Computer Worm Goes Out Of Control
A computer virus attacking Microsoft Windows has infected almost nine million machines and is spreading faster than ever before.
Experts say the worm has "skyrocketed" in recent days.
It is sweeping through thousands of offices in the UK and has affected computers at the Ministry of Defence.
The virus - known variously as Conficker, Kido or Downadup - burrows deep into the operating system and tricks the machine into running the infected program.
Once the worm is running on the computer it automatically starts to download more malicious programs from hackers' websites, with devastating effects.
The majority of computers infected by the worm, which was first identified in October, are in Russia, China, Brazil and India. But the virus is now taking hold in the UK.
The worm has password cracking capabilities, often successful because company passwords sometimes match a predefined password list that it carries.
Eddy Willems, a security analyst with anti-virus firm Kaspersky Labs, said that a new strain of the worm was now causing additional problems.
Computer users are advised to ensure their anti-virus software, operating system and firewall is up to date, and that they have installed a Microsoft patch designed to combat the problem.
Experts have also warned the virus could spread by copying itself to USB memory sticks shared between computers, and urged users to use caution.
QuoteThe virus - known variously as Conficker, Kido or Downadup
I know nawthing about these computers so I went to "Google Images" and I input Kido to see could I see the virus, except that I put in Dido by mistake and got meself a box in the jaw from the woman looking over my shoulder with the mug of tae.
Thank God I got myself an iMac last week ;)
Quote from: ziggysego on January 19, 2009, 08:23:44 PM
Thank God I got myself an iMac last week ;)
Starting to head that direction too Ziggy.
Should be arriving next week ONeill. I'll let you know what I think of it. Anyone I know that has made the jump, said they wouldn't go back to Windows again.
Quote from: ziggysego on January 19, 2009, 08:32:40 PM
Should be arriving next week ONeill. I'll let you know what I think of it. Anyone I know that has made the jump, said they wouldn't go back to Windows again.
I use an imac at the weekends and during the day at work. Very user friendly. The only downside is some (very few) sites aren't mac friendly.
Really? A mate of mine from Urney got one before Christmas and said that Safari was great on the iMac. What browser are you using?
Yes, Safari. 99% fine but when watching streamed matches there are some programmes (sopcast etc) that don't work on mac. No big deal though. Brilliant for graphics. Try to get 'pages' thrown in if you can - it's a package for making mags, posters etc - unreal ease.
Expensive?
Looking for Adobe CS4 Master Collection though. Apparently not out here yet.
Quote from: Bud Wiser on January 19, 2009, 07:57:56 PM
QuoteThe virus - known variously as Conficker, Kido or Downadup
I know nawthing about these computers so I went to "Google Images" and I input Kido to see could I see the virus, except that I put in Dido by mistake and got meself a box in the jaw from the woman looking over my shoulder with the mug of tae.
Jaysus a box in the jaw for typing Dido. Just as well you didn't type dildo.
Quote from: ziggysego on January 19, 2009, 09:04:15 PM
Expensive?
Looking for Adobe CS4 Master Collection though. Apparently not out here yet.
Not sure but probably is. I'd imagine you'd probably need the Adobe boyo for adventurous stuff.
Quote from: hardstation on January 19, 2009, 09:11:34 PM
Quote from: ONeill on January 19, 2009, 08:43:36 PM
Quote from: ziggysego on January 19, 2009, 08:32:40 PM
Should be arriving next week ONeill. I'll let you know what I think of it. Anyone I know that has made the jump, said they wouldn't go back to Windows again.
I use an imac at the weekends and during the day at work. Very user friendly. The only downside is some (very few) sites aren't mac friendly.
Is there any need to go splashing out on one then? I suppose you "have so much money, you don't know what to do with it".
Herself does 4 nights now at the Albert Clock to supplement her jaunts to the medical experiments lab.
Trying to get into web designing in a serious way. Working on one at the moment, but I've gotten as far as I can with it in relation to what Windows will allow me.
Quote from: ziggysego on January 19, 2009, 09:15:40 PM
Trying to get into web designing in a serious way. Working on one at the moment, but I've gotten as far as I can with it in relation to what Windows will allow me.
In what way do you mean ? :)
I've Windows XP Professional, which should allow ASP.net to run on it. It won't work. Have all the settings correct. Took it to a fella I know that fixes PCs professionally and it's set up to run perfectly. It just won't work.
Anyway, iMac is better for graphics and such, so I was going to move over eventually. This has just sped it up a bit.
Update XP and make sure it has all critical/high level patches as well as the non-critical software and hardware patches available for your particular system. When that has been done, reinstall the software for ASP.net.
Finding the particular update to fix your own problem can be difficult enough and very time-consuming - hence asking you to update the heap :)
Had to reinstall the OS before, due to a complete meltdown. Everything reinstalled and still didn't work. It just reminded me how much I hate Windows and how much I wanted to break away from it.
I would say to update all drivers and patches for motherboard and any add-on components - hit the manufacturer's site and download all fresh drivers from there that are specific to the make and model of your machine. It's something silly as that, I reckon anyway.
Probably is, but Windows has reduced me to tears any a days in past. Riddled with bugs and stupid patches which are just rushed through. It's needlessly awkward and clumsy. Just a hateful OS to have.
Quote from: ziggysego on January 19, 2009, 09:43:58 PM
I've Windows XP Professional, which should allow ASP.net to run on it. It won't work. Have all the settings correct.
Can you even develop ASP.net on the Mac?
Quote from: ziggysego on January 19, 2009, 09:43:58 PM
Anyway, iMac is better for graphics and such, so I was going to move over eventually. This has just sped it up a bit.
Please elaborate? The Adobe master suite is available on Windows too and Macs now run on Intel hardware, for Web Design there is no real difference. When you doing graphic design from screen to print though, the Mac wins hands down due to its better handling of fonts, colours, tools ect...
Quote from: thebigfella on January 19, 2009, 10:18:07 PM
Can you even develop ASP.net on the Mac?
Yes. Not in the early days, but you can now.
Quote from: thebigfella on January 19, 2009, 10:18:07 PM
Please elaborate? The Adobe master suite is available on Windows too and Macs now run on Intel hardware, for Web Design there is no real difference. When you doing graphic design from screen to print though, the Mac wins hands down due to its better handling of fonts, colours, tools ect...
Mainly for the graphical end, that I'm making the jump.
Quote from: thebigfella on January 19, 2009, 10:18:07 PM
Please elaborate? The Adobe master suite is available on Windows too and Macs now run on Intel hardware, for Web Design there is no real difference. When you doing graphic design from screen to print though, the Mac wins hands down due to its better handling of fonts, colours, tools ect...
Mainly for the graphical end, that I'm making the jump.
[/quote]
But there is nothing you have mentioned that you can't do with a PC, including all the graphical stuff you perceive you will be doing. One recommendation, I would not go out and purchase the full Adobe Master Suite, its a hell of a lot of money for shelve-ware. I would buy one or 2 of the product first I and master them (or just download the trials and get a dodgy license key).
Quote from: Bud Wiser on January 19, 2009, 07:57:56 PM
QuoteThe virus - known variously as Conficker, Kido or Downadup
That Kido one has been infesting the Tyrone thread for years now.
My name is TheBigFella and I'm a PC!!
;D
Quote from: lfdown2 on January 20, 2009, 08:36:03 AM
My name is TheBigFella and I'm a PC!!
;D
Ha ha unfortunately no such free advertisement or support for Mr Gates, I actually use a MacBook as my main computer. I'm just trying to point out the argument switching because it is better for Web Design is flawed.