TECHNICALLY SPEAKING VIRUS AND OTHER STINKY STUFF INTERESTING SITES
Purveyors of the applications that produce pop-up ads on PC screens and track browsing habits have discovered BitTorrent as a new distribution channel. According to observers of the trend, videos and music that hide adware and spyware are increasingly being offered for download on various BitTorrent Web sites.
BitTorrent has grown into one of the most widely used means of downloading files such as movies or software. Unlike peer-to-peer networks such as Kazaa, eDonkey and the original Napster, no central search technology exists for BitTorrent. Instead, links to specific files are posted on Web sites.
While applications such as Kazaa have long been associated with adware and spyware, BitTorrent has not. Until now, that is. Chris Boyd, a security researcher who runs the Vital Security Web site, said he found adware and spyware hiding in BitTorrent files.
In one case, an episode of the Fox TV show "Family Guy" was bundled with several pieces of known adware, according to Boyd. "Under that kind of load, a midrange PC can easily go under," Boyd said. Both spyware and adware are known to hurt PC performance because they use PC resources to run.
In other examples, music files and porn videos came bundled with adware or spyware, Boyd said in an e-mail interview. He suspects that online marketers have launched campaigns to get their software installed on more desktops using BitTorrent.
"This is one of the most egregious spyware infestations that we have seen," said Alex Eckelberry, president of Sunbelt Software, a maker of anti-spyware software. "It is a major concern. It is going to riddle your system with pop-ups, slow your system down and potentially cause system instability."
The downloaded files typically were self-extracting archives that would also install the unwanted software, Boyd said. In most cases, users would be presented with a dialog box advising that the extra software was about to be installed and given the impression that the install was needed to get access to the desired content, he said.
However, Boyd found, it was possible to get access to the entertainment the user wanted without installing the adware or spyware. Simply declining the adware and spyware license a couple of times gives access to the content, he said.
On his Web site, Boyd listed a Canadian company as one of the businesses that send out adware and spyware on BitTorrent. That company's Web site appeared to have been hacked Thursday, with the front page replaced with a picture and a profane message stating that the company should leave BitTorrent alone.
As of late Thursday afternoon, BitTorrent creator Bram Cohen had not replied to an e-mail seeking comment on the issue.
History files are the most obvious place to check. With Internet Explorer, Thunderbird and Netscape just type Ctrl+H to bring up History. There should be a list of sites visited each day and you can just click to return to the scene of the crime. If the history is empty after junior spent three hours online, then he is probably covering his tracks—you may want to make it family web-usage policy that if History files are deleted, then internet privileges will be revoked for a set period of time.
Cache Files (a/k/a Temporary Internet Files) keep temp copies of web pages visited on your computer. These make frequently visited pages come up quicker by saving them on your hard drive. With IE, just go to Tools / Internet Options then under "Temporary Internet Files" click "Settings".
Cookies are files that websites leave on your system to keep track of passwords, shopping patterns, what type of pages you like, your preferences for that particular site, and more. Porn sites leave these on your computer too, so you will find them in your temporary internet file folder (Windows XP has a separate cookie file). You'll probably be able to tell if there are any from porn sites by the domain name.
Search for "naughty words" using Start/Search ("Find Files" in older Window OS). Even a word like "babe" could bring up cookies and image files that are still on your system.You could also search for .jpg files and see what comes up—these often remain in your temp files even after they are emptied. Double click the file to view it if you dare.
If you have kids in the house, it is a good idea to make up a family Internet Usage Contract with guidelines and rules for everyone to follow. Have your kids sign it and hold them to the rules. And, of course, you all supervise your pre-teens and check in on your teens when they are online, right?
Perhaps the number one reason for computer repair these days is not hardware but software, in particular, spyware. Symptoms include sluggish performance, a new home page or search engine for your Internet browser, or persistent modem activity even when you're not sitting at the computer. You can infect your computer just by visiting certain Web sites, having certain pop-up ads appear on your desktop, or from downloading free software. Fortunately, a number of apps are available that can diagnose and quarantine these pests.
Our favorite spyware killer Once again, Spybot Search and Destroy is our Editors' Choice. It's free, without even an annual subscription for the periodic file updates, and it offers both basic and advanced modes and includes the widest variety of customization of the five antispyware products we reviewed. New in this version are automatic updates. In our informal tests, Spybot was thorough, rooting out even obscure spyware. If you're new to the spyware threat, it can't hurt to download a free (no strings attached) copy of Spybot to see whether your system is infected.
Equally good options Running a close second is Ad-aware SE Personal Edition. Ad-aware has been around for years and isn't about to concede ground to the new kids on the block. Like Spybot, Ad-aware is free and very thorough. Also free is Microsoft AntiSpyware (beta), which includes automatic updates and scheduling options. Given that no single antispyware app can find and quarantine every piece of spyware, we recommend you run all three free apps; that way you're sure to get rid of as much spyware as you can.
When there's not one, not two, but three free solid antispyware apps, why pay? That's our dilemma with the current crop of top antispyware apps, and in particular, with Webroot Spy Sweeper 4.0. We could find nothing wrong with the latest version of Spy Sweeper, except its price of $29.95 per year. We wish we could say the same about Symantec's late entry into the antispyware field; rather than release a standalone app, Symantec chose to bundle its antispyware solution with Norton Internet Security, which currently retails for about $70. Current Norton Internet Security users should at least try it out, but based on the beta, we can't yet recommend it for everyone.
Whether the app is free or not, any of these antispyware applications should remove the most dangerous spyware from your PC. Read the reviews and download anti spyware programs: http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-3667_7-6247001.html?tag=nl.e404
Software makers of ubiquitous antivirus products have not yet been forced to acknowledge and fix potential problems in their code, analysts with Yankee Group wrote in a research paper published Monday. As a result, antivirus software is like low-hanging fruit to hackers, according to the analysts.
Microsoft's Windows operating system has been a favorite target of hackers, but new security flaws are being discovered in security products at a faster rate than in Microsoft's products, the analysts wrote. In the 15-month period ending March 31, 77 separate vulnerabilities have been reported by security vendors, they wrote.
Symantec, F-Secure and CheckPoint Software Technologies are among the vendors that have seen a rise in the number of security issues that affect their products in the past years, according to Yankee Group.
If the trend continues, the number of vulnerabilities for security products will be 50 percent higher than 2004 levels, according to the analysts. While Microsoft flaws continue to flow, the rate has decreased notably, according to the analysts. They credit the release last year of Windows XP Service Pack 2, a security-focused update.
Yankee Group predicts a "rising tide" of vulnerabilities will be found in security products. Software makers should look at their security processes, and users need to get ready to patch security products, the analysts wrote. Also, buyers should ask tough security questions when buying new products, they advise.
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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. Go to http://housecall.antivirus.com/ then choose the link "Scan without registering". Follow the directions.
You should disable any anti virus program that you have running. If you do not have a virus program I recommend that you use one of the programs offered above first and then download and install one of the free programs listed below or install any anti virus program you have purchased.
TRY ETRUST BY COMPUTER ASSOCIATES (Ken Condo found this link-thanks Ken) 1 year free trial of eTrust or 2 years for $19.95. http://home.ca.com/dr/v2/ec_main.entry25?page=PYPCTrialPage&client=ComputerAssociates&sid=35715&CID=185351
AVG Free AVG Free Edition is the well-known anti-virus protection tool. AVG Free is available free-of-charge to home users for the life of the product! Rapid virus database updates are available for the lifetime of the product, thereby providing the high-level of detection capability that millions of users around the world trust to protect their computers. AVG Free is easy-to-use and will not slow your system down (low system resource requirements). http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2/lng/us/tpl/v5
Avast Avast has been "anti virusing" for quite awhile. The following info comes from their download page: Avast! Home is now free of charge for HOME users for NON-COMMERCIAL use. You can find more info here. http://www.avast.com/eng/down_home.html Note: This product is free for home non-commercial use after registration! HINTS: Click on the English Version Link and download the installation file. Then click on the installation file and follow the directions. You will need to return to the download page and click on the link to get the registration key. It will be sent to you in an email after you provide some registration information. This will give you 14 months of coverage including any updates which can be set to auto download. You can reregister for additional free coverage at the end of the 14 months. You will want to browse around and choose from the many options available for operation. This process will take some time and digging.
Another good free program is: http://www.free-av.com/ This one installs a bit easier than Avast.
1. Win32.Netsky.P 2. Win32.Mytob.FI 3. Win32.Mytob.EO 4. Win32.Mytob.EN 5. Win32.Mytob.EQ
Here are a few sites of many that can help you determine if an email is a hoax or real.
http://www.quatloos.com/ http://www.snopes.com/ http://vil.nai.com/VIL/hoaxes.asp http://kumite.com/myths/ http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/hoax.html http://www.scambusters.org/VirusHoaxes.html http://www.sophos.com/virusinfo/hoaxes/ http://www.truthorfiction.com/
Salem Sue - World's Largest Cow New Salem, North Dakota According to local history, one of New Salem's early settlers was plowing the prairie in 1883 when two Sioux stopped to watch. The older one turned a piece of the newly-broken sod over so that its grass was back on top. "Wrong side up," the younger explained. The farmer thought about it, admitted that the ground really was better for grazing than breaking, and New Salem's dairy industry was born. Today, New Salem is cow crazy. Its high school sports teams are named the Holsteins. And overlooking the interstate, on the only hill visible for many many miles, is New Salem's pride: Salem Sue, the World's Largest Cow. http://www.roadsideamerica.com/attract/NDSALcow.html
World's Largest Basket Newark, Ohio Space aliens, bending their eye stalks Earthward, often mistake Newark, Ohio as the center of all world power. After all, it is in this modest city that humankind has erected the grandest monument to the highest pinnacle of achievement by an advanced consumer culture -- the hand-woven gift basket. This monument is, in fact, the world's largest basket, and it's also the seven-story corporate headquarters of the Longaberger Basket Company. http://www.roadsideamerica.com/attract/OHNEWbasket.html
Nostalgia Central Thanks to Amanda for this one Ready to sit back, relax, and enjoy a little nostalgia? Now, while I can only reminisce about the 80's, I still really enjoyed going through the rest of the site. What's it all about? Well it's about the 60's, 70's, and 80's and what happened during those years in America, Australia, Canada, Europe and the UK. The easiest way to surf is to just choose the year you want to check out and then click on the appropriate image. Or you could just check out the Special Features section, or you could use the multitude of tab options at the top of the page (Home, News, Pop Culture, Music, Television, Movies, Year by Year, and Audio) or you could read their interesting copyright issue at the bottom of the page. The 60's — this section gives you a rundown of what happened during the 60's and the option to go through it year by year or to chose Pop Culture, Television, Music, and Movies. Some stunning examples of the 60's nostalgia are Barbarella, the Jungle Book, the Beatles, Bob Dylan, Elvis, Star Trek, Lost in Space, just to name a few. The 70's — this section gives you a kaleidoscope of the 70's with the same exploration options as the 60's. Here you will find pet rocks, glam rock, mood rings, Star Wars, Happy Days and many more. The 80's — again you have the same exploration options as before. What's nostalgic for me from the 80's you ask? Well let's see there's Pac Man, Cabbage Patch Dolls, Fraggle Rock, The Smurfs, She-Ra, Night Court, Charles in Charge, Cheers, the deliciously funny Black Adder, and I remember all the bright colors. Hot Pink, Neon Green, Electric Blue, and Out of this World Bright Purple! What's nostalgic to you? http://www.nostalgiacentral.com/
The Original Condiment Package Museum Another from Amanda This one will bring back some memories. Condiment packages come in different styles and colors, and have changed over the years. Welcome to the Original Condiment Package Museum—they've got everything from ketchup to mustard. There are 890 unique packets in the museum. You'll notice three special galleries—New Additions, Heinz Ketchup Bottle, and the New Taco Bell Packets. New Additions are the newly added packages. Heinz Ketchup Bottle — these packages feature the Heinz Ketchup Bottle with everything Chic-Fil-Et to Hardees to Burger King to Wendy's and many more. I remember the Wendy's one most vividly. But I didn't know how many other places had the Heinz Bottle on their Ketchup packets. Then you get to the New Taco Bell Packets. I recommend looking at every single one. They have unique sayings on each packet, and it showcases each variety: Mild, Hot, and Fire Sauce. I loved this section the most. Now you are ready for the main galleries: Ketchup 1 & 2, Mustard, Relish, BBQ Sauce, Soy Sauce, Mayo, Hot Sauce, Salads, Honey, Salt & Pepper, Seasonings, Lemon Juice, Creamer, Jam 1 & 2, and Misc. 1 and 2. My favorites of those galleries are Misc. 1 & 2, BBQ Sauce, and Honey. Salads was a full of dressing, and croutons. This is a fun museum to surf through, so I'm wondering, like one Taco Bell Packet said, "How many of these do you already have in your glove compartment?" http://www.clearfour.com/condiment/
Here are a couple of fun sites we viewed and enjoyed at the last two Advanced class. Knuckles: http://custurd.b3ta.com/crackmyknuckles/knuckles.swf Driver Test: http://www.kerman94.com/BusDriverTest.HTM
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