InfoWorld: Worms sent via IM pose serious, growing threat: September 26, 2003: By : Security: "Virulent new worms that exploit vulnerable instant messaging (IM) clients and could infect hundreds of thousands of computers in seconds are a real threat for Internet users worldwide, according to security researchers from Symantec. "
Usually I think that Symantec is blowing smoke, but I think this one is set to be the next big worm generators. Though I do not like the IM companies closing down their programs and forcing me to have one for each one, I see where they need to.

The ability of hackers to grab a user's buddy list also gives IM worms the potential to be more virulent than predecessors like Code Red, Slammer or Blaster, which spread over the Internet rather than over IM networks, Chien said.

Unlike those worms, IM worms do not need to scan the Internet for the IP (Internet Protocol) addresses of vulnerable systems to infect, a process that greatly slows the spread of traditional worms. Instead, IM worms simply use the infected user's buddy list to find new targets.

Even with a scenario in which the buddy lists of infected and target machines were identical except for just one IM user, an IM worm could infect 500,000 machines in just 31 seconds, Chien and Hindocha showed.

Scary!

InfoWorld: Juvenile arrested for creating Blaster variant: September 26, 2003: By : Security: "Another person has been arrested in relation to the Blaster worm that infected computers worldwide last month. This time the individual is a juvenile, prosecutors in Seattle said Friday, which in the U.S. typically means under the age of 18."
Glad to see this is being taken more and more seriously by law enforcement.

Donuts With Dad - You know sometimes it is the little things that make a difference to a child. For two weeks Annie has been reminding me that today was Donuts with Dad day at school. It was not much, just donuts and either juice or milk. Annie and Israel were accompanied by me, their daddy. They loved it, and it was nice to see other daddies taking part in their children's life. What was sad was the amount of kids with no dad there, or making excuses why their dad/father figure could not be there. I had 2 hrs sleep at most, and a minor crisis at work that I got woke up to take care of, but you know what, my kids are important.
It made me think of a blog entry I saw where a person who is about to have a kid asked people what to look for in day care. One person replied, well, why have a kid if you are not going to take care of them and enjoy them. You do not have children to give them to someone else to raise.

New Virsues to look out for:
W32/Randex-G in wild not wide spread.

nntp//rss
I have just started playing with this and the jury is still out for me about it. Anyone out there had expereince with it and want to talk about it to me. drbobm at yahoo dot com

New Viruses listings
troj_delsha.d Risk - low
bkdoor_ciadoor.a Risk: low
bat_womaniz.d Risk: low
irc_womaniz.d Risk: low
bkdr_womaniz.d Risk: low
Above 3 are tied together
w97m_goodday.a risk: low. personal note: it could be something to look for if you have older versions of Word
troj_mimail.b risk: low
worm_mimail.b risk:low (cannot self propergate)
html_mimail.gen risk: low
Above 3 appear to be related
Keep your signatures up to date folks.

New Virus Information
Troj_madtol.a risk:low
Bkdr_Delf.cv risk:low
Keep the signature databes up to date.

Oklahoma highway blocked by 800 baby pigs: "OKLAHOMA CITY, Sep. 22 - Interstate 40, the main east-west highway in Oklahoma, was closed for several hours Thursday when about 800 baby pigs spilled on to the road after the truck transporting them overturned, police said Friday. "
Talk about clogged arteries.....(sorry could not resist).

How Much is Inside a Sharpie? - Part 1
And I thought that I needed a life....

For my one or two readers that are expecting more from me, 5 weeks ago I started my latest semester at RSU Online University. Being online it takes more time and being full time (4 classes) takes even more. So little time to blog at all. I will try to post when I have a moment or two, but things can not improve much I am sure. See you on line soon.

Microsoft Warns of New Critical Hole in Windows | Reuters | Latest Financial News / Full News CoverageWhere do you want your data to go today?

The brazen airport computer theft that has Australia's anti-terror fighters up in arms - smh.com.au
I once taught a class about computers and as part of the class I mentioned that if I can touch a computer I can hack it. I also taught that a computer is as secure as the system that protects it. Well guess what? This article proves my point. Got to love it.

BibleOutlines
Excellant source of Bible Study outlines. I may not agree with 100% of what he says, but thank him for the exsistance of them and the availabilty of them. Thanks.

God in the console

Christian game developers seek to put God in the machine, while thinkers like Thomas and Clark say that the notion of God is already there. Differing opinions, but both hold a core belief: A game’s influence doesn’t end when you turn off the console.

While not a gamer, my older children are. I have not thought of the God that exsist in almost all the games that they play. An interesting article.

Dangerous new variant of Sobig family spreading
New variation of So-Big out, time to watch your email for anyting with scr extension if it has it, ignore it.

New MSBlast variant plugs hole | CNET News.com
I do not care how good the intention is, the problem with something like this, well, it puts something on my computer I did not ask for. That is wrong.

Before the power went out and After Interesting the pockets of light there are. I also did not know you could see state outlines from up in outer space.....

Surfing the Net with Kids: Blogging Tools
Nice review of Blogs and using them with kids.

The Blackout
Facinating site. Too bad some idiots want to make political statements out of just fun pictures.

PyGE Home Page
This has to be one of the most exciting finds that I have found. The collection of Project Gutenberg is avialblae to download and easily read on your computer through three programs. Check it out.