Alert: Windows May Deny Users [Microsoft PSS Hacking Alert]

Wired ^ | 2:30 p.m. Sep. 4, 2002 PDT | By Brian McWilliams

[toupsie]

Microsoft has issued an unusual warning to Windows users: watch out for a hack attack that could lock you out of your computer and turn it into a launching pad for other attacks.

But some security experts said Microsoft's breathless warning provided administrators with little help in sizing up -- or even fending off -- the potential attack.

[toupsie]

You can read all about it at the Microsoft. Too bad Microsoft has no solution to the problem. So if you can't use your Windows machine today, you have another reason why. As Microsoft says, "Because of the nature of hacking, there is almost no way to fully certify a computer as "clean" of all malicious software or changes that are made during the hack." Just hope your backups are infected too or you will never be clean -- until Microsoft figures out what is going on.

Time to switch or sort of switch, its nice to be one of the 5%.

[PatrioticAmerican]

The article, and your response, assumes people and cororations run windows in a secure environment. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The fact is, every OS when run without mind to security can be attacked. Every OS.

[toupsie]

The article, and your response, assumes people and cororations run windows in a secure environment. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The fact is, every OS when run without mind to security can be attacked. Every OS.

Security starts at the manufacturer. Not all manufacturers are alike in this area. If a OS vendor takes the time to secure their product before its released you won't have these sort of problems. Secure by default should be the mantra of all OS vendors. Granted users can screw up security but most won't fiddle with low level security. The BSD distros are generally very, very good at this and the Linux folks are catching up fast. I wish RedHat's default install would have zero services running. Most users don't need what RedHat leaves on.

[Dog Gone]

Hackers and virus creators should be used for biological weapons studies.

[steve50]

Linux have any versions a computer illiterate can run toupsie?

[toupsie]

Hackers and virus creators should be used for biological weapons studies.

Right behind the Windows Operating System engineers that produced a product that made the job so easy for Hackers and Virus creators. Security Flaws are a product of design not market share.

Frankly, Windows is so full of holes it makes Swiss Cheese jealous.

[PatrioticAmerican]

"Secure by default should be the mantra of all OS vendors. "

Until the consumer, who knows nothing of computers, gets real upset that his computer won't let him do anything.

[Lil'freeper]

Hackers and virus creators should be used for biological weapons studies.

Or hire them and sic 'em on AlQueda et al. They'd be able to come up with some intel.

[toupsie]

Linux have any versions a computer illiterate can run toupsie?

There are several, easy to use distros of Linux. Lindows and Mandrake Linux are a good start. I generally work with RedHat Linux so I am little biased towards it but I would not recommend it to a newbie. Hopefully the Penguin Freepers will read this thread and give their opinion on an easy Linux Desktop distro. I use Linux, Tru64, OS/400 and BSD as server operating systems and Mac OS X as my desktop operating system.

[Dog Gone]

I spent all last evening trying to rid one of my computers of the W32.ElKern.4926 virus, and I haven't succeeded yet.

I'm in the mood to strangle someone.

[ShadowAce]

Hopefully the Penguin Freepers will read this thread and give their opinion on an easy Linux Desktop distro.

[steve50]

Thanks. I'm still running Windows 98 with zone alarm, hopefully this OS is so old it's not targeted as much. XP seems to be an easy target, I'd like to avoid going that route on my next desktop, at least on a second HD.

[toupsie]

I spent all last evening trying to rid one of my computers of the W32.ElKern.4926 virus, and I haven't succeeded yet. I'm in the mood to strangle someone.

"Hi! I'm Bill Gates. I issued a memo on security this year to my employees. I don't think anyone read it."

[hoot2]

what do you mean? switch?
n this one wouldn't load:"img src="http://www.wapers.com/misc/redhat/redhat31024.jpg">

[toupsie]

Thanks. I'm still running Windows 98 with zone alarm, hopefully this OS is so old it's not targeted as much. XP seems to be an easy target, I'd like to avoid going that route on my next desktop, at least on a second HD.

Windows 98 is not safe according to the Microsoft PSS hacking alert. Take a gander.

[winner45]

link to Windows Hot Fix and Bulletin Service page

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/security/current.asp

[DTA]

>>>>>Right behind the Windows Operating System engineers that produced a product that made the job so easy for Hackers and Virus creators.<<<<

MS made life easy for lazy NSA spooks as well

For that reason German government said Aufwiedersehen to Microsoft

[rdb3]

Linux have any versions a computer illiterate can run?

[Eala]

Linux have any versions a computer illiterate can run toupsie?

"toupsie"??? Anyway, you might try Lycoris (formerly Redmond Linux). They are focusing specifically on the dektop alternative to Windows.

[steve50]

Txs guys, this Licoris looks promising