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from the the-earth-has-a-gas-problem dept.
Remember that story about the Siberian mystery crater last June? Turns out there are six more and, as Siberian Times reports, there could be dozens of others which popped out recently enough to allow satellite comparisons between before and after.
Respected Moscow scientist Professor Vasily Bogoyavlensky has called for 'urgent' investigation of the new phenomenon amid safety fears.
Until now, only three large craters were known about in northern Russia with several scientific sources speculating last year that heating from above the surface due to unusually warm climatic conditions, and from below, due to geological fault lines, led to a huge release of gas hydrates, so causing the formation of these craters in Arctic regions.
Two of the newly-discovered large craters - also known as funnels to scientists - have turned into lakes, revealed Professor Bogoyavlensky, deputy director of the Moscow-based Oil and Gas Research Institute, part of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Examination using satellite images has helped Russian experts understand that the craters are more widespread than was first realised, with one large hole surrounded by as many as 20 mini-craters, The Siberian Times can reveal.
-- more after the break ---
Professor Bogoyavlensky told The Siberian Times: 'One of the most interesting objects here is the crater that we mark as B2, located 10 kilometres to the south of Bovanenkovo. On the satellite image you can see that it is one big lake surrounded by more than 20 small craters filled with water.
'Studying the satellite images we found out that initially there were no craters nor a lake. Some craters appeared, then more. Then, I suppose that the craters filled with water and turned to several lakes, then merged into one large lake, 50 by 100 metres in diameter.[...]
Not only the new craters constantly forming on Yamal show that the process of gas emission is ongoing actively.
Professor Bogoyavlensky shows the picture of one of the Yamal lakes, taken by him from the helicopter and points on the whitish haze on its surface.He commented: 'This haze that you see on the surface shows that gas seeps that go from the bottom of the lake to the surface. We call this process 'degassing'.
To appease your apocalyptic taste over the weekend, have a refresher in: clathrate gun hypothesis, limnic eruption (with Lake Nyos disaster and the management of Lake Kivu), other gas discharges like mazuku (CO2 discharge - with the Mammoth Mountain one which kills lots of trees by CO2 suffocation and killed three members of the ski patrol in 2006)
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 01 2015, @12:14AM
I don't know about you, but this is scaring the living shit out of me. Look, Global Warming is real. We need to do something fast. We need to build more windmills, and we need to do it now. The only way we can prevent these Siberian craters from becoming the biggest goddamn disaster this world has ever seen is if we build more windmills. We need to harness the energy of the wind. That's the only way we can put an end to Global Warming. We need to use nothing but renewable energy, namely wind power. We need to replace all of our existing power sources with windmills. It's society's only option. We just can't keep going on like we've been going. It's causing Global Warming, and it's causing craters to form in Sibera, for crying out loud! We need more windmills, and we need them now. Wind power is the only thing that will save our Earth.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 01 2015, @12:27AM
Bah... an excellent example of the short term thinking that brought us in this very situation.
Unless we start now planting more beans - with a side of cabbage (for flavor) and possibly bananas as desert (for sugars to ferment slowly) - we'll be running out of wind in no time and render those windmills useless.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 01 2015, @12:37AM
How is people shitting carbon dioxide, sulfur and methane from their anal sphincters going to help prevent climate change? Those are the very definition of greenhouse gases!
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 01 2015, @12:45AM
Actually f-tard, the worlds termite population emits more CO2 than humans.
(Score: 2, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 01 2015, @12:48AM
The correct term to use is "f-mentally challenged".
(Score: 2) by c0lo on Sunday March 01 2015, @12:45AM
Carbon neutrality, I guess, as they constitute only a fraction of the biomass in the input.
Additionally, the buffering solution is natural: no fly wheels or pumping water uphill necessary.
(the GP AC may have a valid point)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford
(Score: 2) by c0lo on Sunday March 01 2015, @01:47AM
(I only now realized that, in my prev answer, I touched only the scientific side but ignored the engineering one).
To correct the shortfall, the engineering answer to the How question is: at great speed and high volume.
The higher the ejection speed, the better the efficiency; volume determines the amount of energy recovered.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford
(Score: -1, Flamebait) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 01 2015, @12:50AM
Come on, mods. "Flamebait"? Really? This is yet more evidence that the "Flamebait" mod needs to go. Every single time I see it used, it has been used incorrectly. Please, SN admins, get rid of the "Flamebait" mod! It's doing more harm than good.
Or better yet, leave "Flamebait" around as an option. If anyone actually tries to use it, take away all of their mod points and prevent them from ever modding again.
(Score: 2, Disagree) by Snotnose on Sunday March 01 2015, @01:29AM
I marked it from 'funny' to 'troll'.
Why shouldn't we judge a book by it's cover? It's got the author, title, and a summary of what the book's about.
(Score: -1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 01 2015, @02:28AM
Snotnose should be stripped of any present and future moderating abilities. He has just publicly admitted to being an active moderation system abuser. That should be grounds for the immediate and permanent revocation of his moderating privileges.
(Score: 5, Funny) by Ethanol-fueled on Sunday March 01 2015, @01:30AM
I rather like that mod. Not only is it a funny word with both homosexual and masturbatory connotations, but being modded flamebait literally makes me feel "on fire" when it comes to power-trolling.
Or perhaps the moderations "troll" and "flamebait" should be merged into "trollbait" just as the moderations "Disagree" and "Touche" be merged into "Douche."
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 01 2015, @01:07AM
The only way we can prevent these Siberian craters from becoming the biggest goddamn disaster this world has ever seen is if we build more windmills.
No lad, that's not gonna do it. Windmills only work in Holland. For Siberia you need more cold, more ice and more frozen tundra. What do they teach you kids in school these days, anyway?
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 01 2015, @01:10AM
Siberia is actually one of the windiest places on Earth. Windmills would work better there than almost anywhere else.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 01 2015, @01:13AM
Whoooosh
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 01 2015, @02:08AM
I wish the mod who keeps marking everything "funny" would submit a comment letting us in on the joke.
I don't think this is funny at all, and it's probably a dick mod from some Fox News fan.
- different AC
(Score: 1) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 01 2015, @02:30AM
I'd be fine seeing the moderation system completely removed. The downmods are always incorrect, as are most upmods. I can't believe how many times I've seen utter crap at +5.
- Yet Another AC
(Score: 4, Insightful) by black6host on Sunday March 01 2015, @04:07AM
Well, sign it and help fix it.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 01 2015, @04:15AM
Sorry, sign IN (or create an account)....
(Score: 1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 01 2015, @02:37AM
The "Windmills only work in Holland" guy was making a reference to the practice of windmilling [urbandictionary.com]. It's basically when a man moves his pelvis so as to make his penis spin like a windmill's blades. It's a rather common practice in the Netherlands and Belgium, especially in clubs. Some of the clubs, both straight and gay, will have "Windmill Hour", where anyone windmilling for a minute or more will get a free drink. The humor comes in because the practice of windmilling, often being seen as homosexual, would likely be strictly forbidden in a place like Siberia, which is in Russia, where homosexuality is not considered socially acceptable.
(Score: 5, Insightful) by c0lo on Sunday March 01 2015, @03:14AM
Those humour impaired righteous persons have wishes and everybody should bow to them or else be called names and exposed to public opprobrium.
As a clue, you will detect them among the persons lacking the word "please" in their vocabulary - becuase it is absolutely right to ask whatever-they-are-asking and the answer should never be interpreted as a personal favour.
Loosen up, mate, life is full of other shit you won't ever understand: why would one more matter?
Look, for example, Fox News fans are usually republicunts, not dicks (no disrespect for any republicans on this list, I only put down my perception)
Why? Nobody seems to know, I reckon this shall remain a mystery forever
Yet... life goes on, regardless of what you (or, for the matter, me) think is proper humour. (... large grin...)
Please let SN reflect the diversity of this life, in which even Ethanol Fuelled has a place and, surely, other traits worth of respect (even if no SN dweller may know them)
(yes, AC, it is from me you got a Troll mod. As you wished, I have provided an explanation... this time)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford
(Score: 4, Funny) by c0lo on Sunday March 01 2015, @01:50AM
Well, they were using them in Spain as well... as sparring partners.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford
(Score: 2) by Kunasou on Sunday March 01 2015, @01:08PM
They used to work here... Nowadays the electric utility lobby does whatever they want with them...
(Score: 2) by LoRdTAW on Sunday March 01 2015, @03:04PM
Customer:
Morning,
Waitress:
Morning.
Customer:
What have you got?
Waitress:
Well, there's solar and hydro,
solar sausage and hydro
solar and wind
solar, hydro and wind
solar, hydro, sausage and wind
wind, hydro, sausage and wind
wind, solar, wind, wind, hydro and wind
wind, sausage, wind, wind, wind, hydro, wind tomato and wind
wind, wind, wind, solar and wind
wind, wind, wind, wind, wind, wind, baked beans, wind, wind, wind and wind.
(Score: 3, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 01 2015, @12:18AM
Damn you gewg! Now you are submitting stories under other people's aliases.
This story about holes taking over Siberia is just more feminist claptrap. Were is the balance? Why no stories about large trees taking over other regions? This is clearly part of the feminist agenda promoting the dominance of holes and subjugating the mighty phallic structures of nature like the 100-ft tall redwoods of California!
This place is becoming too much like slashdot with this libtard bullshit. I grew up in the 30s and 40s and back then nobody talked about holes and we were all just fine! Nobody was stuck in the ground. But now, with all the welfare programs that promote holes and still they can't lift themselves out of the ground! It is a culture of dependence on gravity, I tell you! Keep your goddamn holes off my lawn!!!!
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 01 2015, @12:23AM
Can you work on your style somewhat? I know you're trying to impersonate some other ACs, but it just isn't coming across as authentic.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 01 2015, @01:12AM
You're spot on there mate. He needs more commas. Many much more commas, and even a semicolon for a touch of flair. Make it your own; I want to see jazz hands!
(Score: -1, Spam) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 01 2015, @03:19AM
Nearly 230++ times that I know of @this point for all of March/April 2013 so far, & others here have told you to stop - take the hint, lunatic (leave slashdot)...
Sorry folks - but whoever the nutjob is that's attempting to impersonate me, & upset the rest of you as well, has SERIOUS mental issues, no questions asked! I must've gotten the better of him + seriously "gotten his goat" in doing so in a technical debate & his "geek angst" @ losing to me has him doing the:
---
A.) $10,000 challenges, ala (where the imposter actually TRACKED + LISTED the # of times he's done this no less, & where I get the 230 or so times I noted above) -> http://it.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=3585795&cid=43285307 [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
&/or
B.) Reposting OLD + possibly altered models - (this I haven't checked on as to altering the veracity of the info. being changed) of posts of mine from the past here
---
(Albeit massively repeatedly thru all threads on /. this March/April 2013 nearly in its entirety thusfar).
* Personally, I'm surprised the moderation staff here hasn't just "blocked out" his network range yet honestly!
(They know it's NOT the same as my own as well, especially after THIS post of mine, which they CAN see the IP range I am coming out of to compare with the ac spamming troll doing the above...).
APK
P.S.=> Again/Stressing it: NO guys - it is NOT me doing it, as I wouldn't waste that much time on such trivial b.s. like a kid might...
Plus, I only post where hosts file usage is on topic or appropriate for a solution & certainly NOT IN EVERY POST ON SLASHDOT (like the nutcase trying to "impersonate me" is doing for nearly all of March/April now, & 230++ times that I know of @least)... apk
P.S.=> here is CORRECT host file information just to piss off the insane lunatic troll:
--
21++ ADVANTAGES OF CUSTOM HOSTS FILES (how/what/when/where/why):
Over AdBlock & DNS Servers ALONE 4 Security, Speed, Reliability, & Anonymity (to an extent vs. DNSBL's + DNS request logs).
1.) HOSTS files are useable for all these purposes because they are present on all Operating Systems that have a BSD based IP stack (even ANDROID) and do adblocking for ANY webbrowser, email program, etc. (any webbound program). A truly "multi-platform" UNIVERSAL solution for added speed, security, reliability, & even anonymity to an extent (vs. DNS request logs + DNSBL's you feel are unjust hosts get you past/around).
2.) Adblock blocks ads? Well, not anymore & certainly not as well by default, apparently, lol - see below:
Adblock Plus To Offer 'Acceptable Ads' Option
http://news.slashdot.org/story/11/12/12/2213233/adblock-plus-to-offer-acceptable-ads-option [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org] )
AND, in only browsers & their subprogram families (ala email like Thunderbird for FireFox/Mozilla products (use same gecko & xulrunner engines)), but not all, or, all independent email clients, like Outlook, Outlook Express, OR Window "LIVE" mail (for example(s)) - there's many more like EUDORA & others I've used over time that AdBlock just DOES NOT COVER... period.
Disclaimer: Opera now also has an AdBlock addon (now that Opera has addons above widgets), but I am not certain the same people make it as they do for FF or Chrome etc..
3.) Adblock doesn't protect email programs external to FF (non-mozilla/gecko engine based) family based wares, So AdBlock doesn't protect email programs like Outlook, Outlook Express, Windows "LIVE" mail & others like them (EUDORA etc./et al), Hosts files do. THIS IS GOOD VS. SPAM MAIL or MAILS THAT BEAR MALICIOUS SCRIPT, or, THAT POINT TO MALICIOUS SCRIPT VIA URLS etc.
4.) Adblock won't get you to your favorite sites if a DNS server goes down or is DNS-poisoned, hosts will (this leads to points 5-7 next below).
5.) Adblock doesn't allow you to hardcode in your favorite websites into it so you don't make DNS server calls and so you can avoid tracking by DNS request logs, OR make you reach them faster since you resolve host-domain names LOCALLY w/ hosts out of cached memory, hosts do ALL of those things (DNS servers are also being abused by the Chinese lately and by the Kaminsky flaw -> http://www.networkworld.com/news/2008/082908-kaminsky-flaw-prompts-dns-server.html [networkworld.com] [networkworld.com] for years now). Hosts protect against those problems via hardcodes of your fav sites (you should verify against the TLD that does nothing but cache IPAddress-to-domainname/hostname resolutions (in-addr.arpa) via NSLOOKUP, PINGS (ping -a in Windows), &/or WHOIS though, regularly, so you have the correct IP & it's current)).
* NOW - Some folks MAY think that putting an IP address alone into your browser's address bar will be enough, so why bother with HOSTS, right? WRONG - Putting IP address in your browser won't always work IS WHY. Some IP adresses host several domains & need the site name to give you the right page you're after is why. So for some sites only the HOSTS file option will work!
6.) Hosts files don't eat up CPU cycles (or ELECTRICITY) like AdBlock does while it parses a webpages' content, nor as much as a DNS server does while it runs. HOSTS file are merely a FILTER for the kernel mode/PnP TCP/IP subsystem, which runs FAR FASTER & MORE EFFICIENTLY than any ring 3/rpl3/usermode app can since hosts files run in MORE EFFICIENT & FASTER Ring 0/RPL 0/Kernelmode operations acting merely as a filter for the IP stack (via the "Plug-N-Play" designed IP stack in Windows) vs. SLOWER & LESS EFFICIENT Ring 3/RPL 3/Usermode operations (which webbrowsers run in + their addons like AdBlock slow down even MORESO due to their parsing operations).
7.) HOSTS files will allow you to get to sites you like, via hardcoding your favs into a HOSTS file, FAR faster than remote DNS servers can by FAR (by saving the roundtrip inquiry time to a DNS server, typically 30-100's of ms, vs. 7-10ms HardDisk speed of access/seek + SSD seek in ns, & back to you - hosts resolutions of IP address for host-domain names is FAR faster...). Hosts are only a filter for an already fast & efficient IP stack, no more layered b.s. (remote OR local). Hosts eat less CPU, RAM, I/O in other forms, + electricity than a locally running DNS server easily, and less than a local DNS program on a single PC. Fact. Hosts are easier to setup & maintain too.
8.) AdBlock doesn't let you block out known bad sites or servers that are known to be maliciously scripted, hosts can and many reputable lists for this exist:
GOOD INFORMATION ON MALWARE BEHAVIOR LISTING BOTNET C&C SERVERS + MORE (AS WELL AS REMOVAL LISTS FOR HOSTS):
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm [mvps.org] [mvps.org]
http://someonewhocares.org/hosts/ [someonewhocares.org] [someonewhocares.org]
http://hostsfile.org/hosts.html [hostsfile.org] [hostsfile.org]
http://hostsfile.mine.nu/downloads/ [hostsfile.mine.nu] [hostsfile.mine.nu]
http://hosts-file.net/?s=Download [hosts-file.net] [hosts-file.net]
https://zeustracker.abuse.ch/monitor.php?filter=online [abuse.ch] [abuse.ch]
https://spyeyetracker.abuse.ch/monitor.php [abuse.ch] [abuse.ch]
http://ddanchev.blogspot.com/ [blogspot.com] [blogspot.com]
http://www.malware.com.br/lists.shtml [malware.com.br] [malware.com.br]
http://www.stopbadware.org/ [stopbadware.org] [stopbadware.org]
Spybot "Search & Destroy" IMMUNIZE feature (fortifies HOSTS files with KNOWN bad servers blocked)
And yes: Even SLASHDOT &/or The Register help!
(Via articles on security (when the source articles they use are "detailed" that is, & list the servers/sites involved in attempting to bushwhack others online that is... not ALL do!)).
2 examples thereof in the past I have used, & noted it there, are/were:
http://it.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1898692&cid=34473398 [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
http://it.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1896216&cid=34458500 [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
9.) AdBlock & DNS servers are programs, and subject to bugs programs can get. Hosts files are merely a filter and not a program, thus not subject to bugs of the nature just discussed.
10.) HOSTS files protect you vs. DNS-poisoning &/or the Kaminsky flaw in DNS servers, and allow you to get to sites reliably vs. things like the Chinese are doing to DNS -> http://yro.slashdot.org/story/10/11/29/1755230/Chinese-DNS-Tampering-a-Real-Threat-To-Outsiders [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
11.) HOSTS files are EASILY user controlled, obtained (for reliable ones -> http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm [mvps.org] [mvps.org] ) & edited too, via texteditors like Windows notepad.exe or Linux nano (etc.)
12.) With Adblock you had better be able to code javascript to play with its code (to customize it better than the GUI front does @least). With hosts you don't even need source to control it (edit, update, delete, insert of new entries via a text editor).
13.) Hosts files are easily secured via using MAC/ACL (even moreso "automagically" for Vista, 7/Server 2008 + beyond by UAC by default) &/or Read-Only attributes applied.
14.) Custom HOSTS files also speed you up, unlike anonymous proxy servers systems variations (like TOR, or other "highly anonymous" proxy server list servers typically do, in the severe speed hit they often have a cost in) either via "hardcoding" your fav. sites into your hosts file (avoids DNS servers, totally) OR blocking out adbanners - see this below for evidence of that:
---
US Military Blocks Websites To Free Up Bandwidth:
http://yro.slashdot.org/story/11/03/16/0416238/US-Military-Blocks-Websites-To-Free-Up-Bandwidth [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
(Yes, even the US Military used this type of technique... because IT WORKS! Most of what they blocked? Ad banners ala doubleclick etc.)
---
Adbanners slow you down & consume your bandwidth YOU pay for:
ADBANNERS SLOW DOWN THE WEB: -> http://tech.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09/11/30/166218 [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
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And people do NOT LIKE ads on the web:
PEOPLE DISLIKE ADBANNERS: http://yro.slashdot.org/yro/08/04/02/0058247.shtml [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
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As well as this:
Users Know Advertisers Watch Them, and Hate It:
http://yro.slashdot.org/yro/08/04/02/0058247.shtml [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
---
Even WORSE still, is this:
Advertising Network Caught History Stealing:
http://yro.slashdot.org/story/11/07/22/156225/Advertising-Network-Caught-History-Stealing [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
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15.) HOSTS files usage lets you avoid being charged on some ISP/BSP's (OR phone providers) "pay as you use" policy http://yro.slashdot.org/story/10/12/08/2012243/FCC-Approving-Pay-As-You-Go-Internet-Plans [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org] , because you are using less bandwidth (& go faster doing so no less) by NOT hauling in adbanner content and processing it (which can lead to infestation by malware/malicious script, in & of itself -> http://apcmag.com/microsoft_apologises_for_serving_malware.htm [apcmag.com] [apcmag.com] ).
16.) If/when ISP/BSP's decide to go to -> FCC Approving Pay-As-You-Go Internet Plans: http://yro.slashdot.org/story/10/12/08/2012243/FCC-Approving-Pay-As-You-Go-Internet-Plans [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org] your internet bill will go DOWN if you use a HOSTS file for blocking adbanners as well as maliciously scripted hacker/cracker malware maker sites too (after all - it's your money & time online downloading adbanner content & processing it)
Plus, your adbanner content? Well, it may also be hijacked with malicious code too mind you:
---
Yahoo, Microsoft's Bing display toxic ads:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/09/16/bing_yahoo_malware_ads/ [theregister.co.uk] [theregister.co.uk]
---
Malware torrent delivered over Google, Yahoo! ad services:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/09/24/malware_ads_google_yahoo/ [theregister.co.uk] [theregister.co.uk]
---
Google's DoubleClick spreads malicious ads (again):
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/02/24/doubleclick_distributes_malware/ [theregister.co.uk] [theregister.co.uk]
---
Rogue ads infiltrate Expedia and Rhapsody:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/01/30/excite_and_rhapsody_rogue_ads/ [theregister.co.uk] [theregister.co.uk]
---
Google sponsored links caught punting malware:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/12/16/google_sponsored_links/ [theregister.co.uk] [theregister.co.uk]
---
DoubleClick caught supplying malware-tainted ads:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/11/13/doubleclick_distributes_malware/ [theregister.co.uk] [theregister.co.uk]
---
Yahoo feeds Trojan-laced ads to MySpace and PhotoBucket users:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/09/11/yahoo_serves_12million_malware_ads/ [theregister.co.uk] [theregister.co.uk]
---
Real Media attacks real people via RealPlayer:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/10/23/real_media_serves_malware/ [theregister.co.uk] [theregister.co.uk]
---
Ad networks owned by Google, Microsoft serve malware:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/12/13/doubleclick_msn_malware_attacks/ [theregister.co.uk] [theregister.co.uk]
---
Attacks Targeting Classified Ad Sites Surge:
http://it.slashdot.org/story/11/02/02/1433210/Attacks-Targeting-Classified-Ad-Sites-Surge [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
---
Hackers Respond To Help Wanted Ads With Malware:
http://it.slashdot.org/story/11/01/20/0228258/Hackers-Respond-To-Help-Wanted-Ads-With-Malware [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
---
Hackers Use Banner Ads on Major Sites to Hijack Your PC:
http://www.wired.com/techbiz/media/news/2007/11/doubleclick [wired.com] [wired.com]
---
Ruskie gang hijacks Microsoft network to push penis pills:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/10/12/microsoft_ips_hijacked/ [theregister.co.uk] [theregister.co.uk]
---
Major ISPs Injecting Ads, Vulnerabilities Into Web:
http://it.slashdot.org/it/08/04/19/2148215.shtml [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
---
Two Major Ad Networks Found Serving Malware:
http://tech.slashdot.org/story/10/12/13/0128249/Two-Major-Ad-Networks-Found-Serving-Malware [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
---
THE NEXT AD YOU CLICK MAY BE A VIRUS:
http://it.slashdot.org/story/09/06/15/2056219/The-Next-Ad-You-Click-May-Be-a-Virus [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
---
NY TIMES INFECTED WITH MALWARE ADBANNER:
http://news.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09/09/13/2346229 [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
---
MICROSOFT HIT BY MALWARES IN ADBANNERS:
http://apcmag.com/microsoft_apologises_for_serving_malware.htm [apcmag.com] [apcmag.com]
---
ISP's INJECTING ADS AND ERRORS INTO THE WEB: -> http://it.slashdot.org/it/08/04/19/2148215.shtml [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
---
ADOBE FLASH ADS INJECTING MALWARE INTO THE NET: http://it.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/08/20/0029220&from=rss [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
---
London Stock Exchange Web Site Serving Malware:
http://www.securityweek.com/london-stock-exchange-web-site-serving-malware [securityweek.com] [securityweek.com]
---
Spotify splattered with malware-tainted ads:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/03/25/spotify_malvertisement_attack/ [theregister.co.uk] [theregister.co.uk]
---
As my list "multiple evidences thereof" as to adbanners & viruses + the fact they slow you down & cost you more (from reputable & reliable sources no less)).
17.) Per point #16, a way to save some money: ANDROID phones can also use the HOSTS FILE TO KEEP DOWN BILLABLE TIME ONLINE, vs. adbanners or malware such as this:
---
Infected Androids Run Up Big Texting Bills:
http://it.slashdot.org/story/11/03/01/0041203/Infected-Androids-Run-Up-Big-Texting-Bills [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
---
AND, for protection vs. other "botnets" migrating from the PC world, to "smartphones" such as ZITMO (a ZEUS botnet variant):
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=ZITMO&btnG=Google+Search [google.com] [google.com]
---
It's easily done too, via the ADB dev. tool, & mounting ANDROID OS' system mountpoint for system/etc as READ + WRITE/ADMIN-ROOT PERMISSIONS, then copying your new custom HOSTS over the old one using ADB PULL/ADB PUSH to do so (otherwise ANDROID complains of "this file cannot be overwritten on production models of this Operating System", or something very along those lines - this way gets you around that annoyance along with you possibly having to clear some space there yourself if you packed it with things!).
18.) Bad news: ADBLOCK CAN BE DETECTED FOR: See here on that note -> http://arstechnica.com/business/news/2010/03/why-ad-blocking-is-devastating-to-the-sites-you-love.ars [arstechnica.com] [arstechnica.com]
HOSTS files are NOT THAT EASILY "webbug" BLOCKABLE by websites, as was tried on users by ARSTECHNICA (and it worked on AdBlock in that manner), to that websites' users' dismay:
PERTINENT QUOTE/EXCERPT FROM ARSTECHNICA THEMSELVES:
----
An experiment gone wrong - By Ken Fisher | Last updated March 6, 2010 11:11 AM
http://arstechnica.com/business/news/2010/03/why-ad-blocking-is-devastating-to-the-sites-you-love.ars [arstechnica.com] [arstechnica.com]
"Starting late Friday afternoon we conducted a 12 hour experiment to see if it would be possible to simply make content disappear for visitors who were using a very popular ad blocking tool. Technologically, it was a success in that it worked. Ad blockers, and only ad blockers, couldn't see our content."
and
"Our experiment is over, and we're glad we did it because it led to us learning that we needed to communicate our point of view every once in a while. Sure, some people told us we deserved to die in a fire. But that's the Internet!"
Thus, as you can see? Well - THAT all "went over like a lead balloon" with their users in other words, because Arstechnica was forced to change it back to the old way where ADBLOCK still could work to do its job (REDDIT however, has not, for example). However/Again - this is proof that HOSTS files can still do the job, blocking potentially malscripted ads (or ads in general because they slow you down) vs. adblockers like ADBLOCK!
----
19.) Even WIKILEAKS "favors" blacklists (because they work, and HOSTS can be a blacklist vs. known BAD sites/servers/domain-host names):
---
PERTINENT QUOTE/EXCERPT (from -> http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/12/16/wikileaks_mirror_malware_warning_row/ [theregister.co.uk] [theregister.co.uk] )
"we are in favour of 'Blacklists', be it for mail servers or websites, they have to be compiled with care... Fortunately, more responsible blacklists, like stopbadware.org (which protects the Firefox browser)...
---
20.) AND, LASTLY? SINCE MALWARE GENERALLY HAS TO OPERATE ON WHAT YOU YOURSELF CAN DO (running as limited class/least privlege user, hopefully, OR even as ADMIN/ROOT/SUPERUSER)? HOSTS "LOCK IN" malware too, vs. communicating "back to mama" for orders (provided they have name servers + C&C botnet servers listed in them, blocked off in your HOSTS that is) - you might think they use a hardcoded IP, which IS possible, but generally they do not & RECYCLE domain/host names they own (such as has been seen with the RBN (Russian Business Network) lately though it was considered "dead", other malwares are using its domains/hostnames now, & this? This stops that cold, too - Bonus!)...
21.) Custom HOSTS files gain users back more "screen real estate" by blocking out banner ads... it's great on PC's for speed along with MORE of what I want to see/read (not ads), & efficiency too, but EVEN BETTER ON SMARTPHONES - by far. It matters MOST there imo @least, in regards to extra screen real-estate.
Still - It's a GOOD idea to layer in the usage of BOTH browser addons for security like adblock ( http://adblockplus.org/en/ [adblockplus.org] [adblockplus.org] ), IE 9's new TPL's ( http://ie.microsoft.com/testdrive/Browser/TrackingProtectionLists/ [microsoft.com] [microsoft.com] ), &/or NoScript ( http://noscript.net/ [noscript.net] [noscript.net] especially this one, as it covers what HOSTS files can't in javascript which is the main deliverer of MOST attacks online & SECUNIA.COM can verify this for anyone really by looking @the past few years of attacks nowadays), for the concept of "layered security"....
It's just that HOSTS files offer you a LOT MORE gains than Adblock ( http://adblockplus.org/en/ [adblockplus.org] [adblockplus.org] ) does alone (as hosts do things adblock just plain cannot & on more programs, for more speed, security, and "stealth" to a degree even), and it corrects problems in DNS (as shown above via hardcodes of your favorite sites into your HOSTS file, and more (such as avoiding DNS request logs)).
ALSO - Some more notes on DNS servers & their problems, very recent + ongoing ones:
---
DNS flaw reanimates slain evil sites as ghost domains:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/02/16/ghost_domains_dns_vuln/ [theregister.co.uk] [theregister.co.uk]
---
BIND vs. what the Chinese are doing to DNS lately? See here:
http://yro.slashdot.org/story/10/11/29/1755230/Chinese-DNS-Tampering-a-Real-Threat-To-Outsiders [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
---
SECUNIA HIT BY DNS REDIRECTION HACK THIS WEEK:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/11/26/secunia_back_from_dns_hack/ [theregister.co.uk] [theregister.co.uk]
(Yes, even "security pros" are helpless vs. DNS problems in code bugs OR redirect DNS poisoning issues, & they can only try to "set the DNS record straight" & then, they still have to wait for corrected DNS info. to propogate across all subordinate DNS servers too - lagtime in which folks DO get "abused" in mind you!)
---
DNS vs. the "Kaminsky DNS flaw", here (and even MORE problems in DNS than just that):
http://www.scmagazineus.com/new-bind-9-dns-flaw-is-worse-than-kaminskys/article/140872/ [scmagazineus.com] [scmagazineus.com]
(Seems others are saying that some NEW "Bind9 flaw" is worse than the Kaminsky flaw ALONE, up there, mind you... probably corrected (hopefully), but it shows yet again, DNS hassles (DNS redirect/DNS poisoning) being exploited!)
---
Moxie Marlinspike's found others (0 hack) as well...
Nope... "layered security" truly IS the "way to go" - hacker/cracker types know it, & they do NOT want the rest of us knowing it too!...
(So until DNSSEC takes "widespread adoption"? HOSTS are your answer vs. such types of attack, because the 1st thing your system refers to, by default, IS your HOSTS file (over say, DNS server usage). There are decent DNS servers though, such as OpenDNS, ScrubIT, or even NORTON DNS (more on each specifically below), & because I cannot "cache the entire internet" in a HOSTS file? I opt to use those, because I have to (& OpenDNS has been noted to "fix immediately", per the Kaminsky flaw, in fact... just as a sort of reference to how WELL they are maintained really!)
---
DNS Hijacks Now Being Used to Serve Black Hole Exploit Kit:
https://threatpost.com/en_us/blogs/dns-hijacks-now-being-used-serve-black-hole-exploit-kit-121211 [threatpost.com] [threatpost.com]
---
DNS experts admit some of the underlying foundations of the DNS protocol are inherently weak:
http://it.slashdot.org/story/11/12/08/1353203/opendns-releases-dns-encryption-tool [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
---
Potential 0-Day Vulnerability For BIND 9:
http://it.slashdot.org/story/11/11/17/1429259/potential-0-day-vulnerability-for-bind-9 [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
---
Five DNS Threats You Should Protect Against:
http://www.securityweek.com/five-dns-threats-you-should-protect-against [securityweek.com] [securityweek.com]
---
DNS provider decked by DDoS dastards:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/11/16/ddos_on_dns_firm/ [theregister.co.uk] [theregister.co.uk]
---
Ten Percent of DNS Servers Still Vulnerable: (so much for "conscientious patching", eh? Many DNS providers weren't patching when they had to!)
http://it.slashdot.org/it/05/08/04/1525235.shtml?tid=172&tid=95&tid=218 [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
---
DNS ROOT SERVERS ATTACKED:
http://it.slashdot.org/it/07/02/06/2238225.shtml [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
---
TimeWarner DNS Hijacking:
http://tech.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/07/23/2140208 [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
---
DNS Re-Binding Attacks:
http://crypto.stanford.edu/dns/ [stanford.edu] [stanford.edu]
---
DNS Server Survey Reveals Mixed Security Picture:
http://it.slashdot.org/it/07/11/21/0315239.shtml [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
---
Halvar figured out super-secret DNS vulnerability:
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/security/has-halvar-figured-out-super-secret-dns-vulnerability/1520 [zdnet.com] [zdnet.com]
---
BIND Still Susceptible To DNS Cache Poisoning:
http://tech.slashdot.org/tech/08/08/09/123222.shtml [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
---
DNS Poisoning Hits One of China's Biggest ISPs:
http://it.slashdot.org/it/08/08/21/2343250.shtml [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
---
DDoS Attacks Via DNS Recursion:
http://it.slashdot.org/it/06/03/16/1658209.shtml [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
---
High Severity BIND DNS Vulnerability Advisory Issued:
http://tech.slashdot.org/story/11/02/23/156212/High-Severity-BIND-Vulnerability-Advisory-Issued [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
---
Photobucketâ(TM)s DNS records hijacked:
http://blogs.zdnet.com/security/?p=1285 [zdnet.com] [zdnet.com]
---
Protecting Browsers from DNS Rebinding Attacks:
http://crypto.stanford.edu/dns/ [stanford.edu] [stanford.edu]
---
DNS Problem Linked To DDoS Attacks Gets Worse:
http://tech.slashdot.org/story/09/11/15/1238210/DNS-Problem-Linked-To-DDoS-Attacks-Gets-Worse [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
---
HOWEVER - Some DNS servers are "really good stuff" vs. phishing, known bad sites/servers/hosts-domains that serve up malware-in-general & malicious scripting, botnet C&C servers, & more, such as:
Norton DNS -> http://nortondns.com/ [nortondns.com] [nortondns.com]
ScrubIT DNS -> http://www.scrubit.com/ [scrubit.com] [scrubit.com]
OpenDNS -> http://www.opendns.com/ [opendns.com] [opendns.com]
(Norton DNS in particular, is exclusively for blocking out malware, for those of you that are security-conscious. ScrubIT filters pr0n material too, but does the same, & OpenDNS does phishing protection. Each page lists how & why they work, & why they do so. Norton DNS can even show you its exceptions lists, plus user reviews & removal procedures requests, AND growth stats (every 1/2 hour or so) here -> http://safeweb.norton.com/buzz [norton.com] [norton.com] so, that ought to "take care of the naysayers" on removal requests, &/or methods used plus updates frequency etc./et al...)
HOWEVER - There's ONLY 1 WEAKNESS TO ANY network defense, including HOSTS files (vs. host-domain name based threats) & firewalls (hardware router type OR software type, vs. IP address based threats): Human beings, & they not being 'disciplined' about the indiscriminate usage of javascript (the main "harbinger of doom" out there today online), OR, what they download for example... & there is NOTHING I can do about that! (Per Dr. Manhattan of "The Watchmen", ala -> "I can change almost anything, but I can't change human nature")
HOWEVER AGAIN - That's where NORTON DNS, OpenDNS, &/or ScrubIT DNS help!
(Especially for noob/grandma level users who are unaware of how to secure themselves in fact, per a guide like mine noted above that uses "layered-security" principles!)
ScrubIT DNS, &/or OpenDNS are others alongside Norton DNS (adding on phishing protection too) as well!
( & it's possible to use ALL THREE in your hardware NAT routers, and, in your Local Area Connection DNS properties in Windows, for again, "Layered Security" too)...
---
20++ SLASHDOT USERS EXPERIENCING SUCCESS USING HOSTS FILES QUOTED VERBATIM:
---
"Ever since I've installed a host file (http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm) to redirect advertisers to my loopback, I haven't had any malware, spyware, or adware issues. I first started using the host file 5 years ago." - by TestedDoughnut (1324447) on Monday December 13, @12:18AM (#34532122)
"I use a custom /etc/hosts to block ads... my file gets parsed basically instantly ... So basically, for any modern computer, it has zero visible impact. And even if it took, say, a second to parse, that would be more than offset by the MANY seconds saved by not downloading and rendering ads. I have noticed NO ill effects from running a custom /etc/hosts file for the last several years. And as a matter of fact I DO run http servers on my computers and I've never had an /etc/hosts-related problem... it FUCKING WORKS and makes my life better overall." - by sootman (158191) on Monday July 13 2009, @11:47AM (#28677363) Homepage Journal
"I actually went and downloaded a 16k line hosts file and started using that after seeing that post, you know just for trying it out. some sites load up faster." - by gl4ss (559668) on Thursday November 17, @11:20AM (#38086752) Homepage Journal
"Better than an ad blocker, imo. Hosts file entries: http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm [mvps.org] [mvps.org] " - by TempestRose (1187397) on Tuesday March 15, @12:53PM (#35493274)
"^^ One of the many reasons why I like the user-friendliness of the /etc/hosts file." - by lennier1 (264730) on Saturday March 05, @09:26PM (#35393448)
"They've been on my HOSTS block for years" - by ScottCooperDotNet (929575) on Thursday August 05 2010, @01:52AM (#33147212)
"I'm currently only using my hosts file to block pheedo ads from showing up in my RSS feeds and causing them to take forever to load. Regardless of its original intent, it's still a valid tool, when used judiciously." - by Bill Dog (726542) on Monday April 25, @02:16AM (#35927050) Homepage Journal
"you're right about hosts files" - by drinkypoo (153816) on Thursday May 26, @01:21PM (#36252958) Homepage
"APK's monolithic hosts file is looking pretty good at the moment." - by Culture20 (968837) on Thursday November 17, @10:08AM (#38085666)
"I also use the MVPS ad blocking hosts file." - by Rick17JJ (744063) on Wednesday January 19, @03:04PM (#34931482)
"I use ad-Block and a hostfile" - by Ol Olsoc (1175323) on Tuesday March 01, @10:11AM (#35346902)
"I do use Hosts, for a couple fake domains I use." - by icebraining (1313345) on Saturday December 11, @09:34AM (#34523012) Homepage
"It's a good write up on something everybody should use, why you were modded down is beyond me. Using a HOSTS file, ADblock is of no concern and they can do what they want." - by Trax3001BBS (2368736) on Monday December 12, @10:07PM (#38351398) Homepage Journal
"I want my surfing speed back so I block EVERY fucking ad. i.e. http://someonewhocares.org/hosts/ [someonewhocares.org] [someonewhocares.org] and http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.htm [mvps.org] [mvps.org] FTW" - by UnknownSoldier (67820) on Tuesday December 13, @12:04PM (#38356782)
"Let me introduce you to the file: /etc/hosts" - by fahrbot-bot (874524) on Monday December 19, @05:03PM (#38427432)
"I use a hosts file" - by EdIII (1114411) on Tuesday December 13, @01:17PM (#38357816)
"I'm tempted to go for a hacked hosts file that simply resolves most advert sites to 127.0.0.1" - by bLanark (123342) on Tuesday December 13, @01:13PM (#38357760)
"this is not a troll, which hosts file source you recommend nowadays? it's a really handy method for speeding up web and it works." - by gl4ss (559668) on Thursday March 22, @08:07PM (#39446525) Homepage Journal
"A hosts file certainly does not require "a lot of work" to maintain, and it quite effectively kills a LOT of advertising and tracking schemes. . In fact, I never would have considered trying to use it for ddefending against viruses or malware." - by RocketRabbit (830691) on Thursday December 30 2010, @05:48PM (#34715060)
---
Then, there is also the words of respected security expert, Mr. Oliver Day, from SECURITYFOCUS.COM to "top that all off" as well:
A RETURN TO THE KILLFILE:
http://www.securityfocus.com/columnists/491 [securityfocus.com] [securityfocus.com]
Some "PERTINENT QUOTES/EXCERPTS" to back up my points with (for starters):
---
"The host file on my day-to-day laptop is now over 16,000 lines long. Accessing the Internet -- particularly browsing the Web -- is actually faster now."
Speed, and security, is the gain... others like Mr. Day note it as well!
---
"From what I have seen in my research, major efforts to share lists of unwanted hosts began gaining serious momentum earlier this decade. The most popular appear to have started as a means to block advertising and as a way to avoid being tracked by sites that use cookies to gather data on the user across Web properties. More recently, projects like Spybot Search and Destroy offer lists of known malicious servers to add a layer of defense against trojans and other forms of malware."
Per my points exactly, no less... & guess who was posting about HOSTS files a 14++ yrs. or more back & Mr. Day was reading & now using? Yours truly (& this is one of the later ones, from 2001 http://www.furtherleft.net/computer.htm [furtherleft.net] [furtherleft.net] (but the example HOSTS file with my initials in it is FAR older, circa 1998 or so) or thereabouts, and referred to later by a pal of mine who moderates NTCompatible.com (where I posted on HOSTS for YEARS (1997 onwards)) -> http://www.ntcompatible.com/thread28597-1.html [ntcompatible.com] [ntcompatible.com] !
---
"Shared host files could be beneficial for other groups as well. Human rights groups have sought after block resistant technologies for quite some time. The GoDaddy debacle with NMap creator Fyodor (corrected) showed a particularly vicious blocking mechanism using DNS registrars. Once a registrar pulls a website from its records, the world ceases to have an effective way to find it. Shared host files could provide a DNS-proof method of reaching sites, not to mention removing an additional vector of detection if anyone were trying to monitor the use of subversive sites. One of the known weaknesses of the Tor system, for example, is direct DNS requests by applications not configured to route such requests through Tor's network."
There you go: AND, it also works vs. the "KAMINSKY DNS FLAW" & DNS poisoning/redirect attacks, for redirectable weaknesses in DNS servers (non DNSSEC type, & set into recursive mode especially) and also in the TOR system as well (that lends itself to anonymous proxy usage weaknesses I noted above also) and, you'll get to sites you want to, even IF a DNS registrar drops said websites from its tables as shown here Beating Censorship By Routing Around DNS -> http://yro.slashdot.org/story/10/12/09/1840246/Beating-Censorship-By-Routing-Around-DNS [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org] & even DNSBL also (DNS Block Lists) -> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNSBL [wikipedia.org] [wikipedia.org] as well - DOUBLE-BONUS!
---
* POSTS ABOUT HOSTS FILES I DID on "/." THAT HAVE DONE WELL BY OTHERS & WERE RATED HIGHLY, 26++ THUSFAR (from +3 -> +1 RATINGS, usually "informative" or "interesting" etc./et al):
BANNER ADS & BANDWIDTH:2011 -> http://hardware.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=2139088&cid=36077722 [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
HOSTS MOD UP:2010 -> http://yro.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1907266&cid=34529608 [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
HOSTS MOD UP:2009 -> http://tech.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1490078&cid=30555632 [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
HOSTS MOD UP:2010 -> http://it.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1869638&cid=34237268 [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
HOSTS MOD UP:2009 -> http://tech.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1461288&threshold=-1&commentsort=0&mode=thread&cid=30272074 [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
HOSTS MOD UP:2009 -> http://tech.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1255487&cid=28197285 [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
HOSTS MOD UP:2009 -> http://tech.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1206409&cid=27661983 [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
HOSTS MOD UP:2010 -> http://apple.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1725068&cid=32960808 [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
HOSTS MOD UP:2010 -> http://it.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1743902&cid=33147274 [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
APK 20++ POINTS ON HOSTS MOD UP:2010 -> http://news.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1913212&cid=34576182 [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
HOSTS MOD UP:2010 -> http://it.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1862260&cid=34186256 [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
HOSTS MOD UP:2010 (w/ facebook known bad sites blocked) -> http://tech.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1924892&cid=34670128 [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
HOSTS FILE MOD UP FOR ANDROID MALWARE:2010 -> http://mobile.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1930156&cid=34713952 [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
HOSTS MOD UP ZEUSTRACKER:2011 -> http://it.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=2059420&cid=35654066 [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
HOSTS MOD UP vs AT&T BANDWIDTH CAP:2011 -> http://tech.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=2116504&cid=35985584 [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
HOSTS MOD UP CAN DO SAME AS THE "CloudFlare" Server-Side service:2011 -> http://it.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=2220314&cid=36372850 [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
HOSTS and BGP +5 RATED (BEING HONEST):2010 http://tech.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1901826&cid=34490450 [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
HOSTS & PROTECT IP ACT:2011 http://yro.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=2368832&cid=37021700 [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
HOSTS MOD UP:2011 -> http://yro.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=2457766&cid=37592458 [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
HOSTS MOD UP & OPERA HAUTE SECURE:2011 -> http://yro.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=2457274&cid=37589596 [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
0.0.0.0 in HOSTS:2009 -> http://tech.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1197039&cid=27556999 [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
0.0.0.0 IN HOSTS:2009 -> http://tech.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1143349&cid=27012231 [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
0.0.0.0 in HOSTS:2009 -> http://it.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1198841&cid=27580299 [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
0.0.0.0 in HOSTS:2009 -> http://tech.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1139705&cid=26977225 [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
HOSTS MOD UP:2009 -> http://hardware.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1319261&cid=28872833 [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org] (still says INSIGHTFUL)
HOSTS MOD UP vs. botnet: 2012 -> http://it.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=2603836&cid=38586216 [slashdot.org] [slashdot.org]
---
Windows 7, VISTA, & Server 2008 have a couple of "issues" I don't like in them, & you may not either, depending on your point of view (mine's based solely on efficiency & security), & if my take on these issues aren't "good enough"? I suggest reading what ROOTKIT.COM says, link URL is in my "p.s." @the bottom of this post:
1.) HOSTS files being unable to use "0" for a blocking IP address - this started in 12/09/2008 after an "MS Patch Tuesday" in fact for VISTA (when it had NO problem using it before that, as Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003 still can)... & yes, this continues in its descendants, Windows Server 2008 &/or Windows 7 as well.
So, why is this a "problem" you might ask?
Ok - since you can technically use either:
a.) 127.0.0.1 (the "loopback adapter address")
b.) 0.0.0.0 (next smallest & next most efficient)
c.) The smallest & fastest plain-jane 0
PER EACH HOSTS FILE ENTRY/RECORD...
You can use ANY of those, in order to block out known bad sites &/or adbanners in a HOSTS file this way??
Microsoft has "promoted bloat" in doing so... no questions asked.
Simply because
1.) 127.0.0.1 = 9 bytes in size on disk & is the largest/slowest
2.) 0.0.0.0 = 7 bytes & is the next largest/slowest in size on disk
3.) 0 = 1 byte
(& HOSTS files extend across EVERY webbrowser, email program, or in general every webbound program you use & thus HOSTS are "global" in coverage this way AND function on any OS that uses the BSD derived IP stack (which most all do mind you, even MS is based off of it, as BSD's IS truly, "the best in the business"), & when coupled with say, IE restricted zones, FireFox addons like NoScript &/or AdBlock, or Opera filter.ini/urlfilter.ini, for layered security in this capacity for webbrowsers & SOME email programs (here, I mean ones "built into" browsers themselves like Opera has for example))
MS has literally promoted bloat in this file, making it load slower from disk, into memory! This compounds itself, the more entries your HOSTS file contains... & for instance? Mine currently contains nearly 654,000 entries of known bad adbanners, bad websites, &/or bad nameservers (used for controlling botnets, misdirecting net requests, etc. et al).
Now, IF I were to use 127.0.0.1? My "huge" HOSTS file would be approximately 27mb in size... using 0.0.0.0 (next smallest) it would be 19mb in size - HOWEVER? Using 0 as my blocking IP, it is only 14mb in size. See my point?
(For loads either in the local DNS cache, or system diskcache if you run w/out the local DNS client service running, this gets slower the larger each HOSTS file entry is (which you have to stall the DNS client service in Windows for larger ones, especially if you use a "giant HOSTS file" (purely relative term, but once it goes over (iirc) 4mb in size, you have to cut the local DNS cache client service)))
NO questions asked - the physics of it backed me up in theory alone, but when I was questioned on it for PROOF thereof?
I wrote a small test program to load such a list into a "pascal record" (which is analagous to a C/C++ structure), which is EXACTLY what the DNS client/DNS API does as well, using a C/C++ structure (basically an array of sorts really, & a structure/record is a precursor part to a full-blown CLASS or OBJECT, minus the functions built in, this is for treating numerous variables as a SINGLE VARIABLE (for efficiency, which FORTRAN as a single example, lacks as a feature, @least Fortran 77 did, but other languages do not))!
I even wrote another that just loaded my HOSTS file's entirety into a listbox, same results... slowest using 127.0.0.1, next slowest using 0.0.0.0, & fastest using 0.
And, sure: Some MORE "goes on" during DNS API loads (iirc, removal of duplicated entries (which I made sure my personal copy does not have these via a program I wrote to purge it of duplicated entries + to sort each entry alphabetically for easier mgt. via say, notepad.exe) & a conversion from decimal values to hex ones), but, nevertheless? My point here "holds true", of slower value loads, record-by-record, from a HOSTS file, when the entries become larger.
So, to "prove my point" to my naysayers?
I timed it using the Win32 API calls "GetTickCount" & then again, using the API calls of "QueryPerformanceCounter" as well, seeing the SAME results (a slowdown when reading in this file from disk, especially when using the larger 127.0.0.1 or 0.0.0.0 line item entries in a HOSTS file, vs. the smaller/faster/more efficient 0).
In my test, I saw a decline in speed/efficiency in my test doing so by using larger blocking addresses (127.0.0.1 &/or 0.0.0.0, vs. the smallest/fastest in 0)... proving me correct on this note!
On this HOSTS issue, and the WFP design issue in my next post below?
I also then questioned MS' own staff, even their VP of development (S. Sinofsky) on this here -> http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/2009/02/09/recognizing-improvements-in-windows-7-handwriting.aspx?CommentPosted=true#commentmessage [msdn.com] [msdn.com] & other places in their blogs, to get them to tell me WHY this seemingly intentional inefficiency was implemented... & I have YET to get a solid LOGICAL answer on this as to why it was done - THUS, @this point?
I am convinced they (MS) do NOT have a good reason for doing this... because of their lack of response there on this note. Unless it has something to do with IPv6 (most folks use IPv4 still), I cannot understand WHY this design mistake imo, has occurred, in HOSTS files...
AND
2.) The "Windows Filtering Platform", which is now how the firewall works in VISTA, Server 2008, & Windows 7...
Sure it works in this new single point method & it is simple to manage & "sync" all points of it, making it easier for network techs/admins to manage than the older 3 part method, but that very thing works against it as well, because it is only a single part system now!
Thus, however?
This "single layer design" in WFP, now represents a SINGLE POINT OF FAILURE/ATTACK for malware makers to 'take down'!
(Which is 1 of the 1st things a malware attempts to do, is to take down any software firewalls present, or even the "Windows Security Center" itself which should warn you of the firewall "going down", & it's fairly easy to do either by messaging the services they use, or messing up their registry init. settings)
VS. the older (up to) 3 part method used in Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003, for protecting a system via IP Filtering, the Windows native Firewall, &/or IPSEC. Each of which uses diff. drivers, & layers of the IP stack to function from, as well as registry initialization settings.
Think of the older 3 part design much the same as the reason why folks use door handle locks, deadbolt locks, & chain locks on their doors... multipart layered security.
(Each of which the latter older method used, had 3 separate drivers & registry settings to do their jobs, representing a "phalanx like"/"zone defense like" system of backup of one another (like you see in sports OR ancient wars, and trust me, it WORKS, because on either side of yourself, you have "backup", even if YOU "go down" vs. the opponent)).
I.E.-> Take 1 of the "older method's" 3 part defenses down? 2 others STILL stand in the way, & they are not that simple to take them ALL down...
(Well, @ least NOT as easily as "taking out" a single part defensive system like WFP (the new "Windows Filtering Platform", which powers the VISTA, Windows Server 2008, & yes, Windows 7 firewall defense system)).
On this "single-part/single-point of attack" WFP (vs. Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003's IP stack defense design in 3-part/zone defense/phalanx type arrangement) as well as the HOSTS issue in my post above?
I also then questioned MS' own staff, even their VP of development (S. Sinofsky) on this here -> http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/2009/02/09/recognizing-improvements-in-windows-7-handwriting.aspx?CommentPosted=true#commentmessage [msdn.com] [msdn.com] & other places in their blogs, to get them to tell me WHY this seemingly intentional inefficiency was implemented... & I have YET to get a solid LOGICAL answer on this as to why it was done - THUS, @this point?
I'll stick to my thoughts on it, until I am shown otherwise & proven wrong.
----
Following up on what I wrote up above, so those here reading have actual technical references from Microsoft themselves ("The horses' mouth"), in regards to the Firewall/PortFilter/IPSec designs (not HOSTS files, that I am SURE I am correct about, no questions asked) from my "Point #2" above?
Thus, I'll now note how:
----
1.) TCP/IP packet processing paths differences between in how Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003 did it (IPSEC.SYS (IP Security Policies), IPNAT.SYS (Windows Firewall), IPFLTDRV.SYS (Port Filtering), & TCPIP.SYS (base IP driver))...
2.) AND, how VISTA/Server 2008/Windows 7 do it now currently, using a SINGLE layer (WFP)...
----
First off, here is HOW it worked in Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003 - using 3 discrete & different drivers AND LEVELS/LAYERS of the packet processing path they worked in:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb878072.aspx [microsoft.com] [microsoft.com]
The Cable Guy - June 2005: TCP/IP Packet Processing Paths
====
The following components process IP packets:
IP forwarding Determines the next-hop interface and address for packets being sent or forwarded.
TCP/IP filtering Allows you to specify by IP protocol, TCP port, or UDP port, the types of traffic that are acceptable for incoming local host traffic (packets destined for the host). You can configure TCP/IP filtering on the Options tab from the advanced properties of the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) component in the Network Connections folder.
* "Here endeth the lesson..." and, if you REALLY want to secure your system? Please refer to this:
http://www.bing.com/search?q=%22HOW+TO+SECURE+Windows+2000%2FXP%22&go=&form=QBRE [bing.com] [bing.com]
APK [mailto] [mailto]
P.S.=> SOME MINOR "CAVEATS/CATCH-22's" - things to be aware of for "layered security" + HOSTS file performance - easily overcome, or not a problem at all:
A.) HOSTS files don't function under PROXY SERVERS (except for Proximitron, which has a filter that allows it) - Which is *the "WHY"* of why I state in my "P.S." section below to use both AdBlock type browser addon methods (or even built-in block lists browsers have such as Opera's URLFILTER.INI file, & FireFox has such as list as does IE also in the form of TPL (tracking protection lists -> http://ie.microsoft.com/testdrive/Browser/TrackingProtectionLists/ [microsoft.com] [microsoft.com] , good stuff )) in combination with HOSTS, for the best in "layered security" (alongside .pac files + custom cascading style sheets that can filter off various tags such as scripts or ads etc.) - but proxies, especially "HIGHLY ANONYMOUS" types, generally slow you down to a CRAWL online (& personally, I cannot see using proxies "for the good" typically - as they allow "truly anonymous posting" & have bugs (such as TOR has been shown to have & be "bypassable/traceable" via its "onion routing" methods)).
B.) HOSTS files do NOT protect you vs. javascript (this only holds true IF you don't already have a bad site blocked out in your HOSTS file though, & the list of sites where you can obtain such lists to add to your HOSTS are above (& updated daily in many of them)).
C.) HOSTS files (relatively "largish ones") require you to turn off Windows' native "DNS local client cache service" (which has a problem in that it's designed with a non-redimensionable/resizeable list, array, or queue (DNS data loads into a C/C++ structure actually/afaik, which IS a form of array)) - mvps.org covers that in detail and how to easily do this in Windows (this is NOT a problem in Linux, & it's 1 thing I will give Linux over Windows, hands-down). Relatively "smallish" HOSTS files don't have this problem (mvps.org offers 2 types for this).
D.) HOSTS files, once read/loaded, once? GET CACHED! Right into the kernelmode diskcaching subsystem (fast & efficient RAM speed), for speed of access/re-access (@ system startup in older MS OS' like 2000, or, upon a users' 1st request that's "Webbound" via say, a webbrowser) gets read into either the DNS local caching client service (noted above), OR, if that's turned off? Into your local diskcac
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 01 2015, @04:16AM
And you're posting this as A.C.? Rrriiiggghhhttt.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 01 2015, @12:50PM
Where's APK when you need him? How will I know if the parent's thesis is accurate without confirmation from the world's most knowledgeable hosts file expert?
(Score: 2) by c0lo on Sunday March 01 2015, @12:37AM
I have to most strenuously protest. I'm perfectly capable to push feminist claptrap and libtard bullshit on my own.
You call that a phallic structure? This [wikipedia.org] is a phallic structure, with a suggestive name no less.
(for those metric impaired, 50 m= 164 feet)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 01 2015, @12:41AM
The correct term to use is "libmentally challenged".
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 01 2015, @12:52AM
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 01 2015, @12:50AM
It depends if the hole is bigger than the grand canyon. The grand canyon got almost as much action as K.C. hence the big crack.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 01 2015, @02:30AM
This is clearly part of the feminist agenda promoting the dominance of holes and subjugating the mighty phallic structures of nature like the 100-ft tall redwoods of California!
I call BS!
It is the right wingers cutting down all the mighty phallic structures of nature like the 100-ft tall redwoods of California!
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 01 2015, @02:44AM
Right-wingers, who are also referred to as "conservatives", are very much against deforestation. Conservation of nature is one of the core beliefs of conservatives. As their name implies, they are very much focused on conservation.
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 01 2015, @12:56AM
It would make sense to use these pits as rubbish dumps. We can throw all of our trash in there, and it will slowly sink into the earth.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 01 2015, @12:59AM
Yeah... don't mind Putin, it's not like his objections would matter
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 01 2015, @02:16AM
That would actually be a good idea if it got absorbed into the mantle, it'd be one way to dispose of radioactive waste.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 01 2015, @12:21PM
So we should go to the handful of places on the planet that have the mantle exposed and start shoving our mega-tons of radioactive waste into the openings? What could go wrong?
I'll start a KickStarter page for it so we can raise money to pay lobbiests to buy politicians to get a bill passed. Maybe there will be enough money left over to pay Clint Eastwood to do a Dirty Harry style commercial where he tells all that dangerous radioactive waste to "go to hell."
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 01 2015, @07:14AM
It's Siberia. We could use anything as a rubbish dump and nobody would notice until it got big enough to appear on satellite photos. When that happens just issue a DMCA takedown notice claiming copyright on the design of the dump.
(Score: 2, Offtopic) by bradley13 on Sunday March 01 2015, @07:46AM
Climate varies over time, especially within individual regions. These craters in Siberia are nothing new. They happen from time to time, when an area has had a warm winter or whatever. What the alarmists need to check - but haven't - is whether the frequency of occurrence has changed over time.
Everyone is somebody else's weirdo.