11.30.05
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
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
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:
- Open Internet Explorer.
- Select Internet Options from the Tools menu.
- In Internet Options dialog box select the Security tab.
- Click Custom level button at bottom. The Security settings dialog box will pop up.
- Under Scripting category disable Active Scripting, Allow paste options via script and Scripting of Java applets
- Click OK twice to close out.
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11.16.05
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.
- Go to the VirusScan Console from Start > All Programs > Network Associates.
- In the VirusScan Console, go to the Help > Repair Installation.
- Check both options for Restore all settings to installation defaults and Reinstall all program files.
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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.
- Open Outlook Express
- Select Tools > Accounts.
- Click on the Mail tab, highlight YourAccount and click on the Properties button.
- Click on the Advanced tab.
- In the Delivery section, select the checkbox to Leave a copy of messages on server.
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09.29.05
Posted in Malware, Software, Windows at 1:48 pm by Administrator
Here are a couple free online services for virus discovery.
Trend Micro’s House Call will scan your PC for viruses through your web browser (IE only, installs an ActiveX utility). You can do a virus scan, a security scan (spyware & known security vulnerabilities), or combine the two for a “complete scan.” Testing it out it claims to have found 11 viruses and 1 spyware program on my machine that is regularly scanned with McAfee and Adaware.
Virus Total allows you to upload a file to their server for scanning. It will detect whether the file is a virus using several antivirus engines. You can use their web interface to upload the suspicious file, or email it them. It currently scans with the following antivirus engines: AntiVir, Avast, AVG, Avira, BitDefender, CAT-QuickHeal, ClamAV, DrWeb, eTrust-Iris, eTrust-Vet, Fortinet, F-Prot, Ikarus, Kaspersky, McAfee, NOD32v2, Norman, Panda, Sophos, Symantec, TheHacker, and VBA32.
I would warn that neither of these should be considered a replacement for regular virus and adware scanners.
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08.10.05
Posted in Software, Windows at 10:36 am by Keith
Outlook Express can sometimes be overzealous in its email attachment blocking. However, before using the following instructions for disabling this attachment blocking check out this attachment opening lecture. If you feel it is safe to proceed…
- Start Outlook Express.
- On the Tools menu, click Options.
- Click the Security tab, click to clear the Do not allow attachments to be saved or opened that could potentially be a virus check box under Virus Protection, and then click OK.
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08.05.05
Posted in Firefox, Software, Windows at 5:03 pm by Keith
A short list of recommended Windows applications for various uses. These programs are all free and stable.
Most of these are survivors from the last time I made such a list years ago. That’s all for now.
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