AskWoody.com

“Omar was pretty good with computers…”

Good enough to disable 100 cars, remotely, after losing his job at a Texas auto distributorship.

Fascinating story at Wired.

“We initially dismissed it as mechanical failure,” says Texas Auto Center manager Martin Garcia. “We started having a rash of up to a hundred customers at one time complaining. Some customers complained of the horns going off in the middle of the night. The only option they had was to remove the battery.”

The dealership used a system called Webtech Plus as an alternative to repossessing vehicles that haven’t been paid for. Operated by Cleveland-based Pay Technologies, the system lets car dealers install a small black box under vehicle dashboards that responds to commands issued through a central website, and relayed over a wireless pager network. The dealer can disable a car’s ignition system, or trigger the horn to begin honking, as a reminder that a payment is due.

Ain’t technology wunnerful?

Happy Birthday, .com!

.com turned 25 years old on March 15. Bet you didn’t know that.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports that the first .com domain name, symbolics.com, was registered on March 15, 1985, by a Massachusetts computer firm that I’ve never heard of. It was followed by a veritable who’s who of the computer industry back then:

BBN.com – April 24, 1985

Think.com – May 24, 1985

MCC.com – July 11, 1985

DEC.com – Sept. 30, 1985

Northrop.com – Nov. 7, 1985

Xerox.com – Jan. 9, 1986

SRI.com – Jan. 17, 1986

HP.com – March 3, 1986

Bellcore.com – March 5, 1986

Happy birthday, .com!

Is Google getting cojones in China?

News from MSNBC that Google is finally showing some previously-blocked pictures in response to searches on Google.cn.

A week ago, the Financial Times reported that Google wass “99.9% certain” to close down its censored Chinese search engine.  Now, it appears as if the engine is still chugging along, with some of the old censorship gone.

It’s refreshing to see pictures of the “tank man” at Tiananmen Square, and a tiny trickle of information about Tibet, coming from the censored version of Google.

In response, Google’s stock took a hit, but it’s coming back. Good on ya, Google.

A new Fixit for another Internet Explorer 0day

If you’re still using Internet Explorer 6 or 7, and haven’t upgraded to IE 8 or started using a better browser, you need to run over to Microsoft’s Security Advisory 981374 and apply the “Fixit” patch.

According to SANS Internet Storm Center, Microsoft posted the Fixit a few hours ago.

The Fixit disables something called the “peer factory” in IE6 and IE7. Apparently there’s working zero-day code running around that takes advantage of the security hole to run “backdoors” – programs that take over your computer, without your knowledge or consent.

Microsoft loses to i4i again

Just before Christmas I talked about Microsoft losing a patent lawsuit brought on by a small company called i4i.

On May 20, a federal jury in Tyler, Texas, found Microsoft guilty of violating the i4i patent, and order Microsoft to pay i4i $200 million. Microsoft appealed. On August 11, Judge Leonard (no relation) Davis, citing Microsoft’s lawyers’ hijinx, slapped another $40 million onto the judgment for willful infringement, and cited $37 million in pre-judgment interest. Microsoft appealed, and lost its appeal yesterday.

Microsoft appealed again – actually, asked for a re-hearing – and lost again last Friday. The BBC says:

In this second appeal, the court again re-affirmed the original ruling and spelled out why that decision was made. In court documents spelling out their reasoning, the three appeal court judges said there was evidence that Microsoft knew i4i technology was patented before it turned up in Office programs.

The appeal is not the last that Microsoft can make. The court documents are now being sent to the other appeal court judges who will decide if Microsoft has grounds for a wider review of the case.

Bill’s a half billion short

No doubt you’ve heard the news – Bill Gates is no longer the world’s richest man, according to data amassed by Forbes Magazine.

You have to ask yourself how Forbes determined that Carlos Slim Helu has $53.5 billion and Bill a paltry $53 billion, but the headline certainly drew a lot of attention.

Coming to Phuket?

Joi Hubertz just posted this message as a comment in an older thread:

Have just returned from a tremendous trip to Phuket, stayed at Palm Beach Inn in the northeast part which is less hetic than southeast areas, superior resort and wonderful bays. We hired a big motorbike for only 450 baht per day and would drive around the entire area. So many marvelous sites to eat, our favourite spot was Ahan thai Aroy which had the most tremendous view over the beach, the faculty was rather friendly and the food so delicious, we went for sunset drinks. My husband and I had a supreme time in Phuket Town and will be back for Songkran.

My response:

Joi, drop a line before you get here!

My wife and I renovated the townhouse next door to our house in Patong. As you know, Patong’s the ultimate party town, but we live in a quiet residential area up on the hill overlooking the north end. My 85-year-old Dad lives on the top floor.

We’re going to start renting out a flat that’s right next to my office – literally, right next door, connected with a deck overlooking the beach – big, two bedrooms, 1,000+ square feet, great views of Patong Beach, including several that are in my Dummies books! I call it “Khun Woody’s Retreat” because it’s an ideal setup for someone who wants to get away from it all – whether you need to get away from the phone calls and meetings to get a crunch project done, or if you simply want to chill in a fascinating place.

Of course, it has all the modern conveniences: fast wireless Internet, satellite TV, maid service, and I toss in a mobile phone and motorbike for good measure. Add and I can help you get to know Phuket like an insider (I’ve been here almost ten years now). Or we can set things up so you’re simply left alone, with everything you might possibly want brought to your door.

I haven’t advertised it yet, but should start shortly. My brother’s currently staying at “Khun Woody’s Retreat” with his wife and daughter, kind of beta testing the place.

Anyway, if you’re interested in staying in Patong, or know anybody who is, let me know and I’ll get you a post-beta-test deal…

MS-DEFCON 2: Lock down as Black Tuesday is here

Time to make sure Automatic Updates is turned off. Black Tuesday is just around the corner. With just two Security Bulletins this month, maybe we’ll be treated to a rather uneventful round of patches. But ya never know.

We’re moving to MS-DEFCON 2: Patch reliability is unclear. Unless you have an immediate, pressing need to install a specific patch, don’t do it.