Re: Spyware/adware and Internet Explorer

From: Charles Rootski (croot_at_utcorp.com)
Date: 02/04/04

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    Date: Tue, 03 Feb 2004 22:43:55 -0500

    CalamityKen wrote:

    > lexar wrote:
    >
    >> John wrote:
    >>
    >>> Is it true that spyware/adware only affects Internet Explorer?
    >>> I've been told to use another browser (eg. Opera) because when
    >>> browsing with that, no spyware/adware gets installed on my PC.
    >>> True or false?
    >>
    >>
    >> The possibility of malware exists anytime you download data and
    >> view it. However, IE is by an order of magnitude (or maybe 2) the
    >> most susceptible Currently,
    >> http://secunia.com/advisories/10395/
    >> no patch available, this is what the supplier advises :
    >> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;%5Bln%5D;833786
    >> the vendor says to TYPE IN URLS, don't click on them, that would be
    >> Bad(tm). MS has know about this for some time.
    >> Wanna see for yourself? Go to :
    >> http://zcat.wired.net.nz/upgrade
    >
    >
    >
    > Already been fixed!
    >
    http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/security/bulletin/ms04-004.asp
    >

      Almost 2 months late to my way of thinking.
    2003-12-09 : public knowledge (maybe even earlier)
    2004-02-02 : patch posted
      Open source moves _way_ faster than this.

    >
    >> Team this up with this one:
    >>
    >
    >
    http://secunia.com/Internet_Explorer_File_Download_Extension_Spoofing_Test/
    >
    >> And downloading anything from (what appears to be) anywhere is unsafe.
    >
    >
    >
    > There is no protection available for idjut users.

      Idjut user = someone who believes the lies e.g. "Trustworthy Computing"
    ... etc.
      I have nothing but sympathy for these users. They deserve the damage
    that comes as a result of shoddy design and bad coding practices the
    least.

    >
    >
    >> Monopoly ruleset :
    >> 1) innovate and price gouge until all competition is gone
    >> 2) leverage total reliance into less choice for consumer
    >>
    >> If you want IE to become better, use Netscape/Mozilla.
    >> If you want MS software to be higher quality/lower price, use
    >> Linux/Mozilla
    >> Of course, once you do, you most likely won't go back, but the
    >> poor unfortunates you left behind _may_ enjoy the results of the
    >> market created.
    >>
    >> Here's a thought on REALLY locking down a machine, run Knoppix,
    >> http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/index-en.html
    >> It is a 'Live-CD', or a complete Linux system, GUI desktop, office
    >> suite, mutliple browser, etc that boots from a CD, doesn't touch
    >> or need a hard drive. You can store your home dir on the HD, if
    >> you choose to however, or on a USB drive.
    >> If you want choices, look beyond windows.
    >
    >
    >

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