[Tuike]

There has been discovered a very serious Windows vulnerability. If a hacked wmf graphic file ends up in your Windows pc computer, like from e-mail, or surfing the internet, a backdoor opens and your computer will be filled with scum. There is no patch from Microsoft and no firewall protects against this threat.

A very good faq at Internet Storm Center: link

A plead at ISC that everyone should follow their advise: link

Here's some information at F-Secure website blog: link

A Russian experts unofficial patch that should work: link

[pilferage]

Aaron, what kind of interoperability issues between OOffice & MS Office are you having?

[Tuike]

Microsoft has now released an update that should fix the problem. Luckily, hackers didn't throw any supervirus at us while Windows machines were vulnerable.

The update can be aquired through Windows update or from Microsoft security bulletin

If you have installed the Russians unofficial fix you should uninstall it before installing the MS update.

[12amps]

This is just the funniest thing i've seen in a while, had to post it.
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?fi ... sec=nation

PETALING JAYA: Hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of local PC users running pirated Windows operating systems will soon face the shame of being reminded of their illegal action every time they switch on their machines. The feature will be added to the operating system by Microsoft Corp from tomorrow and cannot be erased. It will nag the guilty users and can be awkward if it shows up on corporate PCs.

There are about six million Windows PC users in the country, according to industry estimates, while anti-piracy watchdog Business Software Alliance has reported that 61% of all software used in local private businesses is illegal. Current users of PCs running pirated Windows will find their machines “tattooed” the next time they update the operating system.

Basically, a message stating “This copy of Windows is not genuine ...” will be permanently affixed to the operating system’s login screen, and a similar message will randomly pop up on the desktop whenever the machine is in use. The anti-piracy move is being kicked off in five countries tomorrow – the United States, Britain, New Zealand, Australia and Malaysia.

Users whose machines have been affected will only be able to get rid of the tattoo if they install a genuine copy of Windows. Prices range from RM320 for a copy of Windows XP Home (OEM version) to RM510 for Windows XP Pro (OEM version). “Or they can put up with being ‘nagged’ by the pop-up message every time they use their computers,” said K.T. Ng, group manager for Windows Client solutions at Microsoft Malaysia.

If they were businessmen or corporate executives, it would be embarrassing if their clients saw the tattoo indicating that a pirated copy of Windows was being used, he said. According to Ng, the move was aimed at better serving Microsoft’s genuine users. For example, he said, counterfeiters had been able to reproduce Microsoft product packaging to the point where consumers were unable to tell genuine from imitation. “The pop-up message would immediately alert consumers to counterfeit copies of Windows, such as when they buy a new notebook or PC,” he said.

If a user has unknowingly received an illegal copy of the operating system, he will be able to report the vendor concerned by clicking on the “Get Genuine” button at the login screen. Machines that have been tattooed will still be able to receive software updates for the operating system, but will not be allowed to download Internet Explorer 7.0 (IE7) and Windows Defender. IE7 is the new, more secure version of Microsoft’s web browser while Windows Defender is an anti-spyware program.

[gnm]

Vote with your feet and choose whatever linux distro suits ya!

-G

[Comp_Lex]

Did you know that Aero shuts down if M$ has detected that you're using an illegal version of Vista?

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'I')E7 is the new, more secure version of Microsoft’s web browser while Windows Defender is an anti-spyware program.

[AgentR]

I posted a picture a while back to a peak oil thread and today got curious about all the anti-walmart, anti US corporate interest comments.

Out of 551 pickups of the picture, 500 were from windows machines, 38 were from Macs, and only 13 were from Linux.

So I'm sittin here, right wing nutbar, pro corporate interests, pro tax cuts, and I'm very nearly the only person using an OS that doesn't enslave me to a US Corporation.

Wierd.

[mjdlight]

Well, I happen to be using a pirated copy of MS Windows -- and I doubt I'm alone in that. I seriously considered a Mac for my latest machine, but ultimately went with another home-built. I happen to think OS X and the Mac is a superior platform, but I simply don't have the discrentionary $$ at this point to justify it.

Linux? Great idea. Flawed execution (in my opinion). But I'm always keeping my eye on it...

[Wickan]

I use a dell. I work for Starbucks. I smoke a pack of Salem's a day. I don't claim to be anti-corporate at all. I'm just tired of being lied to (by those in power.)

I don't think you have to be anti-corporate to seek and demand the truth.

[gego]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('AgentR', 'I') posted a picture a while back to a peak oil thread and today got curious about all the anti-walmart, anti US corporate interest comments.

Out of 551 pickups of the picture, 500 were from windows machines, 38 were from Macs, and only 13 were from Linux.

So I'm sittin here, right wing nutbar, pro corporate interests, pro tax cuts, and I'm very nearly the only person using an OS that doesn't enslave me to a US Corporation.

Wierd.

[TheTurtle]

Uhhh ... I use Firefox as my browser ... does that count for anything?

[gnm]

Firefox under linux here dude... Totally M$ free work and home...

Bill can stick his buggy crap you know where..

-G

[PolestaR]

Well the FACT is the Windows XP desktop is better than anything LINUX can throwup at the moment. I hope to make the native move to linux desktop eventually when it matures some more (I use VMs with linux atm from windows).

The only people who chose to be on linux now are nerds who need to prove something to their gods of choice, in your case rwwff, Jesus the catholic god.

If you were really cool like me you'd have the DAS KEYBOARD (google it ) with a dvorak mapping. But you're not.. so nwah.

[PolestaR]

The real question is how do you interface with your computer.. not what OS you use.

[gego]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('pstarr', 'B')y your logic AgentR a starving person who eats tainted food deserves to die. we have no choice. we eat the crumbs they feed us.

[emersonbiggins]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('AgentR', '
')
Out of 551 pickups of the picture, 500 were from windows machines, 38 were from Macs, and only 13 were from Linux.

Wierd.

[PolestaR]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('emersonbiggins', 'S')ince AutoCAD doesn't run on a Mac (or much else, for that matter), I am beholden to Windows. Plus, Microsoft hasn't been known for gutting mom-and-pop computer shops and Main Streets across the country.

I also live in the burbs, yet I rally against them. Guess that makes me an A+ hypocrite (or maybe just somebody who can't afford anything else).

[emersonbiggins]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('PolestaR', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('emersonbiggins', 'S')ince AutoCAD doesn't run on a Mac (or much else, for that matter), I am beholden to Windows. Plus, Microsoft hasn't been known for gutting mom-and-pop computer shops and Main Streets across the country.

I also live in the burbs, yet I rally against them. Guess that makes me an A+ hypocrite (or maybe just somebody who can't afford anything else).