Happy New Year
December 30, 2001
Hi Everyone,
From this small city in cheeseland I’d like to wish you all a very good new years eve and a fantastic new year!!!
Giuliani expects new attack
December 23, 2001
Reuters and a bunch of other news agencies/stations/sites report that the leaving major of New York, Giuliani expects a new attack on his city.
In an interview with BBC he has said, “I anticipate another attack and try as much as I can to figure out what it will be — where it will be, are we prepared for it, are we doing all the things that we can do to prepare for it.”
He also confirmed that the WTC death-toll is about 3100, but there are also some people without records.
– Source Reuters (See URL)
URL: http://www.reuters.com/news_article.jhtml?type=topnews&StoryID=474831
A Prevented Attack?
December 23, 2001
A flight crew overpowered a man who appeared to be trying to blow an american plane up in mid-air with explosives in his shoe.
The plain was flying from Paris to Miami and was escorted by to F15 fighters to Logan Airport in Boston after the incident.
The shoe is being analyzed and it look like it contained a detonation cord and explosives based on C4, which is used by the military.
The White house is monitoring the situation
– Source: Reuters (See URL)
URL: http://www.reuters.com/news_article.jhtml?type=topnews&StoryID=474510
FBI, DoD talk to Microsoft about XP hole
December 23, 2001
Associated Press reports that Microsoft had some talks with the FBI and the Department of Defence about the Windows XP hole and it’s sensitivity for denial of service attacks.
Microsoft refused to say to the officials how many people actually downloaded the patch that was released Thursday.
The officials also expressed their concerns about websites and government systems that could be attacked around the Christmas period.
– snip
The FBI’s cyber-security unit has been particularly worried lately about the threats from denial of service attacks. It warned again Thursday that it “has reason to believe that the potential for (denial of service) attacks is high.”
The FBI said people have indicated they plan to target the Defense Department’s Web sites, as well as other organizations that support the nation’s most important networks.
– source AP (see URL)
URL: http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/ap/20011221/ts/microsoft_hackers_10.html
Never use idle compu time at your uni!
December 21, 2001
A Georgia university computer engineer installed a distributed computing client of his school computers without asking..
So?.. big deal!.. That’s what I’d say but things in Georgia seem to be a little different than you’d suspect..
After an 18 month investigation by the state’s bureau, he is charged for one count of computer theft, and seven counts of computer trespass (one for every computer he downloaded it on)..
Each felony count carries a $50,000 fine and a 15-year possible prison term, for a 120 year maximum possible sentence.
And the indictment also calls for restitution equal to the amount of money paid to state workers to uninstall the programs from 500 PCs..
The engineers motivation for joining the distributed.net project?
People do these projects for the betterment of mankind, because it is the right thing to do.
Follow the link for the full story… more on this as it comes..
References; securityfocus.com (see URL) - edited
URL: http://www.securityfocus.com/news/300
Windows security problem makes it to CNN
December 21, 2001
CNN has a nice article on a major security problem Windows XP has (I’m so glad I don’t use Windows)..
– snip
A Microsoft official acknowledged that the risk to consumers was unprecedented because the glitches allow hackers to seize control of all Windows XP operating system software without requiring a computer user to do anything except connect to the Internet.
–
– snip
The vulnerabilities were discovered by three young security researchers with eEye Digital Security Inc. of Aliso Viejo, California, led by Marc Maiffret, a 21-year-old former hacker. In recent months, Maiffret, who calls himself the firm’s “chief hacking officer,” has advised the FBI and the White House on Internet security questions and testified before Congress.
The Windows XP problems affect a little-used feature that eventually will allow consumers to control high-tech household appliances using their computers. Called “universal plug and play,” the feature is activated by design in every copy of Windows XP and can be added manually to Microsoft’s earlier Windows ME software, also used by millions of consumers worldwide.
“This is the first network-based, remote compromise that I’m aware of for Windows desktop systems,” said Scott Culp, manager of Microsoft’s security response center. “Every Windows XP user needs to immediately take action.” He called it a “very serious vulnerability.”
–
You can use drizzle which is the new system updater to download the patch…
URL: http://www.cnn.com/2001/TECH/ptech/12/20/microsoft.hackers.ap/index.html
New Site
December 21, 2001
Hi everyone!!!
I proudly present to you… my new website! With a new lay-out, a new name and even some new functions
So, look around, spread the word and do come back ’cause it’s still very much under construction! ;-)
Don’t be a stranger, byeeeee!
–
Walter
