3.31.2009

Be prepared for Conficker worm attack

Conficker, also known as Downadup or Kido, first appeared last November. The worm is self-replicating and has attacked vulnerability in machines using Microsoft's Windows operating system, the software that runs most computers.

The reason for the concern around Conficker is that 1 April is the day the worm is set to change the way it updates itself, moving to a system that is much harder to combat.


How the Conficker worm works

Courtesy of microsoft.com


Discussions and articles surrounding Conficker have mushroomed on the web. Some articles are worthy to read either to prepare you protecting from the attack or simply to add your knowledge. Here are glances and links of Conficker articles from reliable sources.


Last-minute Conficker survival guide

Tomorrow -- April 1 -- is D-Day for Conficker, as whatever nasty payload it's packing is currently set to activate. What happens come midnight is a mystery: Will it turn the millions of infected computers into spam-sending zombie robots? Or will it start capturing everything you type -- passwords, credit card numbers, etc. -- and send that information back to its masters?

No one knows, but we'll probably find out soon.

Or not. As Slate notes, Conficker is scheduled to go "live" on April 1, but whoever's controlling it could choose not to wreak havoc but instead do absolutely nothing, waiting for a time when there's less heat. They can do this because the way Conficker is designed is extremely clever: Rather than containing a list of specific, static instructions, Conficker reaches out to the web to receive updated marching orders via a huge list of websites it creates. Conficker.C -- the latest bad boy -- will start checking 50,000 different semi-randomly-generated sites a day looking for instructions, so there's no way to shut down all of them. If just one of those sites goes live with legitimate instructions, Conficker keeps on trucking. Link


A Message For Your IT Director About the Conficker Worm

Many businesses often wait to push Windows Updates to computers on a network. IT Directors tend to prevent updates and patches our of concern for how those updates will conflict with your server or network. Allowing automatic updates could potentially break your operations.

However, I want to encourage you to ask your IT manager or provider whether you are protected against the Conficker virus that is catching the world by storm. Over 10 million PCs have been infected by this virus and many business computers are infected as well. This virus is difficult to detect but you can protect yourself with a simple Windows and antivirus update. Link


Conficker Set to Strike: Protect Yourself with These Tips and Tools

Security watchdogs warn that millions could be affected by the Conficker worm tomorrow - unfortunately this is not in an April Fool's Day joke. Over nine million PCs are already infected and a new variant of the virus could threaten those who didn't patch their PCs with the latest security updates.

Symantec warns that on April 1st Conficker "will simply start taking more steps to protect itself." After tomorrow, machines infected with the new "C strain" of Conficker may not be able to get security updates or patches from Microsoft and other security products vendors, says the company. Known also as Downadup or Kido, Conficker is a worm whose purpose security researchers couldn't decipher yet. Link


Your Conficker To-Do List

Worried about Wednesday's Conficker update? Here are eight action items that will help you weather the potential storm.

Unless you're living in a cave, by now you've heard that a worm known as Conficker (or Downadup, or Kido) has infested computer systems around the world, and that it will do something April 1st, though nobody knows exactly what. How can you be sure your computer doesn't become a casualty? Here are eight action items—things you can do yourself to weather the potential storm. Link


How will the April Fools' computer worm affect you?

Remember the dire predictions surrounding the "millennium bug?" The doom-and-gloom scenarios bandied about by security analysts on how computers could act when their clocks turned to January 1, 2000?

Well, researchers are hoping that a potential April Fools' time bomb -- the Conficker.c that is supposed to hit computers on April 1 -- turns out to be equally unfounded.

But realizing that hope alone is not a prudent option, here is a primer on the worm so you can adequately prepare yourself -- and your computer. Link


Protect yourself from the Conficker computer worm

The Conficker worm is a computer worm that can infect your computer and spread itself to other computers across a network automatically, without human interaction.

Most antivirus software could detect and block the Conficker worm, so if you have updated antivirus software on your computer, you are at a much lower risk of being infected by the Conficker worm.

If you or your network administrator have not installed the latest security updates from Microsoft and your antivirus provider, and if you have file-sharing turned on, the Conficker worm could allow remote code execution. Remote code execution allows an attacker to take control of your computer and use it for malicious purposes. Link


Conficker's Viral Marketing Campaign

The computer worm may be dangerous, but it's also boosting the cybersecurity industry's profile.

Rarely has a piece of software that's done so little been talked about so much.

Since the beginning of the year, the Conficker worm, a parasitic program seemingly created in China and currently infecting more than a million computers, has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post and even on 60 Minutes, the sort of media attention not paid to a computer virus since the Blaster worm of 2004. A Google (nasdaq: GOOG - news - people ) search on "conficker" revealed more than 3.2 million mentions of the virus. One, in eWeek, compared the program's notoriety to Paris Hilton's. Link

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3.28.2009

10 reasons why ladies are still single

You Don't Allow a Dude to Be a Dude... It doesn't matter if he "likes Oprah" and admits to enjoying an occasional pedicure, a man wants and needs to feel like a man. The minute you start pulling in the reins on things like his weekend basketball game, poker night, or riding his motorcycle, he's likely to build up some resentment. So, don't bag on him when he just wants to lounge on the sofa watching football for a few hours. Just let him be.

You're Disrespectful... We're all for girl power, but sometimes strong single gals (aka "alpha chicks") don't realize they're unintentionally engaging in a battle of the sexes. Picking on a guy can seem fun or humorous, but even if you're just joking around, constantly dissing him, especially in front of others, is a huge ego blow. Even if you're just trying to get a laugh, too much teasing will back fire.

You Don't Share Compliments or Praise... You love to hear how fantastic you look. Guess what? Guys love to get compliments, too! Whether you admire the way he plays guitar, treats his mother, or wears his hair, let him know. Always keeping those thoughts to yourself can keep him at a distance. You don't need to smother him with atta-boys, but an occasional comment about what you like goes a long way.

You Don't Ask for Help... This is one of those little things that can make a big difference in a relationship, and many overlook it. Guys love feeling needed (don't we all?) -- so even if you're the world's most stubborn and self-sufficient type, surely you can find a few things you might want a hand with. You'd be amazed at how much guys appreciate being asked for help. Just look at your daily routine, or your weekend "to do" list and focus on one or two things you could use a little assistance with. Hanging some pictures? Fixing a cabinet? Chances are you can find something. And, he'll be so glad you did!

You Act Desperate... Now don't let your requests run away with you. There's a difference between letting someone in your life and being needy and clingy. A man wants to see that you've got lots going on. You will spook him if you try to lock up his social schedule seven nights a week or tell him you've changed all your plans just to be with him. All great reasons for him to run for the hills!

You're Intimidating... Today's women are major multi-taskers who juggle jobs, family, friendships, finances, hobbies, school, and more. All that "Type A" energy can be intimidating to some guys. Whether you're a hardcore career girl and he's a musician... or you come from a wealthier family than he does... or you're one of those uber-intellectual gals who knows everything about everything -- it's important to be aware of his emotions, support him, and be his cheerleader when needed. And do not compare him to others -- that's just not a place any guy likes to be.

You Talk Too Much... Talking is a great way to get to know one another -- but some women can't resist the urge to monopolize the conversation or attempt to charm guys with long-winded stories. You don't have to tell him your whole life story on date #1, either -- including how your cat, Muffin, died when you were five or how you keep a "dream journal" of your wishes and desires. People don't enjoying hearing tedious rants or rambles -- the key is to get right to the good stuff. And don't be afraid of pauses! A short silence is better than a motor-mouth that doesn't quit.

You Hate Being Dirty or Messy... There's something irresistible about a girl who can roll with the punches. You can be miss prim and proper during the work week but if you can't ever loosen the strings, it's no fun. Being uptight is a bore. We've never met a guy who said "I wish I could meet a girl who is uptight!" Life's a dirty business and the more you can play in it, the more he'll appreciate you -- whether it's going on a no-shower overnight camping trip or playing co-ed tag football.

You Lack Confidence... Nothing's sexier than a confident woman, and that can be a lot to live up to. But try paying attention to your body language and eye contact. They are the most obvious signs of how you feel about yourself. A protective hunched stance, crossed arms, looking down, or turning away -- all have the potential to be big turn-offs. So, stay focused on your strengths instead of what you see as your weaknesses, and you'll see great changes.

You Nag a Lot... Naggers don't get far in the world of love. What you'll create is a very resentful guy. Whether you're constantly harping on him for the small stuff or dishing out a daily dose of "why can't you be more...?" -- the way to a man's heart is definitely not through nagging. Let the little things go because they are LITTLE. And keep your eye on the big things like: is this a good person, do you have fun together and are you treated with respect?


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