31 Responses to Super Rugby 2015: Weekend Teams – Round 5

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  1

  grootblousmile on 13 March 2015 at 12:18 pm

  Will do some more News, Match Officials for the Weekend ect in a while…
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  2

  Angostura on 13 March 2015 at 12:59 pm

  Off Topic:
  Warning (Perhaps this is so obvious that I shouldn’t issue a warning to hardened bloggers, but my experience is that these miscreants are very persistent & they must be snaring some who are not sufficiently vigilant):

  See the message below that I’ve taken from another chat room:

  “Just got a call telling me that the person (Indian accent) was a Microsoft Certified professional and that my computer was sending error messages to their system. He wanted me to press Win + R to run a program to “fix” my computer. I played with him for a while (not ever pressing Win + R, of course). Eventually I said that if he was who he says he was that he should send me an email right now. And, of course, since he had my phone number he should already know my email address. He hung up pretty quickly after that. He didn’t know that he had called a computer programmer. The phone number was 570-406-0000. I’ll be reporting it to the FCC.”

  88

  I’ve just received the above phone call … again! I must’ve received the call about 10 times the past 2 or 3 years. I’ve also on 3 occasions answered the phone at home where this person wanted to speak to Mrs Angostura & simply assumed I was Mrs A, & then spun me the same shit. I tend to do 2 things – I either string the caller along & when he sees he is getting nowhere with me, he then tells me to ‘GFY’ & puts down the phone, OR as soon as I hear this dude’s voice & intro (it is always the same or very similar), I then frontrun him & tell him to ‘GFY’ and then put the phone down.

  BTW,
  to me the caller doesn’t sound Indian but rather South East Asian, Korean or Chinese.

  Please don’t ever entertain the caller’s request/instructions – It is a scam; he is trying to run/activate something malicious on your computer. Warn your spouses, partners & children about this as well.
  It won’t surprise me if this is those North Korean hackers at work.
  FWIW
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  3

  grootblousmile on 13 March 2015 at 1:04 pm

  3 @ Angostura:
  This sort of thing is happening more and more often!

  Just Double-check that you do not have Add- or Spyware on your system… Keystroke stealers & such, from which your info is harvested.

  I have also found that this is more prevalent for some or other reason in Natal…

  These people are Mercenaries and scam-artists of the highest order!

  Do not let them Log into your systems at any cost!!

  I use 3 Anti-Malware programs to check for this type of thing, namely Malwarebites Anti malware, Spybot Search & Destroy and Super Anti-Spyware… just be carefull that these programs do not muck up some hacks and cracks you use… if any… hehehe
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  4

  Angostura on 13 March 2015 at 1:14 pm

  GBS
  I’m neurotic about my privacy.
  Hence I regularly run 3 different anti spy- & malware scans, one of them being herdProtect which is itself an aggregation of 68 different anti-malware engines in the cloud.
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  5

  grootblousmile on 13 March 2015 at 1:21 pm

  4 @ Angostura:
  Check, I’ve added a last sentence to my previous comment, regarding what I use.

  In general I am against running too many Virus- and Malware checkers over one another on a system, as it tends to degrade system performance considerably.

  Same with certain Anti-Virus Programs, which I avaoid like the pest, because they also degrade performance considerably… like Kakspersky, F-Secure, Avast, AVG, Bitdefender…
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  6

  smallies on 13 March 2015 at 4:42 pm

  malewarebites is die enigste security program wat ek gebruik,ek het al die ander gedeactivate,dis n killer program
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  7

  Victoriabok on 13 March 2015 at 4:54 pm

  @ Angostura:

  I use AVG, it’s set up to run a scan every day

  Another trick our IT guy showed me is to have both Malwarebytes and Eusing Registry Cleaner downloaded on your desktop

  If you think there’s something on your computer you unplug your internet connection and run Eusing first and then Malwarebytes

  http://www.eusing.com/free_registry_cleaner/updatev36.htm#.VQL4r2d0ypo

  You have to unplug the internet connection while getting rid of it otherwise it will simply reinstall when you restart
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  8

  Victoriabok on 13 March 2015 at 4:56 pm

  @ grootblousmile:

  Try HitmanPro if you have a virus

  It’s free for the first time
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  9

  grootblousmile on 13 March 2015 at 5:42 pm

  6 @ smallies:
  Good one Smallies, one of the 3 I listed!

  I run Microsoft Security Essentials on my Windows 7 PC’s and Windows 8.1’s Defender (which is Microsoft Security Essentials for Win 8.1)… and then of course, whatever you run you still have to be careful what and where you click on and what you download.

  MSE or DEFENDER also does not cost anything if you run on Registered or (properly cracked… hehehe) versions of Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 & Windows 8.1… or for that matter most of the Microsoft-based Server Operating Systems.

  I am in the lucky position that I understand how the Windows Registry and Core Structures function and where stuff is located in them… so I often have to Edit Clients’ Registries to get rid of unwanted pop-ups, programs, add-on’s and kak & hare!

  Certain of these widely used preventative Programs also tend to list some false positives for things they never should… and I hate it when that happens!

  I use Malwarebytes Anti-malware & Spybot Search & Destroy on Client Computers… when I clean shit off it, then I uninstall it… same with Super Anti-Spyware. I do not leave it on their systems.

  7 @ Victoriabok:
  Eishhhhhhhh, AVG is one of the kakkest possible Applications!!!

  I have used HitmanPro, in fact I have a Registered version of it… not bad.

  I use a variety of Registry Cleaners & Advanced Uninstallers on Client computers, as some of the scripts & programs which slip onto PC’s simply refuse to Uninstall, no matter what you do.

  The Bottomline of Malware, Ad-ware and Virus infections… and the Software which curb / prevent / clean it, is that you have to look for Software which adequately covers 3 areas, namely:

  1. It MUST be able to identify and isolate the offending file(s) PLUS
  2. It MUST be able to erase the paths the offending scripts has created to slip into the System (Clean the Registry properly) PLUS
  3. It MUST NOT degrade System Performance unnecessarily or too much

  For these purpose I am part of a Worldwide Group who monitor and evaluate Malware items and the Software which curb / arrest / remove it and the group regularly compile lists of the Better Products out there.

  Anti-virus / Anti-malware / Anti-spam measures, plugins & software for Website Content, is of course a completely different discussion…
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  10

  Angostura on 13 March 2015 at 5:47 pm

  Thx guys.

  I’ve noted & appreciate all the advice/suggestions,
  But I don’t believe I have a malware or virus problem (that was not the reason for my post; my computer is humming, mon).
  I just posted a general warning about a malicious scam (for the benefit of those that might be interested).

  PS:
  Subsequent to the post of GBS, I did install Malwarebytes (as my 4th anti malware engine) & did run a scan on it, but thankfully, as with the other 3 existing engines it did not find any malware. Dankie.
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  11

  grootblousmile on 13 March 2015 at 5:49 pm

  10 @ Angostura:
  No problem… like you I also tried to warn people and educate them about what to use and why.

  Glad you have no problems that side.
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  12

  grootblousmile on 13 March 2015 at 5:52 pm

  Oh, and another useful hint… be very, very CAREFUL of ONLINE “Speed Your system Up” / “Scan your system Software” / “Error Checkers”… rather keep a very, very wide berth from it!!
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  13

  MacroBull on 13 March 2015 at 6:24 pm

  Ek is nou weer n ESET fan

  @ grootblousmile:
  How good is windows defender on preventing spyware?
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  14

  grootblousmile on 13 March 2015 at 6:33 pm

  13 @ MacroBull:
  Eset Nod 32 is goed

  Windows Defender is goed… as jy die Settings reg stel.

  Kom ek stel dit so… enige Anti-virus / Anti-malware Softs het gebreke en tekortkominge, sommige heelwat meer as ander… MAAR die verantwoordelike gebruiker, wie se vingertjies nie krap waar dit nie jeuk nie (en daar is min van hulle) behoort nie sommer opgeflok te word nie.

  Die lastige klomp flokkers wat net click-click sonder om te lees… hulle sal aanhou kak kry… en vir hulle is daar min pille.

  Mens kry maar net mense met “Lastige Vingertjies” daarby sal mens nie sommer verby kom nie.

  Mense lees ook nie behoorlik as hulle sekere goed soos Adobe of Java se goed update nie… dan Install Google Chrome sommer, Google Toolbar, Ask Toolbar, Symantec Security kak en hare, allerhande Game Toolbars.. en sulke goed. Mens moet net lees, die ticks afhaal waar nodig en Bob’s your Auntie!
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  15

  Victoriabok on 13 March 2015 at 7:32 pm

  grootblousmile wrote:

  Oh, and another useful hint… be very, very CAREFUL of ONLINE “Speed Your system Up” / “Scan your system Software” / “Error Checkers”… rather keep a very, very wide berth from it!!

  They can damage you registry
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  16

  Victoriabok on 13 March 2015 at 7:34 pm

  grootblousmile wrote:

  7 @ Victoriabok:
  Eishhhhhhhh, AVG is one of the kakkest possible Applications!!!

  It served me well up to now

  Which anti virus would you recommend?
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  17

  Victoriabok on 13 March 2015 at 7:36 pm

  grootblousmile wrote:

  I use a variety of Registry Cleaners & Advanced Uninstallers on Client computers, as some of the scripts & programs which slip onto PC’s simply refuse to Uninstall, no matter what you do.

  Give Eusing Registry Cleaner a try, it works well

  It doesn’t install crap on your system and they don’t try to sell you stuff either
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  18

  grootblousmile on 13 March 2015 at 7:49 pm

  16 @ Victoriabok:
  See above what I use…
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  19

  grootblousmile on 13 March 2015 at 8:55 pm

  This is part of what is so good about Rugby-Talk.com…

  Apart from the rugby, you will learn many other things, like this discussion about Anti-virus and Anti-malware protection, as well as Ango’s initial warning against the freegin scam-artists, which sparked the rest of the discussion.

  The community looks out for one another and the community cares…
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  20

  leon on 13 March 2015 at 9:32 pm

  1. Disable flash and java script.
  2. On Windows, use applocker to whitelist applications that can execute.
  3. Keep your patches up to date.
  4. Backup, backup and backup.
  5. Get a password manager and use a different password on every site. Never store password in clear text.
  6. Encrypt your harddrive.
  7. Don’t stick any usb disk in your computer.
  8. Don’t follow link to banking sites. Type the url in yourself.
  9. Monitor connections out of your system.
  10. Don’t connect to unknown wifi hotspots.
  11. Firewall must be on.
  12. Disable all aplications you don’t use.

  If you follow these rules, you will be a lot safer.
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  21

  grootblousmile on 13 March 2015 at 9:46 pm

  20 @ leon:
  That is radical… far too radical!!

  There are far simpler steps which function like they should!

  There are reasons why Flash & Java Runtime Environments should run… there is so much built around them and so much functionality they provide!

  I agree with points 4, 8, 9 & 10 but sometimes it is needed to connect to someone else’s USB stick, External Hard Drive, put someone else’s CD / DVD in your machine.

  When you stick someone else’s HDD or USB stick or data CD / DVD in your PC, just scan it with your Anti-Virus & Malware scanner, before opening files on it. In case of a CD / DVD which has been finalized, if something is picked up on it, it won’t delete it, so just give it back without opening files on it.

  Encrypting your Hard Drive is not a good suggestion, specially if it fails and you have to recover Data on it, that you did not Back up, like your E-Mail Accounts, Address Books and Sent & Recieved Mails and above all your Accounting (Bookkeeping) Data. Recovering data from Encrypted Hard Drives is a problem!

  Telling people to do Backups is easy, even initiating a Backup System for them, getting them to do it or stick to a Backup schedule is another thing totally! The biggest adult tears I’ve seen is when people have lost Cardinal Data, due to a Hard Drive failure… Crashed Hard Drive Data Recovery is very expensive… thousands and thousands of Rand, most often not under R 7 000.00 per Hard Drive. Data Recovery is not always possible either!
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  22

  leon on 13 March 2015 at 10:09 pm

  @ grootblousmile:
  I have to disagree. Encrypting your hdd is essential. Been doing it for years, never had a problem. It is policy in our company.

  Flash is the most exploided application there is. You don’t need it. Everybody is switching to html 5. Javascript should only be run on sites you know.

  Applocker is the best security measure you can take. It is a bit difficult to setup and learn how the rules work, but it’s worth it.

  AV and malware apps is just not good enough anymore.
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  23

  grootblousmile on 13 March 2015 at 10:13 pm

  22 @ leon:
  It’s like getting your daughter to wear a “Blikbroek met ‘n Nommerslot”!

  With your methods you will be safer, and your system won’t get impregnated…. but it is not comfortable or normal behaviour.

  That is why I say it is too radical.
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  24

  leon on 13 March 2015 at 10:14 pm

  For backups I use an apple time capsule. Got two, one at home and one at the office. My backups is never more than 1 hour behind.
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  25

  leon on 13 March 2015 at 10:17 pm

  @ grootblousmile:
  It just new habits you must learn. After a week you don’t even notice it anymore.
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  26

  grootblousmile on 13 March 2015 at 10:20 pm

  25 @ leon:
  You don’t have to convince me to do Backups… been there, done that!

  But getting the normal oke with the “Lastige Vingertjies” to adhere to a schedule like that, is not going to happen. I talk from 20 years experience here, where I preach to the unconverted about Backups… they all say yes, and less than 5% do it as they should.
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  27

  leon on 13 March 2015 at 10:26 pm

  @ grootblousmile:
  The backups is sceduled automatically. No user interaction necessary. As soon as my laptop sees the time machine it starts backing up. Thats the only way it will work.
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  28

  leon on 13 March 2015 at 10:36 pm

  This why AV and malware detectors doesn’t really work. They blacklist apps. Blacklists doesn’t work.

  Attachment:
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  29

  grootblousmile on 13 March 2015 at 10:37 pm

  27 @ leon:
  There are great Backup programs & Schedulers available, even Free ones like Cobian Backup 11 or AceBackup 3 or FBackup or even by creating a Batch File for someone to Backup with on schedule.

  Whether it is complete Backups or Incremental Backups or whatever, there is still some self-dicipline involved, somehow.

  Let me give you a perfect example of a situation right here with me… I have instituted a Nas Drive (Network Assisted Storage Drive) with proper Raid set up on it (Mirroring), but my wife does not do the Backup thingy… she says she’s too busy to do it or to go look if it Backed up properly on schedule.
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  30

  grootblousmile on 13 March 2015 at 10:38 pm

  Lekker aand Leon… ek moet nou bersies toe!