Comments on: More on “poisoned” media files http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=341 Helping PC users make sense of Microsoft software since 1991 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:54:09 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Hellsbellboy http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=341&cpage=1#comment-589 Hellsbellboy Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 +0000 http://www.edbott.com/wordpress/?p=341#comment-589 Sure looks like MS is going in the right direction. I had run GIANT about a month before MS aquired the company just as a TRAIL version (which has since run out)and was impressed with it. Currently I run Adaware and SpyBot S&D, and it's easy to see that when you run one, it doesn't detect Malware/Spyware/Adaware that's detected by the other so you have to wonder what's still on your PC after scanning with both. Did a scan on the wife's PC and it found 27 Critical objects, a majority of those being Tracking Cookies. Sure looks like MS is going in the right direction. I had run GIANT about a month before MS aquired the company just as a TRAIL version (which has since run out)and was impressed with it. Currently I run Adaware and SpyBot S&D, and it’s easy to see that when you run one, it doesn’t detect Malware/Spyware/Adaware that’s detected by the other so you have to wonder what’s still on your PC after scanning with both. Did a scan on the wife’s PC and it found 27 Critical objects, a majority of those being Tracking Cookies.

]]> By: suzi http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=341&cpage=1#comment-590 suzi Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 +0000 http://www.edbott.com/wordpress/?p=341#comment-590 Ed, you wrote: "But how likely is it that the type of user Suzi is describing will download and install that patch?" It sounds like you are almost blaming the users here for getting infected, which I absolutely disagree with. At my forum, we are busting our butts to educate users about adware/spyware including how to prevent getting infected. People at other anti-spyware forums and sites are doing the same, as are individuals like Eric Howes and Ben. The fact that many users are unaware in no way mitigates Microsoft's responsibility to patch security holes, nor does it lessen the guilt of the adware/spyare pushers and the companies who profit from it. Ed, you wrote:

“But how likely is it that the type of user Suzi is describing will download and install that patch?”

It sounds like you are almost blaming the users here for getting infected, which I absolutely disagree with.

At my forum, we are busting our butts to educate users about adware/spyware including how to prevent getting infected. People at other anti-spyware forums and sites are doing the same, as are individuals like Eric Howes and Ben.

The fact that many users are unaware in no way mitigates Microsoft’s responsibility to patch security holes, nor does it lessen the guilt of the adware/spyare pushers and the companies who profit from it.

]]> By: Ed Bott http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=341&cpage=1#comment-591 Ed Bott Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 +0000 http://www.edbott.com/wordpress/?p=341#comment-591 No, no, no! I am absolutely not "blaming the user." I'm just stating the facts. I clean people's systems all the time, just like you. And most of them have never installed an update and are tragically vulnerable to things that they should easily be protected from. All I'm saying is that even when those Critical Updates get out there, the weak link in the PC ecosystem is the user. Automatic Updates goes a long way toward fixing this, but the user of an old, unpatched computer is unlikely to know about AU or realize how important it is. No, no, no! I am absolutely not “blaming the user.” I’m just stating the facts. I clean people’s systems all the time, just like you. And most of them have never installed an update and are tragically vulnerable to things that they should easily be protected from.

All I’m saying is that even when those Critical Updates get out there, the weak link in the PC ecosystem is the user. Automatic Updates goes a long way toward fixing this, but the user of an old, unpatched computer is unlikely to know about AU or realize how important it is.

]]> By: Geek News Podcast http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=341&cpage=1#comment-592 Geek News Podcast Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 +0000 http://www.edbott.com/wordpress/?p=341#comment-592 <strong>Geek News Central Podcast #26 2005-1-4</strong> Fighting a head cold and sore throat had a tought time getting this one in the can. I think I was able to cut all the cough's out if I missed one you have my apologies. First show of 2005... Geek News Central Podcast #26 2005-1-4

Fighting a head cold and sore throat had a tought time getting this one in the can. I think I was able to cut all the cough’s out if I missed one you have my apologies. First show of 2005…

]]> By: Geek News Central http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=341&cpage=1#comment-593 Geek News Central Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 +0000 http://www.edbott.com/wordpress/?p=341#comment-593 <strong>Geek News Central Podcast #26 2005-1-4</strong> Fighting a head cold and sore throat had a tough time getting this one in the can. I think I... Geek News Central Podcast #26 2005-1-4

Fighting a head cold and sore throat had a tough time getting this one in the can. I think I…

]]> By: Geek News Central http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=341&cpage=1#comment-594 Geek News Central Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 +0000 http://www.edbott.com/wordpress/?p=341#comment-594 <strong>Geek News Central Podcast #26 2005-1-4</strong> Fighting a head cold and sore throat had a tough time getting this one in the can. I think I was able to cut all the coughs out if I missed one you have my apologies. First show of 2005... Geek News Central Podcast #26 2005-1-4

Fighting a head cold and sore throat had a tough time getting this one in the can. I think I was able to cut all the coughs out if I missed one you have my apologies. First show of 2005…

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