Computer Tips -Tech Info

One thing I’ve already mentioned in this serious is using alternative programs like Mozilla Firefox instead of Internet Explorer, or Thunderbird, Eduora instead of Outlook Express. Even if you’re not using alternative software as your primary web browser, email program there are advantages to having networks with mixed software, operating systems and even mixed network […]

So, most everything so far has been targetted to high speed internet users or business networks. That means if I use dialup I’m safe. Wrong. For starters, in many ways dialup internet is LESS of a risk than high speed broadband for two main reasons. First, high speed/broadband connections are typically on ALL the time. […]

So, I’ve got most of the baddies cleaned out and I’m not getting popups anymore. No nags on boot, the boot process is quicker, but is it really clean? I found a few files (winlogon.exe, alg.exe in particular) that could be legitimate windows file names. Am I running the good one, or the trojan? That […]

I’ve read the security advisory and unfortunately Microsoft doesn’t give any real workarounds. (There have been several announced from other sources.) Unfortunately, Microsoft: 1)urges caution in opening email and links from untrusted sources, and 2) wants you to call them if you’ve been affected by this. (1-866-PCSAFETY) and 3) make sure you have all updates […]

Spyware Confidential has the top 10 tips to keep that new pc spyware free. Some good tips here and these should be on the checklist when setting up a new pc any time of the year… Paraphrased here….    Send article as PDF   

Brian Krebs at the securityfix has a good article for those that are getting a new pc for Christmas (or those that know someone who is.) He has a nice outline of setting up limited privilege user accounts, installing windows updates, using a firewall and using antivirus. This is a nice concise guide to get […]

Details of a vulnerability in Apple’s Quicktime and iTunes reported at betanews.com. Secunia also has an advisory. It is listed as moderately critical and affects the current version of both quicktime and itunes on Mac or Windows.    Send article as PDF   

Ok – about 22 or 23 critical updates for Windows ME. I’m suspecting it’s never visited the Windows update site. While it’s going I make sure that the adware scanners and antivirus scanner get to pull updates from the web as well. It’s also time to scan for running network services that shouldn’t be running. […]

We know that for Windows systems especially antivirus is a must. Up to date antivirus is the MOST important though. So how do the different vendors do in responsiveness and quick antivirus definition updates…? The SecurityFix has an article on just that today. The comparison is courtesy of av-test.org.    Send article as PDF   

Ok, another reboot after the BHO cleaning. Things are a good deal more responsive now, less disc swapping going on. (I suspect that those three missing BHO entries may have been causing the slow down, but I don’t know.) Installing wintop so that processes can be monitored. Also, getting spybot S&D *(search and destroy) installed […]