January 27, 2003 Henry County Announcements

NOTE: AOL USERS should use AOL webmail to view this: http://www.aol.com/aolmail

Greetings List Members! Henry County Web Announcements

In this JANUARY 27, 2003 Issue:

NEW STUFF
Henry County Cooperative Extension Service
Henry County Public Library
Music CD Settlement--$5-$20

ARTICLES
"I Was An 'OXY-' Moron, Now I'm 'Oxy-' Smart"
FYI: Xupiter, "An Offer You Can't Refuse"

Henry County Cooperative Extension Service

We just wanted to remind you that our Henry County Cooperative Extension Service has a new location. The new Extension Office building was completed late in December and our Agents moved in Christmas week. If you would like to visit the Extenion Agents for programs and all the wonderful services and information they provide the new building is a bit further along the road towards Campbellsburg. They are directly next to the Foree Animal Clinic and across the road from the Henry County Country Club.

Henry County Public Library

The Henry County Public Library website address changed in Novemeber. It is now http://library.henrycountyky.com. Also, as of January 22, 2003 you can browser the collection of material available for loan at the Henry County Public Library ONLINE. Just go to http://library.henrycountyky.com and use the "Browse the Catalog" link on the left.

Music CD Settlement--$5-$20

If you purchased a pre-recorded music CD between January 1, 1995 through December 22, 2000, you are eligible to apply for a "piece of the pie." Various CD manufactures are required by law to make amends for price fixing (Anti-Trust.) This is a legitimate refund/reparation. You DO NOT have to present receipts as proof-of-purchase. Just visit the settlement website, answer a few questions and fill out the application. Depending on how many people apply, the amount of the refund will be between $5.00 and $20.00. IF more than 8.8 million bonafide applications are received, instead of all applicants receiving a rebate the value of the settlement will be in free CDs distributed to non-profit organizations, libraries, charitable organizations, etc. for the benefit of the community-at-large. Also note, this is one application PER PERSON, therefore if more than one person in your household purchased pre-recorded music CDs in the mention time span each person can apply.

For the application and more details visit: http://www.musiccdsettlement.com/english/default.htm

"I was an 'OXY-' Moron, now I'm 'Oxy-' Smart"
(True Confessions of a stained carpet.)

Do you know Billie Mays? I don't--except he's the spokes person for "Oxy-Clean". I'm a little "cautious" about spokesperson endorsements. But, I wondered if there was something to this "Oxy-Clean" when Clorox and others started market similar products with sound-alike names, such as "Oxygen Action."

I don't mind trying new things so much, but I am skeptical of products hawked on TV in info-mercial style. I think that in all my life I've only order something from TV three times, once very satisfied, once dissatisfied, and once "neutral." When I spotted Oxygen Action available at the supermarket, I thought I'd "bite" since I had a particular use in mind.

As some of you know, we own dogs...and we have owned, cherished, spoiled, and co-habited with them for years. This old carpet has seen the underside of of no less than five dogs--for a few years, four concurrently! God Bless 'em for their virtues, but--well--dogs can be rough on the carpeting. I wouldn't ever trade a pristine carpet for the pleasure of their company, but it sure would be nice to not have to blush about the condition of the flooring. Of course, there are other enemies of carpeting: kids, good ol' Henry County clay, ilnesses, accidents, etc. So, our carpet has seen better days.

One of our old tail-waggin' friends, gone to the "great beyond" for going on 3 years, came in one day with an upset stomach. She "relieved" herself of the discomfort just inside our front door. Despite immediate action, the stain remained. We tried all manner of stain removal from home concoctions of vinegar to regular carpet clearer, to bottled stain/odor remover, including foams and products called "heavy duty" and "concentrated." One attempt DID actually remove the grassy green chlorophyl, but the rest--the brownish blotch that was a perpetual reminder of the incident was obstinant. That ugly stain was the first thing my eyes would set on when I walked in the door and put down my purse...a very nagging "ick" evoker. Putting a piece of furniture over it was out of the question, it was right at the doorway. Laying a scatter rug to hide it would only draw attention to the funny way the rug was out-of-place. Buying new carpeting would just make me neurotic about everyone's feet. So, for all these years I had to resign myself that it was there for good--get over it! I wasn't going to allow a carpet stain to turn me into a neurotic (yeah, ok, so I heard you laugh!)

It was hard to ignore, and every once-in-awhile I'd wonder if there was something else I could try. The only reason I hadn't tried bleach was because I figured it would "reverse" the dark spot into a light spot. Finally I'd had it and decided a light spot was not as ugly as a brown spot. My next attempt was going to be bleach--however much it would take.

But wait! Billy Mays, Oxy-Clean's spokesperson, demonstrated grape, and pet stains just melting away by using Oxy-Clean...could I try it, or one of the similar OXY products? It couldn't be any worse than bleach, and I could always go for the bleach if the Oxy didn't work. I had nothing to lose but an eye-sore.

Off to the store, drop down a couple of bucks for a tub of "magic white powder", home to scoop OXY into a container of water and dribble the stuff on the spot.

HA! "Out out, damn spot," as Lady MacBeth declared in "the Scottish Play."

I walked away, not wanting to jinx it. They say "a watched pot never boils" and maybe a watched spot never vanishes. Ten minutes, then 20 minutes later I returned with my hand held carpet sucker-upper ready to see if "OXY' was "all of that."

<smile> To borrow from another TV ad... "Go Baby, go!" No more spot! OXY even removed two small rust stains from wet chain leashes.

I mentioned my discovery to a friend and she told me she found out about OXY awhile ago and anytime she steam cleans her carpet she uses OXY. I have heard from others that it didn't remove some stains from clothing, but overall, the feedback on OXY is positive.

So, I won't be spending money and time on those bottles of pet stain/odor removers, I've gotten Oxy Smart.

Xupiter, "An Offer You Can't Refuse"
(*definitions at the end)

Since at least last fall a new "demon" has been plaguing computer users that travel the "Information Super Highway."

Technically this is not a virus--at least not in a form that some experienced user might be accustom to. But due to the rampant nature of this MALWARE*, privacy issues, and the serious risk of damage to your computer you might as well consider this an "Internet Virus."

It's caller Xupiter, and "Godfather-like" it's "an offer you can't refuse." The method that it gets from the Internet to your computer earns it a place in the growing list of "FOISTWARE*."

It can be initialized to download via a pop-up (they tend to look and behave suspiciously anyway), but more frequently they are initialized via a pop-under. One suspect pop-up almost completely obscured the corner X to close the window, another suspect pop-up made the window shrink, move, and vanish at the users attempt to close the window. If you observe behavior such as this in a pop-up it is certainly reason to wonder if you've been victimized.

More likely, Xupiter will try to attach to your computer via a pop-under. Pop-unders are concealed behind your active browser window and you may not notice it's there, or you may not see them until leaving a website and/or closing your browser and Internet connection. A malicious pop-under is very hard to catch in the act, but I did manage to glimpse one in the nick of time. It was a windows system message that stated that if I didn't hit cancel in 15 seconds (it included a "countdown") it was going to install software. The odds of witnessing this sneak attack and hitting "cancel" in 15 seconds are extremely slim. If the "cancel" is hidden you cannot refuse the download and installation. Preventing your cancellation and forcing their software is the obvious intent, no matter how persistently it's claimed that you requested the software and accepted the download. (This is referred to as "drive-by-downloading.")

Xupiter offers itself as a "browser enhancement" in the form of an Internet Search Toolbar. It attaches itself to your Internet Explorer software, and while you might succeed in making it "invisible" it is difficult to actually, and completely, remove. It records your searches from its tools bar (and possibly other search tools). It also automatically updates itself while you are online. It is claimed by other Internet sites that Xupiter doesn't distribute the private information it receives about you from your computer. However, any company that employs tactics such as these to force itself on unsuspecting consumers is NOT a company that I would trust with ANY personal information.

If that weren't bad enough, if a user attempts to abort or remove the program improperly it can cause serious damage to your system configuration. One victim had Xupiter corrupt a system file and half of the programs on her computer became unusable. (We spent nearly 7 hours repairing the computer to a usable, and now "mostly immune" configuration.)

There is also reason to believe that there may be an execution time delay incorporated in the software since I have observed that the software has been download but remains "dormant" for an undetermined period of time. The strategy employed by a time delay is to make it difficult to determine from which site the MALWARE originated.

How do you get rid of Xupiter (and similar) and what can you do to block Xupiter and other MALWARE?

NEVER attempt to "get rid of" a program by selecting files and deleting! This is likely to do even more harm to your computer. Also look and see if there is a "uninstall" file with the program. As a rule, FOISTWARE does not come with an uninstall, but if you scream loud enough, you can usually get an uninstaller from the company that distributed the software. Alternately, you can use the Windows CONTROL PANEL and select the Add/Remove programs function. Read and make your selection carefully, especially if you have had more than one installation of a program. Unfortunately, with MALWARE, an ordinary uninstall is not enough. The "nasties" will still find places to hide and will also be recorded in your computer REGISTRY*. (WARNING: Do NOT tamper with your computer's REGISTRY without certainty that you are proceeding correctly. Errors in editing the Registry can make your computer unusable!)

Xupiter.com does have a uninstall program available, they will provide you a link to download their uninstaller (after claiming that you wanted the software and voluntarily installed it.) I highly recommend that after you get the uninstaller that you make a backup copy on a diskette. It is highly probable that you will discover that Xupiter has attacked your computer again.

Even though you may use the Xupiter uninstaller, keep in mind that Xupiter is still going to be recorded in your Registry file. There are instructions on the Internet for "cleaning" your Registry file and there are software programs that will do this for you. (See "Recommended Sites for Help" at the end of this article.)

How do you keep from being victimized again and by other MALWARE?

Don't let unscrupulous parties deter you from the usefulness and enjoyment of the Internet. You can fight back!

Forewarned is forearmed. You are now ahead of the game because you are aware such programs and practices exist. Now is a good time to get pro-active about Internet malware.

Normal anti-virus software and settings do not stop this type of attack. You could change your anti-virus settings and browser settings to disallow JAVA, ActiveX, cookies, etc.--but you would also be defeating and blocking some of the must usable, useful, and enjoyable features of the Internet.

There are several software programs that will remove Xupiter and others Adware*, available for FREE. There are also "paid" versions of the same software that will block and/or warn of any attempts to add modules or tamper with your settings (such as home page "hijackers"*.) A list of sites with Anti-Adware software and more information about Xupiter and other forms of FOISTWARE are included below.

I have filed a report with the FTC regarding Xupiter. Even though the authors of Xupiter are out-of-the-country, filing a complaint won't hurt, in fact, it helps keep watch on these entities. Also, it is possible that U.S. companies that are engaged in the distribution of Xupiter via their websites can be challenged. Having a verified "black list" of websites (and even software companies) using this sort of FOISTWARE would mean that users offended by FOISTWARE could boycott those sites and products. (In fact, some lists do exist. See the "More Information" web sites listed below.)

SOFTWARE TO REMOVE OR BLOCK XUPITER:

http://www.lavasoft.nu -- Maker of "AdAware"--the free version will remove Xupiter. Make sure you get the newest Reference File to go with the basic program. The AdAware Plus! version includes AdWatch and will block or warn of FOISTWARE.(This is what I use.)
http://beam.to/spybotsd -- Spybot is another highly touted program for detection and removal.
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/spywareblaster.html
http://www.aluriasoftware.com/spywareeliminator/index.html

MORE INFORMATION

http://www.doxdesk.com/parasite/Xupiter.html

http://www.keyboardpower.com/Security.htm

http://www.spychecker.com
(This has a good list, but does not include "Xupiter" at last check)

http://www.tom-cat.com
(Better list than the previous, but also does not include "Xupiter" at last check.)

DEFINITIONS:

MALWARE - broad term for software that can be considered "malicious"
FOISTWARE - software that is forced on the end user
ADWARE - software geared to advertising products
HOME PAGE HIJACKER - Software that changes your browser home page to a site other than what you selected.
REGISTRY - essential information on your PC computer that includes permissions, installed software, location of programs, what programs to run on start, etc. Never make changes to your Registry without having a back-up and knowing precisely what you are doing.

DISCLAIMER: Not ALL ADWARE is evil and some programs considered "foistware" are actually included with legitimate software and required via your EULA (End User License Agreement). Read the EULA BEFORE you decide to "accept", often you'll want to accept anyway, but be sure you know what you are agreeing to.

FTC and Consumer Protection: FirstGov for Consumers: Technology
Also a great source of other information for Consumers!

FTC Complaint Form: https://rn.ftc.gov/dod/wsolcq$.startup?Z_ORG_CODE=PU01
This is a "generalre 6 Valentines to choose from or select an All Occasion card. As we have time we'll be digging through our photo archives and taking more pictures to add still more postcards. Enjoy!

http://www.henrycountyky.com/postcard

Now, the "Netiquette"...

We are very happy to have you on our email list. BUT, if you are on the list in err or would rather not continue to receive these announcements just reply to this email and enter REMOVE in the subject line and body of the email. Simple, huh? :)

IF you do like receiving these announcements, even if you can't always read them, and you want to REMAIN on the email list, you don't have to do a thing.

If this has been forwarded to you by a friend, we'd like to invite you to sign-up for Henry County Announcements by going to http://www.henrycountyky.com/email.htm. Submit your email address and you can receive these announcements directly to your email box.

Warmest Henry County Regards,

~~Joyce K. Meyer
webmaster@henrycountyky.com

Newsletter Index

www.mycottage.com