Technology Vault - NewsBytes

Thursday 31 October, 2002

AVG Update by bluetracker @ 7:41 pm

Charcoal drawings saver by @ 6:34 am

Today's offering from Nvidia is a screen saver of some charcoal drawings. You will find another globe under the main globe, just ckick on it to get the link for the download and read me file.

Charcoal Drawings Screen Saver from Nvidia

Wednesday 30 October, 2002

Today's Nvidia teaser update by @ 6:09 am

Nvidia have added a simple shoot 'um up game to play on their R U Ready website. Just move your mouse around the screen and find the globe with the 'G' in it. You will need the Macromedia Flash plug-in to play it. Score more than 4000 points and you can move on to the next level.

Click HERE to visit Nvidias R U Ready? page.

The game is a simple shoot 'um up. Here's a screen shot for you.

Game1 from Nvidia

Screen Saver 1 from Nvidia

Tuesday 29 October, 2002

AVG bug will be fixed by @ 6:30 pm

This fall Nvidia will release... by @ 6:50 am

Just another little teaser from Nvidia of things to come. You will need Microsoft Windows media player or Realplayer to watch the video to watch the teaser.

Click HERE to see the future.

It looks like we will have to go through another 4 video teasers before the secret is revealed. Oh well, it's a bit of fun.

Sunday 27 October, 2002

E-Card that's like a virus by @ 8:10 am

Be on the lookout for an e-card from friendgreetings.com. It's not a virus or a worm but might as well be.

Many antivurus companies have had complaints about an e-card doing the rounds. It's like this, you visit www.friendgreetings.com which asks you to install an activeX control. This program has a EULA (which nobody ever reads - but should) which say the following in the small print:

Consent to email your contacts. Permissioned media will access your Microsoft Outlook contacts list and send an email to persons on your contacts list inviting them to download friendgreetings or related products.

And it does just that, pestering all your friends, family and business contacts with thier e-cards. It might as well be a virus. It acts in the same way as many viruses do.

The email you get looks like this:

Subject: {Recipient name} you have an E-Card from {Sender name}

Body:

Greetings!

{Sender name} has sent you an E-Card - a virtual postcard from FriendGreetings.com. You can pick up your E-Card at the FriendGreetings.com by clicking on the link below.

friendgreetings {link removed}

Message:
----------------------------------------------------------
{Recipient name}
I sent you a greeting card. Please pick it up.
{Sender name}
----------------------------------------------------------

How low will some companies stoop to increase trade. It goes to show that we all should spend time reading those EULA's. Only install this program if your happy for all your contacts to get mail from this company.

Saturday 26 October, 2002

Are You Ready? - Update by @ 10:58 pm

Friday 25 October, 2002

AVG Update by @ 11:47 am

Thursday 24 October, 2002

Nvidia asks "Are you Ready?" by @ 5:55 am

Nvidia Detonator 41.03 by @ 12:23 am

Nvidia Detonators 41.03 for Win2000/XP & NT

Wednesday 23 October, 2002

Nasty shock for Natwest Online customers by @ 12:05 pm

NatWest online customers have been in for a nasty shock recently, a large number of accounts have 'gone missing'.

Apparently the missing accounts disappeared when the bank made a "major changeover to a new system", it seems the software trusted to automate the changeover task didn't exactly do it's job properly.

NatWest has the answer though, all the missing account details (that are reported to them) are being keyed in by hand.

When asked how long it would be before being able to access the missing credit card accounts, Natwest said "Probably a couple of days at least, but don't quote us on that as it's more likely to be a week or so".

Newsbytes is aware that some of Natwest's customers may have had sums of money taken from their credit card accounts from companies who they have never heard of or dealt with. This may just be a clerical error. However, it must be a major blow to Natwest who are one of the UK's most trusted banks.

Newsbytes will keep you up to date with any further news as we get it.

Many thanks to forum member Tone for contacting Newsbytes and telling us about this story.

Tuesday 22 October, 2002

Digiguide V6 by @ 11:01 pm

The makers of Digiguide has just told customers that a new version of Digiguide, Version 6 will be available very shortly.

Digiguide says that the program has been finished and they are just finishing off the help files and changing their website. You may remember that Newsbytes reported about this new release many months ago now. The new version will have lots of new features and a new interface.

Lavasoft Virus Warning! by @ 10:28 pm

Lavasoft, the makers of Ad-aware the spyware removal tool have issued a warning about a virus file called Adaware.exe which users may mistake as being the Ad-Aware removal tool.

Lavasoft says:
It has come to our attention that there may be a new virus and/or Trojan masquerading as a legitimate Ad-aware download. This file or software is called aware.exe or some variation of this. We have also been informed that there may be someone out there who is actively using pop ups that seem as though they are from LavaSoft.

In the interim, we are aggressively investigating these reports and are looking at every example of them we can locate.

Following this message, Lavasoft have now given more details:
Lavasoft does not ask for information when the software is installed on the system. If your copy of Ad-aware is asking that information such as name and e-mail address be entered into the software prior to installation, then you have downloaded a software that is not actually Ad-aware.

Adaware.exe from downloadalot is a scam and a fake.
The description given at the site is a description of Ad-aware.
PLEASE NOTE ...The software at downloadalot is NOT Ad-aware.

The properties say its a TalkingBuddy. Its not a TalkingBuddy, its a 187kb browser and hosts file hijacker >
It hijacks to searchalot.

Ad-aware does already target searchalot installs.

I am not sure if this is the install we are looking for in the other warning post, but this trashed my system in the following manner.
1# Immediately following the installation, I began receiving system errors when clicking to open files,
the error was that there were no programs associated with what I was clicking on to open, it effected 'My Computer', .gif's, .exe. etc,
2# When I started receiving the error messages I attempted to reboot my system and could only boot into safe mode. I was UNABLE to boot into Windows, I could only access safe mode.
3# I finally got my registry cleaned out and still couldn't boot out of safe mode.
4# I had to merge a backup copy of my registry before I could get out of safe mode.

For those of you who are intrested, Lavasoft have printed outfull details of what it did to his system on a sticky thread on their forums HERE

Many thanks to VFR for pointing Newsbytes to this story.

AVG Update now! by bluetracker @ 12:59 pm

Update for "The Cleaner" by bluetracker @ 12:38 pm

Moosoft have released database v3336

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Monday 21 October, 2002

W32/Opaserv.E by @ 9:57 pm

W32/Opaserv.E is a new variant of W32/Opaserv, which first appeared in September. This worm virus spreads across shared network drives and copies itself as Brasil.exe or Brasil.pif. It creates an entry in the Windows registry in order to ensure it is run on every system startup. The worm tries to connect to two separate Internet addresses in order to download applications and run them on the infected computer. However, these addresses are at present inaccessible.

Pandasoft has just sent out this warning to users in a newsletter. They tell us that their latest update will detect and remove this virus. Those who don't use anti-virus software and want to remove this virus can do so for free by using a tool called PQREMOVE available on THIS PAGE

Whatever flavour of anti-virus software you use, make sure it is up to date so that this virus can be detected and removed. You should check for updates daily! Newsbytes does not recommend any particular anti-virus, we just recommend that you use one!

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Nvidia Refresh rate fix MKII by @ 9:16 pm

Sheep Design has just released Nvidia Refresh Rate Fix mkII a tool for WindowsXP users to set refresh rates to any setting you desire within the limits of your monitor.

This latest version written in Visual Basic 6.0 Enterprise Edition supports the latest Detonator 40.xx drivers.

Unlike other refresh rate fix programs you manually set the desired refresh rate for each screen resolution. It's a large download for this type of tool at 1.9mb.

Sheep-Designs tell us:
If you have a nVidia graphics card, you'll probably know about the very common bug, that occurs together with the nVidia Detonator drivers under Windows NT/2000/XP: Normally, you can't get a higher refresh rate than 60 Hz in the OpenGL/Direct3D modes, which makes you very blind after a while of gaming. ;-)

If your using the latest drivers and want to fix your refresh rate, visit Sheep-Designs

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Sunday 20 October, 2002

Loading. Please wait... by @ 8:50 am

Loading Please wait...

In Britain where an ever increasing number of computer users are upgrading to broadband we ask "Is the dial-up user being left behind?". It sure seems like it at times. Users with broadband seem to have forgotten their fellow dialers when it comes to creating websites. There used to be an unwritten rule that a webpage should take no longer than 10 seconds to load. Some websites probably do only take 10 seconds to load if you've got broadband, but the poor throttled dial-up user would have to wait 2 or 3 minutes to see the same page.

This isn't something that's isolated to the home user. Many company websites are being designed with heavy use of graphics and animation to sell their products.

It wasn't too bad 'In the old days' with flash content, users used to get a bar to indicate how far the download had got. But these days, dial-up users are being presented with a blank screen for minutes at a time. Indeed, many dialers often given up with some sites and moved on.

The policy to introduce broadband to the masses in the UK seems to be creating a them and us culture. Them that have broadband and those unfortunates that don't and I fear that those that don't will soon be left out in the cold through no fault of their own.

The gap between cost the of broadband and the cost of dial-up has also narrowed to such an extent that dial-up is proving to be an expensive method of connecting to the internet. BTOpenworld, one of the biggest providers of both broadband and dial-up services have recently reduced the time dial-up users can stay online to a mere 5 hours a day. Earlier this year they added an extra £1 to the cost of their Anytime service. Where other ISP's are reducing the cost of broadband with some even matching the dial-up prices of others. The problem is, with slower page loading and increased use of media content, the restricted dial-up user needs more time online, not less.

For many (including myself) fast internet access remains a distant dream. large numbers of the population just lives too far away from their enabled exchanges and until an viable fast cheap alternative method is made available this situation can only get worse. The stuck dial-up user doesn't even get a much in the way of encouragement from BT as they seem rather preoccupied with arguing over which of those remote exchanges they will enable. Although BT Wholesale has dabbled with alternatives, no cheap fast service looks likely in the near future. The major investment is put into enabling exchanges rather than seeking alternatives.

The alternatives
A number of trials of other fast access have been tried throughout the world. Up in Scotland, trials to provide fast internet access through electricity mains cables has proved to be possibility. Early test results look promising but whether a service like this could be provided nationally remains to be seen.

In the US, A unique system has been developed whereby users would have a small ariel attached to their houses which transmits a signal on to the next user and to the next. Although there are concerns regarding security of such an airborne systems. Suitably equipped neighbours could intercept your information.

A number of satellite systems have been developed but most rely on the user uploading with a dial-up connection. They are only fast in one direction, down. This defeats the whole idea of having 'cheap' access as you have to pay twice, once for the satellite link and once for the dial-up service. Satellite still remains one of the most expensive ways of connecting to the internet.

So to conclude, the future for the dial-up user who lives out of town looks bleak. ISP's will continue to price and time them out and more and more media content and added graphical content to websites will try the patients of the dial-up user even further.

Has any ISP stopped to consider the impact to the dial-up user that cannot receive broadband through no fault of their own from all those multi million pound tv advertisements, emails ads and website ads/pop-ups? The psychological gap between those that have and those that haven't can only deepen in the coming years.

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Friday 18 October, 2002

New Omega drivers released by @ 7:15 am

A new Omega driver version 1.1.82 is now available. These drivers are based on Nvidia 30.82 drivers and have been tweaked to offer users very high quality graphics rather than high performance. So don't go expecting smooth motion in your car chase games.

Omega says that they will not be working on tweaking the latest beta Detonator 40.xx drivers until Nvidia have ironed out the many problems with these drivers. Mainly on quality and stability. In Omegas view, they have forgotten about these two points and have only concentrated on speed.

You can download these tweaked driver from HERE

I advise you to read the readme on the site before installing these drivers. Two versions are available for Windows95/98/ME and Windows 2000/XP.

Remember, these are tweaked drivers and not official drivers for your cards. Install them at your own risk.

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Wednesday 16 October, 2002

Messenger spams by @ 10:09 pm

Be on the lookout for Windows pop-up messages on your computer. They may not be all they seem to be. Some pop-ups are being used for advertising and others could be used to make you take action that might not be in your best interest.
The James Madison University has run a very good article about how an out of the box Microsoft Windows system can be used to trick you into thinking you need to download or update something on your computer. They have a screen shot of what the pop-up message some of it's students have received. Traditionally, viruses (virii) come via email attachments or spread via portable media disks (CD.s Floppy), but we are warned by Madison that a new trick is to use venerabilities in Windows Messenger service (not to be confused with MSN Messenger chat client) to trick you into downloading and installing the virus yourself. The Windows Messenger service was originally designed to enable system administrators to send messages to users on a network but as Wired News reports, The so-called "Messenger spams" have security experts and system administrators scratching their heads -- and recipients fuming.

I have just been to www.directadvertiser.com where they have developed this ad technology and you can click a link to see if your computer will show their ads. The result? No, it goes to shows how a good firewall can stop this kind of misuse on my personal computer. The page tells you: You need to have direct connection to the Internet for the message to get through. Firewalls should be blocking these messages. Make sure you have File and Printer sharing installed on your computer. The company claims to have sold 200 copies of this new ads program since it's launch 2 months ago.

Using this software for ads is one thing, but if the technology gets into the wrong hands who knows what new threats we might have to put up with.

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Talking of GTi Aibo's by bluetracker @ 8:47 pm

AIBO gets it's own Wheels!


Those of you that read these columns, will no doubt recall (in my last recitation here on the Sony AIBO computerised mutt) that I suggested that the bloomin thing would be too slow to catch door to door salesmen?


"Whoa Funky Moped...."

Well Folks it's happened...... Sony must've read my comments on the computerised mutt's tardyness, or I am gifted with 'second sight' ***... because hot off the production line comes the release of theAIBO Speed Board [ERA-201TP2], a software enabled, four-wheel scooter device that allows the robot to skate about its environment autonomously. Cooool!


AIBO Speed Board will be available via the Web (www.us.aibo.com) and at select U.S. retail locations in mid-November. (Carrying a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $249).


Additionally, Sony tell us that compatible robot models will also respond to voice commands, allowing owners to give AIBO directions, such as "turn left" or "turn right." Further, the robots can learn specific moves, (hopefully one that includes biting the trouser ass off aforesaid door to door salesmen!) which can then be repeated for its owner when prompted by voice command. When AIBO is not zipping around on its speed board it will randomly dance. Which could be construed as a victory celebration if AIBO manages to "sick-em"!


"With the holiday season upon us we thought that now was the perfect time to offer AIBO a toy of its own," said Victor Matsuda, ERA's vice president. "AIBO fans have voiced a strong request for functionalities that showcase the robot's abilities. The speed board pushes the robot's entertainment capabilities to the extreme."


The AIBO Speed Board package includes a Speed Board, AIBO-ware software, a display stand, an adapter [ERS-210/ 210A] [ERS-220/220A] and three interchangeable handle grips that come in black, white and orange.

***...tea-leaf readings by appointment only! ;-)


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AVG Update time by bluetracker @ 7:34 pm

Thanks to Triplea for passing on this news



Update 404 is now available.
Grisoft tell us this latest update has fixed a collision between InCD utility and the AVG Resident Shield. They have also added detection of new viruses.

This update requires a computer re-start


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Harry Potter trailer released by @ 4:38 am

Fans of Harry Potter will be pleased to know that they can get a sneak preview of the latest film on the internet. Warner Bros have released a trailer on the internet for the forthcoming Harry Potter film 'Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets' which will be released in the UK on 15th November 2002. The trailer shows new characters like Moaning Myrtle, played by Shirley Henderson.

You can visit the official Harry Potter website HERE. You may find some of the pages take a while to load if your using a dial-up modem as many of these pages are full of high qualitiy interactive content. But it's well worth the wait. You can watch the trailer direct from HERE. You will need Quicktime to view this .mov trailer.

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Tuesday 15 October, 2002

Treat your 'dog' right! by bluetracker @ 6:21 pm

Download FREE Mini-Applications Dubbed "AIBO Treats" to Interact with Sony's Robot Mutt

From today (October 15th) Entertainment Robot America (ERA), a division of Sony Electronics, say it will be making a variety of free software mini-applications, quaintly dubbed as "AIBO Treats," available to owners via the Web (www.us.aibo.com), . The new software applications we are told will give AIBO® owners a "multitude of ways in which to interact with their Entertainment Robot".


The first of the free downloadable AIBO Treats software is AIBO DJ, which Sony claim; "will give owners the ability to mix music together using the sensors on the robot that represent various sounds. Owners will be able to select their own samples and then play them over a rhythm track allowing users to create their own music."


AIBO Treats, which utilizes Sony's OPEN-R® software development kit, the tool-set that once allowed only programmers to create new 'tricks' for AIBO, now gives owners the chance to experience different applications that they can create for their robots themselves.


"Based on our research and consumer feedback we plan to release a variety of downloadable software applications, over the next few months, designed to appeal to AIBO owners of all ages," said Victor Matsuda (ERA's vice president) who went on to say; "AIBO Treats will enable the robot to entertain and in some cases even educate its owner."

Between now and the end of the year a total of eight AIBO Treats are planned for release. Titles are to include AIBO Clock, a program that reminds its owner of important appointments, AIBO “Boo”; a program created for Halloween that allows the robot to make scary noises when someone passes in front of its camera; and finally AIBO Colours, a program that is intended to help teach children to differentiate one colour from another.


Sony say however that some AIBO Treats applications will not be compatible with all models of AIBO Entertainment Robots, and some applications may require wireless LAN capabilities although what exactly these are is not revealed in the press release.

So you see the plastic coated electronic mutt is getting more and more lifelike with this addition to its arsenal of tricks. AIBO's real life flesh and blood canine counterpart however; already has the ability to train its owner to do all sorts of things...like feeding, exercising and cleaning up after it.

Now, all the electronic version needs in my most humble opinion is Tungsten tipped teeth as extras and software to enable users to program it to chase off Double-glazing salesmen and other such 'door knocking menaces' plus perhaps the ability to fetch one’s slippers! Although perhaps these capabilities will have to wait for the release of a GTi model !

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Saturday 12 October, 2002

Moosoft release new 'Cleaner' database by bluetracker @ 11:26 am

Update for The Cleaner


Database v3335 released Today (10-11-2002)

This update includes signatures for the latest threats Amitis, Bugbear, Intruzzo plus updated signatures for, PEST and Y3K

Update via the Moolive Updater or directly from the website

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Friday 11 October, 2002

AVG Update their update! by bluetracker @ 10:12 am

UPDATED UPDATE release 401
AVG have posted a further update for their popular anti-virus solution.
Finally (we are told) fixing the Resident shield bug. The previous 'fix' (400) was withdrawn. Update your copy now.

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Thursday 10 October, 2002

Grisoft fix bug in last AVG update with another update by @ 4:36 pm

Grisoft has fixed a bug that some users had with thier last update (v 399). The bug caused some systems to hang at shutdown and failed to protect customers when they rebooted as the core driver was not found. Grisoft have now released an update to fix the buggy update (v 400).

Update 400 is now available.

Grisoft sent an email to customers which said:

There was a cosmetic bug in the update v. 399. Just now, there is the version 400 available, that is repaired. Please update your AVG.

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Wednesday 9 October, 2002

Panda Software has detected a new worm by bluetracker @ 7:20 pm

Panda Antivirus' OXYGEN newsletter has just informed us of a new threat out there!

Designed to spread via MSN Messenger, the message in which Rodok is sent tries to trick users into downloading a program from a website which really contains the malicious code. If the downloaded file is run, it tries to pass itself off as a CD key generator.

Rodok then tries to download two files from the Internet, which it saves to
the hard disk under the names: update35784.exe and hehe2397824.exe. These files contain a backdoor Trojan (Bck/Brat), which could allow remote control of the affected machine.

In order to avoid infection from Rodok,it is recommended that users update their antivirus solutions immediately. AVG have just updated their Free software although at the time of writing it is not clear if this new worm is included in the package.

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AVG UPDATE TIME by bluetracker @ 6:03 pm

Thanks to forum member Clive for posting this.....

Version number 399

This update has changed a few things to keep you safe from viruses.... Resident Shield, creating of Rescue Disc and removed information about viruses.
Download it now from
Grisoft


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Tuesday 8 October, 2002

Nvidia 30.87 WHQL Drivers available by @ 5:20 pm

Microsoft have added some new Nvidia WHQL drivers version 30.87 on their Windows Update site. If you are running Nvidia's 30.82 official drivers then Windows Update will let you download and install these new updated drivers. If you are using the Detonator 40.xx drivers, it is unlikely that it will show up.

Visit Windows Update to download them now. You can click on the link or use Windows Update under the tools menu in Internet Explorer.

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VAIO® PCV-W10 PC, Sony's first all-in-one desktop computer by bluetracker @ 3:23 pm

VAIO® PCV-W10 PC, Sony's first all-in-one desktop computer.


Portability of the "home computer" has always been a bone of contention in our house at least. There never seems to be enough space on the desktop when your monitor hogs 80%, perhaps a printer too takes up the remaining room; leaving just enough to balance the obligatory cup of coffee and perhaps a plate of cheese sandwiches tucked neatly into the paper feed tray of the printer. Add to this a keyboard, scanner, Zip Drive and a pair of speakers the space on the desk vanishes. Kids homework books and other objects piled on top turn your workstation into something reminiscent of a jumble sale rather than the ordered work area you really want it to be.

This PC aims to bring order to chaos having a built-in, flat-panel display; keyboard; and speakers and looking rather more like a bulkier version of the VIAO laptops than the 'common or garden' desktop computer we have all grown up to know and love is designed to free up space on your desktop.

Remember opening the box of your first computer and being greeted with all those cables and connections? Forget all that hassle! By plugging in two cords - the power cable and the mouse - there is nothing else to do but power up this machine and get to work. The VAIO W weighs just over 20 pounds and can be easily moved from room to room. Which would impress 'er indoors' as my computer is the only object in the room she can't move to clean behind! No more banging the casing with the hoover or complaints of the amount of dust that has accumulated among the spaghetti junction of cabling....ah...bliss!

Powered by a Intel® Celeron® 1.60 GHz processor, given it's host of standard features, makes one wonder if this machine might be slightly underpowered in the speed dept? Perhaps a 'meatier' chip could have been considered a build option? Also, no doubt to conserve space, the graphics capabilities are integrated onto the mainboard. Something else that may not please a lot of people, is the question of whether their prized possession "top of the range AGP graphics card" will fit into the expansion spaces available. Having said that, it is still an impressive looking piece of technology.





The business part of the unit is hidden behind the 15.3-inch, wide-aspect ratio, adjustable LCD screen. A vertically retractable keyboard which folds back against the main unit when not in use. Integrated speakers and a built-in CD player, the VAIO W desktop also doubles as a stereo system.Mark Hanson, vice president and general manager for VAIO PC at Sony Electronics' IT Products Division in the companies press release is quoted as saying ....

"The VAIO W doesn't look like any PC on the market right now," "With this design, we've taken the PC out from under the desk and put it into the center of your living room."


VAIO W is More Than Just a Pretty Face

The VAIO W also comes with two PC card slots that allow users to take advantage of wireless Internet connection and other expansion possibilities. Sony's VAIO Media™ software, which we are informed has been added to all of Sony's new VAIO PCs, is a tool to share images, music and content through home networking. Coupled with two i.LINK™, IEEE 1394 digital interface ports for digital imaging and printing connections. Not one or two, but three USB 2.0 ports, a Memory Stick® media slot and an optical mouse complete the system. Priced about $1,600 is available now in the USA and undoubtedly will reach 'good old Blighty' in time for Christmas or soon thereafter.

Key VAIO W PC Specifications


Processor , Intel® Celeron® 1.60 GHz (clock speed). Cache Memory, 128 KB Integrated On-Die Level 2. Operating System ,Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition


Sony Original Software...PictureGear StudioTM, DVgateTM, SonicStageTM, MovieShakerTM, Network Smart Capture ,VAIO MediaTM


Standard RAM , 512MB PC-2100 DDR (expandable to 1GB). Hard Drive, 60GB Ultra ATA/100 Hard Drive (GB means one billion bytes when referring to hard drive capacity)


Drives, CD-RW (16X10X24X) ,DVD-ROM (8X max. DVD-ROM Read).Video & Graphics ,SIS650 Integrated Graphics with Real256™ 2D/3D Graphics Accelerator, 32MB Shared Graphics Memory (64MB max.)


Modem , V.90 compatible data/fax modem. Ethernet ,10-BaseT/100-BaseTX Fast Ethernet. Ports, USB (3), i.LINK® , (IEEE 1394) (2), Memory Stick® media slot


Dimensions (CPU) ...Keyboard Open - 19.17" (W) 10.28" (H) 13.15" (D). Keyboard Closed - 19.17" (W) 10.95" (H) 7.52" (D)
Plus a bundled suite of software which includes among others...Adobe® Premiere® LE and Corel WordPerfect® Office 2002

"Dear Santa........."

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Friday 4 October, 2002

Bugbear virus hits big time by @ 11:03 pm

Bugbear is infecting millions of computers around the world. Symantec have now released a tool to remove it.

The tool does 3 things:

1. It terminates the viral W32.Bugbear@mm processes.
2. It deletes the viral W32.Bugbear@mm files and the Trojan that the worm drops (detected by Symantec antivirus products as PWS.Hooker.Trojan)
3. It deletes the registry value that was added by the worm.

Symantec says: NOTE: The tool removes all values from the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce

Normally, the operating system removes any values from this registry key as soon as the processes are launched. This is performed automatically. The worm, however, recreates the value that the fixtool will delete. Before running the tool, make sure you have completed any previous software installations and restarted your computer if that was required.

To read further details and to download the tool
CLICK HERE

You might want to read the Newsbytes advise story I wrote about avoiding a virus and how to remove it CLICK HERE

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When Anytime means Sometime by bluetracker @ 1:16 pm

What does ANYTIME mean to you?

OK so it's not exactly new NEWS but to those that were unaware, BT as previously exspected are actually capping their Anytime surf packages' Terms and Conditions.

When I, like millions of others signed up for this service, we were told that we could surf the net at anytime ...day or night although after two hours continuous use you would be disconnected, which was no problem. Just a click of the mouse on the BTOpenworld icon and you could reconnect...fine.

Earlier this year the time allowed was cut from 'Anytime' to just 12 hrs in any 24; then to 10 in 24. Still this was too much by BT standards, so they got together and came up with a brilliant idea to reduce the load on their servers whilst still gleaning every last penny from their subscribers.

So what's new in that? I hear you ask:

Nothing really except that Anytime is now defined as 5 hours per day!

This is how BT explain away their new concept of the word ANYTIME......Oh and to keep things above board, any comments within [] are mine and not neccessarily the views of this website

Dear Customer,

MAINTAINING OUR HIGH QUALITY OF SERVICE [High Quality...if you are a slow reader you get disconnected after 3 minutes unless to continually refresh the page you are reading. Doesn't seem to apply when on the BTopenworld homepage though....strange!]
We're making some changes to your service in order to maintain the quality and reliability of internet connection for all our users*.

HOW WE'RE DOING THIS
We're changing our Terms & Conditions and introducing a monthly** usage quota of 150 hours' internet access. This works out at an average of five hours a day, every day.

WHY WE'RE DOING THIS
There are some customers who keep their computers connected to the internet for long periods of time. [Oh really...what about the 2 hour disconnection then?]
This affects the level of service everyone else receives across your network, and isn't fair on you and others. Levelling the playing field with a fair and reasonable usage level for all will help us give everyone a reliable quality of service.

HOW THIS COULD AFFECT YOU
Based on your recent usage, and like the majority of customers, you're not likely to reach the 150-hour quota. [ I get it now...we are being penalised for the actions of the Minority so why not just penalise those who ARE abusing the service? Too simple I suppose]
However, from your first billing date in November 2002, you'll be able to check if you're getting close at 'My Account' on the BT Openworld homepage at http://www.btopenworldservice.com/rp/usage

You can also find out what your billing date is from here.

In the event that you do get close to the 150 hours' monthly quota, you'll also receive automatically generated status emails to your primary email address as you approach 35, 15 and 0 hours remaining.

Because we recognise that your usage may vary from month to month, we've made arrangements for any 'unused' hours to be carried over for your use in the next month. Up to 50 hours can be carried over (i.e. depending on your usage, your quota for a particular month could be as high as 200 hours, an average of over six hours a day). And, for the first month we'll give you the extra 50 hours, just in case!

If you do need access beyond your quota and any carry over, you can use pay-per-minute software (internet calls charged at local rates) until your monthly quota restarts. To download the pay-per-minute dialler, please go to http://www.btopenworldservice.com/rp/dialler

and click 'Check my internet usage'.

For more information on our new usage policy, including frequently asked questions, please go to http://www.btopenworldservice.com/rp/info


WE WANT TO GIVE YOU THE BEST POSSIBLE SERVICE [But in the mean-time]
This change will help maintain the high quality of your connection. [How do they define High Quality I wonder?]

The decision to introduce this change is part of our aim to be fair to all our customers, and open with our reasons, so that you know where you stand. We hope you agree that this is a sensible approach. [Don't see many heads nodding in agreement here...sorry!]

The new Terms & Conditions will come into effect on 1st November 2002. As well as this change to paragraph 10.5, other minor changes and clarifications have been made to paragraphs 10.3, 10.4 and 19. There's also a change to paragraph 15.3, relating to inactive Pay-as-you-go accounts. If you'd like to read the new Terms & Conditions, please go to
http://www.btopenworldservice.com/rp/terms


GREAT NEWS: FREE PROTECTION FROM UNWANTED EMAIL AND VIRUSES
In response to customer feedback and requests for help with tackling computer viruses and spam (unwanted email), Bt announced in the same mailing that they'll soon be launching FREE anti-virus and anti-spam software.
Excellent news I'm sure you will agree. That is until the next review of their T&C's when I expect they will levy a charge on this service too!

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Thursday 3 October, 2002

AVG Update by @ 10:07 pm

Grisoft has an update available for their free antivirus software AVG. This update number 394 adds detection of three new variants of I-Worm/Opas.

The file size is 918.7KBytes and a restart of your system is not required.

If you use the Outlook Express plug-in you should see the following message at the bottom of all your sent email:

Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.394 / Virus Database: 224 - Release Date: 03/10/2002

Many thanks to Homer for sending Newsbytes this update information.

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Windows Critical Update by @ 9:51 pm

Microsoft have just added a critical update to Windows Update. This update is a fix for the Unchecked Buffer in Windows help facility that could enable code execution.

This update is for Windows 98/98se/NT4.0/2000/XP

Microsofts says "customers should install the patch immediately".

To read the full details of this update, visit the Microsoft Technet site HERE

To install this critical update, use Windows Update as soon as possible.

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Detonator 40.72 drivers from Nvidia by @ 8:54 pm

Nvidia have released a third Beta driver in the Detonator 40 series of drivers for Windows 2000/XP and Windows 95/98/ME.

Many thanks to Jimmy Kuo at Riva3d.com who emailed me with the latest news.

Windows2000/XP
Version: 40.72 Beta
File Size: 14.4 MB
Release Date: October 3, 2002
WHQL Candidate

Windows 98/ME
Version: 40.72 Beta
File Size: 11.9 MB
Release Date: October 3, 2002
WHQL Candidate

Jimmy has these drivers available from his own site
HERE or you can visit the Nvidia download page HERE. Jimmy at Riva3D would like users to report back to him with your comments and scores!

Remember, these are beta drivers so usual rules apply, make a back-up of your system first and you install them at your own risk.


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I-Worm/Keywo by @ 11:54 am

Newsbytes ran a story a few days ago about the Bugbear virus. This virus now has a new variant form and is known as the I-Worm/Keywo. I have now had 6 emails in the last 12 hours with this virus sent to me.

As this virus seems so common and proberbly heading for a computer near you, I thought I would give you some advise about how to prevent getting it and how to get rid of it if you do get it.

Remember, this virus can disable firewalls, disable anti-virus software, open closed ports, it uses your address book to spread itself and it can use your keyboard cache information (with details like passwords and creditcard numbers) and phone home. It's a nasty little begger!

Firstly, number one defence is you must run some kind of Antivirus software. Their are a number of free versions available. I personally use AVG antivirus from Grisoft.com but others are available.

2. Use a firewall. Yet again their are a number of free firewalls available like Sygates personal firewall V5.0 or Zonelabs ZoneAlarm. This will tell you if anyting on your computer is trying to phone home with your details.

3. Make sure you are using the latest versions of Microsofts Internet Explorer and Outlook Express if they are your usual prefered choice.

4. Use Windows Update regularly. Alway make sure you have all the latest Critical Updates for your system. If you use Internet Explorer, go to the tools tab at the top and pick Windows Update and follow the on screen prompts.

What next
OK, you have done all this which everyone has been telling you to do ever since you got a pc, what else can you do. Well, what I'm about to print is what I do to try to keep safe. It's a case of once bitten, twice shy and some of this may sound a bit over the top, but at least if I ever get another virus attack, I will feel that I have done everything possible to prevent it.

5. I use Mail Washer. This little program lets you look at all the emails sitting on your server before they get downloaded to Outlook Express. It's also very good for removing spam (unwanted emails). Yet again, it's free with a donation scheme to remove a scroller at the top of the page.

6. I have ticked the box that says 'Do not allow attachments to be saved or open that could be potentially a virus'. You will find this under Tools/Options/security in Outlook Express.

7. I have also set up a message rule to delete all emails with attachments.

By having these options set, it means that you will not be able to receive attachments from anyone. Now, if someone wants to send me an attachment, they can do so by emailing me first, asking me if I can turn this function off whereby I would clear all messages from my mailboxes and email the person back to say 'GO'. As soon as I have downloaded the attachment, I save it to the desktop, scan it with AVG antivirus to check it manually and turn those rules back on.

How do people know that I cannot receive attachments? I hear you ask! I have used the plug-in that AVG has that works with Outlook Express and added the following words which are automatically added to the bottom of every email I send.

WARNING: All email attachments to this address are automatically deleted.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.393 / Virus Database: 223 - Release Date: 30/09/2002

I do full system scans with AVG every few days and I have told AVG to check for updates daily.

Over the top? Yes, maybe, but it's a rough world out there. A pain in the ####, Yes!, but it's better to be safe than sorry!

Not wanting to promote my own website (something that any self respecting news editor would never do) but I have listed all the programs that I use on my WindowsXP system on the Tweaks page of my own website. Most of them are free, in fact all these security programs are free and they all have links to download them from. Visit The Caretakers Website tweaks page.

What can you do if find you have this virus?
AVG yet again come to the rescue. They have dedicated a page that explains what the virus does and how to remove it from your system. You will find the information HERE

I know that's alot to take in, but I hope it's been a help. Be safe, be protected and Happy Surfing!

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Wednesday 2 October, 2002

New version of TVTool available by @ 12:05 pm

H.O.T have just released version 6.8 of their popular TVTool.

This new update includes new features such as support for the Philips TV chip SAA 7104 and a range of new TV modes for Conexant, Chrontel and Philips chips.

They have added some new Programmable Hotkeys, an Icon restore function and a new Curtain mode.

Jochen Buehner at HOT gives the folowing details:
For the Conexant TV-out chip: 1024x768 @ Standard and Fullscreen Size
a new PAL 640x480 Fullscreen mode with imrpoved picture quality
a new NTSC 800x600 Fullscreen mode
PAL-M and Pal-Nc

For the Chrontel TV-out chip: PAL 60 mode
PAL-M und Pal-Nc
The PAL 60 mode is useful for the playback of NTSC DVDs on PAL TV sets. NTSC DVDs are recorded with 30 pictures per second, PAL normally works with 25 pictures only. Therefore the playback can stuble because of the missing pictures. Here comes PAL 60 into play. PAL 60 uses 30 pictures (= 60 frames per second), therefore the playback will be smoothly. The TV must support PAL 60 of course, most newer TV sets do.

For the Philips TV-out chip: SAA 7102 and 7108:

Support for 640x480 @ Desktop size
PAL-M und Pal-Nc
SAA 7104:

1024x768 @ Desktop size
800x600 @ Desktop and Fullscreen size
640x480 @ Desktop size
PAL-M and Pal-Nc

Support for SAA7104


First tests have shown that the color bug of older Philips TV chips is not present anymore in the SAA7104. Therefore one gets a very nice picture quality for movie playback in the 800x600 fullscreen mode.

Maybe you wonder what PAL-Nc and PAL-M is all about actually. These are the TV standards of South America. In this region TVTool has not very many friends so far, but maybe this will change now :-).

The Icon resore function: This feature was a bit problematic so far. Obviously the icons were not restored correctly from time to time after leaving TV mode. So this function was completely new implemented and is much more sophisticated now. So far the icons were saved with continuous numbers, now they are saved by their names. This guarantess that the icons are restored correctly even if one icon was deleted or a new one was added. The other positions remain valid.
If the icons were really saved correctly can be controlled now by the newly integrated virtual desktop. On this desktop the saved icon positions are shown by small symbols. This function does not work with TV mode only by the way. The icons are restored on usual resolutions changes, too, (when playing games for example) as long as TVTool is active.

Resize presets: The resize function offers 6 presets now. Also every preset was fitted out with a led which shows the currently activ preset.

Programable HOTkeys: From time to time it was requested that certain functions could be controlled by hotkeys. This is possible now with two new hotkeys, which function can be selected by the user. With the keys F9 and F10 it´s possible to control the function which was assigned. This can be the size of the window, the picture position or the master volume for example.

Curtain Mode: This is really a completey superfluous function. But who ever had the chance to play a bit with one of these high class TVs from Bang&Olufsen may have discovered the nice effect when the TV is turned on: a curtain seems to open slowly before you can see the picture.

Bug fixes in version 6.8: PAL 60 Mode for Conexant (Color Phase alternation was off)
Hibernation resistent
larger color carrier range
768x576 NTSC mode for Chrontel fixed(disturbances)
RGB mode for Chrontel (blacklevel was much too high)

You can download the TVTool and read the full details of this new version HERE

Registered users should get an email.

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Tuesday 1 October, 2002

WORM_OPASOFT.A/ Opaserv.Worm by @ 9:29 pm

Another virus warning, this time it's WORM_OPASOFT.A. This little devil propagates via network shared C:\ drives. It attempts to download what appears to be, in the analysis, updated copies of itself, from a specific site.

TrendMicro says: This network worm propagates via network shared C:\ drives. It attempts to download what appears to be, in the analysis, updated copies of itself, from a specific site.

At this time of writing, the download site is not accessible and is either blocked or currently down.

This worm also scans for the computer name and domain name of machines connected to the network. It then sends this information to the download site.

You will find detail how to remove this worm virus at the Trendmicro website HERE

Symantec also warn of this virus. They say: W32.Opaserv.Worm is a network-aware worm which attempts to replicate across open network shares. It will copy itself to the file "scrsvr.exe" on the remote machine. This worm also attempts to download updates from www.opasoft.com, although the site may have already been shut down. Indicators of infection include:


The existence of scrsin.dat and scrsout.dat in the root directory of the c: drive indicating a local infection (worm was executed on the local machine)
The existence of tmp.ini in the root directory of the c: drive indicating a remote infection (infected by a remote host)
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Run contains a string value named ScrSvr or ScrSvrOld which is set to "c:\tmp.ini"

You can also read full details about this worm on the Symantec website HERE

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Bugbear Warning by @ 8:01 pm

A virus called Bugbear is doing the rounds. It's spreading fast too. It's a nasty little beastie. It can disable anti-virus, disable firewalls, it can open ports and it can takes your keyboard cache with all those passwords and credit card numbers and call home. It arrives as an email disguised as a previous message.

Symantec says: It is written in Microsoft Visual C/C++ programming language and compressed with UPX. It can also spread through Network shares. It has backdoor capabilities. The worm will also attempt to terminate the processes of various antivirus and firewall programs.

Identification of this virus is hard but it always arrives with an attachment 50,688kb in size. It uses a know vulnerability in some versions of Microsoft Outlook that lets the attachment execute without even clicking on it.

Systems affected are Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows NT, Windows 2000 and Windows XP.

Make sure your antivirus software is up-to-date. Be prepared for this little begger. For full detailed information about this virus you can visit the Symantec Website or visit your anti-virus software site. If you are affected by this virus you are advised to contact contact anti-virus software vendors for instruction on removing files and for security patch updates.

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