Computer "Tip of the Day 10-20-09"

--Postini Delivery Problems Vex Users
(October 13, 14 & 15, 2009)
Users of email security and archiving service Postini were frustrated last week when the service began experiencing significant delivery problems. Users were particularly angered by Postini's lack of communication about the problem. Postini was acquired by Google in 2007. The service scans emails for malware. The problem seems to have been caused by a combination of a bad email filter update and "a power-related hardware failure."
http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=220600859
http://news.cnet.com/8301-30684_3-10374344-265.html
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/10/15/google_postini_snafu/
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9139316/Postini_trouble_stymies_U.S._e_mail_users?taxonomyId=1

--Scareware Locks Apps on Infected PCs
(October 15 & 19, 2009)
A new variant of scareware has been detected that not only inundates users with exhortations to purchase phony antivirus software called "Total Security 2009," but that also locks users out of nearly all applications until they purchase the disreputable product. Once their PCs are infected with the malware, the only program users can open is Internet Explorer, so they can navigate to the site and make a purchase.
http://blogs.usatoday.com/technologylive/2009/10/new-twist-on-scareware-locks-up-your-pc.html
http://www.pcworld.com/article/173765/a_rogue_demands_a_ransom.html