Storm virus

The Storm Trojan / Bot continues to spread and is now using a YouTube video to lure users. The latest version has a variety of subjects and email bodies but now uses the filename video.exe.

Email subject example: Sheesh man what are you thinkin.

Upon connecting to the URL, which is referenced as a YouTube link but is actually a Storm IP, the same exploit code used in past attacks attempts to run. As in the past if users are not vulnerable they will get a page displayed that requests they run the code manually such as in the screenshot below:

Motorola Q9m

A Windows Mobile 6 smartphone destined for Verizon Wireless. After messing around with it and comparing it with the original Q, it seems quite obvious to the Q9m is a re-skinned Q with a new OS and a number of software enhancements.

Physically, the Q9m is a near masterpiece. It is a simple but good looking device. It is very solidly built, and the metal frame around its edges make it look quite rugged. The soft-touch paint on the back cover has a nice feel to it, and the grippy matte surface on the keyboard is something haven't seen on a phone before. In fact, the QWERTY keyboard on the Q9m is probably the best I have ever used on a Windows Mobile device when it comes to typing. It shares its layout with the original Q, which is its only problem. Prefer if the Q9m had a shift key on both sides of the keyboard instead of just the right. Also would rather have seen a back key in the keyboard layout. As is, users have to rely on the back key that is located next to the d-pad or the one that is located beneath the scroll-wheel on the right hand edge of the phone.

Everything on the Q9m is in nearly the exact same position as on the original Q. For those that count millimeters and grams, its dimensions are 117.5mm x 65mm x 15mm (4.6" x 2.6" x .6"), and it weighs 134g (4.7oz). The only real differences, apart from the keyboard and the choice of materials, are the lack of an IR port on the Q9m and the fact that the d-pad and the plastic keys that surround it have changed slightly in size and position. The new d-pad looks better than the Q's, but I think I prefer the old one for actual use. In any event, it works fine.

How to watch TV on your PC

Feature Watching TV used to be a passive affair: you sat back and watched whatever happened to be on. These days, passivity is passé. Digital Video Recorder (DVR) set-top boxes can pick up programmes beamed out from a terrestrial transmitter, sent via satellite or pumped down a cable and save them on a hard drive so you begin watching five minutes after the show started or at any other time.

You can do all this on a PC too. Getting TV on a PC is just a matter of plugging in one or more TV tuners, either as an internal add-in card or a USB clip-on, and running the control software. While your computer's screen might not be a sharp or as big as the telly in your living room, having TV on your PC does mean you can keep an eye on what's happening in the world while you're at work or at play. It's a doddle to archive recorded shows to DVD, and network connectivity means you can watch on any computer in any room in the house or anywhere outside while you are on vacation.

Hardware:

Picking a TV tuner for your PC can be a confusing task as you'll be faced with a stack of choices and a host of acronyms and abbreviations. The first choice: analogue, digital or both - the so-called hybrid tuner? When we reviewed HP's IQ770 PC, which uses Windows Vista, we found that the analogue TV tuner provided a handful of fuzzy TV stations that were unwatchable. To our mind, the appeal of analogue TV is past, particularly with the upcoming end of analogue broadcasts in the UK and other countries.

TV tuner specialist Hauppauge told us: "Analogue provides two key features: the ability to capture from analogue sources, such as VCRs, and flexibility. USB tuners are often used in more than one place, and digital signals may not be available in all of them."

Indeed, we've used Elgato's EyeTV Hybrid tuner to digitise old VHS tapes that aren't available on DVD.

If you want to watch one digital channel while you record another then you need two tuners. However, there's nothing to stop you going multiple tuners. Windows Media Center is designed to run two tuners. However, we're told that you can hack it to run at least six tuners, should you feel the need. Multi-channel, multi-monitor display system, anyone?

souce: register

Compact Disc: 25 years old

Forgotten Tech The Compact Disc is 25 years old. Though the digital audio format's development stretches back many years before 17 August 1982, that was the date on which the world's first CD pressing plant punched out its very first disc.

According to Philips - with Sony, the format's co-developer - the first disc off the Hanover, Germany production line was Abba's The Visitors. While CD production commenced in August 1982, the format wasn't formally brought to market until November, and then only in Japan. US and European music lovers had to wait until March 1983 for the first discs specifically tailored for them. They embraced the format wholeheartedly.

In the UK, Dire Straits' 1985-released Brothers in Arms was immediately snatched up by early adopters keen to put their new CD players through their paces. It was one of the first CDs produced from a digital master made from digital recordings - a so-called 'DDD' album. But other albums proved even more popular.

For many years, it was claimed record label EMI had a single CD pressing plant to producing copies of Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon, such was the demand for that album. Dark Side of the Moon remains the archetypal CD album - who wants to get up and turn an LP over when you're happily getting intergalactic to the Floyd's spaced-out sounds?
Source: register

Nokia issues battery warning over 46m batteries

Batteries used in a range of Nokia handsets, from the 1100 to the latest E60, are at risk of overheating during charging. Of 300 million BL-5C batteries manufactured by Matsushita Battery Industrial Co. for Nokia last year, 46 million belong to the dodgy batch.

One hundred incidents have already been reported, but none have resulted in explosions, fire, or even a burnt finger. However, Nokia has said if your phone has a BL-5C battery you should probably keep an eye on it when charging.

Or, visit Nokia's website and check your battery's serial number against a list of the dodgy ones. If it appears on the list, Nokia will provide a replacement free of charge. Which is nice.

Though the risk seems minimal, and Nokia is certainly playing down any danger, it's probably worth checking.

Test-driving lunar rovers

NASA is gearing up to put autonomous rovers on the moon for the first time in 2020, so to simulate the lunar conditions, the space agency is testing its robot technology on a remote Arctic crater. Pictured here are two lunar robot prototypes, K10 Black and K10 Red, on expedition to the Haughton Crater at Devon Island, Canada. Credit: NASA

Linux database becomes a browser

"The fashion for "web mashups" just got a steroid boost with the release of a browser that is really a desktop database, with full SQL scripting and the ability to manipulate tabular data found on the Internet.

The browser, Kirix Strata, started life two years ago as a Linux desktop database, said Kirix founder and president, Nate Williams. He told The Register that "the world seemed very excited about it at the time, but sadly, the demand for a Linux desktop database, however powerful, wasn't large... people really wanted server products like MySQL."

Also, the original database lacked two features, said Williams. "People asked us 'Does it do scripting?' and 'Can I work on data in existing files?' and we had to admit, it didn't."

What Strata doesn't lack is muscle. Nate Williams told us that it's a full-blooded database, capable of handling a billion records. "We already have clients using it with 100m record data bases," he said. "We can sort a million records in a minute; so if you sort a ten million record data base, it takes ten minutes."

Even so, Williams and his brother, Kirix Chief Scientist Aaron Williams, felt that the market for a Windows and Linux database on the desktop wasn't going to get them famous: "We felt we wanted to differentiate ourselves a bit, and go beyond a Me-Too product. So we looked at the entire Web as a database, and decided to build a product that would handle that."

Today, as Kirix Strata enters public beta, it takes all those powerful database features, and embeds them in a Gecko-engined specialist browser. A tutorial screen cast will show how the browser works, and it can be downloaded in beta versions for Windows or Linux format.

"When it comes to working with data on the web, standard tools like spreadsheets or even web browsers behave like fish out of water," Williams told us. "Strata puts web data front and centre so you can deal with it in context and then manipulate it quickly." It handles many data formats natively, such as HTML tables, CSV files and RSS feeds. Right-click, and pick a tool, and you have an on-screen, structured table which you can manipulate with your mouse in real time, can control with ECMA standard versions of Javascript, or even, mount a remote MySQL database and link.

"We really didn't think it was worth trying to embed this very powerful database engine as a FireFox extension," said Nate Williams. "There are now quite a few special purpose Gecko-based browsers, like the Flock browser for social networking, or the Songbird music browser. We think that auditors will simply cry out for this ability built into a browser, and we think people are quite willing to try these speciality browsers, nowadays."

In any case, he said, a data engine capable of handling 60 billion records per table would probably never fit into FireFox as an add-on.

In the meantime, Kirix is building up a list of web sites with CSV and structured data, which would otherwise require tedious manipulations with mark, cut, and paste into spreadsheets or standalone databases, but which Strata can simply manipulate directly.

"We're asking people to try it out for us and let us know if they run into problems or have any suggestions for making it better," said Williams. "To return the favour, we're giving our free licences of the final version to anyone who provide us with good feedback during the beta period. Check the beta information page for further details." ®"
source: register

Can't Log On to Windows XP?

If that's your only problem, then you probably have nothing to worry about. As long as you have your Windows XP CD, you can get back into your system using a simple but effective method made possible by a little known access hole in Windows XP.

This method is easy enough for newbies to follow. it doesn't require using the Recovery Console or any complicated commands. And it's free - I mention that because you can pay $200 for an emergency download of Winternals ERD with Locksmith which is a utility for unlocking lost Windows passwords. See here:

http://www.winternals.com/products/repairandrecovery/locksmith.asp

ERD is an excellent multi purpose product, but you should know it is not a necessary one if you have a healthy system and your sole problem is the inability to logon to Windows due to a forgotten password. Not necessary because you can easily change or wipe out your Administrator password for free during a Windows XP Repair. Here's how with a step-by-step description of the initial Repair process included for newbie's.

1. Place your Windows XP CD in your cd-rom and start your computer (it's assumed here that your XP CD is bootable as it should be - and that you have your bios set to boot from CD)

2. Keep your eye on the screen messages for booting to your cd Typically, it will be Press any key to boot from cd.

3. Once you get in, the first screen will indicate that Setup is inspecting your system and loading files.

4. When you get to the Welcome to Setup screen, press ENTER to Setup Windows now.

5. The Licensing Agreement comes next - Press F8 to accept it.

6. The next screen is the Setup screen which gives you the option to do a Repair. It should read something like, If one of the following Windows XP installation is damaged, Setup can try to repair it. Use the up and down arrow keys to select your XP installation (if you only have one, it should already be selected) and press R to begin the Repair process.

7. Let the Repair run. Setup will now check your disks and then start copying files which can take several minutes.

8. Shortly after the Copying Files stage, you will be required to reboot. (this will happen automatically, you will see a progress bar stating ?Your computer will reboot in 15 seconds.

9. During the reboot, do not make the mistake of pressing any key to boot from the CD again! Setup will resume automatically with the standard billboard screens and you will notice Installing Windows is highlighted.

10. Keep your eye on the lower left hand side of the screen and when you see the Installing Devices progress bar, press SHIFT + F10. This is the security hole! A command console will now open up giving you the potential for wide access to your system.

11. At the prompt, type NUSRMGR.CPL and press Enter. You have just gained graphical access to your User Accounts in the Control Panel.

12. Now simply pick the account you need to change and remove or change your password as you prefer. If you want to log on without having to enter your new password, you can type control userpasswords2 at the prompt and choose to log on without being asked for password. After you?ve made your changes close the windows, exit the command box and continue on with the Repair (have your Product key handy).

13. Once the Repair is done, you will be able to log on with your new password (or without a password if you choose not to use one or if you chose not to be asked for a password). Your programs and personalized settings should remain intact.

I tested the above on Windows XP Pro with and without SP1 and also used this method in a real situation where someone could not remember their password and it worked like a charm to fix the problem. This security hole allows access to more than just user accounts. You can also access the Registry and Policy Editor, for example. And its gui access with mouse control. Of course, a Product Key will be needed to continue with the Repair after making the changes, but for anyone intent on gaining access to your system, this would be no problem.

And in case you are wondering, NO, you cannot cancel install after making the changes and expect to logon with your new password.

Cancelling will just result in Setup resuming at bootup and your changes will be lost.

Ok, now that your logon problem is fixed, you should make a point to prevent it from ever happening again by creating a Password Reset Disk. This is a floppy disk you can use in the event you ever forget your log on password. It allows you to set a new password.

Here's how to create one if your computer is NOT on a domain:

* Go to the Control Panel and open up User Accounts.
* Choose your account (under Pick An Account to Change) and under Related Tasks, click
"Prevent a forgotten password".
* This will initiate a wizard.
* Click Next and then insert a blank formatted floppy disk into your A: drive.
* Click Next and enter your logon password in the password box.
* Click Next to begin the creation of your Password disk.
* Once completed, label and save the disk to a safe place

How to Log on to your PC Using Your Password Reset Disk

Start your computer and at the logon screen, click your user name and leave the password box blank or just type in anything. This will bring up a Logon Failure box and you will then see the option to use your Password Reset disk to create a new password. Click it which will initiate the Password Reset wizard. Insert your password reset disk into your floppy drive and follow the wizard which will let you choose a new password to use for your account.

Note: If your computer is part of a domain, the procedure for creating a password disk is different.

Given below is the step by step instructions:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;306214&

Book Composed on Cell Phone

An Italian writer decided to put his nokia mobile phone to good use during his daily commute to and from work -- by writing a book.

Robert Bernocco, an IT professional took advantage of his travel time by writing a 384-page science fiction novel, "Compagni di Viaggo" (Fellow Travelers), on his Nokia using the phone's T9 typing system.

"It really was a time management issue. He had a book in him and really wanted to write it but found he just didn't have the time to sit and do it on a computer," said Gail Jordan, PR director at the book's publishers, Lulu.com.

Writing in standard Italian rather than text-message shorthand, Bernocco divided his manuscript into short paragraphs, saved them on his phone and then downloaded them onto his home computer for proof reading and editing.

"Only a few years ago I would have struggled to find both the time and the publisher to enable me to create this book," Bernocco said in a statement. "Thanks to my Nokia and Lulu, I am now proud to be a published author."

Lulu.com has more than a million registered members and was developed by Canadian businessman Bob Young to publish books, videos and multimedia on the Internet.

"The fact that this gentleman had this -- no pun intended -- novel idea to do it off his phone and found it so simple to then upload it on our site and create a book speaks exactly to what we do, we are time saving for people," Jordan told Reuters.

There are about 323,000 items published on lulu.com. Bernocco's book is currently ranked at 19,720 by sales and can be purchased for $17.38.
Source: Reuters