Re: Windows 98 box is 'owned'

[GuidoZ <uberguidoz () gmail com>]

Speaking on the lines of WineX/Cedega, I'd highly recommend
CrossoverOffice by CodeWeavers. It's about $30 (US) and is awesome for
someone who doesn't quite get Linux and misses their Windows apps. It
will install a bunch of software right out of the box and supports
hundreds more with little effort. They have a compatibility forum that
helps decide if the program you'd like to install will work with WINE.
They even offer a free trial, fully-functional at that.

Website and more information here:
 - http://www.codeweavers.com/products/crossover/


On Wed, 06 Oct 2004 22:32:09 +0100, xyberpix <xyberpix () xyberpix com> wrote:
> Following on from Randy's post, I have to agree with him on this one,
> even though I still have to convert my wife and parents over to Linux,
> but my personal opinion on this one would be to use Mandrake for anyone
> that is not familiar with Linux, but would like to learn, especially for
> the HW detection. Also if you are willing to spend a few quid, you could
> install Cedega(was WineX) which will get apps like Office, Photoshop and
> Dreamweaver, it's worthwhile spending the few Pounds. More info on
> Cedega can be found at http://www.transgaming.com/products_linux.php
>
> Just my 2p
>
> xyberpix
>
> On Fri, 2004-10-01 at 15:43, Randy Williams wrote:
> > Greetings,
> >
> > Ahh the curse of the Netskyp!
> >
> > Microsoft has indicated that support for the Win9x/ME series of OS's will no
> > longer have support in the future.  I am unsure of the exact date, but it is
> > a safe bet going forward that you should plan for support to not be
> > available.
> >
> > Your mother inadvertently has discovered the weakness of the software
> > firewall, if the user tells the firewall to compromise itself; it will do as
> > it's told!
> >
> > If you Mom is up for a change (some aren't by the way), then I would agree
> > that a move to Slackware, Gentoo, or whatnot (insert favorite distro here)
> > would be the best answer.  Windows PC's require a lot of overhead to keep
> > running in proper shape, and while in a corporate environment that isn't so
> > bad, at home it can be a real challenge if the user(s) don't keep up with
> > it.
> >
> > I've field tested some Linux distro's with Windows 9x/ME users before and as
> > long as I had all the shortcuts they'll need on the desktop they didn't even
> > notice the difference.  If my own mother didn't require Office for her job,
> > she'd be running Linux right now!
> >
> > Don't worry about being "affected", when I talk to my friends (after
> > cleaning up a completely hosed machine) and explain what it takes to keep a
> > Windows machine properly running, they don't like it either.  "I just want
> > it to work!" (trans. Without putting any effort into it.)
> >
> > They really are becoming quite a bother to keep safe at home, and if you are
> > going to have to support it, why not use something that you can keep in
> > sniffy top shape (remotely too, if Linux based)?
> >
> > Just my $.02 again though...  (As a disclaimer, I run Win2K at home behind a
> > Linksys NAT box, have ZoneAlarm Pro 5.x, SAV 9.0 CE, Adaware, Spybot,
> > Firefox/Netscape, Thunderbird and regular cleanings twice a month and I
> > STILL find junk that slips through IE on the rare times we have to use it!)
> >
> > RandyW
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Darren Kirby [mailto:bulliver () badcomputer no-ip com]
> > Sent: Thursday, September 30, 2004 5:48 PM
> > To: security-basics () securityfocus com
> > Subject: Re: Windows 98 box is 'owned'
> >
> > Hello all,
> >
> > First of all, thanks for all the replies, it is way more than I was
> > expecting.
> >
> > After following the link provided by Bob Bermingham:
> > > Sounds like the box is "owned", but not in the way you suspect. From
> > > your description, it looks like she is infected with Netsky.P:
> >
> > > http://antivirus.about.com/cs/allabout/a/netskyp.htm
> >
> > I can confirm this is indeed the Netsky.P virus. The filenames listed are
> > EXACTLY the ones on this box. From reading the description it would seem
> > this
> > is very old virus...so she (my mom) is running a very old unpatched windows
> > 98? Please let me reiterate at this point that I am really ignorant of
> > windows...but I have heard that Microsoft has ended support for this old OS.
> >
> > Is there still a patch available?
> >
> > James Grant posted:
> > > 2) Install ZoneAlarm. It's free and it will give her
> > > network protection. Set it up for her, because she may
> > > not want to read the pop-up questions it asks at the
> > > start to know what to allow.
> >
> > Ironically, she installed this herself...I presume after she was already
> > infected. The problem with this she tells me, is that the pop-ups tell her
> > "foobar.exe is trying to access the internet" and she can not ever tell if
> > foobar.exe is legitimate or not. Unfortunately I don't think I could help
> > her
> > on this point, as I would not know either...
> >
> > You all pretty much suggest installing software firewall, spyware checkers,
> > anti-virus scanners, even a hardware firewall...all my mom does is play
> > freecell, check email once a day, and browse the web infrequently (1-2 times
> >
> > per week), so this hardware firewall seems a bit extreme.
> >
> > RandyW posted:
> > > Without constant monitoring though, the PC WILL become infected again, it's
> > > just a matter of time.
> >
> > This is discouraging, as I don't have the time (nor knowledge) to monitor
> > this
> > computer all the time. Perhaps it is time to say screw it and install
> > Slackware with a nice KDE desktop for her, because at least I would know how
> >
> > to help with her problems, and it seems a lot easier than:
> >
> > 1) reinstall OS
> > 2) install firewall, AV, etc...
> > 3) patch OS in 5 minute window available (as mentioned by Kelly Martin)
> > 4) educate Mom on use of AV, anti-spyware, good web practices (don't open
> > attachments, click on pop-ups etc...)
> > 5) monitor until eventually another virus finds its way in.
> > 6) Lather/rinse/repeat.
> >
> > Sorry if I sound affected here, but being a unix guy I do not see how this
> > makes windows an 'easier' desktop to use. What do you all think? Is this
> > really what you have to do to have a usable windows networked machine?
> > Again, not trying to be a troll here, it is an honest question.
> >
> > Thanks again for all the helpful information,
> > much obliged,
> >
> > -d
> > --
> > Part of the problem since 1976
> > http://badcomputer.no-ip.com
> > Get my public key from
> > http://keyserver.linux.it/pks/lookup?op=index&search=bulliver
> > "...the number of UNIX installations has grown to 10, with more expected..."
> > - Dennis Ritchie and Ken Thompson, June 1972
> --
> For Security and Open Source news:
> http://xyberpix.demon.co.uk