Multiple vendor DNS protocol implementations could allow a remote attacker to poison the DNS cache. Patches that resolve the vulnerability on the DNS may be rendered ineffective if the DNS is behind a NAT device that does not randomize ports. Public exploit code was made available on July 24, 2008. At the time of this update, neither X-Force nor IBM MSS has witness any active exploitation nor the integration of this exploit into any exploit toolkits.
An embarrassment for the free world
In a few days the Olympic Games 2008 will open in China. The Olympic games have always claimed to bring the peoples of the world together in peaceful competition. We like to believe that the games can show mankind at its best, with unity, peace, tole... (more in the full post)
With rise in China's Internet use, more security threats seen - ABS CBN News
Microsoft Windows DirectX SAMI Code Execution
Microsoft Windows DirectX could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the system.
Microsoft Dynamics GP Multiple (4) Buffer Overflows
The Microsoft Dynamics GP is vulnerable to four heap and stack-based buffer overflows. A remote attacker could overflow the buffer and execute arbitrary code or gain control of the affected system by sending malicious queries to the Distributed Process Server or Distributed Process Manager.
Refurbished Laptop experiences from Apple Online
I had posted this a while ago on the forums but I feel it's as much a review/blog post and thought I would also update it with my long term experiences.
Recently purchased a refurbished MacBook Pro via Apples online store.
I was a little unsure of how 'refurbished' my new laptop would be - is it second hand? is it a lemon from someone else?
If there was one reason I could be reasonably sure of quality is that all refurbs come with the standard 12 month international warranty and Applecare can be added at anytime in the first 12 months. Giving you 3 years total hardware coverage available anywhere in the world. The cost of Applecare does increase the price by another $495 - and it's a must have. My last MacbookPro purchase was a 17" 1st Gen MacBookPro - and after 2 years of problems has the whole machine replaced via Applecare. Although not perfect, the service from Apple was complete and I feel you do get a more complete warranty cover than other Notebook brands.
Anyway, back to the refurb, I had heard stories that some people recieved units in America with (*gasp*) fingerprints on it but over all found an almost new computer. Apple was listing a current generation 15" Macbook Pro (2.4Ghz C2D Penryn, 2gb, 200gb HD, 8600GT 256MB) listed at 22% off the RRP.
No matter how 'used' the computer could be, these models were only introduced 6 months ago, I knew the machine couldn't be that beat up. So I ordered the computer.
It was 4.06pm on Monday.
It arrived 10.31am Tuesday (yes the very next day).
From Sydney!
Seriously scary service! I've order things from Auckland and they've taken longer to arrive. Shipping is done via TNT and all the necessary taxes are dealt with on Apples end. A paper reciept arrives a week later via the snail mail, funnily enough my credit card was charges as 'iTunes New Zealand'.
As it's a refurb, the unit came in a nondiscript whte box, with the computer surrounded in some solid yet basic padding and a long white Apple branded box (with all the standard cables/DVD/clothes inside).
Leopard was installed by default (as it is on all refurbs from Apple).
I took the computer out and it looked mint. I gave it a smell, it smelled brand new (you know the smell). It looked brand new. To be honest you wouldn't know it wasn't a fresh out of the box orginal if I threw it in a similar box.
The battery was brand new (as was the power adaptor) and showed 1 charge.
I don't need to take you on a full review of the comp, I've written this to pass on my experience of Apple Refurbishments more than cover a 15" MacbookPro. So I got what seems to be a brand new $NZ3200 laptop for $2499 - A real bargin. I would highly recommended this way to get a good deal on a Mac. If you want to see what current deals are available look for the link on the bottom left side of the site - there's plenty of iMacs, Macbooks/MacbookPro's and even Air's and AppleTV's.
And finally, what's broke? theres a couple of slight issues
The left side USB port isn't quite flush with the casing. This is inside the case not outside, and the plug still fits all the USB cables I've tried, so it as much an aesthetic (and microscopic) issue.
Also I've had a total of 4 occourances of a strange banding in the bottom of the screen similar to the pic below. It isn't life threatening and looks likely to be software more than hardware. I could kick up a fuss and get it replaced but for now it's just not a biggie.
Since buying this my flatmate also took advantage of the same deal (15" MacBook Pro) and his came in exactly the same state - a seemingly brand new laptop and a lower price.
NASA, perchlorates and the giant Mars soil composition question mark.
There has been mildy interesting news from NASA,
The news and blogosphere is all abuzz with various theories and news, that they have found perchlorate, and this is surprising scientists at NASA,
Its been found in the soil near where the rocket landed, and it also occurs naturally on earth,
if you are wondering what perchlorate is, well its used in rocket fuel, and wikipedia has this to say about it;
Perchlorates are the salts derived from perchloric acid (HClO4). They occur both naturally and through manufacturing. They have been used as a medicine for more than 50 years to treat thyroid gland disorders. They are also used as an oxidizer in rocket fuel and explosives and can be found in airbags and fireworks. Both potassium perchlorate (KClO4) and ammonium perchlorate (NH4ClO4) are used extensively within the pyrotechnics industry, whereas ammonium perchlorate is a component of solid rocket fuel. Lithium perchlorate, which decomposes exothermically to give oxygen, is used in oxygen "candles" on spacecraft, submarines and in other esoteric situations where a reliable backup or supplementary oxygen supply is needed. Most perchlorate salts are soluble in water.[1]
Its not a definitive sign of life, or lack thereof either way, in fact its pretty much an issue of "well yeah, and?"
its a hell of a lot less exciting than when they proved the existence of water!
These perchlorates occur naturally, and coincidentally they occur naturally in the area of the Atacama desert in chile that NASA use as a testing ground for martian missions!
and even though this is one of the driest places on the planet;
The Atacama Desert is a virtually rainless plateau in South America, covering a 966 km (600 mi) strip of land on the Pacific coast of South America, west of the Andes mountains. The rain shadow on the leeward side of the Andes keeps this over 20 million-year-old desert[1] 50 times drier than California's Death Valley. It is the second-driest desert in the world, after the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica.[citation needed] The Atacama occupies 181,300 square kilometers (70,000 mi²)[2] in northern Chile, composed mostly of salt basins (salares), sand, and lava flows.It still plays host to plenty of life, nothing which is particularly large in size, but there are even microbes and some life forms that feed on the perchlorates in the soil!
What is particularly unfortunate about NASA releasing these findings is that the results whilst first detected several weeks ago,
using the Wet chemistry lab, they then tried to confirm using the gas analyzer,
but they haven't yet confirmed it as those tests remain incomplete!
As I already mentioned, they picket up these traces near where the rocket landed and plenty of scientists have pointed out that it could be contamination from the rockets
-However-Many other scientists have been quick to point out that the engines use hydrazine and not chlorine ( which is what they might have found)
and when they calibrated the wet chemistry lab after landing they found no traces of perchlorate.
So really its a big question mark that wont be answered until the Mars Science lab arrives, and that isn't even scheduled to launch until 2009
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