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Unexpected Day |
February 27, 2010
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Today did not go as planned. I was going to operate in a contest I haven't missed in five years. Instead, I spent the afternoon removing a nasty piece of malware from my main computer. I couldn't let it wait--I had to attack it before it did too much damage. As it was, it managed to contaminate 25 files even though I found it quickly. Called "XP Security 2010," this piece of malware has the lovely effect of shutting down Windows Firewall and disabling any antivirus software you have. If you delete it or rename it, then no other programs will run.
If you ever see some official-looking window pop up and tell you that your computer is infected with all manner of nasties, and you can get rid of them just by giving the authors of "XP (or Vista) Security 2010" your credit card number, DON'T. (I didn't.) Then shoot me an email, I'll send you a link that will tell you how to get rid of it.
The scary thing is that I had used AVG antivirus to scan the file that infected me before I opened it. It didn't find the malware.
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The big story of the day was the earthquake in Chile. It pushed the Olympics to the back pages.
The Chile story was itself pushed to the back pages by the wait for a tsunami in Hawaii. The tsunami struck on time, but was (fortunately) not nearly as bad as it could have been. I always worry when that happens, because I fear that the next warning won't be heeded.
Even though this earthquake was hundreds of times more powerful than the one in Haiti, Chile ought to fare better. For one thing, the earthquake occurred offshore, some 75 miles away from the nearest population center. For another, Chile is a developed country with modern building codes that probably helped to minimize the loss of life. It has infrastructure that will better allow aid to flow to where it's needed. Besides, Chile never made a deal with the devil.
I'm going to hold off for a day or so before I donate to earthquake relief. I think it's important for the Chilean government to decide what it needs. Haiti was such a backward country that I knew any aid would help. So far, Chile has not asked for any military aid from the United States. I hope the President sends some ships in that direction anyway. If they turn out to be needed, time will be of the essence. |
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