Computer Hardware and Software
Posts tagged Software
Botnet with integrated copy protection
Mar 19th
The current version of the ZeuS botnet uses classical copy protection mechanisms to prevent the use of unlicensed pirate copies. ZeuS is a malware toolkit used, for instance, to steal online banking data. The basic version currently costs about $3,000 to $4,000.
Security firm SecureWorks has discovered that the ZeuS server only works with a system specific key. Similar to the Windows OS, the malware creates a kind of fingerprint of the respective hardware configuration when first started. The vendor then provides the user with a personalised licence key for this configuration.
The ZeuS server is responsible for controlling the botnet. It communicates with the infected computers – the bots –, it receives the data they provide and issues commands, etc. The client software injected on victims’ systems of course does not require a licence key. Extensive division of labour has existed in the malware scene for some time. Many gangs use the professional ZeuS software which is modular and can – for a fee – be extended to include, for instance, different Windows versions or browsers. By using a licence management system, the product has reached a new level of professionalism.
Windows 7 vs. Ubuntu 9.04 EyeCandy
Mar 2nd
I just found this nice video in Youtube:
You think thats impressive? Me too 
Looks cool – but do you really need all this eyecandy stuff? I like Windows 7 because it is just the right amount of visual cool looking stuff so you are able to work as efficient as possible. But this varies between each person.
PS: I have UBUNTU 9.10 as second multiboot system and it is really helpfull to impress other people 
5 ways Bing is better than Google
Feb 28th
With Google’s unchecked domination of the Search business, it’s sometimes tough to remember that there are viable alternatives out there.
Indeed, Google currently controls a commanding 72% of the search market, according to Experian Hitwise. However, the search market is seeing an interesting shift right now, as Yahoo continues to lose ground to Bing. With the recent US and EU approval of a search deal between Yahoo and Bing, it appears that the search market will soon become a two horse race between Google and Bing.
Bing has taken the fight to Google, and amazingly, Bing has Google beaten in a few big areas. Read the rest of this entry »
Peeking into Windows’s virtual store
Feb 22nd
In the user data area in Windows Vista, Server 2008 and Seven there is a folder called “VirtualStore” which you can find in C:\Users\[USERNAME]\AppData\Local\ .
It is worth having a peek now and again. Here’s part of mine:
image showing my VirtualStore folder
But what exactly is that folder for?
The Virtual Store is a feature of User Account Control, the centerpiece of Windows’ new enhanced security. Read the rest of this entry »
TweetMyPC version 3 released!
Feb 16th
About
TweetMyPC is a little software-application for Windows, written in VB.Net using the .Net-Framework v3.0, which allows you to control and access your computer from anywhere by simply sending a twitter-message with a special command as its content.
Why twitter?
Most time when you want to connect two personal computers you need a Read the rest of this entry »
Windows 7 in 7 Minutes
Feb 15th
You are a developer and you write /are going to write Software for Windows Seven?
If you can answer both Questions with yes, then take a look at these short but verry informative videos at: http://www.msdev.com/Directory/SeriesDescription.aspx?CourseId=151
Windows 7 in 7 Minutes!Get to know Windows 7, 7 minutes at a time! In this series of short, code-focused videos you’ll see how to take advantage of the great new [Business Decision Maker, Technical Decision Maker, Developer] features in Windows 7. Each video is under seven minutes long, so you can check out a new video in less time than it takes to check your mail or grab your morning cup of coffee!
Q. What is Windows 7 XP mode?
Feb 5th
A. Windows XP Mode is available in the Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate editions of Windows 7. It is essentially two things: the new version of Virtual PC, called Windows Virtual PC, and a Windows XP Professional SP3 virtual machine (VM) configured with Windows Firewall and automatic updates enabled. XP Mode could be preinstalled on new computers if OEMs choose to install it, and the mode will also be available as a download from Microsoft.
Windows 7 hides the XP VM from the desktop user. Applications that will only run on Windows XP are executed within the VM, but the application window is displayed on the Windows 7 desktop, offering the end user a seamless experience. Applications installed on the VM will also be displayed in the Windows 7 Start menu and can be pinned to the Task Bar. Redirection of user data folders is performed with XP Mode, so when a user accesses an application running in XP Mode they still see their normal document folders.
XP Mode is essentially just running a VM on Windows 7 with seamless application execution. Organizations that use this technology will probably also want to integrate with Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization (MED-V), which is part of the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP), to get better management of the Windows XP image.
To enable the Windows XP Mode, your processor must support virtualization (it must have AMD-V or Intel VT) and virtualization must be enabled in the BIOS.
The inclusion of XP Mode will allow organizations to adopt Windows 7, even with applications that don’t run on Windows 7, by running the applications in the VM. Long-term applications should still be updated to run natively on Windows 7, however, to allow the VM to be retired. Running applications natively provides better performance and less management overhead than the maintenance required on the Windows XP image.
Newsletter: Springboard Series Insider: Volume 2, No. 2
Feb 3rd
Yesterday I signed up to many Microsoft Newsletters and today I received this really interesting and helpfull one called Springboard Series Insiders. If you are a System Administrator / Developer or just interested in Microsoft technologies, then you should sign up to this newsletter now at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/default.aspx?ITPID=insider .
But here now the newsletter: Read the rest of this entry »
Viruses for Linux mean Linux is getting Mainstream?
Jan 30th
Freetards have long held the belief that Linux is immune to viruses. None of them will be able to give a clear reason as to why this is, but they generally believe that its because Linux is so much better written. They ignore the fact that with a 1% marketshare and unstable API, Linux is a very small moving target that will garner little press should a virus actually strike.
However, when a malicious virus was discovered in several screen savers on an Ubuntu theme site the freetard spin went into overdrive. Some going as far as to claim that viruses are an indication that Linux has gone mainstream.
“In my eyes this is just an indication that Linux has made it big. This should be a milestone for distributions.”
You can’t have it both ways freetards! You can’t tell everyone to use Linux because its more secure and doesn’t get viruses, then immediately turn around and claim that the viruses are a good sign.
PS: If you don’t agree with this, just post a link to this blog somewhere and then discuss it with other people. If you still think, this is wrong, feel free to write a comment 