MS: Be Careful With That F1 Function Key

Another problem for Microsoft. They will issue a patch soon to correct it.

Microsoft Corp. has a message for Windows 2000, XP and Server 2003 users: If you browse the Interwebs with Internet Explorer 6, 7, or 8, take care to ignore any prompts that ask you to hit the F1 key on your keyboard, as doing so may be unhealthful to your PC.

It turns out that there is a security flaw in the way these operating systems + browser versions process “Windows Help files” in such a way that is entirely unhelpful. That is, clicking on the F1 key when presented with a specially crafted pop-up box prompting you to do so could allow criminals to download and install malicious software to your computer.

[snip]

In a security advisory issued Monday, Microsoft said it may at some point issue a software update to address this shortcoming. Redmond’s advisory on this topic is available here. The organization responsible for this warning — Polish security firm iSec Security Research — has a bit more information here on the ins and outs of this bug.

...
Note: Headline links to source. Clicking on image will enlarge it (usually).

Canadian TSA backs airport staff in breast-milk dumping dispute

You're gonna see this graphic from time to time.
The good news is anyone who works wants the support of superiors. A lack thereof undermines.

The bad news is strict adherence to "the rules/guidelines" sometimes ignores common sense as it did in this case.

Airport security staff were following regulations when they threw out 1½ litres of breast milk a passenger tried to take on a plane with her, says Canadian Air Transport Security Authority spokesman Mathieu Larocque. Nina Brewer-Davis was going through security at Vancouver International Airport on Tuesday to board a plane to her home in San Diego when she had to surrender the breast milk she had pumped while away from her baby. She said she had a cooler containing 180-millilitre bags - 10 of them, most of which weren't full.

Note: Headline links to source.

AIR FORCE SEEKING CONTROL OVER ALL COMPUTERS

Jesus H Christ with a laptop. What in the hell is the US becoming? Certainly nothing I'm comfortable with.

The Air Force wants a suite of hacker tools, to give it "access" to -- and "full control" of -- any kind of computer there is. And once the info warriors are in, the Air Force wants them to keep tabs on their "adversaries' information infrastructure completely undetected."

The government is growing increasingly interested in waging war online. The Air Force recently put together a "Cyberspace Command," with a charter to rule networks the way its fighter jets rule the skies. The Department of Homeland Security, Darpa, and other agencies are teaming up for a five-year, $30 billion "national cybersecurity initiative." That includes an electronic test range, where federally-funded hackers can test out the latest electronic attacks. "You used to need an army to wage a war," a recent Air Force commercial notes. "Now, all you need is an Internet connection."

I'll be as polite as I can. I have nothing to hide. Ask me anything and I'll give an honest answer. Medical? Financial? Faithfulness? Sexual proclivities? Just ask.

But keep your fucking nose out of my business!

Note: Headline links to source.

Infragard

Have you heard of Infragard? If you read many blogs you would have. Most will give a H/T to A Carol for bringing it to their attention.

A Carol. As of Saturday, 09 February 2008.

Well, that's what happens when you're a big dog. You may be late, but you cite the correct people.

I posted this. As of Friday, 08, 2008 05:28:00 PM.

And I got tipped to it by Agitprop on a post dated Friday 08,2008 at 03:04 PM.

But, fuck, we aren't big dogs so no one actually reads us. even though we're much quicker with the information.

BTW, two things. I love A Carol and am not taking a potshot at her. She's good.

Second, I'm just beside myself realizing how safe Americans are now there's a nation of high school dropouts, people incapable of finding employment at Burger King and who knows what given 007 power to shoot anyone they want.

OK, I'm ready for the fucking chastisements about my last sentence. It was ill conceived and derogatory. Sorry. I was just trying to make a point and rocket scientists and university professors didn't seem to cut it.