Windows users, Microsoft called...

Rigel · Sep 10, 2003

Sorry if this topic belongs in unrelated, but I thought it was worthy to go here (even though it's not Neo related).

To all the Windows users, a co-worker comes up to me as I'm getting ready to leave work today, and says...

"yo, Microsoft called. They said a new virus is coming that spreads faster, and is more destructive than the last one..."

So, the Windows admins at work are putting together a patch to send out to the company that has all the critical downloads required.

I would recommend getting them all, if possible, sorry that I do not know which ones exactly. Just wanted to warn my fellow Neo gamers before something bad can happen to them!

BlindDrunk · Sep 10, 2003

<a href="http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-039.asp" target="_blank">http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-039.asp</a>

Nomax · Sep 10, 2003

Rigel:
"yo, Microsoft called. They said a new virus is coming that spreads faster, and is more destructive than the last one..."

Wow, time to switch to Linux

Nomax · Sep 10, 2003

BlindDrunk:
<a href="http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-039.asp" target="_blank">http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-039.asp</a>

Windows 98 is not affected by this vulnerability. Feel better now! eek_2

Shred · Sep 10, 2003

Every time Microsoft issues a security vulnerability you can expect a whole swarm of new virus's. They should learn to update these things with out announcing to every one how to hack their system to pieces.

Crovax · Sep 10, 2003

thanks for the heads up. Man, I wish my old computer hadn't died on me. I hate having to dl all these patches just because my machine came with XP.

Rigel · Sep 10, 2003

Nomax:
Wow, time to switch to Linux D

Yeah, I been thinking the same thing myself!

BlindDrunk: Thanks for the link!

Talen · Sep 10, 2003

Shred:
Every time Microsoft issues a security vulnerability you can expect a whole swarm of new virus's. They should learn to update these things with out announcing to every one how to hack their system to pieces.

People woud fucking scream if MS didn't explain a new security vulnerability in detail, they would claim that MS was trying to cover things up and howl for blood and details.

Originally posted by Crovax:thanks for the heads up. Man, I wish my old computer hadn't died on me. I hate having to dl all these patches just because my machine came with XP.

Actually the RPC vulrearbilities being exploited affect the entire NT line including NT 4 and 2000. Don't fault XP in particular for an issue that affects all 32 bit MS operating systems.

Originally posted by Nomax:Wow, time to switch to Linux

Man, I feel like the fucking grinch in this thread, but if you have trouble getting security updates for windows on a regular basis I do hope you realize that there are still plenty of security vulnerabilities in an out of the box linux/unix distro. Networked Linux without properly configured ssh isn't secure for shit not to mention linux software isn't exploit free and does need updates too. Linux.Slapper.Worm anyone?

[ September 10, 2003, 05:53 PM: Message edited by: Talen ]

JHendrix · Sep 10, 2003

Talen:

Shred:
Every time Microsoft issues a security vulnerability you can expect a whole swarm of new virus's. They should learn to update these things with out announcing to every one how to hack their system to pieces.

Click to expand...

People woud fucking scream if MS didn't explain a new security vulnerability in detail, they would claim that MS was trying to cover things up and howl for blood and details.

Originally posted by Crovax:thanks for the heads up. Man, I wish my old computer hadn't died on me. I hate having to dl all these patches just because my machine came with XP.

Click to expand...

Actually the RPC vulrearbilities being exploited affect the entire NT line including NT 4 and 2000. Don't fault XP in particular for an issue that affects all 32 bit MS operating systems.

Originally posted by Nomax:Wow, time to switch to Linux

Click to expand...

Man, I feel like the fucking grinch in this thread, but if you have trouble getting security updates for windows on a regular basis I do hope you realize that there are still plenty of security vulnerabilities in an out of the box linux/unix distro. Networked Linux without properly configured ssh isn't secure for shit not to mention linux software isn't exploit free and does need updates too. Linux.Slapper.Worm anyone?

This is why I'm posting on a Macintosh, it's got security holes and all, just like ANY other operating system. Thing is, no one gives a shit about Macs and mac users so there hasn't been a big Mac virus in years.

And BTW, if you had a "fully secure" OS, you wouldn't be able to even half the things you consider "standard functions" on a normal PC. You should see what some of the "government rated secure Operating Systems" are like.

Oh and the best part is even those don't get used on fully secure systems, which basically can't be hooked up to the internet, let alone any networks that are connected to the internet.

More security = Less functionality.

Phoenix Down · Sep 10, 2003

Heh, if you're talking about NMCI, those machines are so secure even the government or the contractor can't get them to do anything properly. Now that's security! wink

Oh, and while I realize that this patch affects NT, 2000 and XP, XP was the only one that was spontaneously rebooting every 60 seconds due to the Blaster worm, making it more difficult to patch. 2000 just basically shut down svchost.exe, which fubars a number of services but doesn't totally crash the computer.

My entire office is still running entirely Windows 2000 and I haven't had half the problems other offices have that are all XP. buttrock

Talen · Sep 10, 2003

Phoenix Down:
Oh, and while I realize that this patch affects NT, 2000 and XP, XP was the only one that was spontaneously rebooting every 60 seconds due to the Blaster worm, making it more difficult to patch. 2000 just basically shut down svchost.exe, which fubars a number of services but doesn't totally crash the computer.

The bigger problem I found with blaster and welchia worms wasn't the shutdown, but the denial of service it created by trying to spread itself so quickly. For a lot of businesses these days a user denied network use may as well be forced to shut down every two minutes, because they can't do dick without network drives, printers, or domain authentication. I mainly deal with small businesses as they have emergencies, so I see a lot of small sloppy networks with little to no protection besides hiding behind the NAT of an improperly setup router, in a corporate environment I don't see the icmp hailstorm being such a huge issue.

Phoenix Down:

My entire office is still running entirely Windows 2000 and I haven't had half the problems other offices have that are all XP. buttrock

:rock:I wish businesses could all still be running nt on the desktop level. :\ Xp is a great step forwards for the home desktop/workstation line, but the company I work for still designs nt/2k systems for business networks. I'm just tired of seeing people slag on xp so heavily, especially when they don't have it configured as securely as it can be in the first place. frown

Phoenix Down · Sep 10, 2003

Talen:

Phoenix Down:
Oh, and while I realize that this patch affects NT, 2000 and XP, XP was the only one that was spontaneously rebooting every 60 seconds due to the Blaster worm, making it more difficult to patch. 2000 just basically shut down svchost.exe, which fubars a number of services but doesn't totally crash the computer.

Click to expand...

The bigger problem I found with blaster and welchia worms wasn't the shutdown, but the denial of service it created by trying to spread itself so quickly. For a lot of businesses these days a user denied network use may as well be forced to shut down every two minutes, because they can't do dick without network drives, printers, or domain authentication. I mainly deal with small businesses as they have emergencies, so I see a lot of small sloppy networks with little to no protection besides hiding behind the NAT of an improperly setup router, in a corporate environment I don't see the icmp hailstorm being such a huge issue.

Phoenix Down:

My entire office is still running entirely Windows 2000 and I haven't had half the problems other offices have that are all XP. buttrock

Click to expand...

:rock:I wish businesses could all still be running nt on the desktop level. :\ Xp is a great step forwards for the home desktop/workstation line, but the company I work for still designs nt/2k systems for business networks. I'm just tired of seeing people slag on xp so heavily, especially when they don't have it configured as securely as it can be in the first place.

True enough on both counts. I had already patched all the computers in my office before the worms hit but I had a number of users ask for my assistance in cleaning their home computers. I can definitely see your point in small businesses that don't have a full-time IT person.

Don't get me wrong, XP isn't a terrible OS, it's just that even in a company my size I see a lot of times where people just don't adequately secure XP as opposed to NT or 2000. I'll admit I'm a little biased too as I'm a soon-to-be MCSE (finally).

The Chief · Sep 10, 2003

Nomax:

BlindDrunk:
<a href="http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-039.asp" target="_blank">http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-039.asp</a>

Click to expand...

Windows 98 is not affected by this vulnerability. Feel better now! eek_2

Makes me feel a lot better

Windows 98 SE is my OS of choice.

John · Sep 10, 2003

The Chief:
Makes me feel a lot better Windows 98 SE is my OS of choice.

I'm a first edition man myself.

I also have a Powerbook G4 12" with OSX 10.2.6 on there, with all the latest security updates. Just because it doesn't seem like an easy target doesn't mean you should just sit back and relax. That goes for all operating systems, including Linux.

I think the reason that you don't hear so much about Linux getting hacked is twofold: 1) because fewer people use it, and 2) because on the average, Linux users (perhaps out of necessity) have a better grasp of "what they're doing" than Windows (Mac, etc.) users.

But honestly, "relative obscurity" isn't the reason I use a Mac. I use it because I've had a better net experience* (as in gross and net, not as in Internet) with Apple products in general and Macintoshes in particular, and also because I had a IIc and there's just a part of me that I guess you could say is the inner Apple user (or, as some might say, for the good times).

*My most potentially troublesome experience was upgrading a 7200/90 to a G4/400 with a Voodoo2 card. It could have been pretty nasty, but everything turned out alright. It was pretty swank. I was running Deus Ex on it and everything.

Bob Sagat · Sep 10, 2003

Recently after being on my computer for more than 30 min it just starts running INCREDIBLY slow and have to restart to make it run better again. The weird thing is when I disconnect my comp from the internet it runs better but when I reconnect, slow again. I have called my DSL line and they say everything is running smoothly and it is. I download at normal rate.

Any suggestions..? oh_no

[ September 10, 2003, 09:53 PM: Message edited by: Bob Sagat ]

Talen · Sep 10, 2003

Sounds like it may be a trojan or worm, but also something as simple as spyware or shitty ppoe software. I haven't used adsl in years, but I remember winpoet being some fairly crap bloatware. If you don't have antivirus software that's up to date, GET SOME NOW. Also try running adaware/spybot. Eh, there are more things to try, but those would be a good start.

Darklighterx · Sep 10, 2003

Mac owns Windows any day. buttrock

Lets Gekiga In · Sep 10, 2003

Daklighterx:
Mac owns Windows any day. buttrock

Yep, I've ordered my dual processor G5 and 23" monitor!! KICK ASS!!

Lord_Tibor · Sep 10, 2003

Thank you for the info, guyz!
I just downloaded the patch and installed it.
I'm starting to think that XP REALLY sucks...

Crovax · Sep 11, 2003

Talen:
Actually the RPC vulrearbilities being exploited affect the entire NT line including NT 4 and 2000. Don't fault XP in particular for an issue that affects all 32 bit MS operating systems.

Well, the point I was trying to make was that my old system was running '98, so I was forced to make the switch to what lately seems to be a much larger target than before. I know all windows products are full of security holes, but it at least seemed like i could just use my old OS without having to get a new critical security patch every other week.

Goukipoo · Sep 11, 2003

To fix the the Windows bug please refer to <a href="http://www.debian.org" target="_blank">www.debian.org</a>

Setsuna1982 · Sep 11, 2003

Virus Requirements:
- Windows XP, 2000, 2003 or NT
- Microsoft Outlook
:rolleyes:

Anybody really uses outlook? Because I suppose nobody is gonna use that shit

Pro_Gear · Sep 11, 2003

Goukipoo:
To fix the the Windows bug please refer to <a href="http://www.debian.org" target="_blank">www.debian.org</a>

debian rox

Nomax · Sep 11, 2003

Goukipoo:
To fix the the Windows bug please refer to <a href="http://www.debian.org" target="_blank">www.debian.org</a>

lol lol lol

Cecked the latest SuSE release, it became heavier than Windows XP, and it's nearly KDE only. blow_top
KDE is shit! Gnome too! fvwm2 rulez!!!

mog · Sep 17, 2003

Nomax said:
Wow, time to switch to Linux

That way you can write documents in Notepad like a HaX0r.

Windows users, Microsoft called...

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Bead Banger

Rasputin's Rose Gardener

The Ultimate 11

Leona's Therapis,

Jello Pudding Pop, Y'know? Like that whole Bill C

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Flagstaff Up,

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n00b

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FLIPTASTIC PRICEJACKER!

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Bead Banger