Microsoft – Page 20 – Paul's Tech Talk

A fan wants to Release Windows 7 Now : My Security Concerns

PaulJanuary 29, 2009

After reading about this from PcWorld, I’ve went to check this site out. I went to his twitter accoun(Kelly Poe) to find out the site he put up and I am quite impressed. Here are few things that I am concerned about starting with the website.

[ad#ad2-right]I love the idea and all but I am quite concerned with the privacy of my email account. I don’t know if you have to submit your email account but I would caution people not enter one until the site says what it will do with your email address.

Now that being said that’s the only thing I can think of when it comes to security for your email address, you don’t want to someone to give out your email address to spammers. That would just make it even worse for your email account. You could however use a 10 min Email account to use but that might make it harder for Microsoft to contact you if they want to verify these accounts!!

Now my main concern is Windows 7 right now and Security. You know the Conflicker/Conflickr/Downadup Worm is currently loose on the internet. It uses the the Ms 08-067 Exploit and currently Windows 7 does not protect against this Worm in fact Microsoft has released information that you would need to install the updates manually to fix this problem.

Some vendors are yet to develop for Windows 7 beta due to it being a beta. Some others like Security Vendors are offering protection for Windows 7 Beta. This is mainly the Anti-virus software group, I would like to see more people embrace windows 7 as much as the security groups. Although this is the first step it would need to be more open response from Manufacturers and dealers alike they would need to get it to work making sure their drivers and such will work good with Windows 7. This is where it takes time, that is why I am glad it is a beta, it allows vendors and Companies a like a chance to test out their software and Hardware and even their drivers before the release.

Before I support this, I would like to see more happen to Windows 7 in some areas. For instance I’d like to see more compatability and more drivers and software that works for Windows 7. I’d also like to see Microsoft to take Windows 7 Beta Serious and Keep the Security up on it and not let it lapse. I’d want Microsoft to send out patches for Vulnerabilities just like Vista and keep people’s system updated so you don’t have to update them manually. I just hope Microsoft takes Apple’s example to heart and release Windows 7 without having to have several versions of the same Operating System.

MikeTechSHow Listener Roundtable Jan 24, 2009

PaulJanuary 25, 2009

We had a great discussion on Windows 7 Beta and I wanted to post this so people can download it and check it out themselves. You have an idea for the next round table, just leave a comment and I’ll let Mike know. I enjoyed this one so much and can’t wait for the next one!!

Miketechshow Listener Roundtable

[If your at my post, Hover over link to listen to it]

Mike Smith – Host of The Miketechshow Podcast

Paul – Tech-LinkBlog

Daniel – Podcast Reviews Podcast

Norbert – Totally Cool Tech Podcast

Winston Wolf

Show Links –

Windows 7 Beta

VMware

Microsoft Virtual PC 2007

AVG Free AV for Windows 7 Beta

Windows PowerShell

Please feel free and visit the Miketechshow website, and if you like his site please come back. Don’t forget to visit the Miketechshow Forums and check it out. Who knows you might be able to help someone out from time to time.

Microsoft to Cut 5,000 Jobs Starting Today:

PaulJanuary 22, 2009

There are reports that Microsoft will start laying people off starting Today Jan 22, 2009.
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Microsoft said it will cut up to 5,000 jobs in research and development, marketing, sales, finance, legal, human resources and IT over the next 18 months. The first 1,400 jobs will be cut Thursday.

[ViaPcWorld]

I really hate to see this happen but I did suspect this to happen. I get a feeling this isn’t the last we will see of Microsoft doing something like this. I would suspect it will become even more than 5,000 jobs. I will take a guess and say 16,000 will be the total or close to it. If you want to see the other layoffs I’ve talked here are few:

Google Search

Largest Employer : University of Pittsburgh Medical Center is planning layoffs!!

Mahalo Lay’s off around 10% of it’s workforce!!

Viacom and ATT layoff some people. (12,850 People)

I have several differnent articles about the layoffs but I did speculate they will lay off 16,000 people so I am sure it will happen in the next few months. Only time will tell!!!

Apple’s Not immune after all

PaulJanuary 21, 2009

In a recent post from the San Internet Storm Center:

Apple

APPLE-SA-2009-01-21 QuickTime 7.6: Multiple vulnerabilities all them referencing “arbitrary code execution”. (CVE-2009-0001, CVE-2009-0002, CVE-2009-0003, CVE-2009-0004, CVE-2009-0005,CVE-2009-0006, and CVE-2009-0007)

APPLE-SA-2009-01-21 QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component: arbitrary code execution. (CVE-2009-0008)

[ad#ad2-right]Apple has said they will not say yes or no to this report and that they will be investigating this fully. I’ve been saying Apple needs to get it’s head out of the sand. According to Apple these effect both Mac’s and Microsoft so they are a software related vulnerability. Soon or later someone will want to create a botnet and infect Macintosh’s with virus or even a worm just to show apple that they could. In a recent article from PcWorld, They talk about a Trojan called OSX.RSPlug.D. This will just increase the fact that they are going to start targeting a OSX because of the lack security. Apple, Needs to get it together and start patching just as much as Microsoft.

In Any case It is time to update the software and maybe think about installing anti-virus software also. Although the Mpeg-2 Playback Component vulnerability is for Windows Vista, XP SP2 and SP3. You can see where a hacker would use that for a windows system very easily. So you must be careful what you click on and remember that your no longer safe. You know how they will want to test out the waters for OSX just because they could so this year I predict Apple will start having even more Malware and Viruses than ever before.

Security Researchers warn of potential flaws in Windows

PaulJanuary 21, 2009

I read an article today from Techworld. I wanted to Discuss this in detail. I also found some links that suggest that Techworld is right.

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Andrew Storms, director of security operations at nCircle Network Security, speculated that the latest bugs were found by researchers using information disclosed in SMB fixes Microsoft released in October and November.[va Techworld]

According to my investigation, and I have been looking. I found a few SMB Vulnerabilities. One of them is CVE-2008-4835 and CVE-2008-4834. These two are capable of Remote Code Execution, and are Consider very High on the Impact list and all.

So Did people find these exploits or vulnerabilities from the last MS 08-067 patch? I would have to conclude it is a real possibility.

Although Microsoft did patch those holes this month. I grow to wonder just how much these hackers keeping the IT professionals on there toes. I hope people updated their system to prevent another worm because you don’t want the worm like Downadup Do you? I am sure there will be a worm or a virus that will exploit this in time, and I think sooner or later someone will use this just like the other one.