Sorry, guys. A little pause for the cause, as it were:
If you've come to the old URL, you noticed we moved... the URL just isn't redirecting and no one seems to know why. I've pretty much exhausted all my options on this end, so I'm going to give them a call today and see what we can do with it.
Meanwhile, I got the flu and have been down for nearly a week now, so...
You can check out both the Dark Conspiracy and Champions sections, both of which have gotten a nice upgrade lately.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
A worm's-eye view of the Web.
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Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
Bill Gates Puts a Hit Out on the Guy Who Created the Conflicker
Microsoft is offering a $1/4 million reward to anyone who can lead them to the programmer who developed the Downadup/Conflicker virus! Technically, Microsoft is calling the reward a "bounty" and said it considers the worm - which has infected millions of systems since its release last October - a criminal attack. The Cyberculturalist agrees.
The Downadup virus is particularly effective, passing from computer to computer through USB hubs, removable data sticks, and similar methods. It collects usernames and passwords, and checks in with its distributors through a website to which it reports its findings.
The Conflicker is one of a new kind of trojan/worm which creates domains and passes the information it collects along to its creators who wait to use it. When triggered, the virus can command control of infected machines, sending out bulk spam and more. This particular virus has yet to be triggered.
While Microsoft insists they have not seen an infection outbreak like this since 2003-04, cynics say the majority of the infected computers are overseas - particularly among those with pirated copies of the Windows OS.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
The Downadup virus is particularly effective, passing from computer to computer through USB hubs, removable data sticks, and similar methods. It collects usernames and passwords, and checks in with its distributors through a website to which it reports its findings.
The Conflicker is one of a new kind of trojan/worm which creates domains and passes the information it collects along to its creators who wait to use it. When triggered, the virus can command control of infected machines, sending out bulk spam and more. This particular virus has yet to be triggered.
While Microsoft insists they have not seen an infection outbreak like this since 2003-04, cynics say the majority of the infected computers are overseas - particularly among those with pirated copies of the Windows OS.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Labels:
cybercrime,
industry,
microsoft,
security
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Technical Difficulties
If you have been trying to access The Cyberculturalist through its old URL (cyberculture.theweirding.net), you know it has not been resolving. Hopefully, we have cleared that up now, though it may take a while for it to actually get working. The new URL is www.cyberculturalist.com and you should update your bookmarks and URLs to reflect this.
For whatever reason, we are having issues with redirections on this end, so http://cyberculturalist.com and cyberculture.theweirding.net are not redirecting to this URL properly. We are working to resolve the issue, but for now, the best way to make sure you get to the blog is by coming directly to www.cyberculturalist.com.
Thanks for your patience!
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
For whatever reason, we are having issues with redirections on this end, so http://cyberculturalist.com and cyberculture.theweirding.net are not redirecting to this URL properly. We are working to resolve the issue, but for now, the best way to make sure you get to the blog is by coming directly to www.cyberculturalist.com.
Thanks for your patience!
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Labels:
cybercrime,
cyberwarfare,
the cyberculturalist
Monday, February 9, 2009
Texas Couple Files Defamation Suits Against Topix Commenters
A Texas couple is filing libel and defamation suits against posters in a Topix forum concerning their alleged participation in a sexual assault. While the commenters thought they were anonymous, and Topix plans to protect their real identities up to a point, if their comments are found to be libelous, Topix has said it will cooperate with lawyers and divulge their identities.
Nearly 2000 comments were recorded on the topic, many of which were quite explicit and went far beyond the scope of the criminal charges, after the couple (along with another man) were accused of sexually assaulting a woman. Mark Lesher, the husband involved, told The Dallas Morning News, "They were perverted, sick, vile, inhumane accusations," which his lawyer says amounted to "persecution."
A jury found the couple (and the other man) not guilty, but the posters in the Topix forum were not dissuaded. So the Leshers sued 178 anonymous users of the forum and a judge has ordered Topix to turn over the names of those users. The site has until March 6th to comply.
While the First Amendment does allow Freedom of Speech, there are limitations. And while the Leshers were "public figures" due to their involvement in the publicized trial, they were not public figures before and that does not excuse the commenters' libelous actions.
The Cyberculturalist will follow this story's developments.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Nearly 2000 comments were recorded on the topic, many of which were quite explicit and went far beyond the scope of the criminal charges, after the couple (along with another man) were accused of sexually assaulting a woman. Mark Lesher, the husband involved, told The Dallas Morning News, "They were perverted, sick, vile, inhumane accusations," which his lawyer says amounted to "persecution."
A jury found the couple (and the other man) not guilty, but the posters in the Topix forum were not dissuaded. So the Leshers sued 178 anonymous users of the forum and a judge has ordered Topix to turn over the names of those users. The site has until March 6th to comply.
While the First Amendment does allow Freedom of Speech, there are limitations. And while the Leshers were "public figures" due to their involvement in the publicized trial, they were not public figures before and that does not excuse the commenters' libelous actions.
The Cyberculturalist will follow this story's developments.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Labels:
cyberculture,
legal
Sunday, February 8, 2009
The Cyberculturalist Has Moved
We now have our own domain name, as you may have noticed. Please update your RSS feeds and bookmarks to point here. Thanks!
We will also be undergoing some serious redesigning and other changes over the next several weeks. The Cyberculturalist, like all of The Weirding's other blogs, are more than just blogs; they are entire departments dedicated to bringing you the most from their subjects, both across the Web as well as offline.
The Cyberculturalist is particularly important in this regard, as I intend to provide you with a first-hand account of the Web's development as I experience(d) it. As a BBS sysop prior to the Web's true emergence, and an early adopter of the technology, I was literally around when the Web was finding its way and I have some insight into the history of its development, as well as the sociology involved.
But beyond that, I want you to get the most out of the Web and provide you with the best information available on how to do that, while keeping abreast of changes in the technology and particularly advancements in how the Web is used and its "real-world" (or IRL) implications. Further, I have made more time to dedicate to The Cyberculturalist, so more posts will appear regularly.
Please bear with us as we find our way and take a moment to donate whatever information or suggestions you have that will make this better and stronger. Thanks!
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
We will also be undergoing some serious redesigning and other changes over the next several weeks. The Cyberculturalist, like all of The Weirding's other blogs, are more than just blogs; they are entire departments dedicated to bringing you the most from their subjects, both across the Web as well as offline.
The Cyberculturalist is particularly important in this regard, as I intend to provide you with a first-hand account of the Web's development as I experience(d) it. As a BBS sysop prior to the Web's true emergence, and an early adopter of the technology, I was literally around when the Web was finding its way and I have some insight into the history of its development, as well as the sociology involved.
But beyond that, I want you to get the most out of the Web and provide you with the best information available on how to do that, while keeping abreast of changes in the technology and particularly advancements in how the Web is used and its "real-world" (or IRL) implications. Further, I have made more time to dedicate to The Cyberculturalist, so more posts will appear regularly.
Please bear with us as we find our way and take a moment to donate whatever information or suggestions you have that will make this better and stronger. Thanks!
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Labels:
the cyberculturalist
Friday, February 6, 2009
Can't Turn on Firewall - Windows
A lot of the posts coming up are about my repairing my computer following intermittent connectivity issues. I still insist the original issues were with the signal itself and the resulting issues were due to my having to End Task and Reboot so often while attempting to reestablish it, but nevertheless, I am able to get back online now.
Let me back up: While I installed MS Office 2003 days before this all took place, and the last updates occurred several days before as well, uninstalling MS Office 2003 made a world of difference. In fact, if I can get everything else working correctly, I'm going back to my original configuration -- which, although the company strongly suggests not to do it, worked great for eight months before this.
Anyway, I got a copy of ZoneAlarm Pro and I've had nothing but troubles with it. While I know it's a solid firewall providing me excellent protection, it doesn't matter how many times I check the little dialogue boxes, it always asks me to confirm every, little action. I'm pretty sure there's a setting somewhere in the morass what is ZoneAlarm Pro that would settle this, I don't have time for all that. So I decided to switch back to Windows Firewall.
If only it were that easy!
It kept telling me it couldn't start. I found my way to the Windows Firewall control panel, which told me Firewall was not using the recommended settings. But when I pressed that, it gave me another error. That was when I remembered Services! But, just to be sure, I did a quick search. Sure enough, forums were filled with users complaining of the same issue but there were no direct solutions (though a few did offhandedly mention the service must not be started).
If you come across this issue, follow these steps:
Services are an entire post unto themselves and will be covered in the future.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Let me back up: While I installed MS Office 2003 days before this all took place, and the last updates occurred several days before as well, uninstalling MS Office 2003 made a world of difference. In fact, if I can get everything else working correctly, I'm going back to my original configuration -- which, although the company strongly suggests not to do it, worked great for eight months before this.
Anyway, I got a copy of ZoneAlarm Pro and I've had nothing but troubles with it. While I know it's a solid firewall providing me excellent protection, it doesn't matter how many times I check the little dialogue boxes, it always asks me to confirm every, little action. I'm pretty sure there's a setting somewhere in the morass what is ZoneAlarm Pro that would settle this, I don't have time for all that. So I decided to switch back to Windows Firewall.
If only it were that easy!
It kept telling me it couldn't start. I found my way to the Windows Firewall control panel, which told me Firewall was not using the recommended settings. But when I pressed that, it gave me another error. That was when I remembered Services! But, just to be sure, I did a quick search. Sure enough, forums were filled with users complaining of the same issue but there were no direct solutions (though a few did offhandedly mention the service must not be started).
If you come across this issue, follow these steps:
- All Programs -> Accessories -> Administrative Tools -> Services
- Windows Firewall
- Change it to either Automatic or Manual
- Start the service (upper left column)
Services are an entire post unto themselves and will be covered in the future.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Labels:
internet,
microsoft,
security,
troubleshooting,
windows
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Four More Months to Digital TV Switchover
Yesterday, Congress approved a bill delaying the digital TV switchover until June 12th. While the bill next goes to President Obama, he supports the motion and will pass it.
Originally scheduled for February 17th, the digital switchover - when it does take place - will phase-out analog signals in place of digital. If you are a cable or satellite subscriber, you need do nothing; only those who still watch analog TV - the basic networks (and PBS) - need converter boxes. While the federal government offered coupons allowing people to get said boxes for basically free, a lot of people hold expired coupons. Worse, the government ran out of them some time back!
Many Republicans opposed the delay, saying it would only add to the confusion; Democrats were concerned for the elderly and citizens of rural areas. While stations can go ahead and make the switch if they choose, March is sweeps week, so few are expected to do so.
AT&T and Verizon bought most of the airwaves set to be abandoned in an auction which raised nearly $20 billion for the federal government, which plans to bail-out the auto industry, air travel industry, all banks and financial institutions, as well as the pr0n industry. No plans to help the general population or stave-off the almost imminent Depression have been made. Qualcomm vehemently opposed the delay, as it planned to use the vacated airwaves to extend its mobile video service.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Originally scheduled for February 17th, the digital switchover - when it does take place - will phase-out analog signals in place of digital. If you are a cable or satellite subscriber, you need do nothing; only those who still watch analog TV - the basic networks (and PBS) - need converter boxes. While the federal government offered coupons allowing people to get said boxes for basically free, a lot of people hold expired coupons. Worse, the government ran out of them some time back!
"We believe it is irresponsible to ask mostly rural, or elderly consumers to reach into their own pockets to deal with this transition when many folks, including the federal government, are making a profit." - Joel Kelsey, Consumers Union
Many Republicans opposed the delay, saying it would only add to the confusion; Democrats were concerned for the elderly and citizens of rural areas. While stations can go ahead and make the switch if they choose, March is sweeps week, so few are expected to do so.
AT&T and Verizon bought most of the airwaves set to be abandoned in an auction which raised nearly $20 billion for the federal government, which plans to bail-out the auto industry, air travel industry, all banks and financial institutions, as well as the pr0n industry. No plans to help the general population or stave-off the almost imminent Depression have been made. Qualcomm vehemently opposed the delay, as it planned to use the vacated airwaves to extend its mobile video service.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Labels:
communications,
entertainment,
legal,
media,
technology,
TV
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Facebook Turns Five
Today is social networking site, Facebook's, fifth birthday and they are celebrating by sending everyone a gift... to give to someone else. Sounds like your Nana's birthday, huh?
In these few five years, Facebook has become the leader of the social networking circle, toppling venerable rival, MySpace, by amassing 150 million users in that short time (MySpace has 130 million).
Facebook started as a pet project in a dorm room. By the end of the first day, over 1000 Harvard students had registered, and the network soon extended to other colleges. In 2005, a survey found 85% of college students had an account. Stanford recently offered a course called The Psychology of Facebook, and the professor who taught it is now offering a free course entitled, "Facebook for Parents."
In 2009, the fastest-growing demographic for the social networking site is non-students aged 30+; about half of the 150 million users are not college students. Further, analysts believe users spend about 30 minutes longer on Facebook per day than on rival, MySpace.
But Facebook has yet to develop a system of monetization, and the economic downturn has led these same analysts to predict a 20% downturn in revenue for the social network this year.
The founders seem undaunted.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
In these few five years, Facebook has become the leader of the social networking circle, toppling venerable rival, MySpace, by amassing 150 million users in that short time (MySpace has 130 million).
Facebook started as a pet project in a dorm room. By the end of the first day, over 1000 Harvard students had registered, and the network soon extended to other colleges. In 2005, a survey found 85% of college students had an account. Stanford recently offered a course called The Psychology of Facebook, and the professor who taught it is now offering a free course entitled, "Facebook for Parents."
In 2009, the fastest-growing demographic for the social networking site is non-students aged 30+; about half of the 150 million users are not college students. Further, analysts believe users spend about 30 minutes longer on Facebook per day than on rival, MySpace.
But Facebook has yet to develop a system of monetization, and the economic downturn has led these same analysts to predict a 20% downturn in revenue for the social network this year.
The founders seem undaunted.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Labels:
cyberculture,
facebook,
history,
social networking
Monday, February 2, 2009
Technical Issues
Sorry for the absence guys, but I have been facing serious technical issues lately. Even now, I can't post: Blogger will come up and let me post, but only in HTML mode. I can't add pictures, movies - I can't even format my text! Just nothing's working on it for no reason, even through IE or in FF Safe Mode. I have to assume it's a Blogger issue as it's been going on for days now, but it doesn't happen on the Win98 computer (on dial-up, under IE), so I really don't know wtf is going on.
Once I get it figured out, we'll be back to posting.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Once I get it figured out, we'll be back to posting.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Labels:
technical
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