How Dare Furriners Use Malware!

Submitted by LaFeminista on Sun, 01/01/2017 - 4:05am

Seriously how dare they! It's ours! Probably.

According to a new report from German security company G DATA, more malicious websites were hosted in the US in 2015 than in any other country, originating around 57 percent of recorded attacks.

China, Hong Kong, Russia and Canada are also major hosts of malware, though Europe is little in evidence, only Germany and Italy making the top seven and accounting for just six percent between them.

Overall, the number of websites categorized as being 'evil' has risen by 45 percent, emphasizing how attacks from the web represent one of the biggest and growing threats facing computer users.

It also shows that there has been an increase in malicious websites purporting to be gambling portals, up from 13th place in the rankings to first in just six months, accounting for 18.7 percent of malicious sites. In second place are blog sites on 12.9 percent followed in third by technology and communications sites on 12.8 percent.

Easiest ways of avoiding being infected.

don’t click any suspicious pop-up windows
don’t answer unsolicited emails/messages
be careful when downloading free applications
don't "give" anyone access over the phone, even if the say that they are from Microsoft's technical department [a common scam]

The laptop [just one] found to be infected with Ukrainian malware was not connected to the grid, now what had the owner been doing with that laptop? Laptops by their very nature are mobile devices and are often connected wirelessly.

I am sure the world could throw itself into one almighty hissy fit of reprisals over malware based on the country of origin of said malware and since the vast majority originates in the US of A it could become even more laughable.

Rather than a Vermont utility company going into a meltdown about Russia and causing panic over the safety of the grid [the laptop was not connected]. Perhaps looking at where that laptop had been and who exposed it to malware intrusion might be more useful for assessing the actual security risks.

Now, if I were a Russian spy/psy-ops operator I would use malware codes sourced in the US and available for downloading from US based websites and if laptops were the target set up a few unprotected wireless hotspots near the intended victims headquarters. As can be seen with Trump, never give a CEO/President elect access to wireless/mobile connectivity; you just know it will go wrong.

The fun thing about malware is that you can blame virtually anyone with internet access and a keyboard. The most probable source is someone that you know sending you something funny by email or by visiting less than savoury websites.

Writing malwares is not a difficult task, and thousands of them crawl in almost every system. There are a number of ways through which malware spreads in a system some of them are as follows:

Social networks: When you are surfing the internet, be cautious about third party software and applications. Even when you use social networking sites be careful to give consent to third-party applications for using your profile.
Pirated software: malicious codes also spread in a system through pirated software. In majority cases, software seems to be legitimate when you download them, but they may be a big trouble for your system.

Some of the other ways through which malware spreads

E-mails: When you read emails malware spread through attachments, so it is always better to scan them prior to downloading.
Removable media: USB sticks are another common way by which malware attack and spread in a system. Even systems in a computer lab might be infected with malware and when you transfer files from an infected system to your system with USB stick, the infection enters your system as well.
Websites: There are many sites, which are infested with different malwares and these enter your computer when you visit them.

Sorry for the interuption

Russians!
Putin!
Cyberwar!
Sanctions!
Reprisals!

~~Death to the West~~

Oops.

Happy New Year.

Remember that hair is flammable and takes time to grow back.

Tags:

A Muse

Vote

Comments

Submitted by LaFeminista on Sun, 01/01/2017 - 4:13am

PS Malware said to be created in the Ukraine could well have

been originally created by some spotted cheetos munching youth in a Milwaukee basement. Such is the internet.

Submitted by riverlover on Sun, 01/01/2017 - 4:26am

I am running several anti-programs

and scanned my PC this morning at 4AM to start the year out right. It found one cookie that might be malicious, it got deleted.

Happy New Year! Other than Istanbul and some mosques somewhere being burned, I guess it's the start of 2017.

—

Hey! my dear friends or soon-to-be's, JtC could use the donations to keep this site functioning for those of us who can still see the life preserver or flotsam in the water.

Submitted by eyo on Sun, 01/01/2017 - 6:35am

Microsoft's government granted monopoly

The malware begins with the Windows(TM) operating system itself, the least secure, yet required by the U.S. government. I abandoned it more than a decade ago and suggest the same to anyone who wants to fight oligarchy in their every day lives. Android, Apple, Microsoft software secrets control billions of users for their private profit, bonuses for unwarranted access on demand.

Remember when Microsoft was guilty of illegal monopoly and ordered by the court to separate business units? Then that was reversed, "do the math". Microsoft tackles China piracy with free upgrade to Windows 10

Wed Mar 18, 2015
The move is an unprecedented attempt by Microsoft to get legitimate versions of its software onto machines of the hundreds of millions of Windows users in China. Recent studies show that three-quarters of all PC software is not properly licensed there.
...
"We are upgrading all qualified PCs, genuine and non-genuine, to Windows 10," he said in a telephone interview with Reuters. The plan is to "re-engage" with the hundreds of millions of users of Windows in China, he said, without elaboration.

Oops, hundreds of millions with broken back doors. Upgrade, stat! And when users said "nah bro, not now" it was all like "tough shit, eat it and like it" from Microsoft. And people did! smh

Microsoft removes the X from the Windows 10 upgrade pop-up -- your choices are 'yes', or 'yes, now'

7 months ago
Microsoft’s increasingly aggressive tactics to get people to upgrade to Windows 10 are now legendary. The last trick the company pulled was to reverse the meaning of clicking the X on the nag screen. Instead of meaning, "go away and stop bothering me" it now means "yes, I want the upgrade". Or rather it did. For, according to The Register, Microsoft has now removed the X, leaving Windows 7 or 8.1 users with the choice of picking a date for an upgrade, or upgrading now. There’s no close button, no cancel option. Just reschedule or upgrade immediately.

Freedom! Good citizen, have a cookie. ha ha. Could it mean without monopoly there is no control? What would oligarchy do?

Thanks

Submitted by LaFeminista on Sun, 01/01/2017 - 7:25am

Basically the US security services don't need malware

entry is built in.

Submitted by eyo on Sun, 01/01/2017 - 8:03am

"This too requires funds"

Free software, free society in my view. But you know "think for yourself".
https://www.fsf.org/blogs/rms/a-message-from-rms-support-the-free-software-foundation

All commercial mobile phones require proprietary software (in the modem processor that talks to the phone radio network) that has a universal back door: it can be changed remotely through the radio. It should be a felony to make such a product, but it isn't.

With funds, the FSF could launch a campaign to make that practice a felony. With funds, the FSF could develop a mobile phone that encapsulates the modem processor so as to make the phone, in a limited sense, safe to use.

On the other end of computing, many web sites' pages contain nonfree software (sent in the form of JavaScript code) which they install and run in the user's browser. In many cases that code spies on the user.

With funds, the FSF could develop free software front ends to enable Internet users to talk to various important web services without running any nonfree software to do it.

Meanwhile, freedom is threatened even at the level of the processors in PCs. The current generation of Intel and AMD processor chips are designed with vicious back doors that users cannot shut off. (In Intel processors, it's the "management engine".)

No users should trust those processors.

With funds, the FSF could campaign to pressure those companies to give us a way to shut those back doors off.

We also need to enforce the GNU General Public License (GNU GPL) against companies that regard its requirement to respect users' freedom as a nuisance. This too requires funds.

Why do people support the FSF? Because they appreciate the importance of the freedom that we defend, for them and for everyone. However, since 1998 we have had to make an explicit effort to spread awareness of this issue. In that year, a corporate-funded campaign to disconnect free software from our ideas began to rebrand free software as "open source" so as to disconnect it from our ideas of right and wrong.
People who don't understand how proprietary software denies them freedom may not see what there is to fight for.

Solidarity with RMS always trying to do what is right, as much as possible. May all beings participate and benefit from one another.

Thanks

Submitted by gustogirl on Mon, 01/02/2017 - 1:48pm

The EFF too.

Submitted by Pricknick on Sun, 01/01/2017 - 9:14am

I pissed a bunch

of people off at a site not to be mentioned.
I was offering free malware to anybody that wanted it.
The special deal involved a free downloadable version of the latest Grizzly Steppe format renamed Gullible Stupid.
I was not well received.

—

Regardless of the path in life I chose, I realize it's always forward, never straight.

Submitted by LaFeminista on Sun, 01/01/2017 - 10:36am

Lol

I bet,

Submitted by Alligator Ed on Sun, 01/01/2017 - 10:46am

That site? Perhaps GOS?

Nah, you wouldn't tell us, would you--how about a hint?

Submitted by CB on Sun, 01/01/2017 - 11:05am

Shoulda included a free "I'm With Her" button and poster with

your generous offer

Submitted by Big Al on Sun, 01/01/2017 - 9:25am

I'm worried about people under 40.

Those of us who are older will remember how to survive without being able to ask a computer how to live.

Submitted by eyo on Sun, 01/01/2017 - 9:52am

Clack clack! heh, semaphores again

From the beyond, maybe it's a hint from Terry Pratchett. RIP. http://discworld.wikia.com/wiki/Clacks

The clacks in Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels is a network of semaphore towers stretching along the Sto Plains, into the Ramtops and across the Unnamed Continent to Genua. It was introduced in The Fifth Elephant and has become the Discworld's first network telecommunications network. While the system structure is that of a telegraph, elements of it are often described as similar to the Internet; for example, it threatens to make the Post Office obsolete in Going Postal (which also features a group of clacks hackers) and is sometimes described as 'c-mail' (a clear reference to email). 'C-commerce' is also carried out on it.

For real, in the beginning was IANA, thank you Jon Postel. https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc2468

RFC 2468 I REMEMBER IANA October 1998
Remembrance

A long time ago, in a network, far far away, a great adventure took
place!

Out of the chaos of new ideas for communication, the experiments, the
tentative designs, and crucible of testing, there emerged a
cornucopia of networks. Beginning with the ARPANET, an endless
stream of networks evolved, and ultimately were interlinked to become
the Internet. Someone had to keep track of all the protocols, the
identifiers, networks and addresses and ultimately the names of all
the things in the networked universe. And someone had to keep track
of all the information that erupted with volcanic force from the
intensity of the debates and discussions and endless invention that
has continued unabated for 30 years. That someone was Jonathan B.
Postel, our Internet Assigned Numbers Authority, friend, engineer,
confidant, leader, icon, and now, first of the giants to depart from
our midst.
...

Submitted by sojourns on Sun, 01/01/2017 - 9:55am

For all the talk that goes on around here concerning

breaking away and doing what can be done to distance oneself from corporate monopolies, one of the easiest and most effective continues to be ignored for reasons that I won't repeat as it has been done ad infinitum.

Sick of Microsoft bullshit? Install Linux. Install Linux Mint or Ubuntu. They are easy to use and not unlike a Windows 7 gooey. You can install it side by side with your existing operating system giving you your choice while you comfortably migrate towards Linux.

With Ubuntu you never need to use the terminal except for three things. sudo -i (gives you root control) apt-get update to update the software packages and apt-get install to upgrade the udated software packages. You can also use the Synaptic Package manager for easy installation of all software.

You never have to run disc defrag and there is no need for anti-virus software. On the very rare occasion some jack ass manages to find a back door, it will be discovered almost immediately and dealt with quick smart. Linux is open software and one of the benefits of this is that there are many, many eyeballs keeping watch over unauthorized changes. You can't say that for any MS Windows software as they cannot begin to keep up with all of the malware/spyware/trojans that are coded in scores every day. Linux comes with a built in firewall and simply turning it on suffices for most users.

Best of all, it's free as is nearly all of the necessary software. They do accept donations.

I apologize for being so pedantic -- but this is so easy and effective I cannot not understand what the hang up is other than fear and/or laziness. Shit-- Even Microsoft has come out to say publically that they "now embrace Linux" which means that they'll take the free kernel and try to make money off of it and screw it up in the process. They know that there is no more money to be made in operating systems which goes a long way to explain Windows 10 and their strong arm attitude about installing it. That is nicely made clear in LaFeminista's essay.

Don't be the last kid on the block. You'll find that there a a number of Linux people that are regulars here, that would be happy to help, including myself.

—

"I can't understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I'm frightened of the old ones."
John Cage

Submitted by LaFeminista on Sun, 01/01/2017 - 10:38am

We use Linux/Unix for our workstations

Submitted by sojourns on Sun, 01/01/2017 - 11:08am

Somehow I am not surprised! :)

Most commercial servers use what's called a LAMP array (Linux/Apache/MySQL/PHP. Stupid DNC should have thought of that. Five gets you ten they were using Microsoft IIS server software.

I'd like to add -- more in keeping with your essay -- malware attacking computers is bad. Methinks that the firmware that is being installed into items that fall under the category "the internet of thing" is going to be worse. Like Windows 10 spy ware being installed in your refrigerator and washing machine and lawnmower and microwave -- but it will be firmware installed by 'patriotic' manufacturers that are doing their civic duty by spying on you!! LED light bulbs can be used as wi-fi repeaters or even a primary router-- that's kinda cool but highly insecure!

—

"I can't understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I'm frightened of the old ones."
John Cage

Submitted by Deja on Sun, 01/01/2017 - 11:25am

I'm lazy

That's what has kept me from migrating. I have a ton of files, pics, videos that I don't want to lose, and am too lazy to save them externally, then make the switch to Linux, then transfer them over. Plus, what if they don't transfer over? I'll have a stick or DVD full of stuff and a machine that can't read them. And yes, like you said, I can have both Ubuntu and Win7 side by side, but that kind of defeats the purpose, imo.

So, that's why some people don't take the dive. Others, I'm pretty sure are afraid they'll kill their computer, or be unable to use something new - even though Ubuntu is very easy to use.

Submitted by sojourns on Sun, 01/01/2017 - 5:05pm

A linux machine can read them. Most definately.

Plus when they are side by side you can mount the Windows file system and just drag and drop, or copy and paste them to the Linux side. If you have THAT many photo and video files you'd be wise to back them up on an external drive. If your Windows suffers a catastrophic crash, then you can say goodbye to your stuff.

I can't help you if you are lazy. I mean-- it's not like you have to dig a septic drain field with a shovel or re-shingle the roof or something.

—

"I can't understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I'm frightened of the old ones."
John Cage

Submitted by Deja on Sun, 01/01/2017 - 5:53pm

Lol digging a septic field with a shovel

I didn't know I could drag and drop from one OS to the other. They never showed us that in that OS class I took back in 2012.

And I agree about externally storing my pics. It's what I did with my XP laptop. That's the one I planned on putting Ubuntu on a while back, but it took so long to copy the pictures that when it was finally done, the lazy set in.

Submitted by sojourns on Sun, 01/01/2017 - 7:54pm

It does take some time transmitting data through a usb

USB 3.0 is faster if you have it. I'd just get a large GiB SD card and a 3.0 usb card reader and go that route. On the upside, since it does take a long time, you could use that time for drain field digging or re-shingling the roof while the transfer is being made!

—

"I can't understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I'm frightened of the old ones."
John Cage

Submitted by edg on Sun, 01/01/2017 - 12:34pm

A quibble.

You say there's no need for antivirus software with Linux. That's not true. If a Linux box has email service, it can send and receive infected email that can attack Windows and Mac PCs. Also, if the Linux box has web services, it could have infected files uploaded/downloaded or become infected itself with PHP malware. AV software and cybersecurity awareness are definitely still needed for Linux.

Submitted by eyo on Sun, 01/01/2017 - 2:38pm

The theoretical Linux virus

Not saying no viruses exist on Linux, but Linux users have far more power to prevent them. That is the "free as in freedom" part of the movement. Freedom to fix broken software. I can turn off every service on Linux with a simple command and it obeys me every time, without fail.

"If a Linux box has email service, it can send and receive infected email that can attack Windows and Mac PCs."

If any box, Android, MacOS, Windows, Linux, BSD, etc. has email service, it can also send and receive infected email. Most AV software is for filtering Microsoft Windows viruses.

Windows hides it's executable programs from its users, in fact it was Microsoft that "introduced" HTML email, where embedding viruses in e-mail became easy-peasy for script kiddies. Outlook used to (gosh I hope it's fixed by now) happily run viruses in the background without consent, thanks Microsoft!

"If ~~a Linux~~ any box has web services... " Same again, fixed it for ya.

Friendly tips for Ubuntu newbies: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Antivirus

Alternatives: Free Software Webmail Systems

Peace

Submitted by detroitmechworks on Sun, 01/01/2017 - 2:41pm

Built both kid's computers with Mint...

I use Win 7 with updates turned off.

I figure it's easier for a kid to learn a new OS than an old fogey like myself.

I just like what I am used to, and modding/gaming is easier for me on WIN 7.

—

I do not pretend I know what I do not know.

Submitted by Deja on Sun, 01/01/2017 - 3:02pm

Gaming

That too gives me pause. The last thing I want to hear is the wailing and gnashing of teeth from my teen son. He plays DayZ (military survival simulator) and I don't know if it's compatible with Linux.

He goes off to college next fall, so then I can do whatever I want with my own damn computer. Hmm, what's wrong with that picture lol? My ears will thank me for waiting.

Submitted by sojourns on Sun, 01/01/2017 - 6:06pm

Yeah....that is one thing that Linux sucks at--

Gaming.

—

"I can't understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I'm frightened of the old ones."
John Cage

Submitted by edg on Sun, 01/01/2017 - 5:17pm

I'm not exactly an Ubuntu or Unix newbie. n/t

Submitted by sojourns on Sun, 01/01/2017 - 6:04pm

My mistake...

I thought that is what you said.

—

"I can't understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I'm frightened of the old ones."
John Cage

Submitted by sojourns on Sun, 01/01/2017 - 5:20pm

What eyo said...

The linux file system, like a unix system, by the very nature of it's organization is immune to mostl virii. There are shared libraries among programs such as libc and many others, but they are not like MS's notorious .dll linked libraries which allow Trojans and such to migrate. These are typically .exe files which Linux does not know what to do with so it does nothing unlike windows which can self install an exe if you are not careful. An email attachment executable file would use the .deb or rpm. file extension. A linux machine requires manual entry of the password to gain root access in order to run a .deb or .rpm executable. It is a sanity check, which windows does not always provide. If one is dumb enough to do that then they deserve a virus. Again you don't need anti-virus for linux. If you get a deb file, check it out; it's almost 100% certain that someone in the community knows if it is dangerous or not unlike all the popular Windows A-virus, which are inundated with new virri to the extent that they cannot keep up. Oh, and not to mention, that Linux distributions provide regular automatic security updates, just like Windows, for it's own kernel and other software such as the ever vulnerable Adobe Flash and most browsers.

—

"I can't understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I'm frightened of the old ones."
John Cage

Submitted by edg on Sun, 01/01/2017 - 5:23pm

What eyo said... was wrong. n/t

Submitted by eyo on Sun, 01/01/2017 - 6:03pm

I voiced an opinion, that is not "wrong".

Your opinion is not wrong either, that's what I think. Friendly conversation. Please do post correcting facts, I never intend to mislead people. Thanks.

Submitted by Creosote. on Mon, 01/02/2017 - 5:51am

I work with writers

some of whom are still struggling with tracking (required for line-for-line editing) in Windows, and they're all Win people. I'd need a seamless way to operate on a Linux base with tracking and still be comprehensible to Windows people, sending and receiving. Is the run-two-systems on your standalone machine the main option?

Submitted by eyo on Mon, 01/02/2017 - 7:02am

Bummer, that's why it is called "lock-in".

For a long time Microsoft file formats (the magic thing that's created when you save a file and try to share it) have been kept binary secrets, intended to "not work" unless you paid "the microsoft tax". They suck at collaboration in my opinion, "only works with Microsoft" is not collaboration.

An alternative: http://www.documentliberation.org/

The Document Liberation Project is a home for the growing community of developers united to free users from vendor lock-in of content.

Libreoffice runs on Windows, Linux, and MacOS. As usual with free software (freedom not price) the feature needs funding. Here is their wiki on feature status: https://wiki.documentfoundation.org/Track_changes#Introduction

Imagine a large collective group of writers could raise the funds, then you know what happens? When the release is ready, you and the collective would benefit, plus every user in the world would get the same benefit. That is the beauty I think, the benefit of sharing is amplified around the world office community. It's a different groove, for some it takes more energy, for others it creates really good energy.

If your work needs to be kept secret that is the opposite of what's intended, and I think Microsoft or Adobe software would be valid choice in that case.

Thanks

Submitted by Creosote. on Mon, 01/23/2017 - 6:57am

Appreciate this backgrounding

@eyo - Have put your info in a letter and emailed it to myself.

Submitted by The Voice In th... on Sun, 01/01/2017 - 10:25am

Third Party Software

I can't understand why third party vendors like Intuit fail to support Linux at least to the extent of using software interfaces supported by Wine https://www.winehq.org/. I suppose it's because they use development tools from Microsoft that use secret backdoors into Windows. Just to use tax software I had to brush off an old computer and buy a Win 7 license because only Windows is supported and they dropped XP. At least I got the license for only $10 during the big e-bay sale. Passmark Software, www.passmark.com is a company that sells (finally) Linux versions of their tools. Since their tools are designed to test and strain the OS, they couldn't just run them in a compatibility layer. But what about Turbotax ? Why do they use anything more than a standard window display, standard disk calls and standard internet interface. Yet users report they can't even get text to display.

The IRS doesn't want to mail you a packet anymore. Libraries and post offices no longer stock the forms. You can free file on line if you want your return with all the personal data, SS #, bank routing number, checking account number, address, stored "in the cloud" where it seems data breaches routinely occur and are not reported for months or even years later. And I always wonder why companies like Intuit would offer free on-line filing when they have a pay CD product. So they can sell your data? They are not in business as a public service. they are in business to make money. Why are they incurring costs without renumeration?

Personally, I think the IRS should have their own (free) software whether downloaded or on-line. after all, they are storing your data whether you like it or not.

—

I've seen lots of changes. What doesn't change is people. Same old hairless apes.

Submitted by sojourns on Sun, 01/01/2017 - 11:14am

Wine isn't very good...

Much better to use VM ware and sandbox your MS windows OS. You can keep the MS OS completely sandboxed and move them easily over to the Linux side should you need to send file somewhere.

Nope. Adobe, Intuit, etc refuse to port to Linux because of the reasons you have stated and there's no money in it. I think Adobe views Linux people as nothing more than a community of hackers that will steal their stuff. Well, adobe doesn't sell software any more opting for subscription services -- that most certainly stops piracy.

"Personally, I think the IRS should have their own (free) software whether downloaded or on-line. after all, they are storing your data whether you like it or not. " I agree but the H and R Blocks of the world would lobby congress to prevent it. The IRS is probably better at keeping your personal info secure than most private sector operations.

—

"I can't understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I'm frightened of the old ones."
John Cage

Submitted by eyo on Sun, 01/01/2017 - 11:58am

11 months "better at keeping your personal info secure"

must be some kind of record! IRS suffers another data breach

The IRS revealed on Tuesday that it discovered and stopped an automated cyberattack on its e-filing personal identification number (PIN) system last month. According to the IRS, the cybercriminals used information stolen “elsewhere outside the IRS” to generate e-file PINs for stolen Social Security numbers (SSNs). E-file PINs are used by some taxpayers to electronically file their tax returns.

Although no personal taxpayer data were compromised or disclosed by the breach, the IRS noted that the cybercriminals succeeded in using 101,000 SSNs to access e-file PINs (out of 464,000 attempts).

Huh, and they know "no personal taxpayer data were compromised" since? Of course the recovery onus is upon consumers who've already been forced to "click-through" shitty software EULAs that deny the right to repair that damage. Okay okay okay okay okay okay okay?

The news follows closely on last summer’s announcement that a breach of the IRS Get Transcript system resulted in the theft of some 334,000 taxpayers’ tax data ...

https://www.washingtonpost.com/realestate/irs-was-told-in-2011-that-its-security-and-privacy-controls-were-inadequate/2015/06/01/de42884a-0886-11e5-95fd-d580f1c5d44e_story.html

Though the IRS said that just half of hackers’ estimated 200,000 attempts to access tax transcripts were successful, the sobering fact remains: Criminals were able to steal prodigious quantities of private tax information.

Submitted by sojourns on Sun, 01/01/2017 - 4:57pm

That sounds like a "man in the middle" attack

to me. The IRS security credentials need to be beefed up but it is just as likely, in fact more likely, that the attacks originated from a 3rd party system. This attack was limited to mortgage applicant information, which is bad, I'm not downplaying it.

Note: 'To use the IVES system, according to IRS instructions online, vendors must submit basic information about their business and check a box indicating that they have read and agree to comply with an IRS publication spelling out procedures to 'Safeguard Taxpayer Data.'" This implies that there measures that reveal vulnerabilities within their system, but of course, I can't be sure unless I were able to read it myself. When it comes to gov't security, I'm sure that George The Lesser's "No Child Left Behind" program was a success and America is further dumbed down. The best and brightest do not want to work for the gov't and can the private sector really be trusted?

At the end of the day, there are so many vulnerabilities in both the private and public systems, that there is plenty of blame to go around.

—

"I can't understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I'm frightened of the old ones."
John Cage

Submitted by eyo on Sun, 01/01/2017 - 5:33pm

"6.9 percent of the nation's population" OPM data breach

22 million: OPM releases its new data breach tally

Some 3.6 million of those affected in the second breach were also compromised in the first breach, which affected 4.2 million federal employees. The combined tally brings the total number up to 22.1 million.

That number represents about 6.9 percent of the nation's population, which was pegged at 319 million in 2014.

In June, OPM confirmed that hackers had broken into a database housing background investigations on all current, former and prospective federal employees seeking security clearances over the last 20 years. That database included highly sensitive Standard Form 86 documents, which also include information on family members and close friends, extending the tally beyond just federal employees.

Candidates for security clearances make up 19.7 million of those affected in the second breach. An additional 1.8 million family members and other associates were also compromised, OPM Director Katherine Archuleta said Thursday.

Officials noted a separate system containing information on health, finances, payroll and retirement records was not compromised in either breach. However, the stolen data does include interviews conducted with family members and roommates, as well as some 1.1 million fingerprints.

forgotten

Submitted by The Voice In th... on Sun, 01/01/2017 - 6:40pm

You still have to pay the Microsoft tax to use a Windoze VM

Might as well dual boot or use an old computer like I did. At least that way (old computer), Windows can't crap on your real system.

—

I've seen lots of changes. What doesn't change is people. Same old hairless apes.

Submitted by The Voice In th... on Sun, 01/01/2017 - 6:45pm

Wine works just fine with true third party code.

By that I mean almost all freeware. So I conclude that anything built with third party tools has a chance of running well. Older MS products work well too. Anything more than ten years old.

—

I've seen lots of changes. What doesn't change is people. Same old hairless apes.

Submitted by sojourns on Sun, 01/01/2017 - 7:57pm

My point exactly...

Try running photoshop in Wine.

—

"I can't understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I'm frightened of the old ones."
John Cage

Submitted by earthling1 on Sun, 01/01/2017 - 2:35pm

Surfin' the net

is like cruisin' the meat markets.
Ya never know where the herpes comes from.

—

Neither Russia nor China is our enemy.
Neither Iran nor Venezuela are threatening America.
Cuba is a dead horse, stop beating it.

Submitted by MrWebster on Sun, 01/01/2017 - 2:39pm

I visited Furrineria once. Won't go back.

First, they don't speak 'Murican there. Second, they got free health care. Third, the women don't shave their legs.

Submitted by Bisbonian on Sun, 01/01/2017 - 2:44pm

That's why it's called "furri"

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"I’m a human being, first and foremost, and as such I’m for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.” —Malcolm X

Submitted by sojourns on Sun, 01/01/2017 - 4:58pm

Arrrrggggghhhhhh.....

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"I can't understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I'm frightened of the old ones."
John Cage