AOL and Yahoo to Charge for Mass Email
In an effort to prevent email scams and identify theft (Phishing) ploys, AOL and Yahoo plan to charge mass e-mailers a fee for guaranteed delivery of messages to subscribers. Some non-profit groups have voiced opposition to the plan, but many in the IT community consider this a step in the right direction. The premium e-mail service, which may cost as much as a penny per e-mail, won't cost consumers anything, AOL said.
Trojan Virus holds files for Ransom
A Trojan making the rounds encrypts victims' files and demands a $300 payment to have them decrypted and unlocked. The virus, code named “Cryzip”, will search for files, such as source code, spreadsheet, or database files, on infected systems. It then uses a commercial zip library to store the encrypted files. The Trojan will overwrite the victims' text and then delete it, leaving only encrypted material that contains the original file name and _CRYPT_.ZIP. As of now, IT professionals have not figured out how the trojan infects systems whether it comes as an email attachment or from a corrupted web site. Most of the major anti-virus software companies have already included protection in their latest virus definitions database. Be sure to update your anti-virus and anti-spyware definitions on a regular basis.
Apple not as secure as once
thought
Many frustrated
Windows computer users had decided to switch over to computers running the Apple
Mac OS X due to the perceived security issues of the Microsoft Operating
Systems. Well, it seems that computer “hackers” aren’t playing any favorites
when it comes to writing malicious code. Apple Computer released the second set
of Mac OS X security fixes in two weeks. Security Update 2006-002 corrects
problems caused by the company's previous patch and fixes newly discovered
security flaws, some of which could let an attacker run code on a computer with
the same privileges as the user.
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.
AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 7.1.375
AVG Free (Grisoft) is available free of charge to home users. AVG Free is easy to use and will not slow your system down as much as some of the other latest anti-virus programs (low system resource requirements). This makes it a good alternative for systems still running Windows 98/ME. AVG include automatic update functionality, the AVG Resident Shield, which provides real-time protection as files are opened and programs are run, free Virus Database Updates for the lifetime of the product, and AVG Virus Vault for safe handling of infected files.
To find out more, go to: ( http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1 )
Google Pack (Windows XP only)
Google, the large search engine company has made available a “pack” of useful, and somewhat useful, applications as a free download. The “pack” includes Google Earth (a 3D satellite view), Picasa (a Photo organizer), Google Pack Screensaver (a Photo screensaver), Google Desktop (a taskbar resident utility for searching your files), and Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer (a search toolbar with pop-up blocker, auto fill, and more). Additional Software Includes, Mozilla Firefox Web Browser with Google Toolbar, Lavasoft’s Ad-Aware SE Personal Anti-spyware utility, Norton Antivirus 2005 Special Edition (6 month trial subscription), and Adobe Acrobat PDF Reader 7. There are a few optional programs that you might be interested in installing on your system. Go to: ( http://pack.google.com/ )
Paint.NET
Paint.NET is image and photo manipulation software designed to be used on computers that run Windows 2000, XP, Vista, or Server 2003. It supports layers, unlimited undo, many special effects, and a wide variety of useful and powerful tools. It requires you to install Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0, but the functionally of the Paint.NET program is well worth it. Go to: ( http://www.eecs.wsu.edu/paint.net/ ).
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.
Battery Backup Unit (UPS) not an option anymore
Over 60% of computer hard drive failures are caused by AC power issues. Yet, most computer users do not have adequate protection for their PCs. Battery Backup Units (also known as Uninterruptible Power Supplies – UPS) are an essential part of a computer data protection plan. Battery Backup Units not only offer protection against AC power surges, but protect against “brownouts” (low AC voltage) and “blackouts” (No AC voltage). With the growth of the housing market causing more demand for AC power, we’ll probably experience more “brownouts” than ever before. When the AC voltage drops below 100 volts, it can cause damage to your computer’s power supply and hard disk drive. Unfortunately, there isn’t any easy way to monitor the AC voltage supplied to your computer. If you’ve noticed your lights flickering whenever the furnace or air-conditioning kicks on, then you are experiencing some type of “brownout” or spike in the AC voltage. You can pick up an APC Back-UPS ES 350 for about $40.00, which includes a USB cable and software to automatically shut down your PC if there is an extended loss of AC power. The unit is suitable for an average PC and monitor, but never plug in a laser printer since there is too much of a current draw when printing.
Protecting your PC from your Children
Unfortunately, hackers and tricksters are targeting your children in an attempt to install malicious software (spyware, viruses, etc.) on to your computer. Many children, and adults, don’t bother to read the license agreements included with most downloaded software. Many companies are “burying” their intentions in the license agreement in order to “fool” the unsuspecting users of their software. With Windows XP, you can help prevent some software from being installed on your system by making your children’s accounts “limited”. They may still be able to download the software, but when they attempt to install it, they’ll probably get a message that they “don’t have administrator privileges and the software will not be installed”. Of course, you have to setup your account as an administrator in the Control Panel’s User Accounts. Give your account a password to prevent your children from logging on to your account and then change all of the children’s accounts to “limited”. If there are some programs that you want to install for your children’s use, then you can temporarily change their account to “administrator”, load the software, and then change their account back to “limited”.
For more computer Tips & Tricks go to the One on One
Computer Consultants Tips Page at:
(
http://www.1on1cc.com/tips.htm )