Date: 03/30/05 (Security)    Keywords: virus

Plans to hold a $25,000 competition to write a virus designed to infect the Apple OS X have been scrapped after the company sponsoring it backed down.

Source: http://news.zdnet.com/Write+a+Mac+virus+competition+halted/2100-1009_22-5646719.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=zdnn

Date: 03/31/05 (Computer Geeks)    Keywords: templates, software, html, security, virus, spam

I'm really dissatisified with the current state of e-mail and news software, so I've come here to ask for suggestions based on certain requirements.

I only have one general requirements between the two of them (e-mail and nntp software). They should be free (as in beer) or preferably open source. If I must I will pay.

E-mail
*Fast, fast, fast - if it's slow on my 2Ghz P4 then something is wrong.
*OE (Outlook Express) or The Bat! like interface. I don't want to do 2983492384239482 billion tweaks to make it right.
*Should be able to effeciently and "stable-y" (to recover from corruption/crashes and in terms of not redownloading the same messages.) large mail boxes with tens of thousands of messages.
*Effecient support for said mailbox via IMAP.
*Multiple account support
*Good support for contact lists
*Should include built in HTML viewer, not rely on something like MSIE's HTML display control. It should also be smart enough to only display basic stuff, with the option to disable displaying of "external" (non-embedded) images.
*Relatively easy to use plug-in support. Preferably something procmail like that executes external programs for each program or something even more effecient (like a dynamically loaded library that is persistent in memory). This will be used for external viruses and anti-spam crud. (Note: while built in anti-spam stuff is nice, I'd rather rely on the much better external anti-spam stuff and AFAIK there isn't any e-mail software that can mark messages as spam and auto-send them back to an external anti-spam program).
*Built in procmail like stuff is good too.
*Support for mail message templates (i.e. different ones for forwarding, replies, etc...)
*Should include advanced searching and filtering options like in The Bat!, except less crappy.
*Good S/MIME and OpenPGP support that is actually compliant with the standards and can decode messages in place (not just launch an external program to view them).
*Ability to sort messages by various factors.
*Good mail message import/export ability for backup. Compression is nice, but I can always do that manually.
*High configurability in general is good.

News
*Fast, fast, fast - if it's slow on my 2Ghz P4 then something is wrong.
*Should be able to handle large newsgroups, on the order of tens of thousands of messages well.
*A fast OE like interface with a preview pane that can show images.
*Same thing as above about HTML viewing.
*Good binary/encoding support is ok, but I'm not using it for porn so it's not a big deal.
*Ability to sort messages by many different factors

It should be obvious, but security is important in the implementation.

P.S. Spare me what you think the obvious answer is. I won't bash specific clients, but lets just say some are just plain stupid in design and remain popular despite crap for features or crap for a user interface/configuration methodology.

Source: http://www.livejournal.com/community/computergeeks/648358.html

Date: 04/03/05 (Computer Help)    Keywords: software, virus, antivirus, spyware

I'm using a Dell Inspiron 4000 laptop that's running Windows XP Home w/SP2, and I've been having issues with my screensaver. I didn't change my screensaver settings or anything recently, and about three days ago my screensaver stopped working. I had my screensaver set to turn on after 10 minutes, and when I noticed that it wasn't starting automatically, I changed the settings so the screensaver would turn on after one minute. I tried changing my screensaver from 3D pipes to Starfield. It still didn't work. I also have my settings such that my screen is to turn off after one hour, and it doesn't do that either. I've tried using XP's Help and Support with no luck, and I've tried Googling to no avail. I've done spyware scans and I've run my antivirus software as well, and I found nothing wrong. I just don't understand how my screensaver could just stop working when I've done nothing to change the settings. If anyone has any advice or solutions, they would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Source: http://www.livejournal.com/community/computer_help/367988.html

Date: 04/05/05 (Computer Help)    Keywords: virus

For no apparent reason, Outlook Express has decided to remove every attachment I get in email saying that they are "unsafe"

How do I make it stop doing this? It just started doing it today and I checked my virus program to make sure that wasn't blocking the attachments.

Is there anyway I can get it to let me view the attachments?

Thank you.

x-posted

Source: http://www.livejournal.com/community/computer_help/369499.html

Date: 04/07/05 (Computer Help)    Keywords: virus, web

Ok ..

using windows 98 (for reference)

this is very odd. After getting rid of this nasty annoying virus that infected all my .htt files, I had to delete them all and then replace them .. or so I thought.

for some reason, the "view as webpage" option is MISSING from the view menu. It's not there. I can get the folders as I want them, but they don't stay that way. Also, the "make all folders the same" button is greyed out, and I can't use it.

also, how do I get my icons to stay listed as small icons? currently, they keep reverting back to the unlisted super-huge icons and they won't stay when I fix them :(

Source: http://www.livejournal.com/community/computer_help/370301.html

Date: 04/08/05 (Java Web)    Keywords: virus, spam

US has again achieved the dubious distinction of being responsible for maximum amount of spam (35%) with South Korea (25%) at second place. What is more interesting is: According to Sophos more than 50% of all spam is sent from "zombie" PCs, computers that have been take over by hackers or virus writers. The good news is: Deborah Platt [...]

Source: http://blog.taragana.com/index.php/archive/us-computers-again-leader-in-worldwide-spamming-followed-by-s-korea/

Date: 04/09/05 (Computer Help)    Keywords: software, virus, spyware, microsoft

OK, so out of nowhere DVDs won't play on my computer. PowerDVD gives me the error message "The Current Display Mode Is Not Supported" and Windows Media player plays files (even .avi and .mpeg files) at about half-speed, but the sound is regular speed...

I haven't changed a THING on my PC - I just defragged, ran all sorts of registry cleaning/fixing utilities, did 2 full virus sweeps with current definitions - different programs (norton and avast!) and ran 4 spyware sweeps, all with current definitions and using different softwares (adaware, spybot s&d, microsoft anti-spyware, and spy-sweeper.)

I reinstalled my video drivers, AND direct X.

Yet my video is still messed up. Has anyone else ran across a similar problem?

This is super frustrating for me, since I use my computer as my stereo, TV and DVD player and am nearly entertainment-less at the moment.

Source: http://www.livejournal.com/community/computer_help/371869.html

Date: 04/10/05 (Computer Help)    Keywords: virus

I only tried updating after the problems and after updating they remained the same...
Mozilla's thunderbird mail client on my mom's computer [excuse any gibberish please, it's two am and i need to get up for work in seven hours and am tired].
Problems:
1 - Claims there's a hundred or so unread email's at times when all are read and there's not even that many in the inbox.
2 - have to double click on a folder oft to get it to show it's contents or turn off the prog and back on or even reboot the comp.
3 - won't delete, go away, won't delete, go away from the comp again, well of course it'll delete that message now suddenly.
4 - doesn't always retrieve mail just sort of haaaaaangs in limbo.
5 - being slow and generally cranky all of a sudden.

I can't see why the prog's suddenly acting this way, I've got it on my comp and it works great, always has. The comp is virus free as far as the latest norton can tell me.

Source: http://www.livejournal.com/community/computer_help/372159.html

Date: 04/10/05 (Computer Help)    Keywords: virus, yahoo

The other day I reformated my computer. I got a professional to do it, because last time I did it, I pretty much destroyed it. The main reason was because a trojan horse virus became attached to the file, C:\Windows\TEMP\SE.DLL. From what I get from it, that seems to be a file that starts up programs, like internet explorer, or even opening folders. The other day, these viruses got back on my computer. I have AVG Virus Scanner, and whenever that file error pops up about C:\Windows\TEMP\SE.DLL, it says that there was a virus detected. It asks if I could heal it, or put it in the vault, but it says before I do that, that it could make my system stop working properly.

I tried using system restore to fix my computer, but it seems like nothing happened. I have Windows ME, that's what he put on it. I heard it wasn't too good, but the same thing happened with my Windows 98. Also, my computer is not good enough or able to have Windows XP, so that can't be done.

What I need to do, is how can I fix this without having to reformat the computer, again. I don't think he'll charge me this time around, but I really want another fix. Another annoying problem is everytime I go into hotmail, and different other sites like yahoo, it automatically switches to about:blank. It's also stuck in my homepage thing in tool and options. Everytime I try to take it out, it just puts it back in. How can I get rid of this about:blank page?

And one more question. This is the same trojan horse virus that was attached to my computer the last time. Does it have anything to do with my IP address maybe. Please help!

Source: http://www.livejournal.com/community/computer_help/372298.html

Date: 04/11/05 (Security)    Keywords: virus, antivirus, web

Worm alters system files to block some antivirus company Web sites--a ploy that could be used in phishing scams, Trend Micro warns.

Source: http://news.zdnet.com/Site-blocking+worm+carries+phishing+risk/2100-1009_22-5662922.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=zdnn

Date: 04/14/05 (PHP Community)    Keywords: php, virus, web

Is it possible to have a visitor to my website send me an attachment using PHP?

I am working on an idea from my website which would require anonymity from my intended visitors.
I want them to be able to send me a small image file, without having to use their email address and therefore remain unknown.

Is this do-able?
If it is ... can I specify which kind of files can not be attached (and bypass any gits who try and send viruses)?

If it can't be done, I might have to use http://www.yousendit.com/ whichh seems to be anonymous for the sender.

*edited note* as it is when I get an email form sent via my site, it comes back with the email address "tehsheepie@pro18.abac.com" because I don't ask people to specify - I think it just grabs this from my site somehow. I'm not smart enough to know the how, or why, but I know that is always the email address used when I get my forms back.

Source: http://www.livejournal.com/community/php/284941.html

Date: 04/15/05 (Computer Help)    Keywords: virus, antivirus

I bought Norton AntiVirus 2005 AGES ago. [Before Christmas, probably sometime in October/November.] I had problems installing it, tried contacting Symantec, didn't get any help, and forgot about it.

I decided to try again today. And I'm getting the same problem. I can pretty much install the program okay, I get the "Installation is finished, please restart your computer message" so I restart. However, upon restarting, the Configuration Wizard does not open. In fact, nothing happens. When I try to open NAV, I got an error message saying that the computer must be rebooted or something before running the program, but I found an answer to that problem here, by "restoring the default value". Even so, now NOTHING happens when I try to open the program. I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling a million times, and it's the same every time.

I'm running Windows XP [Home Edition] and that's all I know because I'm pretty much a compu-tard.

Can anyone help?

[x-posted to

Source: http://www.livejournal.com/community/computer_help/377056.html

Date: 04/20/05 (Security)    Keywords: software, virus, tracker

Virus tracker discovers 52 malicious programs hidden inside cell phones games, other phone software.

Source: http://news.zdnet.com/Trojan+horses+take+aim+at+Symbian+cell+phones/2100-1009_22-5678211.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=zdnn

Date: 04/22/05 (Computer Help)    Keywords: browser, virus, antivirus, web

I'm hoping someone in this community may be able to help me. I cannot uninstall a program.

This program has made it so I can't access websites and will shut down my browser instead. I have ran my antivirus program and my spware program without any luck. Basically, I just want this thing off my computer.

Here are some screenshots of the problem.

Source: http://www.livejournal.com/community/computer_help/380930.html

Date: 04/23/05 (Security)    Keywords: virus

File sharers are the target of a virus that deletes music collections.

Source: http://news.zdnet.com/Virus+pits+itself+against+music+pirates/2100-1009_22-5681561.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=zdnn

Date: 04/22/05 (Security)    Keywords: technology, virus, antivirus

Deal plugs CA's antivirus technology into Forum Systems' firewall, tackling an emerging threat that's predicted to rise.

Source: http://news.zdnet.com/Firewall+to+zap+XML+viruses/2100-1009_22-5681424.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=zdnn

Date: 04/23/05 (Computer Help)    Keywords: software, virus

I need your help. I have a Sony Vaio desktop with a P4 3.2 ghz, 512 mb RAM, XP home with SP2. I recently had a virus that has since been quarantined but it seems to have some lasting repercussions. When I try to burn a movie onto a DVD, it will stop at 54% and it will say that it is "initializing DVD" then it will go to "formatting DVD" and it will continue on a loop that quits after about 15 minutes and it just says "error creating DVD" The software I am using for it is Copy DVD 1-2-3 which has worked before. The optical drive is functional though because I can still drag-n-drop files onto a CD. After the DVD burner quits though, I reinserted the disk to see if anything was on it and it was completely blank. I have tried various movies. Thank you.

Source: http://www.livejournal.com/community/computer_help/382202.html

Date: 04/25/05 (Computer Help)    Keywords: virus

I have a computer that was just murdered with viruses Im assuming. It only runs in safe mode and Its OS is windows me. How would I clear the computers hard drive. I tried to just upgrade it to xp but I got a pop up that said that it couldnt do it using me. what do I do plz help thanks

Source: http://www.livejournal.com/community/computer_help/383694.html

Date: 04/25/05 (Computer Help)    Keywords: security, virus, antivirus, web

My Windows 98 SE has gone kaput. Kernel32.dll errors every which way, random reboots, all that jazz. I've got Norton AntiVirus and Personal Firewall (which crashes frequently, too), I run defrag and scandisk (not frequently enough, I admit), I run Spybot and AdAware and I have a copy of HJT. The only thing that seems to be wrong is, well, Windows. It acts like it's killing itself -- the autoimmune disease of computing, I suppose.
Now, I have terrible memory when it comes to time and order and such (something could have happened last week or two years ago, it's the same in my brain), so I can't quite tell you when this all started. I've had the computer for going on three years now.

It's currently "networked" to a computer running WindowsXP. We tried doing it ourselves, but we ended up calling in a professional, who got the internet hooked up between them but couldn't get anything else to work (said that some 98 copies just won't network properly with XP). I can't trade anything between the computers, but as I said, I do have internet. He had to modify something in the bios to even it that far, which is why I'm wary about formatting it.

My Norton subscription is running out in a few days, and I was planning on wiping my main drive before I renewed it (so I could reinstall it and everything else before it's renewed). Now, my mother and I can handle the wiping and reinstall part well enough (or we did on previous computers) but my main concern is that I won't be able to get the net up again, which is my primary motivation for having my own computer in the first place.

If necessary I might be able to get XP, but I hate it with a, er, mild passion. It would make networking and compatibility issues easier, I know, but I have some programs that only run on 98 (like Petz3, which I'm quite fond of, thank you) and frankly I just don't trust it. We've had problems with it storing information, including browsing stuff, that we can't delete, and that's a big nightmare for me. (Would switching completely to Firefox solve this? I only run IE on my computer because Firefox will randomly crash it).

Both our computers are custom-built. If it would be less hassle I might be able to convince my mother to just take it in and get it done. The people who work where we got them are very nice and very helpful and rarely charge a lot (they gave us a free upgrade when they messed something up once -- try to get that service from Best Buy). Alternately, my friend's uncle does computer repair and may have an idea of what to do.

Info: Custom-built by Advanced Computer Services. Running Windows98SE, 512 RAM (I don't know what type -- I'm on the other computer right now), 40gb master drive and 80gb slave drive. I believe I have a 1800+ Athlon processor (which is excellent and great and has worked wonderfully and I love it so much better than any Pentium I've had and all that). I've got Norton Internet Security 2004 (the AntiVirus needed renewed a month ago, but I've only been on about five times since then).

Looking for suggestions: Wipe it and reinstall 98, or try to get XP? Don't wipe it, just try to figure out what's wrong? If I do wipe and put in 98, how do I deal with the internet problem?

I'm pretty savvy with things like web and graphic design (and I haven't had a virus in years), but when it comes to OS's and networking I'm rather lost.

I'll answer any questions you ask about my computer -- I know I left a lot of stuff out, and I can't remember what. (I swear I don't do drugs and I haven't suffered any head trauma, I just naturally lack any usable memory.)

[Crossposted to computer_help, computerhelp, and tech_support.]

Source: http://www.livejournal.com/community/computer_help/383380.html

Date: 04/28/05 (Computer Geeks)    Keywords: virus, web, linux

Windows XP box. Latest service patches etc etc etc. Connected through linux gateway and firewall + nat ADSL to the net.

Network connectivity from windows to external addresses is flakey. Ok ish for web browsing (occasional "could not reach" / dns errors), but terminal connections drop out after about 30 seconds.

Local connections solid as a rock. Connections from any other machine to the internet (windows laptop and linux gateway) all ok. Maintaining any form of persistent external connectivity from the machine is impossible, but sessions have lasted for days from other machines (both linux and windows).

Thoughts?

I don't think it can be the network card because local connections are fine. I don't think it can be the gateway because connections to the outside from the gateway and from other machines are fine.

Virus? But I hardly use the machine, its behind two firewalls and not directly addressable. I only browse through firefox and don't download any dodgy stuff. I have virus scanned with AVG and found no problems, and I can't see any other obvious signs of infection - hosts file unmodified, nothing unexpected trying to estabish a network connection, spybot reports no malware, no porn links magically appearing on my desktop or anything.

Anyone got any ideas? I'm tempted to do a re-install to be safe, but I would really like to isolate the problem if I can.

Source: http://www.livejournal.com/community/computergeeks/672448.html