Category Archives: Technology

conficker live and lurking

The media hasn’t talked about Conficker (downadup) for a while now. Possibly because they’ve already frightened you and have nothing really else to say unless its something like the internet will spontaneously combust or your personal computer will blow up.

Security researchers are monitoring the virus as it is currently distributing its mutating code via peer-to-peer networks. According to a few sources, the new instructions are being transferred with high encryption making it difficult for researchers to figure out what the worm is supposed to do next.

Once again, please make sure you have the MS08-067 patch installed and have the latest anti virus updates installed on your computer however as of writing this article, there are no known virus definitions for the new variation.

Mcafee reports nothing, I only see Symantec & Trend Micro posting something about the recent activity.

Symantec Threat Center – W32.Downadup.E
IT Pro – New Variant of Conficker Strikes
Trend Micro Blog – New Variant in the Mix?

Update:

Google reader just updated some more feeds, McAfee does have some information now as well as some good removal instructions

McAfee Security Blog – New Conficker Variant

sound test!

Alright, perk your ears up. This test is a bit old, however I haven’t found another one out there recently. Maybe one day I’ll try and make my own.

This test will test your ears to see if you really know quality from “quality”. Can you really hear the difference between the following:

  • “regular” mp3 at 128kbps
  • “higher-quality” mp3 at 320kbps.

Note: I would not advise trying this on your laptop speakers. Use the same headphones or system that you use to listen to your regular music.

mp3ornot.com <– Click here for the test!

I wish there was a flac vs mp3 test, but that might take a bit too much bandwidth.

I got this right no problem on my first time. I had Shure e500s and a Sound Blaster Audigy ZS Notebook sound card to listen with; would have been embarrassing if I had gotten the answer wrong.

PS: I do believe the answer is always the same so don’t give it away!