Re: [expert] A time problem with ps?...

2002-05-23 Thread James

On Thu, 23 May 2002 20:52:38 -0700
James <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> As a routine,  there is a program called chkrootkit available at
> http://www.chkrootkit.org/  It does a check for know root kits lastlog
> deletions, strings replacement and more right now the list of
> rootkits/worms is about 30 so it's a pretty current program.  Like
> anything else it's not a cure all but every tool helps and it runs
> fast. I've got it on a daily cron job on mine.
> 
> James

Opps one point I forgot if you are going to use it use the -q (quiet
only outputs if a problem) and then copy these files (from a known good
source) into a hidden directory.  egrep, find, head, id, ls, netstat,
ps, strings, sed, uname awk cut echo and ps and use the -p option to
tell it to use only these files.  That way it doesn't use ones that may
be compromised already.

James


> 
> 
> On Thu, 23 May 2002 17:50:37 -0600
> FemmeFatale <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> 
> > [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> > > 
> > > >>
> > > I can't address the rest but I do know some stuff about cracking
> > > *don't ask, and if you must ask do so pvtly*.  I know that the
> > > first utils a cracker will replace/redo/delete/alter are:
> > > 
> > > ps/ls/time/cp/rm
> > > 
> > > those are fairly standard, and yes generating phony logs isn't
> > > hard. Rootkits are widely available to do so with.  Need proof,
> > > I'll get you URLs pvtly.
> > > 
> > > If you want some decent info on this subject with a very legal
> > > bent, try www.sec33.com.
> > > --
> > > Femme
> > > >>
> > > 
> > > Add netstat to the short list of favorite utilities to change.
> > > I have also, unfortunately (!) gathered some first-hand info
> > > about the techniques used...  I will check my crucial binaries
> > > against the CD ones tonight, it maybe that the md5sums I have
> > > were done on already-compromised binaries...
> > > 
> > > Thanks for your time,
> > > 
> > > Serge Pineault
> > > 
> > 
> > *nods* Ty I did forget that one. I hope you haven't been hacked, and
> > doubt it highly in fact.
> > 
> > However in case you have been you have my sympathies & may wish to
> > check that site I mentioned as it has tons of info on security too.
> > 
> > -- 
> > Femme
> > 
> > Good Decisions You boss Made:
> > 
> > "We'll do as you suggest and go with Linux.  I've always liked that
> > character from Peanuts."
> > 
> > - Source: Dilbert
> > 
> > 
> > 
> 
> 



Want to buy your Pack or Services from MandrakeSoft? 
Go to http://www.mandrakestore.com



Re: [expert] A time problem with ps?...

2002-05-23 Thread James

As a routine,  there is a program called chkrootkit available at
http://www.chkrootkit.org/  It does a check for know root kits lastlog
deletions, strings replacement and more right now the list of
rootkits/worms is about 30 so it's a pretty current program.  Like
anything else it's not a cure all but every tool helps and it runs fast.
 I've got it on a daily cron job on mine.

James


On Thu, 23 May 2002 17:50:37 -0600
FemmeFatale <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> > 
> > >>
> > I can't address the rest but I do know some stuff about cracking
> > *don't ask, and if you must ask do so pvtly*.  I know that the first
> > utils a cracker will replace/redo/delete/alter are:
> > 
> > ps/ls/time/cp/rm
> > 
> > those are fairly standard, and yes generating phony logs isn't hard.
> > Rootkits are widely available to do so with.  Need proof, I'll get
> > you URLs pvtly.
> > 
> > If you want some decent info on this subject with a very legal bent,
> > try www.sec33.com.
> > --
> > Femme
> > >>
> > 
> > Add netstat to the short list of favorite utilities to change.
> > I have also, unfortunately (!) gathered some first-hand info
> > about the techniques used...  I will check my crucial binaries
> > against the CD ones tonight, it maybe that the md5sums I have
> > were done on already-compromised binaries...
> > 
> > Thanks for your time,
> > 
> > Serge Pineault
> > 
> 
> *nods* Ty I did forget that one. I hope you haven't been hacked, and
> doubt it highly in fact.
> 
> However in case you have been you have my sympathies & may wish to
> check that site I mentioned as it has tons of info on security too.
> 
> -- 
> Femme
> 
> Good Decisions You boss Made:
> 
> "We'll do as you suggest and go with Linux.  I've always liked that
> character from Peanuts."
> 
> - Source: Dilbert
> 
> 
> 



Want to buy your Pack or Services from MandrakeSoft? 
Go to http://www.mandrakestore.com



Re: [expert] A time problem with ps?...

2002-05-23 Thread FemmeFatale

[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> 
> >>
> I can't address the rest but I do know some stuff about cracking *don't
> ask, and if you must ask do so pvtly*.  I know that the first utils a
> cracker will replace/redo/delete/alter are:
> 
> ps/ls/time/cp/rm
> 
> those are fairly standard, and yes generating phony logs isn't hard.
> Rootkits are widely available to do so with.  Need proof, I'll get you
> URLs pvtly.
> 
> If you want some decent info on this subject with a very legal bent, try
> www.sec33.com.
> --
> Femme
> >>
> 
> Add netstat to the short list of favorite utilities to change.
> I have also, unfortunately (!) gathered some first-hand info
> about the techniques used...  I will check my crucial binaries
> against the CD ones tonight, it maybe that the md5sums I have
> were done on already-compromised binaries...
> 
> Thanks for your time,
> 
> Serge Pineault
> 

*nods* Ty I did forget that one. I hope you haven't been hacked, and
doubt it highly in fact.

However in case you have been you have my sympathies & may wish to check
that site I mentioned as it has tons of info on security too.

-- 
Femme

Good Decisions You boss Made:

"We'll do as you suggest and go with Linux.  I've always liked that
character from Peanuts."

- Source: Dilbert




Want to buy your Pack or Services from MandrakeSoft? 
Go to http://www.mandrakestore.com



Re: [expert] A time problem with ps?...

2002-05-23 Thread pineault

>>
I can't address the rest but I do know some stuff about cracking *don't
ask, and if you must ask do so pvtly*.  I know that the first utils a
cracker will replace/redo/delete/alter are:

ps/ls/time/cp/rm

those are fairly standard, and yes generating phony logs isn't hard. 
Rootkits are widely available to do so with.  Need proof, I'll get you
URLs pvtly.

If you want some decent info on this subject with a very legal bent, try
www.sec33.com.
-- 
Femme
>>

Add netstat to the short list of favorite utilities to change.
I have also, unfortunately (!) gathered some first-hand info
about the techniques used...  I will check my crucial binaries
against the CD ones tonight, it maybe that the md5sums I have
were done on already-compromised binaries...

Thanks for your time,

Serge Pineault



Want to buy your Pack or Services from MandrakeSoft? 
Go to http://www.mandrakestore.com



Re: [expert] A time problem with ps?...

2002-05-22 Thread FemmeFatale

"H.J.Bathoorn" wrote:

> >
> > Anyhow here is an excerpt from /var/log/syslog from boot time to shutdown
> > time on May 20. I also include /etc/crontab and a listing of the /etc/cron*
> > directories in case they are relevant. Reminder: I am running LM 7.2.
> 
> I asked because a reboot would be shown in syslog but your's doesn't so you
> probably didn't. You knew that, right?:o)
> 
> Strange though that there isn't anything at all being logged around 16.45.
> 
> What did catch my eye was the comment at 16.20.12 with the EXT2 warning.
> A partition or filesystem is being mounted (and not for the first time) but
> ps doesn't show anything around that time.
> 
> As you stated you have been cracked before, one might think you still are or
> have some remnants still in your system.
> 
> I'm no expert on cracking but it would seem to be my first priority (after
> breaking in) as a cracker, to cover-up my presence by generating phony system
> and log files.
> 
> Maybe somebody else has some pointers on that.
> 
> good luck,
> 
> Harm.

I can't address the rest but I do know some stuff about cracking *don't
ask, and if you must ask do so pvtly*.  I know that the first utils a
cracker will replace/redo/delete/alter are:

ps/ls/time/cp/rm

those are fairly standard, and yes generating phony logs isn't hard. 
Rootkits are widely available to do so with.  Need proof, I'll get you
URLs pvtly.

If you want some decent info on this subject with a very legal bent, try
www.sec33.com.
-- 
Femme

Good Decisions You boss Made:

"We'll do as you suggest and go with Linux.  I've always liked that
character from Peanuts."

- Source: Dilbert




Want to buy your Pack or Services from MandrakeSoft? 
Go to http://www.mandrakestore.com



Re: [expert] A time problem with ps?...

2002-05-22 Thread H.J.Bathoorn

On Wednesday 22 May 2002 18:21, you wrote:
> >Could the machine have powered down or been suspended due to energy-saving
> >settings?
> >
> >Anyway what does /var/log/syslog have to say round about 16.45 and the
> >original boot-time?
> >
> >Good luck,
> >Harm
>
> Hi:
>
> Powering down would cause the machine to reboot, would it not? And that
> obviously did not occur as new terminal windows which I opened just after
> booting have been there all the time until shutdown (these windows are
> not automatically opened, I do this manually after boot).

I asked because I noticed that with LM8.2 my intel mobo lost track of correct 
time when it suspended.
Disabling the powersavings-options in the bios and ntpd got all that right 
though. The machine can really go to sleep though without needing a reboot to 
power up again (I think, I never leave it alone long enough;o)

> As for energy-saving, I have a regular PC, not a laptop, so I would
> guess this would not be involved? I do have a KDE screensaver
> active but I am certain this can be dismissed.

Take a look at KDE-controlcenter -energy- You might be surprised.

>
> Anyhow here is an excerpt from /var/log/syslog from boot time to shutdown
> time on May 20. I also include /etc/crontab and a listing of the /etc/cron*
> directories in case they are relevant. Reminder: I am running LM 7.2.

I asked because a reboot would be shown in syslog but your's doesn't so you 
probably didn't. You knew that, right?:o)

Strange though that there isn't anything at all being logged around 16.45.

What did catch my eye was the comment at 16.20.12 with the EXT2 warning.
A partition or filesystem is being mounted (and not for the first time) but 
ps doesn't show anything around that time.

As you stated you have been cracked before, one might think you still are or 
have some remnants still in your system.

I'm no expert on cracking but it would seem to be my first priority (after 
breaking in) as a cracker, to cover-up my presence by generating phony system 
and log files.


Maybe somebody else has some pointers on that.



good luck,

Harm.
 



>
> To recap: booting was at 15:55, the command "ps -auxw" run at 16:31
> gave all START column values (without exception) at around 15:55
> (which is of course fine). However, the same command run at 19:50
> showed all values had jumped to around 16:46. It seems
> the only things of interest around that time  are rmmod commands run
> from cron.  Why the system would want to remove modules every
> 10 minutes is beyond me and, I would guess, unrelated to the
> "glitches" in START times shown by "ps -auxw", but who knows...
> No more glitches were observed until shutdown around 21:21.
>
> This glitching is reproducible: I observed the same thing yesterday
> (May 21) [boot at 16:39 -- then "ps -auxw" at 20:42 shows all START values
> jumped to around 19:03].
>
> INCIDENTALLY, and this may (?) be relevant to this "book-keeping" problem,
> while going over yesterday's logs, I noticed that the order of
> the boot log entries was not strictly chronological: there were many
> entries at 16:41 FOLLOWED by entries logged with a time of 16:39.
>
> ADDITIONAL NOTE: you may notice
> numerous "modprobe: Can't locate" lines (char-major, binfmt,
> sound-service, sound-slot ...) in the log file which do not seem to
> have unwanted consequences, however anybody feel free to tell me how these
> can be fixed!
>
> Thanks all for your time,
>
> Serge Pineault
>
> *
> * Here are parts of the /var/log/syslog file
> *
>
>
> May 20 15:55:56 dhcp-53-79 syslogd 1.4-0: restart.
> May 20 15:55:57 dhcp-53-79 syslog: syslogd startup succeeded
> May 20 15:55:57 dhcp-53-79 syslog: klogd startup succeeded
> May 20 15:55:57 dhcp-53-79 kernel: klogd 1.4-0, log source = /proc/kmsg
> started. May 20 15:55:57 dhcp-53-79 kernel: Loaded 7650 symbols from
> /boot/System.map-2.2.17-21mdk. May 20 15:55:57 dhcp-53-79 kernel: Symbols
> match kernel version 2.2.17. May 20 15:55:57 dhcp-53-79 kernel: Loaded 10
> symbols from 2 modules. May 20 15:55:57 dhcp-53-79 kernel: Linux version
> 2.2.17-21mdk ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) (gcc version 2.95.3 19991030
> (prerelease)) #1 Thu Oct 5 13:16:08 CEST 2000 May 20 15:55:57 dhcp-53-79
> kernel: Detected 400915 kHz processor.
> May 20 15:55:57 dhcp-53-79 kernel: Console: colour VGA+ 80x25
> May 20 15:55:57 dhcp-53-79 kernel: Calibrating delay loop... 799.54
> BogoMIPS May 20 15:55:57 dhcp-53-79 kernel: Memory: 62724k/65472k available
> (1136k kernel code, 416k reserved, 1068k data, 128k init, 0k bigmem) May 20
> 15:55:57 dhcp-53-79 kernel: Dentry hash table entries: 8192 (order 4, 64k)
> May 20 15:55:57 dhcp-53-79 kernel: Buffer cache hash table entries: 65536
> (order 6, 256k) May 20 15:55:57 dhcp-53-79 kernel: Page cache hash table
> entries: 16384 (order 4, 64k) May 20 15:55:57 dhcp-53-79 kernel: VFS:
> Diskquotas version dquot_6.4.0 initialized May 20 15:55:57 dhcp-53-79
> kernel: Intel machine check architecture supported. May 20 1

Re: [expert] A time problem with ps?...

2002-05-22 Thread pineault

>Could the machine have powered down or been suspended due to energy-saving 
>settings?
>
>Anyway what does /var/log/syslog have to say round about 16.45 and the 
>original boot-time?
>
>Good luck,
>Harm

Hi:

Powering down would cause the machine to reboot, would it not? And that
obviously did not occur as new terminal windows which I opened just after
booting have been there all the time until shutdown (these windows are
not automatically opened, I do this manually after boot).
As for energy-saving, I have a regular PC, not a laptop, so I would
guess this would not be involved? I do have a KDE screensaver
active but I am certain this can be dismissed.

Anyhow here is an excerpt from /var/log/syslog from boot time to shutdown
time on May 20. I also include /etc/crontab and a listing of the /etc/cron* 
directories in case they are relevant. Reminder: I am running LM 7.2.

To recap: booting was at 15:55, the command "ps -auxw" run at 16:31
gave all START column values (without exception) at around 15:55 
(which is of course fine). However, the same command run at 19:50
showed all values had jumped to around 16:46. It seems
the only things of interest around that time  are rmmod commands run
from cron.  Why the system would want to remove modules every
10 minutes is beyond me and, I would guess, unrelated to the
"glitches" in START times shown by "ps -auxw", but who knows...
No more glitches were observed until shutdown around 21:21.

This glitching is reproducible: I observed the same thing yesterday
(May 21) [boot at 16:39 -- then "ps -auxw" at 20:42 shows all START values 
jumped to around 19:03].

INCIDENTALLY, and this may (?) be relevant to this "book-keeping" problem,
while going over yesterday's logs, I noticed that the order of
the boot log entries was not strictly chronological: there were many
entries at 16:41 FOLLOWED by entries logged with a time of 16:39.

ADDITIONAL NOTE: you may notice
numerous "modprobe: Can't locate" lines (char-major, binfmt,
sound-service, sound-slot ...) in the log file which do not seem to
have unwanted consequences, however anybody feel free to tell me how these
can be fixed!

Thanks all for your time,

Serge Pineault

*
* Here are parts of the /var/log/syslog file
*


May 20 15:55:56 dhcp-53-79 syslogd 1.4-0: restart.
May 20 15:55:57 dhcp-53-79 syslog: syslogd startup succeeded
May 20 15:55:57 dhcp-53-79 syslog: klogd startup succeeded
May 20 15:55:57 dhcp-53-79 kernel: klogd 1.4-0, log source = /proc/kmsg started.
May 20 15:55:57 dhcp-53-79 kernel: Loaded 7650 symbols from 
/boot/System.map-2.2.17-21mdk.
May 20 15:55:57 dhcp-53-79 kernel: Symbols match kernel version 2.2.17.
May 20 15:55:57 dhcp-53-79 kernel: Loaded 10 symbols from 2 modules.
May 20 15:55:57 dhcp-53-79 kernel: Linux version 2.2.17-21mdk 
([EMAIL PROTECTED]) (gcc version 2.95.3 19991030 (prerelease)) #1 Thu Oct 5 
13:16:08 CEST 2000
May 20 15:55:57 dhcp-53-79 kernel: Detected 400915 kHz processor.
May 20 15:55:57 dhcp-53-79 kernel: Console: colour VGA+ 80x25
May 20 15:55:57 dhcp-53-79 kernel: Calibrating delay loop... 799.54 BogoMIPS
May 20 15:55:57 dhcp-53-79 kernel: Memory: 62724k/65472k available (1136k kernel code, 
416k reserved, 1068k data, 128k init, 0k bigmem)
May 20 15:55:57 dhcp-53-79 kernel: Dentry hash table entries: 8192 (order 4, 64k)
May 20 15:55:57 dhcp-53-79 kernel: Buffer cache hash table entries: 65536 (order 6, 
256k)
May 20 15:55:57 dhcp-53-79 kernel: Page cache hash table entries: 16384 (order 4, 64k)
May 20 15:55:57 dhcp-53-79 kernel: VFS: Diskquotas version dquot_6.4.0 initialized
May 20 15:55:57 dhcp-53-79 kernel: Intel machine check architecture supported.
May 20 15:55:57 dhcp-53-79 kernel: Intel machine check reporting enabled on CPU#0.
May 20 15:55:57 dhcp-53-79 kernel: CPU: Intel Celeron (Mendocino) stepping 05
May 20 15:55:57 dhcp-53-79 kernel: Checking 386/387 coupling... OK, FPU using 
exception 16 error reporting.
May 20 15:55:57 dhcp-53-79 kernel: Checking 'hlt' instruction... OK.
May 20 15:55:57 dhcp-53-79 kernel: POSIX conformance testing by UNIFIX
May 20 15:55:57 dhcp-53-79 kernel: mtrr: v1.35a (19990819) Richard Gooch 
([EMAIL PROTECTED])
May 20 15:55:57 dhcp-53-79 kernel: PCI: PCI BIOS revision 2.10 entry at 0xf0720, last 
bus=1
May 20 15:55:57 dhcp-53-79 kernel: PCI: Using configuration type 1
May 20 15:55:57 dhcp-53-79 kernel: PCI: Probing PCI hardware
May 20 15:55:57 dhcp-53-79 kernel: Linux NET4.0 for Linux 2.2
May 20 15:55:57 dhcp-53-79 kernel: Based upon Swansea University Computer Society 
NET3.039
May 20 15:55:57 dhcp-53-79 kernel: NET4: Unix domain sockets 1.0 for Linux NET4.0.
May 20 15:55:57 dhcp-53-79 kernel: NET4: Linux TCP/IP 1.0 for NET4.0
May 20 15:55:57 dhcp-53-79 kernel: IP Protocols: ICMP, UDP, TCP, IGMP
May 20 15:55:57 dhcp-53-79 kernel: TCP: Hash tables configured (ehash 65536 bhash 
65536)
May 20 15:55:57 dhcp-53-79 kernel: Initializing RT netlink socket
May 20 15:55:57 dhcp-53-79 kernel: Starting kswapd v 1.5
May 20 15:55:57 dh

Re: [expert] A time problem with ps?...

2002-05-22 Thread Randy Kramer

[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> "ps -auxw" 

> By the way, this is not a question of confusing START time with
> TIME running (see below again).  

Sorry, my output from ps -auxw looks different than yours.  On my
Mandrake 8.1 it has columns for a (start) date, and a (total run) time,
but they are side by side so it is easy to be confused and believe they
are a start date and time.  Likewise on my Mandrake 7.2 installation. 
(Aside: I wonder why the difference? -- You seem to have a start *time*
instead of date, and the (total run) time that I have.)

Anyway, the output from your ps -auxw truly is confusing, and I can't
offer an explanation (other than the possibilities others have
mentioned, like a restart that you aren't aware of or something equally
bizarre or unlikely).  

>(1) Before I sent the initial message, I checked the archives on the newbie
>and expert lists and could not find any related item (mind you, it is not 
>obvious
>to do a search with "ps" or "startup" as keywords...).  I also read what
>I thought were the relevant manual pages (but maybe I missed some...).
> 
>(2) I sent this message to the expert list, rather than the newbie, because I
>genuinely thought the answer was not obvious (I could of course be very
>wrong! I might add hopefully...).
> 
>(3) Despite the fact I felt some "guilt" at starting this "newbie versus expert"
>thread, there is one thing that sticks to my mind: it is that people 
>expressing
>their opinions on this list do it in a frank and polite way.  In that respect,
>Randy Kramer's PS to my initial message deserves mention!

Thanks for all of the above, and *thanks to all who provided comments*
on the "newbie vs. expert" thread.  I truly was trying to understand the
thinking process of those who might post on one vs. the other,
especially when the results were contrary to what I think I would have
done.  (Understanding your problem more correctly now, I think I would
have posted it on the expert list.)

And, as others have said (variously): 
   * if it ain't broke, don't fix it
   * there is not a lot of noise (of this nature) on the expert or
beginner's list, so an occasional newbie question on the expert list is
not a big  (or vice versa)
   * the more annoying problem is cross posts (that, AFAICT, don't
happen that often either)
   * these lists are among the most useful and effective I've found,
which is a credit to the people on the lists -- polite, tolerant,
helpful, knowledgable, etc.

regards,
Randy Kramer



Want to buy your Pack or Services from MandrakeSoft? 
Go to http://www.mandrakestore.com



Re: [expert] A time problem with ps?...

2002-05-21 Thread H.J.Bathoorn

On Tuesday 21 May 2002 18:41, you wrote:
>
> **
>
> I should add that, when I shut the machine down around 21:00, a
> final "ps -auxw" showed no changes to the START entries
> compared to the ones at 19:50.  I
David,

Could the machine have powered down or been suspended due to energy-saving 
settings?

Anyway what does /var/log/syslog have to say round about 16.45 and the 
original boot-time?

Good luck,
Harm



Want to buy your Pack or Services from MandrakeSoft? 
Go to http://www.mandrakestore.com



[expert] A time problem with ps?...

2002-05-21 Thread pineault

Hi all:

I apologize if it seems like I am trying to revive the "newbie versus expert" 
thread.  This is not the case.  I am neither a newbie nor an expert.  I am just
puzzled by the original problem which I submitted last week, which is
that the startup time of ALL tasks started at boot time (including the
mother of them all "init") appears to be changing with time as shown by the
"ps -auxw" command [examples below] without the machine having been rebooted
in between of course.

By the way, this is not a question of confusing START time with
TIME running (see below again).  This looks like (possibly?...?...) a 
cron problem, but I am at a loss to find out where the actual problem lies.  This is
either a trivial question, in which case this should have been posted to the newbie
list [and, if that turns out to be the case, I pledge this list I will repeatedly
hit my head against a suitable wall, a suitable number of times, to be determined
by a suitable number of votes from this list...] or a question worth addressing,
even if it may have no practical consequences.  But then, what is the point of
having tools to monitor processes if you cannot thrust the one single information
about when a given process actually started?  As I mentioned before, I was hacked
once and found out that "ps" is one of the usual commands which is first replaced. I
do not think this is the case here (I ran an md5sum check on it) but in
doubt...

Thanks for your time.

Serge Pineault



P.S. "Explanatory" notes: 

   (1) Before I sent the initial message, I checked the archives on the newbie
   and expert lists and could not find any related item (mind you, it is not 
obvious
   to do a search with "ps" or "startup" as keywords...).  I also read what
   I thought were the relevant manual pages (but maybe I missed some...).

   (2) I sent this message to the expert list, rather than the newbie, because I
   genuinely thought the answer was not obvious (I could of course be very
   wrong! I might add hopefully...).

   (3) Despite the fact I felt some "guilt" at starting this "newbie versus expert"
   thread, there is one thing that sticks to my mind: it is that people expressing
   their opinions on this list do it in a frank and polite way.  In that respect,
   Randy Kramer's PS to my initial message deserves mention!


And now for something completely different (I hope there are some Monty Python fans
on this list)...

Here is the output of two "ps -auxw" commands typed at 16:31 and 19:50 on the same
day.  Of course the machine had not been rebooted in between. should add that
my PC is not permanently ON: I only turn it on when I (or somebody in my family)
need to use it.  I also have the appropriate sections of the /var/log/messages
and crontab files and a listing of the /etc/cron* directories which I can post
later if deemed necessary.


*  Output of "ps -auxw" done at 16:31 -- Booting was at 15:55  


USER   PID %CPU %MEM   VSZ  RSS TTY  STAT START   TIME COMMAND
root 1  0.2  0.7  1064  468 ?S15:55   0:04 init [5]
root 2  0.0  0.0 00 ?SW   15:55   0:00 [kflushd]
root 3  0.0  0.0 00 ?SW   15:55   0:00 [kupdate]
root 4  0.0  0.0 00 ?SW   15:55   0:00 [kswapd]
root 5  0.0  0.0 00 ?SW<  15:55   0:00 [mdrecoveryd]
root   329  0.0  0.6  1048  392 ?S15:55   0:00 /sbin/dhcpcd -H eth0
root   370  0.0  1.1  1400  764 ?S15:55   0:00 syslogd -m 0
root   380  0.0  1.1  1388  764 ?S15:55   0:00 klogd -k 
/boot/System.map-2.2.17-21mdk
root   393  0.0  0.9  1280  632 ?S15:55   0:00 crond
root   406  0.0  0.6  1056  432 ?S15:55   0:00 inetd
root   419  0.1  6.8  6516  ?S15:55   0:02 cupsd
root   463  0.0  0.6  1088  440 ?S15:55   0:00 gpm -t ps/2
xfs478  0.0  5.0  4244 3304 ?S15:56   0:01 xfs -port -1 -daemon
root   492  0.0  0.6  1032  404 tty1 S15:56   0:00 /sbin/mingetty tty1
root   493  0.0  0.6  1032  404 tty2 S15:56   0:00 /sbin/mingetty tty2
root   494  0.0  0.6  1032  404 tty3 S15:56   0:00 /sbin/mingetty tty3
root   495  0.0  0.6  1032  404 tty4 S15:56   0:00 /sbin/mingetty tty4
root   496  0.0  0.6  1032  404 tty5 S15:56   0:00 /sbin/mingetty tty5
root   497  0.0  0.6  1032  404 tty6 S15:56   0:00 /sbin/mingetty tty6
root   498  0.1  5.5 12152 3600 ?S15:56   0:03 kdm -nodaemon
root   508  0.7  8.3 10892 5452 ?R15:56   0:16 /etc/X11/X -auth 
/etc/X11/xdm/authdir/A:0-ljEXI5
root   547  0.0 10.6 13420 6948 ?S15:56   0:00 -:0  
lp 619  0.0  1.0  2212  652 ?S15:56   0:00 hp 119 bozo (stdin) 1  
//var/spool/cups/d00119-001
root   620  0.0  0.6  1444  420 ?S