Flame Spyware is a Monster!

Zowie! This is the “big one” from a security perspective! It appears to be state sponsored computer malware attacking many systems world-wide! ouch!

The Flame Virus: Spyware on an Unprecedented Scale

“Security researchers recently discovered one of the most complex instances of computer malware on record. Flame, which also goes by the names SkyWiper and Viper, has infected hundreds of computers across the Middle East and Europe. What does it do? Where did it come from? Who unleashed it?

What makes Flame so unusual is its size. It’s much larger than some of the largest malware instances that researchers have found. For instance, the infamous Stuxnet virus that was targeted at Iran’s uranium enrichment facilities several years ago was 500 kilobytes, according to Wired.

‘Flame is a sizable beast,’ said Graham Cluley of Sophos Security, a publisher of digital security software. ‘With all its components in place, it’s approximately 20MB. And this is one of the reasons why people have bandied phrases around like ‘biggest’ and ‘most sophisticated.’ Reverse engineering 20MB of code is a sizable piece of work.’

Researchers have only scratched the surface of what is hidden in all that code. Stuxnet (and its sister DuQu) took researchers months to figure out exactly what it did and where it might have come from. Flame will take a lot longer.

Flame, at its core, is spyware. It has the ability to log key strokes from an infected user’s computer, use the computer’s sensors such as the microphone and Web cam to record what is being said around it, and take screenshots. It can also sniff a network to steal passwords, be spread through USB drives and local networks, and transfer data to command-and-control servers. It can infect Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 computers.

This is not your ordinary spyware, though. While it does have some simple and basic elements of spyware (which can key log and use the microphone as well), its sheer girth betrays a more sophisticated approach.

Normal spyware is not hard to detect. It is usually some type of derivation of existing malware that has been repurposed by hackers and distributed through normal channels such as spam or infected websites. Antivirus companies such as Symantec (Norton), Kaspersky, Sophos, Bitdefender and others recognize the spyware shortly after it is discovered and issue a detection kit for it. Microsoft then comes out with a patch and the cat-and-mouse game between the malware writers and security companies goes on. To a certain extent, this is what has happened with Flame. Detection and removal kits have already been released by security companies including Sophos and Symantec, as well as the Iranian government.”

Chromebook Video Makes You Think!

Google Chromebook is two years old, and they are being improved all the time… in June a new version will be out… check out the idea behind it in this video.

“Chromebooks will be available online June 15 in the US, UK, France, Germany, Netherlands, Italy and Spain. More countries will follow in the coming months. In the US, Chromebooks will be available from Amazon and Best Buy and internationally from leading retailers.

Even with dedicated IT departments, businesses and schools struggle with the same complex, costly and insecure computers as the rest of us. To address this, we’re also announcing Chromebooks for Business and Education. This service from Google includes Chromebooks and a cloud management console to remotely administer and manage users, devices, applications and policies. Also included is enterprise-level support, device warranties and replacements as well as regular hardware refreshes. Monthly subscriptions will start at $28/user for businesses and $20/user for schools.

There are over 160 million active users of Chrome today. Chromebooks bring you all of Chrome’s speed, simplicity and security without the headaches of operating systems designed 20 to 30 years ago. We’re very proud of what the Chrome team along with our partners have built, and with seamless updates, it will just keep getting better.”

Chromebook Update

“Last year we announced
a new kind of computer
This is the next step

All of you haiku fans (like many of us on the Chrome team) can stop here; the rest can read on for more details.

A year ago we introduced a new model of computing with the launch of Chromebooks. We’ve heard from many of you who’ve enjoyed the speed, simplicity and security of your Chromebooks at home, at school or at work. (Thanks for all the wonderful feedback and stories!) Today, we wanted to share some developments with you—new hardware, a major software update and many more robust apps—as we continue on our journey to make computers much better.

Next-generation devices
Our partner Samsung has just announced a new Chromebook and the industry’s first Chromebox. Like its predecessor, the newest Chromebook is a fast and portable laptop for everyday users. The Chromebox is a compact, powerful and versatile desktop perfect for the home or office.

Speed
Speed is integral to the Chrome experience. The new Chromebook and Chromebox, based on Intel Core processors, are nearly three times as fast as the first-generation Chromebooks. And support for hardware-accelerated graphics, a built-from-scratch multi-touch trackpad and an open-source firmware stack provide a much faster and more responsive computing experience. The new Chromebook boots in less than seven seconds and resumes instantly. With the Chromebox, you can be on a video conference while continuing to play your favorite role-playing game on the side.

An app-centric user interface
With the new user interface you can easily find and launch apps, and use them alongside your browser or other apps. You can pin commonly-used apps for quick access, display multiple windows side-by-side or experience your favorite apps in full-screen mode without any distractions.”

The Next Step in the Journey

Fedora 17 Has Been Released!

Awesome! Check out the new Fedora! It is code named “Beefy Miracle,” but I won’t hold that against it! NOTE: 64 Bit is now the default, 32 bit is still available as an optional download.

Fedora Project – Fedora 17 is out!

“As always, Fedora continues to develop (RedHat contributions) and integrate the latest free and open source software (Fedora 17 Features). The following sections provide a brief overview of major changes from the last release of Fedora.

The following are major features for Fedora 17:

GNOME 3.4 and KDE 4.8
OpenStack, Eucalyptus and Open Nebula
ICC profiles for color printing and an improved gimp
Still more virtualization improvements

Fedora 17 may be installed on most “modern” x86 processors. (There are some “secondary architectures” supported by special interest groups for processors like Power PC, System/390 and ARM).

The minimum processor speed depends on the end use, the method of installation, and the specific hardware. Although some configurations might work on a Pentium 3, most users should consider a Pentium 4 or more modern processor, or the equivalent processor from other manufacturers. Fedora 17 is able to take full advantage of modern, multi-core architectures.

Minimum RAM for text-mode: 768 MiB
Minimum RAM for graphical: 768 MiB
Recommended RAM for graphical: 1152 MiB

Processor and memory requirements for x86_64 architectures:

Minimum RAM for text-mode: 768 MiB
Minimum RAM for graphical: 768 MiB
Recommended RAM for graphical: 1152 MiB

The complete packages can occupy over 9 GB of disk space. Final size is entirely determined by the installing spin and the packages selected during installation. Additional disk space is required during installation to support the installation environment.”

Don’t forget, most of my Fedora Setup crib notes still apply!
https://www.drbill.tv/2012/01/07/geek-software-of-the-week-dr-bills-perfect-fedora-16-build/

Dr. Bill.TV #241 – Video – “The Holiday Throat Clearing Edition”

Google Chrome now the number one browser in the world! Linux kernel 3.4 released, GSotW: Wassup! SpaceX launch successful! Owncloud, your own hosted web drive, the 100 year star ship project, Yahoo’s Axis web browser… a mea culpa!

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Dr. Bill.TV #241 – Audio – “The Holiday Throat Clearing Edition”

Google Chrome now the number one browser in the world! Linux kernel 3.4 released, GSotW: Wassup! SpaceX launch successful! Owncloud, your own hosted web drive, the 100 year star ship project, Yahoo’s Axis web browser… a mea culpa!

Links that pertain to this Netcast:

TechPodcasts Network

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Available on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/WXmlkwZeny4

Available on Vimeo at: https://vimeo.com/42977360


Yes, They Are Serious… Interstellar Flight Within 100 Years!

They have been funded by DARPA! You know. The guys that funded the development of the Internet? Wow!

100 Year Space Flight Program

“Mae Jemison and Team Establish 100 Year Starship With Goal to Make Interstellar Space Travel Reality by 2112.

HOUSTON, TX, May 17, 2012 — The Dorothy Jemison Foundation for Excellence has been selected by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to receive seed funding to form 100 Year Starship (100YSS), an independent, non-governmental, long-term initiative which will ensure that the capabilities for human interstellar flight exist as soon as possible, and definitely within the next 100 years. The winning 100YSS proposal, ‘An Inclusive, Audacious Journey Transforms Life Here on Earth and Beyond,’ was created by Dorothy Jemison Foundation for Excellence with team members Icarus Interstellar and the Foundation for Enterprise Development.”

More power to them!

ownCloud – Your Own Cloud Drive on your Own Server

Yes, you can set up your very own cloud drive on your own server to sync your files everywhere. And, there is an ownCloud client for most everything… very cool!

ownCloud – Your Cloud, Your Way!

Your cloud, your Data, Your Way!

“ownCloud is a flexible, open source file sync and share solution. Whether using a mobile device, a workstation, or a web client, ownCloud provides the ability to put the right files at their employees’ fingertips on any device in one simple-to-use, secure, private and controlled solution.

ownCloud comes full of innovative features

From cloud text editing, to a new application store for product and feature extensions, ownCloud is constantly pushing the boundaries of what a file sync and share solution can do.

ownCloud gives you universal access to your files, everywhere

It also provides a platform to easily view & sync your contacts, calendars and bookmarks across all your devices and enables basic editing right on the web.”

Lot’s of devices: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android

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