus has been my personal antivirus choice for a while now. I follow their posts on Facebook and when they posted an article entitled “Hackers flip filenames to create "safe" file extensions” I had to read on and figure out what they were talking about. It’s not good…

A new wave of malware changes the file name of an executible. So, for example, you’ve got a file named I-am-a-virus.exe. You wouldn’t double click to run that right? No way! Well, what if that same file was named I-am-a-photo-from-Mom.jpg. That would be safe to open right? Well, maybe not anymore.

All this geek can say is … YIKES! Read the entire article at “Hackers flip filenames to create "safe" file extensions.”

Consider this your reminder to get antivirus and antispyware software installed on your machine, keep it up to date, and trust no file before it’s scanned!

[Note: Link to blog post is no longer working. Liz @ HAI 03/31/12]

HAI Hosting will soon be offering Website Protection Site Scanner. The Website Protection Site Scanner is a new way to find security vulnerabilities on web sites before hackers do. When visitors see the trusted Website Protection seal, they know the site is safe.

Features will include:

• Automated daily scan: Searches over 3,000 vulnerabilities (in forms, links, development code, etc.) that could be used to steal information or infect visitors with malware.
• Fix the threat: The dashboard provides recommendations and a security hotline number to address security issues on your site.
• Trusted site seal: Visitors can click with confidence when they see the Website Protection seal with the most recent “pass” scan date.

The Website Protection Site Scanner will give our clients the opportunity to secure their site even more! High Aspirations, Inc.’s maintenance clients have always relied on us to keep their sites up to date to protect against hackers and catch and clean up any hacking that does get through, but the Website Protection Site Scanner now gives us a chance to protect and prevent hacking of web sites even more!

Watch for more information on this new service coming soon.

High Aspirations, Inc. has used SUPERAntiSpyware for a couple of years now and have recommended it to many of our clients, family, and friends.

Since Marilyn and I both use this software and like it, when we learn of a sale, we like to pass it on. The folks at SUPERAntiSpyware are running a sale right now where you can get…

10% off all multi-user licenses.

Prices start as low as $115.00 for a 5-user lifetime license and $240.00 for a 10-user lifetime license. Take an additional 10% off those prices now through March 1, 2010. We can quote any number of users, just ask!

Additional discounts for educational, government, and non-profit clients may also apply.

Since this is a private sale, you’ll need to order through High Aspirations, Inc.. We’ll then send you the license code you need!

Sale ends March 1, 2010!