December 21, 2009

Virus is a computer program that copies itself into the host computer without the user’s permission. It then reproduces itself and spreads on other computers via. A removable medium, Internet or any other source and infects several other computers. Viruses are erroneously termed as malwares, worms,

Rank 1: FBcheater.Ink

This virus has two versions. The light version which only shutd0wn your computer and can easily be turn on. The worst version shutsd0wn your computer and it cannot be turn on again, even reformatting it! This virusis a fake Faceb00k cheater that advertises level and money increase of all the faceb00k gamès. This was created by... me :)

Rank 2: Win32/Conficker

This virus is a network worm and exploits the RPC sub-system vulnerability present in the Microsoft Windows operating system, allowing an attacker to remotely attack a computer without valid user credentials. Win32/Conficker infects the computer using unsecured folders, removable medium or by making use of Autorun facility enabled by default in windows. This threat contacts other domain names to download additional malicious code.

To avoid this threat, end users must update their system with the patch already available since October.

Rank 3: INF/Autorun

This is the most common threat that infects a PC by creating an autorun.inf file. The file contains information about programs meant to run automatically when removable devices are connected to the computer. End users must disable the Autorun feature enabled by default in windows. Since, use of removable devices is very popular, you can clearly see the reason why this threat has a rank of 2.

Rank 4: Win32/PSW.OnLineGames

This threat belongs to a family of Trojans that is meant to cause harm to game players by stealing their user credentials and other personal or financial information. This information is then sent to the intruder’s PC. Game players must remain alert as this threat has been found in large volumes.

Rank 5: Win32/Agent

Win32/Agent is a major threat to several end users as it copies itself into the temporary locations and steals information from the infected PC. This malicious code adds entries into the registry, creating several files at different places in the system folder, allowing it to run on every startup. This way complete information is gathered about the infected PC and then transferred to the intruder’s PC. As a protection measure, use a good anti-malware, disable Autorun facility in windows and do not click or open any unknown files.

Rank 6: INF/Conficker

INF/Conficker exploits the host computer by making use of the Autorun feature enabled by default in windows to spread later versions of this threat. As mentioned earlier, end users must disable the Autorun feature.

Rank 7: Win32/Pacex.Gen

This threat designates a wide range of malwares that makes use of an obfuscation layer to steal passwords and other information from the infected PC. The ".Gen" suffix means generic i.e. the threat contains other variants with similar characteristics. However, other malwares may not share the same base code, but they do make use of the same obfuscation technique to infect the host computer.

Rank 8: WMA/TrojanDownloader.GetCodec

This threat as the suffix .GetCode suggests modifies the audio files present on the system to .wma format and adds a URL header that points to the location of the new codec. In this manner, the host computer is forced to download the new codec and along with the new codec several other malicious codes are also downloaded.

This means that the end user will download the new codec, believing that something new might happen, whereas, the malicious code runs in the background causing harm to the host computer. At present, there is no way to verify the authenticity of the codec being downloaded as a new enhancement or a Trojan horse, users must avoid downloading new codecs unless downloading from a trusted website. Unnecessary downloading of codecs should also be avoided.

Rank 9: Win32/Qhost

This threat copy itself to the System32 folder of the windows directory giving control of the computer to the attacker. The attacker then modifies the DNS settings redirecting the computer to other domains. This is done to compromise the infected machine from downloading any updates and redirect any attempts made to a website that downloads other malicious files on the victim’s computer.

Rank 10: Win32/Autorun

As discussed earlier, threats with the name “Autorun” make use of the Autorun.inf file to infect the victim’s computer. The only solution is to disable the Autorun facility enabled by default in windows.

December 18, 2009
"As of July 16, 2009: Rosters may vary"
The Top 10 Best Buzzer Beaters of the year 2009.
The 2009 Season had some great game winners, check out the top Buzzer Beaters from the 2009 Season. Watch this video:

Full list:
Top 10: Troy Murphy (#3) vs. Lakers
Top 9: Vince Carter (#15) vs. Hawks
Top 8: LeBron James (#23) vs. Warriors
Top 7: Rasual Butler (#45) vs. Heat
Top 6: Glen Davis (#11) vs. Magic
Top 5: Tony Parker (#9) vs. 76ers
Top 4: Brandon Roy (#7) vs. Rockets
Top 3: Devin Harris (#34) vs. 76ers
Top 2: Dwyane Wade (#3) vs. Bulls
Top 1: LeBron James (#23) vs. Magic

December 16, 2009

1. FarmVille – 23,509,980 daily active users

That’s not a typo. FarmVille continues to get stronger with 23.5 million daily active users.

They took a page from Mafia Wars by adding mastery levels for its crops. There’s also a whole lot of items and features that has been added which is keeping its players busy. I personally like the dairy cow building.

2. Cafe World – 8,119,514 monthly active users

Zynga created its own version of a restaurant game to rival Playfish’s Restaurant City and what an impact it made. It immediately secured the number 2 spot despite being barely a month-old and still in beta.

Does Zynga know how to spam or what? Cafe World is much simpler than RC but I think that would appeal to a lot of people. You don’t have to stay in the game just to gain experience. Just like Farmville, you only need to login when your food is ready to be served or when you want to customize your cafe.

3. Mafia Wars – 6,680,417 daily active users

Mafia Wars Moscow expansion is complete and is a bit difficult compared to Cuba but this is keeping people from getting bored with the game.

There are still a lot of things being added to the game and there’s still the Bangkok and Western US expansions in the pipeline.

4. Happy Aquarium – 6,041,292 daily active users

As predicted last month, fish games will get into the top 10 list.

Happy Aquarium is the first fish game ever that got into the top 10 and what a splash it made quickly taking the 4th spot. I haven’t played this one yet but I might if I get bored with one of the games I’m playing.

5. Farm Town – 5,473,238 daily active users

Farm Town is still hold on as one of the top games in Facebook. But if we’re going to base it on monthly users, Farm Town ranks number 7. Is there something new with the game or is it getting boring already?

6. Restaurant City – 5,290,004 daily active users

Even with the new features, recipes and items, Restaurant City can’t seem to make it to the top 5. What improvements does RC need?

7. Pet Society – 5,270,594 daily active users

If based on monthly active users, this game would be ranked 5th.

8. Texas HoldEm Poker – 4,326,930 daily active users

It’s quite understandable that when it comes to daily playing, Texas HoldEm won’t be ranked high. Unlike other games that forces you to play everyday, people usually set aside just once or twice a week to play online poker.

9. Bejeweled Blitz – 3,362,608 daily active users

Leading by just a bit is the revamped Bejeweled Blitz where it’s now easier to get a score in the 100k to 200k range. If you haven’t played this game for quite a while, visit it again and see if you can beat your friends’ top score.

10. YoVille – 3,333,901 daily active users

Zynga’s YoVille has always been in the top 5 in the past few months but when it comes to daily active users, this kid’s game is at the number 10 spot.