Monday, March 30, 2009

US-CERT Cyber Security Alert SA09-088A -- Conficker Worm Targets Microsoft Windows Systems



-------- Original Message --------
Subject: US-CERT Cyber Security Alert SA09-088A -- Conficker Worm Targets Microsoft Windows Systems
Date: Mon, 30 Mar 2009 15:22:39 -0400
From: US-CERT Alerts <alerts@us-cert.gov>
Organization: US-CERT - +1 202-205-5266
To: alerts@us-cert.gov


-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1                       National Cyber Alert System                    Cyber Security Alert SA09-088A   Conficker Worm Targets Microsoft Windows Systems     Original release date: March 29, 2009    Last revised: March 30, 2009    Source: US-CERT   Systems Affected       * Microsoft Windows   Overview     US-CERT is aware of public reports indicating a widespread    infection of the Conficker/Downadup worm, which can infect a    Microsoft Windows system from a thumb drive, a network share, or    directly across a corporate network, if the network servers are not    patched with the MS08-067 patch from Microsoft.   Solution     Instructions, support and more information on how to manually    remove a Conficker/Downadup infection from a system have been    published by major security vendors.  Please see below for a few of    those sites. Each of these vendors offers free tools that can    verify the presence of a Conficker/Downadup infection and remove    the worm:     Symantec:    http://www.symantec.com/business/security_response/writeup.jsp?docid=2009-011316-0247-99     Microsoft:    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/962007     http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/viruses/worms/conficker.mspx     Microsoft PC Safety hotline at 1-866-PCSAFETY, for assistance.     US-CERT encourages users to prevent a Conficker/Downadup infection by    ensuring all systems have the MS08-067 patch (see    http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/MS08-067.mspx),    disabling AutoRun functionality (see    http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA09-020A.html), and    maintaining up-to-date anti-virus software.   Description     Home users can apply a simple test for the presence of a    Conficker/Downadup infection on their home computers.  The presence    of a Conficker/Downadup infection may be detected if a user is    unable to surf to their security solution website or if they are    unable to connect to the websites, by downloading detection/removal    tools available free from those sites:        * http://www.symantec.com/norton/theme.jsp?themeid=conficker_worm&inid=us_ghp_link_conficker_worm    * http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/viruses/worms/conficker.mspx    * http://www.mcafee.com        If a user is unable to reach any of these websites, it may indicate    a Conficker/Downadup infection.  The most recent variant of    Conficker/Downadup interferes with queries for these sites,    preventing a user from visiting them.  If a Conficker/Downadup    infection is suspected, the system or computer should be removed    from the network or unplugged from the Internet - in the case for    home users.   References   * Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool -    <http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=AD724AE0-E72D-4F54-9AB3-75B8EB148356>   * Microsoft Updates Website -    <http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/>   * US-CERT Technical Cyber Security Alert TA09-088A -    <http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA09-088A.html>   * Virus alert about the Win32/Conficker.B worm -    <http://support.microsoft.com/kb/962007>   * The Conficker Worm -    <http://www.symantec.com/norton/theme.jsp?themeid=conficker_worm>   * W32/Conficker.worm -    <http://us.mcafee.com/root/campaign.asp?cid=54857>   * Microsoft Automatic Updates -    <http://www.microsoft.com/windows/downloads/windowsupdate/automaticupdate.mspx>   ____________________________________________________________________     The most recent version of this document can be found at:       <http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/alerts/SA09-088A.html>  ____________________________________________________________________     Feedback can be directed to US-CERT Technical Staff. Please send    email to <cert@cert.org> with "SA09-088A Feedback VU#827267" in    the subject.  ____________________________________________________________________     For instructions on subscribing to or unsubscribing from this    mailing list, visit <http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/signup.html>.  ____________________________________________________________________     Produced 2009 by US-CERT, a government organization.     Terms of use:       <http://www.us-cert.gov/legal.html>  ____________________________________________________________________  Revision History      March 29, 2009: Initial release   March 30, 2009: Included additional details   -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.4.5 (GNU/Linux)  iQEVAwUBSdEbJXIHljM+H4irAQI0Nwf9GrAGb6PVq0Q4iBYVbWqmMtBohJFCJjqJ bUE5UenapUQE/DQ3uig7jJi/FJV9eWDK0j6y8nBQV0C9V+p9233Y+rHkyAhTGAep PBFStBggwnO2fxB6/SG3d/N3omTM/zzz9g6Yjyvvc7x5IS/S11hjuiqYuE/nrRX1 uYj6RbtKoXAgX7+sofiHgn5Opr0nfIaRNJ/sJpHCMYtW270Byg7NkwI4z+o93n6j q7C1xfY77+kvuhS77Y3fHxIjJpR4AFYaCmygdy0B0TOqh00ULcDcS1L9fQ7hTWp7 mjCzzqA0QNG3WDKfSI9pD+JfMVjwYomdwd9ribKcYYLAkS7/DK6bxQ== =xw9l -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- 

Monday, March 16, 2009

Do You Like Chocolate????????????

Press Release
To: All Local Media
From: Linda Ketron (235-9600 or linda@classatpawleys.com)
Re: Welcome Spring Open House

Greet spring at the Litchfield Exchange on Friday, March 20, for Tea at Three at the
Chocolate & Coffee House. A variety of tea and delectable goodies will be served from 3
to 5 p.m. Then on Saturday, March 21, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Chocolate & Coffee House
will be serving chocolates and confections, dips and sauces, as well as a variety of hot
and cold beverages for sampling. At 10 a.m., Josh Campbell of Cashua will present a
slide presentation on the history of coffee and those originating in Nicaragua.

On Saturday, Art Works’ artists will share their newest creations, while CLASS
instructors will be available to talk about and demonstrate their specialties (Pilates with
Sandy Goodin, Tai Chi with Robbie Renken and Yoga with Angela Jones). Bring your
old beads and let Kelli Barker create a new treasure for you or one to donate to Project
Lighthouse. Kathy Saunders will demonstrate her fresh approach to “foot” jewelry.
Caryn Tirsch will demonstrate clay hand building.

Both days the instructors and students of the Georgetown County Cultural Council
will exhibit their favorite works while demonstrating arts and crafts. Classes with painter
Johnnie Roberson (Friday) and photographer Eric Heiden (Saturday) will be in session
for the curious to view. A wine and cheese reception hosted by the Cultural Council
board and members will close both afternoons.

Pianist and composer Robert Campbell will perform in the atrium all day Saturday.
This “Welcome Spring Open House” is free for your listening, browsing and grazing
pleasure! For more information, call 237-7874 (Chocolate & Coffee House) or 237-3035
(Georgetown County Cultural Council).


Search Engine Optimization for Your Web Site - Business Center - PC World

http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/154913/search_engine_optimization_for_your_web_site.html

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Some Crazy Conspiracy in Our Time

Some Crazy Conspiracy in Our Time 


THIS IS HAPPENING RIGHT HERE IN OUR OWN COUNTRY! 

We Must Stop This Immediately! 

Have you noticed that stairs are getting 
steeper .  Groceries are heavier.  And, everything is farther away.  Yesterday I walked to the corner and I was dumbfounded to discover how long our street had become! 

  
And, you know, people are less considerate now, especially the young ones.  They speak in whispers     all the time!  If you ask them to speak up they just keep repeating themselves, endlessly mouthing the same silent messageuntil they're red in the face!  What do they think I am, a lip reader? 


I also think they are much younger than I was at the same age.  On the other hand, people my own age are so much older than I am.  I ran into an old friend the other day and she has aged so much that she didn't even recognize me.


I got to thinking about the poor dear while I was combing my hair this morning, and in doing so, I glanced at my own reflection. Well, REALLY NOW -even mirrors are not made the way they used to be! 

Another thing, everyone drives so fast these days!  You're risking life and limb if you happen to pull onto the freeway in front of them.  All I can say is, their brakes must wear out awfully fast, the way I see them screech and swerve in my rear view mirror. 

Clothing manufacturers are less civilized these days.  Why else would they suddenly start labeling a size 10 or 12 dress as 18 or 20?  Do they think no one notices? The people who make bathroom scales are pulling the same prank.  Do they think I actually "believe" the number I see on that dial?  HA!  I would never let myself weigh that much!  Just who do these people think they're fooling?

I'd like to call up someone in authority to report what's going on -- but the telephone company is in on the conspiracy too: they've printed the phone books in such small   type that no one could ever find a number in there! 
All I can do is pass along this warning: 


WE ARE UNDER ATTACK!

 

Unless something drastic happens, pretty soon everyone will have to suffer these awful indignities. 


PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO WE CAN GET THIS CONSPIRACY STOPPED! 

PS: I am sending this to you in a larger font size, because something has happened to my computer's fonts - they are smaller than they once were.


Saturday, March 14, 2009

Dance Shoes

Howdy,

Joan and I just bought dance shoes that are already Shag Trained.............

http://shagshoes.com

Roy and Joan

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

A bit of history



In George Washington's days, there were no cameras. One's image was either sculpted or painted.  Some paintings of George Washington showed him standing behind a desk with one arm behind his back while others showed both legs and both arms.  Prices charged by painters were not based on how many people were to be painted, but by how many limbs were to be painted. Arms and legs are 'limbs,' therefore painting them would cost the buyer more. Hence the expression, 'Okay, but it'll cost you an arm and a leg.'   (Artists know hands and arms are more difficult to paint)


*******
As incredible as it sounds, men and women took baths only twice a year (May and October) Women kept their hair covered, while men shaved their heads (because of lice and bugs) and wore wigs. Wealthy men could afford good wigs made from wool. They couldn't wash t he wigs, so to clean them they would carve out a loaf of bread, put the wig in the shell, and bake it for 30 minutes.  The heat would make the wig big and fluffy, hence the term 'big wig.' Today we often use the term 'here comes the Big Wig' because someone appears to be or is powerful and wealthy.





*******

 

In the late 1700's, many houses consisted of a large room with only one chair. Commonly, a long wide board folded down from the wall, and was used for dining. The 'head of the household' always sat in the chair while everyone else ate sitting on the floor. Occasionally a guest, who was usually a man, would be invited to sit in this chair during a meal. To sit in the chair meant you were important and in charge.  They called the one sitting in the chair the 'chair man.' Today in business, we use the expression or title 'Chairman' or 'Chairman of the Board.'


*******


Personal hygiene left much room for improvement. As a result, many women and men had developed acne scars by adulthood. The women would spread bee's wax over their facial skin to smooth out their complexions.  When they were speaking to each other, if a woman began to stare at another woman's face she was told, 'mind your own bee's wax.'  Should the woman smile, the wax would crack, hence the term 'crack a smile'.  In addition, when they sat too close to the fire, the wax would melt . . . Therefore, the expression 'losing face.'

 

*******


Ladies wore corsets, which would lace up in the front. A proper and dignified woman, as in 'straight laced'. . Wore a tightly tied lace.

 

*******


Common entertainment included playing cards. However, there was a tax levied when purchasing playing cards but only applicable to the 'Ace of Spades.'  To avoid paying the tax, people would purchase 51 cards instead. Yet, since most games require 52 cards, these people were thought to be stupid or dumb because they weren't 'playing with a full deck.'



 

*******


Early politicians required feedback from the public to determine what the people considered important. Since there were no telephones, TV's or radios, the politicians sent their assistants to local taverns, pubs, and bars.  They were told to 'go sip some ale' and listen to people's conversations and political concerns. Many assistants were dispatched at different times.  'You go sip here' and 'You go sip there.' The two words 'go sip' were eventually combined when referring to the local opinion and, thus we have the term 'gossip.'

 

*******
At local taverns, pubs, and bars, people drank from pint and quart-sized containers. A bar maid's job was to keep an eye on the customers and keep the drinks coming.  She had to pay close attention and remember who was drinking in 'pints' and who was drinking in 'quarts,' hence the term 'minding your'P's and Q's '

 

*******
One more and betting you didn't know this!



In the heyday of sailing ships, all war ships and many freighters carried iron cannons. Those cannons fired round iron cannon balls.  It was necessary to keep a good supply near the cannon.  However, how to prevent them from rolling about the deck?  The best storage method devised was a square-based pyramid with one ball on top, resting on four resting on nine, which rested on sixteen.  Thus, a supply of 30 cannon balls could be stacked in a small area right next to the cannon.  There was only one problem...how to prevent the bottom layer from sliding or rolling from under the others. The solution was a metal plate called a 'Monkey' with 16 round indentations.



However, if this plate were made of iron, the iron balls would quickly rust to it. The solution to the rusting problem was to make 'Brass Monkeys.' Few landlubbers realize that brass contracts much more and much faster than iron when chilled.


 

Consequently, when the temperature dropped too far, the brass indentations would shrink so much that the iron cannonballs would come right off the monkey.  Thus, it was quite literally, 'Cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey.' (All this time, you thought that was an improper expression, didn't you.)

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Some Interesting View Points