Jim Lawrence
accessd at shaw.ca
Mon Jan 9 16:55:18 CST 2006
Hi Jim: This would be true for most beta products but Steve Gibson from www.grc.com has been absolutely raving about the application. Though Steve is a bit of a security fanatic he does know his stuff and hammers any programs that do not match his high standards. When he thoroughly tests a product and then gives it an A++, I have to assume quality. Jim -----Original Message----- From: accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com [mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Jim Dettman Sent: January 6, 2006 7:21 AM To: Access Developers discussion and problem solving Subject: Re: [AccessD] Himachi John, <<This is a 1.0 (actually 0.9.9.9) product and of course many people just don't touch first release products. >> Yeah, I'm in that category for the most part. I found out a long time ago that it just doesn't pay to be on that bleeding edge. The only time I'll use something new is if there is simply no other way to get the job done. But I make darn sure the client knows what were working with and that we'll most likely have problems. Jim. -----Original Message----- From: accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com [mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com]On Behalf Of John Colby Sent: Friday, January 06, 2006 9:41 AM To: 'Access Developers discussion and problem solving' Subject: Re: [AccessD] Himachi >> A quick read through the FAQ's and Forums shows a pattern of problems. You know, I can appreciate that. However if you take a quick read through the forums on Norton AV you would find the same. Same for MacAfee, Zone Alarm, Microsoft Office, WindowsXP... Do I make my point? These are all mature products that have been out for years and they all have "patterns of problems". This is a product still in Beta. What it is is what it is. They acknowledge that there are problems, and they have a beta program just as any other software manufacturer has. This guy is trying to solve a difficult problem. He has obviously spent a lot of time and effort on his product, and his efforts continue. This is a 1.0 (actually 0.9.9.9) product and of course many people just don't touch first release products. I do think that it a real, valid product that has a marketplace, and that if it works for me, in my particular circumstances, I will use it. If I can't get it to work in a given instance then obviously I won't use it there. I can tell you that I use Remote desktop where I can. I have had instances where it just didn't work, and I never discovered why. Same with VNC. I think this Hamachi thingie is just another tool, which will work sometimes, and not in others. When it does, it will solve some problems for me that I am trying to solve. It doesn't matter to me whether you use it, obviously that is a decision everyone makes for themselves. But if "a pattern of problems" were to stop us from using a product no valid program would ever gain a user base. John W. Colby www.ColbyConsulting.com -----Original Message----- From: accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com [mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Max Sherman Sent: Friday, January 06, 2006 9:00 AM To: 'Access Developers discussion and problem solving' Subject: Re: [AccessD] Himachi Dear Jim, >> A quick read through the FAQ's and Forums shows a pattern of problems. Yes, you are correct. I thought the same when I read them, but I didn't want to mention them as it might detract from the really important issue of the Rootkit. Overall, even though I am quite happy to take John's comments on board, I will not be using it. As I said before, it is a shame because it is such a nice concept and one that would have solved a problem for me. Regards Max -----Original Message----- From: accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com [mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Jim Dettman Sent: 06 January 2006 13:34 To: Access Developers discussion and problem solving Subject: Re: [AccessD] Himachi I don't know about the root kit, but I'm not sure I'd use the software in any case. A quick read through the FAQ's and Forums shows a pattern of problems. That is not a surprise given that it's new software, but I don't know if it's something I would use for a client at this point. It also doesn't appear to be as forgiving as stated. I saw a couple of posts that said "I had to open all UDP ports on my firewall to get it to work". I'd never do that at a clients. So yes, while it will do a NAT transversal, it's still highly dependent on the Firewall/Router configuration for it to work properly. At it currently doesn't work if the network is restricted to ports 80/443 and using a web proxy. The last thing I'd be somewhat nervous about is that it uses obscure Windows API functions to do it's job. Given that their not typically used, they have the potential to buggy. I saw a few posts that said that when the software was installed, it interfered with other adapters that were installed on the system. Overall sounds like it needs to mature a bit more. Neat idea though. Jim. -----Original Message----- From: accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com [mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com]On Behalf Of Max Sherman Sent: Friday, January 06, 2006 8:15 AM To: 'Access Developers discussion and problem solving' Subject: Re: [AccessD] Himachi Thanks John, That gives me some insight into it. I am very wary of any mention of Rootkits because once they are in, there is little or no chance of discovering them, let alone removing them without a complete re-installation. It is a shame that they did not make mention of the fact that this would happen right up front, then people could make an informed decision before undertaking the installation and have prior warning before the alert flashes on the screen. >From what you have said, it does sound as if this particular program is safe. Many thanks Regards Max -----Original Message----- From: accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com [mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of John Colby Sent: 06 January 2006 12:51 To: 'Access Developers discussion and problem solving' Subject: Re: [AccessD] Himachi Reply, Protection software mis-identifies software all the time. It happens. Hamachi installs a complete network layer because it is setting up a new LAN. How can I know that Hamachi isn't spyware or a trojan? I can't. How do you know that any other program that you decide to use is not a Trojan? You can't. You have to Google the hell out of the company, look at user's comments and just accept or not. Hamachi has been in beta for well over a year. There are entire lists for users that play games over it (hundreds if not thousands - I didn't read them all). They are on beta release 9.9.9 (getting ready to release the product). This thing has been around, have literally 800,000 downloads (no idea how many active users though). The designer is a known security expert from Canada who is releasing this product based on work he did as a consultant for another company. He is a known face, can be reached by email, etc. etc. Does this sound like a virus writer to you? John W. Colby www.ColbyConsulting.com -----Original Message----- From: accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com [mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Max Sherman Sent: Friday, January 06, 2006 2:55 AM To: 'Access Developers discussion and problem solving' Subject: Re: [AccessD] Himachi Dear List, Just to let you know that when I downloaded and tried to install Himachi, my protection software kicked in and said it was trying to install a ROOTKIT. I then abandoned the install and immediately invoked my Restore to Previous Version (I always create a new restore point before installing any software). I went to their Forum and FAQs and found very little on it to give me any confidence about the Rootkit. If you are unaware of the harm that a Rootkit can do to your system, then I strongly suggest you look it up. For my part, I will not be using Himachi - shame as it sounded like a good solution to a problem I had. Regards Max -----Original Message----- From: accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com [mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of John Colby Sent: 05 January 2006 20:01 To: 'Access Developers discussion and problem solving' Subject: [AccessD] Himachi If I can get this thing working I have several immediate applications for it. I have two different client companies that need a network between dispersed locations, specifically so that they can do backups to remote locations. I am about to write a piece of code that organizes emails from contractors into folders. It will strip off attached documents which are equipment documentation, store them in an external hard disk (usb) and if I can get this private network working, it will then also write to an identical external hard disk at my client's home office so that all documents are immediately backed up in two different physical locations. If the client picks up his email at home and runs the program, it will save the documents to the home office drive, and then also to the drive in his office. I have been looking for a way to do this kind of thing that doesn't require a Notwork guy to maintain the thing. For it to work, my client has to be able to set it up on the two machines. An additional benefit is that I may be able to set up remote desktop over this virtual network so that I can support him. This Hamachi might be just the ticket. John W. Colby www.ColbyConsulting.com -----Original Message----- From: accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com [mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Fred Hooper Sent: Thursday, January 05, 2006 6:41 AM To: 'Access Developers discussion and problem solving' Subject: Re: [AccessD] OT Super interesting options There's a good discussion of hamachi at http://www.grc.com/securitynow.htm, where they are also discussing other ways to do the same thing. 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