Just an interesting sideline story.

Iraq is still in upheaval, with problems popping up all over the place, but in the shadow of all that, they have started their first Linux Users Group (LUG)
with the idea of showing people (particularly those in government) how to setup an IT infrastructure that doesn’t rely on the software or services of big multinational companies which always results in huge amounts of money heading offshore.

Right now, those few that are using software in Iraq, are using pirated versions, as obviously the average Joe over there doesn’t have the same financial situation as we do.
The big multinationals are very happy about the pirated software, because it means that if people get dependent on the software, and used to its quirks, then when the big piracy crackdown finally happens, they hope these people will end up being forced into buying the software legally rather then look around for a free alternative. (like Linux).

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Here is an interesting little trick.

Open your browser (any gecko based browser, this doesn’t work in IE, but since there are at least half a dozen ways to get to micro$oft from within IE, that doesn’t mean you have to miss out. 🙂 ), and type: http::// in the address bar.

If your experience is anything like mine was, Micro$ofts web page will open in your browser.
It’s also the first result that shows up in Google..

How on earth did http::// end up going to Micro$ofts web site? Should we all be tightening our tinfoil hats?

Or is it just a weird quirk of Googles ranking engine?

I’ll leave that up to you.

regards

Franki

Here is a pretty rare item, a security flaw that effects multiple browsers, in fact nearly all the popular ones in use today.
The affected browsers affected are:

Internet Explorer,
Pre 0.9 Firebird
Pre 1.6 Mozilla
Pre 7.51 Opera.
Safari 1.2.2
Konqueror 3.1

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Just for a change of pace, here is a security flaw that effects a browser other then IE, In this case it’s Mozilla and Firefox.

This is not a critical flaw as such, and in some quarters it’s viewed as a feature.
Its not a flaw that will compromise your machine, or steal your data, but what it can do, is start any application on your computer if you visit a page that uses a link with shell: instead of http:

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This is not exactly “new” news, the story came out around the 25th of June, but it’s important enough to warrant a mention here.

This story revolves around a proposed amendment to the copyright laws, one that has far reaching implications.
In short, the idea is that any service or device that can be seen to “induce” copyright violation, can have the manufacturers or providers be held accountable.
That doesn’t sound too bad in theory, but consider the implications, there are many things that can be considered inducements to copyright infringement. Here are some examples:
– Ipod, or any storage based MP3 player.
– All P2P file sharing applications.
– Removable hard drives.
– CD and DVD burners and burning programs.
– Instant Chat and IRC programs.
– Web hosting.
– Internet connection.

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Have you ever read the EULA (End User Licence Agreement) that you agreed to when you signed up for a Hotmail Passport? If you haven’t you should as it makes fascinating reading. You would be surprised (and most likely angry) at what rights to your own information you actually have, or more importantly you’ll be surprised at what rights Micro$oft has over your data. (There was a uproar not that long ago, when Microsoft in their licensing agreement for Passport, basically claimed the right to do anything with any data that passed though a Passport server. That means MSN, Hotmail, MSN Messenger and others. They made some adjustments to the EULA, but its still an outrageously tight license from a users perspective.)

Even more fascinating is the new court of appeals ruling that has declared that it is not illegal to read other peoples e-mails, if they happen to be in the ram of your computer at the time. Apparently a gentleman by the name of Bradford C. Councilman decided to spy on his customers by reading their e-mail from free e-mail accounts he had given them, he used this information to gain a leg up on Amazon by finding out what books people wanted.

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For the second time in as many weeks, Internet Explorer has yet another security flaw that is being actively used to compromise users, and the sole purpose of this one is to steal your banking details.
For the love of god people, why are you still using IE? How many virus’s must you be infected with, and how much spy and malware must your computer get before people come to their senses? IE has only one real purpose now days, and that is to install updates from Windows update. For anything other then that you are asking for trouble and its only a matter of time before you get caught. Get Opera or Firefox or Mozilla, just get something and stop this nonsense please.

Remember people, these particular virus/trojan infections have one purpose, to take money from your pocket, and put it into theirs, and the easiest way to stop that happening, is to NOT use IE.

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