KCNET NEWSLETTER 07/06/03 TECHNICAL PAGE
VIRUS AND OTHER STINKY STUFF:
IF YOU SUSPECT THAT YOU HAVE A VIRUS OR IF YOU HAVE NOT SUCCESSFULLY SCANNED YOUR DRIVES FOR VIRUSES LATELY... THEN THE NEXT SUGGESTION IS FOR YOU. Free Virus scan. Trend Micro, more commonly referred to as Housecall, offers free virus scans and in most cases can fix damage down by a virus or worm that your computer may have contacted. The program works well. The first time one uses the free program it is necessary to download a small program. Trend Micro walks you through the process. Then the virus scans are quite simple for each return. You should disable any anti virus program that you have running. If you do not have a virus program I recommend that you use this program first and then download one of the free programs listed above of install any anti virus program you have purchased. Go to http://housecall.antivirus.com/ then choose the link "Scan without registering". Follow the directions.
Free Virus programs to download Quite a few KCnet members use these programs and like them. Be careful if you download a virus program and you already have one installed on your computer. You need to at least disable the program already installed. http://www.grisoft.com/html/us_index.cfm Another good free program to take a look at is: http://www.free-av.com/
TROJ_CHECKIN.B Thanks to Trend Micro for this description. This one is number two on the top ten list for Virus Infections last week. Description: This nondestructive Trojan stays resident in memory to download a file named UPDATE.EXE from the Internet. The download is most likely another malware. It also downloads the spyware detected as TROJ_ADWAREAPS.A on the infected system. Some reports of reinfection have been observed to be caused by the files TTPS.EXE and SBSRCH_V22.DLL. To completely clean the system and avoid reinfection, these two files must be removed together with the file OWMngr.EXE. This Trojan runs on Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, and XP. This Trojan is a variant of TROJ_CHECKIN.A. Installation Upon execution, this nondestructive Trojan stays resident in memory as an active process. While resident, it attempts to connect to the following Web site: ads.onwe<BLOCKED>edia.com It attempts to download a file named UPDATE.EXE from the said site. It also downloads the spyware detected as TROJ_ADWAREAPS.A. The Trojan drops the following component files in the infected system: * TTPS.EXE * OWMngr.exe * SBSRCH_V22.DLL At times, it also drops the non-malicious files, BACKUP.REG and WINFGNET.DAT. When TTPS.EXE is run, it silently stays in memory and downloads the file OWMNGR.EXE from the following Web site then drops it in the Windows system folder: http://ads.onwe<BLOCKED>edia.com Note: The Windows system folder is usually at C:\Windows\System on Windows 95, 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\System32 on Windows 2000 and NT, and C:\Windows\System32 on Windows XP. It looks for the HOSTS file and overwrites it with its own list of host names. This file is usually found in the default Windows folder of Windows 95, 98 and ME, and in the %System%\drivers\etc folder on Windows NT, 2000 and XP. Its content is similar to the following entries: 207.44.240.65 ads.x10.com 207.44.240.65 images.x10.com 207.44.240.65 count.exitexchange.com 207.44.240.65 servedby.netadvertising.com 207.44.240.65 images.trafficmp.com 207.44.240.65 ad.uk.doubleclick.net 207.44.240.65 ad.ca.doubleclick.net 207.44.240.65 ads.specificpop.com 207.44.240.65 ads.specificclick.com 207.44.240.65 ads.popupsponsor.com etc. Automatic Execution and Registry Modifications The dropped component OWMNGR.EXE is responsible for creating the following registry entry, which enables its automatic execution at Windows startup: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ CurrentVersion\Run OWMngr = "%System%\OWMngr.exe" Note: %System% refers to the Windows system folder. This Trojan also creates the following registry entry: HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Iexplore or HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Iexplore Then, it saves some values in the following data: * ID * AID * LoggedIn * Ads
10 Most Prevalent Viruses Surveyed by Trend Micro US (week of: June 16 to June 22, 2003) note: This is the first week since December that the terrible Klez Virus has dropped from the top ten. I hope it is gone for good. (MLF) 1. TROJ_EZULA.A 2. TROJ_CHECKIN.B 3. PE_BUGBEAR.B-O 4. TROJ_WDIALUPD.A 5. WORM_MAPSON.A 6. TROJ_ENGEL.A 7. JS_EXCEPTION.GEN 8. WORM_KWBOT.C 9. WORM_BUGBEAR.A 10. WORM_SPYBOT.GEN
Tried and Untrue Viruses Believe it or not, the amount of harm done by sending false computer virus alarms to your thousand closest friends can be just as damaging as the alleged virus (if it even exists!); if you remember the story of the boy who cried wolf, you understand why. If you think you've got the scoop on the latest new devastating virus, check it out at the Web sites below before taking it on yourself to alert the world. If the virus is as terrible as you think it is, odds are the virus fighters already know about it and -- good news here! -- your antivirus software provider probably knows about it too and already has an update for it. Here are a few sites of many that can help you determine if an email is a hoax or real. http://www.snopes.com/ http://www.urbanlegends.com/ulz/ http://www.snopes.com/ http://hoaxbusters.ciac.org/HBHoaxIndex.html http://vil.nai.com/VIL/hoaxes.asp http://kumite.com/myths/ http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/hoax.html http://www.scambusters.org/VirusHoaxes.html
TECHNICALLY SPEAKING: The following is an excerpt from a Newsletter called Tourbus. There is more here than filters by the way. You'll want to access at least two of the links, if not all of them. (MLF) Is there any place you can learn more about Internet filters -- not just filters for schools and libraries but ones for home computers as well? You bet there is! We talked about GetNetWise back in 1999, but I think it's high time we paid them another visit. GetNetWise is a free, educational resource for families and caregivers that helps you ensure your kids have a safe, educational, and entertaining experience on the Net. You can find GetNetWise on the Web at http://www.getnetwise.org/ The GetNetWise site is divided into four sections, and each of the sections offers an amazing collection of information and resources: 1. The Online Safety Guide http://www.getnetwise.org/safetyguide/ The Guide teaches you about the risks kids face online, based on age levels or types of activities. The Guide also includes safety tips for kids, teens, and families. In fact, the Online Safety Guide is so good you may discover that you don't need to purchase and install an Internet filter after all. But if you are still hell bent on using a filter, check out ... 2. Tools for Families http://www.getnetwise.org/tools/ This section focuses on Internet filters, and it offers something I have not seen before: an Internet filter "search engine." Choose the features you want -- time limits, sex filtering, blocking outgoing information, and so on -- and GetNetWise tells you which software programs have those features. In fact, GetNetWise's Tools for Families page includes details about more than 50 commercial software programs parents can use to block Web sites inappropriate for children and monitor the time kids spend online. 3. Web Sites for Kids http://www.getnetwise.org/kidsites/ This section offers a collection of the best kid-safe URLs from around the Net. Pretty self-explanatory. 4. Reporting Trouble http://www.getnetwise.org/trouble/ This last section teaches you how identify online trouble and find law enforcement contact information. This section also provides a list of US child advocacy groups that can help you recognize and report online trouble. Unfortunately, the Reporting Trouble section is VERY U.S.-centric and won't be much help to our overseas passengers. GetNetWise's goal is to ensure that all Internet users are only "one click away" from all the resources they need to make informed decisions about their family's online experience. To make this goal a reality, GetNetWise has attracted a list of corporate partners that reads like a Who's Who of the technology world: America Online, AT&T, MCI WorldCom, Microsoft, Disney Online, Lycos, Excite, Yahoo, AltaVista, Dell ... the list keeps on going. According to the Associated Press, companies in the campaign claimed that almost 95 percent of the Internet's traffic flows through their sites. As part of the partnership agreement, GetNetWise's partner companies can either link to the GetNetWise site directly [like Microsoft has done at http://msn.com/ -- look in the bottom right corner of the page for the link] or incorporate the site's content into their own online presence [like Lycos has done at http://www.lycos.com/parentalcontrol/getnetwise.html ]. In short, expect to see GetNetWise's child safety information EVERYWHERE! Of course, you don't have to be a multinational corporation to be able to support GetNetWise. If you are interested in providing a link to GetNetWise from your own Web site, take a look at http://www.getnetwise.org/joinus.php This page tells you how to either link to or frame the GetNetWise site, and it also tells you how you can become a financial supporter of the project. Of all the child safety sites our little bus of Internet happiness has visited over the past several years, GetNetWise is my favorite. It is a well organized site, and it contains a wealth of information. Before you let your kids explore the vast world of the Information Superhighway, you really should visit GetNetWise at and learn how you can protect your children from the dangers that lurk in cyberspace. Some of you readers may be interested in the Tourbus Newsletter (the price is right - FREE). http://www.TOURBUS.com
What is Java? From Worldstart Java is a programming and scripting language that is primarily used for the web (although it could be used for other stuff too). Javascript is a scripting language that web designers use to perform various tasks. For example, if you've ever seen buttons on a web page that light up when your mouse goes over them, you've probably seen Javascript in action (in case you're wondering, those are called "Java Rollovers - our site uses them at the top of every page). A Java Applet is a mini program that runs inside of your web browser. You can use Java Applets for more than just navigation. There are many game sites that use these to make things work. MORE: My Java doesn't work like it should. I can't play my games that use Java applets any more. What's going on? So you say your Java is not working!! I get this email more and more often lately. I wasn't sure what or why and now this suggestion from Worldstart clears it up. We talked about this in the last Advanced Class. The link at Sun Microsystems (http://www.java.com/en/) actually tests your page to tell if your are current. You need to request the Download to get the checkup. (MLF) Microsoft and Sun have been slugging it out over Java for some time. In February 2003 the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals required Microsoft to distribute Sun's Java runtime environment (JRE) with Windows XP and to halt "separate" distribution of the Microsoft virtual machine (Microsoft VM). As a result, Microsoft has dropped Java and MS VM from Windows XP which may be the reason you can't get your Java sites to work. If interested in reading more, head on over to the Microsoft website: http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/java/ For the Sun Microsystems side of the story, head over to: http://www.sun.com/lawsuit/ Enough with the courtroom drama, what can YOU do to enjoy Java again? While the billionaires feed their lawyers over this one, you can just download Java free from the Sun Microsystems Java website. http://www.java.com/en/ Return to Commentary Page
Shifty Little Tabs Another Worldstart hint. Now I was down right happy to learn this nifty shortcut. I do not remember many of these tips but I've burned an imprint of this one on my "wittle bwain", yepper re. I always thought I would like to be a shifty tabber. (MLF) Most people know if they hit the Tab key, they can hop from control to control in a program. What most don't realize is that if they hold the Shift key while they Tab, they can go backwards through the controls. Now, before you ask... Controls are the "objects" you interact (play) with in a program. Stuff like buttons, checkboxes, text boxes, lists, etc. are all controls. Basically, if you can do something with it, it's considered a control. For example, say you're filling out a form on a web page. You fill in your first name and, in all your excitement, accidentally tab right past the last name box. You can easily get back to the last name field by holding down the Shift key and hitting the Tab key. So, next time you get a little wild with your tabbing, don't grab your mouse—just press your shift key.
Getting a Handle on Hard Drives Here is more than you really need to know about hard drives but I guarantee you will learn a bunch from this feature. Thanks Kim Komando. The first sentence piqued my interest. Then there is all that stuff about slaves and masters. Well you read it. (MLF) Most people know that the hard drive is the storage cabinet of a computer. Its capacity is monstrous. One gigabyte will hold 1,000 minutes of music or about 350,000 typed pages--875 books at 400 pages each. Like other things in computers, hard drives have evolved rapidly. Ten years ago, a 540MB hard drive was first rate. It would have cost $200 or more. Today, that same $200 will buy a 160-gigabyte hard drive. That's nearly 300 times the size of the hard drive from 1993. Most businesses could get a 30GB drive and never run out of space before the computer runs out of usefulness. Home users may need more if they have many music, picture or video files. Adding another hard drive to a computer to get more space is not difficult. Or the second drive can be used to back up the first drive. In multiple setups, one hard drive must be established as the master; the other is the slave. These settings are accomplished with jumpers on the backs of the drives. Instructions that come with the drives explain the settings. Diagrams on the hard drives also show them. If a second hard drive is installed, the computer automatically recognizes it. Like other computer components, hard drives come with their share of techno-babble. For starters, hard drives are referred to as ATA (Advanced Technology Attachment) or IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics). Currently, the top of the line is Ultra-ATA/133. That means that it can theoretically move 133 megabytes of data per second. Traditional ATA is characterized by ribbon cables containing 80 wires. Bulky and stiff, these cables are an all-around pain in the neck to work with. No matter what you're trying to do inside a computer, a ribbon cable probably is in the way. Besides that, ribbon cables can block airflow and cause overheating of components. Ultra-ATA/133 is probably the end of the line for traditional ATA, at least in the hard drive world. The new technology is serial ATA. These cables are much thinner; they have just 4 to 7 wires. Hard drives featuring serial ATA have just begun appearing. Apple's G5 computers, announced in June, will have serial ATA hard drives. Other manufacturers are likely to move to serial ATA quickly. Under current specifications, serial ATA moves data at a maximum 150 megabytes per second. That is only slightly faster than Ultra-ATA/133. But serial ATA is sure to be developed rapidly. Another thing affecting hard drive performance is rotational speed. Desktop hard drives generally run at 5,400 or 7,200 revolutions per minute (RPM); many notebook drives run at 4,200 RPM. The higher-speed drives increase data transmission about 5 to 10 percent, depending on what is being crunched. This may not be fast enough for audio and video buffs. They may need a hard drive running at 10,000 or more revolutions per minute. But wait, there's more. Years ago, Apple developed SCSI (Small Computer System Interface; pronounced "scuzzy") connections. SCSI hard drives run as fast as 15,000 RPM. But SCSI drives are costly, loud and hot. The drawbacks kept SCSI from being generally adopted for desktop machines. A recent development is 8-megabyte cache. When a file is requested, the hard drive moves it to the computer's RAM. It also puts a copy in cache. In addition, it puts other files on the same hard drive track into cache. The idea behind this is that if the original file, or one of the other files, is needed again, it is retrieved from cache, rather than the hard drive.
INTERESTING SITES : Jack Horkheimer : Star Gazer Cartoons I’m bringing you the cartoon section of this site in its own cool site slot because of how fabulous it is. Well drawn, funny and educational these cartoons will teach and entertain you. Better yet these cartoons are fabulous teaching tool for kids. You can view cartoons all the way back to 1998, and on many different topics. Such as: Why is Spring called Spring, The Truth about the North Star, Some Different Birds for Thanksgiving, and the Planets Disguised as Stars. And those are only a few. Keep looking up! http://www.jackstargazer.com/Cartoons.html
The Constellations and their Stars This one also from Amanda Well, you must think I have my head in the stars or something! We learned about "Naked Eye Astronomy", now I’m bringing you a site on the actually constellations and the stars that make them up. Here you can learn what exactly a constellation is, view interactive sky charts, get an alphabetical listing of constellations and stars. My favorite parts of the site were the interactive sky charts which are fabulous, and the section on Constellations in Greek and Roman Mythology. For those of you who love viewing outer space via picture, there is an Astronomy Picture of the Day section to enjoy. Well what are you waiting for, go check out those constellations and stars! http://www.astro.wisc.edu/~dolan/constellations/
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE NATIONAL DO NOT CALL REGISTRY Most telemarketers cannot call your telephone number if it is in the National Do Not Call Registry. You can register your home and mobile phone numbers for free. Your registration will be effective for five years. http://www.donotcall.gov
The Garden Gate This one from Amanda of Worldstart. "Into the garden and beyond" is this site's slogan. It has everything when it comes to gardening. You can check out the "Reading Room"—where there are online books, catalogs, and such. Or try "Teaching the Garden"—where you'll find "Enough databases, glossaries, FAQs, special topic WWW pages, collections, and plant lists to keep the info-junkies among us busy for quite a while." My favorite part is "Down the Garden Path"—which is a virtual garden tour. I'm a gardening junkie so this fills my earth needs especially when I have a barren yard to look at because of Ohio's soil. Enjoy and get your gardening fix. http://garden-gate.prairienet.org/
PICNIC Despite recent media hype on the controversial, and completely unfounded, opinions that the word picnic has racial connotations, it actually comes from the French pique-nique, meaning "a fashionable social entertainment" in which each guest brings a contribution to the feast. In other words, pique-nique was a fancy way of saying "potluck." Picnic RecipesThe tradition of the potluck lives on at a good many of today's picnics, but the word picnic has developed a much broader meaning, encompassing virtually any portable meal. While the 18th century French and English aristocracy enjoyed servant attended formal picnics with chairs and table settings of fine china and crystal, modern picnics are usually more casual affairs, (although there's no reason you can't break the rules). I approach cooking and menu planning for picnics in much the same way I do for parties. I want food that is delicious, that will impress my guests, but can be prepared as much as possible in advance. What good is entertaining if you never get to have any fun at your own party? http://www.fabulousfoods.com/holidays/picnic/picnic.html
BBQ/Grilling and Smoking, Dutch Oven and Camping Recipes http://www.kitchenlink.com/picnics.html
Loaded with picnic ideas and links. http://www.creativeladiesministry.com/picnicplanning.html