Routing requests by hostname using SSL; Curing a virus-laden PC

* Dr. Internet columnist Steve Blass offers advice on routing requests by hostname using SSL and an Apache server * Help Desk columnist Ron Nutter offers suggestions on how to cure a virus-laden PC

* Routing requests by hostname using SSL

By Steve Blass

Q: I have an Apache server running a number of named virtual hosts that I want to use SSL with. Apache doesn’t support named virtual hosts in the SSL configuration file, because of the way the protocols work. I need to route requests by hostname using SSL. How can I do that?

A: Apache cannot support named virtual hosts in SSL host configuration files, because it cannot see the hostname header when the SSL request is being processed. You can use a directory-level configuration file, typically called .htaccess, to redirect the request, because the host name information is available at that later point in the processing.

To read Steve’s response in its entirety, please go to: http://www.networkworld.com/columnists/2006/011606internet.html?rl

* Curing a virus-laden PC

By Ron Nutter

Q: I don’t know how it happened. My computer seems to be hacked, infected, slow and the new graphics card does not do its job. I am at my wits end. My computer was infected with several viruses some months ago and one hacker. Working with my dad, we seemed to erase the hacker but the damage caused seemed to be too great so, following instruction from numerous professionals we reinstalled the entire system. At first all was well, aside from a slow graphics card which I marked down to poor drivers.

But now, despite my firewall and anti-spy/virus software, things seem to be worse than ever. Direct draw 3D is no longer available on the system. When I am online, the system sometimes locks up, yet is fine once I disconnect (Is someone downloading to my computer at this point?). Also, Windows takes several minutes to open and scroll through. I don’t know what to do. Please help.

A: You have already done quite a bit. From what you have indicated in your message, here are a few ideas that I thought to look for…

To read Ron’s response in its entirety, please go to: http://www.networkworld.com/columnists/2006/011606nutter.html?nl