Basic Info & Resources re: Conficker Worm

*Updated 2x* (with the usual edits; + additional related news item; + important update)

If you happen to be anything like me, at least when it comes to computer tech stuff, then you’ve probably been very concerned about whether your computer is either vulnerable or already infected with a version of the Conficker worm and most of the information provided thus far is so technical it is over one’s head and leaves one unsure of what to do.

If so, the below listed tools and news articles they were found within may be of assistance.

However, as the news articles indicate, remember the danger from these worms is not over by any means and, since they seem to be waking up and the trouble caused by them is only starting to emerge, it will pay to be highly vigilant and be very careful about what one clicks upon and what attachments one opens no matter who they are from.

Thus it may be good to check from time to time, particularly if one’s computer starts acting up.

If one works for an agency, organization or business that has tech people or, is a small business person who has someone providing computer tech assistance, it may be good to consider asking them for their advice and definitely heed them on it: i.e., do exactly what they say; and, if one has additional questions, make sure to ask — and, if need be, request translations into plain English if at all possible.

My rules for myself include never to open an attachment from anyone that has been obviously forwarded from someone else and I am also careful about opening anything sent directly from someone as well.

In addition, if I have any doubts about an attachment, I do not open it. It also pays to be careful about clicking onto embedded links within e-mails and the like as well or so I have been told anyway.

Likewise and, by way of example, if I have any doubts about some window or pop up that pops up when visiting a Website, page or blog, then I do not click onto any aspect of it and open the task manager in order to close it if need be.

Then I just hope I remember to follow my own rules, something I may not always remember to do when I get real tired; which is why an additional rule is to shut down my computer before I get too tired and easily do something I’ll regret afterwards.

Please know, however, I am no techie at all and am just as clueless as many others out there about this and other such stuff (yet understand enough that it is too easy to get tripped up by all the clever tricks employed by hackers and cyber-villains of various types, etc.).

Thus, if any of this has one in doubt and there are questions about these matters, it is best to make sure to ask someone trusted implicitly concerning computer tech stuff and also do one’s own careful research.

Yet, above all, beware and stay alert out there.

That said, …

Check to see if your computer is infected, fyi:

Conficker tools:

• Conficker Eye Chart: via Conficker Work Group;
• University of Bonn: Conficker Online Infection Indicator;
• Rid your computer of the Conficker virus (via CNET Download blog)

Above links found via below two news stories:

• Conficker Wakes Up: Internet Worm Carrying Damaging Software Is Updating, Researchers Say (via CBS News: CNET Tech News; April 9, 2009);
• Researchers: Conficker All About Money: Computer Worm Will Likely Send Spam Or Steal Data From Infected PCs (via CBS News: CNET Tech News; April 10, 2009)

In addition, read a recent Vermont news story concerning these matters: Worm shuts down state’s computers (via Times Argus; Saturday, April 11, 2009), as well as also available, here (via Rutland Herald).

*Important Update*: My cousin who is a professional computer security technician sent me the following advice:

Don’t forget the two most important rules -

1. Get a good anti virus and keep it updated.
2. Make sure you get your Windows Updates.

Do these two things religiously, and your chances of getting a worm/virus are greatly diminished.

The only thing I would add is that it is advisable for anyone who uses a high speed Internet connection to also have a good quality firewall or otherwise a good quality full security suite that includes a firewall as well as anti-virus and anti-spyware protection, etc. and, make sure to keep them up-to-date as well as renewed of course.

*Note*: made several edits for the purposes of clarification and readability; added an important update; last updated on Monday, April 13, 2009 at 11:00 AM (EDT).

Big Dreams, Tiny Houses

Video Credit: Eva Sollberger, Stuck in Vermont, 7Days, here (11/19/2008).

Additional information as well as several related photos, here (via Tiny House blog; 11/22/2008).

Read more about Peter King as well as his Vermont Tiny Houses dream and projects, here (via Burlington Free Press; 3/7/2009).

BFP Live Vermont State House Coverage

View both the Burlington Free Press live blogging of the event(s) as well as the live video feed, here.

Peter Freyne, 1949-2009

*Updated 7x*

Details, here (via Blurt; 7Days Staff blog; Wednesday, January 7, 2009).

*Update*: Additional tributes to Peter Freyne:

• Vermont View, posted by Sue Allen
• Vermont Daily View, posted by Philip Baruth
• Green Mountain Daily, posted by Jack McCullough
• vt.Buzz, posted by Sam Hemingway
• iBrattleboro, posted by Christian Avard
• vt.Buzz, posted by Terri Hallenbeck
• CCTV

Read an Associated Press news article, here (via Times Argus; Wednesday, January 7, 2009).

Read or listen to a news report, here (via Vermont Public Radio; Wednesday, January 7, 2009).

In addition, read another article, here, as well as an editorial, here (via Times Argus; Thursday, January 8, 2009).

WCAX – Channel 3 TV – News has a news report, here (Wednesday, January 7, 2009).

A remembrance by Ross Sneyd, here (via VPR; Thursday, January 8, 2009).

*Note*: posted an update; included additional tributes; posted additional links; posted even more links; posted an additional tribute link; last updated on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at 6:23 PM (EST).

Crazy, Insane?

*Updated* (with the usual edits)

This morning after writing an initial version of the following and sending it out to some of those on my e-networks and, then after doing a rewrite, I submitted this version for publication as commentary to Counterpoint:

Crazy, Insane?

by Morgan W. Brown

Stigma defined:

In sociological theory, a stigma is an attribute, behavior, or reputation which is socially discrediting in a particular way: it causes an individual to be mentally classified by others in an undesirable, rejected stereotype rather than in an accepted, normal one.

via Wikipedia, here.

Although it is not really anything new when it comes to both society in general as well as within political circles at various levels and, the news media that covers such, it seems it is becoming even more common than usual for people and particularly the news media to describe or term in one manner or another and for one reason or another anyone as crazy or insane who they or others disagree with, do not understand or fail to accept.

Recent examples include the embattled Governor of Illinois who is being publicly tried within the press as well as the person he appointed to serve as U.S Senator to fill the seat of President-elect Barack Obama. However there are a multitude of examples provided on nearly a daily basis.

It also seems that these portrayals go completely unchecked. The problem is real and serious and it is just not one of being too sensitive about it or one of being politically correct either.

Not only are these stigmatizing (read: prejudicial) acts of negative labeling and public shaming damaging, they also raise issues concerning how, why and when our society labels others as crazy, insane or mentally ill anyone who they might disagree with, do not understand or fail to accept in one form or another, which is more of a political, moral or social form of oppression and exclusion in order to justify prejudice and discrimination.

These stigmatizing and prejudicial acts in fact act to neutralize and limit those so labeled, causing others to instantly question anything the person says or does, in effect marginalizing them by limiting their free speech rights as well as other rights, since through this process they are not to be taken seriously and this appears to be the aim.

As many already well know, this behavior then has an effect of how people think and act regarding those who become diagnosed with serious and persistent mental illnesses as well as how people so labeled perceive themselves. something which can also have the potential of adding to the numbers of those who attempt or actually commit suicide.

In addition, these matters should also raise issues, concerns and questions about psychiatric diagnosing, labels and labeling in general, whom gets diagnosed or labeled and who does the labeling as well as the actual basis or roots such is based or judged upon.

While there are those who are working on these and related matters, there remains a growing need to find various means to begin to push back against the free for all taking place, particularly via the media in a variety of ways.

This is something that has been concerning me for quite some time now, but the continued daily bombardments of these forms of negative labeling and public humilation with political overtones is getting too overwhelming to be allowed to go virtually unchecked and not call such into question.

Concerning what to do or how to do so, at the moment I have no suggestions to offer, yet it is my hope the means can be found.

One approach of course is to exercise what one person had once mentioned to me in such instances: i.e., something along the lines of:

Free speech that bothers us can only be countered with more free speech.

These are among some of my thoughts on the subject, what are yours?

*Note*: made several edits for the purposes of clarification and readability; last updated on Friday, January 9, 2009 at 6:54 AM (EST).

This Just In & Its News to Me Too!

Social networking through online chess; video via CNET

Video: Social networking through online chess. Even if you just checkmated your new friend in India or took your Russian opponent’s rook, new chess Web sites like Chess.com are encouraging niche social networking. CNET News.com’s Kara Tsuboi sat down with the site’s founder to find out what has attracted more than 100,000 members in less than a year.

View Original Article [via CNET].

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Champlain Connection: Trail Cams

via WPTZ – channel 5 TV – news YouTube page

North American Homeless News Network (NAHNN) is Back!

The North American Homeless News Network (NAHNN) is back!: nahnn.blogspot.com

The North American Homeless News Network (NAHNN) is an effort to provide notice of news items, columns and other information available online concerning homelessness and related matters in a central location.

Featured on NAHNN as well will be a selection of original articles, columns, essays and poetry written by people who are homeless or formerly homeless.

NAHNN has no paid staff.

While I cannot promise how frequently I will be able to post to this particular blog, after a rather lengthy hiatus of three and a half (3 1/2) years or so, I figured it was time to bring NAHNN back again.

[above earth/globe graphic via Not In Our Name Earth/Globe Graphics page, here]

[cross-posted to Homelessness Marathon blog, here]

Montpelier Alerts

*Updated*

Montpelier Alerts [via Google Groups]

[...]

Activity Low – 1 recent authors

Description This group has been established to send messages to businesses and residents of Montpelier, Vermont for important civic issues, particularly updates on emergency situations like the flood dangers that the city is facing.

[...]

Access Anybody can view group content
Only managers can view group members list
Anyone can join
Only managers can create and edit pages
Only managers can upload files
Announcement only

[...]

[via About this group]

[came across this informational resource via the Official City of Montpelier Website: 2007 Public Flood Monitoring Page]

*Update*: Read an article concerning Montpelier flood-evacuation routes released [via Times Argus; 3/8/2007].

[cross-posted to Montpelier Matters, here]

*Note*: last updated on Thursday, March 8, 2007at 4:07 PM [EST].