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Thread ID: 59992 2005-07-19 07:24:00 Check you Xtra usage application raydenl (8549) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
373482 2005-07-19 07:24:00 Hi,

I developed this small taskbar usage meter to keep track of my broadband usage with Xtra. It only works with Xtra and only for customers who use this link to check their usage:

xtra.co.nz

It supports 3 refresh intervals, and strong password encryption.

You will need .NET framework installed.

Just copy the two files included in the zip file to any dir and run UsageMeter.exe, create a shortcut to the file in the startup dir if you wish. Once running, right-click the taskbar icon and click settings, enter your Xtra username/Password and then click Refresh.

free.hostdepartment.com
raydenl (8549)
373483 2005-07-19 07:32:00 Just my $0.02, but I'm extremely suspect of third-party applications that require usernames/passwords for valuable services.

I can see the reason you need the password, but I'm still steering well-clear of this until a net-wise person runs a packet sniffer over it to see where it sends its packets.

(Or, a better alternative would be to see the source)
Rugrats (6953)
373484 2005-07-19 07:43:00 (Or, a better alternative would be to see the source)

I think one of the recent aussie computer mags came with a reverse engineer program but unsure on whether its legal to name it and such...
bob_doe_nz (92)
373485 2005-07-19 08:04:00 I think one of the recent aussie computer mags came with a reverse engineer program but unsure on whether its legal to name it and such...

Reverse engineering requires a familiarity with that nasty language called "Assembler". I don't go there.

On the other hand, given the (non-obfuscated) source to a program, I can generally tell if it's going to do something nasty.
Rugrats (6953)
373486 2005-07-19 12:22:00 You could use something like IDA Pro to disassemble it if you were really bored, but shifting through that much assembly is not pretty.

I would be more inclined to run something like CommView if you were really suspect.

Commview has a free trial for 30 days IIRC. Download it and give it a whirl :)

Otherwise, good on raydenl for developing said application :) I'd give it a whirl if I were an Xtra customer, but Im with iHug so its of little use to me personally.
Welcome to PressF1!

Cheers


Chill.
Chilling_Silence (9)
373487 2005-07-19 21:27:00 Alternative from Andrew Connell if you don't want the hassle of .NET.
4g.virtual.net.nz
PaulD (232)
373488 2005-07-20 00:47:00 The answer I gave in another forum:

The username, password and refresh time are stored in a text file on the users machine in the dir that the app is installed. The password is encrypted.

How do you know it is legit? How do you know anything software that asks for your username, password, email address is legit? How do you know the government isn't scanning your brain right now?

The answer: damned if I know! Except take the same precutions as I do when trying out any software e.g. anti-virus, firewall, common-sense, and if all else fails... don't use it.

Oh... and if you talk to me real nicely I would probably supply the source code!

(much easier than scanners, sniffers, assemblers and reverse engineering)
raydenl (8549)
373489 2005-08-05 02:54:00 http://projectrayden.freewebsitehost.net/

new site and new version
raydenl (8549)
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