The Bits 2.0

Problem: Even on a fairly modern PC running Core i7, Internet Explorer 8 seems to take significant time to load if anti-malware softwares that relies on Internet Explorer’s Zones to block sites (> 100,000+ records). Since Windows Explorer is tightly integrated with Internet Explorer, it slows down significantly as well.

Solution: There are no permanent solutions at the moment other than deleting all the keys under zone maps set by your anti-malware software: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\ZoneMap\

This security update resolves a privately reported vulnerability in the Server service. The vulnerability could allow remote code execution if an affected system received a specially crafted RPC request. On Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 systems, an attacker could exploit this vulnerability without authentication to run arbitrary code. It is possible that this vulnerability could be used in the crafting of a wormable exploit. Firewall best practices and standard default firewall configurations can help protect network resources from attacks that originate outside the enterprise perimeter.

This security update is rated Critical for all supported editions of Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, and rated Important for all supported editions of Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. For more information, see the subsection, Affected and Non-Affected Software, in this section.

The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting the way that the Server service handles RPC requests. For more information about the vulnerability, see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) subsection for the specific vulnerability entry under the next section, Vulnerability Information.

Recommendation. Microsoft recommends that customers apply the update immediately.

Known Issues. None

Continue reading…

Today, particle physicist at CERN LHC (Large Hadron Collider) will smash two streams of protons, accelerated at near the speed of light, together to form what hopefully, would be a microscopic blackhole or some sort.

People around the world have voiced their concerns regarding the experiment, citing the danger of that microscopic blackhole gobbling up the entire planet.

Or will it not?

http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/multimedia/2008/09/gallery_cern

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24556999

Say you want to sort the output of “ls” (Get-ChildItem) according to file size, date modified or alphabetically, try:

1. Sort according to file size:

ls | sort -property Length

2. Sort according to data modified:

ls | sort -property LastWriteTime

3. Sort according to Name:

ls | sort -property Name

or just simply:

ls

To return a descending list, just add -descending at the back. This applies any stdout pipes, not just Get-ChildItem.

In UNIX-like operating systems, we usually employ iptables to block a certain range of IPs. Unbeknown to most Windows server admins, there is too, a wizard-based iptables-like solution on Windows Server operating systems.

Continue Reading »