Spyware Warrior

aBenG · Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 7:30 am Post subject: Hello again

A big Hi to Suzi, Mikey and all!

I'm online at home again after a break of a couple of years - thanks to the recession which has put me out of work like so many others.

Been catching up with the security stuff - it gets no better does it?
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suzi · Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 9:56 am Post subject:

Hi, nice to see you again. Smile

No, it's no better and seems to be getting worse all the time. AV companies are finding upwards of 25,000 new malwares every day!
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Please do not PM or Email me for personal support. Post in the Forums instead and we will all learn. Smile

aBenG · Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 2:44 pm Post subject:

Yow!

Are there automated production lines somewhere? That's an incredible quantity.

Fingers crossed ProcessGuard is still up to scratch...

Nice to be back Suzi. At the same time disturbing - sad to see CastleCops is gone, among others.
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Inperfect.

mikey · Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2009 5:15 pm Post subject:

Hey guy, long time no see. I've periodically wondered what became of you.

Glad to see ya in the mix again.
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aBenG · Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 7:29 am Post subject:

Good to hear from you Mikey. I got fed up with my rubbish isp and about the same time ended up in an absorbing job I enjoyed (a rarity), so the internet thing just lapsed. Kept my hand in a bit with the security stuff by sorting out family and friends computers when they got in trouble - no disasters luckily!

You know, since coming across it via this forum I've consistently tried to point people I've helped out to your excellent security advice. Result? Not one of them as far as I know of has taken the time to learn how to take things in hand themselves. Makes me despair how passive/afraid people are in this regard.
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mikey · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 2:36 pm Post subject:

"...job I enjoyed..."; Indeed a rarity.

"...rubbish isp..." Not so rare.

Yea, I don't spend a lot of time on the boards now either. I had to deal with some more health issues recently and as you noted, life tends to get in the way at times.

"Makes me despair how passive/afraid people are in this regard."

Folk I've run into lately are more just indifferent than anything else. Seems now that they have all read or heard the hype, they just feel like malware and scams are unavoidable risks and the costs of being online. Everywhere they look, they see complicated security routines being recommended while most are totally ineffective, obsolete, or scams themselves...can't really blame them for being indifferent in this environment.

Anyway, glad to see ya back in the swing again.
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W2K/2K3/XP/2K8/Vista/W7/RHE/DEBIAN/SUSE

Spyware/Adware is NOT freeware, it costs all of us dearly.

Mikey's Stuff

Fiddler and friends...essential web diagnostic, forensic, & development tools.
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aBenG · Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 2:14 am Post subject:

Sorry to hear you still have health troubles Mikey - have a recurrent illness myself that periodically gets in the way of life. Hope yours improves guy.

Question for you: what has happened to VoP? I can't find your 'Mikey's Stuff' page anywhere since getting back online. Do you have a current link that works? (All the links I can find fail to connect).

Thanks.
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mikey · Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 10:38 am Post subject:

Thx for the concern.

Well, after my last stroke, some of my server appliances crashed while I was in the hospital.

The appliances were restored quickly and only just a few of my clients experienced a short down time. But I didn't really have it in me to immediately bring VOP back to life and maintain it.

My plan along with some initial preparation is to bring it back up with a totally new look and feel. No real ETA tho as my function is now rather limited and I'm still learning how make my body function again.

Even my keyboard activity is a chore at this time since I'm limited to using only one hand to peck with. By all accounts tho, I'm recovering quite swiftly. So, it may not be too long before I'm back in the old swing again. Keep an eye on my signature for an update.

Anyway, thx for asking. So much for the life of Mikey saga.

Perhaps we can both muddle on for a while longer now. Smile

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W2K/2K3/XP/2K8/Vista/W7/RHE/DEBIAN/SUSE

Spyware/Adware is NOT freeware, it costs all of us dearly.

Mikey's Stuff

Fiddler and friends...essential web diagnostic, forensic, & development tools.
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aBenG · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 12:07 am Post subject:

3162 · Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 5:32 pm Post subject:

aBenG & Mikey - similarly, I was obliged to take some time out, as you may already know.
It was rough for a while, but the alternative is far worse!
Focusing my attention on Canada right now, where SPAM isn't illegal.

It's good to be back, eh?
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mikey · Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2009 9:50 am Post subject:

Glad to see ya back too. I definitely noticed your absence. Seems a lot of folk have been having probs the last couple years.

Canada? Is that where you live?

BC is one of the places we have been considering a move to. The Texas heat has been getting a bit unbearable for me durring this last drought filled decade. I definitely can't manage ranch work anymore but we still have little use for living in the city either.

Anyway, glad to see ya back.
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W2K/2K3/XP/2K8/Vista/W7/RHE/DEBIAN/SUSE

Spyware/Adware is NOT freeware, it costs all of us dearly.

Mikey's Stuff

Fiddler and friends...essential web diagnostic, forensic, & development tools.
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3162 · Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2009 2:49 pm Post subject:

No, I'm in Upstate NY right now but spend half the year in Yorkshire, England. That'll change again next year.

Canada is merely somewhere I have a peeve with. Wouldn't want to move there with my condition, it's too cold. I'll trade ya Texas for it though Very Happy

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TeMerc · Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2009 10:25 pm Post subject:

Yes, indeed, 3162 a long time coming, glad to see you're back amongst the community. Clap Man

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aBenG · Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 1:06 am Post subject:

Hey 3162! Drop me a pm anytime you're in sunny Yorkshire if you fancy meeting up. Stay well anyway.

'Eeeeeeee': Yorkshireman meditating. Smile

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3162 · Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 2:14 am Post subject:

TeMerc! Glad to see you're still around too!

aBenG - I won't be back in Yorks until September now but yes I will let you know when I'm back. Maybe a Pint of Tim Taylor would sound good to you?
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Crap Wear Worrier · Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 1:16 pm Post subject:

3162!!! Ee bah gum, if I were still in God's Own County I'd be reet chuffed to buy thee a pint, I remember the phenomenal amount of work you put in here... good to see you back, take it easy!

aBenG · Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 1:34 pm Post subject:

CWW: tha's a Tyke? Bai eck! Weer's me black pudden...

3162: Landlord! I'll set 'em oop lad.

Laughing

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Crap Wear Worrier · Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 5:59 pm Post subject:

Nay, soft lad, if I were a true Tyke I'd say, "ah'd be reet chuffed ta lend thee a pint" Wink

Thought you lot needed some fresh blood so I married in. Did my bit then missus dragged me off to Greece. Kicking and screaming I was, kicking and screaming. But if ever you come across another absorbing, enjoyable job - put my name on it!

If any of you guys ever get out this way, I'd be reet chuffed to treat you to tsipouro Partyman

Take it easy!

aBenG · Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 12:08 am Post subject: