Ever Heard of Conficker?

The Conficker Internet worm could strike at infected computers around the world on April 1, a security expert warned Monday. Conficker is a sophisticated piece of malicious computer software, or malware, that installs itself on a Windows PC’s hard drive via specially written Web pages. It then conceals itself on a computer.

Graham Cluley of the British security firm Sophos confirmed that Conficker is programmed “to hunt for new instructions on April 1.” However, he added, “This does not mean that anything is going to happen, or that the worm is actually going to do anything. Simply, it is scheduled to hunt a wider range of Web sites for instructions on that date.”

One strange thing about Conficker is that no one yet has any idea what it is programmed to do.

In February, Cluley told The Times: “It’s as if someone is assembling an army of computers around the world, but hasn’t yet decided where to point them.”

A worst-case scenario for April 1 would be for all the world’s millions of infected computers to receive simultaneous instructions to attack, or to flood the Internet with spam email.

So, is your antivirus software up to date? How about your adware software? Okay, I don’t really want to hear from all of you Mac users telling me how much better your system is and how safe it is. I’ve heard that song before, all 12 verses of it!

I just wonder, who has this much time to write hacking software that will attack other computers? Why spend your life doing that? It’s beyond me.

And yes Rick, before you comment, we’ll go ahead and say, “It’s the Democrats’ fault!”

How Slow Will You Go?

Outgoing Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Kevin Martin is pushing for action in December on a plan to offer free, pornography-free wireless Internet service to all Americans.

The free Internet plan is the most controversial issue the agency will tackle in December.

The proposal to allow a no-smut, free wireless Internet service is part of a proposal to auction off a chunk of airwaves. The winning bidder would be required to set aside a quarter of the airwaves for a free Internet service. The winner could establish a paid service that would have a fast wireless Internet connection. The free service could be slower and would be required to filter out pornography and other material not suitable for children.

So, here’s the question of the day for my faithful blog readers: Would you sign up for slower Internet service so that you could also filter out porn? I know the easy answer is, “Yes, sure I would.” But, think about it a minute. Would it slow down your pictures, downloading music, uploading blogs, etc.? Would that make a difference in how you decided?

Tell me your thoughts.

No Gratitude

LAS VEGAS (From Fox News) — Kenny Chesney won entertainer of the year for a fourth straight time, then promptly took issue with the way the Academy of Country music awarded the honor: through fan votes.

For the first time in the show's 43 years, the top prize — traditionally decided by ACM members — was determined Sunday through online voting. With the win, Chesney ties Garth Brooks and trails only Alabama, which won five in a row.

Chesney said immediately backstage that he thought fans should be included, just not by voting for the show's most important award.

"The entertainer of the year trophy is supposed to represent heart and passion and an amazing amount of sacrifice, commitment and focus," he said. "That's the way Garth won it four times, that's the way I won it, that's the way (George) Strait won it, Reba (McEntire), Alabama all those years. That's what it's supposed to represent."

He said his complaint is directed at the industry, not the fans — and that the method amounted to "complete disrespect" of the artists, saying the academy turned the award "into a sweepstakes to see who can push people's buttons the hardest on the Internet."

FROM STEVE--So, let me get this right. Mr. Chesney wins Entertainer of the Year for the fourth consecutive year. Great accomplishment. Sounds like a night to celebrate, smile, and enjoy. But, as soon as he wins the award, he complains on how he was chosen.

Does that not sound ungratiful to anyone but me?

I suppose, if Mr. Chesney doesn't want to be voted on by the fans and if he disagrees with the way the process is handled, couldn't he simply ask that his name not be included in the nomination process. Then, a performer who would accept the award with grace and humility could be awarded the special award.

That sounds more like an entertainer I would want to support and be proud of.

Couldn't Mr. Chesney have said what Carrie Underwood did after winning her award: "I know I don't deserve it, but I'll take it," Underwood said. "Fans got me everything I have, and I owe everything to you."

That's the way I see you. How about you?