Using the most powerful or popular anti-virus software or the most defensive firewall program doesn’t really protect you from online threat unless the weakest link in your PC security is taken care off. The weakest link is YOU.
Danger from URL or links
Example: I created a web page and filled it with dangerous scripts, running in java, active x, and multimedia controls. Let’s say, when a user visited that page, it will automatically download a small program, a trojan. Or exploit the security holes in Internet Explorer. Or even get the detailed info of your stored usernames and passwords from your browsers. You remember to clear them didn’t you? And you know that your browser store these kinds of information in your cache or cookies right? Links are passed around in various online places. Be careful, and try to use Mozilla Firefox if possible.
- In chat rooms, newbies are likely to click on these kinds of links. They are easy targets. I just say, “hey look at this site, they are giving free stuff here” then they click away at the URL posted. Damned Internet newbies, they deserve to get hacked.
- IM’s like Yahoo! Messenger or MSN Live Messenger. Ah the ever annoying spam messages with links and phrases like “hello there sexy.” Just click “report this as spam”, close the window, and move on.
- Email spams are also filled with useless links, some are spamvertisments (spam ads) and others are harmful websites.
- Blog/website comments are also filled with these useless crap. Thanks to Akismet for making our blogging world a much healthier place. Die spam crap.
- Tiny URLS Yes, I have to emphasize on this one so READ THIS Internet n00bs. You know Twitter right? If you don’t, I have one at the right panel of this page. Twitter (and some other micro blogging sites) automatically shortens the URL link you post. WHAT IF? I posted the URL for the malicious page I created (example above), on Twitter, and it shortens the URL to tiny url which HIDES THE FULL ORIGINAL URL PATH. Of course your readers won’t know if the URL is safe or not because they don’t know the original name of the URL. I can post something like; Apple is giving away 10 iPod Touch for free visit http://tinyurl/3563 but the actual link is something like; http://www.infectmypcplease.info/givemeheadache.ocx.exe always remember that URL HIDING is DANGEROUS.
Remember not to click on links that you are not sure it is safe. A potentially dangerous web page can wreak havoc in your PC.
PS: This was originally a very long post discussing matters around internet and PC security. But I’ve deleted most of what I’ve already typed and I’m already sleepy. So I just decided to create multiple entries regarding this kinds of topics. Stay tuned for more.
I’m going to make this as short and as clear on the instructions as possible. Take note however that I’m not an expert on viruses so I advice you to consult an expert first or, if you are willing, just go a head and follow my instructions. I was once a programmer, but I didn’t pursue that field, and I moved on to web development. Anyway I have encountered many viruses in my daily use of computers, and as much as I know programing and how code works, I can usually remove it without using any anti-virus software. However, be warned that the following procedure will require you to edit your Registry and thus no mistakes must be made there. Or else you may end up with a messed OS.
Introduction
SSCVIHOST.exe according to my research has many names, the popular are W32/Sohana-AO (Sophos) and W32.Imaut.AY (Symantec/Norton). Basically this is a type of worm virus that spreads via USB thumb drives and/or Yahoo! Messenger. A worm virus, technically, doesn’t destroy your files, it just add tons of of useless files in order to fill up your hard drive or slowdown your system resources. We don’t like that do we?
Anti-virus softwares
Most major anti-virus products with the latest definition files installed, detects this virus so you don’t have to worry about it spreading through your hard drive. Sophos, Symantec Norton, TrendMicro PcCillin, already detects this. I’m not sure about McAffe, AVG, or ESET NOD 32. But I will tell you this, BitDefender, even with the latest update installed doesn’t detect this. So you have that anti-virus program, chances are, SSCVIHOST.exe will eventually reach your computer.
Symptoms
- CLTR+ALT+DEL is not working
- Folder Options is missing from your TOOLS menu
- Registry Editor (RegEdit) is not working
- Your system is slowing down gradually
- There seems to be a lot of hard drive activity even if you are doing nothing
- You have a New Folder.exe in every folder and in each sub folder
Preparation
This is the actual procedure I did when the worm infiltrated my PC. Before you start on the procedure, you have to download this file from Symantec.
UnHookExec.inf (click to go to the website and the download link).
The file will enable RegEdit and other commands disabled by the virus. Save this file in your desktop. Now let’s start.
Read the rest of this entry »
Here is a quick riddle for you…
Alice came across a lion and a unicorn in a forest of forgetfulness. Those two are strange beings. The lion lies every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and the other days he speaks the truth. The unicorn lies on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, however the other days of the week he speaks the truth.
Lion: Yesterday I was lying.
Unicorn: So was I.
Which day did they say that?
I found this short quiz while browsing for new feeds on my feed reader. It links to the “Are You Emo?” quiz from Blogthings.
| You Are 44% Emo |
 You’re not emo, but you’re plenty thoughtful, unique, and even a little angsty. |
Are You Emo?
I tried the quiz out, and what do you know I’m not totally Emo. Haha. Generally, the term Emo is interpreted differently in terms of what or how it is used.
Emo is a somewhat ambiguous slang term most frequently used to describe or refer to a fashion, style, or attitude linked to post-hardcore. Emo may also describe emo music or a general emotional state (as in to “feel emo”). It is also, sometimes pejoratively, used to identify someone fitting a particular emo stereotype or category, or of being overly-emotional.
(Wikipedia)
This also reminds me of a “friend” from Multiply. She posts a lot of emo-looking photos on her profile. I don’t know her personally but I linked to her from a common group at Multiply. You can check her profile and photos after the jump.
Yuki Light’s multiply album
A lucid dream is a dream in which the person is aware that he or she is dreaming while the dream is in progress. During lucid dreams, it is often possible to exert conscious control over the dream characters and environment, as well as to perform otherwise physically impossible feats. - excerpt from Wikipedia.
On some nights I usually go to a DILD (dream-initiated lucid dream) form of lucid dream. That is, I became aware in my dream that I’m dreaming. I can therefore control my actions or events that transpire in my dreams. Even controlling the ‘characters’ or persons in it. Most often when we dream, we are not fully aware of it. In a normal state of dream, all the physical laws ‘appear’ to be in effect. Like falling down a building, which happens to me a lot, or maybe because I have Acrophobia (Some acrophobics also suffer from urges to throw themselves off high places, despite not being suicidal). Well I’m not totally afraid of heights coz I always like to ride on high roller coaster rides, or I even look down outside the window on a plane. It is my way of fighting the fear, facing it (and my advantage to it is that I don’t have a fear of death). Haha.
Anyway, when lucidity takes place in my dreams, I’ve mastered quite a few ‘techniques’ on using it. I can actually fly whenever or where ever I want to. Although sometimes my fear of heights kick in, and then I fall towards the ground. Also another ‘power’ I’ve acquired is telekinesis. But worst part of it is that I mostly use it for evil intent. Well not totally evil, but my darker side appears to mostly use it. There was this one time that I killed so many people by crushing all off them while there were still inside their cars/vans. Actually the reason for this was revenge, I think if I remembered correctly they were the ones who did something wrong to me, and I’ve had to get back at them. The only survivor was a little girl I’ve ‘pulled out’ (using telekinesis) of the crushing car. I don’t know why I had to save her, maybe it was my subconscious telling me that I won’t hurt any girl/female ever. Well in reality I’m that kind of person, I cannot and I wouldn’t hurt a girl intentionally.
Anyway, I’m looking forward to another lucid dream on the next couple of nights. Maybe I can apply this ‘how to‘ on one of those nights.
