A safer place than newsgroups?

[~BD~]

http://forums.microsoft.com/WindowsOneCare/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=4216980&SiteID=2
.............. says:-



Microsoft has created a new forums platform (MSDN | TechNet | Expression
| Microsoft) with increased performance, stability, and an improved user
experience. During the week of 12/8 this forum will be moving to the
new platform. To make sure this is a smooth transition, we want everyone
using this forum to have a chance to try out the new forums in advance,
and give feedback. We've created a Sandbox forum, where you can create
threads and try out functionality, and a suggestions forum where you can
give us your feedback. Please take some time to go to the new forums
today and let us know what you think.



On the day the forum moves to the new platform, a post will be made
letting you know the process has been started, and the forum will be
locked to new posts. Once the process is complete, a final post to the
forum will be made letting you know the forum has moved.



1. All posts in the forum will be preserved

2. Any points you've received for replies will move with you (on a
per forum basis)

3. Any bookmarks to this forum or threads within this forum will
redirect to their new location

4. Your "My Threads" will be preserved on the new platform



The only thing you'll need to do after migration is set Windows Live
Alerts for any threads you were tracking.



If you have feedback, let us know in the suggestions forum or contact
the forum product planners directly at Andrew.Brenner at Microsoft.com
or Jeremy.Kelley at Microsoft.com



Thanks,

Alicia

 

[James Matthews]

I am trying it right now. I will post what i see

 

[Peter Foldes]

And what does this have to do at all with the security.homeusers and
windowsxp.general newsgroups???

 

[~BD~]

And what does this have to do at all with the security.homeusers and
windowsxp.general newsgroups???

--

A great question - thank you Mr Foldes!

I suspect that many, many folk visiting newsgroups do so by using
Outlook Express as the newsreader. I very much doubt if many of them cut
and paste any of the links which proliferate therein. I'm sure that you,
Peter Foldes, know only too well that one cannot 'hover' over a link
shown in OE to determine where such a link might take one.

This, IMO, means that anyone with malicious intent could (and probably
does) plant all manner of links to infected web sites. No-one has any
responsibility to check the safety or otherwise of links (often in a
'signature block') nor has an obligation to remove them.

In the Microsoft Forums this is not the case. IMO much, much safer!

Perhaps I should have cross-posted my note to every single Microsoft
group - something I think Microsoft *itself* should do! I selected just
two in the hope of broadcasting this information to a wide spectrum of
users (windowsxp.general) and to those homeusers who take a positive
interest in security.

Here is an extract from a Forum which others may find helpful. It was
written by Mike Walsh MVP on 10 December 2008:-

********************************************************
The forums (at present some using the old forum software; some using the
new forum software ) are run by Microsoft on their own equipment and
using their own software.

The newsgroups are run as part of the general (old) UserNet system.

The forums offer at the moment only web-based access

The newsgroups offer web-based access and (faster) newsreader access.

The forums offer the opportunity to add value by being able to edit
posts; delete duplicates (moderators only); move posts to the right
forum (moderators only); mark a thread as answered etc.

The newsgroups offer none of the above so there are postings with errors
in them the poster didn't intend (can't edit); postings that were posted
several times; postings in the wrong newsgroup: no information as to
whether a thread contains an answer.

Searching the forums works in the forums. There are various
pre-specified and useful options for the scope of the search such as
single forum; set of forums.

Searching the newsgroups in OE (for instance) very rarely works. Instead
the best approach is to go to Google *Groups* / Advanced Search and
specify the newsgroup (or group of newsgroups by the use of a *) you
want google to search. This would be the method used to search old
content that perhaps otherwise is no longer available.

As for duplicating posts.

In my opinion any duplication of posts is bad as it means that one group
of people are spending time to answer your question unknowing that
another group of people have already answered it. Much better to post to
one location and if no useful reply has been received in say 3 days,
post to the other location (including the failed attempts made in the
meantime).

As for support.

Microsoft people support some of the forums (not all). They look at
every message presumably concentrating mostly on those with no replies
or those not marked as answered.

Microsoft people support some newsgroups (not all) via the "managed
newsgroups" system (MSDN or TechNet) which is free if you register. They
only look at the specially marked threads (markings which normal people
can't see - the posts look like normal posts to us) which have been
posted as part of the managed newsgroup system. All other threads they
ignore.

***********************************************

The full Forum thread may be found here:-
http://social.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/suggest/thread/18ce9d62-88cf-4d38-9706-a47eac1f7d06

I hope others find this helpful.

Dave

--

 

[almostbob]

Clipped for simplicity, replying to 1 paragraph only

--
_ _

I suspect that many, many folk visiting newsgroups do so by using Outlook
Express as the newsreader. I very much doubt if many of them cut and paste
any of the links which proliferate therein. I'm sure that you, Peter
Foldes, know only too well that one cannot 'hover' over a link shown in OE
to determine where such a link might take one.

Dave
Hover over link: read status bar
http://www.google.com

 

[~BD~]

Clipped for simplicity, replying to 1 paragraph only

--
_ _


Dave
Hover over link: read status bar
http://www.google.com

Many thanks for posing me with a little puzzle, 'Almostbob'!

I did exactly as you suggested and nothing happened at all - the norm
here. All I saw in the status bar was "1260 message(s), 0 unread.

Scratched chin! Delved into my memory bank (getting harder nowadays!).
Think security measures. Ah-ha! HTML setting?

Went to View (OE6) found "Message in HTML", clicked ........ and
Hey-Presto! Magically the 'Hover' facility produced the goods. Puzzle
solved. Phew!

Now where did I learn that I shouldn't use HTML in email and
newsgroups?!!!

Thank again for your prompt 'Almostbob'. Much appreciated. Also glad to
know that you actually read my post! <smile>

Dave

 

[FromTheRafters]

Clipped for simplicity, replying to 1 paragraph only

--
_ _


Dave
Hover over link: read status bar
http://www.google.com

Even that has been exploited in the past.

http://www.guidoz.com/btstatusurl.html

 

[~BD~]

Even that has been exploited in the past.

http://www.guidoz.com/btstatusurl.html

--

FYI - this is what McAfee says about the site to which you refer, FTR:-

http://www.siteadvisor.com/sites/guidoz.com?version=2&core_ver=1.0&pip=true&premium=false&client

I'm quite convinced, though, that what you suggest is 100% accurate. In
other words, even if the 'Hover' shows a specific address is the same as
a posted link, one might still be directed to an infected/spoof web
site!

Dave

--

 

[FromTheRafters]

FYI - this is what McAfee says about the site to which you refer, FTR:-

http://www.siteadvisor.com/sites/guidoz.com?version=2&core_ver=1.0&pip=true&premium=false&client

I'm quite convinced, though, that what you suggest is 100% accurate. In
other words, even if the 'Hover' shows a specific address is the same as a
posted link, one might still be directed to an infected/spoof web site!

Maybe your net nanny will let you visit http://secunia.com/advisories/17565/

)

 

[almostbob]

Dave

In plain text view, a link displays the href, not the contents of <a>show
this</a> the anchor. If you arent seeing only the href, then you are one of
the 'folks'.

Clipped again

Thank again for your prompt 'Almostbob'. Much appreciated. Also glad to
know that you actually read my post! <smile>

Your posts are hilighted always interesting reading,

 

[~BD~]

Maybe your net nanny will let you visit
http://secunia.com/advisories/17565/

)

--

Hey! I go where *I* chose!! ;-)

I did like the solution. Quote "Solution: Do not follow links from
untrusted sources"

That does, of course, mean ANY link showing in a newsgroup message
anywhere. I wonder how many people simply click on a link without a
second thought - what do you think? 95%? More? Hmmm!

I'll bet everyone visiting Security/Virus will have clicked on the links
in the signature block of David H Lipman - I most certainly did when
first I came here. I *still* wonder if they are 'safe'! <g>

Dave

PS I've never installed this http://www.netnanny.com/products/netnanny
............ but I would if I had youngsters using my PC!

 

[~BD~]

Dave

In plain text view, a link displays the href, not the contents of
<a>show this</a> the anchor. If you arent seeing only the href, then
you are one of the 'folks'.

I'm not really following you on this 'Almostbob'. I've had a quick look
here http://www.w3.org/TR/html401/struct/links.html#adef-href but I'm
too tired to review in depth right now. Perhaps I'll look tomorrow.

Your posts are hilighted always interesting reading,

That's surprising - most have me 'Kill-filed' I believe! <s> My hope is
that someone, somewhere, IS actually picking up on my concerns about
certain individuals contributing in these groups. By the simple law of
averages http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_of_averages there MUST
(surely?!!) be *some* bad guys posting here! The problem is identifying
them ........... but they ALWAYS make mistakes - eventually!

I'm watching! <wink>

Dave

 

[almostbob]

Interesting, not always good, not always bad, but interesting

Dos V'Danye

 

[FromTheRafters]

--

Hey! I go where *I* chose!! ;-)
D

I did like the solution. Quote "Solution: Do not follow links from
untrusted sources"

Easily said.

That does, of course, mean ANY link showing in a newsgroup message
anywhere.

I have come to trust many of the posters in the groups I frequent. Those
links offered by them I don't even think twice about whether following
them is safe.

I wonder how many people simply click on a link without a second thought -
what do you think? 95%? More? Hmmm!

Probably more.

I'll bet everyone visiting Security/Virus will have clicked on the links
in the signature block of David H Lipman - I most certainly did when first
I came here. I *still* wonder if they are 'safe'! <g>

I am well familiar with those targets from years ago. I trust them fully.

PS I've never installed this http://www.netnanny.com/products/netnanny
........... but I would if I had youngsters using my PC!

I was just havin' a little fun with comparing SiteAdvisor to Net Nanny in
your
case. Both are worthy applications in their place. It was like implying that
your
bicycle still had training wheels.

I took the chance that you could appreciate it as humor even though it was
at your expense, or that Blue Bayou syndrome would prevail.

 

[~BD~]

In line

Easily said.


I have come to trust many of the posters in the groups I frequent.
Those
links offered by them I don't even think twice about whether following
them is safe.

Shhhh! I do too! ;-)

Probably more.


I am well familiar with those targets from years ago. I trust them
fully.



I was just havin' a little fun with comparing SiteAdvisor to Net Nanny
in your
case. Both are worthy applications in their place. It was like
implying that your
bicycle still had training wheels.

That *is* what I thought!

I took the chance that you could appreciate it as humor even though it
was
at your expense, or that Blue Bayou syndrome would prevail.

After more than 20 years service in the RN it would be unlikely that I
wouldn't see the humour in what you said, FTR! I'm not sure about your
final comment, but this item immediately sprang to mind:

(great song!)

You may have had this item in mind http://blogs.chron.com/bluebayou/
but I didn't have much by way of clues!

Dave

--

 

[~BD~]

Ahem...

Click View and check 'Status Bar'.

The destination of a link is displayed.

--

Hi Andrew.

Hmmm! Once upon a time I could have asked you at U2U! <g>

Thank for trying to help, but it wasn't that the Status Bar was
'missing' - just not showing any information!

You probably spotted my response to 'Almostbob' yesterday ..............

______________________________________________

Many thanks for posing me with a little puzzle, 'Almostbob'!

I did exactly as you suggested and nothing happened at all - the norm
here. All I saw in the status bar was "1260 message(s), 0 unread.

Scratched chin! Delved into my memory bank (getting harder nowadays!).
Think security measures. Ah-ha! HTML setting?

Went to View (OE6) found "Message in HTML", clicked ........ and
Hey-Presto! Magically the 'Hover' facility produced the goods. Puzzle
solved. Phew!

Now where did I learn that I shouldn't use HTML in email and
newsgroups?!!!

Thank again for your prompt 'Almostbob'. Much appreciated. Also glad to
know that you actually read my post! <smile>

Dave

 

[~BD~]

sounds like you are looking at the status bar of the Outlook Express
window and not the status bar of the Outlook Express message being
read. Is pictures allowed here?
--
Andrew Taylor
Mississauga - Ontario
Canada
~

This is Usenet Andrew - there is no-one "in charge" per se (NO
moderators!) and there appears to be no enforceable rules (although I
have read and in general stick to 'guidelines').

Others *have* posted Binaries here - I'm sure that you will appreciate,
though, that there may be many reading these groups around the world who
may well still be on dial-up. (i.e. don't make it too big!)

When a window is opened to see solely one specific message, if I open a
drop-down menu (File, Edit. View etc) and run over exposed items with my
mouse pointer, information IS shown in the Status Bar. If I hover over a
link within a message itself, though, nothing shows in the Status Bar
........... UNLESS I go to 'View' and click on 'Message in HTML'

HTH

Now OT: How far out of your way would you have to go to pay a personal
visit here? : 2392 Baxter Crescent, Burlington, Ontario L7M 4C9 Canada
.. It the stated home of this firm http://www.identit.ca/contact.html

You may read other posts of mine. If you do, you will already know that
Brian Komar lives in Winnipeg, Canada, with his wife Krista Kunz. It
says so here:
http://www.microsoft.com/MSPress/books/authors/auth6418.aspx

That's a long way from the office, isn't it? Maybe, of course, these
are two completely different people! What do *you* think?

Hope life is good for you nowadays!

Dave

 

[~BD~]

message

Now OT: How far out of your way would you have to go to pay a
personal
visit here? : 2392 Baxter Crescent, Burlington, Ontario L7M 4C9
Canada
. It the stated home of this firm http://www.identit.ca/contact.html

You may read other posts of mine. If you do, you will already know
that
Brian Komar lives in Winnipeg, Canada, with his wife Krista Kunz. It
says so here:
http://www.microsoft.com/MSPress/books/authors/auth6418.aspx

That's a long way from the office, isn't it? Maybe, of course, these
are two completely different people! What do *you* think?

That is an easy one David. did I tell you I used to be a private
detective
part time?

Website states: Based in Canada, with a world-wide practice, IdentIT
Inc.
was formed in 2003
by Paul Adare and Brian Komar. IdentIT Inc.

Two partners, two locations.

I pass Burlington on the way to Niagra Falls and when I go to buffalo
for
hockey games. It is famous for the Burlington Skyway Bridge.

To answer your other question, here is the screenshot.

--

Thanks for your reply, Andrew.

I do see what you show - but only if I go to 'View' and click on
'Message in HTML' (it then greys out)

If I click on 'Refresh' at the bottom of the 'View' menu (after closing
and opening the message, the 'Message in HTML' is black and 'active'
again.

Regardless, in order to see a link in the Status Bar, I have to have my
mouse pointer over said link i.e. 'Hover'. In your screenshot, I can
see no mouse pointer. Silly point really. Is there a simple explanation
for that?

If you really were a private detective, part-time or otherwise (and I
have no reason to doubt that!) I expect you are now sufficiently curious
to pop into the office of IdentIT and enquire as to why a specialist IT
firm have a web site which seemingly has errors when viewed using
Firefox rather than Internet Explorer - and has partners who post
messages in the middle of the night (I appreciate that they *could* be
anywhere in the world!). It's just a hinky feeling really - I'm sure you
know what I mean!

Cheers

Dave

 

[Casual Observer]

Just what exactly do you think is wrong with that website? They look
identical to me in IE7 and in Firefox 3.0.4. No errors come up in either
browser either. If you get an error, you need to look into your own system
and not use that to start another one of your wild goose chases.


message

Now OT: How far out of your way would you have to go to pay a personal
visit here? : 2392 Baxter Crescent, Burlington, Ontario L7M 4C9 Canada
. It the stated home of this firm http://www.identit.ca/contact.html

You may read other posts of mine. If you do, you will already know that
Brian Komar lives in Winnipeg, Canada, with his wife Krista Kunz. It
says so here:
http://www.microsoft.com/MSPress/books/authors/auth6418.aspx

That's a long way from the office, isn't it? Maybe, of course, these
are two completely different people! What do *you* think?

That is an easy one David. did I tell you I used to be a private
detective
part time?

Website states: Based in Canada, with a world-wide practice, IdentIT
Inc.
was formed in 2003
by Paul Adare and Brian Komar. IdentIT Inc.

Two partners, two locations.

I pass Burlington on the way to Niagra Falls and when I go to buffalo
for
hockey games. It is famous for the Burlington Skyway Bridge.

To answer your other question, here is the screenshot.

--

Thanks for your reply, Andrew.

I do see what you show - but only if I go to 'View' and click on
'Message in HTML' (it then greys out)

If I click on 'Refresh' at the bottom of the 'View' menu (after closing
and opening the message, the 'Message in HTML' is black and 'active'
again.

Regardless, in order to see a link in the Status Bar, I have to have my
mouse pointer over said link i.e. 'Hover'. In your screenshot, I can
see no mouse pointer. Silly point really. Is there a simple explanation
for that?

If you really were a private detective, part-time or otherwise (and I
have no reason to doubt that!) I expect you are now sufficiently curious
to pop into the office of IdentIT and enquire as to why a specialist IT
firm have a web site which seemingly has errors when viewed using
Firefox rather than Internet Explorer - and has partners who post
messages in the middle of the night (I appreciate that they *could* be
anywhere in the world!). It's just a hinky feeling really - I'm sure you
know what I mean!

Cheers

Dave

 

[~BD~]

Just what exactly do you think is wrong with that website? They look
identical to me in IE7 and in Firefox 3.0.4. No errors come up in
either browser either. If you get an error, you need to look into
your own system and not use that to start another one of your wild
goose chases.

I can, of course, only report what I see here on my own machine (XPHome,
SP3 and Updates)

If I look here http://www.identit.ca/events.html using IE7 everything
looks fine.

If I go to the same page using Firefox 3.0.4 the dark grey bar (at the
bottom in IE7 - containing Home Services About Us Contact Us) is
positioned about three-quarters of the way down my screen - positioned
just above Lifecycle Manager 2007 on the left hand side menu.

If you do NOT see what I see, I'd be grateful if you would tell me. I'm
more than happy to re-install Firefox or even XP if necessary.

Thanks for your post.

Dave