New internet worm hits Windows...

[Lyte]

Lil FYI for y'all...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050815/ts_nm/singapore_virus_dc

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - A new Internet virus has been detected that can infect Microsoft's Windows platforms faster than previous computer worms, said an anti-virus computer software maker.

The ZOTOB virus appeared shortly after the world's largest software maker warned of three newly found "critical" security flaws in its software, including one that could allow attackers to take complete control of a computer.

The latest worm exploits security holes in Microsoft's Windows 95, 98, ME, NE, 2000 and XP platforms and can give computer attackers remote access to affected systems, said Trend Micro Inc..

"Hundreds of infection reports were sighted in the United States and Germany," Tokyo-based Trend Micro said in a statement released late last week.

"Since most users may not be aware of this newly announced security hole so as to install the necessary patch during last weekend, we can foresee more infections from WORM_ZOTOB," it said.

The latest virus drops a copy of itself into the Windows system folder as BOTZOR.EXE and modifies the system's host file in the infected user's computer to prevent the user getting online assistance from antivirus web sites, Trend Micro added.

It can also connect to a specific Internet relay chat server and give hackers remote control over affected systems, which can be used to infect other unpatched machines in a network and slow down the network performance.

Last Tuesday, Microsoft issued patches to fix its security flaws as part of its monthly security bulletin. The problems affect the Windows operating system and Microsoft's Internet Explorer Web browser.

Microsoft has warned that an attacker could exploit a vulnerability in its Internet Explorer Web browser and lure users to malicious Web pages, and could run a software code on the user's PC giving the attacker control of the affected computer.

Computer users should update their anti-virus pattern files and apply the latest Microsoft patches to protect their computer systems, Trend Micro said.

More than 90 percent of the world's PCs run on the Windows operating system and Microsoft has been working to improve the security and reliability of its software.

 

[ThreeD]

glad I don't use IE, and I don't get spam mail with .exe attachments so I'm safe Thanks for the headsup though Lyte!

 

[user-7256]

I hate Windows. It and Micro$oft deserve all these viruses and spyware, etc... and their users do too.

 

[ThreeD]

I hate Windows. It and Micro$oft deserve all these viruses and spyware, etc... and their users do too.

yet you have XP at the end of you username? Gotta love irony.. (I'm sure it stands for something else than the OS, so no worries). I assume since you're in the programming forum you're a programmer, running Linux?

I am not the biggest windows fan either, but some things just run better on Windows than Linux - hell, a lot of programs I need don't even exist on Linux. For example if you're like me, a web programmer, designer and gfx freak you're almost forced to run windows. I run a dual boot system with Win2k and Mandrake, but I mostly use my windows option.

Linux may be safer and more stable, but it's less compatible with a lot of the program I need on a daily basis.

Saying that all windows users derserve to get infected with viruses is not only a silly comment, but also arrogant and narrow minded. Would you expect the average user to understand the fundamentals and basics of Linux? Linux in general requires a higher level of knowledge, a knowledge very few people for example over the age of 50 have. You as a programmer have a much higher level of understanding for computers and OS's, a better understanding than most people ever will have. If you lower yourself down to the understanding of the average person, and try to introduce them into a Linux environment, you'll see how hard it is for them. Windows has an easier GUI and it's easier to understand/control for the general public, that's why Windows is so popular.

Your comment is like saying that all people running Linux are wannabe hackers, which in no way is the case. Linux is more stable and it has a much more sophiticated backbone/interface - that's why a lot of people with a higher average computer knowledge choose Linux. Too bad the software support for Linux is lacking, otherwise it could definately catch up with Windows and pick up market segments.

Anyways, that's just my 2 cents

 

[user-7256]

THIS IS THE THOUSANDTH TIME I'VE SAID THIS - XP MEANS "EXPERT" BUT IT IS NOT TRUE.

I'm saying that all people running linux are smart and deserve the peace and serenity that comes with it. I'm PRO-LINUX. Perhaps you should reread my post or learn English.

And, Linux is actually EASIER to use than Windows because with Linux, you don't have to teach all the stupid novice users how to update virus definitions and keep the system secure.

I've already been in 5 arguments about this today, so I'll leave it at that, (I won all 5 of em) so if I used all my energy I'd whomp you in this debate.

 

[ThreeD]

Perhaps you should reread my post or learn English.

well, if that's your way of spelling expert it's back to grammer school for you

Oh and by the way - you wouldn't whomp anything, I'm not PRO anything, I frankly couldn't care less. But you make it sound as if all Linux users are supreme beings, and windows users are dumb. And as I stated in the last post - a pretty arrogant attitude.

 

[user-7256]

I think you need to learn what an abbreviation/acronym is. Jerk.

And you should learn how to spell "grammar" - and go back to kindergarten to learn what abbreviations/acronyms are.

 

[ThreeD]

yeah ok I'll go to grammar school and you go back to your programmer forum and live in your little wannabe world

geez, talk about having issues..

 

[user-7256]

1 - I do not own any active programmer's forums.
2 - I suppose YOU are perfect in every way and have all the money YOU want to be able to justly say that?

EDIT: Haha, clever... editing your post like that. YOU are the one who has issues. I have FACTS - you have pointless comments that make no sense since what you say is redundant against what I have written.

 

[ThreeD]

I have never claimed to be perfect - in know for a fact that I am not perfect. I was just trying to bring my point across. Not sure why you blew up on me like that, was not meant to be an attack on you in person. I just found your comment to be a little harsh, that's why I wrote what I did.

 

[user-7256]

And I DIDN'T find your comment harsh?

You can't justly say what you said:

yeah ok I'll go to grammar school and you go back to your programmer forum and live in your little wannabe world

geez, talk about having issues..

unless you are perfect - that is why I said what I said.

So if you knew for a fact that you weren't perfect, why did you put the stupid "" emoticons in your post!? You act like you know everything! And it's REALLY annoying. Go hang out at some OTHER forum.

 

[ThreeD]

Edit? I just added the sentence "Geez, talk about having issues" to my post. I don't think my comments are pointless - I still haven't seen ANY fact posted by you, only bashing of an operating system and personal insults.

So if you knew for a fact that you weren't perfect, why did you put the stupid "" emoticons in your post!? You act like you know everything! And it's REALLY annoying. Go hang out at some OTHER forum.

Go through some of my posts, you'll see that I have several emoticons in ALL my posts, it's a bleeping smiley for gods sake. How does it make me act as if I know everything? Please explain that to me..

The comment you quoted was related to you calling me a jerk and telling me to go back to grammar school.

 

[user-7256]

Yes, genius (that is sarcasm), by adding to your post, you edited it.

Instead of saying "I haven't seen any facts posted by you", why don't you go soak your head in some of my OTHER topics?

Loser... :P

EDIT: Quit editing your post :P That's annoying too.

That smiley makes you seem stuck-up and you make it seem like you think you are a knowitall.

Geez, some people just don't know how to put up a good argument...

 

[ThreeD]

Bah, I won't waste my time searching the forum for your opinions, (that includes going through your profile). If you have valid arguments - post them in this thread or give me a link. Otherwise just let it go..

 

[GJ]

I hate Windows. It and Micro$oft deserve all these viruses and spyware, etc... and their users do too.

How do we deserve viruses??
You will get that kindof reaction if you say things like that you stupid idiot.

 

[ThreeD]

EDIT: Quit editing your post :P That's annoying too.

In case you haven't noticed before, if you post twice within a certain timeframe the posts are added to the end of the last one you made. The one with the Geez comment I edited on purpose.

In the last post my text was automatically added at the end, even if I postet it as a new post.

 

[user-7256]

Well it's lunchtime anyway and my parents are urging me to leave right now. I would, but maybe I will later. Also, they're not OPINIONS. THEY ARE FACTS. Get your details straight.

I see you are "on a different level"... this might explain some of your petty comments :D

Well that's still "editing your post"

How do we deserve viruses??
You will get that kindof reaction if you say things like that you stupid idiot.

You deserve it if you don't use Linux... it's just a side-effect of Windows... don't blame ME for stating the obvious...

 

[ThreeD]

Well it's lunchtime anyway and my parents are urging me to leave right now. I would, but maybe I will later. Also, they're not OPINIONS. THEY ARE FACTS. Get your details straight.

I still call them "Opinions" because I haven't seen you put up ANY facts yet. It's that simple..has nothing to do with getting my details straight.

Enjoy lunch with your parents!

EDIT -> OMG - he just "edited" his own post! Stop that, it's annoying! :P

 

[user-7256]

Yep, I've pretty much confirmed my evidence right there - ThreeD is a stuck up knowitall.

Also, GJ Online, get your act together and stop acting like a baby when I deny your request to be on your contact list 4 times! Geez! Take a hint, ya dummy!

 

[GJ]

Well it's lunchtime anyway and my parents are urging me to leave right now. I would, but maybe I will later. Also, they're not OPINIONS. THEY ARE FACTS. Get your details straight.

I see you are "on a different level"... this might explain some of your petty comments :D

Well that's still "editing your post"

How do we deserve viruses??
You will get that kindof reaction if you say things like that you stupid idiot.

You deserve it if you don't use Linux... it's just a side-effect of Windows... don't blame ME for stating the obvious...

Why should I download and install Linux??

What?
What contact list?