Microsoft seeking spyware trojan

[emad]

BBC

Microsoft is investigating a trojan program that attempts to switch off the firm's anti-spyware software.

The spyware tool was only released by Microsoft in the last few weeks and has been downloaded by six million people.

Stephen Toulouse, a security manager at Microsoft, said the malicious program was called Bankash-A Trojan and was being sent as an e-mail attachment.

Microsoft said it did not believe the program was widespread and recommended users to use an anti-virus program.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4256379.stm

[shanti]

1. i have a better idea

just don't use IE!! takes care of the problem in a jiffy! :evilgrin: i switched to netscape and never looked back.

[reprobate]

2. And i switched to iMac and never looked back.

Of course, there are always the masochists who must punish themselves for som imagined wrong by sticking with Microsucks.

At least use firefox.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

3. And I have switched to Linux and I don't care to look back

in fairness, and full disclosure, I do use Mac and Windoze machines as needed for the variety of weird things (various perpherials) which are not supported yet on Linux

[Tux]

9. Well....

Drivers for Linux are getting better but they do need to expland on the variety.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

14. some of the things I use will never have linux drivers...

old stuff, weird stuff, very specific stuff

and yeah, it is getting better and better, I admit.

[democracyindanger]

6. I have an even better idea

Don't open email attachments you don't know!

[meegbear]

7. No that's too easy .... buy a mac or use a linux box

just don't use IE!!!!!

[LinuxInsurgent]

11. Suse Linux and Firefox all the way

Long Live Linus Torvalds!

[98geoduck]

12. What version are you running, and how do you like it?

[LinuxInsurgent]

17. i'm running Suse 9.1 Personal

I like it a lot...I tried Mandrake 10.1 but it gave me problems with Mozilla and XMMS...so I went with this one.

It's a very easy distro...and very easy to convert from Windows. I'm a newbie myself.

[LinuxInsurgent]

22. actually...update

I wanted to try FreeBSD...but 5.3 Release doesn't have X server configuration (note to the FreeBSD Gods...make it easy for newbies! Why remove the install?).

So, i went to Mandrake 10.1 Official...and running Gnome 2.6 now...and I like this as it is.

So, I'm still a LinuxInsurgent

[98geoduck]

4. The reason Firefox/Mozilla is giving them a run for their money.

http://www.mozilla.org/

[Tempest]

5. I started using Firefox months ago

And I never looked back.

Anyone still using IE deserves what they get.

[True_Blue]

20. Firefox is OK but my favorite browser is Avant

IE sucks.

[icymist]

8. Microsoft investigating attack on new anti-spyware technology

Friday, February 11, 2005 - Page updated at 03:00 p.m



Microsoft investigating attack on new anti-spyware technology


The Associated Press

REDMOND – Microsoft is investigating a malicious program that attempts to turn off the company's newly released anti-spyware software for Windows computers.
Stephen Toulouse, a Microsoft security program manager, said the program, known as "Bankash-A Trojan," could attempt to disable or delete the spyware removal tool and suppress warning messages. It also may try to steal online banking passwords or other personal information by tracking a user's keystrokes.

To be attacked, Toulouse said a user would have to be fooled into opening an e-mail attachment that would then start the malicious program. He said the company had not seen any evidence so far that the program is widespread.

Toulouse said Microsoft was recommending that users who believe they might be infected use antivirus software, such as products made by Symantec Corp. or McAfee Inc., to try to remove it.

More:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2002178012_webspyware11.html

~~~
I've often wondered that the people creating the anti-virus software is also the same people creating the virus that it cures! I wouldn't put this thought past a monopoly.

[maddezmom]

10. kick

[DainBramaged]

13. Why is everyone so smug because they don't use IE or Windows

The OS Fundies strike again.


Do you think that because you feel superior for your finds, that the rest of the computing world are stupid?

The percentage of proficient users here who understand anything other than turning on the system is about 2%. To mock the rest for their 'ignorance' is just rude.

Let them make their own choices. If they are comfortable with IE and Windows, so be it. Help them instead of making fun of them.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

15. NO, it is not smugness. And I am not a Fundie for any OS

If something better came along tomorrow, I would jump. Just like I have everytime something did.

I, for one, am tired of beating my head against Micro$oft's marketing might for the hearts and minds of users. Thus the frustration you claim as smugness.

And, I believe this board is very supportive of anyone who really wants to learn and/or change OSs.

[Toucano]

16. "Help them"

I think that's what people are doing. Switching to Firefox is easy. If you can turn the system on and read your e-mail, you can download and install an alternative FREE browser.

But they'll only be able to download and install an alternative FREE browser if people tell them to.

That's what your so-called OS Fundies are doing. :crazy:

[DainBramaged]

18. I guess this quote doesn't count then?

"Anyone still using IE deserves what they get."

Try and explain cookies and session cookies and deny and allow and what from who and what multi-tabbed pages can do and most people get glassy eyed. These are the same folks who have to write their passwords down because 'password' isn't allowed. Their lives are complicated enough as it is.


I use both, and I test dozens of new applications each week for compatibility, and no, the servers I'm responsible for are Windows 2000 server, not Linux, and all the workstations are XP Pro. Internet access is VERY limited within the cubical forest, and NO unapproved/untested/non-compatible/modifiable/searching/downloading software is permitted. There are ip controls, site blockers, and key-loggers to keep the cubbies in line and not destroy the hallowed company property. Thumb drives are not allowed, nor are MP3 players of any kind. ALL chats and outside email services are blocked.

The hundred or so people I have to babysit don't understand that when you have too many sessions or windows open and you hit the wrong key, something is going to disappear. And no, those who can turn on the computer are nine times out of ten unable to discern spoofed emails from the real thing.

Asking the average user who is COMFORTABLE with the Windows OS and compatible software to change is asking as if they will move to a new home with no warning. I've seen it, and spent weeks retraining people to click here instead of there.

And these folks aren't stupid, just simply afraid of change. They don't 'live' computers as you and I may, they just want things to work without being told they are stupid for not having the latest, greatest software flavor of the month.

I'm done. If they want to change, let them explore the woods and decide for themselves.

[harpboy_ak]

26. how about any company using IE gets what they deserve?

DainBramaged supposedly shaped electrons to say:

I use both, and I test dozens of new applications each week for compatibility, and no, the servers I'm responsible for are Windows 2000 server, not Linux, and all the workstations are XP Pro. Internet access is VERY limited within the cubical forest, and NO unapproved/untested/non-compatible/modifiable/searching/downloading software is permitted. There are ip controls, site blockers, and key-loggers to keep the cubbies in line and not destroy the hallowed company property. Thumb drives are not allowed, nor are MP3 players of any kind. ALL chats and outside email services are blocked.

what kind of medieval fiefdom is this? and why would anyone want to work there?

has anyone in this company or agency thought about training these so-called workers so that they can actually make use of the tools provided to them, and so that you don't have to spend time telling them that they need to "click here, not there"?

do these "workers" know how to think?

sounds like the workplace from hell to me.

[megatherium]

24. I'm no operating system chauvinist.

But now that Apple is no longer so expensive, I don't see any reason not to switch. You can run Microsoft Office on Macs, in style. Clean, elegant machines well-known to be practically worm and virus free. That's of course the advantage of Macs -- not in usuability, it's not much different than XP -- but in administration. XP always needs security updates. Often people's machines get infected and they don't even know it. A compromised machine can end up sending phishing messages to thousands of potential victims, or be used to store some creep's child porn, without its owner even knowing.

But if you play games, Macs aren't for you, too few titles. And to be fair, if you are careful with an XP box (always updating it, never clicking on things you aren't certain are harmless), you can avoid getting infected. Be sure to turn on the firewall.

[silverchair]

19. i still use IE and windows

and have absolutely no issues. i also work in the IT field so maybe that has something to do with my luck.

[Name removed]

21. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Canuckistanian]

23. 2 step solution to PC security problems

1. Uninstall any and all Microsoft products.
2. Never install them again.

[quaoar]

25. How about slow painful death for people who created spyware

Hang them in the public square and then strap them into the electric chair.

Why is it not illegal to plant a bug in someone's computer without their knowledge or permission -- a device that damages that computer?