27
Sep

A Yahoo! Messenger vulnerability?

Posted by | Categories Byte

Trend Micro reports that a new proof-of-concept (PoC) code that exploits a feature (vulnerability?) in Yahoo! Messenger exists. The code exploits a feature in a certain DLL file to download a file. Malware authors can leverage on the said DLL file to download malware. According to the report, the exploit works on the latest version of the popular messaging client.

From the report:

Based on testing done in Windows XP SP2 with the latest version of Yahoo! Messenger (8.1.0.421) using the said DLL component, programs or Web sites using the CLSID related to the said DLL can download files from the Internet. Users can be lead to malicious/non-malicious sites that will first prompt for an ActiveX warning. When users allow the said ActiveX component to execute, FT60.DLL downloads files specified by the program or Web site.

It will be hard to lead a user to a Web site and then fool the user to allow an unknown ActiveX component to run. But it can be done. Users are advised to be careful when clicking on links sent via IM or installing applications from untrusted sources.

Whether a malware will leverage on this remains to be seen.

26
Sep

Mga salitang dapat ninyong malaman

Posted by | Categories Life

1. BAKTOL – ang ikatlong lebel ng mabahong amoy sa kili-kili. Ang baktol ay kapareho ng amoy ng nabubulok na bayabas. Ito’y dumidikit sa damit at humahalo sa pawis, madalas na naamoy tuwing registration sa school, sa elevator o FX at sa LRT.

2. KUKURIKAPO – ito ang libag sa ilalim ng boobs, madalas na namumuo dahil sa labis na baby powder na inilalagay sa katawan. Maqari ding mamuo kung hindi talaga naliligo o naghihilod ang isang babae. Ang kukurikapo ay mas madalas mamuo sa mga babaeng malalaki ang boobs.

3. MULMUL – buhok sa gitna ng isang nunal. Mahirap ipaliwanag kung bakit nagkakaroon ng MULMUL ang isang nunal subalit hindi talaga ito naaalis kahit bunutin pa ito, maliban na lamang kung ipa-laser ito.

4. BURNIK – taeng sumabit sa buhok sa puwet, madalas nraranasan ng mga taong nagti-tissue lamang pagkatapos tumae, ang BURNIK ay mahirap alisin, lalo na kapag natuyo na ito. Ipinapayo sa mga may mga BURNIK na maligo na lamang upang ito’y maalis.

5. ALPOMBRA – kasuotan sa paa na kadalasang makikitang suot ng mga tindero ng yosi sa Quiapo. Ito’y makipot na kasuotan ng paa, at manipis na swelas, mistulang sandalyas ito ng babae pero kadalasang suot ng mga lalaki, available in blue, red, green etc.

6. BAKOKANG – higanteng peklat, ito’y madalas na dulot ng mga sugat na malaki na hindi ginagamitan ng sebo de macho habang natutuyo. Imbes na normal na balat ang nakatakip sa bakokang, ito’y mayroong makintab na balat na takip.

7. AGIHAP – libag na dumikit sa panty o brief. Nabubuo ang AGIHAP kung ang panty o brief ay suot-suot na nang hindi bumababa sa tatlong araw at kapag tinapon ang panty o brief sa dingding, ito ay hindi mahuhulog pagkat dumikit na ng kusa sa dingding.

8. DUKIT – ito ang amoy na nakukuha kung kinamot mo ang pwet mo at may sumamang amoy tae.

9. SPONGKLONG – ito’y isang bagong salita na nangangahulugang isang estupidong tao.

10. LAPONGGA – ito’y kahintulad sa laplapan o kaya sa lamasan.

11. WENEKLEK – ito ang buhok sa utong, na kadalasang nakikita sa mga tambay sa kanto na laging nakahubad. Meron din ang babae nito.

12. BAKTUNG – pinaikling salita ng BAKAT-UTONG.

13. BAKTI – bakat panty.

14. ASOGUE – buhok sa kilikili.

15. BARNAKOL – maitim na libag sa batok na naipon sa matagal na panahon

16. BULTOKACHI – tubig na tumalsik sa pwet kapag nalaglag ang isang malaking tae. Nararamdaman ito kasi tumalsik sa pisngi ng pwet ang tubig sa toilet bowl.

17. BUTUYTUY – etits ng bata.

18. JABARR – pawis ng katawan.

19. KALAMANTUTAY – mabahong pangalan.

20. McARTHUR – taeng bumabalik after mong i-flush…

26
Sep

Neri ain’t the second envelop… yet

Posted by | Categories Ink

Just a short note, as the Senate hearings on NBN deal is still ongoing.

Romulo Neri did say that Benjamin Abalos offered 200 million pesos in exchange for giving go-signal for the ZTE “contract”. Abalos denied Neri’s claims. Neri then recounted telling Gloria Arroyo about the bribe attempt. He then invoked executive privilege when asked further about their conversation. It seems that the Supreme Court has to enter the picture once again.

Anyway, Neri’s invoking executive privilege is significant – the trail should stop at Abalos, and it should not reach Gloria Arroyo. Also the fact remains that Arroyo told Neri to approve the deal anyway.

Placeholder believes that Neri is the second envelop. Whether the assertion is valid or not remains to be seen, though from the way things are going, this is not to be so.

Abalos’ goose is cooked. He should tell all now before it’s too late.

(If you have not yet voted in the poll, Abalos is one of the nominees to be named in the top of the 2007 AWBHoldings.com’s Wall of Shame. Vote now!)

25
Sep

Warriors Orochi: First impressions

Posted by | Categories Byte

Got this game last Sunday. Warriors Orochi is the last major release of the Warriors series for PS2 (Samurai Warriors will have an expansion pack released next year, Samurai Warriors 2: Xtreme Legends), as Dynasty Warriors 6 is destined to PS3; it is only logical that Samurai Warriors 3 will be PS3-bound. Note that this is mere speculation, as Koei has not yet disclosed its plans for Samurai Warriors.

Will have a full review once I have completely grasped the game. I had only played it for three hours last Sunday.

First, a word of caution: I almost threw the game away. When played, the TV went bonkers, the screen kept on scrolling from top to bottom. Most probably a problem with NTSC frequency. Tested it on another TV, and I had the same problem. On the third TV (the TV downstairs), it was OK, except that there was a noticeable gap from the top of the TV screen with the top of the game screen, and some portions of the game screen was not visible. Yes, manual screen adjustment is clearly lacking for this game, which is unfortunate, since previous Warriors games have this feature. Also, Resident Evil 4 always starts with a prompt asking for the proper NTSC frequency. A lamentable lack of foresight for Omega Force.

With that caveat, on to game play.

You can either start in the Story Mode or Free Mode. The Story Mode has four scenarios: Shu, Wei, Wu, and Samurai Warriors. Each scenario has several required and optional stages. Clearly, the major departure from the series was the ability to select three characters as a team. For a two-player game, the first player and second player get to control the same set; that means it is possible to see two Zhao Yuns on the same scene. I feel this is a serious flaw in the game play, but it should not distract anyone from playing.

Another departure from the Warriors convention is the way you can level up the character and weapons. After every stage, you earn Growth Points (GP), which you can spend either on increasing a character’s level or on weapons fusion. The character leveling is straightforward. The weapons fusion system needs elaboration. Note that when fusing weapons, if you want to retain a weapon’s characteristics and add another weapon’s, first select the weapon you want to retain, and then the second one. For example, if you want to fuse a Great Spear and a Dragon Spear, you will want to select the Dragon Spear first, it having a higher base attack.

There are 77 characters altogether for this game. Yes, that means a lot of power, speed, and technique combos. That should make for an interesting mix, and at the same time, give this game repeat playing time.

At a glance
Graphics: mixed. Some are shoddy, some are OK. The graphics for Samurai Warriors 2 were better.
Dialogue: distracting. Zhao Yun’s voice lost the over-enthusiasm of the previous versions. Understandable, though, given the localization issues.
Soundtrack: good.
Gameplay: mixed. Putting aside the 2-player flaw stated above, game is enjoyable. Fans might like it.

24
Sep

Masochist

Posted by | Categories Journal

At some point in our life, we are masochists.

Sometimes, we get a certain sense of satisfaction in getting ourselves sad and lonely. Sometimes we dwell on the pain despite the hurt that it brings. Being miserable brings a comfortable-yet-discomforting role of being the victim, giving an air of moral superiority. But in the end, we end up more miserable than ever.

Yes, we endure the pain for whatever it brings.

24
Sep

Romulo Neri: Will he blink?

Posted by | Categories Ink

Amongst the officials of this current dispensation, Romulo Neri, chair of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and formerly director-general of National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) had said something that is close to a confirmation that the NBN-ZTE deal is rotten. In one interview, Neri recounted that Benjamin Abalos approached him, urging him to approve the deal (when he was still NEDA head). Abalos tried to soften him via a 200-million peso bribe. Read the entire story on Newsbreak.

What makes his story credible?

* He was moved to CHED two days after informing Gloria Arroyo of the bribe attempt.
* During the second day of Senate hearings on the deal, almost the entire Arroyo Cabinet was in the Senate; Neri was missing.
* Now, Neri is set to testify this Wednesday, but this early, Arroyo is readying CPR – yes, the much-hated calibrated, preemptive response. Executive Order 464 is not going to be the excuse this time, since Leandro Mendoza et al went to the Senate anyway. CPR is a logical choice. CPR in this case is asking Neri to accompany Arroyo to UN Tuesday night.

All eyes are now on Romulo Neri. Whether he would be the second envelop, or his revelation would lead to Arroyo losing power (Ricky Carandang says this is highly unlikely) – we cannot say. However, based on how the Arroyo regime is reacting, he has some bombs to drop.

Will he blink? Neri seems to be the kind of person who is susceptible to threats – he is a light weight who could be pushed around. At least, when he does blink, the Filipino people would know why. And the Arroyo regime has no one to blame but itself if the Filipino people thinks that way.

22
Sep

Finally

Posted by | Categories Journal

It was over even before it really began.

Sometimes, hope is such an evil word. It forces you to anticipate, to build castles in the air, only to see all of your expectations crumble as the waves crash into the shore. All remains in the scene are dejection, sadness, disappointment, heartaches, depression.

I think hoping for something that is clearly not for you is useless; you are just deluding yourself. Sometimes one must learn to accept that some force (fate, whatever you call it) will thwart your will. Sometimes, however steadfast your dreams and aspirations are, it will not happen. These things you have to accept.

Happiness is just an illusion. Like hope. Sometimes.

22
Sep

MyBlogLog integrates with Yahoo!

Posted by | Categories Byte

Yahoo has acquired MyBlogLog aeons ago (for around US$12 million, as rumored). Several months later, MyBlogLog has been integrated to Yahoo via the Yahoo ID system.

Earlier today, as I signed in to MyBlogLog, I was asked for my Yahoo ID and password, then the system discovered through my Yahoo email address that I already have a MyBlogLog account, and so the system merged my Yahoo and MyBlogLog info seamlessly.

Note that during the merging, your avatar will be changed to that of your Yahoo profile.

What changes have you noticed after the integration? Post your impressions on the comments.

21
Sep

Batas Militar: Pag-alala ng isang walang alaala

Posted by | Categories Ink

Ipinanganak ako noong 1978, anim na taon simula nang ideklara ni Ferdinand Marcos ang pagsasailalim sa buong bansa sa batas militar; at tatlong taon pagkalipas ng aking kapanganakan, inialis ni Marcos sa ilalim ng batas militar ang Pilipinas. Nakakalungkot isipin na wala akong matandaan simula 1983 hanggang 1990, bagamat natatandaan ko ang tangkang pag-agaw ng kapangyarihan ng grupo ni Gregorio Honasan nung 1989. Papasok ako noon sa mababang paaralan nang sabihan ako ng kapitbahay na umuwi dahil wala raw pasok. Nakakita nga ako ng ilang mga tora-tora na umaaligid sa Maynila.

Isang black and white TV lang ang gamit namin noon. Hindi nagbabasa ng pahayagan ang aking mga magulang. Hindi itinuturo sa paaralan ang mga nangyayari sa paligid. Wala akong muwang sa mga nangyari na at sa mga nangyayari noong panahon na iyon. Katatapos lamang ng EDSA Revolution, at hindi pa natatapos baguhin ang mga aklat na gamit sa paaralan. May mga bakas pa rin ng panunungkulan ni Marcos noon. Naalala ko pa kapag flag ceremony namin tuwing umaga. Pagkatapos ng flag ceremony, pabalik na kami sa aming mga silid-aralan, tumutugtog ang awitin na may ganitong titik: “Lakad — kabataan/Na magiting, at —-“. Paumanhin. Hindi ako sigurado sa mga salita. Basta kapag narinig ko siya, alam ko na ang awiting iyan. Basta tunog batas militar siya.

Hindi ko alam kung ano ang nangyari. May mga nakakaalala ng mga pangyayari noong 1970 hanggang 1986, pero bakit parang hindi yata naibabahagi sa ibang henerasyon ang kaalamang ito. Nabalitaan ninyo ba ang mga aklat na kasalukuyang ginagamit sa mga pampublikong paaralan? Hindi lang tadtad ng mali, mas mahaba pa ang diskusyon tungkol sa mga nagawa ni Marcos kaysa sa buhay ni Jose Rizal! Hindi ba nakakapanlumo? Buti pa noon, medyo mahaba ang talakayan tungkol sa batas militar, bagamat wala akong matandaan maliban sa mga halo-halong mga titik tulad ng NAWASA, NACIDA, at BiBa. Sabagay, noong mga panahong iyon, mas pinapahalagahan kung alam mo ang ibig sabihin ng NACIDA.

Ngayon, tatlumpu’t limang taon ang nakalipas. Mayroon tayong isang arsobispo na nagsasabing ang mga kalunos-lunos na pangyayari sa ating panahon (iyung mga pagpatay sa mga aktibista, pagkawala ng ilan) ay ga-patak lamang ng mga nangyari noong panahon ng batas militar. Nakakalungkot sapagkat buhay siya noong panahon na iyon, pero parang nakalimutan na rin niya ang nakaraan. Mas nakakalungkot dahil paniniwalaan siya ng bagong henerasyon. Salat sila sa kaalaman, salamat sa walang silbing mga aklat sa paaralan, sa hindi pagbabahagi ng mga nakakatanda ng kanilang karanasan, sa kakulangan ng impormasyon sa Internet – isa sa pangunahing pinagkukunan ng kaalaman ng mga kabataan ngayon.

Isa lamang ang aking hiling: sana ay marami pang magsulat tungkol sa mga nangyari noong panahon ng batas militar – mga karanasan, mga alaala – upang mabasa ng mga kabataan at mga susunod pang henerasyon.

Kaya, ako ay nagpapasalamat sa mga sumusunod na nagsulat ukol sa isang madilim na bahagi ng kasaysayan ng ating bansa:

A Teen During the Martial Law Era
Never Again! The 35th Martial Law Commemoration
Ferdinand Marcos and the Philippines: The Political Economy of Authoritarianism
Mazinger Z!
Paggunita sa ika-35 taon anibersaryo ng Martial Law
Bedridden on Martial Law commemoration day
From the diaries of Ferdinand E. Marcos
I declare marshmallow!
From Hell And Back
When was Martial Law “Declared”?

Sana ay matuto tayo sa mga aral na dala ng kasaysayan. Sana ay huwag nating kalimutan ang aral na dala ng nakaraan.

20
Sep

A Windows Mobile-powered Sony Ericsson phone?

Posted by | Categories Byte


This CNN news report is a puzzler:

High Tech Computer Corp has secured a contract from Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB to design and assemble the latter’s first smartphone running Microsoft Corp’s Windows Mobile platform, the Commercial Times reported, without citing sources.

The order is estimated to exceed 1 mln units, and the smartphone is due to hit the market in the second half of 2008, it said.

The Taiwan company currently ships some 10 mln smartphones per year, and the Sony Ericsson contract is expected to expand shipments by 10-20 pct, it added.


A Windows Mobile-powered smart phone from Sony Ericsson?

As Ubergizmo opines, SE owns a part of Symbian (it owns UIQ too). What is happening here? Is SE getting ready to drop UIQ and Symbian? With the current reputation of SE UIQ 3 phones (not good), this is an option for SE.

Current SE UIQ phones are: P990, W950, M600, P1, W960.

No, I don’t think SE is going to abandon Symbian and UIQ at this point (they might at a later date); it is just too stupid to abandon such investment in capital and technology. Symbian and UIQ are not in the red; SE UIQ3 phones are selling well, despite the not-so-good reviews. SE is probably going to introduce a new line of handsets (the word for this move is diversification), labeled the M series. Yes, there is an M600, but that is just the first in that line. Maybe we will see Sony Ericsson M1 soon enough.