In any case, if your computer runs this executable, the computer in infected and it's game over.
As long as the thing isn't granted admin access, I don't think it's much of a threat (based on the article's description of the worm). It may still try to spread, but the clean up would be relatively easy.
That's a plus for Excel then. I'd rather a program crash and get it over with than to spend three minutes crashing. Or, where you referring to the frequency of crashing?:)
Thought that the Presidential Seal was also in the public domain.
IANAL. In terms of intellectual property, the seals are public domain. All that means is that copyright and trademark laws don't apply; however, there is a specific law that protects the seals. Just because IP laws don't apply to your fist, that doesn't mean you can punch someone.
Granted, if the firm discovered that 80% of the R&D staff isn't actually doing anything outside of playing QuakeIII or something, then yeah, they should be cut, a little...
If you can get a mike that close to a keyboard to listen to the keystrokes, then you can probably place a micro camera and get the same results.
A mic that close is not needed. If you have a window in the room, typing sounds will vibrate the window. Those vibrations can be detected and interpreted using a laser.
...if you think of every user having their very own dedicated server
With today's operating systems' accounts, security, and services, I already think of every user having their very own dedicated server. Sure, desktops aren't as reliable, but what malware writer cares about the uptime of a desktop?
Sites can use IE to install software on your computer, without your knowledge, even with all the preventative measures you mentioned.
The first, absolute preventative measure one must take is to not grant administrative access to web and exploit authors. Granting them admin access allows them to install software and disable what is commonly referred to as "preventative measures", namely anti-virus and anti-spyware applications.
These applications are often used as a first line of defense, but in reality they are the last. Malware must get by the OS security first, which is easy to do when you grant everything admin access.
IMO, it's time to stop putting all blame on the bad people on the Internet. I also blame technical support people who don't try to understand how to run a computer with user rights, and I blame Microsoft for not encouraging or requiring better default security. People have a tendency to accept whatever is given to them without question, and Microsoft gives them admin access by default.
Why would anyone rely on a security product of any kind owned by the same people as the OS?
I think it's more to the point that security products shouldn't be trusted from companies who try to make alliances within the computer industry. Security products should protect the user, not contractual obligations.
Who would you trust more: a freelance movie critic or a movie critic hired by a movie studio?
The other 5% is when the opposite happens. The user doesn't understand that you need to know EXACTLY what s/he is seeing. Having exact phrases of the error messages gives the tech something to search for on knowledgebases.
User: An error just popped up. Tech: What does it say? User: Something about a file not found. Tech: What does it say exactly? User: [paraphrases error] Tech: What does it say EXACTLY?
I haven't seen anyone mention their own security level on their computers: admin, user, or in-between. Running a program with admin access gives the authors of that program admin access to your computer. I run as user, not to limit myself but to limit authors (both their intentions and their mistakes).
The trend to have programs auto-update themselves increases the concern. Sure, I trust the program now, but will I tomorrow? How do I know that the program's company keeps their employees happy?
Other security measures at the desktop, such as firewalls, anti-virus, and anti-spyware, are only reliable if they are protected from anything the user can run. Any new malware run as admin can disable all that or (worse) fake your security measures' effectiveness.
It is still possible to call to those countries with the operator assistance.
Operator: How may I direct your call?
Customer: Squeeechhllcshhsh
Operator: You want to be connected to Guinea-Bissau?
Customer: Squeeeeelch
Operator: One moment while I connect you.
I agree. You don't need the DMCA for this. Copyright laws have been around since... well... copyrights.
I also agree with another poster. Buy the CD for the reasons stated. Additionally, leave your cease-and-desist note as negative feedback. It's cheap, and it will let future buyers know what's going on.
I have LaserJet IIs and IIIs still running at work. Their firmware is dated around 1990. Meanwhile, my fastest growing pile of printers are all relatively new ones.
I had the opportunity to confront an HP rep about my pile. He suggested I buy their workgroup-type printers (which are twice as expensive as their personal lasers). I went off on him about why should I give him even more money to get a decent printer. He really didn't have an answer.
I would also take every version of Windows, but for a different reason. If I am working on a machine that I don't manage, chances are the user has messed up so many things in Windows that I would be better off just starting from scratch.
Someone where I work stores all her data onto floppy disks. Backing up her data is important to her, so she backs up her data to her hard drive. It's more like she's editing the backups and restoring her data periodically.
Hey, women can play Solitaire just as well as a man:
s/man-(\w*)/person-$1/gi;
[Personhole] is not an acceptable de-sexed word.
* Shirley Dean, explaining why the wording in a sewer equipment request was changed back to manhole cover
Slashdot Mirror
I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates, who said, "I drank what?"
Nice adaptation. Just how much awesomer would robot ninjas or ninja robots be!?
In any case, if your computer runs this executable, the computer in infected and it's game over.
As long as the thing isn't granted admin access, I don't think it's much of a threat (based on the article's description of the worm). It may still try to spread, but the clean up would be relatively easy.
That's a plus for Excel then. I'd rather a program crash and get it over with than to spend three minutes crashing. Or, where you referring to the frequency of crashing? :)
Thought that the Presidential Seal was also in the public domain.
IANAL. In terms of intellectual property, the seals are public domain. All that means is that copyright and trademark laws don't apply; however, there is a specific law that protects the seals. Just because IP laws don't apply to your fist, that doesn't mean you can punch someone.
It took me fifteen years to discover that I had no talent for writing,
but I couldn't give up because by that time I was too famous.
-- Robert Benchly
Granted, if the firm discovered that 80% of the R&D staff isn't actually doing anything outside of playing QuakeIII or something, then yeah, they should be cut, a little...
I agree. Quake 3 sucks.
If you can get a mike that close to a keyboard to listen to the keystrokes, then you can probably place a micro camera and get the same results.
A mic that close is not needed. If you have a window in the room, typing sounds will vibrate the window. Those vibrations can be detected and interpreted using a laser.
Interesting, but I don't believe one is bound by the EULA before agreeing to the EULA, which typically happens at install-time.*
* Actually, I tested the download and install. I didn't have to agree to any EULA when downloading or installing the Flash player.
So, I'm confused now. Parties of a contract still have to agree on the contract, right?
With today's operating systems' accounts, security, and services, I already think of every user having their very own dedicated server. Sure, desktops aren't as reliable, but what malware writer cares about the uptime of a desktop?
Sites can use IE to install software on your computer, without your knowledge, even with all the preventative measures you mentioned.
The first, absolute preventative measure one must take is to not grant administrative access to web and exploit authors. Granting them admin access allows them to install software and disable what is commonly referred to as "preventative measures", namely anti-virus and anti-spyware applications.
These applications are often used as a first line of defense, but in reality they are the last. Malware must get by the OS security first, which is easy to do when you grant everything admin access.
IMO, it's time to stop putting all blame on the bad people on the Internet. I also blame technical support people who don't try to understand how to run a computer with user rights, and I blame Microsoft for not encouraging or requiring better default security. People have a tendency to accept whatever is given to them without question, and Microsoft gives them admin access by default.
Why would anyone rely on a security product of any kind owned by the same people as the OS?
I think it's more to the point that security products shouldn't be trusted from companies who try to make alliances within the computer industry. Security products should protect the user, not contractual obligations.
Who would you trust more: a freelance movie critic or a movie critic hired by a movie studio?
The other 5% is when the opposite happens. The user doesn't understand that you need to know EXACTLY what s/he is seeing. Having exact phrases of the error messages gives the tech something to search for on knowledgebases.
User: An error just popped up.
Tech: What does it say?
User: Something about a file not found.
Tech: What does it say exactly?
User: [paraphrases error]
Tech: What does it say EXACTLY?
I haven't seen anyone mention their own security level on their computers: admin, user, or in-between. Running a program with admin access gives the authors of that program admin access to your computer. I run as user, not to limit myself but to limit authors (both their intentions and their mistakes).
The trend to have programs auto-update themselves increases the concern. Sure, I trust the program now, but will I tomorrow? How do I know that the program's company keeps their employees happy?
Other security measures at the desktop, such as firewalls, anti-virus, and anti-spyware, are only reliable if they are protected from anything the user can run. Any new malware run as admin can disable all that or (worse) fake your security measures' effectiveness.
Operator: How may I direct your call?
Customer: Squeeechhllcshhsh
Operator: You want to be connected to Guinea-Bissau?
Customer: Squeeeeelch
Operator: One moment while I connect you.
See, it won't help. :)
This page was generated by a Squad of Female Gamers for Bastian227 (107667).
From the article: The air bags would then be cut off, freeing Beagle-2 to flip itself open, pocket-watch style, and send a signal to Odyssey.
No, I think they forgot to wind it.
I agree. You don't need the DMCA for this. Copyright laws have been around since... well... copyrights.
I also agree with another poster. Buy the CD for the reasons stated. Additionally, leave your cease-and-desist note as negative feedback. It's cheap, and it will let future buyers know what's going on.
I have LaserJet IIs and IIIs still running at work. Their firmware is dated around 1990. Meanwhile, my fastest growing pile of printers are all relatively new ones.
I had the opportunity to confront an HP rep about my pile. He suggested I buy their workgroup-type printers (which are twice as expensive as their personal lasers). I went off on him about why should I give him even more money to get a decent printer. He really didn't have an answer.
I would also take every version of Windows, but for a different reason. If I am working on a machine that I don't manage, chances are the user has messed up so many things in Windows that I would be better off just starting from scratch.
I don't think their plan was that well thought out. Like the Underpants Gnomes, here's their real plan:
1. Release a game with buffer overrun
2.
3. Profit!!!!
Someone where I work stores all her data onto floppy disks. Backing up her data is important to her, so she backs up her data to her hard drive. It's more like she's editing the backups and restoring her data periodically.
(: yadhtriB yappH
Microsoft won't buy the airline industry. The pilots would see the blue sky through their windows and crash.
Gee, how many puns can I stick in there? !e-nuff.
-Darren
Hey, women can play Solitaire just as well as a man:
s/man-(\w*)/person-$1/gi;
[Personhole] is not an acceptable de-sexed word.
* Shirley Dean, explaining why the wording in a sewer equipment request was changed back to manhole cover
I have that episode on tape somewhere. I'll have to look for it and post some pictures somewhere.