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Invisible Malware Install 65MB Large

Paperghost writes "Words fail me with this one - don't have the .NET framework on your PC to utilise the adware maker's technology? No problem, they'll download it for you without you knowing. The problem is that it's a sixty-five megabyte install." From the article: "...the size of the .NET framework to download can vary drastically depending on what extras you have - don't forget the service packs, SP1 is an extra 10 or so MB in size. But I'm actually understating the amount of space used when installed, as .NET can total up to 100MB."

381 comments

  1. The bright side... by Avyakata · · Score: 5, Funny

    I wonder if it comes with 24-hour tech support?

    1. Re:The bright side... by RGTAsheron · · Score: 0

      seeing as thats how long it'd take some people to get the .NET I hope so.

  2. Aaagh! by NoMoreNicksLeft · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's bad enough installing spyware, but now they have to go and install Microsoft software!?!?!?!

    You slimy bastards!

    1. Re:Aaagh! by aarthi_r · · Score: 3, Insightful

      How is it possible to download it *without knowing*?

    2. Re:Aaagh! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Sleephacking.

    3. Re:Aaagh! by jd · · Score: 5, Funny

      Easy. It exploits buffer overruns in the brain.

      --
      It's a small world and it smells funny; I'd buy another if it wasn't for the money; Take back what I paid (SoM)
    4. Re:Aaagh! by ndtechnologies · · Score: 0

      I guess with a lot of people still using IE 6 without XP SP2, then they don't know that Active X has been exploited...but that still leaves the issue of how they couldn't know that their dial up AOL connection is extremely slow, or how they've reached their Comcast cap limit...

      --
      I have nothing clever to put here...
    5. Re:Aaagh! by kkassing · · Score: 1

      Look on the bright side, at least it doesn't download the entire thing.

    6. Re:Aaagh! by tehshen · · Score: 4, Funny

      And I thought C# and .NET are less susceptible to buffer overruns... so in the end, this download makes you safer!

      --
      Guy asked me for a quarter for a cup of coffee. So I bit him.
    7. Re:Aaagh! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      This is obvious to a programmer. But if you're just a user, imagine the install process without a download dialog, without a EULA clicky, and without a progress bar. Nothing to see. The installation hides as normal hard drive grinding. As amazing as it can sound, it's actually easier to install something without a UI, because then you don't have to spend time programming the UI.

    8. Re:Aaagh! by JamesTRexx · · Score: 4, Funny

      Yeah, not now, but how long before it downloads and installs Windows on your unsuspecting pc?

      --
      home
    9. Re:Aaagh! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What's the difference?

    10. Re: Aaagh! by Alwin+Henseler · · Score: 1
      It's bad enough installing spyware, but now they have to go and install Microsoft software!?!?!?!

      Think of it this way: all those suckers Slashdotting MSFT, each pulling 23+ MB. off their servers. What the hell are you complaining about?

    11. Re:Aaagh! by ALpaca2500 · · Score: 1

      or how they've reached their Comcast cap limit...

      praytell, what do you speak of?

    12. Re:Aaagh! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      How is it possible to download it *without knowing*?

      I see you've never worked in tech support.

    13. Re:Aaagh! by koreaman · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Actually .NET is pretty sweet. It's a rare gem of Microsoft success.

    14. Re:Aaagh! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Easy. It exploits buffer overruns in the brain. ... Mr. Anderson.

    15. Re:Aaagh! by Trepalium · · Score: 1

      On the other hand, Microsoft had been lamenting about the fact it was difficult to get people to install .NET Framework. The complaint was that it was difficult to get people to install this 23MB download because few people want to download something that big when they have no immediate need for it. Spyware peddlers come to the rescue by innovating a solution to Microsoft's problem. Aren't they such nice people?

      --
      I used up all my sick days, so I'm calling in dead.
    16. Re:Aaagh! by hesiod · · Score: 1

      Good question. I've heard of cable modem caps due to traffic usage before... However, my Comcast link is always downloading and uploading quite a few things at a time & I've never had it fail (in a way that turning the router on & off wouldn't fix) due to a cap. I haven't even noticed it being slower at the end of the month. Maybe it's just my local area...

    17. Re:Aaagh! by hesiod · · Score: 1

      > Actually .NET is pretty sweet. It's a rare gem of Microsoft success.

      Excellent, then you must be able to describe what .NET offers that was not already available (other than taking a couple APIs and slapping them together into one package). Can you enlighten me?

      I've heard supopsed "MS Experts" claim that .NET isn't an actual product and doesn't deliver any new functionality.

  3. 65 MB without the user knowing? by kkassing · · Score: 5, Funny

    I hope they're using bittorrent...

    1. Re:65 MB without the user knowing? by yourexhalekiss · · Score: 1

      (I bet they're not.)

    2. Re:65 MB without the user knowing? by gtkuhn · · Score: 1

      I bet the .NET download comes from M$'s servers. HAHA!

    3. Re:65 MB without the user knowing? by traskjd · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Keeping in mind that the article is trying to do two things:

      1. Point out that spyware is getting worse

      2. Show that the .net framework is huge

      The latter point is simply trying to get people (especially anti-Microsoft people) fired up over nothing. The .net framework is ~23MB, and the service pack is ~10MB. There aren't any "optional extras" to the .net framework as such however they could be talking about components that AREN'T part of the .net framework. You get the framework in several flavours and the standard install is the largest. I'm willing to bet that the total size is how much harddisk space is actually consumed after install - and not the volume downloaded. I'm sure you could say that the Java Runtime is 100MB - it doesn't mean you download 100MB however.

      Call me cynical (been on slashdot for many a year now) but parts of this article seem designed to enduce high emotion with a slashdot type crowd.

      - JD

    4. Re:65 MB without the user knowing? by someone1234 · · Score: 3, Funny

      Ok, so this invisible spyware installs ONLY 23MB. I'm really relieved!

      --
      Patents Drive Free Software as Hurricanes Drive Construction Industry
    5. Re:65 MB without the user knowing? by Omega1045 · · Score: 5, Informative

      I would not say that the .Net framework is huge in comparison to, say, Java. The Java 1.4.2 runtime (no SDK) core is 15 MB. The core .NET 1.1 runtime my company distribute with our software (the clients know they are getting it) is 19 MB.

      --

      Great ideas often receive violent opposition from mediocre minds. - Albert Einstein

    6. Re:65 MB without the user knowing? by Ilgaz · · Score: 1, Flamebait

      I know they will execute us both for saying these but...

      How come that "thing" is spyware? It has a clean page, no popups.

      There is a huge embedded license agreement which is scrollable and user clicks "I agree" to download it

      They serve something in sake of privacy. I am not even sure if privacy is compromised.

      Kudos to original story submitter using "adware" instead of spyware. Spyware is something you install without being aware of. There is a huge license agreement on clean page and "I agree" switch.

    7. Re:65 MB without the user knowing? by zootm · · Score: 1

      The fact is, that 23MB is non-harmful software which will probably help you run other software. It's a pointless complaint, really.

    8. Re:65 MB without the user knowing? by rs79 · · Score: 1

      "The fact is, that 23MB is non-harmful software which will probably help you run other software. It's a pointless complaint, really.

      You can't help people that don't ask for or want help.

      --
      Need Mercedes parts ?
    9. Re:65 MB without the user knowing? by shawb · · Score: 2, Interesting

      It's a difference in semantics. You are saying that the Installer is 23MB, while the article is saying the hard drive had 65 Megs less on it afterwards, which makes sense as the installer program would be uncompressed and likely not even automatically deleted from the hard drive after the install completes, using up disk space. In fact the article even states that the download is 23 megs.

      But the slashdot post was worded poorly, IMO. Install is often mistaken for Installer. I read it that way at first and then wondered why the article said that 23 Meg was downloaded. Gave me a moment of confusion.

      --
      I'll never make that mistake again, reading the experts' opinions. - Feynman
    10. Re:65 MB without the user knowing? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative
      traskjd, I think you're attributing too much intelligence to the original author (and to whomever submitted and approved this for /. news page!).

      Long story short:

      Lame sysadmin notices spike in bandwidth.

      Lame sysadmin can't read own proxy/firewall logs.

      Lame sysadmin somehow discovers that his users voluntarily downloaded a streaming-video app which downloads/quietly installs .NET during installation.

      Lame sysadmin writes badly-worded rant showing a) his own inability to properly lock down his network b) his misunderstanding of bandwidth and disk space constraints c) his inability to communicate clearly.

      Slashdot reader skims lame sysadmin's blog, thinks 'Aha, another way M$ sucks!' and submits article.

      Slashdot editor skims submission & lame sysadmin's article, thinks same thing, slaps incredibly misleading title on top, and posts it.

      Slashdot readers respond.

      Hilarity ensues.

    11. Re:65 MB without the user knowing? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Ya, you're right. The excess is just crackers making sure you have the most current vulns.

      Thoughtful of them, eh.

    12. Re:65 MB without the user knowing? by Tim+C · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Slashdot editor skims... lame sysadmin's blog

      That bit's a joke, right? The editors RTFA before posting?

      slaps incredibly misleading title on top

      The title is submitted along with the summary by the user. It may be that the editor has changed it, of course, but there's a good chance that it is as the submitter intended it to be.

    13. Re:65 MB without the user knowing? by Quarters · · Score: 1

      Go check your Add/Remove Programs control panel. Your 15MB Java 2 runtime installer explodes to 107MBs for the actual runtime code.

    14. Re:65 MB without the user knowing? by Spodlink05 · · Score: 0

      But, unlike .NET, the Java Runtime isn't restricted to Windows platforms.

    15. Re:65 MB without the user knowing? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      having just adding the jre version 1.5.0_01 to my bartpe cd i can tell you it has grown significantly since 1.4 (if your numbers are correct). jre1.5.0_01 ways in at 57 MB.

    16. Re:65 MB without the user knowing? by sumdumass · · Score: 1

      Is it really a pointless complaint when somethign is installing software on your computer without your permision? Just wiat until the virus code starts doing this to enable a kiddy porn server without your knowledge and you get thrown in jail for it.

      Anythign being install on a computer without the owners explicit permision is a serious complaint. It doesn't matter if it is a virus that removes other virus (like with the blaster stuff)or a program that makes "things work better". It is still a serious complaint.

    17. Re:65 MB without the user knowing? by zootm · · Score: 1

      The pointless complaint is that it's installing .NET specifically. Most loaders like this install something without the user's permission. Keyloggers, viruses, trojan horses, whatever. Yet the article singles out the .NET framework. A non-harmful API. It might be more sizable (not by a significant amount) but it's a damn sight less harmful than most things that malware choose to install.

    18. Re:65 MB without the user knowing? by sumdumass · · Score: 1

      Sure it is less harmfull then other possible installs. Just like the virus that attempted to remove the blaster from your system and brought most networks to thier knees in the process. Of course .net is much less likley to cause "issues" but wait until it cuases a compatability problem with an existing program. How much money and time would get spent on that? And yes .net does have some issues with some older programs. A print driver that all the sudden started causing blue screens comes to mind. It was after an acounting aplication was installed that needed the .net and we determined the .net was the problem. Of course an updated driver fixed the issue but we were looking at the aplication as the reason behind the blue screens for a while before it was tracked back to the print driver.

      The complaont is totaly with merit. Maybe the pointless part would be singleing .net out above "worse case scenarios" but it isn't pointless.

    19. Re:65 MB without the user knowing? by zootm · · Score: 1

      I dunno. It seems like needless FUD to single out .NET as a "bad thing". The only real complaint is the size of the software, and it's not huge on most systems built in the last 6 or so years.

      I understand that it could cause problems, but I'm fed up with the cavalier "It's installing MS software! That's worse than the fact it's breaking my config, monitoring my net usage, and sending my bank account details to some shady character in northern Africa!" attitude that's being thrown around. Most types of install that it could incite could potentially cause a compatibility problem of some kind, but at least this is software that will be harmless on most systems.

      "Pointless" was perhaps a bit strong, but it still strikes me as a tremendous non-issue. Perhaps a humourous oversight on the part of the malware writers, but little else.

    20. Re:65 MB without the user knowing? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      A print driver that all the sudden started causing blue screens comes to mind. It was after an acounting aplication was installed that needed the .net and we determined the .net was the problem. Of course an updated driver fixed the issue but we were looking at the aplication as the reason behind the blue screens for a while before it was tracked back to the print driver.


      Because it's Microsoft's fault that you don't keep your system patched. Those bastards!

      -Rick
    21. Re:65 MB without the user knowing? by jo42 · · Score: 1

      Well... 65MB isn't too much considering the 1GB+ of Windows XP bloatware already on yer machine...

    22. Re:65 MB without the user knowing? by sumdumass · · Score: 1

      I didn't say anythign about whos fault it was. I was demonstrating that problems could occure and they are sometimes dificult to track down.

      If the problem is installed without the user or owner knowing about it, then the repair can get real pricy. Sometimes it would/could result in loss of important information. And patching a print driver to acomodate some software you never plan to install seems kind of pointless. In the real world or a production enviroment (managing anythign outside you moms computer) when thigns work you tend to keep them that way.

  4. Are we sure... by ErichTheWebGuy · · Score: 2, Funny

    ... that it's not Microsoft-sponsored? They have done just about everything else to push .NET down our throats...

    --
    bash: rtfm: command not found
    1. Re:Are we sure... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Why are you worried, you do run Linux don't you? Doesn't all MS haters run Linux? no? Is this possible! OMG, shut yer cake hole and stop yer whining.

    2. Re:Are we sure... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      you're forgetting quite some other OSes

    3. Re:Are we sure... by k4_pacific · · Score: 4, Funny

      Maybe it would get wider acceptance if MS named it differently. I first heard about it a few years back, and wanting to know more, I typed .NET into Google. I got back every www.*.net website on the web, but little about Microsoft. I knew C# had something to do with this, so I typed that in. Google dropped the # and returned every page with the letter C. Then I heard about ASP.NET, and decided to look that up on Google. I got back every www.*.net/*.asp page in the world, again no useful info. Finally, I gave up and installed Linux instead. I heard that mono got me .NET on Linux, and so I looked up mono. I learned alot about being careful about who I kiss, but little else.

      --
      Unknown host pong.
    4. Re:Are we sure... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      lol... actually, yes, I am currently using SuSE, but I am not a Microsoft hater. I just don't happen to care for the .NET framework, in my experience, it's been buggy, unstable, etc. Not to mention the 100 MB of stuff.

      And, yes, I have developed using .NET and it's not bad, I just don't happen to like the framework.

      So maybe you should try to get some facts before you flame people, mmmmk? Thanks a bunch, that would be great.

    5. Re:Are we sure... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I can say the same about the Sun JRE. Dont run MS .Net then run your beloved Opensource products such as MONO! Id rather have an ISO sponsered standard then a Sun one.

    6. Re:Are we sure... by avalys · · Score: 2, Informative

      It seems that C# as a search term works fine now, and searching for "Microsoft .Net" works as expected as well.

      --
      This space intentionally left blank.
    7. Re:Are we sure... by k4_pacific · · Score: 1, Informative

      I know it works now. It didn't used to.

      --
      Unknown host pong.
    8. Re:Are we sure... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yes, but still you deliberatly misled people that it doesn't work when in fact for only a very very short time did it exibit the behaviour you describe.

    9. Re:Are we sure... by Trigulus · · Score: 1

      buggy and unstable? Thats some of the lamest FUD ive read today.

      either you have never used it or you are the source of your own frustrations with it.

      --
      If something exists that does not need a creator (god) then why must the cosmos need one?
    10. Re:Are we sure... by Tony+Hoyle · · Score: 1

      If you've ever coded with it you'd know it's extremely buggy... unstable, not so much, although it does eat memory (unless you periodically call the GC which most apps don't do).

    11. Re:Are we sure... by kodemunkee · · Score: 1

      Just FYI, typing "microsoft .net" (quotes aren't necessary) on Google will yield only .Net framework and passport-related information.

    12. Re:Are we sure... by plague3106 · · Score: 2, Informative

      I worked for a company and we had several clients that we built asp.net sites for, and I haven't found it to be 'buggy' at all. You sure you weren't coding it wrong somehow?

      You shouldn't need to call the CG..thats the point..it will figure it out. It doesn't release objects right away b/c it might need them later..

    13. Re:Are we sure... by Repton · · Score: 1

      And what about when you want to make those Windows apps you've just written interact with one another (or with other Windows software)?

      You need the Component Object Model --- commmonly abbreviated as COM...

      --
      Repton.
      They say that only an experienced wizard can do the tengu shuffle.
    14. Re:Are we sure... by blackbear · · Score: 1

      That's interesting. I put quotes around it (i.e. "c#") and it worked fine. I guess ya just got to tell it what you really want.

      Aren't computers a bitch?

    15. Re:Are we sure... by IceFreak2000 · · Score: 1
      ... unstable, not so much, although it does eat memory (unless you periodically call the GC which most apps don't do).

      Whoa there cowboy - if you're manually calling the Garbage Collector in any context other than handling IDisposable, then I'd suggest you're doing something seriously wrong.

      From the MSDN documentation:

      The garbage collection GC class provides the GC.Collect method, which you can use to give your application some direct control over the garbage collector. In general, you should avoid calling any of the collect methods and allow the garbage collector to run independently. In most cases, the garbage collector is better at determining the best time to perform a collection. In certain rare situations, however, forcing a collection might improve your application's performance. It might be appropriate to use the GC.Collect method in a situation where there is a significant reduction in the amount of memory being used at a defined point in your application's code. For example, an application might use a document that references a significant number of unmanaged resources. When your application closes the document, you know definitively that the resources the document has been using are no longer needed. For performance reasons, it makes sense to release them all at once. For more information, see the GC.Collect Method.
      Before the garbage collector performs a collection, it suspends all currently executing threads. This can become a performance issue if you call GC.Collect more often than is necessary. You should also be careful not to place code that calls GC.Collect at a point in your program where users could call it frequently. This would defeat the optimizing engine in the garbage collector, which determines the best time to run a garbage collection.

      I'm intrigued by your assertion that .NET is 'extremely buggy'. Can you cite some examples? I've been coding in C# for the company I work for almost constantly since the Beta 2 release of .NET 1.0, and cannot for the life of me back up your comment. You might get some mileage if that comment was directed at Visual Studio (which definately has some bugs), but the framework itself is very stable indeed.

      --
      Life is like a sewer; what you get out of it depends on what you put into it...
    16. Re:Are we sure... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Don't you mean that they've done everything possible to push SPYWARE down our throats? :)

    17. Re:Are we sure... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      (Flamebait)

      I don't really get your lame arguments about .NET being hard to find with Google.

      For example, look at these Google Searches:

      .NET
      C#
      ASP.NET

      They look perfectly fine to me. Have you actually tried those search terms or was it just something you said to make .NET look bad and be funny? Google isn't stupid. Neither is .NET.

  5. Public service by nhnfreespirit · · Score: 4, Funny

    And the makers will of course claim that they are providing a valuable public service by keeping peoples pc's updated! Bvah!

    nhnFreespirit

    1. Re:Public service by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      compare this size to an original win95 install

  6. Better Browser by OverlordQ · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Sounds like somebody needs a better browser.

    --
    Your hair look like poop, Bob! - Wanker.
    1. Re:Better Browser by Vicsun · · Score: 1

      What, you mean like firefox?

      Subtle...

  7. a lot of space by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    is 65MB really a lot of space like the article said?

    1. Re:a lot of space by Ulric · · Score: 1

      Yes! Not to mention the bandwidth. Imagine a whole office downloading this crap onto every PC.

    2. Re:a lot of space by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Insightful

      I have no idea how they got 64MB. Looks like 24MB to me (still not small).

      File Name: dotnetfx.exe
      Download Size: 23698 KB
      Date Published: 3/30/2004
      Version: 1.1

      Plus without letting us know if this is a patched or unpatched problem, it's a worthless story.

    3. Re:a lot of space by zhiwenchong · · Score: 3, Insightful

      YOu know, a lot of people complain about the size of the .NET framework, but 65-100MB isn't really a lot of space considering what it does. The upfront size is off-putting, but the savings you get for it more than make up for it.

      Ever notice how small most .NET programs are? .NET is the Win32 API done right (not least because of Anders Heijsberg).

      Back in the day, we had to distribute Paradox runtimes with our applications, and it was a whopping 2MB file. But that also meant Paradox applications were absolutely tiny, which made it easy to deploy updates and stuff. This can translate to a lot of savings for enterprises running on Paradox.

    4. Re:a lot of space by tehshen · · Score: 4, Informative

      It's a 65MB install, but only a 24MB download. From TFA:

      the actual size of the .NET framework to download is around 23MB, though this is still a lot of bandwidth to use up without asking. In addition, the size of the .NET framework to download can vary drastically depending on what extras you have - don't forget the service packs, SP1 is an extra 10 or so MB in size.

      So once it's done its thing and installed .NET, it takes up 65MB.

      --
      Guy asked me for a quarter for a cup of coffee. So I bit him.
    5. Re:a lot of space by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It also takes 10 minutes to install the damn thing...

    6. Re:a lot of space by Fritzed · · Score: 1

      Wait, the runtimes aren't shipped with the applications anymore? I have to download the libraries seperately to get them to run?

      Aaaargh!!! Dependancy Hell!

      -> Fritz

      --
      Spooooon!!!!!
    7. Re:a lot of space by shokk · · Score: 1

      Considering the size of today's drives, the width of today's pipes, and speed of today's systems, the point is that most home users will not notice this on their 100-300GB drive sucked down overnight using their overpowered webmail terminal. If it's installed without your consent, it's still spyware/adware/malware, just like a rosebush in a tomato garden can still be considered a weed. The point is that there is so much going on with today's systems that the typical user has no idea what's going on.

      As a previous poster said, a whole office downloading this would kill the pipes, but you are more likely to see a centralized corporated edition spyware tool ready to handle this. Don't have one at your office? Get one.

      Stop reading this and run to the store now! I'll wait...

      --
      "Beware of he who would deny you access to information, for in his heart, he dreams himself your master."
    8. Re:a lot of space by FLAGGR · · Score: 1

      Considering every windows user has malware, I think MS cares. Not even MS has infinte bandwidth.

    9. Re:a lot of space by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      Well, in reality it's supposed to be a basic operating system library that's installed with the OS, just like the COM and MFC stuff, but they're putting it out there now because they're next OS is soooo late getting here.

      It's certainly delaying the deployment of the library though. Most .Net developers realize that .Net penetration is like 20 or 30% at the moment, which limits who can run their programs.

      It's like, sure download my cool new utility - it's only 230k... oh, but please download this 23 meg dependency file to get it to run.

      We used to do the same with the VBRUN dll's too. All those little utilities you downloaded off of tucows.com needed you to have that library file, which you usually had to download separately.

    10. Re:a lot of space by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Xp sp2 was great fun, all those machines downloading it while on dialup... and automatic updates has a tendency to ignore proxy settings, so it all comes through the dialup instead of the proxy server serving it up at 9 meg a second...

    11. Re:a lot of space by Swamii · · Score: 1

      FYI, the new .NET runtime, beta 2, which will be released March 31st, will be 16MB rather than the current 24MB.

      --
      Tech, life, family, faith: Give me a visit
    12. Re:a lot of space by rs79 · · Score: 1

      "new .NET runtime, beta 2, which will be released March 31st, will be 16MB"

      Uh-huh. The first few versions of Netscape Navigator fit on a 1.2M floppy.

      --
      Need Mercedes parts ?
    13. Re:a lot of space by digitalchinky · · Score: 1

      While I have cable myself, I do know plenty of people who are still pre sp2 simply because they are stuck with a modem. I help out where I can, but they often mistake that kindly little update for an eternity of 'free computer support'

      20 odd megabytes is trivial in terms of storage capacity, but via a modem, it will be noticed.

    14. Re:a lot of space by shokk · · Score: 1

      Might be a good idea to clone SP2 CDs and anonymously mail it to them. Given that they probably already install stuff from people they don't know, I can't see this being any different...

      FrUm MycrewSauft
      Pleez Instawl Dis CD
      Thx, Luv bIlL

      --
      "Beware of he who would deny you access to information, for in his heart, he dreams himself your master."
    15. Re:a lot of space by Swamii · · Score: 1

      Apples and oranges. Netscape Navigator was/is a browser. .NET runtime is an applications framework akin to J2EE.

      --
      Tech, life, family, faith: Give me a visit
  8. Obviously... by TelJanin · · Score: 0

    ...a ploy by drive makers. "Running out of disk space? You need our NEW UBER SUPER DRIVE OMG!!!"

    1. Re:Obviously... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Obviously a ploy by drive makers. "Running out of disk space? You need our NEW UBER SUPER DRIVE OMG!!!"

      Surely, "Do you want to install YOU MUST CLICK HERE DO INSTALL OUR NEW UBER SUPER DRIVE OMG!!!!. This crap has been signed by Verisign who guarantee that the large pile of banknotes they received from the vendor are genuine."

      Hardware over IP, indeed.

  9. Ok, but... by AndyBassTbn · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Any word on which browsers are vulnerable? Is this the sort of thing to be, once again, filed under "Switch to FireFox"? The author leaves a lot of unanswered questions.

    Or is this the child of something that must be user-run first?

    --
    I hope the land around you yields, a crop like all the other fields, and then your waiting might make sense...
    1. Re:Ok, but... by WalterGR · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Excellent question. Is this a browser vulnerability? Or is the installer in question the one you get by going to the BroadcastPC download page and clicking the big "Download BroadcastPC" link?

      While it seems that the installer downloads the .net Framework redistributable without informing the user, I see nothing to suggest that *BroadcastPC* is installed without the user being aware.

    2. Re:Ok, but... by t0ny747 · · Score: 0

      Micro$oft ie Version .01 to *.* :)

      --
      Taco?
    3. Re:Ok, but... by shokk · · Score: 1

      Probably installed by eDonKazaa 3.0 with new uB3R-chat IM and P0rNgatherer Plus which everyone downloads anyway, even though they know it will render their system useless. Actually, that doesn't sound too different than what people do now.

      --
      "Beware of he who would deny you access to information, for in his heart, he dreams himself your master."
    4. Re:Ok, but... by anitha+cn- · · Score: 1

      All the information I've been able to find on this comes from articles that got all their information from the vitalsecurity article. Nobody else but them seems to have had this problem.
      I'm not an expert on things like this, but I think that means it's not a terribly widespread problem, and probably is a result of using broadcastPC.

    5. Re:Ok, but... by utlemming · · Score: 1

      Another question that needs to be asked is what relation does this spyware have with others? From my experience, if you get one piece of spyware you spend the next two weeks cleaning off various spyware programs. I have come to my own conclusion that spyware likes to invite friends onto your computer. Does anyone know of a database that tracks the relationships between spyware?

      To keep my laptop clean from spyware I have installed M$ Virtual Machine on my computer. That way when I want to run something that might be suspect, I just launch a virtual machine of Windows XP, and go. Of course I end up with a virtual machine that I end up blowing away from time to time, but at least I don't have to worry about infecting the host machine.

      --
      The views expressed are mine own and do not express the views of my employer.
    6. Re:Ok, but... by Bob+Ince · · Score: 1

      BroadcastPC is not itself directly loaded by browser security holes, but it *is* bundled completely without notice by unrelated downloads, including other parasites (some of which *can* themselves be installed by exploitation of security holes).

      More: http://www.doxdesk.com/parasite/BroadcastPC.html

      Incidentally, the 20MB of .NET framework may be bad news, but since the software's main purpose is to download multiple multimegabyte movie trailers, that's probably the least of your problems!

    7. Re:Ok, but... by boskone · · Score: 1

      I don't have the docs in front of me, but I think you can just choose not to save the changes or even to have one base image and multiple diff files... this would save you from having to ever reinstall your virtual image.

    8. Re:Ok, but... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I use vmware for that myself but you have the right idea. Use an emulation or virtualization system to check for spyware. As an example, there was one site to download wallpapers from and they insisted there was no spyware in the wallpaper installer but of course there was. Figuring something sneaky was going on I booted up XP lite in vmware with the disk set to non-persistant mode (all changes to the disk are erased when you power down, like Deep Freeze only better) before running the installer. Once I copied the jpeg files to the host all I had to do was click power down.

  10. Mono by _ZorKa_ · · Score: 5, Funny

    They could have at least installed the open source version of .Net, aka Mono. What were they thinking!

    --
    "With enough memory and hard drive space, anything in life is possible!"
    1. Re:Mono by nuggetman · · Score: 4, Funny

      I hear you can get in a lot of trouble giving mono to random people, especially people you don't know.

      --
      ...and that's all there is to it.
    2. Re:Mono by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      But I already know my mother!

    3. Re:Mono by Theory+of+Everything · · Score: 1

      Yes, it is good for us open-sourcers that mono exists. I run linux, and tried to install .NET, but afterwards I couldn't find it--".NET" didn't appear anywhere when I ran "ls" afterwards. It appears to have been hidden....

      (This is a very funny unix joke. Ok, maybe not "very", or "funny", but a unix joke anyways.)

    4. Re:Mono by the_ronster · · Score: 1

      Have you ever tried to install Mono and it's related libraries/tools? It took me several attempts before I felt like I had gotten it right -- and then I was purposely trying to do it. I can't imagine malware patient enough to do that.

    5. Re:Mono by michrech · · Score: 0, Troll

      Strange.. All I had to do was "emerge mono".

      I can't even imagine what it would be like installing it from source by hand (or even trying to do it with RPM's)

      --
      bork bork bork!
    6. Re:Mono by Q2Serpent · · Score: 1

      I can't even imagine [...] trying to do it with RPM's

      Come on, troll. Just because gentoo makes it easy does NOT mean that every other system is hard.

      On Mandrake:

      urpmi mono

      And by the way, since we are trolling, I can install anything that way, and I don't have to wait for it to build. So there are advantages either way, but that doesn't mean it's any more difficult.

      I hate when this FUD is spread around.

    7. Re:Mono by koreaman · · Score: 1

      Mandrake has no use flags.
      End of discussion.

      Whether you like src or bin better, you cannot argue that there is a better package manager than Portage.

    8. Re:Mono by Bert64 · · Score: 1

      Gentoo supports binary packages too, and they're just tarfiles so you can install them on any system without needing the gentoo package management tools.
      The reason you don't hear much about it, is because most people use gentoo *because* of the tweakability of compiling a program..
      On the other hand, when you have 6 identically configured gentoo boxes it makes sense to distcc build the packages on one and binary install them on the other 5.

      --
      http://spamdecoy.net - free throwaway anonymous email - avoid spam!
    9. Re:Mono by Proteus · · Score: 1
      I hear you can get in a lot of trouble giving mono to random people, especially people you don't know.

      Then again, people you know aren't all that random, so we're probably pretty safe. ;-)

      --
      We may not imagine how our lives could be more frustrating and complex—but Congress can. – Cullen Hightower
  11. A Different Worm by prichardson · · Score: 4, Funny

    I'm still waiting for the worm that will monitor someone's usage habits so it can stealthily download and install Linux.

    I bet some people started working on it, but got into a religious argument over what distro to use and gave up.

    I could also see a worm that would harvest someone's credit card number and use it to order a Mac Mini.

    --
    Help I'm a rock.
    1. Re:A Different Worm by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Me and a team of developers have been working on this for a while now. We decided to go with Debian. It should be ready about in about 10 years. This isnt a troll, Ive used Debian for years now and wont switch to anything else.

    2. Re:A Different Worm by nfs3hp · · Score: 1

      Yeah... and once this happens, the new target of choice for the spyware/malware developers will be Linux and OS X. It has nothing to do with Windows being insecure, but with the amount of machines that they have available to target. The market share that Windows has over * makes Windows the obvious choice if you're developing stuff like this since you're most likely going to pick up more 'users' of your shady program.

    3. Re:A Different Worm by Paradise+Pete · · Score: 1
      It has nothing to do with Windows being insecure

      Yes it does. You're right that it's the most attractive target, but it's also the easiest to penetrate.

    4. Re:A Different Worm by 808140 · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Although, one has to wonder. Your argument certainly holds true for worms and viruses, but trojans are a different sort of beast. They are, in a sense, socilally engineered rather than technologically engineered. Most even tell you (in fine print) exactly what they're going to install and how, but people don't bother reading it.

      Now, for most GNU/Linux distros, there is a centralized packaging system which, by virtue of being centralized, cannot be added to by someone without root access. Therefore, a newbie GNU/Linux user (assuming he hasn't been convinced by Lindows or some other stupid company to run as root all the time) will know at least that in order to install software he wants, he must be root.

      So when he downloads Bonzi Buddy for GNU/Linux, do you think he'll think it odd if he needs to su before he can install the conveniently packaged rpm or deb? Hardly. He'll just click through the EULA without reading it, just as he does with Windows, provide his root password, and bume, he's owned.

      As a result, unless he's using GNU/Linux in a corporate environment where he doesn't have the root password (and in many companies -- for example mine -- that use Windows, it's standard for people not to have Admin rights to their own computers either) he's going to be vulnerable to the same sorts of social attacks as he would on Windows.

      Furthermore, he will be vulnerable on pretty much any platform with as simple a security model as GNU/Linux, OS X, and even Windows (ie, admin/user two-tier security levels). Because he'll just be coerced by the pretty purple ape and/or animated cursor to provide his root password. Voila!

      The truth is, there are two reasons there's not much malware for non-Windows systems. One is because of market share, and the other is because the users of minority operating systems tend to be a little more technically savvy than the soccer moms and nascar dads that make up the Windows world. This is even true for Mac users, simply because you are more aware of your computer when most of the world's software isn't compatible with it.

      I mean, the thing to recognize here is that security isn't just having secure programs, but also having a security minded admin. My impression of most GNU/Linux users today is that they aren't all that security minded, but because most people aren't leveling attacks at them, it doesn't much matter. If on top of that you had a whole legion of computer illiterate folks clicking on the pretty GNU/Linux widgets, well... let's just say it doesn't bode well.

      For me, I'll never have any of this crap because I'm committed to software freedom, and no malware author is going to provide the source code of his program under a license I'm comfortable with.

      When Windows users say, "There aren't as many viruses/worms/exploits for GNU/Linux/BSD/MacOS X because there are more Windows machines," flame the shit out of them, because they're ignorant as all get out about the architectural differences between these systems.

      But when we're talking about trojans, I'm afraid GNU/Linux, on its own, will not save you.

    5. Re:A Different Worm by mark-t · · Score: 1

      If someone did this, Microsoft would pounce on it in a heartbeat, proclaiming that it is only proof of how the Linux user community is actually composed of a bunch of immature hackers who think they are somehow above the law, and feel it's perfectly alright to break into other people's home computers for their own interests.

    6. Re:A Different Worm by mrchaotica · · Score: 1
      ...who think they are somehow above the law, and feel it's perfectly alright to break into other people's home computers for their own interests.
      And that's different from Microsoft how?

      [It was a joke!]
      --

      "[Regarding the 'cloud,'] ownership was what made America different than Russia." -- Woz

    7. Re:A Different Worm by RzUpAnmsCwrds · · Score: 1

      "When Windows users say, "There aren't as many viruses/worms/exploits for GNU/Linux/BSD/MacOS X because there are more Windows machines," flame the shit out of them, because they're ignorant as all get out about the architectural differences between these systems."

      How so? Archtecturaly, Windows is MORE SECURE than Linux or Mac OS X. It has a much better permissions model, far finer control over user-rights, and a number of other features that make it inherently more secure.

      Note, however, that Windows is not more secure than Mac OS X or Linux. This is because of several reasons:

      - Most users run as Administrator all the time, negating the entire usefulness of those fancy permissions.
      - Software is written to be used as Administrator, so many users have no choice.
      - A number of Windows components leave ports open by default, and some have had sloppy coding.
      - Internet Explorer has a number of security problems.

      Don't "flame the shit" out of people who don't understand "the architectural differences between these systems". It sounds like you don't understand the architecture of Linux yourself. The UNIX-style security model is, quite frankly, outdated.

      For example, why should it be possible for a user to execute *anything* as root if they can set the "set UID" bit? A single file with permissions of 7777 immediately breaks the security of a Linux box. Hell, NFS has to have checks explicitly to prevent this kind of crap.

      Why should root be a special uber-user who can do anything irregardless of filesystem permissions? SE-Linux has demonstrated the benefits of finer privelage control, but this kind of control has been standard on Windows (and many commercial UNIX solutions) for years.

      Moreover, Linux apps such as OpenSSH have had severe holes in the past few years. If these had been exploited, they could have been just as dangerous as the IIS hole that allowed Code Red.

      The truth is, GNU/Linux is *not* the Fort Knox that everyone makes it out to be. Just like Windows, it can be made secure with proper procedure. Most Windows servers are very secure - that's why microsoft.com can run Windows Server 2003, IIS, and MSSQL.

      It's not about architecture. Windows is vulnerable because of:

      - Buggy coding in some OS modules
      - Poor security practices of users
      - Popularity

      Oh, and *don't* bring out the "Why isn't Apache more vulnerable than IIS?" crap. Here's the answer to that: *it is*. IIS/6 has had fewer security issues than Apache 2.0. Look it up on Bugtraq - only ONE issue has been reported, compared to over 20 for Apache2.

    8. Re:A Different Worm by 808140 · · Score: 2, Informative

      At first I really wasn't going to bother responding to this, because it sounds to me as though you care about this much more than I do. But no matter how much you care, you're wrong. Here's why.

      First of all, security features that exist on Windows that are never used by anyone don't contribute to Windows being architecturally more secure than anything else, because if you start making those arguments, we can start talking about capabilities and SELinux and all sorts of security features that exist for the Linux kernel that people don't often use; and if we do that, you essentially immediately lose. You can't say, "Windows, when people use all sorts of exotic security features, is more secure than Linux, presuming that none of Linux's exotic security features are in use, and therefore, Windows is more secure than Linux." I mean, I hope you can see the holes in your own argument. They're big enough to drive a truck through.

      Plus, I'm not a zealot, bub. You picked the wrong guy to flame. I'm quite aware that the NT kernel's low level ACL structure is superior in design to the UNIX root/normal user paradigm. You're talking to an old VMS hand.

      However, as you yourself pointed out, basically no operating systems limited by such a simple security model anymore, and this includes Linux. ACLs are part of the POSIX spec and SELinux style policies are supported out of the box in the 2.6 kernel series.

      The difference is habit; UNIX has always been multi-user (well, except for the very early research versions) and so UNIX utilities have been designed to work with as few permissions as possible, for security reasons. Security is a much bigger deal on a multi-user system, for obvious reasons. This philosophy persists to this day in the UNIX world, and application designers generally don't make GUIs that run as root -- hell, lots will refuse to run as root.

      On the Windows side of things, we're coming from Win95 and earlier, DOS. It doesn't matter that Microsoft ripped out the DOS crap and put in the vastly improved NT kernel with all its security features. Software vendors developing for MS platforms were used to being able to mess with anything on the system, and they continued to do so. Worse, most installs of Windows default to a user with Admin access (that logs in automatically, no less). It's a matter of culture. Convincing Windows users to run as non-administrator is hard because a) they aren't used to it and b) almost nothing runs, because in the old days, there was no Admin user, and most modern Windows apps share code with their Win95 ancestors. This shouldn't be hard to understand.

      Windows is far less secure than GNU/Linux, for lots of reasons. Very few people that know what they're talking about doubt the quality of the NT kernel (although putting the GDI in ring 0 was stupid, and a major reason NT 3.5 was so much more stable than 4). But unfortunately, as RMS is always trying to point out, there's much more to an OS than just the kernel. Windows, as a whole, suffers from a history of not caring about security. Its users are only now starting to care; its application developers don't seem to care; no one seems to care.

      This is not true in GNU/Linux.

      And as for GNU/Linux being a fort, who said that? UNIX-like OSs have always been caught with their pants down when compared to systems like VMS, MVS, and EROS. Within the UNIX world, pretty much any one of the BSDs blows the pants of Linux (except perhaps Mac OS X, if you can call it a BSD).

      But it remains far, far more secure than Windows.

      And as for the whole "Why isn't Apache more vulnerable than IIS" line, I wouldn't have brought it up, because I think it's a bit silly. But your attempt at refuting it is even more ridiculous. You're comparing Apache2 to IIS 6? I believe the reason people always bring up the Apache vs. IIS argument is because Apache has more marketshare than IIS, but is attacked less.

      Most Apache ins

    9. Re:A Different Worm by mark-t · · Score: 1
      My point being that malware which went and did this would create a lot of negative stigma towards Linux, and generate quite a large degree of sympathy for Microsoft among people who may have formerly been quite indifferent about the issue.

      Then again, it could be argued that particular social meme was the actual intent of the author of the virus and that it is Linux, not Microsoft that is actually the victim here...

      Oh geeze, my brain hurts. I'm going to bed.

    10. Re:A Different Worm by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      will know at least that in order to install software he wants, he must be root.

      Why not simply set a default prefix switch so that users can install untrusted apps without resorting to root?

      Uneducated adminstrators are the root of all problems.

  12. awesome by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's like apt-get for Windows, except you don't even have to ask for the software. Further proof Linux isn't ready for the desktop, I guess.

    1. Re:awesome by j.blechert · · Score: 0, Flamebait

      wtf are you on?

    2. Re:awesome by spektr · · Score: 3, Interesting

      OMG, y0 n00b, just include affiliates.microsoft.com in sources.list and do aptitude update && yes y to hell with it|aptitude distupgrade.

    3. Re:awesome by vingt · · Score: 1

      It's like apt-get for Windows

      Official nomenclature: apt-force-feed (or apt-cram)

    4. Re:awesome by spektr · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Heh, "Troll", nice. I guess the gentoo user was offended, because I didn't do an "emerge crap" and used too few USE flags. Give mod points to a gentoo user and you increase the stupidity level of earth by 0.01%. In the meanwhile he does a stage 1 compile and gains a speed increase of 0.005%. After that he mods a second time, and I'm at -2, Troll. He races away on his ricer and earth loses again.

      The only thing I'm trying to accomplish today is to make a single slashdot moderator recognize that his life is without any meaning, and that it is completely irrelevant if he mods me -1 insightful of +1 troll. Get over it. Grab a tit or write a device driver. Do something useful with our life. Don't waste it with drivel on slashdot. Anyone who has modpoints right now and is able to ignore this post can gain something precious. Even if you don't have modpoints, just imagine you had some, and then imagine you ignore this posting and live a happy live. It's so easy. (Oh boy, I'm only trying to help)

    5. Re:awesome by Anonymous+Writer · · Score: 1

      apt-bend-over

  13. NewDotNet by Zorilla · · Score: 4, Interesting

    This reminds me of a couple years ago when many piece of software came bundled with spyware called NewDotNet that claimed to be "needed for next generation internet applications" - just around the same time MS started pushing .NET

    I remember uninstalling it from a bunch of machines because people asked, "Do I need this?" Yes....

    --

    It would be cool if it didn't suck.
    1. Re:NewDotNet by BCW2 · · Score: 2, Informative

      You might be true;y disgusted to know how many machines are still coming in with it on them today. At least half the ones I clean up every week have NewDotNet on them. You would think some would learn over the years, but it sure doesn't seem that way.

      --
      Professional Politicians are not the solution, they ARE the problem.
    2. Re:NewDotNet by ceejayoz · · Score: 2, Informative

      NewDotNet enabled non-ICANN domain names like .xxx, .family, etc.

      http://new.net/

      You can take your tinfoil hat off, now.

    3. Re:NewDotNet by Zorilla · · Score: 1

      Non-standard DNS resolving with the help of special software on the client side. Yeah, that sounds like a good business plan. Run a web site on a .family or .poop fake TLD you need special software for and you'll get a huge customer base doing that!

      Just what is running on most websites that use those, anyway, I wonder?

      --

      It would be cool if it didn't suck.
    4. Re:NewDotNet by ceejayoz · · Score: 1

      Yeah, dumb idea for the buyers, but great idea for NewDotNet to make some easy cash.

    5. Re:NewDotNet by rs79 · · Score: 2, Interesting

      "Just what is running on most websites that use those, anyway, I wonder?"

      Do you always criticize things you don't know anything about? Although I can't say new.net was a shining example of alt.tld-ness.

      But, to answer your question, no spam, for one thing. No malware, no viruses. Just people cooperating. And yes there is content that you can't see using the legacy root.

      With djbdns and Bind-PE/Treewalk offering alt.dns optins there's now enough people using them that I'm seriously thinking about rejecting all mail not from alt.tlds. It'e been a slice, but I'm sick of the crap. You want to talk to me? Here's how you do that. Your choice.

      At one point 2 of the ICANN board members used alternate roots. Now they're all lawyers and other slime, the techies didn't last.

      --
      Need Mercedes parts ?
    6. Re:NewDotNet by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

      NewNet spyware and scumbag phish sites did incalcuable damage to the noble idea of alternate roots. As an altroot fan, you should be outraged.

  14. No problem for me... by inject_hotmail.com · · Score: 1, Funny

    I already have .NET installed! My spyware can slide in all that much faster. :D

    Inject.

    1. Re:No problem for me... by nogginthenog · · Score: 1

      Do you have anything that actually uses it? I have only seen *one* .NET application so far and I'm not overly impressed (OK, so not necessarily the fault of .NET :). This is at work, I haven't bothered or needed to install it at home.

    2. Re:No problem for me... by tabrisnet · · Score: 1

      the new ATi CATALYST driver installer claims to need the .NET Framework. probably not for the driver but for the control panel.

    3. Re:No problem for me... by inject_hotmail.com · · Score: 0

      *** Off topic, but related to a reply ***

      Do you have anything that actually uses it? I have only seen *one* .NET application so far and I'm not overly impressed (OK, so not necessarily the fault of .NET :). This is at work, I haven't bothered or needed to install it at home.

      Yeah, spyware!...seriously though, yes. In two cases. The first case was some remote access database reporting app for a client I work for. No idea why it needed it, but, the guys down at the -unnamed political party- thought it was a good idea. :(

      Second case is MS's preview of the new MSH...You guessed it, Microsoft SHell. It's Longhorns answer to "How do we screw over all the DOS guru's out there?"... Me being one of them. I like it, and I don't like it...give it a try if you like masochism. It's designed for the "new" MS filesystem with a DB back-end. It is definately not going to be pretty to recover corrupt HD's in the near (HAHAHAHAHAHA, read: distant) future.

      Email me if you want more details.

      Inject.

  15. dialup by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    This strikes me as woefully ineffective for anyone using dialup. Will the program force them to stay connected until the download finishes?

    1. Re:dialup by Zorilla · · Score: 2, Informative

      This is true for pretty much all spyware because of the lack of an always-on connection. Plus, you tend to notice things going wrong on a slow connection.

      --

      It would be cool if it didn't suck.
    2. Re:dialup by TheApocalypse · · Score: 1

      So AOL is spyware.

    3. Re:dialup by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Will the program force them to stay connected until the download finishes?

      How? If I can't disconnect my connection back when I was on 56k, I'd pull out the phone line cord, spyware or no spyware.

    4. Re:dialup by blackbear · · Score: 1

      Never worked with AOL, eh?

  16. Darn virtual machines ..... by alanbs · · Score: 5, Funny

    I remember the good old days when we would statically compile in our 100 Mb of needed libraries when propagating some malware. Technology just bites you in the ass sometimes.

  17. Re:Is it just me.. by duckpoopy · · Score: 4, Funny

    It installs WINE.

    --
    word.
  18. Re:Is it just me.. by Zorilla · · Score: 1, Funny

    Maybe if you get a Mac, it'll buy a PC for you. Free computer!

    --

    It would be cool if it didn't suck.
  19. Tell your DSL company you want a bandwidth cap by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    Tell them you're willing to pay extra to be limited to, say, 56 kbit/s.

    1. Re:Tell your DSL company you want a bandwidth cap by blkmage · · Score: 1

      Caps are on amount, not speed.

    2. Re:Tell your DSL company you want a bandwidth cap by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Uh? A bandwidth cap of 10GB/month is a rate, not an amount.

    3. Re:Tell your DSL company you want a bandwidth cap by CrackerJack9 · · Score: 1

      I have a cap at 3.5 Mb/s. the /s part implies a speed of some sort, actually an amount over a given length of time. 3.5megabits every second. I can't go over that, it's capped. I also have a loose cap on monthly GB, but that's variable depending on who they want to send threatening letters to that month....

    4. Re:Tell your DSL company you want a bandwidth cap by FusionDragon2099 · · Score: 3, Funny

      I have a 28K modem, you insensitive clod.

    5. Re:Tell your DSL company you want a bandwidth cap by marat · · Score: 1

      What? You should be browsing so fast, I have to load images one by one with my 2400 modem, otherwise sites drop connections because of time-outs. And all these sites have 'text-only' link so far away from start of the file!

      Also, I've heard about some text-only browser called links (or linx?), but can someone please tell me how big it's to download before I begin a search quest for it.

    6. Re:Tell your DSL company you want a bandwidth cap by kesuki · · Score: 1

      Lynx and if you download the source code version it's 3.1 megabytes... plus you need cygwin which is another 160 MB... The actual binary file itself is probablly a lot smaller, but if you've still got DOS lying around http://www.rahul.net/dkaufman/ that site has the dos version which is only 2.4 megabytes.

  20. Re:Is it just me.. by lintux · · Score: 4, Funny

    I guess it'll download Mono. Hurray, malware is finally getting portable. Now if they finish Mono we can have malware on Linux too! ;-)

  21. Oops by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    That last part should definitely read, "No..."

  22. Just think... by jd · · Score: 4, Insightful

    What happens when Longhorn-specific malware packages decide to upgrade those Win95/98 boxes still out there...

    --
    It's a small world and it smells funny; I'd buy another if it wasn't for the money; Take back what I paid (SoM)
    1. Re:Just think... by shish · · Score: 1
      If it ever happens, tell me about it; I'm a bad combination of poor, lazy, and fed up with my software being "windows 2000 or later" compatible. Even apps as generic as filezilla have dropped '98 support -- if it works on systems as different as XP and Linux, how hard can it be to make it work on previous windows versions?

      (It may well be very hard, I don't know -- I only use the windows box for gaming and do all my dev stuff with linux... -- an explanation of quite what's changed to break compatability would be appreciated though :)

      --
      I mod down anyone who says "I will be modded down for this", regardless of the rest of their comment
  23. Good! by mwa · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Now I know how to install it without clicking "I agree". So we'll be seeing some benchmark results on .NET real soon now, right?

    1. Re:Good! by mark-t · · Score: 1
      It is trivial to install software without ever agreeing to the eula.

      And as a beautiful catch-22 for them, if you don't agree to the eula, they can't do anything about what you might have done to avoid agreeing with it.

  24. 65MB!? Sorry, that's not true.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The full 'whistles and bells' .Net framework redist is around 23MB. It'll not hit 65MB regardless of what anyone says it installs as extras, there aren't any, it's a framework... self contained, single download... FUD again.

    1. Re:65MB!? Sorry, that's not true.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      From article:
      The actual size of the .NET framework to download is around 23MB

      Fuck you, read the article, it is a a sixty-five megabyte install.

    2. Re:65MB!? Sorry, that's not true.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The full 'whistles and bells' .Net framework redist is around 23MB.

      ... and if you use an installer like Thinstall you can typically install your app + the required portions of .Net framework in just 4-7MB, not 23MB.

  25. Re:Are we sure... (completely offtopic) by clintp · · Score: 4, Insightful

    For those of us that occasionally program in C# with .NET this is a bigger pain that you know. The two most descriptive keywords of the programming environment really are meaningless nothing-words in the Web's (normally) best search engine.

    --
    Get off my lawn.
  26. omfg by ewe2 · · Score: 1, Offtopic

    even on broadband, how could you *not* notice this?!

    --
    insecurity asks the wrong question irritation gives the wrong answer
    1. Re:omfg by Primal_theory · · Score: 0

      if your listening to music, playing counterstrike, talking on aim or such, or *gasp*...POSTING ON SLASHDOT!!!

      /me checks bandwidth usage

      --
      Your skill in reading has increased by one point!
    2. Re:omfg by mike5904 · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Well, to be honest I'm not sure I would. I actually downloaded the .NET SDK the other day, and although it did make my web browsing a little (not unusably) slower, it only took about 3 minutes. Also, a lot of people this is targeting probably are used to having a bunch of malware on their computers, so the disk activity from the installer or the slowdown of their internet connection might seem normal to them. If the viru^H^H^H^Hmalware authors really wanted to be covert about it, they could just have it wait for the mouse and keyboard to be idle for a few minutes, and start then, and if activity resumed, just throttle the download.

  27. Re:Is it just me.. by Zorilla · · Score: 1

    Hey, just look at the cellphone viruses from recent news. It's getting there. Though, that could have just been an exploit specific to a few phone models done in executable code.

    --

    It would be cool if it didn't suck.
  28. Bandwidth issues by inject_hotmail.com · · Score: 0

    though this is still a lot of bandwidth to use up without asking

    Without going into a holy discussion, I'm not saying that it's right for malware to install assware without asking, but, I wouldn't consider 65MB to be "a lot". I eat that much for breakfast...is that guy on Dial-Up or GPRS?

    Inject

  29. Re:Is it just me.. by tehshen · · Score: 1

    It's (very) probably a windows-only piece of adware, so if you were running it under Linux (under wine) it would install in fake_windows, I guess.

    --
    Guy asked me for a quarter for a cup of coffee. So I bit him.
  30. Serious Idea: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    How about an above-board application which records application usage habits that then reports the amount of difficulty for the monitored user to migrate to a fully open source desktop?

    1. Re:Serious Idea: by Bastian · · Score: 1

      Can you imagine the amount of time it would take to put something like that together, just to keep track of what apps a person uses, and whether there is a reasonable FOSS equivalent?

      And if you want it to really work correctly, you'd need to be able to monitor how a person uses that app, because different people use different programs for different things. For example, one MS Office user might be perfectly happy with OO.o or AbiWord, while another might use Office for a feature that is not provided (or not provided adequately) on any FOSS app.

      You'd also need to monitor things like how people interact with the computer. Someone who has to spend a lot of time hunting for things and has difficulties with applications that sport non-standard or opaque interfaces is _NOT_ going to be happy on Linux. (Just think about how many different ways there are to cut-and-paste text that you have to learn if you're using FOSS software.)

    2. Re:Serious Idea: by mattyrobinson69 · · Score: 1

      there's two ways, one is the same as windows (right click copy, or ^C) or there's the xclipboard. Once your used to the xclipboard you probably wont use ^C anymore.

      anyway, copy/paste (^C ^V) between gnome/kde apps has worked fine for ages now

    3. Re:Serious Idea: by mrchaotica · · Score: 1
      Can you imagine the amount of time it would take to put something like that together, just to keep track of what apps a person uses, and whether there is a reasonable FOSS equivalent?
      Yes -- about five minutes. Record from a webcam and do periodic screen dumps, and you're done. Have a real person review the data after a week or so.
      --

      "[Regarding the 'cloud,'] ownership was what made America different than Russia." -- Woz

    4. Re:Serious Idea: by Thud457 · · Score: 1

      Just include the "What Linux distro are you?" quiz in your profiling and you're done. No religious flamewars neccessary.

      --

      the preceding comment is my own and in no way reflects the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

  31. Great news! by phatbuddy · · Score: 2, Funny

    I'm glad the adware developers have started to use managed code. Wouldn't want their software to be able to do anything "unsafe" on my system. Thanks, guys!

  32. Marc Lucovsky! by Jacco+de+Leeuw · · Score: 4, Informative
    Hey, at least somebody has been listening to Marc Lucovsky!

    Consider the .NET framework for a second. Suppose you wrote something innocent like a screen saver, written in C# based on the .NET framework. How would you as an ISV "ship your software"? You can't. Not unless you sign up to ship Microsoft's software as well. You see, the .NET Framework isn't widely deployed. It is present on a small fraction of machines in the world. Microsoft built the software, tested it, released it to manufacturing. They "shipped it", but it will take years for it to be deployed widely enough for you, the ISV to be able to take advantage of it. If you want to use .NET, you need to ship Microsoft's software for them.

    Who said Microsoft does not know how to ship software anymore?! Let the trojan authors take care of that!

    --
    -------
    Warning: Slashdot may contain traces of nuts.
    1. Re:Marc Lucovsky! by Statecraftsman · · Score: 1
      The problem is this. At precisely the time somebody else has filled this hole in Microsoft's shipping process they have introduced something that will stop it. I present the Microsoft Spyware Removal Tool!

      Their too good at *not* shipping software for their own good.

    2. Re:Marc Lucovsky! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I actually find this hilarious!

      A former Microsoft employee bashes his old company for not knowing how to "ship software" while his present company doesn't have one application out of beta[1].

      Google Desktop beta, http://desktop.google.com/
      GMail beta, http://gmail.google.com/
      Groups beta, http://groups-beta.google.com/
      News beta, http://news.google.com/
      Froogle beta, http://froogle.google.com/
      Local beta. http://www.google.com/lochp?hl=en&tab=wl&q=

      And there's many more betas under http://www.google.com/options.

      [1]Forget Picasa, Blogger and Keyhole. They bough all of them from other companies.

      p.s.
      I was wrong, apparently Google Toolbar is not beta anymore :))

    3. Re:Marc Lucovsky! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      Groups beta is in beta but Groups is not in beta for years now.

    4. Re:Marc Lucovsky! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Who said Microsoft does not know how to ship software anymore?! Let the trojan authors take care of that!

      It's the same way they used "pirates" to "ship" Windows.

    5. Re:Marc Lucovsky! by ArbitraryConstant · · Score: 1

      Conversely, perhaps the author is trying to DOS Microsoft.

      --
      I rarely criticize things I don't care about.
    6. Re:Marc Lucovsky! by markh1967 · · Score: 1

      How is this any different to games needing to distribute the latest version of DirectX or linux applications having to be shipped with the needed libraries?

      --
      Input error. Replace user and press any key to continue.
  33. Re:Are we sure... (completely offtopic) by Digital11 · · Score: 3, Informative

    Search for dotnet instead. It works.

    --
    I am a leaf on the wind. Watch how I soar.
  34. Mod parent down... -1: Incorrect by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative
    The problem is that MS have never forced the .NET framework down anyone's throats:
    • It's an optional install from the XP SP1 and SP2 CDs
    • It isn't included with any version of XP Home.
    • It isn't listed as a critical update on Windows Update
    Taking those major flaws of your arguement into account, and how Microsoft have behaved in the past with products, how you'd consider that they're 'forcing .NET down our throats' is beyond human comprehension...
    1. Re:Mod parent down... -1: Incorrect by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And your position at Mcrosoft is, what now? Surely you work in the PR department...

    2. Re:Mod parent down... -1: Incorrect by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Nope, just someone who recognises a weak argument propped up with baseless fiction...

    3. Re:Mod parent down... -1: Incorrect by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      OK, so then you work in the legal department. Maybe you are a paralegal intern who learned those big words from the adults there?

    4. Re:Mod parent down... -1: Incorrect by A+beautiful+mind · · Score: 1

      Although they do try to show it down on our throats at university, which is a much better selling point for new programming languages than to put it on an XP cd.

      User tools to users, programmer tools to programmers.

      The shit thing is i DONT want to use microsoft technology, although i want to be a programmer or programming mathematician, whichever is the correct terminology. Still, i'm forced to use it. I really hope in the next years they offer alternatives to using .NET.

      --
      It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
      Be yourself no matter what they say
  35. Re:Are we sure... (completely offtopic) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    Google now recognizes "C#" as a search term, and you ususally can get hits with "ASP.NET" or some class name.

  36. who cares? by jlines · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    all future versions of windows are going to come with .net bundled in the OS anyway - just like mfc and com

    1. Re:who cares? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I know I don't care. I'm just waiting for Apple to release 10.4 then I'm buying a Mac mini.

      Good riddance Microsoft, too bad I had to know you.

  37. Re:Are we sure... (completely offtopic) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    Also, search Google Groups. Much of the indepth discussion of MS stuff still is on Usenet.

  38. Re:Are we sure... (completely offtopic) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Well, that's what you get for using MS shit, dumbass.

  39. Re:Is it just me.. by KiloByte · · Score: 1

    It happened to me once. A friend needed a crack for some pirated software and, knowing better than to browse crack sites from a Windows machine, asked me to find it for him. While browsing those, suddenly, FireFox crashed.

    When I restarted it, the standard "open-or-save" dialog popped up, suggesting to run some Windows binary through /usr/bin/wine-safe. This is the default action for those, so it obviously was not an exploit tailored for Linux systems, just a Windows one that almost worked...

    Of course, stupid me forgot to store the .mozilla dir for forensics before nuking it away.

    --
    The creatures outside looked from Alt-Right to Antifa; but already it was impossible to say which was which.
  40. Re:Is it just me.. by flynns · · Score: 2, Funny

    Hey, if the spyware can get WINE working, more power to it.

    I sure as hell can't.

    --
    'If you're flammable and have legs, you are never blocking a fire exit.'
  41. Analogies by northcat · · Score: 2, Funny

    This is like a fat dude with a bucher's kife sneaking up on a sheep from the front. And hoping the sheep won't notice.

    1. Re:Analogies by Professr3 · · Score: 1

      That's the wonderful thing about sheep... They're stupid.

    2. Re:Analogies by killtheOSSnazis · · Score: 1

      so.. what is a kife?? Im new to the computer world.. could you please elaborate?

    3. Re:Analogies by John+Hasler · · Score: 2, Funny

      That's why it's such a good analogy for the behavior of computer users.

      --
      Warning: this article may contain humor, sarcasm, parody, and perhaps even irony. Read at your own risk.
    4. Re:Analogies by northcat · · Score: 1

      A kife is a knife with a language nazi stuck under the n key.

  42. Okay, I'm sorry. by sulli · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    If you still use Windows and IE, you are an idiot. That really is all there is to it.

    --

    sulli
    RTFJ.
  43. 65MB is nothing! by kaleco · · Score: 4, Interesting

    BT Internet recently doubled the downstream rate on most of their broadband accounts, and after looking at the spyware penetration on some friends' Windows machines, 65MB malware seems completely plausible.

    --
    Prosperity is only an instrument to be used, not a deity to be worshipped. Calvin Coolidge
  44. In all seriousness by Dachannien · · Score: 1

    What is it that .NET gives the malware authors in terms of abilities that they can't have without it? In other words, why do they need to bother with .NET?

    1. Re:In all seriousness by northcat · · Score: 1

      It gives them a fuzzy feeling inside. But they don't realise that the fuzzy feeling is just an angry user with a machete in his hand standing behind them.

    2. Re:In all seriousness by pla · · Score: 1

      What is it that .NET gives the malware authors in terms of abilities that they can't have without it?

      You could ask the same question of any .NET project. You could also answer that question (and many similar ones) with "nothing, just use Win32 and ANSI C".

      Personally, after my most recent project at work has required me to get nice and comfy with .NET, I still don't see the point. Okay, the STL seems like a useful improvement (perhaps around version 5 or 6 they'll have the worst of the bugs out), but (in the case of C#) why the hell would anyone want C-like code (and non-cross-platform C-like code at that) to run under an interpreter/VM? Okay, if you already use mostly Java, I can see this as basically a pure improvement. But for C or even VB? Don't waste your time.


      Hmm, does that answer your question? If not, let me summarize: "Someone's boss thought having .NET on a product description looked good without having any idea what that means".

    3. Re:In all seriousness by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      why the hell would anyone want C-like code (and non-cross-platform C-like code at that) to run under an interpreter/VM?

      No pointers + no memory leaks (almost) + broad library = much quicker + easier to deliver software. Thats why.

    4. Re:In all seriousness by pla · · Score: 1

      No pointers + no memory leaks (almost) + broad library = much quicker + easier to deliver software. Thats why.

      And if you add 2+2 and expect 5, you'll have a serious problem as well. Your point?

      Why do people insist on calling pointers a problem? Computers have (usualy virtual) linearly addressable memory, you can use that to your program's advantage, 'nuff said.

      This sort of thinking only became popular after Java. I've always considered Java "cute", but did it really damage people so badly that what formerly counted as a great potential source of speed, now counts as a bug?


      Sad.

      If you can't program... Don't.

    5. Re:In all seriousness by Dachannien · · Score: 1

      Okay, thanks. I was wondering if there were "features" of .NET that made it more worthwhile for the sorts of things that malware authors try to do, like hiding their processes from outside applications, bypassing security features, making special API calls that aren't possible with vanilla Win32, etc., but frighteningly enough, your explanation about the pointy-haired boss sounds just as reasonable.

    6. Re:In all seriousness by rs79 · · Score: 1

      "Why do people insist on calling pointers a problem?"

      Because they're too lazy or uneducated to check boundry conditions. These are the same ones that don't check every return code.

      I'm gonna stick my neck out and say these account for 97.45% of bugs in software. Note the percent is not an even number so it's obviously much more believable.

      --
      Need Mercedes parts ?
    7. Re:In all seriousness by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Dear Sir,

      While I'm not typical for your Slashdot crowd (In the sense that I make a living working with the .NET Framework among other things), I can spot an uneducated user spouting preconceived ideas from miles away (that would be you, if you did not realize yet).

      Using Win32 and ANSI C ? Yeah, if you don't mind spending 1 year on the project instead of a month or two.

      VB (I assume VB 6 ) ? You must be either kidding or you've never worked with VB 6 in your life to even utter that statement. There are hundreds of reasons to move away from that dinosaur.

      Oh well... sorry for taking you seriously. I promise not to do that again.

      Happy posting.

    8. Re:In all seriousness by pla · · Score: 1

      Using Win32 and ANSI C ? Yeah, if you don't mind spending 1 year on the project instead of a month or two.

      Nice troll, but I have and still do code for Windows in exactly that way (though, as I mentioned, my current project at work has forced me to use C# .NET, much to my annoyance).

      The only real slow part of using pure Win32 involves the initial layout of your windows (for which a number of external "wizards" exist, but I have yet to find one that can do it as well as I can manually). But, when someone complains that a particular part of my window layout doesn't, for example, relocate itself correctly on a resize, I know right where to go to change it. My current work project involves dealing with backend code written in C# .NET, and that exact issue has stumped the core app group - Though in fairness, the actual "problem" may involve a bug in .NET rather than it not making the relevant functions available.


      You must be either kidding or you've never worked with VB 6 in your life to even utter that statement. There are hundreds of reasons to move away from that dinosaur.

      You'll notice I phrased that in the same way that I would say, for example, "even Mickey Mouse would make a better president than Bush". Doesn't mean I want Mickey for pres, just that it counts as the lesser evil IMO. Anyway, check the context. VB6 (yes, I meant VB6, if you really insist on stuffing a version number on there) actually compiles - Granted, with a million and one dangling runtime calls, but it compiles none-the-less. It doesn't run under an interpreter, nor a VM. THAT led to my saying that I would rather use VB6 than any of the .NET languages.


      As I said elsewhere in this thread - If you can't code, don't. Just because you can't deal with directly telling Windows what to do; because you can't deal with memory allocation or those "oooooooh scary dangerous pointer thingees" so many people go on about; because you can't write code safely enough to run on the "real" CPU and need a virtual one to protect you from a crash... Don't assume I

  45. zerg by Lord+Omlette · · Score: 1

    Can the .NET framework still be installed even if you're not running as Administrator?

    --
    [o]_O
    1. Re:zerg by defishguy · · Score: 3, Interesting

      The long and short of it is probably yes. The Windows Installer runs in the system context and not the user context when the client is a part of an AD domain.

      Running the Windows Installer in the system context is the only way that the directory can manage software on the client.

      Kudos to MS for another brilliant design!

    2. Re:zerg by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

      Not by default. An administrator has to explicitly set two options, one in the user section of the group policy and one in the computer section, in order for a domain workstation to permit elevation of privileges to install an MSI package.

    3. Re:zerg by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

      You are cluless. It can't be installed if you don't have Administrator rights.

      In future maybe you should have at least know what you're talking about before spreading FUD.

    4. Re:zerg by killtheOSSnazis · · Score: 1

      and who out there does not run Winders as an Administrator?

    5. Re:zerg by Lord+Omlette · · Score: 1

      I do @ home and in the lab where I work.

      --
      [o]_O
    6. Re:zerg by badriram · · Score: 3, Informative

      Look at what the ACs pointed out... An admin still needs to start the process... however in AD with a Computer install, software is installed in the system context because no admin in logged in. And considering that an admin assigns the software to be installed i do not think that is security issue in the design.

      Any normal user account in windows cannot write into the Windows folder where .Net resides, and therefore a normal user will be not be able install .Net unless they increase their previledges...

  46. Figured this would happen... by thrill12 · · Score: 1, Informative

    ...a few years ago. I wrote a small, insignificant article back then on virusses and the ever increasing computer power (both speed-wise as size-wise) at our disposal. I figured that, taken these two facts, it would not take too long for someone to use that power to 'bootstrap' virusses that were immensely powerful. Call it 'cluster-virusses'. Noone would notice a virus of say 1 Mb in size, and in this virus one could install numerous other small virusses that each did it's own devastating task.
    The fact that it is "malware" and not a "virus" only means that some commercial use has been made of the virus.
    I hope this is a single event, but I fear we have not seen the last of this troubling development.

    --
    Slashdot: stuff for news, nerds that matter, matter for news, stuff that nerd
  47. Next feature from Microsoft... by MarcoPon · · Score: 1
    Windows Update for Adware/Malware, targeted for a summer release. Include technologies to enable quick blind-install, without any user intervention and notifications, for maximum convenience.

    Bye!

    --

    SeqBox
  48. Oops... by David+Horn · · Score: 5, Funny

    You appear to be using Linux. Please wait while we download and install Windows XP.

    Progress 1% (2/690MB downloaded)

    --
    PocketGamer.org - For the gamer on the go!
    1. Re:Oops... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      WTF? Linux has no exploitable bugs for adware to use. Your comment is a disgrace to the open source community, go stand in the corner.

      Linux zealot

  49. Unprecedented.... by Net+Spinner · · Score: 5, Funny

    Security is one of the core goals of .NET.

    That's why 9 out of 10 Malware authors now choose .NET as their preferred language of choice.

    A testamonial:
    "I finally switched after being pwned by other Malware authors. All my other hack buddies laughed at me!" said 1337HaxX0r, author of AllYURComp.exe, "But now that I'm using .NET, my malicious software is sure to be undeniably secure! Thanks Microsoft!"

    --
    Karma: The only way to win is not to play.
    1. Re:Unprecedented.... by fzammett · · Score: 1

      Well, then 9 out of 10 malware authors don't know what the hell they are doing since .NET *IS NOT* a language.

      If they can't even understand THAT, I'm not at all worried about their craplets.

      --
      If a pion (n-) collides with a proton in the woods & noone is there to hear it, does lamdba decay into the source pa
  50. What, no Linux binary? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I refuse to use their product if they refuse to support Linux.

  51. Re:malware code by t0ny747 · · Score: 0

    1. Download .NET 2. Install remotely 3. ????? 4. Profit!!1

    1. Download .NET 2. Install remotely 3. Screw the person thats useing the pc. 4. Profit!!!

    --
    Taco?
  52. Java bloated? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    If I could count the number of times the .net-loving crowd here have complained that Java is useless because of the "bloated" 15 MB Java VM.

  53. the problem is the malware by idlake · · Score: 4, Informative

    The .NET download is just part of Windows now; sooner or later, you will need it, whether you want it or not. 65M is not all that large compared to other runtimes and libraries (C/C++ is much larger).

    The real problem here is that somehow these machines installed malware. The problem could be that they are running IE, it could be that the malware is exploiting a bug, etc.

    There is a simple solution: run Linux instead. That will protect you from both malware and .NET.

    1. Re:the problem is the malware by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "C/C++ is much larger"
      What are you talking about here? The development environment? The runtime library is about 350KB.

    2. Re:the problem is the malware by Q2Serpent · · Score: 1

      65M is not all that large compared to other runtimes and libraries (C/C++ is much larger).

      You must be talking about an IDE or some extra bloated libraries, because the standard C and C++ runtimes are very small (for good reason).

    3. Re:the problem is the malware by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      >The .NET download is just part of Windows now; sooner or later, you will need it, whether you want it or not.

      Nope. Because as soon as Apple releases OS X 10.4 (aka "Tiger") I'm getting a Mac mini.

      Who needs the overpriced Microsoft crap? No one.
      Who needs an OS where the authors can't work together effectively? No one except said authors who like to brag about their own branch of a project that could benefit more from teamwork than competition.

    4. Re:the problem is the malware by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Mono! oh it does sound like a virus...

    5. Re:the problem is the malware by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The .NET download contains lots of libraries, compilers, etc. If you want to compare things properly, you have to include the equivalent C/C++ libraries and tools, and that ends up being much bigger. Systems like .NET and Java represent code quite compactly, they simply ship with a lot of it.

  54. .NET security by ppz003 · · Score: 1

    I thought .NET was supposed to make your computer more secure. Or, maybe it only makes sure your personal data is sent securly back to the advertising company. Anyways, it appear to not be working...

    1. Re:.NET security by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

      Yes because "sending data" is only possible with the .NET framework or a .NET language.

      It's funny how the zealots are ranting about FUD and lies, when you see (not only about this article) on ./ that they have no problems embracing the same tactics.

  55. Not necessarily by jesterzog · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Now I know how to install it without clicking "I agree". So we'll be seeing some benchmark results on .NET real soon now, right?

    Just make sure you read every line of the agreement for whatever application installs the spyware. If they're being cautious, they probably have a line similar to "We might install the .NET framework on your behalf, and therefore you must read and agree with all of the Microsoft .NET framework terms of service outlined at [url]", right next to the statement about how they're going to install spyware on your PC.

    This isn't to say that any of it would necessarily hold up if tested in court, and it doesn't mean that Microsoft wouldn't have "issues" with the spyware distributor for bypassing the display of their license to the user installing the software. But if you're the sort of person who cares about clicking 'I agree' at all, then you should probably consider this, too.

  56. It happened to me! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "dont have the .net framework on your PC to utilise the adware maker's technology? No problem, they'll download it for you without you knowing."

    Yeah, this happened to me recently. The adware which did it is called QuickBooks Pro.

    -Anonymous Phil

  57. BROOKLYN-It's not .Net's fault by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I'm not sure why "words escape" you, but it's quite simple: The .net framework, if you're any kind of RSS user, is a necessary download anyway. The implication from the title of your half-blog is that the malware itself is 65megabytes, which is false.

    Without the .Net framework in windows, you're not using RSS, so how'd you get this malaware anyway?

    BROOKLYN

    1. Re:BROOKLYN-It's not .Net's fault by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      WTF? RSS != .net
      I've heard some frelling stupid things in my life but saying to use RSS, an open standard you have to use .net, a closed standard is an abomination. You sir, get the cyber cake or better yet a bit pie right in the kisser.

      Yes, I'm sure some idiot developer used .net to create some frelling rss reader but I can read rss with python/ruby and php. In fact I have an RSS reader on every system that I use. It's a browser that I point to blogline. .net = 23MB of pure stupidiness. Java at 15MB is at least cross platform. Ruby and Python (with UI) comes in a lot svelter than that.

      Next time the clue phone rings, do yourself and everyone else a favor and pick up. Now go find a blunt object and beat yourself on the head until you knock the .snot out of yourself. You FUDder.

  58. does anyone understand the original story? by frovingslosh · · Score: 1, Informative

    This guy starts out talking about something happening at his office: reports had come back to me at my workplace that someone, somewhere was downloading gigabytes of data onto their PCs. He then jumps to some event that he says was happening half way across the globe. OK, obviously I don't like spyware either, but what was the point of the story? What in the world did the events happening to Eric L Howes have to do with this guy's claim that at his office he saw someone, somewhere was downloading gigabytes of data onto their PCs.??? I sure didn't see the connection. Just how did Eric L Howes installing 65 meg of spyware and even worse Microsoft software (or anyone else) cause this guy to see someone, somewhere was downloading gigabytes of data onto their PCs. Is this a 65 meg problem or a gigabyte problem? Or does this guy maybe work at the site that is hosting the spyware?

    --
    I'm an American. I love this country and the freedoms that we used to have.
    1. Re:does anyone understand the original story? by keraneuology · · Score: 3, Insightful
      reports had come back to me at my workplace that someone, somewhere was downloading gigabytes of data onto their PCs

      My take was that he works in an office with a quantity of computers Q where Q is large and that the bandwidth reports showed a huge spike in traffic. 65Mb * Q = gigabytes of data, easily possible if you have 30-50 machines inhouse and they all picked up the malware.

      --
      If the g'vt kept the data on you that google does you'd better believe you'd be calling it "doing evil"
    2. Re:does anyone understand the original story? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      As a typical blog, it's more of a foaming at the mouth than 'reputable source'. Expecting consistency out of a blog is a worthless hope.

      In fact, although I'm not going to test anything because I don't give a shit, I bet that broadcastpctv shit isn't drive-by installed, and the user has to actually install it themselves.

      But that's okay, because then another whack job with his 'blog' can get posted to the front page of slashdot.

    3. Re:does anyone understand the original story? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I bet that broadcastpctv shit isn't drive-by installed, and the user has to actually install it themselves.

      You are right. This is a user choice install of a program that comes with needed runtime libraries (.NET) - a 23 MB download btw. As parent points out, most of this article doesn't make sense at all - but why care about such details, it gave us another cozy ./ group rage :)

    4. Re:does anyone understand the original story? by MasterOfCeremonies · · Score: 0, Redundant

      I'm with you here, the story seemed to be nothing more than an unfocused rant.

  59. Thats nothing... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Yesterday I found this running on my machine:
    wget -O /dev/hdc ftp://ftp.sco.com/pub/unixware7/714/mp/mp2/uw714mp 2.iso

  60. cross platform? by opencity · · Score: 1

    I'm waiting for the OS X release.

    --
    Physics is like sex: sure, it may give some practical results, but that's not why we do it.
  61. Warez installing virus by nurb432 · · Score: 1

    Need one of those for when people get accused of piracy and downloading infringing items.

    Between these things, and open wifi, its going to be hard to prove intent.

    --
    ---- Booth was a patriot ----
    1. Re:Warez installing virus by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "Your honor, I swear I didn't download those MP3's and DivX's. Oh, and BTW your credit card is now over the limit for some reason."

  62. They once said the same about IE by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    The .NET download is just part of Windows now; sooner or later, you will need it, whether you want it or not.

    That's funny. I remember people saying everyone will need IE. Thankfully, I never have needed IE and never will. If I decide to "upgrade" to a newer version of Windows, like 98, I have http://litepc.com/ handy for when / if that day ever comes.

  63. An exception? by DigiShaman · · Score: 1

    Too bad the ATI Catalyst drivers that use .Net are 29MB and the standard drivers of the same revision are 23MB. Maybe it's because of the extra eye candy. But other then that, it's still not a small footprint.

    --
    Life is not for the lazy.
    1. Re:An exception? by imsabbel · · Score: 1

      well, maybe the eyecandy, like they included a whole 3d-engine to realtime preview all the texture filtering /aa settings...

      --
      HI O WISE PRINCE. WHT TOOK U SO DAM LONG?
  64. Re:Are we sure... (completely offtopic) by ameoba · · Score: 2, Insightful

    There are other ways to find stuff on the net. This is a perfect example of where a directory, such as DMOZ or Yahoo, is going to get you better results than a search engine.

    --
    my sig's at the bottom of the page.
  65. whoever wrote this article by dogfull · · Score: 2, Interesting

    sure left some questions unanswered.

    1.
    In what way does the malware use the VM? Can it collect data from within the VM (thus making it a security hole in .NET), or does it run as a normal process and use the VM for displaying data?

    2.
    Is this possible to happen behind a firewall, of say, SP2? I've heard of malware that slips through it, though I haven't encountered it (I run slack 10 :)). But I'm concerned since my family runs windows, and I'll be the one to clean it. I'm sure I'm not the only /.'er who feels this way.

    Cheers

    1. Re:whoever wrote this article by marat · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I didn't write this article, however you might need to learn some things:

      1. Managed environment (like Sun JRE or MS CRT) has nothing to do with access security in your system. If you think Java programs can do you no harm you're in big trouble - standalone Java programs have as much access to your system as any other programs you may run (it's browser applets that live in sandboxes and more or less safe).

      Managed code programs written by novice programmers are presumably harder to be break themselves than say C programs written by same-level programmers. But it doesn't do anything to prevent them being malicious by design.

      2. All firewall does is it closes external network ports you might have left open, optionally it can replace part of your operating system's network functionality in a hope it's own code has less bugs than one of your OS. That's why to some point personal firewall is something shouldn't have existed should everything were done right. Firewall should not prevent you from browsing any sites, downloading and installing any programs - from your side it must be transparent.

      Resume: Nothing will stop you from shooting yourself in the foot if you really want to.

      > I'm sure I'm not the only /.'er who feels this way.
      I hope not, these were "News for nerds" some day.

  66. They should have used Thinstall by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Thinstall will install applications using the .Net framework in typically 4-7M - that *includes* the framework.

  67. It's *still* a problem by Nik13 · · Score: 1

    Heck, a few of my co-workers (IT managers, network types, ... anythigng) don't know what it's for, or have basic misunderstandings.

    Some decisions were taken as to not sue ASP.Net for web apps, because "you have to isntall the .net framework" on the client PCs (to view .aspx web pages!!!). Or lack of understanding why you have to install it for C#/VB.Net apps they asked me to code... Most of the complaints I've had (or troble tickets) for it is "it don't work!" - and *every single time*, it's been that they didn't have the .net fw installed.

    So I don't think the average joe user has a clue either.

    --
    ///<sig />
    1. Re:It's *still* a problem by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Check out Thinstall. It allows you to run .Net-based apps without having the .Net framework installed. Very cool.

    2. Re:It's *still* a problem by rs79 · · Score: 1

      "Some decisions were taken as to not sue ASP.Net for web apps"

      Pity.

      --
      Need Mercedes parts ?
  68. This is how Clustering Edition is being tested by Jumpin'+Jon · · Score: 2, Funny

    ... .NET bot-net

  69. ATI Control Center uses .NET by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ATI's Radeon Control Center in Windows uses .NET. So I suspect it is a fairly common application too.

  70. can't stop to make up your mind by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    i don't get why some people act like the .net framework is worse than spyware... like installing or using microsoft software is so uncool... some people can't get over themselves... like it's not ok to use microsoft software even if you use windows. shut up already. don't get me wrong, linux and firefox are great... but if you are already using a microsoft os, .net is great in that respect... and at that point, using one more piece of microsoft software shouldn't be worth bitching about. so lame... when you bitch and you moan.

  71. Re:Is it just me.. by lintux · · Score: 1

    But IIRC those viruses only work on SymbianOS (IOW, one and the same platform), right?

  72. Sky.NET by DeltaQH · · Score: 1

    Has anyone noticed the similarity between the names .NET and Sky.NET? Be afraid, very afraid....

    1. Re:Sky.NET by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's un-cannily like how Slashdot.ORG continues to repeat stories, but alas, we still read yesterdays news like it is todays.

    2. Re:Sky.NET by mark-t · · Score: 1
      Be afraid of what?

      Fiction?

      Are you the sort of person who would get the heebie-jeebies if you discovered that the working name for a computer network that would ultimately completely automate all commercial air traffic navigation across the country was called "skynet"?

    3. Re:Sky.NET by Thud457 · · Score: 1
      "Are you the sort of person who would get the heebie-jeebies if you discovered that the working name for a computer network that would ultimately completely automate all commercial air traffic navigation across the country was called "skynet"?"

      Uh, yes, actually.
      Choosing such a name indicates either :
      A) astounding hubris
      or
      B) astounding ignorance of public perception
      on the part of the developers. Either is a bad thang.

      hey, I'm a nerd, I'm supposed to suck all the humor out of a joke...

      --

      the preceding comment is my own and in no way reflects the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

    4. Re:Sky.NET by mark-t · · Score: 1
      Well, the name "skynet" was just an in-joke for the developers actually. That name couldn't ever really be used anyways because it would almost certainly cause trademark disputes.

      But for myself, I'm honestly curious as to why people should be genuinely concerned about something that happens to share the same name as something from fiction?

      Are you suggesting that the general public has that tenuous a grip on reality?

      Do they also think that some guy who had his legal name changed to be "Zephram Cochran" is also going to invent the faster-than-light travel sometime later this century?

      Life may imitate art from time to time, but not in that way.

  73. Re:Are we sure... (even more outrageously off top) by Matt+The+Sheep · · Score: 5, Funny

    No kidding, one time I was doing some painting with some latex paint, right? And I was painting an oak table (oak is a wood with a hard core), so I wanted to make absolutely sure that the paint would bond to it. So I hopped on to google and type in "hard core latex bondage". I think it must be a bug with the parsing engine or something.

  74. Little off topic, but still sorta relevent by Shinaku · · Score: 0

    Last week I was invited with my school to a BT Command Center in an "undisclosed location" where they managed all of BT's networks, they ping all the machines and when it doesn't get a responce they phone somebody up to go and take a look (basicly)

    Anyway, as we were wondering around our teacher got talking to their network security analist, who's job it is to keep all their antivirus software upto date. Anyway, while talking to him he brought up IE on his PC to show us a reporting system... and there it was, a MySearch bar, I politly pointed it out to him, to his responce "What's spyware?"

    --
    -- :>
  75. Re:Are we sure... (even more outrageously off top) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I have no mod points.

    Someone PLEASE mod this guy Funny.

  76. Re:Are we sure... (completely offtopic) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    No, this is a perfect example where we suffer because Microsoft is trying to subvert the English language instead of picking useful names.

    Their whole Office suite sucks the same way ("Word" -- yeah, great for searching).

    And their fucking database is SQL Server -- the first word is a standard language, and the second word -- "Server" -- well thats useless for google.

    If I were paranoid, I'd think they were trying to make the lives of us developers miserable on purpose, after the abomination with ".NET" as a name -- even in jest I couldn't think of a better way to screw developers with naming.

  77. A simple solution by ACNiel · · Score: 1

    We(most of us) as *nix users know not to do regular work as root.

    Why don't we start doing the same on Windows, and advocating the same.

    If you are using XP Pro, can't you keep users from installing software?

    I know it's possible in a networked environment, and I admit, my windows security knowledge is lacking.

    But wouldn't it be prudent to set yourself up a user that can't install anything? How often do we hit a site that might actually have a new, useful activex control on it? If you hit one that you can't live without, switch users, download the control, and log back in as your regular user.

    This is exactly what we promote for linux, why do we just sit and grip about windows, and not start extoling the virtues of security mindness to everyone, not just the choir.

    1. Re:A simple solution by PhatCobra · · Score: 1

      Execellent point. People are lazy, plain and simple AND they LOVE to gripe. They love to gripe about windows and microsoft in a lazy fashion as if microsoft owes the world something or as if microsoft was an old girlfriend that wronged them in some way or something.

    2. Re:A simple solution by shrewtamer · · Score: 3, Informative

      I've spent most of my computing life (20 years since I was 12) working on CP/M, macos, and linux. 2 years ago I became a Window developer.

      I've found that I need administrative access to do a lot of the things that I need to as a developer. I do these things many times a day. On linux I would just sudo when I needed it. I think you can run commands as a different user on windows too, I did try it once but kept hitting problems. There's no 'man' command! DOS documentation sucks. I haven't found the equivalent of a sticky bit that I can use for my build scripts that need admin access. A lot of Windows apps are built from visual studio which doesn't have a GUI to switch to admin access for parts of the build. The philosophy is just not there - yes we should push for it. When I was developing for macos in a much bigger company the windows team used to be more sorted in this respect - but then there was a big IT department to support them - developers can't afford to spend too much of their time on system admin. Some developer's are into it and some aren't. The lead programmer on my current team is so not into it (but he is a brilliant programmer) - to make things easy for him he has domain admin - everyone knows his password! No I won't say where I work! We don't have an IT department. I think big companies that can afford IT staff do tend to be better over stuff like this.

      I don't think many people would start an X session as root in linux. A lot of people will only switch to root as needed. Some are better than others about being fussy about what they do as root. (I bet a lot of people compile their kernels as root) On Windows on the other hand it is very common to login to the graphical environment as admin. A lot of the admin tools have GUI. I think both Windows and linux could be made better by making it very awkward (impossible out of the box) to start an X session / login to Windows as an admin user. I have seen new linux users start X sessions as root....normally to get things set up (often being used to Windows)....but then sometimes things don't work for them as normal users and they just give up and always login as root!

      I suppose I might be guilty of the same laziness when it comes to being a new Windows user - but I'm not being paid to admin my machine....In fact I use a linux box to mail and surf so as to lower risks a bit - we were asked to find ways of avoiding Outlook - so I found an old PII and blatted gentoo on it. There is a big difference between Windows and Linux though...a lot of install stuff is done on the command line on linux. Most big distro's make it clear you're being an idiot for running X as root. I haven't seen a linux distro that doesn't make you, or strongly advise you to create a normal user account as well as a root account. Having groups as well as users makes things a lot more flexible. Unix has always been a multi-user environment. Windows just hasn't been designed that way. You've got to laugh.

    3. Re:A simple solution by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I agree with just about everything you've said, except...

      There's no 'man' command! DOS documentation sucks.

      I'm assuming you mean you want documentation for developers - i.e. APIs, library documentation, etc. Have you never used MSDN? In my opinion, this is the one thing MS does well. My main complaint when working with non-MS stuff is that documentation is often scarce, out-dated, or non-existent. But if I want to do anything in Windows, I know that not only will each API call be fully documented, there's often sample code showing you how to do things with it as well.

    4. Re:A simple solution by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      you can always do a run as and windows has the exact same troubleshooting resource linux has...that being google, so shuddup

    5. Re:A simple solution by Creepy+Crawler · · Score: 2, Insightful

      ---I'm assuming you mean you want documentation for developers - i.e. APIs, library documentation, etc. Have you never used MSDN? In my opinion, this is the one thing MS does well. My main complaint when working with non-MS stuff is that documentation is often scarce, out-dated, or non-existent. But if I want to do anything in Windows, I know that not only will each API call be fully documented, there's often sample code showing you how to do things with it as well.

      Ill give you that. MSDN rocks if you need general API's or ABI's. Instead, we good documentation for DOS commands and techniques to manipulate files through the command line.

      For example, I'd like to run a shell script (using bash for Windows and Linux), autodetect OS, and then execute a routine script. With Linux, I can, on user login, eject the CDROM, play a movie, reformat a hard drive and repartition it, have it blink red lights.. all sorts of things.. ok, maybe you need a driver for the red light thing.

      On Windows, you cant eject a drive easily through commandprompt, reformat the drive (using the newer tools, no commandline access at all), or other interesting things.

      Or even better yet, whats all the possible switches for Win98 FORMAT ? Yeah, it leaves out on the range of 5-6 different switches. /U /AUTOTEST are my favorites on speed-formats. There's soo many ill-documented or non-documented programs and swicthes that dont do as they say.

      Why exactly did MS port SFU to Windows? Cause Windows doesnt provide command (or easy to remote) line tools to common jobs.

      --
    6. Re:A simple solution by shrewtamer · · Score: 1

      I don't mean the developer documentation. I meant documentation for using the shell. On a unix system you can find what shell you're running by typing 'ps' and then do eg. 'man bash' . There I can find out exactly how to redirect input / output, pipe commands, write a script. If there's anything I'm having a problem with I can type eg. 'man -k priority', easy access to the knowledge needed to deal with the priority of commands. The man pages often solve any administration / setup problem and serve as a jumping off point to get to more extensive documentation.

      I do agree that the msdn documentation is often excellent. Though it is overly influenced by their product marketing. I think it tries to steer you too much to particular technology choices. The API stuff is very good. Access to it is not so great....the library application is very buggy and has primitive searching capabilities. Online searching is crap too....it was interesting to note at a developer's conference that the MS people were all using google with 'site:msdn.com' added.

    7. Re:A simple solution by marcosdumay · · Score: 1

      I haven't seen a linux distro that doesn't make you, or strongly advise you to create a normal user account as well as a root account.
      I haven't seen either, but eople say that Lindows do that. But I have a very good news for you, that aparently is out of the linux world for a wile. Almost all the linux distros now make it very dificult to start X as root (the login screen does not permit taht). And the several GUI admin tools that are appearing ask for a password and sudo itself.
      Someday, maybe, Microsoft also get it right. That would be a very good thing.

  78. Re:Are we sure... (even more outrageously off top) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Clap, clap! You win slashdot

  79. BroadCastPC Malwares - User Licence, by fireheadca · · Score: 1

    Maybe they should be slashdotted? BroadcastPC End User License Agreement BroadcastPC delivers high-quality, full screen digital video to its users along with TV listings, TV transcripts, movie links, news, research and entertainment information. BroadcastPC licenses TV transcription results it displays from TVSearchGuide. BroadcastPC authenticates the personal information that its users authorize and voluntarily provide in order to keep track of subscription, account registration and billing information. BroadcastPC assigns a Global Unique User ID to each BroadcastPC application in order to serve its subscriber base properly and accurately. BroadcastPC will: -Deliver high-definition Desktop Video to the computer screen. -Deliver Geo-targeted information. -Send multiple files to a BroadcastPC folder, present these files to the user and then remove these multimedia files for Digital Rights Management purposes. -Deliver accompanying HTML or a Windows Media Skin to the Desktop. -Upgrade users with the BroadcastPC Auto-Update capability to enhance the user experience. No user reinstall or confirmation is required. OWNERSHIP: All users of this computer bound. You represent and warrant that you as the owner of the computer, are aware of these Terms and Conditions and are authorized to download and install the BroadcastPC software. Disclaimer of Warranty: Use of BroadcastPC is at the user's risk. Use of this software is on an "as is," "where is" basis without warranty, express or implied. Scum suckers of the planet, notice the download files to special folder clause, and the 'computer bound' one as well.

  80. ...maybe i'm missing the point... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    but you're blaming Microsoft for adware downloading the installs and running it? What if it were downloading Java and running that? I know it's cool to post an anti-MS article and get it posted, but the problem is the adware ... and probably the user ... not Microsoft.

    1. Re:...maybe i'm missing the point... by detlev409 · · Score: 1

      I think maybe you are. The point isn't that the .Net install is so large. The point is that a malware coder has the gall to sneak 100mb onto your pc. Think of the repercussions to those of us on DialUp. Especially those who would never really understand why everything on their computer just slowed to a crawl.

      --
      Howdy.
  81. HaHaHa... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I wonder what it'll do on my Linux box? Install Mono? :) Or wander around like PMS meds in a man's body wondering where the hell to go!

  82. At least the next version... by mousse-man · · Score: 2, Funny

    ...of this malware will be much smaller as it doesn't have to download the whole .NET package and the Servicepack ontop of it.

  83. MS will make you install it anyway. by Ilgaz · · Score: 0

    I am not developer or something but I can easily guess in next top rated MSFT download, you will also install .Net framework by your will.

    E.g. directx team will find a excuse to dynamically link it to .NET framework in next version or maybe MS or one of their puppets will find very evil bug affecting every IE can be only fixed with XML x.x which needs .net to work. Etc. etc.

    While predicting. After a certain point, like 100m downloads, one of minor releases of .net will have a bug affecting Sun Java causing crashes on system. MS will wait 3 months to fix it until everyone un install Java to play their favorite game which needs .net too. I bet that game will be launched by EA, not Blizzard.

  84. Re:Are we sure... (completely offtopic) by madmancarman · · Score: 1
    There are other ways to find stuff on the net. This is a perfect example of where a directory, such as DMOZ or Yahoo, is going to get you better results than a search engine.

    Yahoo is a directory? I thought all they provided was email, news, Java games and unreliable stock market messageboards.

    I'm being sarcastic of course, but comparing today's Yahoo to the one that was hosted at akebono.stanford.edu 10 years ago, it's very difficult to see its directory roots these days.

    --
    First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win. -- Gandhi
  85. Grouper by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Reminds me of sorry little bugger called Grouper,
    which boldly claims on its website -

    Download size is 2.0 MB.

    but then it downloads .Net framework, weaves it
    into the system, upgrades windows media player
    to that DRM'ed version and does god knows what
    else just to get itself comfortable on my machine.

    Then when it can finally run it refuses to do so unless
    I feed a valid email address to it. That was just plain
    ridiculous; had to rebuild the machine afterwards.

  86. Symbiotic viruses by goombah99 · · Score: 5, Insightful
    The course of virulent biological viruses tends to be the early ones are bad and tend to kill their hosts quickly. Over time they adapt to become less deadly to the host. A good example of the is the Bubonic Plague which is believes to have mellowed itself since the black plague. Stealthy viruses like AIDS are a good example of why longevity of the host helps in some modes of transmission.

    Infact some models have shown its even in a species interest to play host to a disease causing entity that is more lethal to a competitor or predator. E.g. mice that carry diseases fatal to predetors.

    In rare cases tolerance gives way ot full symbiosis where each helps the other. Perhaps a bacteria that helps deal with some more dread disease or an enteric digestive aid. Something that fixes nitrogen in your roots.

    So anyhow maybe the course of virsuses are indeed ones that tune up your system, protect you from other viruses and make sure your computer is working optimally. Perhaps they will get out of your way when you are actually using it and just steal cylces and bandwidth when you wont miss it.

    In that case 24 hour tech support is indeed on the way.

    --
    Some drink at the fountain of knowledge. Others just gargle.
    1. Re:Symbiotic viruses by BlueFashoo · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Don't forget the endosymbiotic bacteria. How amazing is it that we have the descendents of some proteobacteria (mitochondira) living within our cells. They're built just like a eubacteria, have their own DNA, and 16s RNA analysis places them very close to a similar free living bactera. The same can be said about the chloroplasts in plants, except they are similar to the oxygenic photoautotrophic cyanobacteria. A few simple eukaryotic organisms do exist without mitochondria, but the vast of eukaryotic organsisms do have them. We don't merely share a common ancestor with microbial life, we are dependant upon them for our very existence.

      --
      Nice Marmot
    2. Re:Symbiotic viruses by BrokenHalo · · Score: 3, Informative

      Your point is accurate, but I'm afraid your first example is less so: bubonic plague is not a virus, it is (believed to be) a bacteriological infection of Yersinia pestis.

    3. Re:Symbiotic viruses by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I think your confusing a virus with bacteria. Virri are just dead material that illicit an immune response, but they do not in any way benefit or worsen from their host. Bacteria on the other hand can have a symbiotic relationship with its host.

    4. Re:Symbiotic viruses by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      well yes. I was speaking broadly about host/pathogen. The term virus was just slang in this case to refer to this broad class, much as computer virus often refers to worms and trojans.

    5. Re:Symbiotic viruses by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'll copy your email explanation to the next lame bank or corporation that has 3 days down time due to the latest pc virus that made it past the scanners...

      To this day some companies do not protect every PC they have, and end up with down time or worse, infecting there (former) customers via email...

      Lack of 'viral support' has always been one of the best features of the Macintosh, and now with a mac mini costing about $600 - it's even a better time to give macs a try...

      I'm suprised SCO hasn't attacked Apple yet.
      'That thar be Unix code in dat littl' Box!'

    6. Re:Symbiotic viruses by marcosdumay · · Score: 1

      That comparation is a bit flawed. This is because biological parasites wand to reproduce themselves, while man written computer viruses "want" to give the authors some benefit.
      Yes, the viroses may became less detectable each time, but they won't evolve into a symbiosis. That is not the intent of the authors.

    7. Re:Symbiotic viruses by famebait · · Score: 1

      A good example of the is the Bubonic Plague which is believes to have mellowed itself since the black plague.

      No, that's a bad example because the bubonic plague is now incerasingly believed to have had nothing to do with the Black Death.

      But your overall point about virulence is valid.

      Not that it actually helps a lot: millions dead quickly before this occurs, or over "mellowed oyt" pathogens causing the same or greater amounts of death and suffering only slower and at a more sustainable rate are still pretty "bad" in my book.

      It's not like we should stop fighting virulent deiseases thinking it will take care of itself and might even be a good thing.

      --
      sudo ergo sum
    8. Re:Symbiotic viruses by karmatic · · Score: 1

      Suppose there were a piece of spyware that tweaked some settings, removed most other malware, and generally speaking, left your computer in better condition than when it was infected. It also sent a log of everything you did and spammed as soon as you weren't using it.

      It would be less likely to be detected, and less likely to be removed. People wouldn't complain to their friends/kids/whoever that their computers were being so slow, and wouldn't be told that they probably had spyware. It would still serve the author's purpose, it would just be nicer about it. Heck, some people might not even have a problem with it.

    9. Re:Symbiotic viruses by pben · · Score: 1

      The problem with your analogy is that a parasite does not have intelligence. It is a blind random process. If the parasite fails and the host dies it dies too.

      In a world of people who crash airplanes into buildings can you say that nobody would see a reason to destroy the host? Can you say for sure that there are no time bombs in the planted parasites? Sometimes intelligent people are evil.

  87. This just in! by beerman2k · · Score: 2

    FYI: 100 MB is not "HUGE". It's less then 1/2000th of the last HD I bought. What are you, living in 1999?

    1. Re:This just in! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This also just in:

      The size of "useful" data, such as information in the form of ASCII text, does not grow at the same rate as hard drive capacity.

      100 meg is bloat in any year. We don't buy bigger hard drives because information is expanding. We buy bigger hard drives to have MORE information.

      Although on that note, isn't it funny, we all rushed to embrace the mp3 format because it compressed CD quality to "good enough" with a 12:1 ratio, then every twat had to bitch and moan and plead audiophile, and encode with a 4:1 ratio instead. Talk about missing the point.

    2. Re:This just in! by gibson_81 · · Score: 1

      FYI: 100 MB is not "HUGE". It's less then 1/2000th of the last HD I bought. What are you, living in 1999?

      Well, I don't think he meant it was large sitting on his HD, but rather large being downloaded. I have a 10Mbit line, so I would download it in ~80 seconds (assuming max speed), but for someone with a 256Kbit ADSL it would be almost an hour (3200 seconds, again assuming max speed, so in reality probably over an hour).

    3. Re:This just in! by fireheadca · · Score: 1

      FYI: 100 MB is not "HUGE". It's less then 1/2000th of the last HD I bought. What are you, living in 1999?

      Yes. My name is Fred Durst.
    4. Re:This just in! by the+pickle · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Tell that to the poor shlubs who try to use their dialup connections whilst they're unknowingly downloading this in the background.

      p

    5. Re:This just in! by dpete4552 · · Score: 1

      Relative to hard drive space it wouldn't normally be considered huge. Relative to bandwidth, especially with multiple PCs downloading it across a network, this can indeed be "huge".

      --
      http://www.archive.org/details/ThePowerOfNightmares
    6. Re:This just in! by detlev409 · · Score: 1
      For something I didn't ask for? That's fucking gigantic.

      I love it when I get confronted with so much superiority it drips off...glad you have the money to buy new toys, but maybe (and I'm just postulating here) 100 mb still means something to the loads and loads of people out there who don't have money to burn.

      Dickhead.

      --
      Howdy.
    7. Re:This just in! by beerman2k · · Score: 1

      Let's average price of storage 1 GB ~ $1. So an extra 100 MB... Let's see that's some complicated math there so let's work it out 1 GB = 1000 MB and 100 MB is 1/10 of 1000 MB so 1/10 of $1 is... 10 cents! Okay, you don't have 10 cents? Why don't you send me your address and i'll mail you a dime...

    8. Re:This just in! by detlev409 · · Score: 1

      Wow, you should teach government accounting. Your math is simultaneously ridiculous, unrealistic, and useless, and yet you're presumably able to give such numbers with a straight face.

      Listen, in the real world, additional data isn't sold by the Gb. It's sold in preset sizes that have preset prices. Those prices are significantly higher than 10c, and you damn well know that, so stop playing the smartass.

      Regardless, you're deliberately ignoring the point. My space is my space, and the .Net install package is far too large a file for any program to be downloading without my express permission. Feel free to respond when you're not being deliberately obtuse.

      --
      Howdy.
    9. Re:This just in! by beerman2k · · Score: 1

      Okay, if that doesn't work for you, how about i send you one of half dozen of 100/200/500/1000 MB hard drives lying around my apartment. You can put your .NET framework on its own drive! How convenient!

    10. Re:This just in! by detlev409 · · Score: 1

      Wait, I'm not properly dressed for this...let me go find my Oliver Twist rags... Thanks for the charity, Mr. Samaritan, but I'm ok. Now, as edifying and rewarding as this thread has been, I'm off to do something more productive. Like stare at my toes.

      --
      Howdy.
  88. Re:Are we sure... (even more outrageously off top) by usurper_ii · · Score: 1

    That's pretty funny. A friend once told me a funny one that happened to her.

    With the whole family sitting around the computer, including her visiting mother, they decided to try and look up some swing sets...So she typed in "swinging."

    True story :)

  89. Larger than Java? by SumDog · · Score: 1

    Wow...depending on the .NET install, that can be larger than the Java Runtime. I like some of the .NET features better. C#'s overloaded operators are cool, but other than that, the .NET framework really sucks.

    The graphical components pale in comparison to Java's Swing toolkit. Last I checked, .NET didn't even have a multicolumned list!

    However, you do have to give it to Microsoft. The .NET framework i designed to be used by two programming languages, C# and VB (and I think some people have made python compilers too). And you can access either language though the shitty ASP layer for web sites/services.

    I think I'll stick to good ole mono.NET on Linux. Hmm, I wonder if I can install some of that spyware onto my Gentoo system :-P

    -Sumit

    1. Re:Larger than Java? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The graphical components pale in comparison to Java's Swing toolkit. Last I checked, .NET didn't even have a multicolumned list!

      Its called ListView smart guy.

    2. Re:Larger than Java? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      The graphical components pale in comparison to Java's Swing toolkit.

      Ummm what planet are you from? Swing flat out sucks because you end up with hideous user interfaces that do not look like the underlying platform. Granted, this isn't a problem for the Linux people because they simply do not expect good UIs.

      Last I checked, .NET didn't even have a multicolumned list!

      You must have been looking at a very early beta. System.Windows.Forms.ListView has been around since the first beta that I've used in 2001.

    3. Re:Larger than Java? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ./ Karma Whore Scorer 2.3
      Analyzing post....
      Found: Baseless negative "facts" about MS = +1.2
      Found: Praising Java = +0.5
      Found: Praising Swing = -2.4
      Found: Mentioning Mono = +0.8
      Found: Mentioning Gentoo = +3.2
      Found: Stupid Emoticons = -0.3
      Checking....
      "Talking out of my ass factor" = 1.64

      Final Score == 3.608
      Congratulations, you're a Karma Whore!

    4. Re:Larger than Java? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Fuck karma, that's the funniest thing I've read today.

  90. Still complaints about Java JRE size? by nurrud · · Score: 1

    A complaint I often heard is that client-side Java required too large a download. Even the latest bloatware JRE 1.5 is 15 MB. Sounds to me like .NET with it's automatic download of 65 MB is one more way Microsoft is abusing its OS monopoly.

    1. Re:Still complaints about Java JRE size? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "Sounds to me like .NET with it's automatic download of 65 MB is one more way Microsoft is abusing its OS monopoly."

      "It's" means "it is".

      You meant "its".

    2. Re:Still complaints about Java JRE size? by Valafar · · Score: 3, Informative

      I'm guessing that you didn't read the article or are unfamiliar with .NET. The .NET Framework is a 23 meg download, not 65. The article states that the TOTAL download of the framework + malware + spyware was 65 megs.

      Your point does remain that the JRE is smaller than the .Net Framework, however.

  91. Lol by carl0ski · · Score: 2, Informative

    This isn't .net's fault or Microsoft sadly. It is plain the fact Adware writers have upgraded to VB .Net to write their software. It is definetly the first case of it downloading 3rd party requirements to run the malware. (3rd party = microsoft)

  92. Games are 600 MB already; what's another 10 MB? by tepples · · Score: 1

    How is this any different to games needing to distribute the latest version of DirectX

    Given games that are CD-sized, an extra 10 MB isn't going to hurt. Smaller games, where the size of DirectX poses a problem, are usually compatible with DirectX from a few versions back (possibly 7.x), which is already deployed.

  93. Overloading of ".NET language" by tepples · · Score: 1

    Well, then 9 out of 10 malware authors don't know what the hell they are doing since .NET *IS NOT* a language.

    The three programming languages associated with the .NET framework, namely C#, Managed C++, and VB.NET, are semantically equivalent. Therefore, ".NET language" can be overloaded to refer to any language that compiles to MSIL.

    1. Re:Overloading of ".NET language" by fzammett · · Score: 1

      Eh, I think your stretching the definitions a bit here, but what you say *IS* of course technically correct. :)

      --
      If a pion (n-) collides with a proton in the woods & noone is there to hear it, does lamdba decay into the source pa
  94. Do you mean 160 megabytes or kilobytes??? by marat · · Score: 1

    I cannot believe one have to insert more than hundred high-density floppies just to run the text-based browser. This Microsoft's super environment of the future called .Net only weights 65 Mb, so it's said in the article.

    1. Re:Do you mean 160 megabytes or kilobytes??? by kesuki · · Score: 1

      That's only to compile the binary, to run the win 32 binary if you download the dlls and the exes alone it's like 6 MB to run a text based browser on win32. i was too lazy to find a site that had pre-compiled lynx win32

  95. Re:Are we sure... (completely offtopic) by shird · · Score: 1

    Its also a major pain when programming COM stuff (component object model). The "COM" is always dropped (anything.COM), making your most important keyword completely ignored in the search. You always have to hit and miss with other words like IUnknown and hope the poster or web page has used it.

    --
    I.O.U One Sig.
  96. Re:Are we sure... (completely offtopic) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Yes, it is oh so very hard to search for "microsoft word".

  97. .net by suezz · · Score: 1

    microsoft can take .net and shove it back down their throats it is about as innovative as a fucking stone - sorry if I offended any stones.

  98. Here's the company's tech support. by boarder8925 · · Score: 1
    I wonder if it comes with 24-hour tech support?
    CALLER: I've got a problem with weretrackingyou.exe.
    SUPPORT: What's the problem, sir?
    CALLER: It keeps crashing my computer!
    SUPPORT: Oh, I can help you, sir. The fix is quite simple. Just give me all of the following:
    • Your credit card information
    • Your phone numbers--home, work, and cell
    • Your home address
    • Your email address
    • Six of your friends' email addresses
    • Your social security number
    • A DNA sample
    SUPPORT: Also, I'll need to to download, print, sign, and mail in a waiver. Once signed, we'll be allowed to track your every move.
  99. Re:Are we sure... (completely offtopic) by WalterGR · · Score: 2, Informative

    For those of us that occasionally program in C# with .NET this is a bigger pain that you know. The two most descriptive keywords of the programming environment really are meaningless nothing-words in the Web's (normally) best search engine.

    Hmmm... have you tried searching Google for C# lately? ".net" and "net" do indeed return the same results, but the results for "C#" and "C" are very, very different.

    Google search for C#
    Google search for C

  100. Re:Are we sure... (even more outrageously off top) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    WARNING: DO NOT SEARCH "hard core latex bondage" IN GOOGLE AND THEN SELECT THE "IMAGES" TAB. IT'S NOT WORK-SAFE!

    Not that I still got my job now, thank you very much.

  101. Re:Are we sure... (even more outrageously off top) by Tsian · · Score: 1

    That joke sounds rather familiar to the Three Dead Trolls bit about setting up a computer at the parents house.

  102. How is this happening? by katorga · · Score: 1

    Thats odd, my XPSP2 laptop can be directly connected to the internet for weeks and used for general purpose surfing, and nada gets on my machine.

    Some holes are closed by SP2 others by some settings gleaned from SANS, NIST, and NSA security whitepapers. Topped off with some decent anti spyware, anti virus and IPS/IDS software. Wisely choosing what emails NOT to open (of the spam that actually gets thru the several layers of spam control in place). That's all, and I don't see anything like the problems the media reports about XP.

    Granted, the whole world will have to move to multicore processors or cell processors just to have enough power to run all of this protection while still having a responsive system, lol.

    1. Re:How is this happening? by DianeOfTheMoon · · Score: 1

      You know, that is exactly what I love about Linux...I don't have to deal with all of that. I install my machine without any open ports but ssh, and I'm done. A good password and background auto-updating is all that I've needed so far to keep me virus, malware, and Microsoft free.

      --
      Problems are like gifts, it's better to give than to receive
    2. Re:How is this happening? by smash · · Score: 2, Insightful
      Seems like an awful lot of work to stay secure.

      I thought windows was supposed to be LOWER TCO?

      :D

      smash.

      --
      I run: Windows, OS X, Linux, FreeBSD. Just because you have a hammer, doesn't mean everything is a nail.
    3. Re:How is this happening? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That what I love about my dos machine, impossible to hack over the network.

  103. Re:Are we sure... (even more outrageously off top) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    yah... it goes something like
    "I wanna how well latex bonds, so I wanna do a search on, oh I don't know, 'latex bonding'."

  104. Trojans don't scare me by freeweed · · Score: 1

    Trojans are trivially easy to avoid. Worms aren't.

    The truth is, there are two reasons there's not much malware for non-Windows systems. One is because of market share, and the other is because the users of minority operating systems tend to be a little more technically savvy than the soccer moms and nascar dads that make up the Windows world.

    Except for the third, and biggest reason: insecure applications/network stacks/operating systems.

    Believe me, people have tried, and tried hard, to write something like Blaster for Linux. Slammer for (insert OSS SQL server here). Code Red for Apache. There's more than enough market share (and certainly for Apache!), and these days, plenty of less savvy users setting these things up. In fact, people try far harder, because quite simply an owned *nix box is far more useful than a Windows zombie (much easier to keep out further crackers :).

    Fact is, until XP SP2, every network-capable version of Windows was just asking to be cracked, out of the box. Unintended services needlessly listening on well-known ports (note this pretty much guarantees they'll never be updated/monitored) == Warhol worms waiting to happen. What's more fun, is that some of these services are almost impossible to turn off (just try removing the C$ or IPC$ share in Windows, for a start).

    It's been a few years for me since a default Linux install had ANYTHING listening.

    That, by default, makes it a far more secure environment.

    --
    Endless arguments over trivial contradictions in books written by ignorant savages to explain thunder in the dark.
    1. Re:Trojans don't scare me by 808140 · · Score: 1

      I agree completely. You'll notice I didn't say that Windows was more secure than Linux. All I said is that Trojans (which is what we're talking about here, that's what spyware is, generally, stuff users install on their own computers) are a social engineering thing, not a technical security thing. So no matter how much more technically secure OS A is to OS B, a stupid user makes trojans equally likely on both.

      And when it comes to stupid users, I'm sure you'll agree that MS has something of a monopoly.

      With popularity comes idiots, it's the way of the world (look at Slashdot). It'll be true of GNU/Linux, too, if it ever hits that critical mass.

      I think it's important to seperate the two arguments here: a) the reason Windows has worms and viruses is because it's more popular and b) the reason Windows has more malware is because it's more popular.

      a) is patently false, but b) is probably true.

      At least, that's how I see it.

  105. Re:Are we sure... (completely offtopic) by AaronLawrence · · Score: 1

    Just put + in front of it, and Google WILL search for COM.

    --
    For every expert, there is an equal and opposite expert. - Arthur C. Clarke
  106. This just in! by Manchot · · Score: 1

    FYI: 100 MB is more than 100,000,000 ASCII characters. That's a lot of books, IMO.

  107. Re:Are we sure... (completely offtopic) by Deviate_X · · Score: 1

    I searched on 'c#' google, and i searched on '.net' in. Both came up with the relavent pages.

    I believe you are being facetious at best, at worse indirectly casting dispersions on the capabilities of google.

  108. Re:Are we sure... (completely offtopic) by Eskarel · · Score: 1

    They've fixed most of the google problems, but it did used to suck as badly as the user described.

  109. Re:Are we sure... (completely offtopic) by shird · · Score: 1

    yeah, and find every site known to man ending in .com. Try searching for +COM Programming, and get every programming site ending in .com. Its pretty useless.

    --
    I.O.U One Sig.
  110. Re:Are we sure... (completely offtopic) by AndroidCat · · Score: 2, Funny

    So MS now has COM and NET covered. I wonder when Microsoft ORG is due?

    --
    One line blog. I hear that they're called Twitters now.
  111. Another Really good Reason For Linux by midnight2038 · · Score: 1

    While your cleaning your machines I'll stack the required amount of ZZ.

  112. Re:Are we sure... (completely offtopic) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    well COM is not really a Microsoft technology. Though they are the only ones that implement it successfully to the detriment of Linux.

  113. SpyWare.NET? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    1 Point out that spyware is getting worse


    + 2 Show that the .net framework is huge


    -----


    = 3 Huge .NET Framework is Spyware getting Worse


  114. Re:Are we sure... (completely offtopic) by AndroidCat · · Score: 1

    Microsoft Windows, Word, Access, Agent .. Once they get their hands on a word or TLA, they never give it back.

    --
    One line blog. I hear that they're called Twitters now.
  115. Re:Are we sure... (completely offtopic) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Actually "com programming" isnt a agood example, as it is often found as a complete sentence like that. Try searching for "programming in COM" instead. Unless you know the complete sentence, it is quite difficult to work "COM" in there and get useful results.

  116. MOD PARENT UP, GP DOWN! by WoTG · · Score: 1

    You need admin rights to install software. Windows has issues, as does Linux, but this isn't one of them.

  117. /. FUD again --- damn by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    /. encourages software freedom and that freedom includes everyone's right to produce new software, even if it is developed after the OS ships to users.

    Thus requiring a download or insertion of a cd-rom.

  118. Re:Are we sure... (even more outrageously off top) by theapodan · · Score: 1

    That's nothing, I was searching for "hats" the other day on google (I want to buy a hat) and the 6th link that comes up is something called "Fat Chicks in Party Hats."

    Most distressing.

  119. Re:Are we sure... (completely offtopic) by koreaman · · Score: 1

    Your rant makes sense until one realizes the deliciously subtle yet hilarious flaw in your reason ing, the fact that if you search for "Word" on Google you get a link to Microsoft Word. So you were trying to be sarcastic when you said it was "Great for searching" when in reality it actually is.

  120. Re:Are we sure... (even more outrageously off top) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Well, a few years back I went looking for the Disney movie "The Black Hole" with Kazaa Lite.

    Only at the exact moment I hit enter I realised the futility of what I was doing...so I went and hunted out a DVD copy of it instead. But man, it returned a lot of hits.

    Incidentally, has anyone seen any 3d meshes of the USS Cygnus on the net? That ship kicks serious visual ass.

  121. You kids these days! by Thud457 · · Score: 1

    I remember when virus writers avoided writing bloated code and used assembly language! You lazy kids these days have no consideration for the customer!

    --

    the preceding comment is my own and in no way reflects the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

  122. They're Lazy by spdt · · Score: 1

    .NET languages are just simpler to deal with, at the cost of needing a whole 'nother abstraction layer.

  123. Play "find the grammar misteaks"! by Thud457 · · Score: 1

    I thought a kife was what you stabbed a spelling NAZI with!

    --

    the preceding comment is my own and in no way reflects the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

  124. Mod parent down... -1: Incorrect by saskboy · · Score: 1

    Once you have it installed, it requires two patches in Windows update.

    --
    Saskboy's blog is good. 9 out of 10 dentists agree.
  125. Re:Next feature from Microsoft...for patriots. by fvdham · · Score: 1

    > quick blind-install,

    He it worked for the PATRIOT act.

  126. .Net by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I just downloaded the newest Java JRE. After installing, 135 MB.

    So, once again the sad little people of Slashdot are writing total crap because of their lack of knowledge.

    sigh.

  127. dotnetfx by Barny · · Score: 1

    Been haveing to have this on our companies pre-install for windows, as the latest ATI drivers interface is all C# based, and of course, we install latest drivers for customers as a matter of course :)

    --
    ...
    /me sighs
  128. apples and oranges by idlake · · Score: 1

    You are comparing apples and oranges. The .NET download includes the GUI libraries, lots of other libraries, the compiler, the linker, and tons of other tools (same incidentally for Java). The equivalent collection of libraries and tools for C/C++ is much bigger. Look around in /lib and /usr/lib and start adding things up.

    In general, C/C++ libraries and tools tend to be much more bloated than .NET or Java libraries and tools: the byte code representation, reflection, and single runtime approach of .NET or Java actually give those languages an advantage when it comes to library and code size.

    As for the "runtimes", 350k is quite a heavy-weight runtime, actually. Fortunately, all of these languages (C#, Java, C, C++) can be implemented with much smaller runtimes.

  129. crack alert by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    and your smoking crack, you act like linux is invulnerable to adware...

  130. Wrong, but it's the same... by mbaciarello · · Score: 1

    How many of the adware's intended targets would be in an AD domain? Anyways, parent's wrong, but let's not forget the average Windows user runs as admin by default...

    In any case, the net effect is the same.

  131. Re:Are we sure... (completely offtopic) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    great comment. +1fp

  132. Hello - .NET IS NEEDED by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "WTF? RSS != .net
    I've heard some frelling stupid things in my life but saying to use RSS, an open standard you have to use .net, a closed standard is an abomination. You sir, get the cyber cake or better yet a bit pie right in the kisser."

    Maybe you are a moron, or one of Jerry's kids - or, more likely - 15 years old.

    From www.rssreader.com:

    "Step 1:
    If you have never run RssReader before, not running Windows 2003 or the latest Windows XP version and never installed the free Microsoft .NET framework (What is Microsoft .NET framework?) you first need to download and install it.
    The easiest way is to run Windows update or otherwise visit Microsoft How to Get the .NET Framework 1.1. "

    From SharpReader.Net:

    "Prior to running SharpReader, you will need to install the .NET Framework, version 1.1. If you do not currently have the .NET Framework installed, you can get it at windowsupdate, or here."

    From www.usablelabs.com

    "BlogExpress requires Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 Runtime. The Runtime is bundled with most new computers running Microsoft Windows XP. However, if the Runtime is not available in your computer, you can download it from Microsoft Web site:"

    I can post 100 more sites, if you like, but maybe after the third time it'll begin to register to you're sophomoric, incongruous, insipiant MIND:

    THE .NET FRAMEWORK IS A NECESSARY DOWNLOAD FOR USE OF RSS.

    So when you're done reading all of that, and researching why you're an ignorant fool, you can go to www.blowmyself.com and have a gay ol' time.

  133. What's a megabyte or hundred these days? by thomthom · · Score: 1

    Unless you don't have a broadband...

  134. Sad. by jellomizer · · Score: 1

    It is sad that Malware has better dependancy management then Most Linux Distros.

    --
    If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
  135. I knew it! by dreamchaser · · Score: 1

    .NET is a virus!!!

  136. I think the point is... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    the point is *not* that you're downloading 19MB, or 23MB, or 63MB, or whatever.. its that its downloading it *without* asking you. I'm lucky enough to have DSL (1.5mbit down) with no cap on my monthy bandwidth, but I could see the poor guy on 56K dialup not being overly happy with this...

    I have no problem with something popping up on my computer and saying "oh, to do 'X' you need the .NET framework, its 23MB, ok for me to download it?" Sure, either I say 'yes' (not likely) or 'no'. But to do it without even asking me? That pisses me off, regardless of the fact that I have 70GB of disk on my machine.

  137. Got Mono? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "The shit thing is i DONT want to use microsoft technology, although i want to be a programmer or programming mathematician, whichever is the correct terminology. Still, i'm forced to use it. I really hope in the next years they offer alternatives to using .NET."

    Mono-.NET.

    1. Re:Got Mono? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I ment the design.

  138. Analogies-A "Hole" 'nother affair. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "This is like a fat dude with a bucher's kife sneaking up on a sheep from the front. And hoping the sheep won't notice."

    I'm certain the sheep would notice the fat guy sneaking up from the rear.

  139. How did the spyware get there without .net ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    How did the spyware get installed without .net being there in the first place.

    A catch 22.

    1. Re:How did the spyware get there without .net ? by koreaman · · Score: 1

      They probably have a very simple native program that doesn't require .net, which then downloads it if not available. Once it is available, it runs the real program.

  140. Maybe it'll work for me by Aidtopia · · Score: 1

    I've been trying to install the .NET framework on my PCs for months so I can use this cool Logitech io gizmo whose driver and supporting software require the framework. Unfortunately, the official .NET installation package silently fails on my stock Windows boxen, so I've never been able to use it.

    If this malware could successfully install it, I'd be golden!

  141. Re:Are we sure... (completely offtopic) by SvendTofte · · Score: 1

    You actually search for ".NET" ? My searches are always tagged with parameters (the code snippet you want, the problem you're trying to solve). Write those first, and then add C# or .NET, it always works.

  142. Nice save. by ta+bu+shi+da+yu · · Score: 0

    Love your work.

    --
    XML is like violence. If it doesn't solve the problem, use more.
  143. Re:Are we sure... (completely offtopic) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    try quotes:
    "c#"
    ".net" or ".+net"
    asp -inurl:asp

  144. Re:Are we sure... (completely offtopic) by hesiod · · Score: 1

    > asp -inurl:asp

    Then you'd miss the obvious sites like "aspcode.org," "aspobjects.com," or whatever, wouldn't you?

  145. Re:Mod parent down... -1: Can't read by hesiod · · Score: 1

    Please quote me the portion of his post that claimed there were no patches necessary after installing the Framework.

    He said the framework ITSELF was not a critical update. He is correct.

  146. Re:Are we sure... (completely offtopic) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    asp -inurl:asp +asp

    Works, though I can't comment how well.
    Which is why google should implement real unix regular
    expressions in their search.
    Maybe it's too much cpu required? I know
    every geek wants regexp.

  147. The Black Death was not bubonic plague? by WmHBlair · · Score: 1
    No, that's a bad example because the bubonic plague is now incerasingly (stet) believed to have had nothing to do with the Black Death.

    Nothing to do with it? That's not exactly correct. It had quite a lot to do with it. But perhaps you were trying to make this point instead? The key paragraph there reads:
    • What happened is that during the summer of 1347 the world was ravaged by the bubonic plague. This was indeed passed by rat fleas. However, during the winter, the bubonic plague developed into pneumonic plague. This is when the pestis bacterium becomes localised in a person's lungs. The victim of pneumonic plague will begin to cough up blood. The plague will now spread directly from human to human by 'droplet' infection. This is the deadliest bacterial disease known to humankind and virtually everyone who catches the disease will be dead in four days. Most people died during the Black Death of pneumonic plague, not bubonic plague. Pneumonic plague has nothing to do with rats and that is why they were not in evidence during this outbreak.


    Do you have any sources for your assertion?