4 Computer Heaven

McAfee Mishap April 21st 2010 — Fix your bad update with some good old fashioned information.

PinkSodaPop — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 12:30:05 +0000

This may be very helpful to anyone suffering from or dealing with issues with McAfee’s latest update dated 4/21/2010.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100421/ap_on_hi_te/us_tec_mcafee_antivirus_flaw

COMODO Internet Security 4.0 Review

Alan — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:40:11 +0000

The new, improved, and upgraded dragon is back…

Overview & New Features:

Recently COMODO has unveiled it’s brand new 4.0 Internet Security suite. CIS 4.0 has been in the works for quite some time, and has a few mighty changes:

NEW! Integrated Sandbox
Proactive Defense i.e. Defense+ now includes a built-in sandbox which combines file system/registry virtualization and least-privileged user account principle in order to combat with unknown malware.

IMPROVED! Default Deny Protection
Defense+ now automatically sandboxes all unknown applications/executables until they are analyzed.

IMPROVED! Significantly fewer number of popup alerts
Defense+, with the help of new sandboxing technologies, has a more powerful default security policy while having significantly fewer number of alerts compared to previous versions.
Also in this version, Defense+ and Firewall, by default, do not create automatic rules for already known safe applications.

IMPROVED! Popup alerts layout
The new popup alerts now include additional options which allow the users to take COMODO Time Machine snapshots or set Windows system restore points, submit suspicious files for immediate analysis.

IMPROVED! Antivirus Engine
Antivirus engine is improved for better detection and cleaning. The new engine now has disinfection support for the infected files.

The Sandbox:

COMODO features 4 different presets for you to adjust a sandboxed program with via a slider. Those presets are:

Unrestricted – No Operating System restrictions will be applied – meaning the application will be allowed to access all the Operating system files and resources like clipboard. Still the restrictions on usage of system memory, operation with virtual file system and registry and execution time defined in Advanced Settings will be imposed.

Limited – Only selected Operating System resources can be accessed by the application. The application will not be allowed to execute more than 10 processes at a time and will be run with out Administrator account privileges. The restrictions on usage of system memory, operation with virtual file system and registry and execution time defined in Advanced Settings will be imposed.

Restricted – The application will be allowed to access very few Operating system resources. The application will not be allowed to execute more than 10 processes at a time and will be run with very limited access rights.The restrictions on usage of system memory, operation with virtual file system and registry and execution time defined in Advanced Settings will be imposed. Note – Some of the applications like computer games may not work properly under this setting.

Untrusted - The application will not be allowed to access any of the Operating system resources. The application will not be allowed to execute more than 10 processes at a time and will be run with very limited access rights.The restrictions on usage of system memory, operation with virtual file system and registry and execution time defined in Advanced Settings will be imposed. Note – Some of the applications that require user interaction may not work properly under this setting.

Advanced Settings include:

Limit maximum memory consumption – You can define how much of the system memory can be allocated for the application on execution by selecting this checkbox and entering the memory (in MB) in the combo box beside it.

Limit the program execution time - You can define how long the program can be allowed to run by selecting this checkbox and entering the time (in seconds) in the combo box beside it.

Enable file system virtualization -The sandboxed applications are not permitted to modify the files in your ‘real’ file system. Enabling file system virtualization instructs the Sandbox to create a virtual file system in your system. The application added to the sandbox will write any data only into the created virtual file system, instead of affecting and potentially causing damage to your real file system. If you disable this option, the application may not function correctly because it will not be able to create the entries that it needs too.

Note for advanced users: The virtual file system will be created inside the Sandbox working folder (e.g. c:\sandbox\) to execute the application within this file system.

Enable registry virtualization – The sandboxed applications are not permitted to access and modify the entries in your ‘real’ Window’s Registry hives. Enabling registry virtualization instructs the Sandbox to create a virtual registry hive in your system. The application added to the Sandbox will write any entries pertaining to it only into the created registry hive, instead of affecting and potentially causing damage to your real registry hives. If you disable this option, the application may not function correctly because it will not be able to create the entries that it needs too.

Automatically run unrecognized programs inside the Sandbox – If you attempt to run any executable which is not recognized by COMODO, the application will be automatically executed within the Sandbox to safeguard the other files/applications in your system.

Automatically detect the installers/updaters and run them outside the Sandbox – On execution of an Installer or an Updater, the application will be run outside the Sandbox. Select this option only if you are going to run installers/updaters from trusted vendors.

Automatically look-up for/submit the pending/unrecognized programs online to COMODO for analysis – Instructs the Sandbox to monitor the file/applications in My Pending Files and all unrecognized files in your system and to initiate the file submission process automatically. The files will be analyzed by experts in Comodo and included in safe list or black list accordingly.

Automatically trust files from trusted installers – Files that are generated by trusted installers are also trusted. This means that they will not be sandboxed.

Should you execute an unsafe file, COMODO’s Defense+ will spring into action, place the file in a sandbox, and you will receive the following message:

Anti-Virus Test Results:

Malware Research Group recently conducted a test of CIS 4′s anti-virus using 10,000 malware samples, the results:

COMODO missed 101, giving it a detection ratio of 98.99%. COMODO removed all but 2 infections detected.

Trojan.Win32.FraudPack.achf
Backdoor.Win32.Inject.dbw

PLEASE NOTE that COMODO 4.0 was still in the beta stages when this test was conducted.

*The original article can be found here

Leaktest Results:

COMODO passed 84/84 tests in matousec.com’s “Proactive Security Challenge” scoring a 100% protection rating.

Personal Tests:

Today I put CIS 4.0 to the test… of web browsing, with a sandboxed Mozila Firefox.

I visited 82 crack/warez websites. Downloaded 67 legit malware samples. Managed to be hit by 7 drive-by downloads. Two additional hours of browsing to pick up tracking cookies. Visited 40 “free screensaver” type websites (no download).

I emerged with a clean PC, I enabled my anti-virus and it made quick work of the files in the sandbox.

To reassure myself, my PC was afterwords scanned with the following:

Norton Security Scan. MalwareBytes. A-Squared. Hitman Pro. Panda Cloud. Avira. Avast!. Spybot S&D. ClamWin. DrWeb. Blacklite. Gmer. And HijackThis was run.

All returned clean results.

Resource Usage:

As mentioned in my previous COMODO review, the resource usage will not be included in this review. Many PC users will determine whether or not a program is “heavy” or “light” on the system based solely on the amount of memory/RAM the program uses. This is a common and inaccurate practice, one must take the boot-time, program launch time, and other everyday tasks into account in order to determine whether a program is “heavy” or “light” on the user’s computer.

Remember now, RAM is there for you to use, most of us have more than enough.

Final Opinion:

I will give COMODO Internet Security 4.0 my full approval, 10/10. Again I recommend you do not install the Anti-Virus, and use another one you prefer.

Although not recommended, you may disable the Defense+ if you become bothered by the pop-up alerts, however, this will severely decrease your level of protection.

Unpossible

Carl — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 16:55:02 +0000

The flash-based display of physics engine game “Fantastic Contraption” is immersive, and educational. But one level stumped me for quite awhile.

Here’s my solution: create a vehicle to take the payload up a ramp that unfolds, drive it off the edge of a cliff, and a chain to swing it into the goal.

Initial state

Unfolded

For the win!

VVVVVV

Carl — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 10:14:37 +0000

Time to brag a bit:
Several hours into playing VVVVVV for the first time, I learned the game in my browser was a leaked beta. I decided I’d try to complete the game then close the window and not play again until the final version is released. I wanted to get that final trinket, but must have missed it in my haste to try to escape the alternate dimension and return to my ship and crew. I did manage to get the hardest-to-get trinket of all in the triple-V tower, but was surprised to discover that the trinkets weren’t required to get the ship operational again. Of course two intermissions, a proper ending, and many changes later – who knows what the final version will bring! But do click the image below and view the author’s developer blog, and follow news of the game “VVVVVV” to its release.

Update: Demo of this game is available

Carl's first attempt at playing VVVVVV beta - win!

Panda Cloud Anti-Virus Review (UPDATED+)

Alan — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 04:19:40 +0000

What is a “Cloud Anti-virus?”

“Unlike traditional antivirus software, cloud antivirus refers to the type of antivirus that runs on the cloud (remote server). Cloud Antivirus will scan all your files through the internet and run the tests on their own server, in this way it won’t disrupt any of your computer activity nor will it slow down your computer.” -addictivetips.com

-Panda Cloud Free Antivirus

-Processes (2)

-Memory Usage (256k to 12mb has been observed)

Download Size (19-21mb)

*NOTE* Panda Cloud will not install if you have an existing Anti-Virus product on your PC.

“A benefit of cloud antivirus is that instead of having to update traditional antivirus software routinely, it automatically updates the virus definitions in the cloud and then scans your files to see if it is infected with any of the new virus. It saves the headache of having to manage the antivirus software daily.” -addictivetips.com

Tests from MRG:

Test #1 uses 50 malware samples which were downloaded 24 hours before the test was conducted, thus showing the products ability to detect malware-like behavior when it does not have the virus definition for said files. As well as Panda’s response time for flagging a malicious file that is “in the wild”.

Results. Samples missed out of 50: Panda Cloud missed 1.

———-

Test #2 uses 100 malware samples which were downloaded 24 hours before the test was conducted. Same as above.

Results. Samples missed out of 100: Panda Cloud missed 7.

While you may be shocked by these numbers thinking “Oh no, my Panda Cloud isn’t blocking 8 viruses” in reality these numbers are exceptional. On par with the industry leading products.

Tests from AV-Test.org: Placed Panda Cloud against half a million virus samples. Panda came out on top scoring an impressive 99.4 percent overall detection rate.

———-

My own personal tests will place Panda Cloud up against 18 different test files that will try to: Create auto-start entries, and modify IE security settings. I will also test Panda Cloud’s reaction to downloading two different versions of the Eicar Test File. One .com and the other a zip.

In my tests I had Panda scan the folder containing these files, it quickly detected and neutralized all 18 files. The Eicar Test File .exe was downloaded to the computer but almost immediately neutralized. The same for the zip file.

The only downside I will give this program is the lack of multi-protection, such as web scanning, HIPS, self-protection (meaning that the program can be shut down by malware).

To wrap it up, I will give this product my first rating. 7/10 – Great for the light browser (low risk), but still much to improve.

Facebook Status Update Clears Teen From Criminal Charges

Quarantine — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:33:23 +0000

Rodney Bradford was saved by his Facebook status update demanding the immediate consumption of one of the basic food groups every human being needs to properly function in the morning: Pancakes.

Don’t miss the Gundem comment with a parody of fresh prince…

http://gizmodo.com/5402795/facebook-status-update-clears-teen-from-criminal-charges

First iPhone virus Rick Rolls Jailbroken phones

Carl — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:38:53 +0000

First iPhone virus Rick Rolls Jailbroken phones

Click link above for story and how to remove or prevent this from happening to you. Most people who are able to jailbreak their phone should also know how to secure it, but that’s not always the case with people running scripts by hacks, where they don’t fully understand what they’re doing.

‘Impossible’ Device Could Propel Flying Cars, Stealth Missiles

Quarantine — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:31:03 +0000

The Emdrive is an electromagnetic drive that would generate thrust from a closed system. “Impossible” say some experts.

LED Light bars

Carl — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:41:28 +0000

With white PVC pipe being so cheap, and LEDs in bulk easy to buy, it’s easy to make an ambient LED bar light to run on battery power for easy, safe indoor/outdoor lighting.

But I keep changing my lighting design for my first project – a six-sided gazebo. I started with 4 clusters of three 5mm white LEDs along a 3 ½′ section. That’s twelve small LEDs to wire for one section. I used 2 sections per side, 6 sides. I had 5 half sides built. I was going to light only 3 of the six sides because the 12 LEDs in each of the 2 sections per side are very bright, but now I’ve changed the design to make one long 7′ section with six 10mm LEDs. The larger LEDs don’t seem to be as bright but are more ambient and less directional. 6 sides times 6 LEDs means 36 of these larger LEDs instead of 2 halves per side times 4 clusters times 3 per cluster times 3 sides – 72 LEDs to wire. Much easier (less wiring) to just use the larger LEDs and have more ambient, less directional light.

I’ve 3 of the 6 sides finished. I should be finished by this weekend, hang them and wire them into the 12 volt solar-powered rechargeable batteries and get a photo of it to post here.

Then from there, the next LED project is the convention display lights for Barbara “squeaks” Chapman. Her lights are three 4′ sections of 8 blue 10mm LEDs – 24 total. They’re not specifically for lighting, but will work in attractor mode, flashing animations of lights to attract convention-goers to her table. They’ll be powered and animated by either a PC laptop via USB or a battery-powered microcomputer. I’m leaning toward the microcomputer, but will decide when I go to do the animations. Her next convention is next March 10-12, so I have plenty of time. I’ll post progress here as I get photos.

Hey there my name is Paws Fluffalump.

Carl — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 01:58:14 +0000

Fluff’s a foxbot in the Computer Heaven chat.

Paws needs feeding

Here’s a few commands to get you started:

fluff, drink a cup of tea (Try milk, water, and soda, too. Try cups, bowls, glasses, etc)
eat a taco, fluff (type: !fridge look inside to see what’s available for fluff to eat.)

!score
!score top

See, you get points for giving drinks when the bot is thirsty and food when hungry. How many points depends on how thirsty and hungry fluff is, so if you wait a long time before giving the bot what it needs, you score larger.

There will be other things which give points, including some games.

Be sure to say hello to fluff and bye; hug fluff, also.

Oh, and you can also teach fluff things.

Just make sure you address fluff and use IS or ARE. Here’s some examples:

fluff, my TV is broken.
Transformers are robots in disguise, fluff.

My favorite command is: fluff, status
Give me some comments and I’ll tell you more about what you want to know!

PinkSodaPop likes to !fridge open and !fridge close … If the door is already open, fluff will remind you to close it. If you !fridge look you can see if it’s open or not.

The scoreboard is similar, another virtual object: !score will tell you your place on the scoreboard, and !score look will show you the scoreboard with others’ scores on it. You can ask for other people’s scores by name: !score Carl and you can even smell the scoreboard: !score smell

What other virtual objects would you like?