Re: Dell Backup Software Trashes Partition Table
"DataSafe", eh?
ROF, LLLL!
I could pull a Ballmer and suggest that the only purpose for "DataSafe" was to overwrite GRUB in order to frustrate Linux-Windows dual boot users, but I don't think that is why they write to the MBR at every startup.
My guess is, considering how many Windows installations I have replaced in the last couple of years with almost ALL of them having a Trojan keyboard logger installed in the MBR, that Microsoft is trying to thwart keyboard loggers by replacing the MBR on every boot. The only problem is that I've found the keyboard logger embedded in the 5GB phantom drive from which Microsoft restores the installed copy of Windows. So, pulling the backup MBR out of the phantom drive and replacing it on the HD doesn't solve the problem. The Trojan is re-installed along with the OS during the recover/replacement operation, and the user's personal information is still at risk. Being made aware of that everyone of them asked me to replace Windows with Linux. Because it took so much of my time to attempt a Windows reinstall I switched to a "I don't do Windows" policy. If they want me to support their OS they must allow me to REPLACE Windows with Linux.
We just had over a hundred folks here in Lincoln lose money out of their checking accounts in the last couple of weeks. The police traced it back to a local (and expensive) Golf Course. EVERYONE who played on their courses or ate in their restaurant and paid for it using their debit card had money taken out of their checking/debit account (from several banks). The Golf course was using a fully protected Windows network. BTW, the banks made up the losses. Some golfers and diners lost over $1,000 each to someone in the Chicago area who used their credit card info to make withdrawals over several days ($300 limit per day). I've golfed at that course (it's the best in town) and used my debit card several times to pay for it, but I wasn't affected. The last time I went was early spring, with my grandson. Apparently we golfed before the Trojan hit.
This points out another IMPORTANT point about using debit cards in town or on line: IF the vendor is using Windows applications to process your debit card info then your money is AT RISK, even if you are using Linux on your PC. IF you can't shop at local and online vendors who use Linux then you'd better watch your bank account like a hawk. When I visit an online vendor I check which OS they are running BEFORE I do business with them. IF they are not running Linux I look for another vendor. I will ask local vendors if they use Linux (or Unix), or look at their display and check. If they are I tell them about the risks of using Windows and how it could affect their business if people lose money because of Windows lack of security. (Ya, most of them give me a dumb stare because they have no clue, or don't care.)
DataSafe is known to interfere with GRUB by writing to the MBR, and thus wipes out GRUB at every Win7 startup.
ROF, LLLL!
I could pull a Ballmer and suggest that the only purpose for "DataSafe" was to overwrite GRUB in order to frustrate Linux-Windows dual boot users, but I don't think that is why they write to the MBR at every startup.
My guess is, considering how many Windows installations I have replaced in the last couple of years with almost ALL of them having a Trojan keyboard logger installed in the MBR, that Microsoft is trying to thwart keyboard loggers by replacing the MBR on every boot. The only problem is that I've found the keyboard logger embedded in the 5GB phantom drive from which Microsoft restores the installed copy of Windows. So, pulling the backup MBR out of the phantom drive and replacing it on the HD doesn't solve the problem. The Trojan is re-installed along with the OS during the recover/replacement operation, and the user's personal information is still at risk. Being made aware of that everyone of them asked me to replace Windows with Linux. Because it took so much of my time to attempt a Windows reinstall I switched to a "I don't do Windows" policy. If they want me to support their OS they must allow me to REPLACE Windows with Linux.
We just had over a hundred folks here in Lincoln lose money out of their checking accounts in the last couple of weeks. The police traced it back to a local (and expensive) Golf Course. EVERYONE who played on their courses or ate in their restaurant and paid for it using their debit card had money taken out of their checking/debit account (from several banks). The Golf course was using a fully protected Windows network. BTW, the banks made up the losses. Some golfers and diners lost over $1,000 each to someone in the Chicago area who used their credit card info to make withdrawals over several days ($300 limit per day). I've golfed at that course (it's the best in town) and used my debit card several times to pay for it, but I wasn't affected. The last time I went was early spring, with my grandson. Apparently we golfed before the Trojan hit.
This points out another IMPORTANT point about using debit cards in town or on line: IF the vendor is using Windows applications to process your debit card info then your money is AT RISK, even if you are using Linux on your PC. IF you can't shop at local and online vendors who use Linux then you'd better watch your bank account like a hawk. When I visit an online vendor I check which OS they are running BEFORE I do business with them. IF they are not running Linux I look for another vendor. I will ask local vendors if they use Linux (or Unix), or look at their display and check. If they are I tell them about the risks of using Windows and how it could affect their business if people lose money because of Windows lack of security. (Ya, most of them give me a dumb stare because they have no clue, or don't care.)
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