Weird XP problem

[status quo]

you have a virus.

its either ms blast (blaster worn)

or the nirmada work or what ever its called.

can't believe u caught the thing.

[liumm]

I think I had the blast worm and have it fixed.
How can I remove the second thing you mentioned?

[status quo]

you have still got ms blast.

the worm was supposed to expire Q1 2004 :)

umm . . . i had to format to get rid of the virus.

u need to then re-install and install all the updates.

virus scan 1 perday

but, before you do this try lookin for spyware? this could slow down your computer.

try looking for spybot search and destroy.

that will clean up your computer.

but the worm to get rid of u need to so to symantecs website and look for the fix for it.

you should have an uptodate anti-virus and u wouldn't have this mess.

i'd just format. remember to have partitions next time so u can put work on one half.

[liumm]

Well, I'll just format it then.
:shrug:

Thanks for the help.

[status quo]

http://www.microsoft.com/security/incident/pctdisable.asp

edit:

full story

http://news.com.com/2100-1002_3-5203384.html?tag=nefd.top

i didn't hear about this till now.

[jsa2001]

Sounds like you have the Sasser worm, i got the same thing after relaxing my security settings and turning off my firewalls.
No need to reformat, just follow this.....

http://www.microsoft.com/security/incident/sasser.asp

[status quo]

:) sick of this crap. why don't they do something GOOD with their time instead of costing people like me a fortune in time and money.

u could have any of a number of viruses, but read those links i posted full details. thats exactly what u must have.

hope that helps.

[jsa2001]

sick of this crap. why don't they do something GOOD with their time instead of costing people like me a fortune in time and money.

u could have any of a number of viruses, but read those links i posted full details. thats exactly what u must have.

You ranting at me?

[status quo]

yes, if you made the viruses.

no i meant the people that write all the viruses, trojans, spyware, spam etc.

should line the lot of em' up and shoot them.

problems solved.

:beer:

[liumm]

Aha, that kicked the crap out of my machine.
Strange though, I only saw this avserve.exe in taks manager, no system32\*_up.exe.
Anyway, it's running okay.
Thanks for the help, guys!:beer:

[singularity2006]

Please see this thread on how to remove the virus:

http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=141630

[status quo]

also, don't let to many people use the computer for too long. theres that peak rate phone dialer on the loose that loads of people have been caught out with i know someone who got billed for $1000+.

and the ISP says that its my responsibility to protect myself against these things!

if u have a cable modem you should be find, but anything else . . .

:thumbsup:

[elvis]

Originally posted by status quo
:) sick of this crap. why don't they do something GOOD with their time instead of costing people like me a fortune in time and money.

Firstly, I don't agree with virus/trojan/malware writing. It is plain cyber terrorism, and unacceptable.

However, the point these people are making is a political one. Microsoft software is prone to vulnerabilities and viruses due to it's poor design and default security. ANY UNIX/BSD/Linux/MacOSX (hereafter *nix) machine you install will ask for a separate administrator and user password. Windows does not.

*nix runs user files in a separate user space within memory. Windows does not.

*nix is a sensible and secure operating system, Windows is not.

Windows only recently added simple features like firewalling abilities that should have been included back in the 1990's.

Windows is so popular not because of how good it is, but because of how many people use it. Chicken and egg argument, I know, but the more people who stop using Windows, the more 3rd party software will become available for other OSes. The only reason people use windows is because their work/family/friends use it. The mindless masses will follow the majority, harmful or otherwise.

Again, I don't agree with writing viruses, nor do I condone it. A small part of me can understand why they do it, however. And more to the point, as an IT consultant, the more viruses there are, and the less Microsoft does to stop it, the more money I make from very easy cleanup jobs.

Kinda ironic, really.

Anyways, get a good virus scanner and firewall on your machine, and keep them up to date. If that's too much effort for you, don't use Windows. There's not much else to be said on the matter. Either protect yourself, or find something that'll do it for you.

[status quo]

i used windows because my software for work only runs on there. i can use fedora + KDE but there nothing to run on it :).

also no games.

a mac is useless. :rolleyes:

also - where do u get the pirated software from? j/k

[elvis]

Originally posted by status quo
i used windows because my software for work only runs on there. i can use fedora + KDE but there nothing to run on it :).

also no games.

a mac is useless. :rolleyes:

also - where do u get the pirated software from? j/k

You've just illustrated my point, thank you.

There is plenty of software for Mac/Linux. Most people are just too stupid or can't be stuffed looking for it. These are the kind of people who say things like "I use Windows because there's no software for linux".

Linux/Mac wouldn't exist if there was no software for them.

Once again, either change your OS, or protect yourself against the limitations of the OS you are currently using. Don't bitch about viruses when you know all too well it's a side effect of using Windows.

Microsoft won't put much effort into security if people don't change. Why should they waste their money on making their OS better when people will buy it even if they don't?

[status quo]

There is plenty of software for Mac/Linux. Most people are just too stupid or can't be stuffed looking for it. These are the kind of people who say things like "I use Windows because there's no software for linux".


would you care to explain how i can get visual studio 6 or .net to run on linux?

3D programs?

i have replacements for almost everything. but nothing to do with work or videogames.

i've actually use fedora+ KDE and can confirm it doesn't have what i need.

[MaDSheeP]

Dude, Windows is just a high profile operating system. Your opinions of Microsoft aside, if all of these virus writers turned on UNIX based systems, they would get hosed just as well. They would probably be taken down even faster since UNIX systems are such a high percentage of web servers.

Patches come out for UNIX and Linux every week. Stop ripping on Microsoft, it's an ignorant cause.

[raz-0]

elvis, you need to get your head out of your ass. The only reason OSX dosn't have a buttload of exploits out for it yet is it's age.

UNIX has a TON of exploits, and some legendary worms (hey, has windows ever had a compiler that linked in back doors to your system whenever you built something?, for a while every version of UNIX did), unix just happens to be more than a decade older than windows, and some wisdom came along with that. namely somewhat better out of the box options on the most vulnerable things.

If you can get shell on a unix box you can get root. You think anything else and you are fooling yourself.

That being said, the cost of a decent hardware NAT/firewall is worth every penny twice over. You can even get ones that handle the modem for you if you don't have broadband, and thus can offer protection from those money grubbing dialer programs.

[status quo]

only problem i have windows is that we are being ripped off / overcharged and the lack of choice.

plus they have made too much money. i'd like to switch to linux, i like it better. i just need apps i use for work to run on it.

[Tarrbot]

There are virii out for OS X, BSD and *nix. Just because they aren't prevalent does not mean they are immune. The marketshare of these OSes is what keeps the number of virii down.

It isn't so much that Windows is less secure as it is that Windows is more prevalent.

By your same logic, I've seen many many Linksys routers fail in the last 2 months. Does this mean Linksys sucks or is inherently flakier than other routers? No. It means that Linksys sells a boatload more routers and the number of failures is higher even if the percentage of those failed routers is the same as D-Link or NetGear.

*nix is not more secure, it just isn't attacked as much. Nothing more.

[elvis]

Originally posted by Tarrbot
There are virii out for OS X, BSD and *nix.

No there aren't. There are worms that target vulnerabilities in source, but no viruses (by the way, "virii" is not a word).

A virus by definition must attach itself to another executable and run from it's memory space. A worm is a self-perpetuating binary that discovers vulnerabilities in a system, attaches itself to that system and then builds tunnels back to its original host.

The viruses that affect MacOSX ONLY affect Microsoft office software, and not MacOSX itself. If you run any other office suite apart from Microsoft's, you are safe.

I think it's quite pathetic that all of you honestly believe that Windows is attacked only because of it's popularity.

Old hacker quote: "It's not the interesting sites that get hacked, it's the inescure ones".

Plenty of root kits and exploits exist for *nix systems. However patches are released quickly and regularly, and basic secuirity techniques are praised by 3rd party vendors.

Microsoft on the other hand take eons to release patches, rely on 3rd party anti-virus writers rather than chaning the permission levels that user-space programs run in, and still refuse to believe that a good embedded BSD or Linux firewall is necessary for any group of servers.

I work with, and administrate Windows, Linux, UNIX and MacOSX servers and workstations. I have been doing this for close toa decade now. I know what works, and what doesn't.

Do any of you remember Blaster, MyDoom, or even as far back as Nimda? Each and every time I waded hip deep in forum posts from users bitching about virus writers and how much money they've lost from downtime.

If you INSIST on using Microsoft software, then protect yourself. Don't blame the world & dog for the insecure setup that you CHOOSE to use!

If you absolutely and adherently believe that you cannot change away from Microsoft, then please don't bitch about having to use it. Make the effort to educate and protect yourselves correctly. Else suffer people like me telling people like you to
Originally posted by raz-0
get your head out of your ass
and realise that the protection and safety of your workstation, operating system and creative work relies on YOU. Take some responsibility for once.

[elvis]

From:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/05/04/ms_sasser_clean_up/

Defensive measures are fortunately very simple. Users should turn on firewalls, apply patches and update AV signature files. Symantec recommends that enterprise block ports 5554, 9996 and 445 at the perimeter firewall and install the appropriate Microsoft patch (MS04-011) to prevent remote exploitation of the vulnerability."

"Defensive measures are fortunately very simple." If you're not patched yet, get patched now.

[Tarrbot]

You can get off your rant now. No one really gives a flip.

Pomposity is all you have here. I admit I'm being as pompous as you. Big friggin' whoop. Go preach to some other choir.

You think others don't run *nix. You think that if *nix wasn't popular it wouldn't have the same problems. Fine. Think like that.

Yes, a word whore like myself should know there isn't a definition of "virii" in the dictionary. I think you understand the concept of terms that are created in life that a reader instantly understands. To be snobbish and assholish in your answer shows your maturity level. I should never have even flippin bothered.

[elvis]

No need to take it personally, friend.

"snobbish and assholish"? If you don't like an argument, try to counter it rather than insulting me. Regardless of whether I'm an arsehole or a snob, you still haven't offered evidence to the contrary of the argument at hand.

And I'm still yet to see anyone admit to the fact that it was their own fault their machine was hit by Sasser, and not anyone elses. Meanwhile, my pre-patched, virus-scanned and firewalled Windows machines and servers are unaffected.

I'm no superhero, and I'm certainly no computer god (although I am an arsehole and a snob). I just do what I have to to stay safe, and others should really try the same.

I'm all for using the right tool for the job. If that means using Windows, then so be it. But seriously, play safe or don't play at all.

I wear a condom for sex, a helmet on my bike, and a virusscanner and firewall on my server. Who would be stupid enough to not do any of those things?

[status quo]

i wasn't infected . . .

i switched all my firewalls an anti-viruses off too.

i have no windows updates installed.

the less i install the less viruses i get. and bugs and spyware.

running windows XP - no SP1.

if u put norton on your computer - you attract viruses. :)

no OS is free of viruses. windows seems to attract more.

[status quo]

Originally posted by elvis
No there aren't. There are worms that target vulnerabilities in source, but no viruses (by the way, "virii" is not a word).

A virus by definition must attach itself to another executable and run from it's memory space. A worm is a self-perpetuating binary that discovers vulnerabilities in a system, attaches itself to that system and then builds tunnels back to its original host.

The viruses that affect MacOSX ONLY affect Microsoft office software, and not MacOSX itself. If you run any other office suite apart from Microsoft's, you are safe.

I think it's quite pathetic that all of you honestly believe that Windows is attacked only because of it's popularity.

Old hacker quote: "It's not the interesting sites that get hacked, it's the inescure ones".

Plenty of root kits and exploits exist for *nix systems. However patches are released quickly and regularly, and basic secuirity techniques are praised by 3rd party vendors.

Microsoft on the other hand take eons to release patches, rely on 3rd party anti-virus writers rather than chaning the permission levels that user-space programs run in, and still refuse to believe that a good embedded BSD or Linux firewall is necessary for any group of servers.

I work with, and administrate Windows, Linux, UNIX and MacOSX servers and workstations. I have been doing this for close toa decade now. I know what works, and what doesn't.

Do any of you remember Blaster, MyDoom, or even as far back as Nimda? Each and every time I waded hip deep in forum posts from users bitching about virus writers and how much money they've lost from downtime.

If you INSIST on using Microsoft software, then protect yourself. Don't blame the world & dog for the insecure setup that you CHOOSE to use!

If you absolutely and adherently believe that you cannot change away from Microsoft, then please don't bitch about having to use it. Make the effort to educate and protect yourselves correctly. Else suffer people like me telling people like you to

and realise that the protection and safety of your workstation, operating system and creative work relies on YOU. Take some responsibility for once.

hes right. get your head out of your ass. also what u talking remember? those viruses were from last year.

and the patch was released AFTER the virus.

you still didn't answer my question of how to get visual studio or an replacement to run on *nix.

your full of sh*t.

[elvis]

Still more childish insults. Pathetic.

Mono is an open source .NET replacement for Linux and UNIX.

http://www.go-mono.com/

It will compile your .NET, C# and ASP.NET code, and can be used as a full open-source replacement for Visual Studio .NET.

Mono is now sponsored by Novell, and is attracting interest from big players like Sun and IBM for all platforms including x86, PPC, SPARC, S390 and StrongARM. Being open source means it is also in the process of being corss-ported to other non-Linux platforms.

In fact, many producers of next-generation embedded devices are already using Mono. Expect everything from your mobile phone to PDA to be Mono-based over the next 12 months.

Google would have lead you there. But I guess that's a bit difficult for some. I guess it's easier to sit back on some forum and insult others from an anonymous nickname than it is to actually extract the digit and do some real investigative work. :rolleyes:

Oh, and no service packs, no virus scanner, and no firewall? You deserve every single problem you get. And trust me, you'll get 'em.

And yes, I remember viruses from last year. I also remember patching early and often back then, just like I do now. That might account for my 100% no breakins or viruses during the entire decade of my administrative operation in various companies around the world.

You don't have to be a superhero. You just have to open your eyes. Again, that seems too difficult for some.

[Tarrbot]

The problem as I see it with your posts, elvis, is that you make a broad-sweeping generalization with nothing more than anecdotal evidence to support your statements. You patch, you do this, you do that. Well, *nix gets patched too. I believe i had to patch OpenSSH and OpenSSL this year.

Wonder why that is? They found a security problem that's why.

You make claims as if you're God Almighty telling Moses how it is.

Your last sentence displays how snide you are. Here's an idea. Start a new thread to rant on things. Or better yet. Keep your snide comments to yourself.

There's no reason to rant on and on about the world as you see it when someone's post is asking for help. None.

I thought you might could see that.

FYI, MyBlast patch (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=2354406c-c5b6-44ac-9532-3de40f69c074&DisplayLang=en) was release before the virus (http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.blaster.worm.html). The removal tool was released after the virus.

[status quo]

i got it before it was publicised on one machine. on another i got it after i had the patch and then i couldn't get the damn thing off with the removal tool.

i was talking about the sasser worm. - i didn't get it.

that go-mono thing is pathetic. its years away for being viable for me.

i was thinking more along the lines of borland or something.

i bored with this thread i'll let "superman" complete his mission.

[elvis]

I always have a good laugh at how many fanboys I manage to piss off when a thread like this crops up. Without fail you can easily knock up half a dozen or more zealots in some pathetic platform war.

Code is written by humans. Humans aren't perfect. Ipso facto, code isn't perfect. Yes, you have to patch every OS out there, and not a single one is fault-free. Yet why is it that when patches are released, no-one bothers to install them?

I see the UK Coastguard got taken offline:
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/this_britain/story.jsp?story=518242

And locally here in Australia dozens of businesses and government services were wrecked over the weekend and these last few working days due to Sasser.

Yet in this forum and three others the same discussion has crept up. So called experts discussing how many servers and desktops were taken offline. People scrounging for patches at the 11th hour after wasting thousands (if not millions in some business' case) of productive dollars that could have been saved in seconds of pre-emptive security standards.

And still I have two cowboys on a forum telling me *I'm* the one with problems. Two cowboys trying to post-justify events by squabbling over whether patches are released before or after certain events. Two cowboys who resort to personal insults when faced with an alternative opinion, which is even more amusing (perhaps both of you could have done with a little debate training in your formal education?).

status quo: I'm glad to see you gave the Mono platform a good and honest go. There's nothing like a quick backhanded comment to really show you had a try before dismissing a product. I couldn't have predicted in a million years your comment would have been something to the effect of "bah, platform XYZ that you have suggested is total crap and I am above it". Surprise, surprise. You strike me as an individual who would put their pride well before a valid argument, such as this.

Tarrbot, my comments are on the number of users worldwide realing from Sasser today and now. What anecdotes do I need? Get on news.google.com and search for Sasser.

http://news.google.com/news?&q=sasser

Jump on microsoft.com and see it hit the front page. The problem is out there, and people still aren't patched. The solution to the poblem existed on April 12, and 20+ days later people still don't want to listen.

What does it take? Do people have to lose money and business before they make an effort to secure their system?

And really, who gives a shit about this linux vs microsoft crap anyway? Whichever OS you intend to use, you should at least make the effort to use it properly, and not leave yourself and your users at risk of something so trivially simple to remove.

Microsoft have been unlucky enough over the last 6 months to have more publicised strikes against their name than other operating systems. That said, when you are the world's number 1 software writer, there is due diligence that you are required to take in being resonsible for the safe operation of your software. "With great power comes great responsibility" and other corny comic book one-liners.

Blaster took down a small part of a nuclear power station in Ohio when it went crazy (again, news.google.com will link you to exact articles, before anyone complains about more anecdotes). Thanks to good staff with quick responses the problem was contained. Imagine what the worst case scenario could have been?

I'm almost scared to think what Sasser will do over the next few days.

I'm amazed to see so many people defend (and get far too emotional over, too boot) a piece of software that lets them down. How many times do you let a friend slap you in the face before you slap them back?

If you all want to take your frustrations out on me, be my guest. Flame and insult all you like. It doesn't detract from the fact that the world is facing an ever-growing problem that is a lack of reasonable security in default software installs. Nor will it strip Sasser from the web.

Blame me, blame virus/worm writers, blame jealous linux hippies with too much spare time (oh wait, that's me), blame whatever the hell you like. It still doesn't make it go away.

And with that, I'm off to play with my virus and worm free network. Happy patching, all.

[status quo]

Originally posted by elvis
I always have a good laugh at how many fanboys I manage to piss off when a thread like this crops up. Without fail you can easily knock up half a dozen or more zealots in some pathetic platform war.

Code is written by humans. Humans aren't perfect. Ipso facto, code isn't perfect. Yes, you have to patch every OS out there, and not a single one is fault-free. Yet why is it that when patches are released, no-one bothers to install them?

I see the UK Coastguard got taken offline:
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/this_britain/story.jsp?story=518242

And locally here in Australia dozens of businesses and government services were wrecked over the weekend and these last few working days due to Sasser.

Yet in this forum and three others the same discussion has crept up. So called experts discussing how many servers and desktops were taken offline. People scrounging for patches at the 11th hour after wasting thousands (if not millions in some business' case) of productive dollars that could have been saved in seconds of pre-emptive security standards.

And still I have two cowboys on a forum telling me *I'm* the one with problems. Two cowboys trying to post-justify events by squabbling over whether patches are released before or after certain events. Two cowboys who resort to personal insults when faced with an alternative opinion, which is even more amusing (perhaps both of you could have done with a little debate training in your formal education?).

status quo: I'm glad to see you gave the Mono platform a good and honest go. There's nothing like a quick backhanded comment to really show you had a try before dismissing a product. I couldn't have predicted in a million years your comment would have been something to the effect of "bah, platform XYZ that you have suggested is total crap and I am above it". Surprise, surprise. You strike me as an individual who would put their pride well before a valid argument, such as this.

Tarrbot, my comments are on the number of users worldwide realing from Sasser today and now. What anecdotes do I need? Get on news.google.com and search for Sasser.

http://news.google.com/news?&q=sasser

Jump on microsoft.com and see it hit the front page. The problem is out there, and people still aren't patched. The solution to the poblem existed on April 12, and 20+ days later people still don't want to listen.

What does it take? Do people have to lose money and business before they make an effort to secure their system?

And really, who gives a shit about this linux vs microsoft crap anyway? Whichever OS you intend to use, you should at least make the effort to use it properly, and not leave yourself and your users at risk of something so trivially simple to remove.

Microsoft have been unlucky enough over the last 6 months to have more publicised strikes against their name than other operating systems. That said, when you are the world's number 1 software writer, there is due diligence that you are required to take in being resonsible for the safe operation of your software. "With great power comes great responsibility" and other corny comic book one-liners.

Blaster took down a small part of a nuclear power station in Ohio when it went crazy (again, news.google.com will link you to exact articles, before anyone complains about more anecdotes). Thanks to good staff with quick responses the problem was contained. Imagine what the worst case scenario could have been?

I'm almost scared to think what Sasser will do over the next few days.

I'm amazed to see so many people defend (and get far too emotional over, too boot) a piece of software that lets them down. How many times do you let a friend slap you in the face before you slap them back?

If you all want to take your frustrations out on me, be my guest. Flame and insult all you like. It doesn't detract from the fact that the world is facing an ever-growing problem that is a lack of reasonable security in default software installs. Nor will it strip Sasser from the web.

Blame me, blame virus/worm writers, blame jealous linux hippies with too much spare time (oh wait, that's me), blame whatever the hell you like. It still doesn't make it go away.

And with that, I'm off to play with my virus and worm free network. Happy patching, all.

dude. what are you smoking?

your the only one here claiming to be an expert. which clearly your are not.

you have no knowledge of business needs.

trolling on about your baises against the greatest company that ever lived microsoft.

i'm no fan-boy i clearly stated i dislike microsoft's business practicies.

linux currently has not place other than enterprise.

your just ranting on about patches.

your the fan-boy ranting on about how linux and macOS are invunerable to viruses.

christ if it was that simple i'd be using a *nix system right here right now.

do you even have a job?

[status quo]

Code is written by humans. Humans aren't perfect. Ipso facto, code isn't perfect. Yes, you have to patch every OS out there, and not a single one is fault-free. Yet why is it that when patches are released, no-one bothers to install them?

because we have a life.

no firewall blocks out everything. sometimes even hardware firewalls are over ridden.

sometime viruses have the power to knock out anti-virus.

-----------------------
what your not considering here is the cost. welcome to 2004 our company simply doesn't have the finances to keep up-to date with the latest software.

we are still running windows NT. windows 2000 servers.

we are another 6months+ away from our business plan for an upgrade.

-------------------
what your not considering with your "latest and greatest" approach is licencing fees. setting up a linux firewall ould cost mega money for us.

we don't just buld standard beige boxes. for security and insurance reasons we have to go through other companies.

for next year we are looking for some IBM blade servers.

you just don't have a clue.

And still I have two cowboys on a forum telling me *I'm* the one with problems. Two cowboys trying to post-justify events by squabbling over whether patches are released before or after certain events. Two cowboys who resort to personal insults when faced with an alternative opinion, which is even more amusing (perhaps both of you could have done with a little debate training in your formal education?).

i went to a public school. we do not participate in such activities.

debate what? your the one with the attitude problem.

status quo: I'm glad to see you gave the Mono platform a good and honest go. There's nothing like a quick backhanded comment to really show you had a try before dismissing a product. I couldn't have predicted in a million years your comment would have been something to the effect of "bah, platform XYZ that you have suggested is total crap and I am above it". Surprise, surprise. You strike me as an individual who would put their pride well before a valid argument, such as this.

do you realise how many thousands of man-hours we would loose attempting this? :rolleyes:

Tarrbot, my comments are on the number of users worldwide realing from Sasser today and now. What anecdotes do I need? Get on news.google.com and search for Sasser.

yes a few million.

there are hundreds of millions of people using computers.

2 - never trust everything you read.

most of those infected will be home users that just use there computer for approx 2 hours a week.

or they let their children on and ended up with a £400 phone bill because they got infected with a trojan.

And really, who gives a shit about this linux vs microsoft crap anyway? Whichever OS you intend to use, you should at least make the effort to use it properly, and not leave yourself and your users at risk of something so trivially simple to remove.

you brought the debate up. trivial? i didn't get infected.

Microsoft have been unlucky enough over the last 6 months to have more publicised strikes against their name than other operating systems. That said, when you are the world's number 1 software writer, there is due diligence that you are required to take in being resonsible for the safe operation of your software. "With great power comes great responsibility" and other corny comic book one-liners.

proving that you are the cowboy. they should stick you in there to manage that sector of the company. microsoft would be dead on their feet.

I'm amazed to see so many people defend (and get far too emotional over, too boot) a piece of software that lets them down. How many times do you let a friend slap you in the face before you slap them back?

best software on the market. boot it? its overpriced. thats all.

[Tarrbot]

I always have a good laugh at how many fanboys I manage to piss off when a thread like this crops up.
I spend a lot of my time in Solaris, IRIX and at times Windows. Nice to know you are all-knowing (like that God reference I had earlier).

I think the best statement you can make here is an apology for your arrogant bravado.

Yet why is it that when patches are released, no-one bothers to install them?
That's their business. Let them deal with their problems. It doesn't concern you. Even if you get the statement that it does end up hurting you, that's a lame statement at best because you will always have to be vigilant for outside attacks. Be they from virii, script kiddies or just plain stupid tricks. You protect your network. Screw everyone else. It's not your business.

Yet in this forum and three others the same discussion has crept up. So called experts discussing how many servers and desktops were taken offline. People scrounging for patches at the 11th hour after wasting thousands (if not millions in some business' case) of productive dollars that could have been saved in seconds of pre-emptive security standards.
Fire the admins of those networks. It's their fault. EOF. Ranting at end-users is quite myopic. Thanks.

And still I have two cowboys on a forum telling me *I'm* the one with problems
Could be the message isn't at fault here but the messenger. Go read up on your attitude toward people here. An end-user has problems. You have the choice of helping out or belittling them. You chose to belittle. That's why these "cowboys" are in your face, not because of the message.

Two cowboys who resort to personal insults when faced with an alternative opinion,
Again, it's not the message. It's the delivery of the message. You should rant your beefs in another thread. Get off your high horse now.

And really, who gives a shit about this linux vs microsoft crap anyway? Whichever OS you intend to use, you should at least make the effort to use it properly, and not leave yourself and your users at risk of something so trivially simple to remove.
Apparently you are too obtuse to understand that not everyone out there is a sysadmin. Not everyone out there understands how to use the system. Not everyone out there keeps up-to-date on what security flaws are out.

Again, we are talking about an end-user in this thread. Are you that idiotic to not see that?

there is due diligence that you are required to take in being resonsible for the safe operation of your software
There is no such thing. MS is not required to do this. Morally, I believe they should be but legally, they do not have to.

Please, elvis, reread your comments. Reread how much of an arrogant blowhard you come off as. No one is trying to make you look bad here but you really should read your posts. They (IMO) make you appear as an arrogant blowhard.

[Tarrbot]

Something I mentioned about firing the sysadmins of networks attacked like that. After reading status quo's post, it is entirely possible that either money or just bad management is also at fault.

So, it's not like the people don't always know there is a problem. But if they did and did nothing (unless it's due to lack of funding), fire them.

Unfortunately, I've seen it all too often where management doesn't have a clue and won't release funds to do the right thing.

[Ardiva]

Windows is so popular not because of how good it is, but because of how many people use it. Chicken and egg argument, I know, but the more people who stop using Windows, the more 3rd party software will become available for other OSes. The only reason people use windows is because their work/family/friends use it. The mindless masses will follow the majority, harmful or otherwise.

Sorry for butting in but I'm new here, and I can relate to this. I was all in favor for IBM's OS2 and really liked it, but including the above, there was no support for this with other programmers. Windows still was the favorite and I had to relent.

Sad situation to be sure.

[raz-0]

Originally posted by elvis
and realise that the protection and safety of your workstation, operating system and creative work relies on YOU. Take some responsibility for once.

You take some responsibility. about the only valid argument you have regarding fundamental security is the windows user model. Fine.

however, you leave up an obvious unix install configured out of the box on the end of a nice fat pipe. You tell me what you get.

Your bullshit answer to security is "use linux."

The correct answer is more akin to what you posted above. And what you posted above is what I advocate. DO NOT leave your workstation in the out of the box configuration. Period. Just because MS's config is a gaping bullet wound in the skull doesn't mean that the *NIX config that is a sucking chest wound is any less deadly.

If configuring your system to be secure is beyond you, get a NAT from your local store for about $30. It'll make you and all of the rest of the internet much happier in the long run.

Oh and elvis.... you didn't suggest it was someone's fault for not configuring their machien right. you suggested it was their fault for not using your pet preferred product. Which is a load of crap. Nothing is secure out of the box once you turn it on.

you are a sorry troll. the only reason I'm participating in this conversation is because you are misinforming people seekign help and who would might like to learn soemthing so next time they aren't as exposed.

[elvis]

Originally posted by status quo
your the only one here claiming to be an expert. which clearly your are not.

you have no knowledge of business needs.

do you even have a job?

Yes. IT/Communications Manager for the Asia, South-East Asia and Oceana/Australia regions for this little company:

http://www.hoksve.com/sport/

I manage all IT security and infrastructure for hundreds of machines and servers across a dozen different cities in 5 different countries. 99% of this is done remote from our Brisbane head office (where I am now).

I also manage our sector's contracts with Microsoft, Cisco, Qwest, SAVVIS and Telstra for our interconnections, communications, and global VPNs.

We run a combination of Microsoft, Linux, BSD, Sun and MacOS operating systems in heterogeneous environments, all of which I control. Included with that is custom-built SAN technology for high-end storage and data backup, most of which runs from a variety of either embedded Java, BSD or Windows controllers.

I've been doing this kind of work for over a decade, and have worked with this company for 3 years. In that period I have a ZERO breakin, virus or worm attack record. A record that needs to be kept that way when you deal with large government organisations who value security and safety of confidential data.

On top of IT security, information and communication management and general sysadmin stuff, I also manage the hardware side of all of our 2D and 3D output producion for the region. That includes our custom-built render farms, as well as high-end print and imaging technologies.

The company has working for it some of the highest profile Architects, Engineers and creative designers in the entire world, all of whom rely on their equipment to run faultlessly 24/7. Being an international company, we do operate 24/7. If someone in London needs me when it is 2:00 in the morning here, then that means I'm working at 2:00 in the morning here.

On top of that I privately consult out to a number of film, animation, 3D modelling, architectural and engineering companies around Australia (I have clients in Brisbane, ACT, Sydney and Melbourne). I consult on topics from computer security through to 3D hardware, render farm setup to mundane topics like business software solutions, corporate IT enviroments and other business-related solutions. My work is often at a high-level of merely defining a solution which is then contracted on to other groups for implementation, but occasionally I like to get my hands dirty and get in as part of the build process (especially for fun stuff like render farms).

Now, you know a little about me and what I do. I hope that illustrates why I'm so passionate about computer security, and why it is that after a decade of watching friends and competitors alike lose millions of dollars over the last decade I make the comments that I do.

So, seeing as we're in a sharing mood, is it too much to ask what you do for a crust? I would hope that after the criticism you laid out so readily you at least have a little practical real-world experience to back it up. It would be a shame if your grand total of experience is limited to a few workstations in an office, or perhaps a machine or two at home.

[Tarrbot]

All of that and not one rebuttal of coming off as an arrogant blowhard.

I guess that means it's true and you just don't care.

The point is this thread is about an end-user who has a problem.

To put it in another perspective, you have come into a thread started by someone asking a question over a software problem and ranted on how they don't have a clue.

Do you have any helpful advice for this person or are you out to just make your digital dick look bigger?

[elvis]

Microsoft Sasser page:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/incident/sasser.asp

NAI Stinger with Sasser removal (try this in safe mode first):
http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/

There's your advice.

My rant was against the bloke who decided to go off at virus writers as the one and only reason for these attacks. The opinion of mine that seems to have been blown out of proportion by a few zealots is that perhaps instead of crying on a public forum about how mean and nasty virus writers are, people take matters into their own hands and protect themselves in advance.

Nothing more, nothing less. There's no single solution to a problem, and no single solution is ever 100% effective. The answer to all of this is for people to educate themselves and be prepared, rather than bitching on a public forum.

I'm not suggesting the worl change en masse to Microsoft. I'm not suggesting people drop the tools they use for productivity and money making and use something that will cost them more money impelmenting than fixing existing problems.

What I AM suggesting is people be aware. Read, think, understand.

And what I'm also suggesting is that perhaps our friends in Redmond ought to put a bit more effort into making a working system that isn't so susceptible to attack. Again, no OS is perfect. I'm not claiming that. What I am claiming is that certain OSes could do with IMPROVING, instead of just claiming that their popularity is the reason for the attacks, instead of doing some self-critique and self-auditing which is typically the standard for large businesses who ship poor products and want to improve their image.

And if those suggestions offend anyone, perhaps those offended need to think just a little about why it is they are offended. You've gone from "head out of ass" to "snobbish and assholish" to "arrogant blowhard". How many more personal attacks do you need to make to win an argument? I guess if you can't attack an argument, you can always attack the person making it. After all, it's much easier to swear and curse than it is to think.

It's software, folks. It's not like I'm insulting your mother. Time to calm down, maybe? :)

And if you really, REALLY don't like what I have to say, there's an "ignore user" botton at the bottom of every post. Give that a go, and the problem is solved for good. :)

[EDIT]

Click "profile" for the user, and then on that page is the "Add this user to your ignore list". thought I would clarify that. :)

[Tarrbot]

Let's travel back in the WayBack Machine, shall we?

Your first post quoted someone as costing them money. Yet you state your reason for posting was "My rant was against the bloke who decided to go off at virus writers as the one and only reason for these attacks"...

which I find odd since that quote from him was " why don't they do something GOOD with their time"

How you got one and only out of that is beyond me. But moving backward, let's look at some more of your backpedalling, shall we?

You state in your last post:
The answer to all of this is for people to educate themselves and be prepared, rather than bitching on a public forum.
So, you are now the Virus Police? You assume you are the be-all, end-all of the digital driveway out there? Even still, there was "slight" bitching at the virus writers. Big friggin' whoop-dee.

You saw an opening to rant. So you did. In fact, rereading your first post, it was nothing more than a "*nix is better. *nix is more secure. Everyone should run *nix" post.

Your last post: What I AM suggesting is people be aware. Read, think, understand.
Your first post was nothing of the sort. NOTHING. Reread it yourself. It was a *nix troll.

Your last post:
And if those suggestions offend anyone, perhaps those offended need to think just a little about why it is they are offended. You've gone from "head out of ass" to "snobbish and assholish" to "arrogant blowhard". How many more personal attacks do you need to make to win an argument?
I stated (and since you can't read will do so again) that it isn't the message that's bad. It's the messenger. You want me to refrain from ad hominems? I can do that. You claimed earlier that we need to learn to debate. I put forth a valid post for you to "debate" and yet you said nothing.

Make up your mind. You appear to be the epitome of a troll here. Dodging this way and that. Now you've backpedalled and stated "I never did this, I did this".

The nice thing about posting is that it's right there in front of me to see if you're lying. Dude, you're lying. Stop that, please.

You have taken this thread way OT. For that, I believe you should apologize.

I even stated you should start another "RANT" thread. You wouldn't even do us the favor of that.

Now the signal-to-noise ratio is way flugelheimed. Way to go, dude. Nice one. You deserve a user=ID10T tag put on your main system.

[elvis]

Originally posted by Tarrbot
You deserve a user=ID10T tag put on your main system.

Another insult. I couldn't possibly have predicted that. Not in a million years. No wonder the world is at war when people feel the need to attack for such banal reasons. No doubt there'll be another insult on the way shortly for that comment, too.

Apologise? Apologise for being insulted? Apologise for "extending my digital dick" when someone asked me what my job was and I told them what they wanted to know? Apologise for daring to suggest an alternative that two users of a public forum don't want to listen to?

Not likely, my friend. And supposedly I'm the one on the high horse. :)

[status quo]

u read thatr about steve balmer?

they really need to shut him up.

http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=15926

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