Date: 07/12/05 (Security)    Keywords: virus, antivirus, spyware

"Zombie" attacks quadrupled in recent months, reports antivirus company McAfee. Spyware and adware are on the rise too.

Source: http://news.zdnet.com/Report%3A+Computer+hijacking+on+the+rise/2100-1009_22-5783646.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=zdnn

Date: 07/11/05 (Security)    Keywords: software, spyware, microsoft

Claria gets downgrade in threat level on Microsoft AntiSpyware beta, as software giant reportedly mulls buying the adware maker.

Source: http://news.zdnet.com/Microsoft+denies+its+antispyware+favors+Claria/2100-1009_22-5782848.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=zdnn

Date: 07/20/05 (Security)    Keywords: software, spyware

Company refreshes its anti-spyware software as it works on a new beta due out later this year.

Source: http://news.zdnet.com/Microsoft+tinkers+with+anti-spyware+tools/2100-1009_22-5796227.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=zdnn

Date: 07/26/05 (Security)    Keywords: web, spyware

Photo album and blog sites are among the free services increasingly being used to spread spyware and other pests, Websense says.

Source: http://news.zdnet.com/Attackers+lurk+on+photo+sites%2C+firm+warns/2100-1009_22-5803863.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=zdnn

Date: 08/17/05 (Computer Help)    Keywords: virus, spyware

I just bought a Compaq desktop this past Sunday and already have problems with it.

My last computer ran Win95 when I first got it, and it ran faster than the computer I've got now. I've had a few issues with the new computer freezing up for a few minutes at a time, and it usually starts working if I sit long enough and wait, but sometimes it doesn't. I'd heard from many people that if you've got Norton, it's constantly running doing something, and it slows the computer down. I don't really have a problem with it since it just popped up to let me know that it found a threat, where the other programs don't pull it up.

Overall, the computer runs really really slow compared to my old one, and I was wondering what actions I could take to keep it from stalling or freezing or just to keep it running faster.

So my questions are:
- Are there programs that help protect me from viruses and spyware, that are better than Norton? If so, what are they?
- How can I get into my settings to change the programs that start as soon as I log on? A friend of mine showed me how a few years ago, but I hadn't needed to use it, so I don't remember the command.
- What can make my computer run faster and stop freezing up?

Source: http://www.livejournal.com/community/computer_help/467597.html

Date: 08/16/05 (Computer Help)    Keywords: rss, software, browser, html, technology, java, virus, web, spyware, yahoo, microsoft, google

Hey guys, this time I have a question not about my computer but my brothers.

Lately, it has been randomly shutting down. When it does, the entire screen goes black and the tower...sings? It plays 4 deep notes...Do sol Do Sol if anyone has studied Solfage.

He had a host of Adware and 4 trojans, all of which have been removed but the problem persists.

Not that I have any idea what it means, but here is the logfile from Hijack This!.

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 2:47:37 PM, on 8/16/2005
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\csrss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgamsvr.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgupsvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\CTsvcCDA.EXE
C:\Program Files\Cisco Systems\VPN Client\cvpnd.exe
C:\Program Files\Network Associates\Common Framework\FrameworkService.exe
C:\Program Files\Network Associates\VirusScan\Mcshield.exe
C:\Program Files\Network Associates\VirusScan\VsTskMgr.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\NETWOR~1\COMMON~1\naPrdMgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7Debug\mdm.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wdfmgr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\MsPMSPSv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\alg.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_02\bin\jusched.exe
D:\Program Files\Winamp\winampa.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgcc.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgemc.exe
C:\Program Files\Network Associates\VirusScan\SHSTAT.EXE
C:\Program Files\Network Associates\Common Framework\UpdaterUI.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Network Associates\TalkBack\TBMon.exe
D:\Program Files\AIM\aim.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Spyware Doctor\swdoctor.exe
C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\ymsgr_tray.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wscntfy.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\DOCUME~1\Master\LOCALS~1\Temp\Temporary Directory 1 for hijackthis.zip\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://google.com/
N3 - Netscape 7: # Mozilla User Preferences

/* Do not edit this file.
*
* If you make changes to this file while the browser is running,
* the changes will be overwritten when the browser exits.
*
* To make a manual change to preferences, you can visit the URL about:config
* For more information, see http://www.mozilla.org/unix/customizing.html#prefs
*/

user_pref("aim.session.firsttime", false);
user_pref("browser.activation.checkedNNFlag", true);
user_pref("browser.bookmarks.added_static_root", true);
user_pref("browser.download.dir", "C:\\Documents and Settings\\Master\\Desktop\\pastel pics");
user_pref("browser.search.defaultengine", "engine://D%3A%5CProgram%20Files%5CNetscape%5CNetscape%5Csearchplugins%5CSBWeb_01.src");
user_pref("browser.startup.homepage", "www.google.com");
user_pref("browser.startup.homepage_override.mstone", "rv:1.7.2");
user_pref("browser.tabs.forceHide", true);
user_pref("dom.disable_open_during_load", true);
user_pref("intl.charsetmenu.browser.cache", "windows-1252, UTF-8,
N3 - Netscape 7: # Mozilla User Preferences

/* Do not edit this file.
*
* If you make changes to this file while the browser is running,
* the changes will be overwritten when the browser exits.
*
* To make a manual change to preferences, you can visit the URL about:config
* For more information, see http://www.mozilla.org/unix/customizing.html#prefs
*/

user_pref("aim.session.firsttime", false);
user_pref("browser.activation.checkedNNFlag", true);
user_pref("browser.bookmarks.added_static_root", true);
user_pref("browser.download.dir", "C:\\Documents and Settings\\Master\\Desktop\\pastel pics");
user_pref("browser.search.defaultengine", "engine://D%3A%5CProgram%20Files%5CNetscape%5CNetscape%5Csearchplugins%5CSBWeb_01.src");
user_pref("browser.startup.homepage", "www.google.com");
user_pref("browser.startup.homepage_override.mstone", "rv:1.7.2");
user_pref("browser.tabs.forceHide", true);
user_pref("dom.disable_open_during_load", true);
user_pref("intl.charsetmenu.browser.cache", "windows-1252, UTF-8,
O2 - BHO: Yahoo! Companion BHO - {02478D38-C3F9-4efb-9B51-7695ECA05670} - C:\PROGRA~1\Yahoo!\COMPAN~1\Installs\cpn\ycomp5_5_7_0.dll
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: PCTools Site Guard - {5C8B2A36-3DB1-42A4-A3CB-D426709BBFEB} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYWAR~1\tools\iesdsg.dll
O2 - BHO: PCTools Browser Monitor - {B56A7D7D-6927-48C8-A975-17DF180C71AC} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYWAR~1\tools\iesdpb.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Yahoo! Companion - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - C:\PROGRA~1\Yahoo!\COMPAN~1\Installs\cpn\ycomp5_5_7_0.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [UpdReg] C:\WINDOWS\Updreg.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CTStartup] C:\Program Files\Creative\Splash Screen\CTEaxSpl.EXE /run
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Jet Detection] d:\Program Files\Creative\SBAudigy\PROGRAM\ADGJDet.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ATIPTA] C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_02\bin\jusched.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NeroCheck] C:\WINDOWS\system32\NeroCheck.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WinampAgent] d:\Program Files\Winamp\winampa.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_CC] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgcc.exe /STARTUP
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_EMC] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgemc.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ShStatEXE] "C:\Program Files\Network Associates\VirusScan\SHSTAT.EXE" /STANDALONE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [McAfeeUpdaterUI] "C:\Program Files\Network Associates\Common Framework\UpdaterUI.exe" /StartedFromRunKey
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Network Associates Error Reporting Service] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Network Associates\TalkBack\TBMon.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [AIM] D:\Program Files\AIM\aim.exe -cnetwait.odl
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Yahoo! Pager] C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\ypager.exe -quiet
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Spyware Doctor] "C:\Program Files\Spyware Doctor\swdoctor.exe" /Q
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Reader Speed Launch.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Cisco Systems Gatorlink VPN Client.lnk = C:\Program Files\Cisco Systems\VPN Client\vpngui.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = D:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\OSA.EXE
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Yahoo! Search - file:///C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common/ycsrch.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://D:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~1\Office10\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O8 - Extra context menu item: Yahoo! &Dictionary - file:///C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common/ycdict.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Yahoo! &Maps - file:///C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common/ycdict.htm
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_02\bin\npjpi150_02.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_02\bin\npjpi150_02.dll
O9 - Extra button: Spyware Doctor - {2D663D1A-8670-49D9-A1A5-4C56B4E14E84} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYWAR~1\tools\iesdpb.dll
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {4528BBE0-4E08-11D5-AD55-00010333D0AD} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\yhexbmes0521.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Yahoo! Messenger - {4528BBE0-4E08-11D5-AD55-00010333D0AD} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\yhexbmes0521.dll
O9 - Extra button: AIM - {AC9E2541-2814-11d5-BC6D-00B0D0A1DE45} - D:\Program Files\AIM\aim.exe
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll
O16 - DPF: {60AABB26-4D2E-48AD-9334-FB8803A7C671} (WebCamRecv3X Control) - http://www.dynamiciplink.com/ActiveX/WebViewer.cab
O23 - Service: Ati HotKey Poller - ATI Technologies Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
O23 - Service: ATI Smart - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\ati2sgag.exe
O23 - Service: AVG7 Alert Manager Server (Avg7Alrt) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgamsvr.exe
O23 - Service: AVG7 Update Service (Avg7UpdSvc) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgupsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Creative Service for CDROM Access - Creative Technology Ltd - C:\WINDOWS\System32\CTsvcCDA.EXE
O23 - Service: Cisco Systems, Inc. VPN Service (CVPND) - Cisco Systems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Cisco Systems\VPN Client\cvpnd.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Framework Service (McAfeeFramework) - Network Associates, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Network Associates\Common Framework\FrameworkService.exe
O23 - Service: Network Associates McShield (McShield) - Network Associates, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Network Associates\VirusScan\Mcshield.exe
O23 - Service: Network Associates Task Manager (McTaskManager) - Network Associates, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Network Associates\VirusScan\VsTskMgr.exe

Sean

Source: http://www.livejournal.com/community/computer_help/466361.html

Date: 08/25/05 (Computer Geeks)    Keywords: software, database, virus, spyware, microsoft

Hello, and bare with me. Computerwise I'm a semi-illiterate seeking an answer to a pre-researched, fairly thought-out question (as advised by the mods in userinfo). The problem is I'm getting conflicting answers depending on where I look, and if you computergeeks can't resolve it, I give up. Hopefully you all are not too disappointed that my question won't involve highly technical jargon or tons of acronyms...

By way of background: I'm a graduate student in the social science, and for the first time ever I have the opportunity of purchasing a new laptop. I will be storing important research on my computer, as well as doing a great deal of internet research. At some point I will need to install some sort of academic research software (a database that can cross reference scads of quotes, sources, etc.)

I'm leaning toward a basic mac because I'm hearing that the mac infrastructure is more stable than PCs, and that it is less prone to viruses and spyware. This is important, as viruses ate my last hard drive. On the downside, mac laptops seem to be a bit pricier than comparable PCs. I have never owned a mac before anyway, and have concers about learning a new interface. Additionally, I've been warned by many PC-using faculty and students that e-mailing Word docs (and other Microsoft program stuff) from Mac to PC can be sketchy and that a lot of software is only useable on PC. This can't be true in this day and age, can it?

If I don't go with a mac, I'll need a good reccommendation for a reliable PC. I've used Dell and Gateway, and had problems with both. I've heard fujitsu is good, but more expensive. I didn't feel I could take this inquiry to the Mac communities, because of their obvious bias. ;)

Any advice offered will be met with my profound gratitude. Thanks for the patience.

Source: http://www.livejournal.com/community/computergeeks/756744.html

Date: 08/27/05 (Computer Geeks)    Keywords: spyware, microsoft

What would be the best places to turn to for free spyware and adware removal instructions?

Our family computer's been infested with a good deal 20 instances of spyware, adware, and dialers that have somehow evaded detection or removal by Microsoft Anti-Spyware, Spy-bot Search and Destroy, and Lavasoft (but not SpyXposer). I'm not sure which sites to trust and which ones not to trust when it comes to free ways to remove the spyware/adware garbage.

Source: http://www.livejournal.com/community/computergeeks/760537.html

Date: 09/06/05 (Mozilla)    Keywords: browser, spyware

Ever since about 1.0.5, FireFox has been acting badly on my computer, almost to the point where it is becoming unusable. Whenever a page is in the process of loading - that is, the status bar is reporting anything transferring, the entire application is frozen until the page finishes loading. This means that any tabs loading in the background will freeze the browser, something loading in another window will freeze the browser, etc. I have broadband so pages load quickly, but it's especially painful when a page is waiting to time out, or an image on a page is refusing to load, as the entire time it's waiting for the timeout, my entire browser is unusable.

I wiped the profile recently and started over, in an attempt to fix this, but it did not help. I am using very few extensions, pretty much the same ones I've been using for years without trouble (Session Saver, Deepest Sender, Image Zoom, etc). However, even disabling extensions doesn't fix the problem.

It's gotten so bad I'm having to surf using Opera now instead of FireFox because I'm in danger of destroying my keyboard in frustration when I've got to wait nearly a minute just to have my browser do ANYTHING. Sometimes it's so bad, when a page is taking an especially long time to load, that I end up having to kill firefox from task manager.

Does anyone know what might be causing this? My system IS SPYWARE FREE, so don't even THINK about suggesting that I check for spyware/virii. I have an Athlon64 3500+ with 2 GB ram, so system performance is not an issue.

Anybody ever have this problem before?

(EDIT: I'm suspecting network drivers are wierd at this moment... it may be a windows problem like that, because I see it *sometimes* in other programs it seems.... but ALL the time in FireFox. I would update network drivers, but the newest drivers from Windows Update have are very unstable for my system (cause crashes) so I had to roll back to what was on my motherboard CD...)

Source: http://www.livejournal.com/community/mozilla/315505.html

Date: 09/09/05 (Computer Geeks)    Keywords: software, virus, spyware

Just a tip for windows users installing the new iTunes 5. Upon installing your computer might reboot itself automatically, uninstall your previous version of iTunes, and make it so that your music files can't be accessed. Before some of you chew me out, lots of people are experiencing the same things and are expressing their rage on the Apple discussion boards. A solution to the problem is turning off your anti-virus/spyware software before installing and everything should be fine.

Source: http://www.livejournal.com/community/computergeeks/770368.html

Date: 09/09/05 (IT Professionals)    Keywords: security, spyware

Hello! I'm trying to fix a spyware on my friend's computer, and I stuck into this problem: there are some processes I cannot terminate (though I'm logged on as an administrator). It says "Access denied" or something like this. I tried several ways: usual Task Manager, the ProcessExplorer, command-line ntsd tool, and some others. I see problem is not with these tools, but with my privileges.

This very useful page, where I read about ntsd ( http://sastools.com/b2/post/79394226 ), says:

Note that this only works if your user group has debug privileges, check Control Panel->Administrative Tools->Local Security Policy->Local Policies->User Rights Assignment->"Debug Programs". I've run across some nasty spyware that turns off the debug privilege for Administrators and runs itself as a system process.

Source: http://www.livejournal.com/community/itprofessionals/21533.html

Date: 09/11/05 (Computer Help)    Keywords: spyware

I recently updated windows me after installing all the updates including Internet Explorer 6 I began to experience problems with my computer. Often it would just freeze or hang when I tried to open internet explorer. Additionally my screen keeps on freezing even when I'm not using the internet.

I eventually did a system restore to a point before my updates and downloaded firefox. This has been working a lot better but there are still times when my computer freezes and when I press ctrlaltdel it says Explorer is not responding. Is there anything I can do to figure out what the problem is and fix it? Any help would be really appreciated.

P.S I dont think its a spyware problem

Source: http://www.livejournal.com/community/computer_help/485409.html

Date: 09/18/05 (Computer Help)    Keywords: spyware

Hi there.

On my brother's computer I was running a spyware scan. While I did so, I changed the resolution to 640x480 and the colour to 16 colours. Now it won't change back, won't detect the mouse, and won't troubleshoot. What the hell did I do and how do I fix it?

xposted to computerhelp

Source: http://www.livejournal.com/community/computer_help/489832.html

Date: 09/22/05 (IT Professionals)    Keywords: virus, spyware, linux, apache

I am looking for a Free or Cost Effective Network Monitoring package. It can run on either Windows 2000 Server or FreeBSD/Linux preferred. Right now I love the fact that if there is a virus outbreak or my firewall is compromised, or we have a “spyware/greyware” problem I get an email stating this right to my Treo. I would love for something to monitor services on various servers or even if the servers are up and running. Internally we have apache, samba and DNS. Externally I need to monitor FTP, Apache, DNS, Sendmail. These neverreally fail but would like to keep an eye on them, and actually if the server itself has a problem and goes down. We also have a 2K server running various applications here my concern is if the server is really up more or less.

Source: http://www.livejournal.com/community/itprofessionals/23728.html

Date: 09/30/05 (Computer Help)    Keywords: spyware

My WInMX hasn't been working for the past couple of days. It won't connect at all. Could that be a problem with a server of their's or something? And does anyone know what's wrong with it? And I was also wondering if anyone could reccomend to me a better P2P programs? I know Kazaa and those other programs are infested with spyware. Thanks =)

Source: http://www.livejournal.com/community/computer_help/496805.html

Date: 10/03/05 (Mozilla)    Keywords: spyware

Today my dad rebooted my computer because he was installing something... and the administrator account has gone missing on the welcome screen (Windows XP) due to spyware we're thinking.

Anyways, I have another account set up on the computer for times just like this, so it's no biggie. The real thing that irks me though is that my favorites, extensions, and theme for Firefox are all on the other account... I hadn't backed up my favorites, but is there by any chance I could get my FF profile back? The files and all are still there (“My Documents” and such)--the account is just not appearing on the welcome screen.

Source: http://www.livejournal.com/community/mozilla/325869.html

Date: 10/05/05 (Microsoft Windows)    Keywords: virus, spyware

I have a question. I have 2 accounts on my computer--my account and my boyfriend's account. My boyfriend's account is rarely rarely used, but lately he's tried to use it. My account works just fine, but his account keeps dumping the physical memory. I've cleaned the computer hardware, ran various anti-spyware programs, ran my virus protection program, defragged the harddrive, etc. Still does it. (And of course, Windows tells me that I might want to disable the driver in the STOP line, but um, I don't magically know how to look at hex and go "oh it's that driver!") So, if anyone has any suggestions of what might be wrong with his account, that would be awesome. The only thing I can think of is that I got a new monitor recently, but it's hard for me to say if that's somehow the problem because we so rarely used his account before then. I should probably add that I'm running Windows XP.

Source: http://www.livejournal.com/community/ms_windows/46624.html

Date: 10/06/05 (Security)    Keywords: software, virus, spyware

A test version of software to protect business PCs and file servers against viruses and spyware is due by year's end.

Source: http://news.zdnet.com/Microsoft+set+to+test+security+software/2100-1009_22-5889842.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=zdnn

Date: 10/09/05 (Computer Geeks)    Keywords: software, security, virus, antivirus, spyware, spam, microsoft

Firstly, I just want this to be known that this isn't an anti-windows rant or anything. There is a question being posed here, I promise :P

With that said, companies like McAfee and Symantec have basically been making a living solely from Microsoft's security oversights. They've been charging people to use their software which protects those people from the vulnerabilities that Microsoft left open. The quality of these programs varies from function to function. Even then, they ignore adware since it's not considered 'malicous'. And even still, they have issues with using the same name for similar viruses. Users are faced with these same problems with any anti-virus/anti-adware/anti-whatever software they use. There is a lot of similar companies, but they don't have a common agreeance on what is and isn't a virus, or if they should detect adware. There's also the issues that come with the firewall program they install. Traffic from the internet isn't always malicious, but those firewalls can't usually tell the difference. Very few of these programs are free. None of these problems actually FIX the problem. They're only removing programs that exploit the initial vulnerabilities, leaving room for reuse value.

As many of you surely know already, Microsoft has recently released a beta version of their anti-crap (to summarize anti-spam, anti-virus, anti-adware, anti-spyware, etc) scanner and removal tool. Before that, they've included a firewall program in XP SP2. Microsoft is not charging anything for either of these programs. At least not as of yet if they ever decide to.

So, my question is this; Do you folks think Microsoft is taking a step in the right direction by adding the firewall and scanner tools? Will they do a better job than the other Antivirus vendors? Do you think maybe they are taking a step in the WRONG direction, like, why aren't they fixing the actual problems instead of covering them up? What do you all think?

Source: http://www.livejournal.com/community/computergeeks/793809.html

Date: 10/09/05 (Computer Geeks)    Keywords: virus, spyware

So I've been getting this message for a while...I think I uninstalled some stuff I shouldn't have.

Error loading winupd.dll
The specific module could not be found

Basically whenever I start a program like windows media player it pops up. Also it pops up from time to time on its own. I ran virus scan and spyware stuff and it still happens. I also ran a registry cleaner/fixer and still happens. Any ideas how to stop/fix it?

Source: http://www.livejournal.com/community/computergeeks/794138.html