"Virus Sample" reply email supposedly from Symantec
One my hosting customers just alerted me to a message he received that purported to be from someone at Symantec. He was confused because he does use Symantec Antivirus but thought to forward it to me first and ask if it's legit. It isn't. In fact the attached file "signature.zip" was infected with W32.Netsky.P@mm according to Symantec Antivirus.
Symantec does not have information about this bogus email but they do have info on the attached virus which has been around since 2004 . I can't imagine that the creative folk who came up with this will stick to faking mail from Symantec - all the major Anti-Virus software folk are likely next so keep in mind a couple things when reading email:
Don't trust email from people you don't know - regardless of who they pretend to work for.
Don't open attachments from people you don't know - and be awfully careful of ones from people you do.
For heaven sakes keep your antivirus software up to date - turn on it's auto-update feature and make sure you buy the newest version when your subscription runs out. I recommend Trend Micro to my customers but realistically any of the major players work fine - Mcafee, Symantec, etc.
A text copy of the email:
From: support@symantec.com [mailto:support@symantec.com]
Sent: Monday, August 13, 2007 9:08 AM
To: xxxxx@xxxxx.com
Subject: Re: Virus Sample
The sample file you sent contains a new virus version of buppa.k.
Please update your virus scanner with the attached dat file.
Forget about the WGA! 20+ Windows Vista Features and Services Harvest User Data for Microsoft
This is a must-read for security minded folks who are using Vista or intend to.
Found on news.Softpedia.com: By: Marius Oiaga, Technology News Editor "Are you using Windows Vista? Then you might as well know that the licensed operating system installed on your machine is harvesting a healthy volume of information for Microsoft. In this context, a program such as the Windows Genuine Advantage is the last of your concerns. In fact, in excess of 20 Windows Vista features and services are hard at work collecting and transmitting your personal data to the Redmond company. "
McAfee VirusScan (Dell SecurityCenter) breaks Outlook
A customer of mine is using ATT/SBC DSL service at their business and recently was informed they needed to change their email settings so that both POP and SMTP were using new server names and had SSL enabled.
Apparently McAfee VirusScan (Build 9.0.10, Engine Version 4.4.00) doesn't like the SMTP SSL port of 465 that ATT has told my customer to use. Basically it breaks sending in Outlook 2003.
The fix: disable outbound email virus checking in VirusScan by doing the following: 1. Double-click the McAfee icon in the icon tray (lower right) 2. Click VirusScan on the left 3. Click Configure VirusScan Options 4. Click the Advanced button 5. Click the E-Mail Scan tab 6. Uncheck "Outbound e-mail messages" 7. Click OK 8. Click OK 9. Close the SecurityCenter
Attempting to load some versions of Norton Antivirus on Windows Vista will result in a compatibility error. The URL that the error references is incorrect.
The referenced site is: http://www.symantec.com/vista_compatibilty
Posted by
jps
on
Thursday 15 March 2007 - 11:26:34
Windows Vista and Sonic DLA
I've come across several instances of a Vista error caused by the Sonic Drive Letter Access (DLA) driver.
The error text is as follows:
"Program Compatibility Assistant
This Driver is blocked due to compatibility issues
Check online to see if solutions are available from the Microsoft website. If solutions are found, Windows will automatically display a website that lists steps you can take.
Driver: Sonic Solutions DLA Publisher: Sonic Solutions Location: Not available
A driver is installed that causes stability problems with your system. This driver will be disabled. Please contact the driver manufacturer for an update that is compatible with this version of Windows."
Roxio, the manufacturer of Easy Media Creator 9 Suite, MyDVD 9, and RecordNow 9 which include this driver has information at this link which details solutions for Dell OEM customers and non-Dell customers.
Posted by
jps
on
Thursday 15 March 2007 - 11:24:58
Daylight Savings Time Changes - Year 2007 Bug?
In accordance with the Energy Policy Act of 2005, Daylight Savings Time start and end dates will change beginning in March. Unless you have automatic updates turned on your Windows-based computer won't change time properly as DST comes three weeks earlier this year than previously. Your Windows operating system isn't the only thing affected by this change, though. Scheduling/Calendaring software, portable handhelds that are Windows CE/Mobile/etc., PalmOS handhelds and Linux/Unix systems are examples of systems that will likely need to be updated manually to accomodate the change.
A quick note to those folks who don't remember the stone age prior to automatic update - you can still change your date and time manually on any operating system and on pretty much any appliance. When you think about the clocks you'll have to change this March just add your computer to the list after the microwave and stove. Anyone with a small business phone system already knows this drill.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Microsoft is providing information at their Daylight Saving Time Help and Support Center page. Notable items include the fact that unless you're paying for extended hotfix support, your Windows 2000 system will not get an update to support the DST change. Still using NT4 or doggedly avoiding XP SP2? You'll be changing the time manually as well. XP SP2 and Server 2003 and newer systems will have automatic updates available, so be sure to watch for the update if you don't have automatic updates turned on.
PALM-OS handhelds include the Palm Pilot, Symbol Palm Data Terminals as well as cell phones like the Treo. Treos and similar Palm-based cell phones that get their time from the network will update automatically. It's not clear if there is an update forthcoming for version 5+ systems. Version 4 or older systems will need to manually change the time. See this article at Palm.com for how to change the time on your device.
Posted by
jps
on
Monday 12 February 2007 - 09:16:48
Pandora - Where Streaming Internet Radio Meets the Music Genome Project
I was looking for a WinAmp replacement recently and came across a neat plugin for Firefox called FoxyTunes. It allows you to control numerous audio players from within the browser without having the player's control window opened up somewhere. The list of audio players that it supports includes the usual list of suspects like Windows Media Player, iTunes, and even WinAmp but the thing that really stood out was the list of audio players that I didn't recognize.
After Googling a little I discovered Pandora. It's a streaming audio service courtesy of the Music Genome Project that allows you to create your own "stations" by picking a song or artist and then the service will play similar songs based on criteria developed as part of the Music Genome Project. You can further customize your channel by providing feedback on a song-by-song basis.
I've played with Pandora for about a month now and I'm quite impressed by its ability to stick to the "style" of music in each of my channels. On my 3MB broadband connection it works like a charm. [Submitted by jps]
Posted by
jps
on
Saturday 13 January 2007 - 10:04:21
Welcome to the new & improved Free-Office-Software
We've upgraded our content management system (E107) and are diligently working on content updates. In addition, we should have a CD-Rom available soon for those of you who don't want to follow all the links to get the software we link to. More on that later.
Existing Users We heartily apologize in advance - you'll need to recreate your account as no accounts were carried over in the upgrade.
Downloads The News page is now the home page for our site so we can keep you up-to-date about changes. You can always get to Downloads via the link at the top of the page.
Thank you for visiting Free-Office-Software.com.
Posted by
e107
on
Saturday 11 November 2006 - 15:39:43