Bush and Rove Control You Through Microsoft Security Holes

[BPSCG]

It's true! :)

Check the second comment at the bottom of this article about the latest Internet Explorer security flaw (http://blog.washingtonpost.com/securityfix/2008/07/microsoft_hackers_exploiting_u_2.html?hpid=sec-tech):

It´s obsolete anyway. The best fix is to erase MSware from your system. This will protect you from the next MSware bug before it is even announced. And remember, the RNC consistently uses these exploits for 6-12 months before they are "discovered". Microsoft has a back door between Windows and the RNC so all Windows users around the world can be manipulated by the Bushies.
Try OpenOffice.org. Yes, you can still read and write files compatible with MS with it. For example if you want to send a Word document to Karl Rove´s email at the RNC because they don´t know how to use OpenOffice at the RNC, you can still do it with OpenOffice, so there is no reason to keep Word on your system anymore.
Or try a compact editor like emacs.

[GreNME]

You know, junk like that makes my job (IT Director) all that much harder because people (especially those higher on the food chain) demand to know why I'm not concerned with such things when similar information winds up in their inbox trying to create bogus hysteria.

Yes, we all know Microsoft was sanctioned for engaging in unfair practices. Yes, we know that Microsoft have been working for nearly a decade now to clean up the bad reputation they earned themselves for it. I'd even go so far as to say that I agree some of Microsoft's current business moves are rotten from a business perspective, though no longer some "secret conspiracy" like it was in the 1980's and early 90's.

However, when people try to bring this up as a possible risk to their information security and integrity I just about get to the point where I'd like to tell my superiors, "if you don't think I'm doing an adequate job of maintaining information security or if you don't think my personal knowledge base is equipped to handle potential security holes, then please let me know so I can find a job where my skills and knowledge are not constantly under fire." I haven't had to play that card yet, but sometimes the paranoia gets a bit thick.

On the other hand, I'm constantly reminded of the saying that any sufficiently complex technology is practically indistinguishable from magic, and because of that I often wonder how much that plays into such excessive paranoia. We IT people aren't magicians, wizards, or sorcerers.

[dudalb]

To say that Microsoft makes crappy software is one thing, to tie it into one big conspiracy to take over the world is crazy.

[defaultdotxbe]

one has to wonder if hes running openoffice on an MS operating system, lol

[Gazpacho]

So many people (even here) believe such inane things about Microsoft without evidence, or contrary to evidence, that this isn't even funny.

a compact editor like emacs.Except this part.

[SpaceMonkeyZero]

In my 15 years of being an IT professional, I've had more linux boxes hacked* and taken over than those running MS operating systems. I believe the ratio is 5 to 0 right now.

That's my personal opinion and I'm sticking to it.

* Yes there's been the occasional virus and adware... but that's better than being locked out of your own root on a linux box.

[GreNME]

In my 15 years of being an IT professional, I've had more linux boxes hacked* and taken over than those running MS operating systems. I believe the ratio is 5 to 0 right now.

That's my personal opinion and I'm sticking to it.

* Yes there's been the occasional virus and adware... but that's better than being locked out of your own root on a linux box.

I've actually had someone running a Macintosh who I lent my flash drive to accidentally transmit a virus onto a few Office files of mine. (they may not get system problems from viruses, but Macs can be carriers and transmitters just as much as Windows machines because there are a lot of interoperable files)

Does that make Apple part of the worldwide NWO conspiracy as well?

[Bob Blaylock]

I've actually had someone running a Macintosh who I lent my flash drive to accidentally transmit a virus onto a few Office files of mine. (they may not get system problems from viruses, but Macs can be carriers and transmitters just as much as Windows machines because there are a lot of interoperable files)

Does that make Apple part of the worldwide NWO conspiracy as well?


As it happens, most of the Microsoft Office applications have a built-in programming language; sort of a “macro” feature on steroids. Very powerful, if you know how to use it. I can make Excel do some amazing things of which most people would never imagine it to be capable.

This programming environment is, however, powerful enough, and insecure enough, that malware can easily be written in it which will run when a document containing them is run under the appropriate application. As far as I know, Microsoft Office is the only significant vector for cross-platform viruses and malware that can affect both Macintosh and Windows systems.

In any event, it is Microsoft, and not Apple, that is responsible for having introduced this vulnerability to the Macintosh.

[GreNME]

I'm not really of a mind to get into this "Microsoft-Apple" debate, mostly because I'm familiar with both (own a Vista desktop and OS X laptop) and don't bear any grudges either way. However, while you are correct about the VB macros being the vector in my own personal case it doesn't discount several other vectors unrelated to Microsoft where Macs can be carriers, some old ones even having to do with Apple's own scripting language.

Trust me, if Microsoft is part of some evil conspiracy because of security holes then Apple would be equally culpable because of their own. Exploits rarely deal with base system files and instead rely on holes in modules (often in the form of software) running on top of the base operating system.

And I can hack a Mac just as easily as I can hack a PC. Really talented people (like this guy (http://www.macworld.com/article/132733/2008/03/hack.html)) can even do it in minutes. ;)

[DarthFishy]

So many people (even here) believe such inane things about Microsoft without evidence, or contrary to evidence, that this isn't even funny.

Quote:
a compact editor like emacs.
Except this part.

I mean incredible. Saying one should rather stick to an editor like emacs. The insanity.







Everybody knows VI is the only true text editor.

:p

[Furi]

We IT people aren't magicians, wizards, or sorcerers.

Speak For yourself.

A lot of people have realised that even by thinking, "I'll go ask Furi if he can see why I can't login" that my super magic muppet sense is already activated and I have already fixed, and by such arcane magicks if they retype it and it suddenly works,

A MIRACLE.

however if I get forwarded another fskking email regarding super destroy all data virus warning by someone in management I am going lart them so hard I will need to enchant a new cluebat

[GreNME]

:)

I humbly defer to your magics.

[BPSCG]

however if I get forwarded another fskking email regarding super destroy all data virus warning by someone in management I am going lart them so hard I will need to enchant a new cluebatNominated for Pith Award despite total lack of punctuation. Coffee/keyboard/spew.

[Furi]

Nominated for Pith Award despite total lack of punctuation. Coffee/keyboard/spew.

Hey I pithed,

It's best never to let punctuation get in the way, when you're channeling Mr Angry Pants

[Alareth]

In stark contrast to Furi's divine abilities I have known some utterly clueless IT people.

I had one "friend" that possessed a degree or two in the field yet I had to go to his house and set up his Belkin router because he couldn't get on the internet ...

He didn't hold many IT jobs for long.

[aggle-rithm]

As it happens, most of the Microsoft Office applications have a built-in programming language; sort of a “macro” feature on steroids. Very powerful, if you know how to use it. I can make Excel do some amazing things of which most people would never imagine it to be capable.

This programming environment is, however, powerful enough, and insecure enough, that malware can easily be written in it which will run when a document containing them is run under the appropriate application. As far as I know, Microsoft Office is the only significant vector for cross-platform viruses and malware that can affect both Macintosh and Windows systems.

In any event, it is Microsoft, and not Apple, that is responsible for having introduced this vulnerability to the Macintosh.

I used to run into these Macro viruses in MS Word back when I did tech support. The biggest problem they caused, by far, was not an intentional result of their malicious code, but corruption caused by the malicious code malfunctioning. Once the macros were erased and the content moved to a new Word document, problem solved.

You rarely hear about such malware anymore.

[aggle-rithm]

however if I get forwarded another fskking email regarding super destroy all data virus warning by someone in management I am going lart them so hard I will need to enchant a new cluebat

It's difficult to tell sometimes if a virus alert is legitimate or not, but as soon as it says "IT WILL ERASE ALL DATA ON YOUR HARD DRIVE !!!!11eleventy11!!!!" I grow skeptical.

Why would it erase your hard drive? That's like a biological virus instantly killing the first cell it infects. How could it multiply?

[Furi]

this is the last one I got (5 firkin times *GNASH*)

things that immediately made me reach for the vaseline and my Rod of Greater Larting. I originally thought I would just highlight the areas that are so damned recockulous but that just meant all of it.

other things that narked me

0th Big colourful fonts does not truth make

1st The inclusion of 15+ forwards with untrimmed email addys, corporate disclaimers and virus checker blocks giving a total of some 300+ addys in the mail body

2nd It was sent to me via my external mail addy form some one internally as well as a crap load of Yahoo AOL and GMail Hotmail and other unknowns with my govt. mailing addy in ARRRGH! Decides to make some gauntlet of "USE BCC"

3rd it is an obvious chain mail circular piece of crud, it may as well be the "Please post this message into the next five youtube videos you see" type crap

4th it's 99% crap at the very most it has homeopathic levels of truth (so having it in a thread within the CT section is the right place)



Looks like this one is real ... I checked Snopes myself.

BIG virus coming

I checked with Norton Anti-Virus, and they are gearing up

for this virus!

I checked snopes.com, this morning, and it is for real!!

Get this E-mail message sent around to your contacts ASAP.

PLEASE FORWARD THIS WARNING AMONG FRIENDS, FAMILY

AND CONTACTS!
You should be alert during the next several weeks. Do not

open any message with an attachment entitled 'POSTCARD,'

regardless of who sent it to you.

It is a virus which opens A POSTCARD IMAGE, which 'burns'

the whole hard disc (C drive) of your computer. This virus

will be received from someone who has your e-mail address

in his/her contact list. This is the reason why you need to

send this e-mail to all your contacts. It is better to receive

this message 25 times than to receive the virus and open it.

If you receive a mail called' POSTCARD,' even though sent

to you by a friend, do not open it.! This includes all cards,

too. Shut down your computer immediately.

This is the worst virus announced by CNN. It has been

classified by Microsoft as the most destructive virus ever.

This virus was discovered by McAfee yesterday, and there

is no repair yet for this kind of virus. This virus simply

destroys the Zero Sector of the Hard Disc, where your vital

information is kept.

COPY THIS E-MAIL, AND SEND IT TO YOUR FRIENDS.
REMEMBER: IF YOU SEND IT TO THEM, YOU WILL BENEFIT

ALL OF US.http://www.snopes.com/computer/virus (http://www.snopes.com/computer/virus)

[Viper Daimao]

I like how it says it's been checked on snopes. I got one like that from my dad and I actually checked on snopes. It was checked, and found to be not true.

[defaultdotxbe]

It's difficult to tell sometimes if a virus alert is legitimate or not, but as soon as it says "IT WILL ERASE ALL DATA ON YOUR HARD DRIVE !!!!11eleventy11!!!!" I grow skeptical.

Why would it erase your hard drive? That's like a biological virus instantly killing the first cell it infects. How could it multiply?
well unlike a biological virus a computer virus has no need to self-replicate, so if whoever made wants to make it erase all your data they can, although ive never heard of a virus that actually tries to do that, and considering how easy it is i guess most virus makers dont see a point, lol

[aggle-rithm]

well unlike a biological virus a computer virus has no need to self-replicate

Well, if it doesn't, it's not a virus, by definition.

[defaultdotxbe]

Well, if it doesn't, it's not a virus, by definition.
yeah, i thought about that after i posted, it would just be a really nasty program :)

(of course "virus" has become something of a catchall for anything from actual viruses to adware and gag programs)

[Elizabeth I]

I like how it says it's been checked on snopes. I got one like that from my dad and I actually checked on snopes. It was checked, and found to be not true.

Hey, the spam just said that it had been checked, not that it had been verified.

[aggle-rithm]

yeah, i thought about that after i posted, it would just be a really nasty program :)

(of course "virus" has become something of a catchall for anything from actual viruses to adware and gag programs)

One claim I DO find credible is "It will erase all Microsoft documents from your hard drive!"

That, I can see a virus doing.