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Rootkit infection requires Windows reinstall, says Microsoft
computerworld ^

Posted on 06/27/2011 10:21:23 PM PDT by Gomez

Microsoft is telling Windows users that they'll have to reinstall the operating system if they get infected with a new rootkit that hides in the machine's boot sector.

A new variant of a Trojan Microsoft calls "Popureb" digs so deeply into the system that the only way to eradicate it is to return Windows to its out-of-the-box configuration, Chun Feng, an engineer with the Microsoft Malware Protection Center (MMPC), said last week on the group's blog.

"If your system does get infected with Trojan:Win32/Popureb.E, we advise you to fix the MBR and then use a recovery CD to restore your system to a pre-infected state," said Feng.

A recovery disc returns Windows to its factory settings.

(Excerpt) Read more at computerworld.com ...


TOPICS: Computers/Internet
KEYWORDS: microsofttax
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To: Gomez
I would never trust a rooted machine without an OS reinstall. Nuke it from orbit!

BAH! It's an MBR bug, not a true rootkit. the master boot record can be replaced in moments with any partition manager...

41 posted on 06/28/2011 7:33:38 AM PDT by roamer_1 (Globalism is just socialism in a business suit.)
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To: ShadowAce

Your luck with WINE must have been a lot better than mine. If you want to run linux your best bet is to also get VMWARE and run windows as a virtual machine. Or vice versa.


42 posted on 06/28/2011 7:33:44 AM PDT by for-q-clinton (If at first you don't succeed keep on sucking until you do succeed)
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To: for-q-clinton

Oh, goody, another mac vs. pc thread. Maybe ~this~ will be the one that finally settles it. [/s]


43 posted on 06/28/2011 7:35:14 AM PDT by Ramius (Personally, I give us... one chance in three. More tea?)
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To: for-q-clinton
The only program I've had an issue with in Linux is TaxCut.

I actually have a VM I boot up once a year to do my taxes.

44 posted on 06/28/2011 7:35:17 AM PDT by ShadowAce (Linux -- The Ultimate Windows Service Pack)
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To: Gomez

Bump to find later.


45 posted on 06/28/2011 7:44:42 AM PDT by techcor (I hope Obama succeeds, in being a one term president.)
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To: for-q-clinton
Why do the macbots feel it neccessary to muddy up windows threads with FUD?

FUD?

I didn't start the thread. It's not me saying that "Rootkit infection requires Windows reinstall".

According to Computerworld who is saying that? LOL.

With regard to my post correcting the claims that a standard Mac cost $3,000 and that the bare bones Dell is equal in function to an iMac, how is that FUD?

Why are you so touchy on the subjects of computer OS?

46 posted on 06/28/2011 7:58:55 AM PDT by Tribune7 (We're flat broke, but he thinks these solar shingles and really fast trains will magically save us.)
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To: enduserindy
Mac’s are mostly used by liberals who feel good about overpriced crap.

I find it amusing how so many windows advocates feel the need to insult users who use other type of computers or operating systems. I've found that most of them do so out of ignorance of the alternatives. Then again, it could be frustration with how annoying it is to keep up with all the stuff that is necessary to keep a microsoft-based computer health.

I'd use ms-windows if my time was worth nothing.

47 posted on 06/28/2011 8:31:24 AM PDT by zeugma (The only thing in the social security trust fund is your children and grandchildren's sweat.)
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To: enduserindy
Mac’s are mostly used by liberals who feel good about overpriced crap.

I find it amusing how so many windows advocates feel the need to insult users who use other type of computers or operating systems. I've found that most of them do so out of ignorance of the alternatives. Then again, it could be frustration with how annoying it is to keep up with all the stuff that is necessary to keep a microsoft-based computer health.

I'd use ms-windows if my time was worth nothing.

48 posted on 06/28/2011 8:32:00 AM PDT by zeugma (The only thing in the social security trust fund is your children and grandchildren's sweat.)
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To: zeugma
find it amusing how so many windows advocates feel the need to insult users who use other type of computers or operating systems. I've found that most of them do so out of ignorance of the alternatives. Then again, it could be frustration with how annoying it is to keep up with all the stuff that is necessary to keep a microsoft-based computer health.

You are probably one of those infantile Linux or liberal MacOS users.

49 posted on 06/28/2011 8:33:38 AM PDT by Lazamataz (Until Obama, has there ever been, in history, a Traitorous Ruler?)
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To: bajabaja; ShadowAce

Thanks for the confirmation, guys.

I know the standard “Office” type products are available [OpenOffice], but I need obscure little technical programs that have not been written in Linux.

Looks like I’m still stuck with Windows.


50 posted on 06/28/2011 8:38:11 AM PDT by BwanaNdege (For those who have fought for it, Life bears a savor the protected will never know.)
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To: Tribune7; Swordmaker

Not touchy at all. Just that swordmaker ensured me that macbots never spout off about Macs in windows threads.


51 posted on 06/28/2011 8:58:35 AM PDT by for-q-clinton (If at first you don't succeed keep on sucking until you do succeed)
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To: zeugma

I find it amusing that macbots feel the need to come to windows threads...even after they promised this never happens. Just look at the first post in this thread. It was a Macbot post.

As if Macs are immune from malware, viruses, and security flaws.

We all know that Mac is just as capable of getting a virus/hacked if not more so than windows 7.


52 posted on 06/28/2011 9:03:25 AM PDT by for-q-clinton (If at first you don't succeed keep on sucking until you do succeed)
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To: for-q-clinton
He sword...here’s another macbot muddying up a windows topic. Once again I thought you said this never happens.

I never said it "never happens," For-q-Clinton, I said it happens far less frequently than Windows users invading Mac threads. I haven't read the thread yet, no time now... but where are the slurs and insults aimed toward Windows users similar to the ones you guys sling around aimed at Mac users in Mac threads? Has anyone called a Windows user a "Windowsbot?" or "Microbot?"

Or are they merely making a suggestion about how to avoid a problem that is almost unique to users of Microsoft's operating system, that you always seem to perceive as a personal insult?

53 posted on 06/28/2011 9:06:34 AM PDT by Swordmaker (This tag line is a Microsoft product "insult" free zone.)
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To: Swordmaker
Or are they merely making a suggestion about how to avoid a problem that is almost unique to users of Microsoft's operating system, that you always seem to perceive as a personal insult?

After complaining the people who don't like Macs, for whatever reason, should "buy what they want, and stay off the Mac threads"?

54 posted on 06/28/2011 9:14:26 AM PDT by tacticalogic
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To: zeugma

“I find it amusing how so many windows advocates feel the need to insult users who use other type of computers or operating systems.”

Hey you should read my post again so here it is

Yeah I was thinking how many virus programs were written just to exploit Norton itself. Its also a terrible resource hog.
Unrelated to your post - Mac’s are mostly used by liberals who feel good about overpriced crap. I do mean crap. The only reason you don’t hear more about Mac virus infections is a lack of user volume. Write a virus for a few or the many? These days mac’s are just pc’s with mac os and frankly its not that impressive. Suse (or insert any you wish) linux is better and as pointed out free and there are much fewer virus problems than even mac has.

So my using Suse doesn’t qualify as an alternative? I am a Suse fan, I am a PC fan. I have one windows PC, WinXP on it with MS AV, haven’t even restarted it in 8 months. Never breaks down, never crashes. I also have a home server running Suse, In 2 years its only shut down once and that was due to an extended power outage. I don’t find MS annoying and as bad as people make it out to be its no where near as closed minded as apple is. That same closed minded attitude is why MS is the no.1 os and apple somewhere way behind.


55 posted on 06/28/2011 9:21:01 AM PDT by enduserindy (Conservative Dead Head)
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To: for-q-clinton

You are a fine one to whine about a thread disruption when you and a cadre of Bill Gates kool-aid drinking toadies throw your intellectual ordure on any Apple/Mac thread.

You are a flaming hypocrite.

Grow a pair, and quit whining. You get a tiny taste of what you do on a regular basis and you cry like a little girl. Get over it. Get over yourself.


56 posted on 06/28/2011 9:23:54 AM PDT by Keith in Iowa (FR Class of 1998 | TV News is an oxymoron. | MSNBC = Moonbats Spouting Nothing But Crap.)
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To: BwanaNdege

In a way you are correct and this is the one reason Linux hasn’t replaced MS. Wine is a free program that will run most stuff written for windows but it requires some configuration and won’t run it all. http://www.winehq.org/ take a look, there are other programs similar that will run stuff wine won’t. When linux solves this problem goodbye windows in a big way. Just for the record there are many programs that apple users can’t use too.


57 posted on 06/28/2011 9:26:05 AM PDT by enduserindy (Conservative Dead Head)
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To: Swordmaker

Yes, in fact, I’ve been called a bill gates kool-aid drinking toadie.

Enjoy.


58 posted on 06/28/2011 9:30:54 AM PDT by for-q-clinton (If at first you don't succeed keep on sucking until you do succeed)
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To: for-q-clinton
You'll notice that the "macbots' aren't the ones slinging insults. For some reason, it seems that ms-windows advocates folks can't discuss anything related to computers without resorting to juvenile name-calling. It's sad, really. I guess the frustration associated with using demonstratively inferior products gets the better of them.

We all know that Mac is just as capable of getting a virus/hacked if not more so than windows 7.

LOL. Well, now, we do have a sense of humor after all don't we?

59 posted on 06/28/2011 9:31:36 AM PDT by zeugma (The only thing in the social security trust fund is your children and grandchildren's sweat.)
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To: enduserindy

Wow you’re still using Windows XP! Impressive that an OS over 10 years old is still running strong today.

It takes a current version of OSX to compete with XP. When you bring windows 7 in the mix it’s the clear winner.


60 posted on 06/28/2011 9:33:10 AM PDT by for-q-clinton (If at first you don't succeed keep on sucking until you do succeed)
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