Messages

276

General Software Discussion / Re: Recommend anti-spyware, please?

« on: March 09, 2010, 09:25 AM »

If a scan does not or only poorly detect infections in packed files you also don't want the product

You can do real performance testing of security stuff and still come up with lists but will take much time and effort. So since Raymond has a blog and commentators to feed he use a naked XP image and redo and redo and redo. And he includes what is considered rogue products! = he have no clue. Skips over impact and functionality of settings, like for example the fact some products use advanced cache which needs to work a while to kick in. As a minimum a full scan is required. No list is better than none in this case, is wrong in every way possible. If he instead of wasting time focused on fewer products on real setups he could make a more valuable post about how they "feel" for real, over a period of time and during different tasks. That is what matters. Throw in some numbers and stats too to make it readable/popular of course

277

General Software Discussion / Re: Recommend anti-spyware, please?

« on: March 09, 2010, 04:17 AM »

Good you said that tomos, seems to be just lists to me. As he also starts to figure out in note secion at the bottom. He also throw in a bit of detection though. Such stupid blog lists are one of the reasons there continue to be security problems  Output is not adding to anything but number of lists and people/Google do love lists!, see comments...

278

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: "www.genuinekey.com" - Is it legit?

« on: March 03, 2010, 02:32 PM »

Strange place to advertise for Genuinekey.com http://www.buy-in-gz.cn/ At the bottom there is a Skype address so try call and ask what the deal is! Chinese tricks perhaps http://www.myiptest....se-IP/genuinekey.com

279

Living Room / Re: Google does no evil; kills reMail

« on: March 03, 2010, 07:24 AM »

Google = Video codec  http://investor.goog...leases/20100219.html

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Found Deals and Discounts / Re: "www.genuinekey.com" - Is it legit?

« on: March 03, 2010, 07:22 AM »

Opinion is wishful thinking You can always check WOT for such sites with no contact info http://www.mywot.com...ecard/genuinekey.com In some months may be also Norton, Mcafee...

281

Living Room / Re: Google does no evil; kills reMail

« on: March 01, 2010, 03:42 PM »

Google has a good eye for others genuine innovation. Picnik just got bought http://blog.picnik.c...gle-acquires-picnik/ Picasa will be going places now

A better example of problems with such big players than an Iphone app. Picnik was (is) unique among online photo editors. Not a Photoshop clone at all, any pixel idiot can use Picnik. As easy as Picasa. They are happy now in their new Google Seattle offices and perhaps original Picnik will continue. If Google just wipes Picnik I can see evilness because there are no obvious replacement. If Picnik does not become just an added featue to Picasa Web Album then acquisition is good news

282

General Software Discussion / Re: Recommend anti-spyware, please?

« on: February 27, 2010, 03:33 PM »

Forgot Hostsman which let you subscribe to hphost, including incremental daily updates. The very same source Malwarebytes and WOT use. A2 Squared Anti-Malware does as well, possibly more programs. Make hosts blocking usable, very easy to add exclusions etc. No brainer really. Can also be used for ad-blocking of course.

Don't know Armor but in HIPS theory it should not be possible to get in trouble. F-Prot should work some too. May be still good reason to avoid latest malware domains, which includes flash/pdf exploits, so I think resident blacklisting of some sort will be useful.

Tons of options for extra scanning. Trend and especially ESET have almost full blown AVs available for "online" scans, including 32/64 bit and quarantine/restore support Hitman Pro is something else http://www.youtube.c...m/user/markloman#g/u Take balls to make such videos since market typically is highly sensitive to even nonsense "reviews". Nice to see someone showing how crappy they are, heh. Not so much marketing or 99.6% hitrate here, only disturbing. If program was more popular certain companies would probably make counter-vidoes! but still nice input from Hitman Pro. Have it in mind should you run in to a rootkit or other evil which more popular programs are clueless towards - or more likely prefer to ignore since removal is potentially risky. Ambition seems to be Malwarebytes of virus removal.

283

General Software Discussion / Re: Recommend anti-spyware, please?

« on: February 27, 2010, 11:04 AM »

Well I think Malwarebytes deliberately miss tracking cookies. The real relevant evil has more focus

You could try Dyndns Internet Guide http://www.dyndns.com/services/dynguide/ I have used for some time now, works pretty good with malware blocking. Porn etc. too. Like Opendns but without malware excluded.

There can be some cdn problems. Most of the time it seems to run great though. But search "opendns slow youtube" for technical explanation. Something to do with tons of ips/servers and the fact they direct you to X server perhaps placed far from you, and so not being optimal. Means you will get to know spinning loading wheel very well Minor differences in dns benchmarks don't mean a thing. You will need dns lookups so might as well use one that blocks with no impact on computer. Worth a test.

Also test WOT http://www.mywot.com/ When it comes to click problems while browsing it is much better "spyware" protection than most antispyware programs. Like a layer on top of browser filters you have already. Possible default settings are too intrusive but change them. Not much if any impact on browser speed. Perhaps a minimal delay in IE8 with opening new tab. Blocks more than paid Malwarebytes does btw., for the most part a good thing.

If you feel need to test malware domains/virus you should disable Dyndns and WOT. Can be done but much time wasted looking at blocking msg. Try do same blind clicking with only software running. Armor should kick though but may be too close to real problems.

Armor version? If you consider more resident programs check for possible compatibility problems before buying. Firewall can be AV, Antispyware as well. Free version should be neutral. Don't know F-Prot but Google combination, search Malwarebytes forum if that program is interesting.

284

Living Room / Re: Confessions of an Internet “Shock Jock”

« on: February 24, 2010, 02:22 PM »

Some IT people, typically those working with IT, like to make a note of their experience while they are offering lesser gifted people insight Or show a badge even, like MVP. "I’ve been a professional in the IT industry for over 25 years." is great for those with a dislike for "IT-pros"

He will never truly realize how much of a fool he is. Closest buzzing Randall gets is "the internet became engulfed in controversy".

285

General Software Discussion / Re: Which Linux For Non-Techie Windows Users?

« on: February 24, 2010, 01:38 PM »

Look out for Lubuntu https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Lubuntu They have official netbook edition but not yet a minimal for desktop so hopefully this project get adopted.

286

Living Room / Re: Google does no evil; kills reMail

« on: February 22, 2010, 05:58 PM »

Unless you have some strange distinction between online and offline forces I guess you are talking politics.

You are still a raving internet shopper compared to Richard Stallman http://lwn.net/Articles/262570/ 

287

Living Room / Re: Google does no evil; kills reMail

« on: February 22, 2010, 01:38 AM »

Most companies want/need to make money. They think of them self, how it works. Not special for Google so if you have them targeted down as being the one and only problem you should be ridiculed What are alternatives and what do you use? Which company of this nature has better products, "care" more for user, are more open with info/development, has better licensing?

How are you using a computer, being online without supporting companies in one way or another? Which companies are you friends with? Is it not simply a matter of picking your poison? Because some prefer Google does not mean they are blind or will not switch if something better comes along.

288

Living Room / Re: Google does no evil; kills reMail

« on: February 22, 2010, 12:49 AM »

Yes and remaii was an app to a phone, iphone does not vanish. If there is a market for reMail on iphone people are probably already working on a reMail reloaded.

289

Living Room / Re: Google does no evil; kills reMail

« on: February 21, 2010, 11:56 PM »

Don't you think many startups and investors are aiming at getting bought? I thought that was why new one pops up over and over. This guy now returns to Google from other adventures and probably wont have to worry about electrical bill for some years

Users should only worry if whatever feature/product is bought with the desire to shut it down - in one way or another. Who owns who questions belong to the market place where bigger fish eats smaller fish.

290

Living Room / Re: People are really (really, really) stupid

« on: February 21, 2010, 11:55 PM »

People who should know better, people who do know better are also really really stupid http://www.computerw...7_PCs_max_out_memory

291

General Software Discussion / Re: Installing Linux over ME, is it possible?

« on: February 20, 2010, 12:00 PM »

May be you can use UNetbootin when hunting down the perfect Linux version http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net/ Lets you use usb key as a cd. Much easier and go crazy

If computer is very old and slow may be look up Puppylinux. One of the minimalistic distros. I find it harder to use and not really easier. If decent specs I would use Ubuntu or Linux Mint. Ubuntu is easy and popular, Mint is a tweaked Ubuntu and even easier for Windows converts (from XP/Vista!). Is more or less ready to go from boot up. There are several versions, just use std. the one you get when clicking "direct download" from here

Another benefit of not going Ubuntu is it could be easier to find solutions and answers. Mint has own forum which is pretty big but nothing compared to Ubuntu. Having good sources for info is very important. If you had a friend who knew all about Mandriva then you should use Mandriva. Linux is mostly variations of the same so no big deal what you use. Just go for the most user friendly and what feels right. Fire up UNetbootin and test a couple. Even if some hardware part does not work out of the box it does not mean there are no workarounds. Where help kicks in. As said you will need to understand and learn a few things but most is really basic if you know Windows already. Not so sure about Puppylinux but the most popular distros are certainly not for geeks only, target is everyone As long as hardware works it is a click, click experience for the most part. Since ME is previous experience it can't go wrong.

Are you sure cpu fan is not full of dust and so overheating? Better check hardware before fighting Linux as well.

292

General Software Discussion / Re: Why OpenOffice? Why Microsoft Office? Each one makes their argument

« on: February 19, 2010, 10:35 PM »

Besides technical "issues" I think this campaign make new Browser choice question look silly. Where MS is really trying to do power marketing is with Office/Windows since that is where the money comes from. When things don't go their way, not as expected, or they are possibly worried you get this "think of the children", "demand of the work place". They have done pretty much the same "Compare to..." pages for IE8. Goes along with practically giving away Office packages to students or selling them to employees at businesses with the right license, for the price of 2 packs of cigarettes. Or doing magic with computer makers so they keep bundling the right OS. Free market where desire to put MS logo on toilet paper has nothing to do with locking people in but is "holistic business productivity approach"

293

Living Room / Re: Antivirus companies support virus writers?

« on: February 19, 2010, 01:47 PM »

Yes but I think my point was I was not that cautious. Underestimated threat, was not able to make any reasonable evaluation of risk or why am I surprised of this? I did not say my pword was rather weak or that I gave account access to whole C: drive did I, heh. Was actually just testing memory usage not ability to keep IPs out. Anyway, nice with a wake up call to "common sense" defense. Also why I sometimes test malware and visit the not so recommended sites.

294

Living Room / Re: Antivirus companies support virus writers?

« on: February 19, 2010, 01:07 PM »

Good that Java updates now patch old version and you no longer has to remove leftovers.

I am hysteric with updates. Usually get them few hours after release. Secunia rules

Try turn it 180 degrees. Look at webservers, webscripts like Wordpress. Huge problems if stuff is not updated. Majority have no clue so say thanks to autoupdate there as well.

This afternoon I was testing Filezilla server. 10 min. after it was active I noticed activity. A known brute force IP from China tried to log in, like for 45 min I watched all the time. Now I did set pword but what if I did not. Was just testing. May be I had to get a beer and forgot. One must think security all the time without getting all crazy. Also take notice and learn. I had no clue a ftp-server could be target so fast.

295

Living Room / Re: Antivirus companies support virus writers?

« on: February 19, 2010, 12:29 PM »

I am not sure about it either but know I will visit any url on the internet with the exception of those containing pdf, flash exploits. I will not exclude problems with those 2 though most are harmless as long as updates are in place. Javascript turned off in Adobe might help too. Many stretch "drive-by" term just a little bit. Like fake av-scanners are also drive-by etc. They do that for a reason and that is BS. Seems a bit desperate to me but of course you need updated browser, updated everything. Not like nobody is trying to attack.

Well you can fire up any http/web scanner and it will get triggered! Matter of time. What the deal is you will have to find out for your self. Iframe, javascript, can be anything. Msg. from AV are not always that constructive.

296

General Software Discussion / Re: Why OpenOffice? Why Microsoft Office? Each one makes their argument

« on: February 19, 2010, 10:49 AM »

I don't know if they link to Youtube videos but they have a channel called Officevideos with all this "Why Microsoft" http://www.youtube.c...g/c/5BA7E1E86EE6BA12 may be easier to consume and Silverlight is not required.

297

Living Room / Re: Antivirus companies support virus writers?

« on: February 19, 2010, 09:19 AM »

As I understand it your observations are in family with SRP then. More like a new Windows which educate user in a different way right? You are overestimating desire for change and understanding for a safer logic though. Will never happen. Windows Vista and upwards is it. Optional UAC shows how MS think, may be how they must think. Windows is not Linux but ultimate freedom

Non-signature based detection is not just a hoax. You are right about piracy being the obvious reason for AVs. Well dig in to that area and you will learn how AVs work. Or just install Threatfire or similar tool and test. Anything with no use of blacklists. When it pops up after whatever AV has approved you should read warning carefully. Norton also use a block/qurantine by default policy towards unknown files btw. Cloud feature... I think you are underestimating their features a bit. Must always remember that increasing requirement to user is almost not an option. There are limits to what they will ask the average Windows user to do.

Btw, you can use cracked security software and many do. I don't use cracked software but keep me updated. Can't remember a popular security program that is not available for "free".

f00der posted, well he is right about "drive-by" though that usually means an exploited plugin, pdf, flash. Browsers are not a target them self. "Drive-by" a really cute buzzword loved by paranoid people since it means WHATEVER amount of common sense you have, you can still be screwed! = BUY a sucurity package, you MUST. Almost entirely BS but don't forget pdf, flash though. Due to my attempt to keep up with warez scene all I will say is those people know zero about security and do not care. Very likely you get infected by using "good" sources. The other day I almost saw a moderator get infected in real time. He asked about why the hell a certain popular site redirected him to some weird stuff. I checked and it was a nasty pdf exploit. Like only just listed on malware domains, days or more like only few hours old. He replied that then good he just got updated to 9.3 or something. Hmm that was flash dummy. He went FU#% and deleted the thread. This is the level. Or go to some of the very big warez forum, pick random threads and check properly. Tons and tons of stuff is infected and nobody cares that much. Majority probably don't even know their computer is hosed. If they figure it out they just install new free Windows, who cares... Really not difficult to understand how stuff gets spread around.

If by good sources you mean more private networks then you could be right. Something with invites or ? I would not know but do believe in "safe" cracking. Popular sites/forums are full of junk and typical member is clueless. They are just normal Windows users

298

Living Room / Re: Antivirus companies support virus writers?

« on: February 18, 2010, 10:58 PM »

I am not sure it will move you an inch but most AV companies are actually obsessed with finding new ways of protection. Even Symantec has "Stops threats unrecognized by traditional antivirus techniques" in their feature list. Probably why they bought PC Tools (Threatfire). More is better since more is needed is how they design software. Since there are new demands is it not nice of them to deliver? HIPS, Behavior blocker, quarantine if unknown stuff. Avast just got a build-in sandbox. Must not forget "web" scanners (web is evil as you have been told), a common feature and where you get the most false positives as well. There are loads more. Just take a look at their web sites.

In their defense I would say that tools usually work better if settings, features and limitations are known to user. Installing one of the bigger packages on a computer used by a person with a history of doing the opposite of common sense will not be a smooth experience. Not possible to fix stupidity/lack of knowledge, experience with software. Or may be it is but then you need to handpick and spend time setting things up. Must have the perfect setup. Many tools will have password locking of settings for the same reason. User must be protected against user! Jumping at any random advertised package using default settings can go wrong.

I don't think majority believe Mcafee produce malware. More like they and other "reputable" brands are protecting and let them use computer as they wish. Have way too much convenient faith in "being protected". Increase requirements, annoy usability and in many cases there will be a user vs. security problem. Some are more likely to ignore features/msg. from AV or simply turn stuff off than educating them self on what the problem really is. Also why many reject UAC which is harmless/easy compared to 3rd party "proactive" stuff. Takes very little to annoy. I have heard IT people saying the first they do for their "clients" is to turn off UAC and make them admin. How it is and partly why there will continue to be work for AVs.

Are you referring to Software Restriction Policy on Windows Dymtry? Sure you can lock program and activities down, much is possible with already available build-in features, but what type of user are you thinking of? Must be a very interested one. Same problem as with firewall in Vista/7. Sure it does "outbound" control, why bother with notoriously buggy 3rd party software? Well try set it up then. There are probably more I don't know about but fact is on Windows such "deep" defenses are not made for everyone. Practically hidden, not meant for public consumption.

299

Living Room / Re: Antivirus companies support virus writers?

« on: February 18, 2010, 07:27 AM »

Which reminds me that same company I mentioned getting cheated by the one from China recently unblocked a hacker site which also host a bit of hiring On a scriptkiddie level but still. "I need help hacking this guys Facebook..." and so on. They have 150000 members and hacker admin made sure they became aware of this He would flame their product unless... Claims to be "hacker" in the good way - which is obviously bogus. He simply complained at their forum and CEO promptly removed the block. Took 20 min. The guy who manage the actual blocking disagreed but were overruled. I chose to think marketing on steroids since this was done in public (though nobody take notice!). Marketing and money can do much harm to some people. Also why I would not exclude the possibility of some eager employee at Mcafee, Symantec or where ever doing some action on the side. He/She hire a bunch of fools to produce new threat and person magically find cure and get promotion. Something like that. There is a thin line between black and white when it comes to security. Employees at security companies have the option and know-how of going black.

Forgot, the hacker vs. highly recommended security company incident gets worse. Every member of that hacker forum got a 50% discount all through February. As a "lets be friends, we made a mistake" present. Unbelievable or in their words "Pwnd "

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General Software Discussion / Re: Feb 9, 2010: Windows Patch Leaves Many XP Users With Blue Screens?

« on: February 14, 2010, 07:20 PM »

Steve Jobs would roll up in a corner with his ipad and cry if these wild Windows users migrated to Mac! They can break any ecosystem