Important reading for all computer users

Bob_Trevithick · Dec 31, 2001

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://grc.com/UnPnP/UnPnP.htm>http://grc.com/UnPnP/UnPnP.htm</A>

I hope this works.. never posted a URL before.

I decided to change the title from "Interesting" to "Important." I really do think it is.

Harv · Dec 31, 2001

I decided to change the title from "Interesting" to "Important."

Should probably have changed it to "Important reading for all PC users"[/b]. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

One small advantage for Mac users is that they are not affected by Windows problems. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Bob_Trevithick · Dec 31, 2001

...Should probably have changed it to "Important reading for all PC users". 

Good point! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif But... I'll bet all Mac, Linux, etc., users have some friends who are running Windows.. and compromised Windows machines can attack any type of operating system via DOS attacks.. so you aren't completely out of the woods. /w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif The more Windows machines that are rendered secure, the better for everyone on the Internet.

Bob

RoyJackson · Dec 31, 2001

Yeah..just ain't enough Mac users to make it worthwhile writing a virus!!!!

(just jokin', Mac users!!!)

Bob_Trevithick · Dec 31, 2001

...Yeah..just ain't enough Mac users to make it worthwhile writing a virus!!!!

Yeah, as the old joke goes, "Even the virus writers don't support the Mac!" And before anyone gets angry, please know I LOVE Macs.. In fact, I'd still be running a Mac if only I could. We live in the boonies, and had to get DirecPC satellite.. which, you guessed it, requires their own proprietary software which only runs on Windows. Sigh.

If anyone is interested, here's another great link:

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://grc.com/dos/grcdos.htm>http://grc.com/dos/grcdos.htm</A>

This is the fascinating story of the dDOS attacks on the GRC site. Reads like a detective story, and gives one a good idea of just how vulnerable we all are, regardless of our choice of software and O/S.

Bob

beenthere · Dec 31, 2001

Is their a message here when they can't decide if it is UnPlug n' Pray or UnPlug n' Play??

Bob_Trevithick · Dec 31, 2001

...Is their a message here when they can't decide if it is UnPlug n' Pray or UnPlug n' Play??

I think the message is that Steve cranks this stuff out so fast that some typos slip in. Programmers are like that.. we spend months getting a routine perfect, and then scribble some docs in 20 minutes. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif I'll tell him to fix it.. he appreciates having people spot things that need fixing.

GlueGuy · Dec 31, 2001

One small advantage for Mac users is that they are not affected by Windows problems.

That is "mostly" true, Harv, but I would like to amend that statement. Since there is a lot of software on the market for Mac's that come from M$ (notably office and all its components). A more appropriate statement is would be more like "Mac's are not affected as much".

Since a lot of malicious software is aimed squarely with M$ Word macros, you might be more vulnerable than you might like. However, having a non-M$ pure Mac, you are probably very correct.

MossRoad · Dec 31, 2001

You and that glenmac character! I tell ya! The mac to PC ratio on TBN is probably the same as the PowerTrac to Kubota ratio/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif.

Harv · Dec 31, 2001

I happen to know that the Mac population on TBN is 0.75% of the total users. /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif

Given those kinds of odds, I'm not about to start an argument about platform religion. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

I'm much more interested in the people behind the computers anyway. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

JATO_RaT · Dec 31, 2001

Well Harv, count me in. I have an old Macintosh 6100 and on occasion use a multi processor G4 for some terraflopping Adobe photoshop work. I use a Nikon Coolscan 8000 with Firewire to scan old 6x6 up to 6x9 negatives or transparencies. My wifes "ultra megahertz" Dell is so slow when it comes to Photoshop, I just can't bring myself around to waiting that long anymore. For TBN, I use a Sony PC laptop 99% of the time. I find that the differences aren't nearly as great as they once were between Windows and Macs. No doubt for a long time the Macs were incredibly more intuitive to us average users. For graphics, I still find it much better working the Mac side even though I occasionally do it on PC's. I think your comment of the person behind the computer being the interesting part is not only far more important but lends itself to many other things as well. Tractors being no exception. MChalkley is a great example of that. Been there, done that, Rat...

TerryinMD · Dec 31, 2001

All -

This problem has been fixed by Microsoft. If you have used the Windows Update feature within the past few days, you should have picked up this security patch. I thought that it sounded familiar and a patch was available. I checked the Microsoft patch web site and verified that it was available.

As a note, I highly recommend that all Windows users run the update utility weekly. It keeps your OS up-to-date. Especially to pick up security patches. It's part of my weekly habit with the PC. Virus software and OS patch monitoring are performed early Saturday or Sunday morning. Fire it up, get a cup of coffee, and let it do it's thing. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Terry

Bob_Trevithick · Dec 31, 2001

...This problem has been fixed by Microsoft.

Hi Terry,

My understanding is that Microsoft didn't really fix the problem. The problem, as I understand it, it that a server is running, without any reason, and broadcasting its presence to everyone on the Internet.

With Microsoft's "fix", the server is still running. The real fix, I think, is to simply stop the server. Steve Gibson's approach does that; Microsoft's doesn't.

I'm not an MS basher, but I'll trust Steve over them any day. If you read his page, maybe it will be explained better than I can do it.

Regards, and Happy New Year!
Bob

MChalkley · Dec 31, 2001

Rat,

If that was a compliment, thanks. /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

If it wasn't... /w3tcompact/icons/tongue.gif

/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

JATO_RaT · Jan 1, 2002

Sorry Mark, it most definitely was a compliment, however, I could see where the last phrase "been there done that" could have thrown you off. That was an inside joke to Harv about the old Mac operating system back in 1987. Have a marvelous and delightful New Year, Rat...

MChalkley · Jan 1, 2002

Rat - I was just messin' with ya. /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif But you knew that. Thanks for the compliment. I can see how you could think that. I've known a lot of interesting nuts myself. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

TerryinMD · Jan 1, 2002

Bob,

Happy New Year!!!! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

You mention server. I do not use my system as a server. Or is it one of the services running in the background. I guess I need to reread the link you provided.

Terry

Bob_Trevithick · Jan 1, 2002

Hi Terry,

...You mention server. I do not use my system as a server. Or is it one of the services running in the background. I guess I need to reread the link you provided.

This is exactly the problem, Terry. A very tiny percentage of people intentionally run servers, but Microsoft allows this server to run as a background job, by default, on every XP machine. So lots of people are running servers and don't know it. Yes, I'd suggest a careful reading of that page.. it really spells out the problems.. not just for XP users, but for 98, ME, etc. Microsoft has not done a very good job, historically, in the security department.. and it appears that they have just made it worse. I won't even get into the whole issue of "raw sockets", but if you are interested there are links on Steve's page and I can provide you with specific ones.

Best,
Bob

gator · Jan 1, 2002

One other thing you may want to do if you have Windows and a Cable Modem or DSL is use a personal firewall.I use ZoneAlarm and it is free and available <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.zdnet.com/downloads/stories/info/0,,57636,.html> HERE </A>.The explenation of what it does and the download link are on this page.I did a 'Probe Me' at the site Bob linked to above it it said my computer is invisible to the 'net'.Just a thought.