Paranoia for Beginners

[Lobster]

This morning I was so worried by this message quickly appearing in
Quirky boot up that I photographed it . . .

Before that I was trying to find the boot up sequence to see what
was going on . . .

It is of course innocent

My Internet connection went down - (the firewall must be blocking something) - right - yes of course that is what they do - OK . . .

When Puppy 4.3.1 boots up, a strange image comes up
that seems to be from an old configuration (too fast to photograph)
This suggests to me (tin hats to maximum foil) that something is in
the memory buffers - possibly of the ATI Radeon card.

So what is happening?
My mind is finding patterns in anomalies

I have two firewalls (router) and Puppy/Quirky
I have nothing of value in terms of money, secrets of time travel
or rare pickled red herrings
I am my own worst enemy . . .

Who else has been hacked by their own brain?

[bugman]

every day

i usually ignore anything coming from my own brain

if it seems serious, i consult with mrs bugman

[usually set straight]

why am i thinking about anchovies this morning?

[8-bit]

I also get that message on booting 431.
Maybe you got it from me.
But I sill do not like the idea of a message showing that says someone logged on to root under ttty1.
Also, I do not know if this has anything to do with anything, but after running both check rootkit programs, my IO seems to have slowed up greatly upon initial access to drives from the desktop.
Rox is taking a lot longer to come up.
After it is up, it works fine.
But if I exit ROX and then start ROX again, the lag reappears.
I might try reverting to a saved pupsave file to see if the problem persists.
Other frugal installs of Puppy do not seem to have that lag when starting ROX and I did not run the programs to check for a rootkit on them.
EDIT:
After posting this, no more message and IO improved with ROX.

[Lobster]

Thanks Guys

When I first started using Linux (Knoppix was my first serious attempt)
I had problems with the MBR on the HD that convinced me that Linux was some sort of hacking attempt to take over my computer.

Gradually I learned that my system had already been compromised
by Windows and Linux was of a different ilk.

Windows is a hypocrite that gives the impression and marketing gloss
of workability whilst attracting malware and compromising our computers.

I have discovered the source of my new found paranoia.
Lately I have been practicing my karate kempo moves
You practice moves until they become physical instinct
- which makes you think in terms of being attacked

Or maybe it could be the new 'brainyoga' that I added to my routine?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSwhpF9iJSs
The squats and breathing is certainly healthy

. . . maybe a level of paranoia is healthy?
Nah . . .
Bugman is right - no thinking . . .

[8-bit]

After running the programs to check for root kits, my IO on my PC went right down the tubes as to latency.
I thought it was solved as it appeared to be better later.
But it comes back at times and gets worse.
So as a remedy, I used a pupsave file I had made a backup of from before I had ran those root kit checkers.
My IO is back up to speed now!
I do not know what happened before, but considering my dual-core 2500mhz PC was accessing files slower than any other PC here and also the fact that other versions of Puppy I had installed frugally did not display this behavior, It makes me wonder.
Tin hats to maximum.

I will never run a rootkit checker on this installation again.
At least without a backup of my pupsave before hand!

[dejan555]

Lobster, that GROWL project made you ultra paranoid

Multiuser or not puppy also has to log you in to be able to run X or anything else. If you check /etc/inittab you will see that it does autologin root on tty1. You can also disable automatic login by editing that file.

[obxjerry]

"I felt sorry for myself because I had no shoes until I saw a man who had no legs."

I have no idea why I clicked this thread. I am the thread next door I got wacked real good x 3. For over a week I've been working with 3 computers that have a virus and will only boot the floppy drive. I'm a noob to Linux. I am a spoiled rotten offspring of M$. The hardest thing I've done in years is double click.

Paranoia, you haven't seen paranoia. I worry when I'm working on a sick computer that it's going to explode and send out gamma rays, beta rays, bits of molten metal, glass and who knows what kind of other chemicals.

I didn't have a firewall and I looks like my AV protection was worth less than I paid for it, $0. For over a year I used my wireless router as an ethernet switch. I had know idea that I was broadcasting an unencrypted welcome mat to my network. I have no idea who has my data and what they may do with it.

I'm writing this on a dual boot computer that I'm afraid to let boot into W*****s. I worry about viruses that could be carried to another on RAM sticks and/or added to CD-Rs after they've been burned. Yes, RAM sticks. Those things inside your computer that plug into your motherboard.

I worry that this forum has a $5 fine for whining policy I don't know about. I can still laugh at myself but it's a crazy, maniacal laugh that scares me.

The only part of this thread I understand is, I see the text in the picture everytime I start my computer.

The point to this post; please add a big red warning at the start. NOOBS CLICK AWAY FROM THIS THREAD NOW You've likely never been there but take my word for it ignorance is bliss. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

I feel a little better. How you doing? Please be smiling. Since I added where I live to my profile yesterday you know where to find me.

Deleting this post now

[dejan555]

I worry when I'm working on a sick computer that it's going to explode and send out gamma rays, beta rays, bits of molten metal, glass and who knows what kind of other chemicals.

I worry that this forum has a $5 fine for whining policy I don't know about.

You should have read the notes in small font when signing up for forum

Since I added where I live to my profile yesterday you know where to find me.

A group of crazy linux hackers is already out to get ya

[obxjerry]

Sorry I killed your thread. I need to MMOB.

[Sylvander]

"I didn't have a firewall"
Aaarghhh...

Please tell me you have windows and doors on your house.

With locks on the doors?

[Lobster]

Please be smiling

At the moment I am running without a firewall
(well OK there is one in the router)

Rather unusually I am running as user Spot
in an Alpha 64 bit Fatpup
http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewto ... 130#399130

We have a diversity of Puppy developments and user strategies
Some of our Puppys like a bit of paranoia
- it makes them feel safe

Service with a smile . . .

[DMcCunney]

When Puppy 4.3.1 boots up, a strange image comes up
that seems to be from an old configuration (too fast to photograph)
This suggest to me (tin hats to maximum foil) that something is in
the memory buffers - possibly of the ATI Radeon card.

I see things like that, if I reboot without a power cycle, The video hardware on my notebook mobo (ATI Rage Mobility) has 8MB video RAM. I'll see stuff left over from previous activity on occasion.

But that's not Tin Foil Hat territory. Suggesting that something outside my machine put it there would be.
______
Dennis

[obxjerry]

Sylvander I am a hillbilly. I do have doors and windows that lock and a loaded pistol in my underwear drawer. The difference there is I see some of what I want to keep out..

Lobster Thanks for the s. I was afraid I had gone where I had no business. If that had been the case no offense would be taken. Ive been shown the door for good cause before and went back in a more agreeable frame of mind. Thanks for making me welcome.

In what fashion and to what degree should I be worried if I see the text in the picture?

[Pizzasgood]

With locks on the doors?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lock_bumping
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwTVBWCijEQ

Basic idea: file a key down, insert it nearly all the way in, apply a bit of rotational pressure, and whack it lightly. Bingo bango bam, the lock is unlocked with no damage.

I haven't tried this yet, but it's on my todo list.

[Lobster]

In what fashion and to what degree should I be worried if I see the text in the picture?

Even though 'Positive thinking can be dangerous'
http://www.urbanmonk.net/95/emotional-m ... -thinking/
If you have an off switch for your computer
you are safe

The picture is there to show to what extent the mind does not have an off switch . . .
Are you safe with your tin foil hat on? Of course not because it is used as a homing beacon by [insert conspiracy practitioners of choice]

[KF6SNJ]

Even I get paranoid now and then. Sometimes, if just to get myself to realize how foolish my paranoia is, I still run MindGuard. I know its a joke, but then the laugh is on me.


Note: Precompiled MindGuard can be made available, but there is no promise that it will work. PCLinuxOS somehow seems to hate it.

[Sylvander]

1. "(well OK there is one in the router)"
I'm no expert, but...
The problem with the firewall in a router is....

(a) It doesn't stop nasties sending stuff out.
You might have gotten infected by visiting a malicious website or by an email attachment, and that baddie is communicating with base by sending out.

(b) It doesn't stop nasties coming in if those are in reply to something sent out.

2. Hence it's a good idea to supplement the router's firewall with a software firewall running within the operating system.
This CAN stop stuff both going out AND coming in.

[Lobster]

. . . and a loaded pistol in my underwear drawer

Never had underwear needing that level of protection . . .
is it antique?

[bugman]

lobster has his computer meditating [in theory]

i wonder if there's a software psychedelic that i can give mine?

perhaps that's a new test for artificial intelligence - can it hallucinate?

[cats are more intelligent than computers]

[Lobster]

i wonder if there's a software psychedelic that i can give mine?

You can try alpha and beta testing Puppy
for strange anomalies . . .
http://puppylinux.org/wikka/LucidPuppy

For example I was just about to mention my imaginary psychiatrist
during this off topic rant . . .
http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewto ... 576#413576

. . . when . . .
the caps lock came on - I probably turned it on by accident
but it would not turn off and I could no longer type . . .
The ghost in the machine was taking over . . .
Or was it?
What was happening?
I was using the latest Puppy Lucid test
and I had not set my locales to UK - changed it and
restarted x and all was OK. phew

For a moment I thought I was being hacked
by my deadly enemy the corporate 'D-Men' from the future.
The only antidote to the D-men is the Chronology Protection Agency
http://tmxxine.com/web/projex7/cpa.htm

Now the above web page includes a javascript
that creates random semi-sense every time you press refresh
I know of someone who went through 18 pages of refresh pressings
and it all made perfect sense to her.
It is a perfect example of the ability of the mind to makes sense out of what is little more than gibberish.

Which is what you, dear reader, may just have done . . .