Wednesday, February 01, 2012

The Problem of Evil...Computer Viruses


Moscow (trekearth.com)

January 27, 2012

A. Rootkit Zero Access Viruses

According to Dedicated 2-viruses at

2 Viruses

'ZeroAccess rootkit, also known as Max++, is a nasty piece of malware which is designed to start its persistent campaign just after infiltration. The infiltration of this malware is quite simple and done through security holes together with infected downloads, often Adobe Reader or Java fake updates. It can be said that additional purpose of ZeroAccess rootkit is to set up a stealthy, undetectable and un-removable platform which should help to download malware into the target PC. As you can see, it’s a rootkit which is advanced and sophisticated.'

According to CleanPCGuide.com at

CleanPCGuide

'ZeroAccess rootkit is a malicious trojan horse or bot that may represent security risk for the compromised system and/or its network environment. ZeroAccess rootkit injects rootkit components into Windows processes to avoid detection. It as been also noticed to be used for stealing online banking accounts, disabling some of Windows components, such as User Account Control or others and delivering fake Antivirus applications that should swindle the money from trustful PC users for removal services of malware programs detected by fake antivirus. ZeroAccess rootkit poses a dangerous threat to any computer or system and should be terminated immediately.'

How my computer contracted Rootkit Zero Access Viruses


'Golly, no we got hit by a virus on YouTube, I never heard of that before'.

Former natural body-builder and competitor from East Maple Ridge.

My good friend and frequent blog (s) commenter Bobby Buff/Walter Thomas Franklin very kindly decided he would once again look to YouTube for some theological material in which to comment on my blogs. A couple of weeks earlier he had visited me here in the loft and was on YouTube 'fail' videos which somehow contracted to my computer a fake XP virus alert, similar to what my second citation mentions. I ran Combofix at that time and it appeared to find and delete all traces of Rootkit Zero Access.

However, a couple of weeks later a second time my friend was hit with the viruses, and even though Comboxfix and Kaspersky were both able to find the viruses and delete them, XP would only start in the last known mode that worked and this seemingly guaranteed that the viruses would continue to exist. I also ran SuperAntispyware and Malware Bytes Anti-Malware which deleted some of the viruses 'apparently'. Every other product I tried online either would not load or could not find the viruses sufficiently.

To be blunt, there were some software fails here! I had as the virus name states zero internet access thanks to the series of viruses, and no real ability to fix the problem. With my Mom in the hospital I went to the downstairs part of the condo and used her computer and looked for whatever help I could online.

So, after speaking with professionals and enlightened amateurs my only reasonable option was to reformat XP. I figured a new operating system would be a larger headache with my era of computer unless I just go and buy a new laptop and pass this desktop on to my disabled Mother, which I will likely eventually do. Of course there was 50 hours of work involved and that is not including reloading all my iTunes which still is not completely done, but now I have wisely backed up my key progressive rock, jazz-fusion, art rock and classical discs for 'next time' if evil strikes.


Krym Alupa, Ukraine (trekearth.com)


Lake of Solonets, Oster, Ukraine (trekearth.com)

B. Babylon Toolbar

According to eHow at

eHow

'Babylon is a translation software program that offers one-click translation and dictionary access.'

'Babylon comes with a toolbar that integrates itself with the toolbars in Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and Google Toolbar. Users report that, even after they have uninstalled the Babylon program, this toolbar remains and slows the operation of the computer.'

From Spybot

Spybot

'Babylon Toolbar is a useless toolbar that gets installed by other software, for instance FoxTab Videoconverter. Legal age for installation is 18 while this fact is only mentioned in the terms. Babylon Toolbar installs itself to the system, the Internet Explorer, Firefox and Google Chrome. The Babylon.Toolbar is almost identical to Toolbar.Facemood. Some affiliates like MediGet also install Babylon and the Babylon Toolbar without proper userconsent using a count down timer to start install.'

What I found is that Babylon somehow through my web searches with Google got into both the Internet Explorer and Firefox browsers, defaces them and then basically without one's permission creates not only a Babylon Toolbar but virtually a Babylon browser. Chucky was on Google Chrome for only a few minutes and Babylon hijacked that browser as well. It does not attack Safari at this point. It took Cardinal Chucklins and I around 45 minutes to get rid of Babylon from Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Google Chrome on my computer. I am disappointed to see Microsoft involved with Babylon and as Uncle Chuckles stated that night, Google needs to upgrade their security.

February 20, 2012

From the Mail Online

C. Westboro Baptist Church pretends to picket Whitney Houston funeral by using Photoshopped picture of protest

WBC

Quote:

'The notorious Westboro Baptist Church promised to picket Whitney Houston's funeral, claiming that the star died because she disobeyed God.

On Saturday, the day of the ceremony, church leader Margie Phelps claimed that the protest was 'rocking the house' as she tweeted a picture which appeared to show signs saying 'God hates fags' outside the funeral in New Jersey.

But it now appears that the famously anti-gay church may not have been at the funeral at all - instead, they used Photoshop to make it seem as it they were there.'

'Ms Phelps took to Twitter claiming that the church planned to protest at Ms Houston's funeral at New Hope Baptist Church, saying: 'So many piling up to blather about her today. Not ONE of them warned her of hell.'

From the bit I watched of the funeral, as I am not much of a celebrity viewer, Ms. Houston appeared to have been a Christian believer and so according to Scripture (John 1, John 3, Ephesians 1-3, Romans 8, Romans 10) would not be heading to hell, but heaven/paradise (Luke 23: 43, 2 Corinthians 12: 4, Philippians 1) despite struggles with sin and lack of good works, potentially in Christ (1 Corinthians 3: 10-15, Hebrews 6: 4-8, James 2, 2 Peter 3: 8-13). She apparently at least had a public confession of Christ which reminds one of Romans 10: 13.

To Photoshop the protest and then claim it happened is of course dishonest. This is a breaking of the Ten Commandments, the ninth in Exodus 20: 16 where it states not to give/bear false witness. From the New Testament...

Colossians 3:9-10 (New American Standard Bible)

9 [a]Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old [b]self with its evil practices, 10 and have put on the new self who is being [c]renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him—

To protest funerals in the first place is unloving from a Biblical perspective (Matthew 22, Mark 12, John 15) and from what I gather based on very presumptive dangerous theology on the potential everlasting states of the deceased.

32 comments:

  1. Cheers.:) I would like to see Russia the Ukraine and Eastern Europe.

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  2. A computer virus on a single personal computer is bad. A computer virus on a network of computers within a company's network is very bad.

    Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt.

    ::

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  3. That is the first virus related, or other, Windows OS reformat on this computer. I have had a couple virus related reformats on the older and more troublesome computer downstairs.

    Thank you, Timothy.

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  4. I have a Mac Mini with a Windows XP partition and have had to deal with both viruses and adware on the Windows partition, though since using Spyware Doctor from PC Magazine it has been clean... I've never had any problems on the Mac side however.

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  5. I've been considering a Mac simply because there doesn't seem to be as many viruses for it, and they seem to last longer, but at the moment I have my trusty PC. I'm sorry to hear that your computer got a virus, they're quite difficult to avoid on the internet and sometimes it's difficult to know whether you have a virus or not, like with how Babylon just got onto your PC without you giving it permission to.

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  6. 'Sarah said...
    I've been considering a Mac simply because there doesn't seem to be as many viruses for it,'

    Makes sense, agreed.

    'and they seem to last longer,'

    Really? Thanks.

    'but at the moment I have my trusty PC. I'm sorry to hear that your computer got a virus, they're quite difficult to avoid on the internet and sometimes it's difficult to know whether you have a virus or not, like with how Babylon just got onto your PC without you giving it permission to.'

    Thank you, you are kind. Yes, I was nailed. Live and learn.

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  7. Sorry about all the virus problems you have gone through, Russ, and all the time it has taken to try to correct problems. I know that can be very frustrating.

    I used to be a Mac-only person years ago, and I did not have to worry about viruses. Also, though I have never used it myself, it is my understanding that if you used Linux, you also would not have to worry about viruses.

    A week ago I got my computer back from my cousin, who lives about 2 hours away, after he worked on it for over 2 months. The motherboard and everything was unsalvageable, so he had to replace just about everything. He suspects a worm (because of the fact that several components failed and not just one), but I doubt it, because I ran several anti-virus and antispyware programs several times or more from the time that I first began to experience problems (the first sign was problems with the keyboard). The parts had been formerly used in my brother's computer, so I was beginning with used parts anyway. In any case, for the past 2 months I have been using an ancient, archaic emergency backup computer. So now, I finally have sound again, and I no longer have to use a computer that runs at an injured snail's pace, and I can once again play first-person shooter games across the Internet with my brother and my cousin.

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  8. Sounds like 'fun'. While I lived in Manchester I had one computer stolen and another one had the motherboard blown in a storm apparently. Go United.;)

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  9. Beautiful photos...Computer viruses are awful..I just had one that totally corrupted my computer a couple of months ago.

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  10. Thank you, Jessica. Sorry to read that, but then again no shock.

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  11. hello Russ.. i love the pics as usual. Sorry about the trouble with viruses.. Never a good thing!

    Tammy :)

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  12. To bad about the virus, and then power flux which fried your computer.
    Congrats on your new computer, it looks great and works great!
    -Computicus Maximus-

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  13. Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you can do with some pics to drive the message home a bit, but other than that, this is wonderful blog. A great read. I will definitely be back.
    Little Tikes Giant Toy Chest Blue

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  14. 'I think that you can do with some pics to drive the message home a bit...'

    I like your comment and I appreciate inflated comment numbers...

    I hope the people in Russia and Ukraine do not take offense, after all I posted photos from their nations.;)

    Nasty virus images do not market well.

    All the best, John.

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  15. you mentioned that you would like to see Ukraine and Eastern Europe, well I hope that in your lifetime, while you are still young, you can make it there Dr, Murray, it could be life changing!
    -Time Traveller-

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  16. Fischler Report

    NHL Insider on Phoenix Coyotes

    GOSSIP:

    '​Whatever the Coyotes fate in Arizona, mum’s the word among NHL executives. That’s also the case in Glendale where the Yotes continue to amaze by staying within playoff contention. One team leader, whose ears are close to the league corridors, simply tells us, “I have not heard a thing about what’s going on with the Coyotes.” Which could mean that everyone close to the Phoenix scene is pledged to silence and that includes potential city-suitors such as Quebec City and Seattle. Regarding Washington State’s metropolis, word is that, yes, the city is studying new arena plans but years will be required before it could be ready for NHL use. Meanwhile, if Quebec does happen to wind up with the Yotes, Le Colisee would be a reasonable venue until the proposed NHL-friendly rink is complete.'

    I think Quebec is more likely than Seattle for relocation at least three reasons.

    1. Better temporary NHL size arena, although not up to NHL standards.

    2. An NHL standard arena will likely be built in Quebec City first.

    3. Quebec although a much smaller metropolitan area is a better market than Seattle and has more hockey fans.

    Much of the Seattle hockey support one sees on the web is actually not from Washington State and is likely foreign. I reason it is actually Vancouver hockey fans that would like to see the Canucks play in Seattle. Some of which, sadly I have to admit, and I state some, may have a bias against French Canada, and also Markham/Toronto in its potential pursuit of an NHL franchise with its new arena in the future. All the more reason to support Seattle. I state this as someone from Greater Vancouver that has lived here almost every year and can read between the cultural lines.

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  17. I agree that Quebec should get a hockey team before Seattle, Seattle should focus on getting an NBA team first, more profitable, more realistc.
    -My 2 Sense-

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  18. I thought he made some good points in regard to Ephesians 1. Persons in Christ being predestined according to a purpose in God's will, for example, faith and expectations.

    Without faith in God/Christ in certain areas people cannot have expectations in those areas.

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  19. Its hard to believe a Christ professing church would protest a funeral of another christian church!
    -Walter T Franklin-

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  20. Re: Westboro phony funeral pics
    This just goes to show that Westboro is not really interested in truth, but in making a name for themselves.

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  21. ‘Anonymous said...

    Its hard to believe a Christ professing church would protest a funeral of another christian church!
    -Walter T Franklin-‘

    Sadly Westboro Baptist Church would pretend to do such a thing, and would actually do such a thing.

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  22. 'chucky said...

    Re: Westboro phony funeral pics
    This just goes to show that Westboro is not really interested in truth, but in making a name for themselves.'

    Reasonable. Thank you.

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