Storm Worm evolves again…

http://www.networkworld.com/news/2007/102407-storm-worm-security.html

Great. not only is this the most powerful worm on the planet but now it has evolved to strike back at anyone that tries to kill it. Seems that if you try to hack into the command system, it will DDOS you off of the Internet.

Microsoft and more patching problems…

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/10/25/windows_update_snafu/

Looks like Microsoft is at it again pushing ‘features’ on people whether they want them or not. Seems like the new Windows Search add-on is being forced on computers. Great, another reason for people to not patch a Windows system.

Storm Worm Botnet

The Storm Worm botnet is a massive infection that has almost as much computing power as some super computers. Here’s some quick info about it.  And it appears to be getting more sophisticated all the time.

Storm Worm botnet numbers, via Microsoft by ZDNet’s Ryan Naraine — If the statistics from Microsoft’s MSRT (malicious software removal tool) are anything to go by, the Storm Worm botnet is not quite the world’s most powerful supercomputer.

Storm Worm botnet partitions for sale by ZDNet’s Ryan Naraine — SecureWorks researcher Joe Stewart has seen evidence that the massive Storm Worm botnet is being broken up into smaller networks, a surefire sign that the CPU power is up for sale to spammers and denial-of-service attackers.

Microsoft, Best Buy, and RICO

http://yro.slashdot.org/yro/07/10/15/2313225.shtml

 http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hhJ33u7bR7BgiKbZId2dgANfjp7AD8S9O7C80

Well, if that isn’t good news.  Microsoft and Best Buy lost an appeal to keep from being litigated against using the RICO Act statues.  RICO is a set of laws used to fight organized crime.  What can I say.  Microsoft uses some of the same tactics.  And this is not the first time.  I can’t find the reference at the moment, but I know I’ve seen another story of people using RICO to sue Micro$oft.

The Dutch don’t like Vista either

http://vista.blorge.com/2007/10/12/dutch%E2%80%99s-consumers%E2%80%99-union-asks-free-copies-of-xp-for-vista-victims/

What can I say. When people start calling Vista users ‘victims’, you know something is bad. And I like Microsoft answer: “Too bad, we have your money…”

Could it get better? First the Microsoft fanboys over at PC Magazine start complaining. The editor even switched back to XP from Vista. And now the Dutch are complaining to the EU about Vista.

GM’s OnStar & why I drive a Honda…

We’ve all heard the OnStar commercials about how wonderful OnStar is. It will unlock your car for you if you leave the keys in while the engine is running, it will call 911 for you in case of an emergency, it will be sooooo wonderful. Right. A few years ago, there was an article in MotorTrend where the driver was testing the performance of the car and OnStar called him in the middle of the test to ask if he was OK. Well, he was but he was running through some test that made the system think he was getting in a crash.

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041108/FREE/411080714&SearchID=73296043318645
What made me worry about this system was that it would monitor the car’s performance an “phone home” about it. Well, if the car would notify OnStar for unusual behavior, would it notify the police too if you start speeding? Would it notify your insurance agent if you were swerving before your accident? How long does it sotre the performance metrics?

Well, what I’ve suspected for a long time is finally coming out…

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gn55yegRAw_W9RfFKNKkCFTECxHQD8S5H7N80

http://lauren.vortex.com/archive/000313.html

Well, now we can see that the police can shutdown a stolen car. Great. No more dangerous high speed pursuits. Ok. Sounds wonderful.

Now what happens when some hacker builds a kit that shuts down your car when you drive by? Nice. Now some jerk can do things to your just by stopping next to you.