OK, so, I’m busy killing off running processes and fire up MSConfig to try to keep them from coming back on the next boot. To launch msconfig go to start, run… type in msconfig and click ok. The startup tab is where we’re looking for programs running at startup (makes sense…) This is a bit easier and more straightforward than visiting the run entry in the registry. It does combine a few locations into one place.
Category: Uncategorized
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Task manager has been disabled by your administrator
The first problem I ran into in cleaning up after my infested Windows XP image was this error message. One of the first things I do in cleaning an infested system is try to kill off running process that look suspect (or at least identify them.) On using ctrl-alt-delete I got the message “Task manager has been disabled by your administrator” To be honest I haven’t seen that one before and it sent me Googling…
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Workaround for zeroday WMF exploit
It’s worth repeating a few things here. There is a nasty exploit in the way that WMF images are parsed in Windows. This means that WITHOUT user intervention a system can be remotely exploited and through that exploit various software (spyware, viruses, other malware) can be installed. There is no patch at this moment, I don’t know of my AV vendors that detect it (f-prot seems to according to their blog posts.) There is a workaround TO PREVENT INFECTION. If the system is already infected, reinstallation may be the only solution.
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Takedown phishing sites
Sunbeltblog has a good post on a group that helps “take bad guys out”. The Internet Crime Provention and Control Institute (Link expired). Basically, they will take submissions of complaints and assist in getting sites taken down. A good example would be phishing sites, maybe servers hosting illegal content, stolen information, etc. etc.
Or, perhaps a machine is spewing out viral, nigerian 419 scam or other material. That’s what the ICPCI is there to receive complaints on and coordinate “takedowns”. According to the sunbelt entry (a tip from a reader), they’re pretty effective at the takedowns (even when the site is hosted in places you would think makes it tougher.)
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Internet Explorer 7 beta coming early next year
The title says most all, it’s reported that Microsoft will release a public beta of Internet Explorer 7 sometime in the first quarter of 2006. It’s unclear if this will be titled Beta 2 (a closed beta has already taken place.) The 2nd beta for Vista will be a public beta as well.
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Opera Software patches Security holes
Opera Software has released an update to the Opera web browser. The update addresses 2 security flaws. One flaw was related to the FlashPlayer plugin, the other was a code execution bug and affected Unix or Linux users. Opera 8 has recently been released for free download (without ads as far as I know).
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10 Million Candlepower Spotlight
I have no idea where to put this. It isn’t exactly high tech…. Anyway, we live out in a rural (becoming suburban…) area which means good lighting is very useful. We have a good outdoor houselight, but have never wanted an always on area light. Flashlights are good, but even the biggest mag-lights seem ineffective against the depths of the dark nights around here.
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Profiteering and scams after Katrina
It’s worth warning that there will be a number of sham organizations and individuals looking to profit off the misery of others after the recent hurricane. The security fix has a posting on just that.
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News on New Orleans
Really, the news over the last few days has been overwhelming. We’ve had some effects here in North Carolina with stations running out of gas rumours of all the stations closing at 6PM and prices climbing by the hour. (Mostly yesterday, but there are still lines at some gas stations.) We will likely return to normal within a matter of days or a week, those that were directly affected will not see normal lives for months, perhaps years. There are a number of ways to help. Hearts With Hands is a Western North Carolina organization that does very good work. They accept donations of money (which most organizations are preferring here) as well as physical needs (blankets, baby wipes, non-perishable food, etc.) Of course, there is also the Red Cross.
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Lots of news…
It looks as though there are quite a few things that I have skimmed over the last two days and haven’t posted on. I’ve been preoccupied with a couple of projects and frankly following news regarding the hurricane along the Gulf Coast. I thought I’d pass along two links that I’ve been following today specifically with regards to the situation in New Orleans. This is as much for my reference as anyone elses, but… The Times-Picayune’s Breaking News page, some detailed reports from a paper in the New Orleans area, they had to evacuate earlier today due to rising flood waters and are now keeping things updated from a temporary office. Also, WWltv.com has a blog page up with brief updates as they get them. These two sites have been sources that seem to lead the networks in updates. (The news networks seem to get bogged down recycling earlier stories.)