Saturday, August 30, 2008

Autorun.inf Virus

A computer virus is a computer program that can copy itself and infect a computer. The term "virus" is also commonly used to refer to many different types of malware and adware programs. The original virus may modify the copies, or the copies may modify themselves.

It can harm in different ways:
It can steal your data or information and send over internet,
Delete your data or system files i.e. corrupt OS,
Change system setting i.e. Hide folder options, Task Manager etc,
Minimize the Performance,
Spread through USB devices etc.


How to detect that your computer is infected?
Look for process which are taking the greater share of memory (a unrecognized process),
Check out the startups regularly,
Use Antivirus Software and update it regularly,
Download Latest Patches from Windows website.


But still there are some viruses which are undetected.

Autorun.inf Virus

Most often we find that USB Sticks or Data Transfer devices such as Pen drives,
ipod, Digital Camera, Mobile etc are infected with a virus. This virus creates a
autorun.inf file, also it creates a EXE (executable) file in every folder in system with
same name as that of folder. So we opens it thinking that it's a folder, After execution it disables Folder Options, Registry Editor, Task Manager etc and copy itself to all hard disk partitions plus
spread through USB drives.

First of all check for virus on the machine. You must have little knowledge about
the Registry Editor and some basic information of Operating System.


Procedure to Remove:
Use "Process Explorer" (Search Process explorer in Google and download from
Microsoft website link) to check for unwanted processes.
End task all the processes with folder icon.

Enable Registry Editor
Start>Run>gpedit.msc>User configuration>Administrative Templates>System>Prevent
access to registry Tools
Right Click Properties set Enabled.

Enable Task manager from Registry
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current
version\Policies\System
In the right pane, delete the value named DisableTaskMgr

Or else use Group Policy Editor
Start>Run>gpedit.msc>User configuration>Administrative
Templates>System>Ctrl+Alt+Delete Options>Remove Task Manager
Set the Policy Not Configured.

Enable Folder Options
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current
version\Policies\Explorer\
NoFolderOptions set 0=Show, 1= Hide

Or you can use registry mechanic to optimize your registry.

Remove all startup items
Start>Run >msconfig
Services tab> Hide all Microsoft services> disable all
Start up tab> disable all Click apply then Ok, Do not restart your computer(It may start with Explorer).

Check if anything is gets Starts with Explorer
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\Current
version\Winlogon
Set Shell = Explorer.exe (if values looks like "Exlorer.exe avop.exe", then remove
everything other than Explorer.exe)

Search
Now search for "*.exe" file in all hard disk partitions with "Search Hidden files and
Folders" option enabled.
Delete all the executable with icon as folder icon.
Restart your computer and enjoy.

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Hybrid car

The Ford Escape Hybrid, launched in 2004, is a gas-electric hybrid powered version of the Ford Escape SUV developed by the Ford Motor Company. Built in Kansas City, Missouri, it was the first hybrid SUV to hit the market.

A hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that uses two or more distinct power sources to propel the vehicle.
Hybrid versions can be identified by the "Hybrid" badges on the front driver's and passenger's doors as well as on the tailgate. In addition, the driver's side window in the cargo area is smaller in size in order to accommodate a ventilation slot for the high voltage battery.

The Escape hybrid is a "full" hybrid electric system, meaning the system can switch automatically between pure electric power, pure gasoline engine power, or a combination of electric battery and gasoline engine operating together, for maximum performance and efficiency at all speeds and loads. When braking or decelerating, the Escape's hybrid system uses regenerative braking, where the electric drive motor becomes a generator, converting the vehicle's momentum back to electricity for storage in the batteries. With 155 hp (116 kW), the Hybrid Escape has nearly the same acceleration performance as the conventional 200 hp (150 kW) V6 Escape.


Performance

The Escape Hybrid's 133 horsepower (99 kW) gasoline I4 engine and 94 hp (70 kW) electric motor combine to give performance similar to the 200 hp (150 kW) V6 engine commonly used in the regular Escape. The hybrid is said to give approximately 75% greater efficiency. Unlike conventional vehicles, hybrids often achieve better figures in the city because they do not waste power idling and can recover some power when stopping that would be wasted on a conventional vehicle.

The Escape Hybrid can accelerate up to approximately 39 miles per hour (63 km/h) on electric. A maximum distance of 1.5 miles (2.4 km) - 1.8 miles (2.9 km) can be performed on electric before the batteries will discharge and the gasoline will restart. Electric mode does not perform as well when below 50 degrees F (10 °C), and performance degrades as outside temperature drops further.

The Escape Hybrid gives a top speed of 102 mph (163 km/h).