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Re: [Air-l] [cc]Microsoft's really hidden files
by Frank Schaap 11 Aug '01

11 Aug '01

<snip> Bob wrote: > The author makes a big deal about *not* being able to find various > "well-hidden" folders and files using Windows Explorer (he doesn't specify > the Windows product or build that he's using). But on the contrary, I am > able to see all the worrisome "hidden" temporary folders and files using > Windows Explorer in both Win98 and WinME. So I don't perceive the need to > boot to DOS as the author suggests; I originally posted the message to the Cyberculture list. Of course I had checked the claims first, as had the Dutch webzine I referred to. I have a Win2k SP2 and a Win98 SE box and both fail to show the files in the Windows Explorer. The files _do_ show up in a DOS-box (which isn't real-mode DOS) and they _do_ show up when using the Windows search on those directories. Windows Explorer is set to show _all_ files, including hidden and system files, so when these files don't show up in a plain vanilla directory listing, I suppose Microsoft doesn't want them to show up. Why they do show up for you, I have no idea, maybe a difference between certain releases, a fluke or maybe the earth's magnetic field, but... The same half-baked hiding of these files applies to Microsoft's general approach of security and disclosure about just what their programs do and don't (especially towards programmers, think API's). Security by obscurity is a bad idea. > when I followed his instructions, I > found > nothing on my machine that I didn't already know about, and unless I've > made > a terrible mistake, I fail to see just what the fuss is all about. If you didn't find anything you didn't already know about, you probably are well informed about the general working of the stuff that goes on in your computer. Commendable, but I'm afraid not really exemplary of the general public. Remains the fact that the files in question _don't_ get deleted when your order those Microsoft programs to delete _everything_ in the cache. Remains also the fact that these files contain a complete log of everything that went through your browser or Outlook client. In a reply to Jeremy you say that a lot of people find Microsoft's added features very useful, but a major problem here is that Microsoft by default enables a lot of features that pose serious security risks. Instead of choosing the safe path and disabling all features such as macros, scripting and file-sharing etc. by default, so that the user has to consciously turn them on if s/he wants to use them, Microsoft just turns everything on by default and exposes the unknowing user to all kinds of dangers. It used to be that you only had to disable filesharing in the TCP/IP settings to eliminate one of the worst security holes, nowadays AFTER disabling filesharing, you have to dig deep into 5 layers of advanced settings to _also_ disable Netbios over TCP/IP to plug the same hole. Instead of learning from their mistakes, Microsoft just leaves the old security problem as it is and on top of that creates another one. That, to me, is something to fuss about. > The > author gives us a hint by alluding to possible embarrassment if one's sly > visits to pornographic sites were to be discovered, and to the possibility > of > personal information being retrieved from one's machine over a network. > There are ways around those problems which do not involve rants directed > at > the authors/vendors of particular operating systems and other software > tools. Given Microsoft's position and the fact that hundreds of millions of not so informed people use their programs, the only option here is to rant about it. The more informed people will indeed use other programs and/or operating systems. You're machine being vulnerable to attacks over the internet isn't so far fetched. Please have a read through the message I have appended at the end of this message and use the programs/services to check your machine on vulnerabilities or spy-ware programs that have managed to install themselves on your computer. When I send this message to the Cyberculture list a while back, several people told me they ended up plugging a couple of holes and removing up to 12 spy-ware programs from their computer. I'd say proof that a lot of people have no idea what's going on in their computer and would be better of with a more secure system instead of more bells and whistles in the next equally insecure release. <snip> > Back up the registry before you edit it, because an editorial mistake > there can cause the most exquisite of migraines ;>). and that's some very good advice :) Cheers, Frank. ---excerpt from a message posted earlier to CC--- <snip> on the other hand, a lot of nastiness is going on at all times of the day and the logs of my firewall of people testing just about any imaginable port on my system are testimony to that. right now, I even had to disable the logging function of my firewall because some idiot is hitting my IP address about 4 times per second with Gnutella requests... and has been doing so for that past week, which needless to say creates rather huge logs. this is a relatively benign annoyance and for the most part the internet seems to route around trouble fairly okay. <snip> ...which reminds me: even if you're just dialing up, there's a lot of you can do about your own safety. if you're using a Windows system read this section of Practically Networked (a great site): http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/securnet.htm#Not follow their links to check yourself with the ShieldsUp! service of GRC.com: https://grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2 people sharing their internet at home will find the whole of the Practically Networked site interesting, lots of details how to secure your LAN. then, install the free ZoneAlarm personal firewall: http://www.zonealarm.com it's the best thing I can recommend safety wise. this firewall not only blocks incoming traffic, but regulates which programs you ALLOW to connect to the net. this means that at first you will have to grant every new application that wants to connect to the net permission to do so, but once your trusted applications have permission, you don't even have to think about it anymore... it just works. ZoneAlarm actually caught one shareware program installing 2 different spyware programs on my computer when they tried to 'phone home'. spyware? yes, the latest annoyance. these are little programs that a lot of shareware/freeware authors succumb to getting paid for installing them on your computer, where they monitor all kinds of traffic, sometimes taking care of presenting you with personalized ads, sometimes sending back to homebase all kinds of information about you. think you might have contracted some spyware? use Ad-Aware to cleanse your computer: http://www.lavasoft.de/eintro12.html then use the SpyChecker database every time before you install a new program: http://www.spychecker.com/ and you should be relatively safe... have a safe day on the net :) Frank. -- The Cyberculture, Identity and Gender Resources ==> http://fragment.nl/resources/

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RE: [Air-l] Collaborative Research in Intranets
by Mary A. Ferguson 11 Aug '01

11 Aug '01

Charles: I'm teaching a graduate course in internet research methods at the university of florida this fall. Would you be willing to share your experience with my graduate students if we arranged an on-line discussion? Mary Ann Ferguson,Ph.D. mferguson(a)jou.ufl.edu <mailto:mferguson@jou.ufl.edu> -----Original Message----- From: Charles S Hendricksen Sent: Fri 8/10/2001 8:05 PM To: air-l(a)aoir.org Cc: Subject: [Air-l] Collaborative Research in Intranets Friends, There must be a lot of distributed scientific research being conducted on the WWW. I've been working as a facilitator with research teams for several years now using tools that I've developed and appropriating existing software as needed by the research team. The tools do not interest me nearly as much as the behavior of the team, especially when measured with the metric of participation. The tools are, of course inseperable from the environment, but so are issues like funding, publication of products, and the research methodology. By methodology, I refer to how research is conducted rather than how data is analysed. Of particular interest to me is research with these characteristics: 1) long-term (over three years) 2) large-scale (perhaps 7 to thirty researchers) 3) dedicated to the thorough examination of a well-bounded issue domain 4) interdisciplinary 5) fluid, distributed membership 6) web-based The research efforts I've been advocating are driven by the criticism of documents, to include essays, references, definitions, models, papers, etc. The use of asynchronous tools is preferred in order to allow reflection and to blunt power structures. Synchronous activity is of course not to be denied! However, such meetings need to be documented (where are the minutes of your last meeting?) I expect there are a few of you doing work on similar projects, but that the WWW sites are protected from public viewing. I would like to share experiences with others as fortunate as myself working with such exciting enterprises. Charlie Hendricksen veritas(a)u.washington.edu "Information technology structures human relationships." "Models relate ideas." _______________________________________________ Air-l mailing list Air-l(a)aoir.org http://www.aoir.org/mailman/listinfo/air-l

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An ONLINE Survey on the Use of Internet in Greece
by mboudour＠upatras.gr 11 Aug '01

11 Aug '01

As there was a request and a discussion in this list about available surveys on the use of Internet at various national contexts, I would like to inform you that at the URL: http://hyperion.math.upatras.gr/survey/grinet/ you may find an ONLINE survey on the use of Internet in Greece. To see the updated results please click the button "Results" at the bottom of the page. Cheers, --Moses Boudourides mboudour(a)upatras.gr http://www.math.upatras.gr/~mboudour

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Collaborative Research in Intranets
by Charles S Hendricksen 10 Aug '01

10 Aug '01

Friends, There must be a lot of distributed scientific research being conducted on the WWW. I've been working as a facilitator with research teams for several years now using tools that I've developed and appropriating existing software as needed by the research team. The tools do not interest me nearly as much as the behavior of the team, especially when measured with the metric of participation. The tools are, of course inseperable from the environment, but so are issues like funding, publication of products, and the research methodology. By methodology, I refer to how research is conducted rather than how data is analysed. Of particular interest to me is research with these characteristics: 1) long-term (over three years) 2) large-scale (perhaps 7 to thirty researchers) 3) dedicated to the thorough examination of a well-bounded issue domain 4) interdisciplinary 5) fluid, distributed membership 6) web-based The research efforts I've been advocating are driven by the criticism of documents, to include essays, references, definitions, models, papers, etc. The use of asynchronous tools is preferred in order to allow reflection and to blunt power structures. Synchronous activity is of course not to be denied! However, such meetings need to be documented (where are the minutes of your last meeting?) I expect there are a few of you doing work on similar projects, but that the WWW sites are protected from public viewing. I would like to share experiences with others as fortunate as myself working with such exciting enterprises. Charlie Hendricksen veritas(a)u.washington.edu "Information technology structures human relationships." "Models relate ideas."

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thanks to Air-l
by Barry Wellman 10 Aug '01

10 Aug '01

Some weeks ago, Wenhog Chen, Jeph Boase and I asked AoIR-niks for leads to information on world wise use of the Internet. A number of folks were kind enough to respond privately. Wenhong has compiled the information. It appears below. She, Jeph and I thank you all. Our handiwork will appeat in The Internet in Everyday Life, edited by Caroline Haythornthwaite and myself, published by Blackwells in Spring-Summer 2002. Barry ___________________________________________________________________ Barry Wellman Professor of Sociology NetLab Director wellman(a)chass.utoronto.ca http://www.chass.utoronto.ca/~wellman Centre for Urban & Community Studies University of Toronto 455 Spadina Avenue Toronto Canada M5S 2G8 fax:+1-416-978-7162 ___________________________________________________________________ To Live is To Network To Network is To Live ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Fri, 10 Aug 2001 15:11:23 -0400 From: Wenhong Chen <wenchen(a)chass.utoronto.ca> To: Barry Wellman <wellman(a)chass.utoronto.ca> Cc: Jeff Boase <jeff.boase(a)utoronto.ca> Subject: thanks to Air-l A couple of weeks ago, Barry, Jeff and I asked for your help for reliable data on international internet use. Now, we would like to thank Eszter Hargittai, Joan Koreman,, Ian Ketcheson, David Neice, Greg Wise, Jeremy Crampton, Gitte Stald, Jenni Shi and others for their valuable info. Furthermore, we compiled a short list of websites where you may find interesting data on global digital divide and internet usage in different countries. Commercial site: Industry Almanac: http://www.c-i-a.com/199809iu.htm Nua: http://www.nua.ie/surveys/index.cgi) CyberAtlas - http://cyberatlas.internet.com E-Marketer - (http://www.emarketer.com www.telegeography.com Organizations: http://www.oecd.org//dsti/sti/it/prod/it-out2000-e.htm http://www.undp.org/hdr2001/ http://www.itu.int http://www.idc.com. We are working on our paper on international internet use and we are now using data on internet penetration rate from a report of international labor organization (http://www.ilo.org/public/english/bureau/inf/pkits/) Thanks again! Wenhong ---------------------------------------- Wenhong Chen Graduate Student Department of Sociology U of T ----------------------------------------

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Re: [Air-l] [cc]Microsoft's really hidden files
by Zunt＠aol.com 10 Aug '01

10 Aug '01

In a message dated 8/10/2001 12:09:38 PM Eastern Daylight Time, jhuns(a)vt.edu writes: > my e-mail and browsers work fine without such things, so why do they do it. Other folks find those features useful. I sometimes allow cookies to be stored on my machine to help me get quicker access to various web functions. I also have cached web pages on occasion to speed delivery of content. I don't cache my old e-mail, but know folks who do for their own reasons. The author advises me to "erase all [my] cache files, all [my] cookie files, and all of [my] e-mail correspondence. " My reply is simple: No thanks. I'll erase what I don't need on my machine, and will do it on my own terms. When my drive gets sufficiently filled with junk, I'll shift what I need and wipe it clean. No big deal, and to my way of thinking, no need for conspiracy theories ;>). I'm surely not a defender of contemporary bloated software that generates bloated files and bloated file structures, but am stuck in a position where I use what's easily available to get jobs done as efficiently, effectively, etc., as I can. And I don't mind folks complaining re: their perceptions of product quality. What bugs me about that article is that the argument is based on a factual error: the existence of supposedly hidden files that I can actually see. Hyperbole and crudeness while presenting a straw man just doesn't set well with me. You must be leading a blessed life to get away with a semiannual maintenance routine ;>). Cheers, Bob Briggs Westport, MA

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Re: [Air-l] [cc]Microsoft's really hidden files
by Zunt＠aol.com 10 Aug '01

10 Aug '01

In a message dated 8/10/2001 9:37:18 AM Eastern Daylight Time, jhuns(a)vt.edu writes: > >The English article on which they base their story/inquiry is here: > > > >http://fuckmicrosoft.com/content/ms-hidden-files.shtml > > Tough as it is to approach such a clearly named website with an open mind, I took a look at the document and found enough questionable information to inspire me to write this little memo. The author makes a big deal about *not* being able to find various "well-hidden" folders and files using Windows Explorer (he doesn't specify the Windows product or build that he's using). But on the contrary, I am able to see all the worrisome "hidden" temporary folders and files using Windows Explorer in both Win98 and WinME. So I don't perceive the need to boot to DOS as the author suggests; when I followed his instructions, I found nothing on my machine that I didn't already know about, and unless I've made a terrible mistake, I fail to see just what the fuss is all about. The author gives us a hint by alluding to possible embarrassment if one's sly visits to pornographic sites were to be discovered, and to the possibility of personal information being retrieved from one's machine over a network. There are ways around those problems which do not involve rants directed at the authors/vendors of particular operating systems and other software tools. The existence of temporary Internet files, history logs, and cookies are surely old news by now, and Microsoft Internet Explorer is not the only browser that makes good use of such features. I don't use Outlook Express, so can't comment on the author's remarks in that area. But a word to the wise here: Be certain about your intentions and the effects of your contemplated action *before* you edit your Windows registry. Back up the registry before you edit it, because an editorial mistake there can cause the most exquisite of migraines ;>). Cheers, Bob Briggs Westport, MA

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[cc]Microsoft's really hidden files
by jeremy hunsinger 10 Aug '01

10 Aug '01

> > >One of Holland's leading magazines on "freedom, rights and rules/law" on the >internet reports about Windows and Internet Explorer keeping invisible files >containing ALL the URLs of the sites you've EVER visited whether you had IE >clean up or not, and Outlook keeping similar invisible copies of EVERY e-mail >and attachment EVER sent or received on your computer. > >It goes without saying that this is a serious security breach on your system, >never mind what the spooks can find on your computer by using the >not-so-secret-anymore embedded *cough*NSA*cough* key in Windows. > >For those who can read Dutch go here: > >http://www.netkwesties.nl/editie19/artikel1.html > >The English article on which they base their story/inquiry is here: > >http://fuckmicrosoft.com/content/ms-hidden-files.shtml > >Two programs that apparently DO clean up whatever Microsoft chooses to store >away without your knowledge are here: > >http://www.anonymizer.com/washer40/washer40_desc.shtml > >http://www.aandrc.com/purgeie/ > >Summary of the English article found on the URL mentioned above: > >There are folders on your computer that Microsoft has tried hard to keep >secret. Within these folders you will find two major things: Microsoft >Internet Explorer has been logging all of the sites you have ever visited -- >even after you've cleared your cache, and Microsoft's Outlook and Outlook >Express has been logging all of your e-mail correspondence -- even after >you've erased them from your trash bin. (This also includes all incoming and >outgoing e-mail attachments.) And believe me, that's not even the half of it. > >When I say these files are hidden well, I really mean it. If you don't have >any knowledge of DOS, then don't plan on finding these files on your own. I >say this because some of these files/folders won't be displayed in Windows >Explorer at all -- only DOS. (Even after you have enabled Windows Explorer to >"view all files.") And to top it off, the only way to find them in DOS is if >you knew the exact location of them. Basically, what I'm saying is if you >didn't know the files existed, then the chances of you running across them is >slim to slimmer. > >To give you an example of how sneaky this is, there are some hidden folders >that may contain your name, address, phone, all the sites you've visited, >every single e-mail you've sent/received, every attachment you've ever sent/ >received, everything you've searched for in a search engine, every filename >you've downloaded, names of documents containing "sensitive" information, >copies of all your cookies, full readable e-mail from your hotmail account, >your PGP keys, and more. > >Funny that Microsoft would make no mention of this on microsoft.com. > >-- >The Cyberculture, Identity and Gender Resources >==> http://fragment.nl/resources/ > > > >-- >Cyberculture(a)zacha.org >http://www.zacha.org/mailman/listinfo/cyberculture >http://www.cyberculture.zacha.org/ Jeremy Hunsinger http://www.cddc.vt.edu Instructor of Political Science Center for Digital Discourse and Culture Webmaster/Manager CDDC 526 Major Williams Hall 0130 http://www.cddc.vt.edu/jeremy --my homepage Virginia Tech (yes i partially updated it) Blacksburg, VA 24061 (540)-231-7614 icq 5535471

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gamestudies: the international Journal of Computer Game Research
by jeremy hunsinger 10 Aug '01

10 Aug '01

Announcement: G A M E S T U D I E S -- The international Journal of Computer Game Research __________________________________________________ Issue 1 Vol. 1 is now available at http://www.gamestudies.org Gamestudies is the first academic journal dedicated to interdisciplinary computer game research, web-published 4 times a year at www.gamestudies.org. Games are a billion dollar industry with almost no basic research. With a new generation of researchers, the field of computer game research is finally growing up, and is taking games and gameplay seriously. We predict that games, in combining the social, the technological and the aesthetic, will have a greater cultural impact than any mass entertainment genre of the last century. What is needed now is solid, balanced research, in dialogue with the industry and society at large. Gamestudies' primary focus is aesthetic, cultural and communicative aspects of computer games. The journal will explore the rich cultural genre of games; give scholars a peer-reviewed forum for their ideas and theories; and provide an academic channel for the ongoing discussions on games and gaming. The first issue contains articles by Espen Aarseth, Selmer Bringsjord, Markku Eskelinen, Gonzalo Frasca, Jesper Juul and Marie-Laure Ryan. __________________________________________________ Gamestudies.org -- For academics who play! Jeremy Hunsinger http://www.cddc.vt.edu Instructor of Political Science Center for Digital Discourse and Culture Webmaster/Manager CDDC 526 Major Williams Hall 0130 http://www.cddc.vt.edu/jeremy --my homepage Virginia Tech (yes i partially updated it) Blacksburg, VA 24061 (540)-231-7614 icq 5535471

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Conference: The Internet and Development in Asia
by Randy Kluver 09 Aug '01

09 Aug '01

3rd Annual Internet Political Economy Forum Conference Internet & Development in Asia Across Asia, governments, corporations, schools, and individuals are embracing information and communication technologies as a means of achieving economic growth, improving operating margins, and personal empowerment. In addition, the Asian economic crisis, accelerated political changes, and globalization of businesses have accompanied the emergence of information technologies. Asia now boasts some of the world's most wired-nations, including South Korea, Singapore, and Japan, but also some of the world's most poverty stricken, and information-poor, nations. This advent of the information society means that societies, economies, and communities across Asia will be profoundly altered. IPEF 2001 will explore the role of information technologies on economic and business development, political development, and community development in Asia. Experts who are focused on the Internet in Asia from around the world will examine in detail the ways in which ICT (Information Communications Technologies) are changing lifestyles, political structures, and economic relationships in Asia. Keynote speakers will highlight the critical issues associated with the growth of the Internet. Opening Address David Lim, Minister of State, Republic of Singapore (Defence, Information and the Arts) Keynote Speakers: David Lyon, Queens University, Canada, Surveillance and Privacy in the Asian Information Society Shigeru Nakayama, Kanagawa University, Japan's IT Policies: Development and Impacts Panels on Intellectual Property in Asia, IT in Japan, the digital divide in Asia, as well as the economic, political, commercial, and cultural issues associated with IT in Asia. Date: September 14 & 15, 2001 Venue: National University of Singapore, Singapore Registration fees: S$150 More details are available at www.prnewsasia.com/ipef2001, or by contacting Jane Ong at ipef2001(a)hotmail.com. The Internet Political Economy Forum is an international consortium of universities to coordinate a global study of the Internet paradigm through the leading universities/high tech hubs in the United States, Europe and Asia. The IPEF organizes conferences and research projects with plans underway for fellowship programs and curricular activities. The members are: University of Washington (secretariat), University of Cambridge, and National University of Singapore. Randy Kluver, Ph.D. Information and Communication Management Programme National University of Singapore AS 3, #04-16 Singapore 117570 (65) 559-3141 fax (65) 779-4911

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