BellGab.com Archive

All this knicker-twisting over Windows 10 has inspired me to actually start thinking about moving to Linux.

Results of that ol' cable test I posted about earlier...
http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2015/07/340-audiophile-ethernet-cable-gets-a-marginal-pass-on-the-test-bench/

QuoteWith respect to the expensive Telegärtner terminators, with their individual cable taps mounted to a PCB, Denke explained that they didn’t appear to do much from a signaling perspective: "My understanding is that they [the connectors] provide a very high-quality electrical termination," he said. "Interestingly, that isn't what the diagnostics on this cable on the Fluke seemed to showâ€"the HDTDX peaks, which measure locations where crosstalk is high, were as high as on conventional terminations."
...
It turns out that we weren’t testing the expensive AudioQuest cable against a standard Cat6 Ethernet cableâ€"we were testing it against a really terrible, noisy, spec-failing garbage-quality Ethernet cable.

And listeners still failed to hear any difference.

Quote from: Jackstar on August 01, 2015, 05:59:44 PM
All this knicker-twisting over Windows 10 has inspired me to actually start thinking about moving to Linux.

I would have moved many years ago except there always seems to be a handful of apps that pull me back to the dark side.  I know I know people will say "Use Wine" or "dual boot" or "switch to open source apps" etc. but sooner or later, the convenience of running some particular win app natively is just too strong.

Quote from: zeebo on August 06, 2015, 07:40:03 PM
I would have moved many years ago except there always seems to be a handful of apps that pull me back to the dark side.  I know I know people will say "Use Wine" or "dual boot" or "switch to open source apps" etc. but sooner or later, the convenience of running some particular win app natively is just too strong.

and there are somethings that only run on windows/mac, iprograms are 1. try restoring an ipad on linux. its not possible, even though it would be trivial to port itunes to linux (in comparison to porting it to windows) .
yes i know itunes is horrible. the interface is terrible, and so forth. but it is required to do somethings with idevices. typically i crank a macbook up to do this, but have used a windows VM to do that too.

Quote from: wr250 on August 06, 2015, 07:46:07 PM
it is required to do somethings with idevices.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAl28d6tbko

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYyzTLzXEcA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dyrbRGkVKI

windows 8 and up come with an interesting feature: they allow for execution of a .exe file embedded into the system firmware, which is run at boot time.
now its only a matter of time until some virus creator will exploit this "feature" .
lenovo has exploited this already
http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2015/08/lenovo-used-windows-anti-theft-feature-to-install-persistent-crapware/

http://www.wired.com/2015/08/happened-hackers-posted-stolen-ashley-madison-data/
An interesting on-going story for several reasons, besides the salacious; the hacking, the apparently blackmail attempt, the encryption and/or lack of security, and legal aspects. One interesting tidbit is that they never verified the "person" who signed up (according to this article) and so people like Tony Blair was registered (per this article's implied idea that he wasn't really.) This could appear, without other more personal info, ip address, cc, etc give a person an "out:" "honey, it wasn't me, it was faked." But also how they claim what they did was legal (I guess,?, but isn't a marriage a civil contract and they were advocating/promoting breaking that encouraging a fraud or tort?) I look forward to the various lawsuits and future news.

I've heard rumors and stories of this but I guess it happened to my cousin who is not very computer orientated. Anyway, he says all his pictures and files on his computer before a certain date are encrypted and there is a message about going to some website and paying a certain amount in bit-coins to release his data. He went to the website but it was down. And has never used bit-coin.

So is he screwed about getting his photos and docs back? Any easy (I'd be telling him over the phone or by email) instructions/tricks to get the stuff back? Or should he take PC in somewhere (where....he said he was going to Office Max or something. I thought maybe a local tech "nerd" place might do better service or even know "tricks" or "hacks" because more into computers than employees at a big box store. Any thoughts ideas appreciated. Or PM me.

Quote from: albrecht on August 26, 2015, 02:54:41 PM
I've heard rumors and stories of this but I guess it happened to my cousin who is not very computer orientated. Anyway, he says all his pictures and files on his computer before a certain date are encrypted and there is a message about going to some website and paying a certain amount in bit-coins to release his data. He went to the website but it was down. And has never used bit-coin.

So is he screwed about getting his photos and docs back? Any easy (I'd be telling him over the phone or by email) instructions/tricks to get the stuff back? Or should he take PC in somewhere (where....he said he was going to Office Max or something. I thought maybe a local tech "nerd" place might do better service or even know "tricks" or "hacks" because more into computers than employees at a big box store. Any thoughts ideas appreciated. Or PM me.

1. do not use the computer . do not even turn it on.
2. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
3. take it somewhere that will pull the hard drive(s) out, and run recovery software on it. its possible many of the photos/documents can be recovered this way.
4. do not turn on said computer until steps 1,2,and 3 are completed.
5. wipe the drive with something like dban (a single pass is sufficient) and reinstall windows.

Quote from: wr250 on August 26, 2015, 03:05:03 PM
1. do not use the computer . do not even turn it on.
2. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
3. take it somewhere that will pull the hard drive(s) out, and run recovery software on it. its possible many of the photos/documents can be recovered this way.
4. do not turn on said computer until steps 1,2,and 3 are completed.
5. wipe the drive with something like dban (a single pass is sufficient) and reinstall windows.

Thanks a lot, sounds like he is in a world of hurt. From a quick internet search it sounds like some variety of the "cryptolocker" virus? I tell him he should be backing stuff up....can things like this virus "spread" to backup systems like optical drives (DVD or CD) or USB sticks and portable HDs (if I'm adding new photos and documents to a portable backup HD, for example, could it "take over" those photos/doc already on it? (If I didn't know I had the virus?)

Quote from: albrecht on August 26, 2015, 03:22:28 PM
Thanks a lot, sounds like he is in a world of hurt. From a quick internet search it sounds like some variety of the "cryptolocker" virus?

sounds like it

QuoteI tell him he should be backing stuff up....can things like this virus "spread" to backup systems like optical drives (DVD or CD) or USB sticks and portable HDs (if I'm adding new photos and documents to a portable backup HD, for example, could it "take over" those photos/doc already on it? (If I didn't know I had the virus?)

yes it can go on with the data. non-rewritable cds/dvd's as well as previously written to (but the physical write lock is on)  flash drives cannot be infected later (unless said write lock is turned off). it can encrypt anything that file permissions allow to be written too. so if you are a normal user it will encrypt anything you as a normal use can write to.

Quote from: wr250 on August 26, 2015, 03:52:14 PM
sounds like ityes it can go on with the data. non-rewritable cds/dvd's as well as previously written to (but the physical write lock is on)  flash drives cannot be infected later (unless said write lock is turned off). it can encrypt anything that file permissions allow to be written too. so if you are a normal user it will encrypt anything you as a normal use can write to.

Jeez. If virus scanners don't detect it (he says he had anti-virus updated on his computer) or if it can infect other files when you go to put more on a backup than I guess the best back up would not be an external HD or USB drive but "write only" optical disks? And just make new disks each back-up time. Of course, I don't know how long those last either. (I've had laserdiscs, remember those, go bad over decades with laser rot.)

I had this happen about 2 years ago...I used an antivirus pack that loaded from the USB (you might have to go into the BIOS to and set the boot directory first)...that found the malware and I was back up and running.

I was using Windows Defender at the time and it did not catch the virus...after cleaning, I switched to Norton and didn't have any problems again...the subsequent Norton scan found quite a bit that Defender didn't catch...

Just my experience...

Quote from: albrecht on August 26, 2015, 03:58:27 PM
Jeez. If virus scanners don't detect it (he says he had anti-virus updated on his computer) or if it can infect other files when you go to put more on a backup than I guess the best back up would not be an external HD or USB drive but "write only" optical disks? And just make new disks each back-up time. Of course, I don't know how long those last either. (I've had laserdiscs, remember those, go bad over decades with laser rot.)

or flash drives, once written to, with the physical write lock set to on.
another option is to have 2 external hard drives to back up to. rotate them, if one gets encrypted, simply use dban on all internal hard drives, and the now encrypted external disk. restore from the other external drive.

Quote from: wr250 on August 26, 2015, 04:05:37 PM
or flash drives, once written to, with the physical write lock set to on.
another option is to have 2 external hard drives to back up to. rotate them, if one gets encrypted, simply use dban on all internal hard drives, and the now encrypted external disk. restore from the other external drive.

Yeah, thanks. Sucks that normal people have to start operating like a business with backup plans so extensive. I remember working at a place where my colleague figured out a rotation scheme for backing up files on our magnetic tapes so that "tuesday's backup" wouldn't be using the "tuesday tape" only to make uniform tape wear, ensure we got everything, etc. I forget what he came up with but it was funny. Daily, Weekly, and Monthly with a re-writing, rotating tape scheme. Now I understand why.

ps: I wonder if renaming the extensions or associations of the file (or making certain file types not accessible by not associating it with any program to open) would stop the virus if I ever got it from spreading to older files. Than when wanting to access an archive putting in on a separate device/computer isolated from others, changing file extension to original (.pdf, .png, .jpg, etc) and then opening?

So apparently it is CryptoWall 3.0 and my cousin is pretty much f*cked. No one wants to give in to blackmail but apparently that will be the only way to recover the photos and documents so I think he is going to give in to the hackers (if he can figure out how, apparently you have to download a Tor browser and then pay in bitcoins.)
People, back your stuff up and keep your security level, anti-virus, anti-malware stuff high.

Quote from: albrecht on August 27, 2015, 03:35:14 PM
So apparently it is CryptoWall 3.0 and my cousin is pretty much f*cked. No one wants to give in to blackmail but apparently that will be the only way to recover the photos and documents so I think he is going to give in to the hackers (if he can figure out how, apparently you have to download a Tor browser and then pay in bitcoins.)
People, back your stuff up and keep your security level, anti-virus, anti-malware stuff high.

That really sucks.  Scary stuff.  I guess they want bitcoins as it makes an anonymous transaction.  I heard a story of some police dept. somewhere that had to pay up 500 bucks to get their data back, so it's a pretty effective scam.

http://venturebeat.com/2015/08/30/t-mobile-starts-going-after-lte-tethered-data-thieves-says-some-use-up-to-2tb-per-month/

link says it all

Quote from: wr250 on August 31, 2015, 06:31:35 AM
http://venturebeat.com/2015/08/30/t-mobile-starts-going-after-lte-tethered-data-thieves-says-some-use-up-to-2tb-per-month/

link says it all

"Legere states that at the heart of the issue are customers with unlimited 4G LTE smartphone plans who have come up with workarounds to steal more than their allotment."

Quote from: albrecht on August 31, 2015, 12:09:57 PM
"Legere states that at the heart of the issue are customers with unlimited 4G LTE smartphone plans who have come up with workarounds to steal more than their allotment."

I guess they really meant unlimitedish?

Quote from: zeebo on August 31, 2015, 01:27:50 PM
I guess they really meant unlimitedish?

yesh t-mobile pulled a snoory there

Windows 7 and 8 now have 10's telemetry data collection feature. Here's how to remove it, in 7 and 8 only, if you never plan on upgrading to 10.

Quote from: analog kid on September 01, 2015, 08:58:25 AM
Windows 7 and 8 now have 10's telemetry data collection feature. Here's how to remove it, in 7 and 8 only, if you never plan on upgrading to 10.

Thanks for list, these are all legit updates to -remove- from win-7. There may be more according to the referenced reddit threads, but I'd advise reading those descriptions before adding them to a 'remove' list.

Thanks again!

3 updates bring windows 10 "telemetry" to win7 and 8x. these are updates KB3075249, KB3080149 and KB3068708. apparently they ignore  all user settings (including the hosts file) and report back to  vortex-win.data.microsoft.com and settings-win.data.microsoft.com.  the 1st two are listed as "optional" (for now) and the last is "recommended" and would be installed only if you opted in to send data to "improve your windows experience".
the only solution is to block these sites with your internet facing router, or uninstall these updates then "hide" them.

Fox has announced the first 4K Ultra HD (2160p) titles coming in early 2016; Exodus: Gods and Kings, Kingsman: The Secret Service, Fantastic Four, X-Men: Days of Future Past, Life of Pi, The Maze Runner and Wild. The first 4K player from Samsung will also be coming at the same time.

Quote from: wr250 on September 08, 2015, 05:36:29 AM
3 updates bring windows 10 "telemetry" to win7 and 8x. these are updates KB3075249, KB3080149 and KB3068708. apparently they ignore  all user settings (including the hosts file) and report back to  vortex-win.data.microsoft.com and settings-win.data.microsoft.com.  the 1st two are listed as "optional" (for now) and the last is "recommended" and would be installed only if you opted in to send data to "improve your windows experience".
the only solution is to block these sites with your internet facing router, or uninstall these updates then "hide" them.

Gaaawd, I HATE WInBlows more and more when I hear about shit like this. Hey MicroSloth, GET IT THROUGH YOUR HEAD, these are machines we buy and pay for NOT yours to do with as you will because your Operating $y$tem is loaded on them you fuckin shitbirds. You have no right to sell this information to third parties. EULA's are illeagal - fucktards.
Instead of me just bitching about this, if anyone else is fed up with this Bullshit, get yourself a free operating system here:
http://distrowatch.com/

Quote from: albrecht on August 31, 2015, 12:09:57 PM
"Legere states that at the heart of the issue are customers with unlimited 4G LTE smartphone plans who have come up with workarounds to steal more than their allotment."

So......  How much is allotted to steal 

Quote from: Jackstar on August 01, 2015, 05:59:44 PM
All this knicker-twisting over Windows 10 has inspired me to actually start thinking about moving to Linux.

Smart Move !!!!
distrowatch.com

For general computing anyone can use, I favor Xubuntu 14.04, but there are lots of specialized versions out there. If you decide to switch, after install, Ixquick "10 things to do after installing <insert distro here>"  There is a HUGE community of forums and help out there. You'll also love the speed increase, no matter how fast your system is now.

Wanna have some fun?  Download Kali Linux live disk. Just don't pen-test someone else's system w/ it.