Better Safe Than Sorry

Facebook Botnet Proof of Concept

An application was recently created for Facebook called ‘’Photo of the Day‘’ that displayed a new photo from National Geographic every day. What users were unaware of was that the app turned their PC into part of a botnet that launched a denial-of-service attack on a targeted server. The server was one owned by the creators so no one was harmed but as a concept its frightening.

These co-opted PC's could be used to spread malware, trojans, etc. and are a direct threat the many social nnetworking sites that are now all the rage.

So, always assume that any software, even those online, could be compromised. One of the best ways to protect yourself is to use Firefox browser with the No-script add-on. This would likely have informed users that something weird was up.

Microsoft Requiring Windows Piracy Check

By the middle of 2005 Microsoft will lock down two of its download sites requiring all Windows XP & 2000 users to validate their copy of Windows as genuine before downloading software.

This lock down will effect Microsoft's Download Center and Windows Update Web sites and effectively stops such applications as Windows Media Player and the new Windows AntiSpyware product as well as security updates for Microsoft products from being downloaded.

According to Microsoft validation will not be required for Windows Automatic Updates - yet.

Microsoft will be offering free & discounted software as an incentive to "upgrade" to legit copies of their OS.

No More Internet for Them