11.30.05

Beginners Guide to Securing a PC

Posted in Malware, Software at 2:45 pm by Keith

gHack’s Beginners Guide to Securing a PC.

I will explain the basics of securing your computer, will tell you what you need to secure it and give you alternatives if there are any. But first of all, all programs that I name will be freeware or open source. We want a secure computer but don´t want to pay hundreds of $$ for it. There will also be some geeks who will comment that program XY is way better and pro than the program I named and that only people with no security understanding whatsoever will use. Don´t listen to them, there are many factors that play a role in selecting a suitable software. I tried to find the best mix between security and userfriendliness.

gHack has a good list here, with some programs that I’ve recommended here on TechTips. His first antivirus recommendation is Antivir Personal Edition; I’ve never used this program but I agree that AVG is a good alternative. I don’t like his other alternative suggestion; Avast. I’ve used it in the past and didn’t like the user interface. gHacks makes the bold suggestion of not using a software firewall, saying they only give a false sense of security. I disagree as a layered approach is benefitial. It is just important to realize that all of the other security procudures cannot be ignore because you have a firewall; you must still run Windows Update frequently and have good antivirus and antispyware programs installed (and used!).

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11.28.05

AVG Free 7.362

Posted in Malware, Software, Windows at 5:03 pm by Keith

The newest version of the popular AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition is available for download. The new version of AVG Free provides increased scanning speed as well as additional improvements which include a new event-history log and added options for filename extension definitions.

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11.21.05

Javascript Exploit

Posted in Firefox, Malware, Software at 3:39 pm by Keith

0-day IE/Javascript exploit in the wild. Another good reason to switch to FireFox. If you insist on using Internet Explorer consider turning javascript off using the following directions:

1. Open Internet Explorer.
2. Select Internet Options from the Tools menu.
3. In Internet Options dialog box select the Security tab.
4. Click Custom level button at bottom. The Security settings dialog box will pop up.
5. Under Scripting category disable Active Scripting, Allow paste options via script and Scripting of Java applets
6. Click OK twice to close out.

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11.16.05

McAfee Installation Repair

Posted in Software, Windows at 2:32 pm by Keith

Problem: After installing McAfee VirusScan 8 you get the following error: “Invalid configuration options specified. Confirm product is correctly installed.” AutoUpdate won’t run and reinstalling doesn’t fix the problem.

Solution: You need to repair the VirusScan installation instead of reinstalling.

1. Go to the VirusScan Console from Start > All Programs > Network Associates.
2. In the VirusScan Console, go to the Help > Repair Installation.
3. Check both options for Restore all settings to installation defaults and Reinstall all program files.

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Power Mac G5 Firmware Update

Posted in Apple at 12:46 pm by Keith

I was forwarded the following notice from Apple:

Some 1.8 GHz models of Power Mac G5 (Late 2004) computers may experience any of the following symptoms:

• The computer may freeze when performing certain video-intensive tasks for extended periods of time, such as a full screen slideshows, QuickTime playback, or some games.
• The optical drive may not eject when you’ve been using the computer for about two hours.
• Internet Connect may become unresponsive when you’ve been using the computer for about two hours.
  (This issue can affect either internal or external modems that use PPP as well as DSL modems that connect using the PPPoE protocol.)
• Attached displays may not wake up properly after the computer, running Mac OS X 10.4, has been sleeping for an extended period of time. The computer seems to wake up, but the display doesn’t.

A firmware update is available to address the symptoms described in this article. The Power Mac G5 System Firmware Update is only for the 1.8 GHz, 600MHz bus single-processor Power Mac G5 (Late 2004) computer and requires Mac OS X 10.3.9 or Mac OS X 10.4.3 or later. Additional information about the firmware update and requirements are included with the download.

More info and links for getting your G5 updated here.

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Pop Email - Leave it on the Server

Posted in Email, Software, Windows at 12:40 pm by Keith

Most pop3 email clients (Outlook Express, Netscape Mail, etc.) are configured to move emails from the server to the client by default. This means that when you check your email the copy of the email on the server is copied to your computer, then deleted from the server. If you check your email from multiple locations this configuration is not ideal. You’ll end up with some emails in one location and others in your other location. Use the following steps to configure what is likely the most popular pop3 email client, Outlook Express, to leave your emails on the server; only moving a copy to your computer.

1. Open Outlook Express
2. Select Tools > Accounts.
3. Click on the Mail tab, highlight YourAccount and click on the Properties button.
4. Click on the Advanced tab.
5. In the Delivery section, select the checkbox to Leave a copy of messages on server.

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