Is your TV virus-proof?
The kitchen has long been considered a breeding ground for germs, but you probably don't expect your toaster to infect your cell phone.
Bugs & Viruses Archive
MS AntiSpyware vs Ad-Aware vs SpyBot
Flexbeta compares Microsoft's new anti-spyware utility with the two leading spyware stoppers, Ad-Aware and SpyBot. They find that Microsoft's is actually more effective than the other choices, though with the monthly fee for the MS solution, it's not a clear winner.
When Worms Get Literate
Last week a new worm started spreading on the Internet. It's named Santy, and it attempts to deface websites using specific versions of the popular phpBB bulletin board software. Is this just a run-of-the-mill worm causing minor damage to a few thousand websites? Yes. But it's also got something we've never seen before.
Securing IE
There's been a lot of hoopla about Firefox lately, and its security/privacy benefits over IE. However, here this guide can lead you to tools and practices that will make IE safer to use, for those who don't want to stop using IE.
Major Security Bug in PHP
A serious bug in the popular PHP development language, which affects php versions prior to 4.3.10 or 5.0.3, can leave databases wide open to intrusion if the proper security steps aren't taken.
Students Find 44 Unix Flaws as Homework
University students tasked with finding flaws in Unix applications as homework have uncovered 44 bugs. But since the University of Illinois at Chicago students were asked by tutor Daniel Bernstein to find 10 bugs each, most will likely flunk his Unix Security Holes course. The assignment counted for 60 per cent of the marks available to the 25 students taking the course.
Millions of Bagles Knock out Windows Firewall
Earlier this year Microsoft released a major security update for Windows XP, which was designed to strengthen the operating system’s defences against attack from viruses and hackers. One major part of the update was an improved version of its firewall software. Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at antivirus firm Sophos, said the latest Bagle variants are designed to attack and disable Microsoft’s new firewall application.
Suse warns of hole in Linux kernel
Linux distributor Suse has warned of one of the most serious security holes to date (a remote root vulnerability) in Version 2.6 of the Linux kernel, which could allow attackers to shut down a system running 2.6-based software. Suse's advisory ranked the bug 9 out of 10 in severity.
I, Bugzilla
Ever used BugZilla? I'm sure you have. Frustrated? Dropped support for ever? Oh yes, I understand.
First Symbian OS Worm Detected
An Internet security firm claims to have found the first worm in the wild for Symbian OS, and it spreads via Bluetooth.
Microsoft mega-patch dogged by problems
Microsoft has released details about a number of problems which could be dogging those who install one of its patches issued on April 13 - the patch that fixes 14 vulnerabilities, among them two which are now being actively exploited.
Disaster and Disaster Recovery
As a veteran of Operating System experimentation, I can personally vouch that I have flubbed things up more often than I have gotten it right on the first time.
A Look into the Viruses that Caused Havoc in 2003
Discover the malicious code that infected millions machines worldwide with insightful comments from people such as Mikko H. Hypponen (Director of Anti-Virus Research, F-Secure Corporation) and Graham Cluley (Senior Technology Consultant, Sophos).
The Computer Virus–no Cures to be Found
Two decades and counting, the technology industry has yet to find a blanket solution to the ever-growing list of viruses and worms that constitute the greatest risk to computers on the Internet.
Is Virus Vulnerability Merely a Result of Popularity?
It's an oft-repeated maxim that one of the reasons that Windows operating systems are plagued by so many viruses, worms, and security exploits is because they are so popular. Extrapolating on this, many have remarked that if Linux, MacOS, or other OSes become more popular, they will attract the attention of virus writers. That may be true, but the increased attention will not necessarily yield the same quantity of viruses and other exploits, says a Register article. Update: Rebuttal article.
NYT Writer Repents for Oversimplifying Security
New York Times writer David Pogue recently wrote an article about the recent rash of computer viruses in which he stated the old maxim that most viruses target windows because it's the dominant platform. Welcome to the OS Wars, Pogue. In a follow-up column, he notes that he received quite an education on the subject from readers who emailed him in, and notes that he's learned that Unix-based/Unix-like OSes like OSX and Linux are inherently more virus-proof for several reasons.
Windows Flaws Allow PC Takeover
Microsoft identified three vulnerabilities in Windows on Wednesday that could have a similar effect to that of the dreaded MSBlast worm of August. The flaws, which affect Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP and the 64-bit versions of Windows XP, are the latest in a string of critical weaknesses identified in Windows recently.
Poll: Do you Run Anti-Virus Protection on your Main OS/Computer?
Lots of talk in the past month about the viruses unleashed to the open. Read more to vote!
IBM Squashes Worms
IBM researchers in Zurich, Switzerland, have developed novel worm-squashing software the company says it wants to turn into a product to help guard against computer-network attacks such as those that slowed Internet traffic earlier this month . . . The system uses a unique approach to detecting malicious software by looking at traffic flowing to Internet addresses that aren't assigned to specific computers, trying to isolate computers on a network that attempt to infect others
My Wormy Weekend
I checked my email this morning. The tally: 80 spams, 65 emails asking me to "See the attached file for details," and 6 legitimate emails. This worm thing is getting ridiculous. Has anyone else noticed a big spike today?