Microsoft Loses Patent Lawsuit (MS Office XP/2002/2003)
Many businesses might be forced to upgrade their copies of MS Office XP/2003 due to the findings in a recent court decision. The existing code used to interface MS Access Database with MS Excel spreadsheets is an infringement on a patent by a Guatemalan inventor Carlos Armando Amado, the courts found. Microsoft must supply an “updated” version with a redesigned code. Individual owners of the software may keep using the programs without upgrading. However, new installations of MS Office 2003 will require the installation of MS Office 2003 Service Pack 2 and the redesigned code.
Microsoft releases Internet Explorer 7 beta (test) to public
Microsoft released
the new "preview" version of its next version Web browser to the general
public for testing. The program, still a work in progress, is available
for download from the Internet Explorer section of Microsoft's corporate
Web site. The company, which began limited testing in July, had promised
to deliver a public beta by the end of March. The latest version works
only with Windows XP Service Pack 2, requires Windows Operating System
Validation, recommends downloading Microsoft’s Malicious Software
Removal Tool and includes many of the features Microsoft has been
touting for months. Among them are new security and privacy protection
capabilities such as mechanisms designed to combat phishing attacks,
spyware and other threats. The browser includes “tab browsing”, RSS
(Really Simple Syndication)
feeds, and a customizable tool bar with smaller icons.
Go to: (
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/ie7/default.mspx
)
Symantec (Norton) Admits use of Root Kit Technology
Symantec has
confessed to hiding software components from Windows APIs with rootkit
technology. The only known product, Norton SystemWorks, is using the
Root Kit technology to hide a directory so customers wouldn't
accidentally delete files. The problem is it could also provide a
convenient hiding place for attackers to place malicious files. Due to
the vulnerability, Symantec has issued an update for SystemWorks and is
"strongly recommending" users to update the software immediately. For
more information and to instructions on how to download the update, go
to:
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/security/Content/2006.01.10.html
Kama Sutra virus
Due to cause its damage on February 3rd, 2006, the Kama Sutra virus (worm), also known as Nyxem.E, MyWife and Blackworm, is programmed to delete Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Adobe PDF files. All the major anti-virus companies have released an update to detect and remove the culprit, so a full system scan is recommended. Many Internet Service Providers are preparing for an Internet traffic spike, since the worm will send itself to every person in an infected computer’s address book.
WinFixer (Threat – Serious)
This program claims
to be a “useful utility to scan and fix any system, registry and
hard drive errors”. What is does do is deeply embed itself in the
computer’s system registry and cause a barrage of unwanted pop-up ads.
The worst part of the scenario is that the program is not easily removed
from your system. It usually starts with a pop-up dialog box warning
that your computer might have a security risk. (See “How to Safely Close
Pop-up Windows” later in this newsletter.) The unsuspecting computer
user will click on “OK” and the software installs itself on the
computer. The WinFixer program does not completely uninstall when using
the “Add/Remove Programs” Control Panel option. It must be manually
removed and is a long, tedious process. For more information, go to the
following web site:
http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/winfixer.html
180solutions (spyware) drops suit against Zone Labs
Two months ago, 180solutions filed suit to try to force Zone Labs (makers of Zone Alarms Firewall) to change the classification and the wording of its warnings. Zone Labs sent prompts that told some customers that 180solution's software monitored their keystrokes and mouse movements. Zone Labs has since altered the classification of 180solutions' software from "high risk" to "suspicious." Zone Labs also changed its warning and says now that 180solutions' software "may be" monitoring keystrokes and mouse movements. For quite some time, anti-spyware/adware companies have accused some companies of unethical practices, such as burying download disclosures in lengthy legalese; installing software unknowingly through Web browser security holes; and making it difficult to uninstall the pop-up programs.
You can perform a variety of on-line security checks by going to the One on One Computer Consultants Home page at: (http://www.1on1cc.com) and clicking on the link to Symantec Security Check. You can perform a Virus Check, Security Check, and/or Trace a Potential Attack on your computer system. This can be a lengthy process even with a high speed Internet connection.
This is a free program with over 110 forms, schedules, and worksheets to help you fill out your federal income tax return (state is extra cost). An interview steps your through the process of filling in your return, calculates your return, checks for errors, and allows you to rpint or e-file the completed paper work. Go to: ( http://www.taxact.com/ )
Free Downloads for Windows XP Users
Microsoft has teamed up with some of the best names in the software business to offer you a variety of free programs. Some will even work with older versions of the Windows operating system. You can chose from categories such as Security, Graphics & Design, Home & Education, Assistive Technology, and more. Go to: ( http://www.windowsmarketplace.com/content.aspx?ctid=119 )
Caution: Downloaded software has the potential to install “spyware” software on your computer which can compromise your system security and decrease system performance. Always restart your computer and run an updated spyware removal program to check your system after installing any downloaded software. There are links on my download page ( http://www.1on1cc.com/downloads.htm ) for the most popular spyware removal software.
Available System Resources (Windows 95/98/ME)
If you are still running one of the “older” operating systems like Windows 95/98/ME, you might be running into problems due to a lack of “available system resources”. This is a combination of available RAM (Random Access Memory) and available hard disk drive space. When you first start your computer, you will have the maximum amount of “available system resources” reported as a percentage. As you open and close programs, you will deplete those resources by about 3% for each application. When that percentage drops below 60%, you can experience slow system performance and even “lock ups”, causing you to lose your work. Right-click on the “My Computer” icon, left-click on Properties, and left-click on the Performance Tab. Your percentage of available resources will be displayed.
More resources can be restored by eliminating some of the programs that load at startup. Many of the “spyware” programs will load during startup to attempt to connect to the Internet and gather information about your computer usage. You can check on the list of startup programs by going to Start, Run, and typing the command “msconfig” (without quotation marks). For some programs that will give your more information about what is really loading during startup, check out the December 2005 eNewsletter ( http://www.1on1cc.com/dec05.htm ).
Some programs that can be eliminated from startup are “AOL Instant Messenger”, “Music Match Jukebox”, “Real Player”, “WinZip”, “Quick Time”, and any screen resolution software. Some programs that should not be eliminated are “Explorer”, “Systray”, and your anti-virus software.
How to Safely Close Pop-up Windows
Unfortunately, it just seems to be matters of time before pop-up ads start to appear on your computer. They can be intrusive, annoying, and even embarrassing due to their content. Now, the people that generate these type of ads are deliberately deceiving people into downloading spyware by making all the buttons on the pop-up ad a download link. The safest way to close a pop-up ad is to use a keyboard shortcut. The latest open window on your computer can be safely closed by holding down the “ALT” key and pressing the “F4” key.
For more computer
Tips & Tricks go to the One on One Computer Consultants Tips Page at:
(
http://www.1on1cc.com/tips.htm
)