• %Windows\System32\dwwnw64r.exe
• %Windows\System32\gand.exe
• %Windows\System32\lcntlsdl.exe
• %Windows\System32\llrgzkigveooe.dll
• %Windows\System32\rwfitcbuwqtcmfliu.exe
  If you have any of these files in running process from task manger, end the process before removal.
  Note: if task manager is disabled
  Download the following file [ Right click and select “Save Target as” ]
  Click to Download - Enable Registry.reg
  Open it with Regedit.exe [%system32\regedit.exe], then it Confirms Add to registry Yes or No, Confirm Yes, then click Ok.

Note: If the registry editor fails to open the threat may have modified the registry to prevent access to the registry editor.
Download UnHookExec.inf, [ Right click and select “Save Target as” ] and then continue with the removal.
Save it to your Windows desktop. Do not run it at this time, download it only.
After booting into the Safe Mode or VGA Mode
Right-click the UnHookExec.inf file and click Install. [This is a small file. It does not display any notice or boxes when you run it.]

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Delete Entry with Gand or any other Listed file name Above

It seemed only hours ago Microsoft stood by their decision not to change the UAC control panel behavior in Windows insisting it was “by design”. Oh wait, it was only hours ago. Nevertheless, three hours and numerous comments later, Microsoft reversed their decision for the better of all Windows 7 users. The Engineering 7 blog writes,

…we are going to deliver two changes to the Release Candidate that we’ll all see. First, the UAC control panel will run in a high integrity process, which requires elevation. That was already in the works before this discussion and doing this prevents all the mechanics around SendKeys and the like from working. Second, changing the level of the UAC will also prompt for confirmation.

The result is actually even slightly better than what I had hoped for. I originally proposed a secure confirmation to be displayed when the UAC level is changed, but Microsoft one-upped that proposal to also run the UAC control panel in high-integrity which means malicious applications cannot manipulate the user-interface of that window without first elevating itself.

All I want to say is thank you to everyone who took the time out to thoroughly understand the issue at hand and continued to spread the message in a constructive and meaningful manner. At the same time I also want to acknowledge everyone who may have disagreed with our opinions for also being constructive.

The day I posted my original article I had lost my ADSL internet connection, and still to this day it is down. So Microsoft, if you disconnected my internet, I’d like to have it back now please.

Update: I’d also like to reiterate, until the RC build of Windows 7 is available, everyone using the Windows 7 Beta should change their UAC setting to “max” to ensure they are safe from either UAC vulnerabilities.

Under the Contribute category, community members can work in any of four areas. Development is for those wishing to submit software code to the project, test the software, or debug the existing code. This makes up the central part of the software creation and is one of the most important jobs a community member can undertake. There are some paid bounties that programmers can take on in this area where from $100 to $500 is paid to the person who finds a working solution to the problem. Those who are not strong coders can also submit ideas for other programmers to work on that can help make Ubuntu a better operating system.

For those with a flair for words, the documentation team is always looking for help in writing the Ubuntu system documentation or contributing to the Ubuntu Wiki. In addition to writing the actual content, community members can review text for grammatical errors and follow written instructions to ensure they make sense and work as they are supposed to.

One of the greatest tasks a community member can take on is to provide support to other community members through questions asked in the forums or on the Internet Relay Chat (IRC) channels dedicated to Ubuntu. Questioners range from beginners looking to get Ubuntu up and running properly, to advanced users who are looking to implement Ubuntu solutions in their corporate networks. Answers to many questions and problems are found in these forums for other users to read as well.

The fourth area of the Contribute category is artwork. Skilled graphic artists submit not only logo ideas, but also other graphics used in the desktop interfaces offered by Ubuntu including icons, desktop backgrounds, and the themes that give individual Ubuntu users the ability to configure the look of their desktop environment.

Source of Information : McGraw Hill Osborne Media How to Do Everything Ubuntu

A friend on Twitter posted a link to an interesting table which list alleged prices for Windows 7 SKU’s. The German website Windows Secrets from which they originate goes into detail about each SKU.

The smallest Edition with the name Windows 7 Starter Edition is for 199.95 U.S. dollars exclusively to OEMs sold. Diese Edition besitzt eine Reihe von Einschränkungen: Die Aero-Oberfläche wird nicht integriert sein und es können lediglich drei Anwendungen gleichzeitig ausgeführt werden, was die Starter Edition nur bedingt zu einem Multitasking - Betriebssystem macht. This edition has a number of limitations: The Aero interface is not integrated and there may be only three applications at the same time, what Starter Edition is limited to a multitasking - OS. Bislang ist noch nicht eindeutig klar, was Microsoft genau unter „Anwendungen“ versteht – es ist jedoch davon auszugehen, dass Antiviren- Software oder Messenger nicht als eigenständige Anwendungen gezählt werden. There is not yet clear what Microsoft just under "applications" - and it is assumed that anti-virus software or Messenger is not as independent applications are counted. Andernfalls dürfte sich diese Edition als Flop erweisen. Otherwise, this edition is expected to be flop prove.

Read the entire article here

What I find strange is the pricing for Windows 7 Starter Edition which is suppose to be the cost effective solution for emerging markets. Also, the site seems to miss out on pricing for Windows 7 Home Basic which currently retails for US $199 under Windows Vista. Windows Vista Starter Edition OEM cost US $30. So, I find the accuracy of this site a little far fetched.

Description of Safeguard 2009 and consequences of its residing on your PC

According to the description at its home-site, Safeguard 2009 is a typical malware, since all old statements applied in malware advertisement are re-used at the website of Safeguard 2009.Of course, these are no statements saying that Safeguard 2009 is very annoying and does not do what its description says; but it is understandable that description of malware from hackers is always a song of praise.
The best thing is never to trust in fraud from hackers and never to have malware installed.  However, malware like Safeguard 2009 is often installed against your will with trojan. In any case, installation of Safeguard 2009 does not mean your PC is sentenced to die. It is very unlikely that your PC would come completely broken even if you take no action, but Safeguard 2009 removal is a prerequisite of system and data safety. Besides, the program frequently pops ups scaring misleading alerts so that it is unlikely that you would enjoy and like to see them again and again.
Click here  to start free scan and remove Safeguard 2009 (corresponding trojan removal included).

Safeguard 2009 Technical Details

• Full name: Safeguard 2009, Safeguard2009, Safe guard 2009
• Version: 2009
• Type: Rogue anti-spyware
• Origin: Russian Federation

Signs of being infected with Safeguard 2009 :

It may seem to be strange, but if you see scan window of Safeguard 2009 or its window with different options, it is better than if you would not see them at all– of course, if only the malware has not been installed. Another interesting thing about Safeguard 2009 is that even after the malware has been registered (i.e. user has paid to get its full version), the program window may still be banned by Windows or primitive security software. That is because Safeguard 2009 skins contain elements forbidden under few Windows configurations. In case the program is banned in its full version, it is even good as user would stop relying on fake security tool and may see that removal of Safeguard 2009 is needed. Quite in contrary, if alerts and scan of Safeguard 2009 cannot be screened when you have trialware, that complicates threat recognition. Bad news is that Safeguard 2009 comprises hidden files that issue various commands destabilizing and destroying Windows and they work regardless of  screening the above alerts and scan.
If you see any strange changes and undesirable behavior of your computer, click here to make sure it is not malware and / or remove Safeguard 2009 no matter what version, full or trojan, you are infected with.

Automatic Removal of Safeguard 2009 from your PC:

The tool we are recommending is fast and reliable way to get rid of Safeguard 2009 and prevent its re-invasion. The removal of Safeguard 2009 with the tool recommended (Spyware Doctor) covers detection and removal of every threat challenging your computer security. Follow the link below to download and install its version configured to scan and detect malware similar to Safeguard 2009 first of all.

Download Safeguard 2009 Removal Tool

Manual Removal of Safeguard 2009:

Following the link above you may discover other threats, if any, and thus pre-assess the effect after Safeguard 2009 removal taking into consideration that they may be even more hazardous for your computer than Safeguard 2009.
They may be manually removed if you find corresponding manual removal instructions at this and other security blogs.
Important note: please have these instructions for Safeguard 2009 manual removal printed out as it is strongly recommended to close every program before and keep them inactive while you remove Safeguard 2009, unless the program is involved into the Safeguard 2009 removal process.

Remove  Safeguard 2009 files and dll’s

sf2009.exe
200901161556795.log
Safeguard 2009.lnk

Unregister Safeguard 2009 registry values:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\SafeguardSoft Ltd
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\SafeguardSoft\Safeguard 2009
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\uninstall\Safeguard 2009
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run “Safeguard 2009″

Safeguard 2009 Remover with free scan

The Windows Live Space Team has updated the header area of Windows Live Space web pages based on feedback from users of the service.

Updated Windows Live Space Header (Click to enlarge)

The change introduces the Windows Live service links, such as Home, Profile, People Mail, Photos, More at the extreme top. What happens now is, it clashes with the second layer of links that are a part of the users space, ‘User profile, blog name, Photos, Blog, List and More.

This area of the Windows Live Space needs some serious work, I think the users personal Windows Live Links should become a blog part allowing the author to place it anywhere they desire on the page. Customize, Options, Help, could be more subtle too and consolidated into the Users account part on the header similar to Windows Live Hotmail.

I also don’t like Search Fields location and it has a lot  of limitations, you can’t search within the users Windows Live Space to make it easier to find blog post, although I could use the new Search Federation capabilities in Windows 7 to resolve that. I just think the Windows Live look and feel could be more cohesive.