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Topic: Nimda virus info |
Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 19 Sep 2001 2:14 pm |
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I got the following e-mail info from TW/Roadrunner. I'm posting it here for info.
Road Runner has been informed of a new virus, called "Nimda", that can infect Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000 and NT Operating Systems. If you are using any of these operating systems, Road Runner strongly suggests visiting the following link posted by Microsoft:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/security/topics/Nimda.asp
This link has information regarding software patches specific to your operating system that will help prevent this virus from infecting your computer. Because these patches are specific to Microsoft's operating systems, Microsoft is the best source for any assistance with these patches.
After all patches have been applied from Microsoft, Road Runner strongly recommends running an updated virus scan to make sure this virus is not already on your computer. If you do not have any anti-virus software, a list of the most popular programs has been included at the end of this email.
Sincerely,
Tampa Bay Road Runner
Anti-Virus Software
Most anti-virus software will detect programs that may allow remote access to your computer (Trojans), or perform activities or functions that may corrupt data on your computer. If you decide to use an anti-virus program, remember to keep it updated so you will be protected from new viruses. Here are just a few of the many anti-virus programs out there.
http://housecall.antivirus.com/ (both web and pc based, free web use) http://www.mcafee.com/ (both web and pc based, free web trial) http://www.symantec.com/nav/ (pc based) http://www.datafellows.com/products/anti-virus/ (pc based for networks)
In addition, we recommend that you keep all software, especially Internet-related software, up to date and fully patched to assist in preventing unauthorized access or exploits. You can find a list of some of these programs by visiting the following web sites:
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ (Microsoft Windows 95/98 Operating System Updates) http://www.microsoft.com/security/ (Microsoft Security Updates) http://www.moosoft.com/cleaner.html (The Cleaner - Trojan Cleaner) http://www.zonelabs.com/ (Firewall Products)
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Steve Benzian
From:
Burlingame, CA USA
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Posted 21 Sep 2001 8:53 pm
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Thanks Jack for this important information.
If the virus arrives by email how would someone recognize it? |
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erik
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Posted 22 Sep 2001 1:37 am
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I've been getting a lot more errors in my Windows lately. I don't know if i have that worm. I don't save things on my computer, including passwords. I've reinstalled Windows so many times, what's another? To be quite frank, Windows and Microsoft is such an abomination i wouldn't trust it to store anything beyond the trivial. I am posting with my WebTv now. I can hook it into my ISP and save half - ultimately getting both services for $21 a month. These viruses and worms can't lauch in WebTV.
With Windows i spend approximately 3 minutes every session deleting files from my browser, temp, and cookie folder. I found you can't clear the temp folder as long as there is a cookie in it. You click "remove files" and think it's done - oh no! You have to rummage through various folders to do it EVERY TIME! And no "dump 'em all" feature, you have delete every one individually. Windows is the result of too many smart people thinking they are so clever.[This message was edited by erik on 22 September 2001 at 02:41 AM.] |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 22 Sep 2001 3:00 am
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Windows is not a "problem". I haven't reinstalled Windows since I upgraded to Windows ME - which was when ME first came out. I have a current virus scanner and I also have a firewall. I don't open everything that is sent to me unless I know what it is, but then Outlook will block .exe file attachments and some other types so I can't get myself in any trouble.
I also limit what software I have on the machine and only have what is useful for me. I've done service calls on machines that had many self inflicted software conflicts and problems. I'm not against downloading selective programs, but if it's not useful for me I uninstall it and if necessary restore my PC with the Windows ME restore facility to make sure all traces of the program are gone. I also know my PC's hardware limitations and stay within it's limitations.
There are options. If all you want is Internet access then there are special purpose machines for that (WEB TV or special internet PC's). If you want to do more than Internet access then you have to move to a PC (either a Windows based or a MAC based system). People with MAC's brag about how great those systems are, but if they are that great why do they only have less than 10% of the market (the last percentage figure I remember seeing). |
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Don Olson
From:
Muscatine,Ia. USA
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Posted 24 Sep 2001 4:41 pm
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There is a show on Tech TV called Screen Savers,they say to click on windows update then click on Product Updates then in the next window in the blue box menu on the left click on critical updates.They say this will not allow NIMDA in your computer.
ZUMSTEEL Forever |
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erik
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Posted 25 Sep 2001 10:12 am
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On my WebTV server status board it says (paraphrasing)"limited global internet use due to the Nimda virus causing traffic overload. Estimated time of repair unknown." You can't blame that on Macintosh, can ya - nor any of the other worldwide virus' responsible for billions in productivity loss.
The reason i didn't get a Mac is because at the time i was reading about web sites disconnecting Macs because of compatibility problems related to Windows' proprietary O.S. You may recall how MS rewrote code to address this. Also, you can get more features for less $ on a PC clone. There's a trade-off. Knowing what i know now i would have either paid more for a PC with dedicated sound and graphics cards or gotten a Mac. |
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Jeff Agnew
From:
Dallas, TX
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Posted 26 Sep 2001 8:32 am
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Well, I really hate to enter this discussion, lest it become a Mac/PC/Unix debate, which is unwinnable and pointless. Nevertheless...
Jack said:
| Quote: |
| People with MAC's brag about how great those systems are, but if they are that great why do they only have less than 10% of the market (the last percentage figure I remember seeing). |
Because a product's greatness or capabilities has virtually nothing to do with its marketability. Else we'd all be using Beta VCRs rather than VHS, for example.
MS is without doubt one of the greatest marketing companies of all time. Apple's marketing department shoots itself in the foot so many times it would be laughable if it weren't so pitiful.
BTW, Apple's market share is currently hovering between 5-7%.
You'll also hear Mac owners brag that they're immune to most of the viruses in circulation. This is true, and for three reasons:
- The installed base of Macs is so comparatively small, a cracker doesn't get much public attention by releasing a virus that exploits Mac vulnerablities.
- Macs don't use ActiveX or DCOM, two inherently unsecure MS technologies.
- (Most important) The Mac OS (before OS X) does not allow remote administration. This single restriction is the reason Mac-based web servers are virtually uncrackable.
erik said:
| Quote: |
| The reason i didn't get a Mac is because at the time i was reading about web sites disconnecting Macs because of compatibility problems related to Windows' proprietary O.S. You may recall how MS rewrote code to address this. |
This is incorrect. MS stopped using Netscape-style embedded plug-ins with the release of IE 6. This broke Apple's QuickTime plug-in, which was quickly rewritten to compensate. Alternatively, web developers can rewrite the code they use to display QT movies, which also solves the problem. Macs were never "disconnected" from web sites for compatibility reasons.
Now, before I get branded a Mac zealot, here's my disclaimer: I have sitting before me at the moment computers running
- Linux (Red Hat 6.2 & 7.1)
- Mac OS 9.1
- Sun Solaris 8 (Unix)
- Windows 98SE
- Mac OS X
I use them all, every day. I'm familiar with the advantages and disadvantages of all of them. But when I have something to do in which it doesn't matter what machine I'm on, I choose a Mac.[This message was edited by Jeff Agnew on 26 September 2001 at 09:33 AM.] |
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John Gretzinger
From:
Canoga Park, CA
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Posted 26 Sep 2001 10:49 am
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Oh, heck, I might as well add some of the latest stuff about nimda.
Based on recommendations from Microsoft, CERT and a couple of other organizations, it looks like if you get hit with this one, the ONLY safe clean is to disconnect from your network (LAN or WAN), reformat your hard disk and reload all your software from a known secure source.
Cute bit of code. Quite sophisticated bit of work. I don't think much of the results, but someone did a good job on this one.
jdg
------------------
MSA D-10 w/Nashville 400
'63 Gibson Hummingbird
16/15c Hammered Dulcimer
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 26 Sep 2001 1:06 pm
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I don't think Apple's marketing has been that bad. Giving thousands of PC's to educational institutions wasn't a bad idea. There were Apples in schools and colleges so all the faculty and students "needed" an Apple.
My personal opinion on where Apple shot themselves in the foot was the closed archetecture and having to only buy Apple accesories such as printers, upgrades, etc.
T.I. did it to themselves too when they came out with the cheap PC but you had to go back to T.I. and buy high price drives, etc.
IBM and "compatibles" were not limited to buying from IBM. Components were available from almost all vendors. When that took off is when Apple lost market share. |
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