Archive for the ‘Random Thoughts’ Category
Automatic Teller Machines running Windows XP controlled by malware!
Posted by banger@epgstream in Random Thoughts on June 9th, 2009
Trustwave’s SpiderLabs performed the analysis of malicious software (malware) found installed on compromised ATMs (Automated Teller Machines) in the Eastern European region. This malware captures magnetic stripe data and PIN codes from the private memory space of transaction-processing applications installed on a compromised ATM. These ATMs compromised by the malware ran Microsoft’s Windows XP operating system … Does your ATM run Windows XP?
The malware contains advanced management functionality allowing the attacker to fully control the compromised ATM through a customized user interface built into the malware. This interface is accessible by inserting controller cards into the ATM’s card reader.
SpiderLabs analysts do not believe the malware includes networking functionality that would allow it to send harvested data to other, remote locations via the Internet.
The malware does, however, allow for the output of harvested card data via the ATM’s receipt printer or by writing the data to an electronic storage device (possibly using the ATM’s card reader).
Analysts also discovered code indicating that the malware could eject the cash dispensing cassette.
Major Australian banks, such as the Commonwealth Bank, are currently running Windows XP on their ATM networks. This new type of malware could be used here in Australia where economic conditions are prime to make illegal fraudulent activites appealing … Why bother going to the trouble of breaking into or stealing an ATM when you can just hire a 14 year old kid to hack into one!
Learn more about this issue by reading Trustwave’s Malware Briefing.
Additional references: wired.com cnet.com computerworld.com
5 Things I Like About Windows 7 (RC) Media Center
Posted by banger@epgstream in Random Thoughts, Windows 7 on June 8th, 2009
About a fortnight ago I upgraded from the Windows 7 Beta to the Windows 7 RC distribution, but it’s only been the last day or two that I’ve had the time to sit down and really enjoy it’s Media Center component! Right off the bat I’m liking what I’m seeing …
#1 – Broadcast EPG Data
I really thought I would hate the EPG data broadcast by the television networks, but I have to say I’m satisfied with it. I’m not saying I’m impressed by the quality and consistency of TV network data, but at the same time I’m not saying I’m disappointed by it! I can definately see the quality of programme data improving with FreeView providing a unified EPG stream and a move toward MHEG-5.
I normally scan the TV guide for the upcoming week at least once to make sure all my favourites are recorded and to see what’s new. Just keep an eye out for multiple names for some of your favourite shows like “The Simpsons”, “All New Simpsons” and “The Simpsons Marathon” … But once you’ve worked out and recorded all the variations then you’re set!
#2 – Colour Coded Programmes
Annoying at first, but the colour coding of different genres has grown on me. My niece especially likes it because she knows her children’s programming by colour … (she can’t read yet).
At least the TV network are taking the time to categorise the shows they broadcast!
#3 – Intelligent Recording
Don’t you just hate when you schedule your favourite show to record and the show before it runs overtime? You end up missing the last 30 minutes of your show and then get an ear bashing from your better-half because the “stupid Media Center” isn’t doing it’s job! Not so anymore …
It seems that when shows run overtime, the TV networks are performing “last minute” updates to their broadcast EPG, which Media Center is smart enough to detect. This means Media Center automatically adjusts your recording’s end time to ensure all of it will be recorded! Take that live television!
#4 – Seek Preview
One thing I hated about the old Windows 7 and Windows Vista video playback was seeking backwards and forwards. Jumping 10 seconds backwards and 30 seconds forwards gave you a kind of epilepsy as frames jumped about. Now the latest Windows 7 RC version has a “mini” preview window that allows you happily seek without interrupting the main playback. Once you’ve found where you want to be in the preview window, Media Center then jumps to it!
#5 – Fast Video Playback
My absolute favourite feature I’ve noticed in the Windows 7 RC release is the fast video playback with audio. I can now fast forward and still have audio … in effect letting me watch TV shows and videos at x1.25 playback speed. A great feature that allows my brain to absorb 25% more data … in 25% less time!
And there you have it, 5 things in the latest incarnation of Windows Media Center which caught my eye! I’m sure there are dozens more features … I’ve just got to find the time to experience them! 
Quickflix discount code for 10 free DVD rentals!
Posted by banger@epgstream in Random Thoughts, Recommendations on May 29th, 2009
Following their mediocre Quickflix discount code offer last week, IceTV have secured a “rickhart” worthy trial code for 10 free DVD rentals over 30 days!
This new discount code let’s you experience the Quickflix “Movie Lover” subscription (valued at $26.95/month) and gives you access to 3 DVDs at a time, for a total of 10 DVDs per month.
If you’re really serious about your movies and want even more value for money, it might be worth checking out Bigpond Movies who are offering you 12 DVDs for only $29.95/month (or 14 DVDs per month with a 12 month subscription).
Bigpond (37,000+ DVDs) gives it away at only $2.14 per DVD compared to Quickflix (36,000+ DVDs) at $2.70 per DVD! Only for the serious DVD copying watching household!
Anyway, visit QuickFlix and enter the following code to get your free 10 DVD rental offer!
icetv10free
Commonwealth Bank Phishers – Good Not So
Posted by banger@epgstream in Random Thoughts on May 27th, 2009
The poor ‘ole Commonwealth Bank have been copping a hiding of late as far as phishing campaigns go! CBA have been targeted by what appears to be multiple groups of phishers based on email content, formatting and even levels of grammar.
One thing I can say is that the spammers are getting better with their content and formatting, not perfect, but better. Phishing’s main downfall here appears to be grammar and spelling which always makes something “tingle” on the back of your neck, even if you are new to the phishing experience … You know we’re all going to be in trouble when the phishers finally get someone to proof-read their emails!
Just remember these simple tell-tale signs that someone is phishing:
- You are not addressed by your full name or other personal information.
- You do not appear to be emailed directly. Rather you are part of a BCC list.
- Spelling does not appear to localised for your region. e.g. “Authorised” (Australian) vs “Authorized” (American).
- Links you are asked to follow do not belong to the actual organisation the email appears to be from. e.g. http://sydney049.com/monwealthbank.com.au/login.aspx belongs to the “sydney049.com” domain and not the “commonwealthbank.com.au” domain.
Remember, if in doubt then pick up the telephone and give the organisation a call directly (though don’t use the phone number from the email)!
Quickflix discount voucher for 2 months free DVD rental!
Posted by banger@epgstream in Random Thoughts, Recommendations on May 20th, 2009
Looks like IceTV have wangled a gift voucher code from our friends over at QuickFlix.com.au! Now it’s not just any ‘ole discount code, it’s a 2-month free DVD rental code! Before you get all excited, check out some of the other codes available!
I’m a regular user of QuickFlix myself and have been happy with their service and DVD selection. I’ve been able to score my favourite TV series and movies from yester-year plus some top new releases!
My only gripe is that you don’t get some of the more popular new-release movies right away so you have to wait a while before it arrives in the mail. I guess this is probably the one and only draw-back of the “no late fees” system that QuickFlix offers and that is that people hang onto the DVDs longer … meaning you have to wait longer for a popular new-release or children’s DVDs …
Gift Voucher Codes
- “dollardestiny” – 1 month subscription, total of 8 DVDs (8 per month).
- “rickhart” – 10 weeks subscription, total of 10 DVDs (only 1 per week).
- “icetv2mth” – 2 months subscription, total of 8 DVDs (only 4 per month).
- “NRMA_M4M211208″ – NRMA members get 1 month free + 10% off for 4 months!
How QuickFlix works?
Head over to the main www.quickflix.com.au website and find the “Start your FREE trial” section (right) and enter your discount code. From there you’ll be invited to register and enter your personal and credit card information.
Once you’re all signed up it’s a pretty simple process of building a queue of which DVDs you want, then waiting for them to be sent out by post! Generally you can get only rent 2-4 DVDs at a time, but when you’re finished watching one, just pop it back into the free return envelope provided and QuickFlix will send the next DVD in your online queue.
Not interested in QuickFlix DVDs? Then go for IceTV’s EPG discount!
If you want real value for money over the next twelve months for your Electronic Programme Guide (EPG), I’d recommend using the following IceTV discount codes when purchasing a new subscription from over at www.icetv.com.au:
- “qfx-12month” – $49 for 12 month subscription.
- “IceTVcelebratesHighCourtwin” – $60 for 12 month subscription.
- “petervogel” – $24 for 12 months subscription.
Final Word
I guess IceTV are starting to look towards the future and we might be seeing some new deals popping up (fingers crossed), but the best deal we can hope for is a permanently reduced EPG subscription rate! All I need is an electronic programme guide … I can get everything else off the net!
If anyone from QuickFlix is reading this … Hurry up and get more copies of “The Might Boosh” in! Oh, and if you’re not from QuickFlix then try using multiple credit cards for multiple bites of the discount codes (shhhhhh…).
IceTV is giving back …
Posted by banger@epgstream in Random Thoughts on May 12th, 2009
I’m pretty busy these days and it takes a lot for an email to gain my “immediate” attention, but I was filled with boyish glee when I read “IceTV is giving back”.
We [IceTV] realise we couldn’t have won without the continued support from all our customers, so as a token of our appreciation… we’re now giving back!
Hooray! Maybe IceTV don’t have to worry about court costs anymore and are going to cut costs after many, many months of over-charging? Wrong! Read on …
IceTV are offering $30 off new subscriptions, making their yearly subscriptions now $69/year, but it expires on the 22/5/2009. Huh? Shouldn’t this cut be permanent seeing IceTV now have a monopoly on the EPG market, unburdened by threats from TV network Nine?
“IceTV is giving back” … Not really! Unfortunately this looks like another short-term subscription money grab. I would have thought that “giving back” to all their loyal subscribers would have meant a rebate on existing subscriptions! Finding a $30 cheque in your letterbox from IceTV would be giving back, but instead subscribers are forced to buy an additional year’s subscription to take advantage of their appreciation.
*SIGH*, back to using free EPG data for now …
IceTV Win! Now what do their subscribers get …
Posted by banger@epgstream in Electronic Programme Guide, Random Thoughts on April 22nd, 2009
Well it looks like IceTV has finally had things go it’s way with a landmark win in the Australian High Court today! The High Court ruled that IceTV’s electronic programme guide did not breach Nine’s copyright.
IceTV subscribers have been actively providing financial support to keep IceTV going during these past periods of court action. Subscriptions prices have been high and product development fairly low (I mean an iPhone application doesn’t really cater for the vast majority of subscribers) with most existing services not evolving over the past 12 months.
Hopefully IceTV will recoupe the majority of court costs brought about by Nine’s actions, allowing them to really start to deliver some value for their $99-$156/year subscription.
When you step back and look at it, is a reliable TV programme information (date, time and description) really worth a whopping $99/year? “No!”. Now obviously there is some cost involved generating the data, but after the EPG is compiled it’s just data … Data that can be replicated in an instant and distributed very cheaply over the wonderful free network we all know as the Internet. With a well designed system, there should be very little logistical cost difference between servicing 1000, 2000 or even 10000 subscribers, so in theory prices should get cheaper with more subscribers!
Why don’t we see massive price drops in IceTV’s subscription rates as they start to accumulate a bigger subscription base? Well it’s probably because there hasn’t been any commercial competition to help drive prices down … And you know IceTV’s prices can go lower … We’ve all seen their 50% off subscription offers around Christmas and High Court trial dates. Kinda like the Angus & Cootes when they have their “50% off gold, diamond and jewellery sale” and you realise they’ve been fleecing you every other day of the year except for sale day … And they’re still making 5-10% markup during the sale! 
I’d like to see, if possible, IceTV’s prices come down further by offering different subscription levels for data and services. Really let the average user pay for the services they want to use, not the services the *might* use (i.e. iPhone app.).
For instance, I’d be interested in the MXF/XMLTV and native Windows Media Center services (and maybe even the desktop widget), but I’m not that interested in paying for the IceTV Interactive remote scheduling and iPhone features that I’d never use. As an example:
[*] MXF/XMLTV Guide Gateway – Base $25/yr
[X] Windows Media Center Guide Gateway :: Add $10/yr
[X] Windows Desktop Widget :: Free
[ ] Mac Desktop Widget :: Free
[ ] Windows Interactive + Web Portal :: Add $10/yr
[ ] Mobile Interactive + Web Portal :: Add $5/yr
[ ] iPhone Interactive + Web Portal :: Add $5/yr
So in the above example, I’d be willing to hand over $35/year for a basic Windows Media Center guide service with no frills attached. Hopefully IceTV will reduce their prices soon otherwise you might see other EPG peddlers start to open their doors for cheap $$$ business … Heck, there is no reason why the EPG can’t be outsourced to India even!
Hmmm … epgStream.net could even outsource their EPG generation to India for $5/year per subscriber …
You can read more on the court summary here or Peter Vogel’s personal comments on the ruling here.
Commonwealth Bank phishing never looked so good!
Posted by banger@epgstream in Random Thoughts on April 3rd, 2009
Have you noticed how Australian phishing emails look pretty good compared to the rest of the world? Well, when I say looks good, I mean it’s visually convincing at first glance with a clean style and even the logos are from the Commonwealth Bank’s own website. Once you actually read through it though it’s a little odd, not a lot, just a little …
Actually in all probability this email probably isn’t Australian and it seems to have been doing the rounds for at least the past six month. The sentence structure and content of this email just doesn’t seem to sit right with me. The mention of “permanent email address“, “failure to comply” and “this error” all seem fairly excessive for such a trivial “verification” activity. Oh, and the “Apologize” is a big poke in the eye too!
Just in case you were interested in following this verification link, it would take you here:
http://thesmclan.com/deeefiance/includes/netbank.com.au/bankmain.html
Phishers are definately pulling up their socks these days and I hope to hell my dad doesn’t get emails like this because I know he’ll be one of those people who click the “Verify Your Email Address” link … God bless his trusting heart!
Excuse me while I give my dad a call!
More Information: http://www.commbank.com.au/security-privacy/online-security/latest-security-alerts.aspx
UFC 96 – JACKSON vs JARDINE
Posted by banger@epgstream in Random Thoughts on March 12th, 2009
Yeah baby! This Friday the 13th I’ll be preparing for a night of drinking, eating and yelling at the big screen TV while I re-live the UFC 96 experience. On the fight card are a few of my favourite fighters: Rampage, Jardine, Matt Brown and Matt Hamill.
My picks for the UFC 96 main card events are gonna have to be … Read the rest of this entry »
Make $$$ by selling a domain name!
Posted by banger@epgstream in Random Thoughts on March 11th, 2009
I’ve got quite a few domain names tucked away with some of them actively in use, but the vast majority of them sitting on the shelf for future projects.
Always in the back of your mind you think that one day, some blue-chip company will send you that golden $$$ email saying that they want one of your existing domain names. In reality, this very rarely happens unless you happened to have owned pizza.com …
Check out this email I received yesterday … Read the rest of this entry »
