Intranet security is far worse than people think

They have laws for people that break into and steal the data. But where are the laws that tell the business they "have to" protect our data by using encryption, limiting those working for them the access to our data, and punishing those that blatantly don't use, or care about how they store our information?

It is just a matter of time now that a company will go belly up because they had no remorse for the data they stored, and someone was able to get to our information they stored in their database with little or no effort on their part.

Should we wait and see if this happens? NO! This will happen. For now the larger companies with major cash flows were hit, and customers info was stolen. Some they lost data because of a con artist was able to pay for it, by a willing employee within the company. Others it was a security breech within the company's database that allowed someone to steal thousands of the customers personal records.

It's a blatant attitude of a company that uses an attitude of "I don't care" I do just what I have too, and no more. This type company will be hit in probably less than three years. Plus it will go belly up because of it. There are plenty of these type company’s out there. They don't care because there are no laws in place to say they have to use every means to protect the database that stores our personal records. So they don't protect it.

There are plenty of security methods available to protect a database. So explain to me why they are not using them? Could they be that damn lazy? I have to say yes. I have heard horror stories from many people talking about how their employer doesn't care. He only wants to get to the information with the least amount of headaches.

So the consumer has to deal with the business that wants to operate with the least amount of headaches. Mean while our lively hoods are at stake. It looks as though the Government will wait again for "it" to happen. What ever happen to plan ahead? If our personal information is so important to the Government, then why wait for this to happen?

Was it bend over? or Open mouth insert foot?

First read this: Symantec: Mozilla browsers more vulnerable than IE

Then read this:  Mozilla hits back  I was asked by someone to write a blog about this.  They was interested in what I had to say. So here it goes folks.

 

I don't believe that Symantec's head of threat intelligence EMEA  Graham Pinkney did his homework at all.  If your going to be top dog on any job, at least make sure that the reports you release to the public reflect that you have a head on your shoulders, you have done your homework, and are professional at all times.  

 

It was very clear that he didn't have the whole story on the subject of security risk for browsers.  His story makes me think he had a even more alternative motive behind the warning. 

 

I don't mean to cast doubt on any person that has a very critical job to do each day. So what could of gone wrong?  Maybe he made two reports, and grabbed the wrong one?  Maybe his fingers were itching, and he had to use the keyboard  ... I mean he had to type something right?  Perhaps he was sick the day the report was written up, and accidentally gave it to a intern, instead of his secretary?   Maybe he is biased after all, and will say anything to give Bill Gates a helping hand? last but not least...  Perhaps even Graham Pinkney thinks he has to put the scare into the public so they will keep purchasing the Symantec products?

 

All of these are just maybes.  But I maybe think he jumped the gun, and now he looks like a total idiot. He might of thought it was a good report, but now the news, and the public are having a field day kicking his butt.  

 

BTW I want to commend the fine man  Tristan Nitot, president of Mozilla in Europe.  It's nice to know we still have one president in this world with a head on their shoulders.  Notice the man didn't bash too?  He just laid out the facts.  Thank you  Tristan Nitot! 

 

 

 

 

Katrina survivors

It's been a week now since Katrina left her deadly path behind.  For some of those who survived the ordeal.  The flashbacks may have started because before they were rescued they only had one thing on their mind and that was "Survival". 

 

It is very important for all the family's to know that even though your children may look picture perfect.  They may not be.  Yes children have a resilience that all adults wish they had.  A bounce back affect, and a means to conform to their surroundings.  But because of what they went through.  Some wont talk about it.  Others, will be told not to talk about it.  They will be told to hush it's in the past now, so move on. 

 

It's important for all adults to know that your children were seeing the aftermath of hurricane Katrina from their eyes.  Not yours.  Their understanding of the aftermath will not reflect the same meanings, nor will they recall the devastation in the same light as you had.  They are children.  So they will recall things differently. 

 

Don't shun their recalling of the devastation.  Don't tell them to hush because it's over with now. 

 

It's not over with now.  Before they were in survival mode just like you was.  Now the feelings as well as the memories will come out.   Be there for them.  Don't tell them what they saw.  Let them tell you. Their recollection will be far different from yours. They have little eyes.  Their little eyes will forever have Katrina etched in their minds.  Even the smallest of the survivors have a story to tell.  They will be forever etched in the landscape as the survivors of katrina.  Just like you will be.  You will always have a story to tell, and so will your children.  Be a listener.

 

 

Please take the poll

You can pick a answer plus at the end of this survey you can also add your own comments under "other"   The other can be used incase none of the answers reflect what you aim to do.  This poll only takes a couple minutes.  One question several answers for you to choose from.  Pass it along if you like too. 

 

 

Was Hurrican Katrina a wake up call for you?

 

http://www.learningpc4beginners.com/poll/public/survey.php?name=disaster

 

WeeBit

global warming

 Do you believe global warming is a factor behind the recent severe weather?  In a way I do, but in a way I don't also.  I know I can't have it both ways, but just read on, and maybe you will see my point. 

 

Hurricanes etc will just like any thing else will have a time to where you don't have as many.  You can go 25 to 40 years, and have a decrease in them.  Then one year they are on the increase again.  The increase will last for years.  It has nothing to do with global warming.  It's just mother natures way of giving mother earth a break then taking that break away.  It's the same as you seeing a famous desert dry as a bone for years, and then one day it rains.  It's no different than earthquakes becoming more intense.  They are not as intense, then one year you have a major quake.  Think back to when you was young, Grandma use to say we are due for bad weather this year.  Remember?   Same with Hurricanes. 

 

Does this mean we don't have global warming?  No.  Look at the North and South pole.  Yes the glaciers are melting.  So that means the climate is changing.  So this in itself could be global warming.  However who is to say that this also is just part of mother natures way of giving the North and South pole a rest?  It could be that just like everything else that has years of what they feel is normal temps, were not normal at all.  Or maybe even it has periods of many years of freezing, and many years of melting.  Who knows.  But if you look at weather as a whole instead of just including a certain amount of years then passing judgement, the weather is just doing what it has always done.  It waxes and wanes just like it did 100, 200, and even 300 years ago.  Didn't they also say at the beginning of the spring that there would be a increase in storms this year? Plus didn't the weather people all say we was over due for this to happen?  Think about it.  I realize they want to blame this all on the ozone, and global warming.  How can that be if they have been predicting it for years to happen and point blank came out and said that it was a pattern, and that it will last for years, then we will have a decrease again? 

 

However if the weather we are having now never goes away and gets worse year by year, then yes this is global warming caused by the ozone layer.  The same goes for snow, rain, and all the other climate.  So we all shall see what happens years from now. 

 

  

Employees unleashing viruses on purpose?

Here is something interesting.Employees unleashing viruses on purpose? I kind of believe that some employees are capable of doing this.  But I am more inclined to believe that it is a lack of teaching employees security measures in the office. I have asked employees in the past what they were taught, and most of them said nothing except how to log on and go.  I then asked a few questions to find out just what they know about the computer they use everyday.  Most were dumb founded.  Some were even down right stupid with their answers.  One told me "that is the IT's department headache not mine I only need to know how to run Excel, and email, keeping out viruses is not part of my job description".  Others said that the IT told them to "log on, and to call if the computer started acting up".  I have seen a great misuse of company time on a computer.  The use of Instant Messengers, and accepting emails from family and friends at work.  Plus the actual download and install of software etc. that was nowhere related to work.  Like games, movie trailers, etc.  

 

I believe unless the IT community, and job environments don't start taking their computers seriously when it comes to security then the security problems will never get any better.  I also believe that it is a jobs responsibility to be sure that their employees understand and know all of the security rules.  It doesn't matter how small their job is.  Get rid of the ones that don't want to learn the ropes.  Get rid of the ones, that keep infecting the boxes.  Show them the street if they continue to download crap that is not part of their job, and email every Tom, Harry, and Jane. I also believe that a job has the right to be sure that they are not downloading this crap, and emailing every Tom, Harry, and Jane.  

 

   

Robertson should be ousted!

First read this, and be sure you watch the video on the page. Robertson comments for assassination call   He did say assassination! He did say our men should go in and get rid of this guy.  He did not say as he claimed in his so called apology to just remove him.  I saw the tape.  I know first hand from his mouth the exact wording that he said.  NO the media did not take his words out of context as Robertson claims.  So his apology means nothing to me.  If I was in power I would arrest this man under the terrorist laws.  I would throw the book at him.  He as a public figure was in fact to me inciting a terrorist threat.  because of his following, and because people have a tendency of taking his words as power.  This man could in fact be a wart that the USA doesn't need.  I don't believe the USA should let this go.    

 

But what about free speech?  There is a big difference between free speech, and using your political power to convince the public to assassinate someone.  That is what Robertson was doing.  It is as clear as you can get in any type of speech a person could make.  It also was as clear as you can get when a public figure such as Robertson tells the USA to send  covert operatives  to kill someone. 

 

We don't need our Churches and synagogues inciting riots, killings, and assassinations.  If that is what Church is about, then I don't want to go to one ever again.  Robertson needs to be ousted. Or a public ban put upon him for TV and public speaking.  Because Robertson was infact promoting terrorism.  

 

 

Music on the move: music downloads and DRM

 In the first of a two part series on digital music on the move, we look at the controversial issue of digital rights management (DRM) and consider to what extent - if at all - users are discouraged from using legitimate download services.   read the rest here  DRM Blues

 

See I knew this was all going to crop up.  If you want to include DRM then ALL software wanting to run DRM should also be included.  There should be no restrictions on the Licenses.  because after all Bill Gates we already are having to deal with DRM! So include all MP3 players that are willing to go along with the BS.  To hell with this crap of different download places saying who's MP3's they will support.  That is total BS. 

 

They should be able to back up any License they have. NO ONE should have to purchase the same License again. THEY HAVE ALREADY PAID FOR THE DAMN THING YOU MORONS!  Because of the set up now people are having to repurchase the same music again.  Hell if my cds that I purchased in the store did this  I wouldn't even fool with them again.  I would go back to radio. 

 

OH! that reminds me I heard that Satellite radio is the next coming good thing. 

 

 

 

Intel quietly adds DRM to new chips

OH! INTEL!  Shame on you!  you didin't really think you could sneek this in did you? 

Intel quietly adds DRM  and Intel is not the only one! Sun Launches DRM Initiative  

 

Time to maybe switch to AMD?   

Epilogue : I'm busted! I installed the SP2

Well the Sp2 lasted long enough for me to realize I could not get into any folders or launch anything on the quick launch bar.  So I uninstalled it.  Which wasn't half bad at all.  The uninstall was smooth. 

 

For those that dont know
how this is done...

"start "run"  type:
c:\windows\$NtServicePackUninstall$\spuninst\spuninst.exe   Follow instructions.  At least Microsoft was nice enough to give us a sp2 uninstall wizard.  Thank you Microsoft!

 

 

 

 

Ok Bushy listen up!

Thank you Bushy for thinking twice before allowing the xxx domain! We don't think alike in most areas.  But I do agree with you on this.

 

Creating a XXX domain will do nothing to protect the public except give them a false sense of security for protecting their children.  You create this domain you will have many people thinking this is where all the porn is.  You have to first get into the mind of a new computer user to understand how they think.  If no one had told you about the XXX domain what do you think your first line of thought would be on what type of content this domain has?  I have had new computer users to write me and ask why a certain website that was a dot com was trying to put a virus on their computer if they are a business?  They don't comprehend that any of the domains on the Internet today can be bad, or be a false/misleading website.  Some think when first new that a "dot com" is a commercial site, and a "dot org" is a nonprofit.  The "dot net" they think those are everyday people.  And surely they all must be legit because after all they are on the Internet. 

 

Second is the XXX domain can be abused tremendously  by lobbyist thinking we shall throw all the porn over there including all the stuff we think is crap even though it is not crap and certainly not porn but instead just related or has a sexual tendency to it.  So many websites will be forced to move because their website just has a sexual nature to it.  It may not be Porn but who cares its going there anyway because I don't like their content. 

 

Third is the porn sites themselves.  You don't really believe they will give up those domains they have had for years do you? 

 

fourth is very scary... Just whom is going to monitor the backlash of non complying porn domains?  There will come a day when someone tries to force a move on them to the XXX domain. Even worse is that today the other domains are not really complying to the domain types so does this mean they will have to move also?   

 

It wont work because The USA will be the only one complying with the new rules.  Actually no one will comply  because they will just move to a host in a country that doesn't have the silly rules.   

 

It's just all a bad idea.  Keep on telling them no.  Ok Bushy?

 

 

 

 

 

Iran

Iran is at it again and the USA is watching.  What I don't get is if these countries that the USA claim are hurting the Iraq war by sending their bombers and weapons over to Iraq...  Then why hasn't those borders into iraq been closed to traffic? WeeBit shrugs and scratches head.  

 

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/08/11/iran.iaea/index.html

 

 

I'm busted! I installed the SP2

Yes folks I installed the SP2 today. I must admit I was impressed with the
ease of instillation process too. It is kind of slow to install, and the
download on my DSL took 40 minutes. It actually to me took longer for the
SP2 to install than it did to download.
I am so far impressed with it too. First the hoopla about not having a
choice about certain aspects of the security like the firewall and the auto
updates... I got asked if I wanted these on or off. A shield shows in the
taskbar and a click of the mouse gives you the options of what you want on
and what you want off.

I decided to turn the auto updates off, but I kept the firewall check on and
the antivirus check was left on also. I am hoping that this is added
protection incase a virus or Trojan should sneak onto my box and disable
these.

If you install this please take the time to read the windows that pop up.
and be sure your box is clean before you even install this. Later on I will
update and let you all know if I have any problems with the SP2.

Woman sues video game manufacturer (I say throw the lawsuit out!)

Here is a grandmother with a 14 year old grandson whom she bought a game for that had a mature rating.  Well here is a website that tells you what each of the game ratings are, and the appropriate ages for each rating plus what each of the ratings could have for content.  Game Ratings  Now step up to plate the lawsuit the grandmother filed on the makers of the game Grand Theft Auto.  Read about lawsuit here   

 

Throw it out because even the mature rating states it is meant for people 17 and up, and the game could contain sexual content, or does contain sexual content. 

 

Come on people!  they release the games with the ratings for a reason! You don't by a game for a kid under 17 that is for mature audiences, and then sue the manufacturer because your too stupid to pay attention to the ratings, or just too damn lazy to pay attention to them.  Or give in to a child because they want the game.  If you can't take the heat stay out of the kitchen!  parents have to take responsibility for their own actions. 

 

This lawsuit should be thrown out because the wrong age group is suing.  People who meet the age requirements for the ratings on the game itself should be allowed to sue if they care to do so.   But if you bought a game for your kids that are not the proper age displayed on the box then I am sorry you're shit out of luck folks in my book.    

Think about it

 

We live in a society to where a child does not decide on what to eat by the type of the food with their meal... They decide on what to eat by the toy that comes with their meal.

We live in a society that doctors decide what drugs we will take by the perks from the company's that make them.

Consumers choose prescription medicines by which of the drug companies can put out the most TV ads in one month.

Poverty is still acceptable because if it weren’t, no one in the USA would be living in poverty.

It's still ok and acceptable for our elderly and children to do without needed medical. Because if it wasn't acceptable then at least the richest Nation in the world could afford to take care of their own Nation's medical needs.

Our nation eats the most filler, preservatives, and processed food of any other nation.

It was shown that when the USA fast foods became available to other nations, along with the processed foods. Their people started having and showing signs of more diabetes, heart problems, obesity, etc. http://modelminority.com/printout865.html Yes some of these country’s spoil their children because they are a one child family mandated by their country. But clearly it has been noticed that more health problems have cropped up since fast food, and other quick to prepare foods have made it to the western markets, and drive through.  Do your own research on this.  I am not sure if you could call this a cover up by the USA.  Not when this is in the news all the time.  Some claim it is, and you just don't see it.  If you ever wanted to find out how they affect you... then eliminate these foods from your diet, give yourself three months, and don't forget to use those scales before and after.  Then decide if your health is better or not, and your family's.  Another thing to note if you try this is to remember the word "Moderation". 

FCC Rules broken?

It has always been my thoughts that the FCC was born in order to protect the consumer. The laws they set forth are there also not only to protect the consumer but to protect the public at large. This protection extends all the way down to the very ones they are protecting us from!

This is a very hard subject to tackle by anyone. The FCC to me has one of the hardest jobs there is on this planet. It's a balancing act. You have to protect free speech, set rules and then decipher if any of the laws set forth are stepping out of bounds. Free speech on television is one of these rules.

It seems that as fast as you try to fix a broken law, the faster someone comes along to try to tell you everything wrong with it. Take for instance the laws that the FCC have recently put their foot down on. Television decency. Or what ever you want to call it. To make this short of what its about is it just boils down too no x rated, or vulgar language etc in prime time. Am I for this? To a certain extent. I am not sure if the guide lines are as straight forward as they should be on the matter, and because everyone's views of what clean content should be is different then who is to say that down the road that this could eventually get out of hand?

The thing though I want to discuss is the content of certain info commercials. Plus their record of sales etc to the public.

It is clear to me that info commercials are getting out of hand. I don't mean all of them either. Some of them are very legit businesses, whom care about their customers. Others you wouldn't do business with if your life depended on it. I wont sugar coat this. I believe the FCC has the right and the obligation to protect the public from the info commercials that blatantly are corrupt. You know the ones that take your money and run, are doing nothing but offering a pyramid scheme, and have a very poor report with the BBB. The complaints on some of them are ramped. But you still see their info commercials on TV. I want it stopped. While to public has to sit through these info commercials, a consumer is being ripped off. If the FCC cares so much for the public then why aren't they stopping this fraud? Not everyone knows about this fraud, and not everyone knows the schemes that these people are pulling. It's time that the FCC went after them. They claim they are cleaning up television. Ok lets see the FCC really clean up Television. protect the public FCC. Get rid of these bogus rip off's that are on the television. If they have a bad record selling to the public then ban them from our Television screens. Make them clean up their act. Give the ones that really have the public in their interest that air time.

Who has the right to complain?

I am so amazed at people sometimes. I had asked a few people that complain how the Government runs the Country. Out of ten I asked, only two were registered voters, and only one of them voted this year. Excuses I heard? "It doesn't matter who I vote for... they will put who they want in office regardless if I like em or not." "Both candidates suck so it doesn't matter if I vote or not." Those were the two most popular reasons for not being a registered voter. One other that amazed me was this one... "No way will I register I am not serving on Jury Duty. "

But a good majority of them were displeased in how the President was doing. They had plenty to say about what was wrong. But they didin't vote, or they wasn't even registered to vote. So tell me... What gives them the right to complain? Is it enough to be a American to be able to complain anyway? They say they have every right to complain because they ARE American. Do they really have that right?

Can you spell RFID?

'contactless chip' = RFID and 'proximity chip' = RFID There is no difference folks. And hang onto your hats because our very nice elected Government is putting this crap in passports. Which will put all those abroad at risk. Why? Because the chips in passports will not have any of those digital secure security features, that our own elected officials will have in theirs. Homeland Security Department "We want it to be compatible," she said, "with as many reader devices used by other countries as possible." Hogwash is what I say. Tell em to get off their buffs and enter into the 21st Century. Better yet trash the idea because Technology is not ready for this as of yet. They can't even secure a computer. And they want to broadcast private info on a contactless chip. Give me a break!

OH! and Homeland Security Department if you really care alot for your fellow Americans who helped you get that job. The least you could do is give us all the same type of security protection that you have. Not like you will listen to us when we say your making a big mistake with that chip. But you can't honestly say that no one will be able to pick up that signal or not. You don' know, and even if they can't today, you should at least be honest enough with the public, and let them know that tomorrow someone will have a device built just for those chips, and every person that they get info from will be at risk. The question is "Will it be just a few, or a few thousand, or more?" This contactless chip technology is no different than the computer you have in your office and someone out there is getting all happy just thinking about hacking it. It wont be just a few hundred or a few thousand either. Just visit your nearest airport, and see if you can get a good idea of the ones coming and going. So many of those have a passport on them, now multiply this ten fold. Because this wont be in one general area it will be a multitude of areas, and sure wont be very easy to catch. Bye the time you find out the damage is already done. You are at great risk if you feel otherwise.



RFID Cards Get Spin Treatment

Another Day

DRM Ah yes this is suppose to save the RIAA's butt. But you know I don't think so. I believe just like all the other hoopla on software that has been hacked in the last 10+ years DRM will be no different. So what's the cure? Ask me in about ten years, or maybe even 20. Because everyone right now is treating the software industry as if it has been around for ever and it hasn't.

So how about the rest of the security industry for Software? Well that is iffy. You can lock a computer up as tight as you want too, but when you do that you loose also.

One thing though I would like to see is Hosting company's for websites they host for to start scanning more often to see what their customers are uploading. Did you know there are websites right now as you read this that are storing viruses, Trojans, all kinds of malware. I guess the Hosting company's just turn a blind eye. Meanwhile their customers are uploading this crap as fast as they can.

I'm disappointed with the Tech world

I was going to get a Cell Phone because I think I am the only member in my family, and among my friends that doesn't have one. I was even looking at a few different brands, plus different companies that offer them as a incentive to join up with the other millions who already have one.
I changed my mind though. It's one thing to fight tooth and nail online to keep the viruses and worms out of your computer. It's a whole different thing with a Cell Phone. I mean your not cool unless the phone has all of the new gadgets, or bells and whistles. You go around with a dinosaur version, and people look at you so un-cool.

So the second virus hit the phone market this week. Two is two too many for me folks. Besides how did that virus get to spread like that anyways? Can't they trace it back? I believe if they had of arrested someone in a timely matter when the first phone virus hit. The second one never would of happen. Guess we just have another tech industry out of control. So much for my Cell phone. :(
What a disappointment.