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Botnet

Multiplatform Java Botnet Spotted In the Wild 203

It's fun sometimes to be smug because you are ("one is") using an operating system less susceptible to malware, or at least less targeted by malware creators, than is Microsoft Windows. Now, reader Orome1 writes with word of a Java-based, equal-opportunity botnet Trojan, excerpting from Help Net Security's report: "'IncognitoRAT is one example of a Java-based Trojan discovered in the wild that is being downloaded and installed by another component. This malware behaves like other Windows botnets but uses source code and libraries that can operate on other platforms,' explains McAfee's Carlos Castillo." So far, no mention of a Linux version, though.

Comment Re:And those who onlyTHINK they would be superhero (Score 1) 419

Not to mention the fact that if you're actively trying to be a hero and thwarting criminals, then they are eventually going to start figuring out how to hurt you. And, generally speaking, since you have super powers the easiest way for them to do that is to come after the people you care about. Best case, you'd be able to keep them safe but would be constantly worried, stressed, and high-strung trying to make sure nothing happened to them. Worst case (which would probably happen eventually), you slip up once and someone seriously injures and/or kills them. Then you've got a lifetime (which might be extended with your new powers) of guilt, regret, and anger to just eat away at you and turn you into the villain.

So say you realize this and you decide to 1) not get close to anyone so you never have that weakness, or 2) ignore your powers and never help anyone in need.

1) You're still human deep down, after all, and everyone needs some sort of social interaction to keep from going crazy. So... it's really only a matter of time.

2) This might be the best option to keep you from turning evil (or just straight up insane) down the road, but you'd still have to deal with a lifetime of guilt because you're essentially just letting bad things happen that you know you can stop.

In summary, having super powers just about universally sucks unless you're going to be a villain.

Comment Re:Too bad, do we help them...? (Score 1) 347

It's not just a matter of going without honey. When honey bees are collecting the pollen for their own uses, they inadvertently pollinate plants. This goes beyond just pretty flowers and extends to food crops as well, that put on blooms that have to be pollinated before they'll actually produce fruit. There are lots of people essentially maintaining backyard bee hives for this very reason, to keep the populations around and try to help make sure they don't go extinct.

Comment Re:What is he hiding? (Score 1) 1155

Or you've got something similar to the "problem" with sexting. If a 19-year old is dating a 17-year old, and she decides to send him a picture of herself... *boom*, he's looking at child pornography.

Only moderately related, but really the statutory rape/child pornography laws need to be adjusted to take somehow take into account the age difference between the people.

Comment Re:Ya sorry Valve (Score 2, Insightful) 161

I... just really don't understand. If you don't want to pay for a hat, or a gun, or whatever... just don't. I really enjoy the game, but there is very little chance that I'd be spending money on new weapons, and absolutely no chance I'll buy the cosmetic items. No one is forcing you to spend the money on it. You don't need to have *any* of those items to play the game. I have gotten several of the unlocks over the course of playing the game, and I still choose to use the original weapons in some cases because I like them better. I'm not a pro at the game by any means, but I can generally hold my own play how I want with the weapons I like. If people want to spend money to bypass the need to play the game and wait for the drops, that's their call. It's not going to make them automatically better at the game, just give them some different ways to play. And personally I think Valve deserves to get a little extra something for all the work they've put into TF2. I haven't necessarily liked every single update that's come out for it, but at least they're *trying* to keep the game from becoming stagnant and stale.

And if you don't like the game... just don't play it. If you don't think it looks good, don't buy it. If you bought it a few years ago, but think it's become outdated in that time, just stop playing it. No one is forcing you to spend your time or money on this game, you're completely free to go off and spend your time playing whatever else you'd like. Obviously there are a lot of people that do enjoy it, because a ton of people play the game, a ton of people flood in to try out the updates, and a ton of people are crafting, creating, and wearing/using these items.

Just because this style/feature isn't for you, that doesn't make it invalid. Play what you'd like to, spend your money the way you'd like, and let other people do the same.

Entertainment

Penny Arcade On NPR 128

This morning on the NPR shuffle podcast, they included a segment about Penny Arcade. Seems only fair since NPR did Achewood a few months ago. If they just get XKCD on there, then the universe can rest.
Upgrades

VirtualBox 2.1 Supports 64-Bit VM In 32-Bit Host 374

Stephen Birch writes "Following closely behind the mid-November 2.06 release of VirtualBox, Sun Microsystems has released version 2.1. This has a number of new features, but one of the most interesting is the ability to run a 64-bit VM inside a 32-bit host. Another useful feature is integrated host-based networking; no more fiddling around with network bridges. Sun is really giving VMWare a run for their money."
Medicine

MIT Injects Nanotubes To Help Fight Cancer 58

CWmike writes to tell us that researchers at MIT have found a way to wrap nanotube sensors in DNA to detect the results of chemotherapy. The sensors are able to detect whether the drugs are attacking their targets or healthy cells. "Cancer researchers have long been trying to figure out a way to better deliver drugs to cancer cells without blasting surrounding cells as well. The Stanford researchers devised a way to use single-walled carbon nanotubes as targeted medicinal delivery vehicles. By better targeting the chemotherapy, less of the drug needs to be injected into the patient for cancer treatment. And that would reduce the side effects of chemotherapy treatment, such as nausea, hair loss, weight loss and fatigue."
Windows

Why Use Virtual Memory In Modern Systems? 983

Cyberhwk writes "I have a system with Windows Vista Ultimate (64-bit) installed on it, and it has 4GB of RAM. However when I've been watching system performance, my system seems to divide the work between the physical RAM and the virtual memory, so I have 2GB of data in the virtual memory and another 2GB in the physical memory. Is there a reason why my system should even be using the virtual memory anymore? I would think the computer would run better if it based everything off of RAM instead of virtual memory. Any thoughts on this matter or could you explain why the system is acting this way?"
Programming

Python 3.0 Released 357

licorna writes "The 3.0 version of Python (also known as Python3k and Python3000) just got released few hours ago. It's the first ever intentionally backwards-incompatible Python release."
Biotech

Swedish Athletes Back GPS Implants to Combat Drug Use 299

paulraps writes "Swedish athletes Carolina Klüft and Stefan Holm have proposed a radical technological measure to stop top level competitors from taking performance-enhancing drugs. Klüft and Holm, reigning Olympic champions in the heptathlon and high-jump events, argue that competitors at the highest level should either have computer chips implanted into their skin or GPS transmitters attached to their training bags so that the authorities can keep tabs on them at all times."

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