Triona's Tech Tips: Computer Help For PC And Mac

Tech Tips HAS MOVED

2009-09-15T16:44:00.003-05:00

Triona's Tech Tips has MOVED to a new site. Please visit http://www.guidryconsulting.com/techtips for the latest computer news and tips. You can also subscribe to the Tech Tips email list. This site is no longer updated and remains only for archival purposes. All articles can be found on the new site.

See you at the new location!

More Scareware On Major News Sites

2009-09-14T14:31:00.005-05:00

More reports are coming in of scareware coming from major news sites including The New York Times and the Philadelphia Inquirer.

As I mentioned in my previous alert about scareware via Newsweek, it's important to note that these scams can happen anywhere, anytime, even on the most reliable of sites. Please be careful, and bear in mind my recommendations on how to protect yourself from scareware.

First Snow Leopard Update Plus Other Mac Security Updates

2009-09-11T05:46:00.004-05:00

Apple has released the first update for Snow Leopard, Mac OS X 10.6.1, due to erroneously including an old and vulnerable version of Flash in the original release. This update also includes a few additional fixes.

Even if you're not running Snow Leopard yet, you'll want to use Software Updates under the Apple menu to get your copy of the latest Security Updates for Mac OS X 10.4.11 and 10.5.8.

Social Networking: Marketing Your Business Online Seminar On September 24th

2009-09-10T10:13:00.009-05:00

Don't miss my upcoming seminar, Social Networking: Marketing Your Business Online, sponsored by the Cary Grove Chamber Of Commerce. It will be held Thursday, September 24th, 2009, from 11:30am-1pm (registration includes box lunch) at the Fox River Grove, Illinois, Village Hall, 305 Illinois St. Click here for downloadable flyer (PDF).

Have you been asked to get LinkedIn? Can you make business contacts through Facebook or MySpace? Should you Twitter your business? Join us for this computer series workshop on using social networking to market your business. To register, contact the Cary Grove Chamber at (847) 639-2800.

For a full list of my computer classes for PC and Mac, please see my events calendar. And be sure to sign up for FREE Tech Tips by email.

Hope to see you there!

Newsweek And Other Legit Sites May Contain Scareware

2009-09-08T15:14:00.008-05:00

This article caught my attention recently, concerning a scareware scam that is being distributed via Newsweek's web site. I mention this one in particular because it's an example of how bad links sometimes come from good sites.

Scareware is when you receive a popup that insists there's something wrong with your computer. It's a scam to try to get you to click on a link, thus infecting your computer with viruses and possibly also ripping off your credit card. Don't expect your antivirus software to catch this stuff, it often sneaks through. I strongly encourage you to protect yourself through a combination of good computer security, free web site ratings software like McAfee SiteAdvisor or LinkExtend for Firefox, and plain old common sense.

Here are some of my previous articles which may help you out in this situation:

I'll be reprising my class on How To Protect From Cybercrime this November with the Cary Park District if you're looking for further help. See my class schedule for details and registration information.

Mac OS X Snow Leopard Software Compatibility List

2009-08-31T11:31:00.006-05:00

For those of you exploring the newly released Mac OS X version 10.6 (Snow Leopard), Apple has posted a list of software that is incompatible with the new system. The list comprises mostly older versions of well-known software including Parallels Desktop 2.5 and earlier, McAfee VirusScan 8.6 and earlier, and Norton AntiVirus 11.0.

Other software is listed as "restricted from opening", meaning you can install it but it won't work. This list includes Parallels Desktop 3.0, Intego VirusBarrier 10.4.4 and earlier, SPSS 17, and Adobe Director MX 2004 version 10.2.

Apple recommends checking with your vendor for compatible upgrades. You may also want to browse through the list of compatible printer and scanner software.

What I'm Doing With Twitter And Tech Tips

2009-08-27T14:58:00.009-05:00

I thought I'd take a moment to explain to my regular readers how I'm using Twitter in relation to Tech Tips.

Most of you already know that I offer Tech Tips in two formats. There is the email version, where I publish my newsletter on the 15th of the month and also provide notification of new blog entries as they become available. My blog is where I add tidbits pertinent to the computer needs of small businesses and consumers.

Some of you may not know that I am a freelance writer as well as a computer consultant. To that end, my Twitter account contains a little of both. In addition to providing computer news and links to relevant articles, I will also be including updates about freelancing, writing, Web 2.0 and my primary genres, science fiction and fantasy.

If you're interested, come join me on Twitter. If you prefer your Tech Tips straight up, you may wish to stick with my blog and email list. Don't forget that email subscribers receive bonus product reviews and other information. As always it's completely FREE, and your email address will never be sold to third parties. You can also find my Twitter updates (tweets) in the upper right-hand corner of the Tech Tips blog.

And if you're curious about Twitter but not sure how to start, come to my Social Networking: Marketing Your Business Online class on September 24th. You're always welcome to follow me on Twitter to get your feet wet. I promise to give you a stress-free introduction to the world of social networking.

Microsoft Nixes Special European Version Of Windows 7

2009-08-21T15:46:00.005-05:00

I previously wrote about how Microsoft planned to release a special version of Windows 7 in Europe, sans Internet Explorer. Microsoft has since decided not to do so.

To comply with European regulations, Microsoft will offer a "browser ballot" which allows users to select their preferred web browser. I think it's a great idea to allow users to select their own web browsers instead of assuming that everyone will use Internet Explorer unless they happen to be familiar with the reasons why that might not be a good idea. I hope this approach will also be offered in the U.S. because it may encourage users to explore alternate Web browsers like Mozilla Firefox or Opera.

For more computer news, plus bonus product reviews and computer tips, subscribe (free!) to Tech Tips.

2009 Parental Control Software Review

2009-08-14T12:35:00.003-05:00

Parental control software allows you to keep tabs on what your children are doing online. Some kids view it as invasive, but I see it as no different than a usage policy at a corporation. As long as you are honest with your kids about the fact that they will be monitored, parental controls serve a useful purpose. They allow automatic blocking of known inappropriate sites as well as content and image filtering. They permit you to schedule when the Internet is available (to curb those late-night surfing sessions) and to log instant messages. Some now include monitoring of social networks like MySpace and FaceBook. Such programs typically have trial versions so you can try them before you buy.

NetNanny has a new Macintosh version available. Both the Windows and Mac versions provide content filtering, instant message logging, usage reports, remote management and social network monitoring.
SafeEyes has also been revamped since last year. It's available for Windows and Mac and also has a version for mobile devices like iPhones. Its features are similar to NetNanny's.
CyberPatrol hasn't changed much over the last year. It's only available for Windows and unlike NetNanny and SafeEyes, doesn't provide monitoring of social networking sites.
Intego ContentBarrier is a Mac-only program that, like CyberPatrol, is fairly basic and doesn't monitor social networking sites.

Last year I noted that my least favorite antivirus program Norton includes some parental control features. Many antivirus programs are now doing the same, but I don't consider that a substitute for bona fide parental controls.

Don't forget to subscribe to Tech Tips (free!) for the latest computer news, plus bonus tips and product reviews. In September we'll talk about Computer Housekeeping.

Internet Safety For Kids

2009-08-14T12:30:00.004-05:00

Each year I give you pointers on how to protect your kids from cyberbullies and other Internet dangers. We talked about "acceptable use" policies in 2007 and reviewed basic do's and don'ts in 2008. This year I'd like to introduce you to the Internet Safety Pledge, which I use in my Internet classes for kids.

You can find the Internet Safety Pledge on NetSmartz.org. What I like about the Safety Pledge is that it gives you age-appropriate bullet points you can use as a basis for discussion. No documentation can substitute for sitting down and talking with your kids about online safety, or anything else for that matter. I recommend you review the Safety Pledge with your children and reinforce that they should come to you with concerns or questions.

Of course, maintaining a secure computer is a must with kids in the house. You'll find my four steps to computer security and my security software recommendations here on my blog.

I'll be teaching more classes on Internet Safety For Kids this fall, so if you missed my summer sessions be sure to check my web site for registration details. I'm also happy to sit down with you and your kids during any regular tech support visit.

Don't forget to subscribe to Tech Tips (free!) for the latest computer news, plus bonus tips and product reviews. In September I'll show you how to use the Internet to find employment in Web 2.0 For Job Searches.

Microsoft To Replace Entourage With New Outlook For Mac

2009-08-13T11:22:00.005-05:00

Microsoft has announced that the next version of Office For Mac will include Outlook as a replacement for Entourage.

“It is an exciting time for the MacBU with updates to our current products and the first public announcement about the next version of Office for Mac. For several years we have focused on providing the best Microsoft Exchange client for the Mac, and the Web Services Edition delivers that today for Entourage users,” said Eric Wilfrid, general manager for the MacBU at Microsoft. “Outlook for Mac will bring features our customers have long requested — such as Information Rights Management — that make working across platforms even easier. I think people will see that this move to Outlook for Mac is more than just a name change.”

This could be really good, or really bad. Although Microsoft says this will not be a feature-to-feature match for Windows-based Outlook, anything that gives Mac users greater compatibility, especially with Exchange, is a positive step forward. That being said, we all know that Microsoft doesn't always deliver as promised. A new Outlook for Mac is vaporware at this point, since the release of Office for Mac is at least eighteen months out. And I hope the migration process from Entourage to the new Outlook isn't as problematic as the one we had to endure from Outlook Express for Mac to Entourage when the latter was first released.

I think this represents acknowledgment on Microsoft's part that the Mac is in the enterprise to stay, and I look forward to testing the new Outlook for Mac when it becomes available.

Internet Safety For Kids Class This Monday, August 17th, 2009

2009-08-10T16:38:00.008-05:00

With the school year about to start, now is a great time to educate your kids and yourself about Internet safety. I'm teaching two sessions this Monday, August 17th, one from 9:30am-10:30am and the other from 11am-1pm. For more information on this and my other computer classes please visit my web site or contact the Cary Park District at (847) 639-6100.

New Office 2008 For Mac Update Fixes Glitch

2009-08-07T08:26:00.004-05:00

To update Wednesday's post, Microsoft has released a new Office 2008 For Mac update which fixes a glitch that prevented users from opening some Office 2007 For Windows (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx) documents. The new update is version 12.2.1 and can be obtained here.

Mac OS X 10.5.8 And Office 2008 For Mac Service Pack 2

2009-08-05T17:03:00.001-05:00

Two major Macintosh updates of note. The first is that Apple has released the latest update for Leopard, Mac OS X 10.5.8, along with a slew of security updates for Leopard and other versions of the Mac OS. As always it's a good idea to back up your system before applying these updates. You will find them via Software Updates in your Apple Menu.

On a similar note, Microsoft has released an update for Office 2008 for Mac, and with this one I have to urge caution. Service Pack 2 (version 12.2.0) breaks compatibility with Word 2007 for Windows (.docx) files. You'll find the advisory and workarounds here. If you require the ability to open .docx files I recommend you hold off on this update until the problems are fixed.

Fall 2009 Computer Classes

2009-07-31T10:36:00.004-05:00

My computer class schedule for fall is now available. In September I will debut a new class for the Cary Grove Chamber Of Commerce on Social Networking: Marketing Your Business Online. I have also added two new classes via the Cary Park District:

Internet Safety For Kids
Protecting Yourself From Cybercrime
Computer Housekeeping
Web 2.0 For Job Search (new)
DIY Tech Support For PC/Mac (new)

Schedule and registration information is available on my web site. You can also download the PDF flyer.

AVG Antivirus Mistakenly Marks iTunes As Malware

2009-07-27T14:42:00.005-05:00

A recent update for the Windows-based AVG antivirus program surprised users when it mistakenly identified several components of iTunes as a malware trojan called Small.BOG. This is called a false positive, when security software quarantines legitimate software.

If you run into this problem, the fix is to update AVG, then update iTunes. This technical bulletin from AVG provides more details.

Don't forget to subscribe to Tech Tips (free!) for the latest computer news plus bonus tips, tricks and product reviews.

Emergency Microsoft Patches Issued Tomorrow

2009-07-27T08:28:00.008-05:00

Microsoft is releasing a pair of out-of-sequence security patches tomorrow, to fix vulnerabilities in Internet Explorer and Visual Studio. It's unusual for Microsoft to stray from their regular Patch Tuesday cycle (the second Tuesday of the month). While the Visual Studio patch will affect a small percentage of computers, the Internet Explorer patch applies to any computer running Windows.

To make sure you get these updates, either turn Automatic Updates on (bearing in mind the pros and cons of doing so) or visit update.microsoft.com to check for these latest patches.

Software patches (also called updates) are fixes for bugs that could allow malicious software to enter your computer. By staying current on these patches, you improve your computer's defense.

Don't forget to subscribe to Tech Tips (free!) for the latest computer news plus bonus tips, tricks and product reviews.

Cloud Computing For Consumers Makes Me Cringe

2009-07-22T09:00:00.014-05:00

The latest buzz in the IT world is all about "cloud computing" and "software as a service" (SaaS). These two related terms refer to doing all your computing via the Internet rather than software locally installed on your computer. But the idea of consumers relying solely on cloud computing makes me cringe. Why?

It's not secure
Microsoft's upcoming incarnation of Office is an example. Office Web will offer versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint than run directly from the Web. But consumers don't know or care where their applications come from as long as they work. So let's say Jane Consumer wants to open financial data stored in an Excel file. She may not know she's trusting her entire fortune to the cloud (e.g. the Internet). What about a consumer who is working from a home computer, opening confidential documents that ought to be kept within the confines of the corporate network? When you use the Internet, you never know who might be intercepting your information. I wouldn't want my data trusted exclusively to the cloud. I wouldn't even be satisfied with regular local backups. I want my data where I can see it, smell it, touch it, and above all control it.
Your environment can be changed at the whim of developers
Many web mail users complain to me that they don't like it when their provider changes the look and feel of their email service without notice. Imagine if your word processor and spreadsheet did the same thing. There is something to be said for locally installed software that you can manage as you prefer. Apparently consumers feel the same way, given how many people are still using Windows XP so they don't have to deal with Vista's changed interface. You could also consider the huge number of complaints Microsoft received when they removed the tried-and-true Office menus in favor of Office 2007's (gack) ribbon toolbar.
What if your Internet connection goes down?
Purveyors of SaaS promise ways to work offline. But how well will it work in reality? Do you really want to count on having a reliable Internet connection just to open a document? What about people in areas who have no access to steady high-speed Internet?
What if your SaaS provider pulls the plug?
You could wake up one morning, turn on your computer and discover that the software you need to do your work is vanished, gone, kaput. You might even be at the mercy of vendors who change your license agreement, then demand a ransom to keep your software alive. We've already seen that happen with the way some antivirus software vendors gouge you for automatic payments. What if they offer a full-fledged product, then strip the features and start charging extra for them? Or what if your vendor goes under? With locally installed software, at least you still have the software. With SaaS, you might lose the software and your data, too. Worse, what if they decide they now own all your data and can do with it whatever they like?
Advertising and fakes
How would you like it if you were working on a document and an advertisement interrupted you? Or what if you received a phony popup pretending that your document is corrupt and you suddenly need to buy some nifty (fake) software that will solve the purported problem? This already happens with fake antivirus software. I don't need it in my word processor.
The potential for censorship
Look at China's attempts to firewall their entire country and crack down on social networking sites. Relying exclusively on cloud computing could, in theory, give a government the ability to silence what it doesn't like. This is the same reason I believe in net neutrality: freedom of expression.

Of course, there may be some advantages to consumer cloud computing.

Ease of use
Imagine not waiting for your computer to start up or load an application. This would appeal to many consumers. With cloud computing you could access your software as easily as opening a browser window.
Your environment can be changed at the whim of developers
Yes, I said that above, but it can be a good thing too. You could get new features without having to install new software. It might even be cheaper since you wouldn't have to pay for the CD or DVD. Perhaps you could buy features for short-term use, as you need them. I'll bet people who make casual use of super-expensive software like Adobe Photoshop would enjoy that ability.
Less expensive hardware
Google's Chrome OS will run at first on netbooks, inexpensive PCs that require only minimal hardware to operate. With cloud computing the vendor takes on the burden of processing power; all you need is a Web browser. Again, this might be highly appealing to consumers and could help bring computing power to those who currently cannot afford it.
Convenience
Many consumers enjoy being able to work on their documents anywhere, anytime, without the need to log into a home machine or fiddle with a USB drive. That's why Google Docs is popular. People are often willing to trade privacy for convenience.

In my opinion, cloud computing is too new and untested to be forced down consumers' throats just because it's the latest IT craze. But, as an option rather than a requirement, it may provide some advantages. For more, check out this op-ed from the WSJ. Be sure to read the comments, they're interesting!

Celebrating The Apollo Missions

2009-07-20T10:36:00.004-05:00

Being an astronomy aficionado, I can't let today go by without celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing.

The Apollo Guidance Computer had 64 kilobytes of memory and worked at a snail's pace of 0.043 megahertz. To put that in perspective, the computer I'm writing this on has 2 gigabytes of memory (=2,097,152 kilobytes) and a processor speed of 2 gigahertz (=2,000 megahertz).

Even in these economic times, it's important to support our space program. I encourage you to learn more by visiting these web sites. And, while I'm at it, I'd like to ask all of you to promote dark skies in your neighborhood by pointing exterior lights toward the ground, using motion sensors, and encouraging legislation that discourages light pollution. Our children deserve to be able to see, and visit, the stars.

Yahoo Shuts Down GeoCities Sites

2009-07-17T08:53:00.002-05:00

If you have a site that is on GeoCities, now is the time to find another Web host. On October 26, 2009, Yahoo will shut down all GeoCities sites. Once one of the most popular destinations on the Web, GeoCities has faded in recent years and now contains many defunct pages. However, some GeoCities sites still contain valid information and/or are referenced elsewhere, so it's a good idea to have the site owner move valid data elsewhere and update your links accordingly.

Troubleshooting Wireless Networks

2009-07-15T15:17:00.003-05:00

We've all experienced wireless networking hell. Connections that come and go, passwords that don't work... what's a poor computer user to do? Here's how to troubleshoot your wireless connection.

If you're having trouble with signal strength, check for interference. Something as simple as a monitor, speaker, microwave oven or cordless phone (the 2.4Ghz ones, especially) can wreak havoc. Try moving your wireless access point around until you get a better signal, and make sure the antenna is perpendicular to gravity. Even the heating in your house can interfere if you have copper coils that provide heat through the floor. It's also important to note that older wireless access points are more susceptible to interference. Our old friend the little blue Linksys box (model WRT54G) is particularly known for this. You may want to consider upgrading to a newer access point with better resistance and a boosted antenna.

I always recommend that you set a passphrase to access your wireless network. There are several options for this, but the best is WPA (or WPA2 if your equipment supports it). But what if your passphrase doesn't work? Try disconnecting and reconnecting your access point or, if that doesn't work, resetting power. If all else fails or you've forgotten your passphrase, you'll need to reset your wireless access point to factory defaults. This will mean reconfiguring according to your manufacturer's instructions. I recommend that you change the default password afterward, because the first thing someone trying to sneak onto your wireless network will do is try the well-known default administrator password. Then you can set your passphrase and reconnect from your computer.

Don't forget to subscribe to Tech Tips (free!) for the latest computer news. In August I'll present my 2009 Parental Control Software Review.

Windows 7 And Mac OS X Snow Leopard

2009-07-15T15:12:00.006-05:00

This fall we have major upgrades for Windows and Mac. Windows 7, the successor to Vista, is slated to be shipped on October 22, 2009. Mac OS X 10.6, code-named Snow Leopard, is set to ship in September. What will these new operating systems mean for you, and when should you think about upgrading?

Windows 7 will look like Windows Vista, but there are some improvements meant to simplify the user experience such as changes to the Taskbar. Performance should be improved, especially if you have a 64-bit processor. Security is bolstered based upon Vista's User Access Control feature, which disallows administrative privileges without typing a password. I'm also looking forward to BitLocker, Microsoft's encryption option. It's interesting to note that, for reasons related to antitrust investigations, Windows 7 will ship without Internet Explorer in Europe. I'm curious why U.S. users don't rate the same advantage, but I digress. If you want Windows 7 you will likely have to ramp up your hardware. Microsoft claims it will work with a 1GHz processor and 1GB of memory, but since Vista hardly works without at least 2GB we can assume Microsoft's system requirements, as usual, are not the same as the real (read: functional) ones. And just to keep things confusing, Microsoft is offering six different versions of Windows 7.

Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard) also offers improved performance for 64-bit Macs. It's supposed to function faster than Leopard while taking up less hard drive space. One thing I already like about Snow Leopard is the price. Existing Leopard (Mac OS X 10.5) users can upgrade for just $29. This is a far cry from the past, when we had to pay full price for the new version. It's about time, Apple! The Mac community is eagerly awaiting improved integration with Microsoft networking. Mail, Address Book, and iCal will provide built-in support for Microsoft Exchange 2007. We'll have to see if this makes life easier in mixed PC-Mac environments, or if it will offer a serious Outlook equivalent for those of us still struggling with Entourage.

As with any new operating system, I don't recommend you jump on the bandwagon immediately unless you have a pressing need for the new features. For example, some Mac users may want to start testing Snow Leopard's integration with Microsoft networks right away. Otherwise, wait a while and see how things go before making your decision.

Don't forget to subscribe to Tech Tips (free!) for the latest computer news. Next month we'll prepare for the start of the school year with Internet Safety For Kids.

Most Dangerous Web Search Terms

2009-07-14T09:18:00.009-05:00

A recent McAfee study (pdf) reveals that searching for certain keywords carries a greater risk of being infected with malware.

McAfee found maximum risks associated with the word, not surprisingly, "free". Studying the U.S. in particular, words associated with celebrities or song lyrics demonstrate how malware gloms onto recent headlines and trends. "Screensavers", "free music downloads" and "free ringtones" remain popular ways to lure you into clicking malicious links. And the keywords "search engine marketing" or "search engine optimization" have become increasingly linked to sites that deliver malware or scareware antivirus scams. In short, just because a link comes up when you search for a particular keyword doesn't mean that link is where you want to go.

I recommend free programs like McAfee SiteAdvisor or the even better LinkExtend for Firefox as plug-ins for your Web browser. These programs rank search results to give you a better idea of whether or not the links are malicious. But your safest bet is to type Web addresses manually, for example going directly to www.snopes.com instead of searching for it by keyword.

For bonus tips, tricks, and other computer help, subscribe to the free email version of Tech Tips.

Protect Yourself From Zombie Computers

2009-07-09T11:01:00.011-05:00

There's a lot of talk in the news about the recent cyber attacks on U.S. and South Korean servers. Computers in both countries were disrupted through what are called "denial of service" attacks, when hackers use infected computers called zombies to slow or crash target servers. Zombie computers are often owned by small businesses or consumers who are completely unaware they are infected. I've mentioned zombie computers before (here and here) but it's important to reiterate how you can protect yourself and others.

Your best protection is prevention. Be sure to run a reliable antivirus program like those below (beware of the fakes!) as well as anti-spyware software. Security suites offer a way to combine those protections with a firewall to block unwanted network probes. Regular software updates are also key to keeping your computer protected. You can learn more about these techniques in my article on cybercrime. I am teaching a class on How To Protect Yourself From Cybercrime on Monday July 20th from 9:30am-11:30am in Cary, Illinois (click here for more details and registration information).

Antivirus software for PCs:

Trend Micro
AVG (free)
Avast (free)
McAfee
(But not Norton; here's why.)

Antispyware software for PCs:

Malwarebytes (free)
AdAware (free)
Spybot (free)

Antivirus and anti-spyware software for Macs:

For bonus tips, tricks, and other computer help, subscribe to the free email version of Tech Tips.

Summer Computer Classes

2009-07-06T17:14:00.001-05:00

Guidry Consulting, Inc. is offering summer computer classes through the Cary Park District. Don't miss How To Protect Yourself From Cybercrime on July 20, and two classes on Internet Safety For Kids and Internet Safety For Tweens and Teens on August 17. For more information, please visit the Guidry Consulting web site at http://www.guidryconsulting.com/news.html.

FTC Slaps Fake "Win Antivirus" Scammers On Wrist

2009-06-30T16:48:00.007-05:00

The FTC has agreed to settle with some of the scammers responsible for the repulsive "Win Antivirus" scam, in a decision that's effectively a slap on the wrist.

I doubt this will result in any kind of serious setback for the fake antivirus software industry. $116,000 is chump change for criminals who charge consumers $50 and up for these bogus products, which are known by various names including Win Antivirus, XP Antivirus, WinFixer, DriveCleaner, and ErrorSafe. Check out my previous entries here, here and here for more details on how insidious these programs can be.

There is more money still being made out there at your expense, so be sure the programs you're using are the real deal. I hope the FTC will continue to pursue and prosecute the miscreants responsible for such scams.

For bonus tips, tricks, and other computer help, subscribe to the free email version of Tech Tips.

Goodbye, Microsoft Money

2009-06-26T08:12:00.007-05:00

Microsoft Money has been discontinued. The software will no longer be sold after June 30, 2009. You can keep using the program, although yearly tax updates will cease after January 2011. After that you can still update the tax tables manually, but under Microsoft's lifecycle policy the software will no longer be supported. If you are using an older version of Money, it is not recommended that you upgrade at this time, and I certainly wouldn't buy extended service options.

If you want a specifically Microsoft financial product, there's Office Accounting Professional, which is to Money what Intuit's QuickBooks is to Quicken. If all you want is a basic register, this may not be the right product for you. Besides Intuit, you might also look into Peachtree as an alternative to Microsoft Money. Whatever you choose, make sure you can export your data into a common format like CSV or Excel, just in case your accounting software decides to go the way of the dinosaur.

For bonus tips, tricks, and other computer help, subscribe to the free email version of Tech Tips.

Is Microsoft Security Essentials Worthwhile?

2009-06-23T14:29:00.009-05:00

Microsoft has released a beta (test) version of its upcoming Security Essentials program, which is scheduled to be rolled out to consumers in September. Microsoft Security Essentials is, essentially, a stripped-down version of the ill-fated OneCare. The question is, will it do a better job of helping consumers protect their computers from viruses and spyware?

My guess is, not really. Sure it's free, but so are other programs with better reputations for removing the gunk from your computer. Even so, most free programs do not offer the complete protection of a full-fledged security suite. My fear is that the presence of Microsoft Security Essentials may lure some consumers into complacency, with the impression that their computers are adequately protected when they're not. I already see this with programs like Windows Defender and the monthly Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool, neither of which are suitable replacements for real security software.

Of additional concern, and the reason I'm mentioning this now even though the software's still beta, is that scammers will undoubtedly glom onto this just as they grab any popular headline in their attempts to con you into fake antivirus software. Just because something claims to be "that new software from Microsoft," don't believe it unless you're downloading from a bona fide site.

For bonus tips, tricks, and other computer help, subscribe to the free email version of Tech Tips.

Sears Settles Over Spyware On Consumer Computers

2009-06-22T11:30:00.004-05:00

We all have to be careful what we install on our computers, even if it's from a reputable company. Sears has agreed to settle FTC charges concerning spyware on consumer computers.

The concern is over a research project Sears conducted in 2007 and 2008 called "My SHC Community." Select visitors to the sears.com and kmart.com sites were offered $10 to install a program that supposedly monitored online browsing. But, as reported by the FTC:

The FTC charges that the software would also monitor consumers’ online secure sessions – including sessions on third parties’ Web sites – and collect information transmitted in those sessions, such as the contents of shopping carts, online bank statements, drug prescription records, video rental records, library borrowing histories, and the sender, recipient, subject, and size for web-based e-mails. The software would also track some computer activities that were not related to the Internet. The proposed settlement calls for Sears to stop collecting data from the consumers who downloaded the software and to destroy all data it had previously collected.

Personally I think burying the real intent of software like this at the bottom of some license agreement is a nasty trick, and the FTC seems to agree. The settlement is subject to public comment through July 6, 2009, so if you'd like to speak your piece you can download this PDF from the FTC.

Quark Offers Upgrade For Older Versions Of Quark XPress

2009-06-18T17:35:00.002-05:00

This is a nice gesture on the part of Quark, although I suspect it has more to do with the inroads on their marketshare made by Adobe InDesign than genuinely wanting to help customers (otherwise why does their tech support still stink?).

Through September 30, 2009 you can upgrade any version to Quark XPress 8 for $299. They can even help if you don' t have your original serial number. You can also continue to use the older version as long as it's on the same computer, which is convenient for those of you who still need to work with the older formats.

It will likely be cheaper to do this upgrade and then use your Quark 8 license to upgrade to the next version down the road, rather than buying the next version outright whenever it becomes available. And believe me, I still see a whole lot of older Quark versions, especially our friend version 4.

Search Engine Optimization

2009-06-15T11:07:00.004-05:00

Search engine optimization is the fine art of getting your web site or blog ranked highly on Internet search engines and directories. Keywords are your key to improving your online marketing.

What is the purpose of your web site or blog? Is it to advertise your business? Attract customers? Provide an online presence for your company? Make a list of what you are trying to accomplish, then another of the words people might use to find you. It's important to think like your customers and avoid jargon. When I write about computers I do my best to keep the technobabble to a minimum. People won't be searching for "restarting a Windows XP workstation," they'll look for "computer help".

Keywords can be inserted into the code of your web site, where search engines will notice them. You should also include a brief description of your site's purpose, or what I like to describe as your mission statement. Think of it as the electronic version of your 30-second elevator speech. This is what's displayed when people see your site on Google or Yahoo. By using keywords common to your business, your rankings will improve.

The real secret to reaching number one on search engines is, of course, money. Google, Yahoo and other search engines have paid programs you can use to boost your ratings. As with any marketing, you have to watch your dollars wisely. You might want to experiment with paid rankings but be sure to compare effectiveness to cost.

Next month I'll teach you about Troubleshooting Wireless Networks. Don't forget to subscribe to Tech Tips for bonus tips and tricks plus the latest computer news.

Blogs For Business

2009-06-15T11:02:00.005-05:00

How can blogs help you market your business? Every day I meet people who are finding innovative ways to get the most out of blogs, or regularly updated web sites that integrate articles and reader commentary.

Blogs can help you reach new customers while staying in touch with old ones. They say you have to contact someone seven times before he or she remembers you. Blogs make it easy to keep people informed about news and trends in your industry. My Tech Tips blog is an example of a small business blog. It helps me maintain a rapport with existing and potential customers by providing value-added information. You can also improve your customer service and cut down on staff time by using your blog to answer your company's Frequently Asked Questions.

Your business blog is part of your online brand. When you think of Coca-Cola or Nike, those names instantly bring to mind familiar products. You want your customers to associate your name with good feelings about the products and services you sell. Remember, to get you have to give. By providing free and pertinent information, you'll establish yourself as a leader in your field.

Marketing your blog isn't as hard as you think. Send an announcement to your customers, put links in your email signature, and be sure to mention it when networking. This month's Tech Tip will tell you how to optimize your web site or blog to be more findable on Internet search engines.

In July you'll get a special preview of the new operating systems, Windows 7 And Mac OS X Snow Leopard. Don't forget to subscribe to Tech Tips for bonus tips and tricks plus the latest computer news.

Symantec, McAfee Penalized For Antivirus Auto-Renewals

2009-06-11T09:42:00.002-05:00

If you've ever wondered if you're being forced into antivirus auto-renewals, you're not alone. New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo's office has reached a settlement with Symantec and McAfee over their automatic software renewal practices.

I think this is great news for consumers and businesses. There has been too much confusion over auto-renewals. Some people are not aware that purchasing antivirus software via credit card typically signs you up for auto-renewal. Others have struggled to cancel their auto-renewals thanks to aggressive policies on the part of vendors like Symantec and McAfee. When purchasing antivirus products online, I frequently find myself disabling the auto-renew option only to find it re-enabled before I reach the checkout. While I applaud Symantec and McAfee's attempts to make sure people are up-to-date on their antivirus, forced auto-renewal is not the solution.

This is also a good time to remind folks that it's better to upgrade your antivirus software each year instead of simply paying for another year's subscription. While I'm still recommending other antivirus programs over Norton, those of you who do use Symantec and McAfee products can hope that your next auto-renew process will be more user-friendly.

From the press release:

Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo today announced a settlement with computer security software vendors Symantec (NYSE: SYMC) and McAfee (NYSE: MFE) after the companies renewed customers’ software subscriptions without the customers’ knowledge or authorization. Under the Attorney General’s settlement, both companies will make detailed disclosures to consumers about subscription terms and renewal, and each will pay $375,000 in penalties and costs.

“Companies cannot play hide the ball when it comes to the fees consumers are being charged. Consumers have a right to know what they are paying, especially when they are unwittingly agreeing to renewal fees that will not appear on their credit card bill for months. Symantec and McAfee - two of the nation’s largest vendors of computer security software - will now have to be clear and up-front with their customers when it comes to renewal fees. In other words, no more hide the ball with renewal fees.”

Adobe Joins Patch Tuesday

2009-06-05T11:57:00.002-05:00

Adobe has announced it will begin releasing updates to its Acrobat and other software the second Tuesday of the month on a three-month cycle, matching Microsoft's longstanding Patch Tuesday schedule of monthly updates. This makes it more convenient for you to know when your software needs to be updated. It also helps IT workers coordinate upgrades to minimize downtime for end users.

Note that next week's Patch Tuesday will bring us a round of patches from both Microsoft and Adobe, so keep up with your Automatic Updates and stay tuned to Tech Tips for the latest news.

Dell Dumps Offensive "Della" Ads

2009-05-26T08:33:00.005-05:00

I'm glad to report that Dell has rebranded the "Della" web site, less than two weeks after igniting an online furor among women in technology fields. Now called "Lifestyles," the most offensive wording has been removed so women are no longer encouraged to purchase Dell to check their recipes and keep up with the latest fashion news.

Kudos to Dell for listening to the complaints, but fie on them for coming up with the idea in the first place. If the intent was to cater to the non-technical market, they blew it by assuming that all women are non-technical people and all non-technical people are women. Dell would do better by designing an ad campaign for non-technical people regardless of gender. Or... how about an ad campaign encouraging young women to pursue careers in technology? That would be a vast improvement over suggesting that the color of a woman's laptop has to match her outfit. Personally, I'm more interested in how many gigahertz the computer has and whether or not it will suit my customer's needs.

HP Notebook Computer Battery Recall

2009-05-19T15:36:00.006-05:00

Hewlett-Packard has issued a recall for some 70,000 HP and Compaq notebook computer batteries due to risk of fire. You can read the CPSC recall information here. The batteries were sold both in computers and separately between August 2007 and March 2008. Affected models include the following:

HP Pavilion

Compaq Presario

HP Compaq

dv2000
dv2500
dv2700
dv6000
dv6500

dv6700
dv9000
dv9500
dv9700

A900
C700
F700
V3000
V3500

V3700
V6000
V6500
V6700

G6000
G7000

6720s

Consumers may contact HP here regarding replacement batteries.

How To Spot Bad Web Links

2009-05-15T05:27:00.009-05:00

Computer security specialists, myself included, recommend that you avoid clicking on bad web links. But how can you tell a bad link from a good one? Even if you're going after legitimate software it may be difficult to tell the difference. To demonstrate, I've pulled screenshots from the downloads for two of my most-recommended security tools, the free AVG anti-virus program and the free Spybot anti-spyware program.

The first hurdle comes when you search for these products. As you can see from this screenshot of a search for Spybot, it's hard to tell which link to click.

The key is to look for the words "sponsored links" or "sponsored ads". These are links, often phony, which come up when certain keywords are typed. There are plenty of bad or questionable links associated with the keyword "Spybot." This is the same vicious technique hackers use to get you to click on bad links when you're searching for hot topics like "swine flu" or "virus removal." It's black-hat search optimization, and the big search engines like Google and Yahoo aren't going to protect you. They don't care if the keywords link to malicious sites as long as they're getting paid for the ads.

Let's assume you've navigated yourself to the correct page to download Spybot. Even here, there's a catch. Most software is downloaded from aggregate "mirror" sites, in this case CNet. These sites have keyword-based advertisements too, not all of them good. In this screenshot I've highlighted the ads in red, the correct Spybot download links in green. It's like an obstacle course!

The AVG examples demonstrate the same thing. Assuming you've gotten yourself to the correct download page, you've got more bad links to avoid. Sometimes the positioning is such that the bad link looks like the good one. In this case, the words in blue, "Ad Feedback," show you which parts of the page are ads. If you mentally divide the page up into regions you can see where the ads are versus where the content is.

For more tech tips, tricks and techniques, subscribe to Tech Tips.

Profiting From Cybercrime

2009-05-15T05:24:00.005-05:00

How much money is actually made from computer crime? Do companies lose money fighting against it? I've gathered some numbers to illustrate the burgeoning black market of cybercrime.

According to a recent report from security firm Finjan, fake antivirus software can bring in an average of $10,800 a day in profits. At $50 per user that's a lot of people being scammed, not to mention left vulnerable to viruses. Respondents to the Computer Security Institute's 2008 security assessment report that the removal of zombie or "bot" computers from their networks cost an average of $345,600 last year. The Business Software Alliance reports that piracy cost the software industry $50 billion in 2008.

Researchers investigating the Storm worm found that spam remains highly profitable. Storm advertises, among other things, pharmaceuticals, netting a potential $7,000 to $9,500 during the height of its spam campaign. This extrapolates to $3.5 million a year in revenue, with 3,500 to 8,500 newly infected computers every day.

Don't be part of these statistics. Keep your protections up to date, and subscribe to Tech Tips for the latest computer news.

Seminar: Web 2.0 For Job Transitioning

2009-05-14T17:26:00.005-05:00

Join me this Sunday, May 17th, 2009 at 10:15am for Web 2.0 For Job Transitioning, a special seminar sponsored by the Career Renewal Ministry program in Deerfield, Illinois.

Career Renewal [is] a support ministry for those seeking employment. Career Renewal is co-sponsored by Holy Cross Catholic Church and St. Gregory's Episcopal Church, both of Deerfield, Illinois. We assist individuals who have become unemployed or are re-entering the job market as well as those seeking employment for the first time. Assistance is provided without regard to gender, race, creed, or national origin and is in no way restricted to members of sponsoring parishes.

For more information and directions, please visit the Career Renewal Ministry web site. Hope to see you there!

Windows XP Attacks Abound: Time To Upgrade To Vista

2009-05-14T06:59:00.005-05:00

I'm seeing a rash of seriously infected Windows XP computers. The technical term for these computers would be toasty. Fake antivirus, insidious spyware, you name it, these computers have it, and the vast majority of them are quite well protected from a Windows XP standpoint.

It's sad to say, but our decisions to upgrade have become less about whether we need it for productivity and more about whether our computers can remain functional against the continual onslaught of cyber-attacks. Remember, Windows XP is 8 years old. These attacks are sneaking through despite our best defenses. Windows Vista is no panacea, but its improvements in security offer better protection.

If your computer doesn't meet the system recommendations for Vista--the real recs, not Microsoft's bare-minimum--an upgrade to Vista equals either an upgrade in hardware or possibly a new computer. Bearing in mind that Windows 7 is slated to come out around the 2009 holiday season, this means your Windows XP days are numbered. The good news is that your software should, for the most part, be compatible. The bad news, if you don't care for the Vista interface, is that you'll finally have to bite that bullet. If you're not sure what to do, I'm always happy to evaluate your computers at my next service visit.

Mac OS X 10.5.7 Problems, Plus PowerPoint Pettiness

2009-05-14T06:43:00.005-05:00

If you're using Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard), avoid the latest update, 10.5.7. It's buggier than a mosquito zapper in August.

Also watch out for malicious PowerPoint presentations on Macs, or on PCs using Microsoft Works. Microsoft's Patch Tuesday this month released bug fixes for PowerPoint, but only if you use Office for Windows. No indication as to if or when Microsoft might fix the problem for Works for Windows or Microsoft Office for Mac.

"Della" An Insult To Women In Technology

2009-05-13T05:33:00.006-05:00

I don't often rant on this blog, but this one's got me in a lather. Dell has created a new web site especially for women, because we've obviously never heard of computers before. "Della," as it's called, shows us ladies how we can use color-coordinated computers to check the weather, generate our grocery lists, and stay up on the latest fashion news. This advertising is more 1950s than 21st century.

I have news for you, Dell. I am a woman in technology and have been for twenty years. Not only do I not use my computer to organize my recipes, I actually *gasp* know how to configure thingamajigs like firewalls and servers, and I don't even have to ask my husband or some other man how to do it. In fact, since I'm a computer consultant... the men ask me!

Advertisements like this perpetuate the stereotype that computers are too hard, too technical, or too masculine for the fairer sex. I am reminded of the Simpsons' equivalent of Barbie saying "Math is hard!" Women are as capable of working in the technology fields as men. Some say more so, because women tend to have better people skills which equates to better and more compassionate customer service. "Della" is not the example we want for today's young women considering careers in technology.

I might also note that there are plenty of women in business who make purchasing decisions for their companies. I doubt this will encourage them to buy Dell. As for myself, I can't say I'll be recommending Dell computers to my clients anytime soon.

Blogs For Business Lunch Seminar

2009-05-11T13:14:00.004-05:00

The next session of my Blogs For Business class is Thursday, May 21st, 2009 from 12:00pm-1:00pm at the Fox River Grove (Illinois) Village Hall, 305 Illinois St. The class is sponsored by the Cary Grove Chamber Of Commerce and will include a box lunch.

Would you like to know more about how blogs can help your business succeed? Join me and we'll learn:

What are blogs?
How blogs can benefit your business
How to market using blogs

For more information and my upcoming computer class schedule, please visit www.guidryconsulting.com/news.

Securing Gmail

2009-05-06T09:47:00.004-05:00

Gmail, Google's email service, has some vulnerabilities that could allow unauthorized access to your email. To beef up security, make sure you are using a secure HTTPS connection to Gmail by checking your browser's address bar. The address should begin with "https://" if you are using a secure connection. While HTTPS is not without its own vulnerabilities, it's better than naked surfing.

You can configure Gmail to always use HTTP by clicking Settings from the main Gmail window. In the General tab under Browser Connection (at the bottom), select "Always use https."

Other email services like Yahoo and Hotmail don't allow this option. Your most secure option is to download your email using a program like Mozilla Thunderbird instead of viewing it on the Web. (In my opinion Outlook and Outlook Express won't do anything to enhance your security because they have their own problems.)

Internet Safety For Kids, Teens And Tweens

2009-04-29T12:06:00.005-05:00

Internet Safety For Kids and Internet Safety For Teens and Tweens are the next classes in my computer series for the Cary Park District. As both a computer professional and a parent myself, I've designed these seminars to help families understand the risks and rewards of using the Internet. Parents are welcome to attend in order to share and learn alongside their children*.

Internet Safety For Kids
We will learn how kids can use the Internet safely by covering age-appropriate skills and talking about online stranger danger.

Internet Safety For Teens and Tweens
Teens and tweens will become Internet experts with this online safety class. We will review basic skills, talk about ways to use technology with less risk, and take a quiz to test your knowledge. Parents are welcome to attend.

* class fee is per participant; please see the Guidry Consulting web site or the Cary Park District for details.

The Admin Account

2009-04-15T10:49:00.004-05:00

One of the great mysteries of computers is the admin account. In the past computers were standalone; that is, used by only one person. Today's computers assume multiple people will be using them, even PCs with a single owner. This means having an overriding account to manage the others. Referred to as administrator, owner or root, it has complete control over your computer.

In reality your computer has two account types, administrator and standard (or limited). Limited users don't have full control; they can't alter system settings or make other changes. Unfortunately, in a holdover from the standalone days, that often means they can't do real-world tasks like burning CDs or updating antivirus either. For this reason most folks simply use their computers under the admin account. Indeed, computer stores configure consumers to use the admin account by default. When folks do use multiple accounts (say for themselves and their kids), those accounts often have full administrative rights.

Why is this important? Because every virus and Trojan horse wants admin access. It's why they will do anything to get you to click on bad links, including trick you into thinking your computer won't work properly if you don't. (We're going to talk more about how to spot fake links in May's Tech Tip Of The Month.) And some viruses don't require you to do anything at all. If you browse the wrong Web page and are using an admin account, your computer is, in the vernacular, pwned.

Your best bet is to use limited accounts when you can, administrative ones if you must, and security software to keep tabs on what your computer is doing at all times. To create limited accounts, go to Start, Control Panel, Users and Groups (Windows), or Apple menu, System Preferences, Accounts on a Mac. In my experience Windows Vista limited accounts work better than those in Windows XP, and Mac limited accounts work better than PC ones.

In May we're going to talk about the dollar figures behind Profiting From Cybercrime. If you have any computer questions click Comments below this article, and don't forget to subscribe to the email version of Tech Tips for bonus tips and product reviews.

What Is Java?

2009-04-15T10:43:00.006-05:00

What on earth is that Java thing that keeps wanting us to update?

Java is a programming language for the Web. Like ActiveX, its powers can be used for good or evil. Mostly good, if you like interactive Web sites with lots of menus and options. Evil, when Java is exploited by viruses seeking to take advantage of its versatility.

You can check your version of Java in Windows by going to Start, Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs. On Macs, Java is built into your operating system, so you will receive updates through Software Updates under the Apple menu. In general you want to use the latest non-beta version. While you may not run Java directly, the web sites you use may want it, and outdated versions are a pathway for viruses and spyware.

If you want to be geeky like me you can tune into the US-CERT news bulletin service, which provides information on new patch versions for Java and other software from major vendors including Microsoft and Apple. I keep an RSS feed to US-CERT at the bottom of the Tech Tips blog. Or, if you want your computer news less geeky, subscribe to Triona's Tech Tips to receive email bulletins about security warnings that pertain to small businesses and consumers.

Next month I'll explain the fine art of How To Spot Bad Web Links. If you have any computer questions click Comments below this article, and don't forget to subscribe to the email version of Tech Tips for bonus tips and product reviews.

Upcoming Class: Computer Housekeeping

2009-04-13T14:47:00.004-05:00

The second of my spring computer classes, Computer Housekeeping, begins April 27, 2009 sponsored by the Cary Park District.

Learn how to avoid computer problems by keeping your PC or Mac in shape. We will discuss housekeeping steps, troubleshooting tips, and ways to protect your computer online. Computers are not required for this class, but you may bring a laptop for hands-on instruction.

Don't forget about How To Protect From Cybercrime, also in April, and Internet Safety For Kids and Internet Safety For Teens and Tweens, coming in May. For class times and information, please see my upcoming class schedule. If you'd like to receive updates on these and future classes, subscribe here.

Upcoming Class: How To Protect Yourself From Cybercrime

2009-04-13T14:44:00.007-05:00

Don't miss my upcoming computer class, How To Protect Yourself From Cybercrime, sponsored by the Cary Park District. Sessions start April 27, 2009.

Learn how to keep your PC or Mac secure from the latest Internet threats. We will review the four steps to protecting your computer, discuss the do's and don'ts of the online world, and take a quiz to test your skills. Computers are not required for this class, but you may bring a laptop for hands-on instruction.

Don't forget about Computer Housekeeping, also in April, and Internet Safety For Kids and Internet Safety For Teens and Tweens, coming in May. For class times and information, please see my upcoming class schedule. If you'd like to receive updates on these and future classes, subscribe here.

Does Conficker Infect Macs?

2009-03-31T14:42:00.006-05:00

Another question about Conficker I've been asked a lot lately. Short answer: no.

More specifically, not unless you are running Windows on your Mac (through Apple Boot Camp or a virtual environment like Parallels). However, I do recommend antivirus software for Macs. Click here to see my suggestions for both Mac and PC antivirus solutions, and don't forget to subscribe to Tech Tips for computer help for both Macs and PCs.

Conficker Virus April 1 Deadline

2009-03-30T16:08:00.008-05:00

Lots of people have asked me about the Conficker virus and its April 1, 2009 deadline. The short version is, make sure you have your latest antivirus updates and Microsoft patches.

Conficker aka Downadup has been around for months (you can find my other entries about it here, here and here). Like other viruses it works by installing a core piece of itself, then downloading so-called "payloads" that enable other abilities. Hackers test variants of the virus by unleashing them on an unwitting world, in this case Conficker A, Conficker B, and Conficker C, the latest and most aggressive. On April 1st, researchers predict Conficker C will download its payload, this one possibly with far-reaching consequences. But it's hard to tell if this is media hype or real danger.

Your best protection is prevention. Even if you think you're okay, a scan with a Conficker detection tool wouldn't be amiss. And be sure to subscribe to the email version of Tech Tips for the latest computer news.

ADDENDUM: Scammers are poisoning search results, so if you try to do a web search for instructions to remove Conficker you may wind up at malicious web sites. Be sure to obtain removal tools only from legitimate sites like Microsoft's. When in doubt, type the address manually into your address bar instead of clicking on a link.

Spring 2009 Computer Classes

2009-03-27T10:53:00.004-05:00

This spring I'm offering several new computer classes as well as a reprise of my Blogs For Business seminar. For full information on class times and registration, please visit the Guidry Consulting web site.

To receive updates on these and future classes, click here.

Blogs For Business
Sponsored by the Cary Grove Chamber Of Commerce
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Protecting Yourself From Cybercrime
Sponsored by the Cary Park District
April-August 2009
Computer Housekeeping
Sponsored by the Cary Park District
April-August 2009
Internet Safety For Kids (ages 5-10 years)
Sponsored by the Cary Park District
April-August 2009
Internet Safety For Teens And Tweens (ages 11 years-adult)
Sponsored by the Cary Park District
April-August 2009

Internet Explorer 8

2009-03-19T22:24:00.006-05:00

You may have heard that Internet Explorer 8 has been released. What does that mean to you? Expect Microsoft to push this new version of their web browser out to you via Automatic Updates sometime in April.

IE8 offers increased security as well as new features. However, some web sites are reported not to work with the new version. That could mean anything from failing to load a page to intermittent unusual behavior. Approach upgrades with caution, and try to use an alternate browser as your primary method of surfing the Web.

Subscribe to Tech Tips to learn more about this and other computer news.

Streamlined Surfing

2009-03-16T10:12:00.005-05:00

The Internet can be information overload. How can you keep up with news from hundreds of web sites and blogs? With bookmarks, tabbed browsing, and news aggregators.

Bookmarks, or favorites, are the most common and least understood method of following Web sites. Instead of keeping all your bookmarks in one long list, try organizing them into folders. In Internet Explorer, choose Favorites, Edit Favorites to edit your bookmarks. In Firefox, go to Bookmarks, Organize Bookmarks. I especially like Firefox's Bookmarks Toolbar, which lets you put your most important bookmarks right at the top of your browser window.

Tabbed browsing lets you open more than one web site in a single browser window. Use New Tab under the File menu or my favorite, right-click on a link and select Open Link In New Tab. Another nifty trick, if you close a tab that you want to re-open: right-click the tab bar and select Undo Close Tab.

News aggregators are programs that consolidate information from web sites and blogs. You can organize news feeds (anything with an RSS link) into folders and further sort by topic and thread. I like FeedDemon for Windows and NetNewsWire for Mac.

In April we're going to reveal the mysteries and dangers of The Admin Account. If you have any computer questions click Comments below this article, and don't forget to subscribe to the email version of Tech Tips for bonus tips and product reviews.

How To Organize Your Email

2009-03-16T10:05:00.005-05:00

Do you despair over your email? Many of us store everything in one great big Inbox, but that's not very efficient. You can use a combination of folders, rules, and spam filters to pare your email down to manageable size.

Folders let you sort email any way you like. You might want to create one folder for business and another for personal correspondence. Create subfolders for each person and voila! organized email.

Rules redirect messages to folders, keeping your Inbox clear for the most important emails. I subscribe to many mailing lists, but don't have time to read them every day. I use my email program's Rules option to direct these messages into subfolders. I can see when these subfolders have new unread messages, but I don't have to weed through them until I'm ready.

Spam filters, like puppies, behave best when trained. Check your email program or provider's Help for your settings. Once your spam filter knows what you consider spam, it'll do its best to redirect to a Junk or Spam folder. You'll still get the occasional spam sneaking through, but if you keep marking as spam your filter will continue to improve.

Next month I'll answer a frequently asked question: What Is Java? If you have any computer questions click Comments below this article, and don't forget to subscribe to the email version of Tech Tips for bonus tips and product reviews.

Shame On Linksys For Plain-Text Passwords

2009-03-11T09:49:00.014-05:00

I was minding my own business, installing a wireless router for a client, when Linksys gave me the screaming heebie-jeebies.

At first I was pleased with the latest Linksys/Cisco installer. It's become common knowledge that wireless routers aren't secure out of the box, but what isn't widely known is how to configure them correctly. So the wireless makers have been improving the install process to help folks secure their wireless networks. The installer for the Linksys WRT110 walks you through password-protecting first the router itself, then the wireless network. Nice, I thought, until I got to the last screen...

Heebie-jeebies! Bad enough to display those passwords right there on the screen, but saving them by default to a text file on the desktop?! Text files are like candy to viruses, easy to devour. How soon before some malcontent writes a virus that searches for those text files? Hackers already scan the wireless networks of hapless users, hoping to get in with a default password. Saving plain text files of passwords is like leaving the code to the burglar alarm on the front door. The Linksys installer gives people a false sense of security, helping to change the passwords then revealing them in plain sight.

Shame on Linksys for such an obvious security gaffe, and let's hope they eliminate it in their next installer version.

Update Adobe Flash Player

2009-03-02T04:43:00.010-06:00

Another day, another exploit for your computer. Today it's Adobe (formerly Macromedia) Flash Player, used by just about everyone to view video on Web pages. You may have it without realizing, as it is often automatically installed by various sites and programs.

Why is this update important? If you don't have the latest version, your computer could be attacked by viruses simply by viewing an infected Web page. "Trustworthy" sites are often infected, so your only protection is updated software, good antivirus, and a little computer security savvy.

Download the latest Flash Player today, and stay tuned to Tech Tips for the latest computer news.

Antivirus 2010: A New Low In Fake Antivirus

2009-02-24T16:30:00.012-06:00

From the malcontents who bring us fake antivirus softwar e comes "Antivirus 2010," a Windows scam so sneaky it puts its predecessors to shame. It looks horrifyingly realistic (see screenshots) and it goes all-out in pretending to be legit:

Mimics Windows' own Security Center with warnings to register the fake software
Mimics Internet Explorer errors to imply you need the fake software before you can visit web sites
Mimics Windows startup screens to imply you can't start your computer without registering the fake software
Creates phony errors in Windows to imply your computer is unusable without the fake software
Pretends to find and fix problems that aren't present on your computer
Offers a realistic-looking web site for download and registration

and the topper, in case you try to Google it to see if it's real:

Redirects your machine to fake web sites with fake reviews extolling the fake software!

Antivirus 2010 is showing up everywhere from sponsored Google links to MySpace comments, so be sure you're running legitimate antivirus programs and don't forget to subscribe to Tech Tips for the latest computer news.

Guidry Consulting Wins Customer Service Award

2009-02-24T04:34:00.003-06:00

For the fourth year the Better Business Bureau has awarded Guidry Consulting its Complaint-Free Award for excellence in customer service. Thank you all for your support and referrals!

Many people come to me frustrated not only with their computer problems, but with the kind of unsympathetic tech support that gives real IT specialists a bad name. I try to leave every customer more content with their computers than when we started. If you're tired of substandard tech support, contact me and let me show you what I can do to help.

Guidry Consulting, Inc. is a BBB Accredited Business and participant in its OnLine Reliability program.

Update Adobe Acrobat, Again

2009-02-20T16:18:00.002-06:00

Bugs in PDF files have always been a problem, which is why it's a good idea to use the latest version of Acrobat. Now is a good time for a reminder because a recently discovered flaw provides a new way for viruses to infect you via PDFs.

Click here to download the latest version of the Acrobat Reader software, but there's no fix for this particular flaw yet. To protect yourself in the meantime, disable JavaScript in Acrobat for Windows by selecting Edit, Preferences, JavaScript and unchecking the Enable Acrobat JavaScript box.

Break The Internet Explorer Habit

2009-02-16T12:34:00.002-06:00

For many people, the Internet is synonymous with the Web. Actually the Web is a service that runs on the Internet, like email or file sharing; it happens to be the most popular service at the moment because it's so versatile. If you use Windows, you probably access the Web through Internet Explorer, the big blue E on your desktop.

I recommend that you not use Internet Explorer. Why? Because IE, for all that it comes with Windows, may not be the safest way to access the Web.

Built into IE are special mechanisms (collectively called ActiveX) used by web developers to create code. This is good in some ways; it makes web sites simpler and less expensive to design. Unfortunately the same mechanisms can also be used by viruses to infect your computer. Newer versions of IE offer more protection, but IE's intrinsic weaknesses are part of the reason why viruses are particularly virulent in the Windows world.

There is a Catch-22 in that some web sites require you to use Internet Explorer (or function so poorly without it that it's pointless to try). Often these addresses end in ".asp" or ".aspx," meaning they were written in Microsoft's web language. If you must use Internet Explorer, lock it down to minimize the risk. Otherwise I strongly encourage you to explore alternate web browsers.

In March I'll teach you about Streamlined Surfing. If you have any computer questions click Comments below this article, and don't forget to subscribe to the email version of Tech Tips for bonus tips and product reviews.

Alternate Web Browsers

2009-02-16T12:21:00.011-06:00

If an alternate web browser is safer than Internet Explorer, which one should you use?

The most popular is Mozilla Firefox, available for both PC and Mac. I use it on both platforms. Another option for PC and Mac is Opera, which tends to do better with IE-insistent sites. Windows users might want to explore Google Chrome (a version for Mac is in development). And Mac users can rely on Apple's default browser, Safari. Be sure to set the alternate browser as the default when asked. For more information on alternate browsers, please visit the Alternate Browser Alliance.

You can also install plug-ins to enhance your browser's capabilities. I'm fond of McAfee SiteAdvisor for security. You can find Firefox plug-ins on Mozilla's site.

Next month we'll talk about How To Organize Your Email. If you have any computer questions click Comments below this article, and don't forget to subscribe to the email version of Tech Tips for bonus tips and product reviews.

Valentine Viruses And Phony Parking Tickets

2009-02-13T05:23:00.005-06:00

Every holiday we get a spate of viruses, and every holiday I feel compelled to warn you about fake electronic greeting cards. Trust me, virus writers will do just about anything to get you to click on their infectious links, so ignore those pretty Valentines.

In other news, a recent ruse demonstrates how computer security bleeds into everyday life. In Grand Forks, North Dakota, miscreants went so far as to put phony parking tickets on cars. The link that purportedly takes the victim to a police web site is actually infused with malware. This is an example of social engineering, when hackers use real-world tricks to achieve digital domination. Another is the ever-popular leaving of USB flash drives in public places. Most people don't hesitate to try them on their computers, at which point hidden viruses go to work bypassing firewalls and introducing back doors into networks.

Watch out for these scams, and don't forget to subscribe to the email version of Tech Tips for the latest computer news.

Patch Your Printer To Prevent Data Theft

2009-02-09T11:22:00.007-06:00

A recent vulnerability discovered in some Hewlett-Packard LaserJet printer models serves as a reminder that even your printer can be used against you.

This particular advisory concerns black and white LaserJet 2410, 2420, 2430, 4250, 4350, 9040, 9050 series, and HP Color LaserJet 4730mfp, HP Color LaserJet 9500mfp and HP 9200C Digital Sender. A bug in the administrative interface could be used to obtain any document that has been sent to the printer. Many printers today keep digital copies of what they've printed, a potential security risk for any business. To patch such vulnerabilities you need to update your printer's firmware, or the little bit of software that lives inside the printer itself.

This is a good time to remind all of you that you should check for new printer software on a regular basis. Your printer could easily be the subject of an advisory similar to this one. To learn if there is updated software for your printer, visit the manufacturer's web site and look under "support."

Fake Antivirus On Macs

2009-01-28T17:42:00.008-06:00

It had to happen. Macs are the latest target of fake antivirus software scams.

For some time I've been warning PC users about scareware scams: warnings claiming that your computer is infected and you must buy "Insert Name" antivirus software or you're doomed. Please don't fall for these tricks. There are perfectly good antivirus programs out there that don't advertise via the electronic equivalent of unwanted solicitors.

My current recommendations on Mac antivirus programs are:

And so you PC users don't feel left out:

Trend Micro
AVG
Avast
McAfee
(But not Norton; here's why.)

I evaluate antivirus software on a continual basis, but you'll always find my recommendations here on the Tech Tips blog (under Windows and Mac in the sidebar).

Viruses And USB Flash Drives

2009-01-26T13:08:00.007-06:00

One of the nasty things about the Conficker virus (10 million PCs and counting) is its multiple methods of infection, including the way it infiltrates USB flash and network drives.

Imagine you get a flash drive from a friend, plug it in, and get the following message. Look closely. It seems like normal Windows, right? Wrong. If you pick the first choice ("publisher not specified") you just infected yourself with Conficker.

This is the virus using a real Windows window to confuse you. Keep an eye out for any change, however small, to the usual things your computer does. In this case the virus inserts itself before the normal Windows options, knowing that most people simply click the first link without looking. You can disable Autoplay to avoid this particular trick, but there will be others.

Another nasty thing about Conficker is the second shoe it may be about to drop. Researchers say they expect Conficker to download and install a second payload that may do more to your computer than simply infect it. So patch your computer, keep that antivirus software current, and stay tuned to Tech Tips for more news.

Twenty-Five Years Of The Mac

2009-01-26T13:03:00.004-06:00

"Why 1984... won't be like 1984."

We drooled over those words, us geeks with our copies of Byte magazine and the latest Heathkit catalog. Forget the TRS-80 or the Sinclair, this new computer was going to be sweet.

And sweet it was, that friendly beige box with the smiley-face at startup. Don't get me wrong, I still loved my Apple II, but there was something about the Mac that made you want to dive in and check it out. It made people less afraid of computers. No typing, just point and click.

And the Mac kept getting better. More capabilities. Better graphics and sound. Networking out of the box, unheard of at the time. Desktop publishing software that quickly revolutionized traditional print. If you were in publishing in the 1980s, the watchword of the day was Aldus. Norton Utilities when it was still owned by Peter Norton and cared about the Mac market. System 7 comes on CD! Mac OS 8 has multithreading!

Then, the Internet revolution. NCSA Telnet and Gopher... those are called hyperlinks, ladies and gentlemen, and this new thing called the Web lets you include video and sound. Viruses that turned your Mac into a monster, and a utility called Disinfectant written by a gentleman of a programmer named John Norstad, with whom I had the opportunity to work as a student. A virus called Melissa that taught us yes, Virginia, viruses can be transmitted via email. Good days (the Mac IIci), bad days (the IIvx), confusing days (what the heck is a Type 1 error?). One glorious afternoon when Steve Jobs took the NeXTSTEP and matured the Mac's system software to become Mac OS X.

Puma. Jaguar. Panther. Tiger. Leopard and soon Snow Leopard. Microsoft, will you please fix Entourage? Yes, Macs need antivirus software. What do you mean you can RUN WINDOWS ON A MAC?!

Cheers to my Mac users, and may you never experience the spinning beachball.

Viruses And The Automatic Updates Dilemma

2009-01-21T09:06:00.013-06:00

A hospital in England, infected by Conficker, demonstrates the dilemma faced by businesses when it comes to Microsoft's Automatic Updates.

The hospital's computers were infected because the staff disabled Automatic Updates after a computer rebooted mid-surgery. What else could they have done? This is a case where computer management is literally a matter of life or death. They couldn't leave AU on, nor could they turn it off. Somewhere in between lies testing and careful deployment, but in reality most companies don't have the resources for manually installing Microsoft updates. That's what AU is for, isn't it? Actually Microsoft steers businesses away from AU, but installing the recommended business solution is non-trivial. Most small businesses simply enable AU, until there's a problem and it has to be disabled.

I'd like to say AU is better than no AU, but an unstable Microsoft patch can crash your computer. A few years ago there was a buggy Windows patch that disrupted wireless capability. It was hard for end users to see the connection between the patch and the problem because AU works silently, by design. The second Tuesday of the month is Microsoft Patch Tuesday, when IT shops around the world scramble to evaluate and install the latest round of fixes. Most of the time the updates are fine, but you get one with a problem and suddenly the help desk phone is ringing off the hook. That's why I schedule my regular customer visits after Patch Tuesday, so we can deal with any problems that may arise.

If you decide to keep AU enabled, be aware of these issues. If you decide to download and notify, don't keep clicking "later" or you'll wind up with Conficker and its ilk. Be sure to update your antivirus software, and don't forget to subscribe to Tech Tips for the latest computer news.

Conficker Virus Infects Millions Of PCs

2009-01-17T13:49:00.007-06:00

Remember that emergency Windows patch I told you about in October? A super-virulent virus based on that bug is taking over Windows computers. Known as Conficker or Downadup, it may control as many as 9 million PCs... and counting.

To protect yourself, make sure your antivirus software is up to date and that you are current on your Windows updates (try Microsoft Update). The update that closes the hole used by this virus is MS08-067, but shows up as KB958644 in Add/Remove Programs if you have Show Updates checked.

Don't forget to subscribe to Tech Tips for this and other breaking computer news.

Don't Renew Your Antivirus Software

2009-01-15T06:48:00.002-06:00

Am I serious? Yes, I am advising you not to renew your antivirus software.

There's a difference between renewing and upgrading to the latest version. Many antivirus programs allow you to purchase another year's worth of updates without upgrading the software, but it's not worth the slight savings. Upgraded software gives better protection.

Antivirus programs use a combination of definitions and heuristics. Definitions look for known virus code. Heuristics look for virus-like behavior, meaning they can detect both known and unknown viruses. When your antivirus software updates itself each day, it's getting new definitions to protect against newly released viruses. But it doesn't make sense to wait for a new virus to come out, write new definitions and send them out to millions of machines. With computers these days, by the time you do that it's already too late. What's needed is software with better heuristics. The newest antivirus programs have the latest heuristics available to consumers, so you are better off paying that little bit extra to upgrade instead of simply renewing for another year of definitions.

While we're talking about not renewing your antivirus software, if you Windows users are still running Norton, save yourself a headache and move to something else when your subscription expires. The 2009 versions are better but still memory hogs compared to Trend Micro, the free AVG and others (look under Windows Users in the Tech Tips blog sidebar).

In February I'll teach you how to Break The Internet Explorer Habit. Don't forget to subscribe to the email version of Tech Tips for the latest computer news.

Orphaned Server Accounts

2009-01-15T06:42:00.006-06:00

Pardon me, but you've left an orphan out there. Orphaned accounts are email or web usernames that are no longer used but haven't been deleted from the server. Small businesses and consumers alike would do well to clear their electronic trails of such wayward offspring.

For small businesses, orphaned server accounts can be an unseen hazard. Imagine you've let an employee go but haven't deleted their account. They could log in and grab sensitive data or rig the system to self-destruct; these days you don't need to be a computer whiz to do it. It's wise to make deleting accounts part of your standard personnel procedures. Avoid sharing accounts and passwords; set up individual IDs with specific access instead, and don't be tempted to leave post-its with passwords in your office. That deliveryperson could be a hacker in disguise.

Consumers should be aware of the orphans they may leave while visiting online sites. If you set up an email or web account somewhere but aren't using it, contact the site and ask them to delete it. Ironically, you may find some sites don't have a procedure for doing so. Talk to their tech people and request written confirmation that your account has been deleted. Otherwise you never know what someone else might be doing in your name.

Next month we'll talk about Alternate Web Browsers. Don't forget to subscribe to the email version of Tech Tips for the latest computer news.

Phishing Without A Net

2009-01-15T04:33:00.005-06:00

A new method of phishing may be your next battle. Researchers report that scammers can now phish you--pretend to be your bank--while you're logged into your bank's legitimate web site.

Until now, phishing was done by emails that try to trick you into clicking links to phony sites. This new variant is sophisticated and almost invisible, because it doesn't come through email but on the web, and only after you have successfully logged into your bank's actual site. Then malicious code takes over and sends a realistic-looking popup window asking for your credentials. The complexity of this attack makes it difficult to avoid, and switching from Internet Explorer to another browser like Firefox won't help.

This attack isn't widespread (yet), but you can expect more near-invisible scams like this in the future. Be sure to keep your computer updated, and don't forget to subscribe to Tech Tips for the latest computer news.

Malware Via LinkedIn

2009-01-12T11:49:00.007-06:00

The word is getting out that phony MySpace and FaceBook profiles can deliver malware (malicious unwanted software, also known as spyware) to your computer. But many business professionals are unaware that similar threats also occur on LinkedIn and other business-oriented social networking sites.

At the moment the LinkedIn versions of these scams are the electronic equivalent of crayon scribbles: amateurish and easy to spot. However, you can expect them to become more prevalent and convincing. From a recent eWeek article:

[A]t the same time that LinkedIn's image makes it unlikely that any large number of people will click on through when profiles are being advertised as celebrity porn, you have to recognize that its business focus could conceivably make the site an even more dangerous weapon in the hands of truly cunning attackers -- who could, say, post a believable profile for a well-known CEO or industry pundit along with links to similarly themed malware URLs.

Bad Web links are all over the place, so please be careful when clicking on links, even on reputable sites.

The Real-Life Impact Of Zombied Computers

2008-12-29T06:41:00.004-06:00

If you're still wondering why securing your computer matters, you might be interested in this recent article. Hacking is not limited to Russia and as the article notes, cyber attacks are increasingly being used to achieve political as well as financial gain.

Your computer may well be part of the "cyber-criminal ecosystem," if it is has become a zombie controlled by rogue software. Protecting our computers now affects others in real-life ways.

Don't forget our four legs of the computer security chair, and be sure to sign up for the email version of Triona's Tech Tips for the latest computer bulletins. And have a happy and safe New Year!

Not long ago, the simple, anonymous thrill of exposing chinks in American software was enough of a payoff for a Russian hacker. Today it's cash. And almost all the targets are in the United States and Europe, where Russia's notorious hackers pilfer online bank accounts, swipe social security numbers, steal credit card data and peek at e-mail log-ins and passwords as part of what some estimate to be a $100 billion-a-year global cyber-crime business.

...

Yevgeny Kaspersky, chief executive of Moscow-based Kaspersky Lab, one of the world's leading computer security firms, says Russian hacking flourishes as "a cyber-criminal ecosystem" of spammers, identity thieves and "botnets," vast networks of infected computers controlled remotely and used to spread spam, denial-of-service attacks or other malicious programs. A denial-of-service attack floods a Web site with inquiries, forcing its shutdown.

Emergency Internet Explorer Update For Windows

2008-12-17T14:14:00.001-06:00

Microsoft has released an off-schedule patch for Internet Explorer for Windows. Please check your Automatic Updates or go to the Microsoft Update web page to make sure you have patch MS08-078, or KB960714.

Mac OS X 10.5.6 Problems and Mac Security Updates

2008-12-17T14:06:00.001-06:00

There have been some recent reports of problems with the 10.5.6 update for Mac OS X 10.5. If you are running Mac OS X 10.5 aka Leopard, you should hold off on this update until the problems are resolved.

Apple has also released a large batch of security updates for all versions of Mac OS X. Please use Software Updates under the Apple menu to be sure you are secure.

2009 Computer Services Datasheet Available

2008-12-15T08:19:00.003-06:00

The 2009 Guidry Consulting Computer Services datasheet (pdf) is now available. Guidry Consulting, Inc. provides computer services for PC and Mac including tech support, web design, and training. We are located in Chicago's northwest suburbs. For more information, please visit our web site at www.guidryconsulting.com.

Holiday Computer Gift Guide

2008-12-15T08:18:00.002-06:00

With the economy a mess, many people are looking to upgrade rather than replace computer equipment. This year's Holiday Gift Guide will help you give the gift of technology for less.

Memory
Nothing says "I love you" like a faster computer. In Windows, go to Start, Control Panel, and look at how much memory you have in the System control panel. Mac users can find the same thing under the Apple menu, About This Mac. Note the model of your machine, and contact your local computer shop to find out what your upgrade options are.
Belkin Mini Surge Protector With USB Charger
This little gem from Belkin offers portable power protection, and charges USB devices too.
HP SimpleSave Photo DVD-R
If you have Windows and a DVD burner, backing up photos couldn't be simpler. Just insert the CD and the software does the rest. Also available for music and data.

In January we'll discuss Orphaned Server Accounts. Be sure to sign up for the email version of Tech Tips for regular alerts plus bonus tips and product reviews.

Should You Buy PC Or Mac?

2008-12-15T08:16:00.004-06:00

When choosing a computer, you want to be happy with it in the long run. By evaluating the best computer for your needs, you can stretch its lifespan and spare your wallet.

The first question people ask is, "PC or Mac?" I call it the "Coke or Pepsi" argument because it's a matter of personal preference. PCs and Macs let you do the same things: check email, surf the Web, write documents. They differ in how you use them.

PCs are ubiquitous in the business world, so if you already have an investment in Windows it's wise to keep it. This is especially true for those who use the enhanced features of programs like Outlook,Windows Server, and Exchange. For your average consumer, Windows works well but can be difficult to keep protected from Internet threats.

Everyone knows Macs rule the graphics world, but what you may not know is that they are the foundation of many businesses as well. Now that Macs run Windows, the old argument that Macs can't run the same software as PCs is moot. Quite a few of my corporate clients are mixed-platform, meaning they have both PCs and Macs.

I personally believe the Mac is "more secure" than the PC, not that any computer is truly secure. Macs are based on the UNIX operating system, the same systems upon which the Internet was developed and continues to run. That's forty years' worth of security testing, compared to half that for Windows. I still advocate antivirus for Macs, and I hold out hope that Windows can be redesigned to be more secure without losing the features that have made it so popular.

So, should you buy PC or Mac? It's up to you but either way, I'll be here to give you a hand.

Next month ask me why I say, Don't Renew Your AntiVirus Software. Be sure to sign up for the email version of Tech Tips for regular alerts plus bonus tips and product reviews.

WinAntiVirus Scareware Purveyors Shut Down

2008-12-11T13:09:00.001-06:00

A few months ago I wrote an article in which I mentioned the insidious WinAntiVirus, a phony antivirus program that scams you out of your credit card number and leaves you with an unprotected machine. A federal judge recently shut down two firms alleged to have participated in the spread of this and other fake computer security software, sometimes called "scareware" because it tries to frighten you into installing it.

It's vital that you know what antivirus program you use, and more importantly, that it is legitimate. Do NOT rely on web pop-ups that tell you you're at risk; many of them are bogus. For reliable antivirus, try one of the tools listed under my Windows Help sidebar, such as Trend Micro or the excellent and free AVG.

And don't forget the four legs of our computer security chair: you also need antispyware software and a firewall, and to keep current on your system updates.

Be sure to sign up for the email version of Tech Tips for regular alerts, plus bonus tips and product reviews.

Beware Online Greeting Cards

2008-12-01T15:00:00.003-06:00

'Tis the season... to warn you about online greeting cards.

Once a benign way of waving electronically to friends, online greeting cards have become a common ruse. Many spam messages are sent under the guise of online greeting cards, trying to get you to click on malicious links.

Although some companies, like Hallmark and Bluemountain, are legitimate, scammers may try to fool you into thinking they are these bona-fide services, down to similar wording and logos.

My recommendation is that you avoid online greeting cards period. Bah humbug, perhaps, but I'd rather have you miss out on a greeting card than wind up with a zombied computer or, worse, a stolen identity.

Phony Web Pop-Ups

2008-11-15T16:48:00.000-06:00

The next time your computer gives you an error message, take a second look.

Because it may be a phony web pop-up, trying to convince you that your computer has an error. These pop-ups look remarkably like regular system alerts, but they're really Web ads trying to get you to click and infect your computer. The notorious WinAntiVirus scam (aka Winifixer or the Smitfraud trojan) uses this ploy to convince you that your computer is at risk unless you install their purported product.

Other Web pop-ups may try to get you to click on seemingly legitimate ads or offers. It can be extremely difficult to tell the difference between a real ad and a fake one, or even between a real Web site and a malicious clone. You can test your Web savvy through the McAfee SiteAdvisor spam and spyware quizzes, which will show you just how deceptive these phony pop-ups can be. (I also recommend you install the SiteAdvisor plug-in for your browser.)

Worse, there's the practice of clickjacking, which allows a malicious program to force your browser to click any link. This means you could get infected without any interaction on your part.

How can you protect yourself? Be sure to run the latest version of your antivirus software (see the Windows Help and Mac Help sidebars for suggestions). Windows users, don't use Internet Explorer, try Mozilla Firefox instead. Using IE can increase your risk of infection. I also strongly recommend that you not click on web pop-ups, ever. Use Firefox's pop-up blocker or a similar tool to keep the pop-ups away, and ignore the ones that do slip through.

Next month we'll go over my Holiday Computer Gift Guide. If you have any computer questions, click Comments below this article, and be sure to sign up for the email version of Tech Tips for bonus tips and product reviews.

Planned Computer Obsolescence

2008-11-15T16:40:00.002-06:00

Planned obsolescence is the idea that computer manufacturers deliberately design hardware to force customers into continual replacement.

Does planned computer obsolescence exist? If not, recent manufacturing quality (or lack thereof) certainly leads to that impression. I am positive that computer printers made fifteen years ago last longer than those made today. Cases in point: the high percentage of ancient HP LaserJet printers I encounter, bless their little electronic hearts. On the other hand, newer printers of all brands, especially the low-end models, seem to suffer a less-than-two-year lifespan.

Computers are the same. That $500 PC... well, you may get what you pay for in a few years. Then again, you could buy a $5,000 PC and have the same experience. In general, Macs seem to resist planned obsolescence more readily, perhaps because Apple's stranglehold on the Mac hardware market limits competition. Even so, design decisions like the Intel Macs force customers to invest in new hardware.

Sometimes you have no choice but to follow the industry's "rip and replace" mantra. A recent flaw in the wireless security protocol WPA may soon mean that if your wireless access point is more than a few years old, you will have to replace it or risk being hacked. But it's not always feasible to spend yet more money on another piece of equipment when you feel like you just bought the one you have.

What can you do? Don't worry if your computer isn't the latest and greatest. If it does what you want, fine. If it's slow, try software repairs before resorting to a new system, or see if you can upgrade rather than replace. Not only will this curtail planned obsolescence, but it's better for your budget as well as our ewaste-encrusted planet.

Next month I'll share with you the biggest secret in the tech world, Should You Buy PC Or Mac? If you have any computer questions, click Comments below this article, and be sure to sign up for the email version of Tech Tips for bonus tips and product reviews.

Update Acrobat Reader For Windows And Mac

2008-11-10T06:36:00.001-06:00

All users of Adobe Acrobat Reader for Windows and Mac should update to the latest version.

Malicious PDF files take advantage of flaws in the Acrobat Reader program to infect your computer. The current version of Acrobat Reader is version 9. Even if you already have this version, check to make sure it is the latest revision. Those of you who have the full version of Acrobat should use Adobe's Update Manager to check for updates.

Click here to download the latest version of Acrobat Reader for your computer, and be sure to sign up for the email version of Tech Tips for bonus tips and product reviews.

Beware Hijacked Headlines In Email News Alerts

2008-11-05T06:06:00.000-06:00

Attackers are using real headlines in an attempt to fool email users into clicking links to virus-delivering web sites.

Using data-mining techniques, attackers insert real breaking-news headlines into spam email messages designed to get you to "click through" and unwittingly infect your computer. These spam emails may mimic the look of Google Alerts or other news services, or may simply contain a real headline plus a link to a malicious site. Once you click, your computer may be infected with a virus or Trojan horse.

One way to see if a link is legitimate is to mouse over, but NOT click, the link, then look in the status bar of your email program or web browser to see where that link goes. For example, if the alert pretends to be from Google but it goes to somewhere other than google.com, it may be fake.

Your best bet is to avoid clicking on any emailed news link, and instead going to the news site manually by typing the address, then clicking the link to the article.

With elections there is plenty of breaking news, so be sure to watch out for this scam.

Alert: AVG Anti-Virus Bug May Cause Windows Network Connections To Fail

2008-10-30T10:30:00.000-05:00

There is a bug in the most recent version (8.0.196) of the AVG anti-virus program for Windows that may cause your network connection to fail. If rebooting doesn't help, see this fix from AVG (topic #1561) to resolve the problem.

Alert: Emergency Windows Update

2008-10-24T13:58:00.000-05:00

An emergency, off-schedule update for Microsoft Windows has been released. This update fixes a bug that could allow your computer to be compromised even without user interaction, and affects users of Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008.

If you have Automatic Updates enabled you should get the update automatically. If you're not sure or would like to double-check, visit the Microsoft Update web site. Microsoft updates are normally released the second Tuesday of the month (known in the computer industry as "Patch Tuesday").

Home Computer Nightmares

2008-10-15T12:49:00.002-05:00

Home computer users suffer more than their fair share of nightmarish problems, largely due to a dearth of support from computer and software makers. Here are some common nightmares, and what you can do to banish them.

The Blue Screen Of Death, or The Sad Mac
These are what we call the Windows and Mac "fatal system errors," fatal in that they prevent the computer from operating at all. The BSOD is that bright blue screen that appears when you try to start Windows. Similarly, Mac users may get The Sad Mac when the computer is too sick to start. Review any new hardware or software you may have installed, note the error number if available, and check online listings to determine the source of the problem.
The Deadly Freeze
Computers can unexpectedly freeze, or lock up, in the middle of normal duties. Sometimes you can move the mouse, other times you can't even find the pointer. Your best bet is to hit the power button. Unfortunately you usually can't save work when the computer is frozen.
The Printer From Hell
Ever had your printer pull a Linda Blair? Spewing blank sheets, printing weird characters, and other misbehavior can sometimes be solved through the printer's software control panel.
The Ghost Of Errors Past
Do you reboot when you get an error? If not, you should. Once a computer runs into trouble, it tends to keep getting in trouble until its next reboot, when it refreshes its memory.

Do you have a home computer nightmare? Click Comments below this article and I'll help you solve it. Next month I'll warn you about Phony Web Pop-Ups. And be sure to sign up for the email version of Tech Tips for bonus tips and product reviews.

Revenge Of The Computer Zombies!

2008-10-15T12:48:00.002-05:00

We've talked before about computer zombies, compromised computers that do everything from sending spam to unleashing viruses. Many unsuspecting users have these monsters on their desks and don't even know it.

Why infect computers? Because it's profitable. Zombie computers are organized into botnets, electronic armies whose computing power is sold to for-profit spammers and identity thieves. In the past three months alone, the Shadowserver Foundation estimates the size of botnets has quadrupled. That's enough to give any computer user the shivers.

As a computer user, the most important thing you can do is be aware if your computer's behavior deviates from the norm. Decreased performance and increased errors can be signs of zombie infection. Be sure to use a reliable security software suite, but don't assume it will automatically keep you safe. Sometimes security software fails to load at startup, or forgets to update itself. You should verify that you are current on your subscription and receiving several updates a week. You can find recommendations in this Tech Tips article, and in the sidebar on the Tech Tips blog.

Remember, never click on links in email messages, as they may lead to phony web sites (phishing). And be sure to install those updates your computer requests. Too many of us click "later" and never get around to it. But you should also be warned, if you are surfing the Web, that phony pop-ups will try to make you believe they are bona fide update requests. Never trust an update request from a web pop-up, only those that appear to you from software you know you have installed.

In November we'll wonder about Planned Computer Obsolescence. If you have any computer questions, click Comments below this article, and be sure to sign up for the email version of Tech Tips for bonus tips and product reviews.

Alert: Firefox 2 Users Should Upgrade To Firefox 3

2008-10-14T17:17:00.001-05:00

Mozilla Firefox users should be aware that version 2 of the web browser software will be discontinued December 31, 2008. For maximum protection against web-borne threats, PC and Mac users alike should upgrade to the latest version of Firefox 3. To find out which version you have, select About Mozilla Firefox under the Help menu (PC) or Firefox menu (Mac).

Download The Blogs For Business Handout

2008-10-08T10:46:00.000-05:00

Thanks to all my attendees as well as the Cary Grove Chamber of Commerce for a terrific Blogs For Business seminar! If you missed the session or would like an extra copy of the handout, click here (PDF). In this class, we discussed what blogs are, how they can benefit your business, and how you can market using blogs.

If you're interested in a talk like this for your business or organization, I'd be glad to help. Contact me at info-at-guidryconsulting-dot-com. And be sure to sign up for the email version of Triona's Tech Tips for announcements about future events.

WiFi Poaching

2008-10-04T11:44:00.002-05:00

Admit it, we've all done it: used someone's unsecured wireless connection without their knowledge.

It's called WiFi poaching, and there's been debate as to whether it's actually illegal. In Britain, there have been prosecutions for poaching, but in the U.S. the legality is less clear.

Some argue that those who run unsecured connections set themselves up for the situation. But most wireless access points are unsecured by default. Is it the fault of the unwitting consumer, who likely has no idea?

Either way, it's best to protect yourself by enabling security on your wireless access point. The best security is an encrypted passphrase called WPA. There's another standard for passphrases (WEP) but don't use it, as it's easily cracked. Your access point's Web management feature will allow you to set this passphrase, which you will then have to enter on each computer connecting to your wireless network.

It goes without saying--don't give out your passphrase! And while you're in that web management panel, change your access point's default administrator password, to keep snoops from resetting your security.

Do you think WiFi poaching is unethical? Discuss the issue here (click Comments below any article), and be sure to sign up for the email version of Tech Tips for bonus tips and product reviews.

[This article is reprinted from the March 2008 issue of Triona's Tech Tips. Look for more computer security tips in the October issue.]

Blogs For Business Seminar

2008-10-01T07:00:00.001-05:00

Don't miss my Blogs For Business class this Tuesday, October 7th from 9:00am-10:30am at the Fox River Grove (Illinois) Village Hall, 305 Illinois St. The class is part of the Learn From The Experts Computer Series sponsored by the Cary Grove Chamber Of Commerce.

Would you like to know more about how blogs can help your business succeed? Join me and we'll learn:

What are blogs?
How blogs can benefit your business
How to market using blogs

For more information, visit www.guidryconsulting.com/news.

Alert: Mac Virus Slows Internet Surfing

2008-09-25T14:23:00.002-05:00

A new Trojan horse virus that infects Macs (DNSChanger) may cause your Internet connection to become unusably slow.

If you are on a Mac and have experienced these symptoms, try the DNSChanger Removal Utility. I also recommend anti-virus software for Macs such as Intego VirusBarrier.

Alert: Sony Vaio Laptop Recall

2008-09-23T12:50:00.000-05:00

The CPSC has announced the recall of 73,000 Sony Vaio TZ-series laptops due to a potential burn hazard. Affected models include the Vaio VGN-TZ100, VGN-TZ200, VGN-TZ300 and VGN-TZ2000. Not all units are affected, contact Sony for details.

CPSC Sony Vaio Laptop Recall

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Parental Control Software

2008-09-15T14:29:00.003-05:00

Choosing a parental control program can be a daunting task. There are so many options and features, it's hard to tell what's right for your family. Here are some popular solutions.

NetNanny (Windows/Mac)
A veteran in the parental-control field, NetNanny was in dire need of an overhaul prior to this recent version. It's also newly available for Mac.
SafeEyes (Windows/Mac)
This award-winning program includes almost every feature you can imagine, including web blocking, logs, scheduling, filters, and more.
Cyber Patrol (Windows)
This is also a longtime veteran of the parental control world.
Intego ContentBarrier (Mac)
From the makers of VirusBarrier comes this robust solution for Mac users.
Norton Internet Security 2008 (Windows)
I'm not sure why they bother listing this as parental control software, because the features are very basic. You can use it if you already have it, but I would supplement it with one of the other options. And you might want to read why I don't recommend it anymore for antivirus.

If you don't see what you're looking for here, the Tools Database at GetNetWise offers a very handy search tool to help you find parental control software with the features you need.

Ask your computer questions here (click Comments below any article), and be sure to sign up for the email version of Tech Tips for bonus tips and product reviews.

Computer Safety For Kids

2008-09-15T14:11:00.006-05:00

How can you keep your kids safe online? This is the number-one question parents ask me. Everyone wants to know how they can balance safety with the needs of today's students.

I've posted last year's article, which talks about how families can create their own policies on computer use. Let's review safety tips for kids, and discuss resources for parents, children, and educators.

Here is a handy list of Internet dos and don'ts for kids.

Do practice Internet safety skills with your parents, teachers, and friends.
Don't give out your real name, address, age, school name, phone number, or other identifying information.
Do remember that people are not always who they say they are online.
Don't chat with people you don't know.
Do tell your parents if you see anything on the Internet that makes you uncomfortable.
Don't meet with anyone or have them visit you without your parents' permission.

For parents, teachers, and educators, the following references may be helpful.

If you have questions about kids and online safety, ask them here (click Comments below any article), and be sure to sign up for the email version of Tech Tips for bonus tips and product reviews.

"Blogs For Business" Seminar In October

2008-09-10T15:03:00.002-05:00

Don't miss this year's Learn From The Experts Computer Series, sponsored by the Cary Grove Chamber Of Commerce. I'll be teaching the second session, Blogs For Business.

Would you like to know more about how blogs can help your business succeed? Join me and we'll learn:

What are blogs?
How blogs can benefit your business
How to market using blogs

Blogs For Business will be held Tuesday, October 7, 2008, from 9:00am-10:30am at the Fox River Grove (Illinois) Village Hall, 305 Illinois St. Click here for more information, or contact the Chamber at 847-639-2800. Hope to see you there!

Alert: Trend Micro Update May Freeze Windows Computers

2008-09-09T06:15:00.002-05:00

A recent update for Trend Micro's Internet Security software may cause Windows to freeze.

The update, released on Friday, September 5, 2008 and corrected by Trend Micro the same day, erroneously identifies several key system files as infected. Symptoms may include programs that fail to run or run with errors, a missing Taskbar, and unusually unstable behavior. If you did not experience the issue, the latest update of Trend Micro is free of this problem. Unfortunately if you did get the update, you likely may have to reinstall Windows and your data from backup.

Don't miss this and other computer alerts - sign up for your free subscription to Tech Tips today!

Online Safety For Kids (And Adults)

2008-08-26T14:03:00.009-05:00

There is a lot of discussion these days about kids and the Internet. Parents, myself included, are rightfully concerned about what our children can access, and who has access to them. Businesses are concerned about liability issues and the compromise of customer data, in the pervasively interpersonal world of instant communication.

The same techniques used to secure a corporate computer can, and should, be used to secure a personal home computer. The same policies used by corporations can be modified for a family environment. By including your kids in the process of creating a home Internet policy, you'll be able to supervise their Internet access while allowing them the freedom to explore.

Corporations typically have an "acceptable use policy," which governs what is allowed or prohibited on the company network. It's part of the employee handbook, and looks like this:

This computer system is for authorized use only. By using this system, the user consents to such interception, monitoring, recording, copying, auditing, inspection, and disclosure at the discretion of authorized personnel. Unauthorized or improper use of this system may result in disciplinary action and civil and criminal penalties. By continuing to use this system you indicate your awareness of and consent to these terms and conditions of use.

Parents can create a home policy based on these ideas. This is not to say you should treat your children like little employees, but you can use the same concepts to start a family discussion about online safety. It's up to you to keep up with the latest techno-fashions, so you know how to respond to things like MySpace accounts and multiplayer games. You're reading this article, so you've already made a good start.

First things first, you have to properly protect your machine. It's no use badgering your kids about downloading music when you don't even have up-to-date antivirus software. We've been over the drill, but let's review the "four-legged chair," the four critical things you need to secure your computer:

Antivirus software
Anti-spyware software
A firewall, hardware or software
The latest updates

I presume you've taken care of this. If not, or you're not sure, I can check for you on my next visit. You might also want to re-read "How To Protect From Cybercrime" and "You Could Be A Computer Criminal" from the August 2008 issue of Tech Tips, which include more detail on security protections.

Now, you need to decide what your home policies will be. Are your kids only allowed to use the Internet during certain hours, or after homework is done? What services can they use (such as email, web, and chat)? Will you use parental controls, and if so, what kind? Will you be recording their chat sessions, logging the sites they visit, counting the tunes they buy? Be open to negotiation. Nothing will alienate a kid faster than laying down the law, and they seem to view the Internet as their personal possession.

Once it's been discussed, put your policy in writing and sign it with your kids, just like a corporate policy. Now that the rules are clear, and protections in place, you can let your kids surf. But remember, no technology can substitute for supervision. Consider locating the computer in a public area. You'll also want to review with them the following safety tips. If they're chatting with friends, suggest they set up a code phrase, so they can verify the human behind the screenname. Never give out personal information, such as full name, address, or school. And they should never, ever, make arrangements to meet an online friend in the real world unless they, and you, are positive of that person's true identity.

What parental control options are available? Your Internet service may already include some; check with your provider. Otherwise you can use a software program. I'll be reviewing your choices for "Parental Control Software" in the upcoming September 2008 issue of Tech Tips.

Finally, hand this column to your kids. This paragraph is for them:
Yes, I'm your parents' age, but my generation came up with all that technology you're enjoying, so take off the earbuds and listen. When you're on the computer, use your common sense. The Internet is a public network, and anything you post can be viewed by perfect strangers, potential employers, or your parents. Be aware of how to protect yourself, and your computer. Then next time you want to go online, you won't have to worry that your computer will crash, and your parents won't have to worry about you.

[This article is reprinted from the March 2007 issue of Triona's Tech Tips. More advice on kids, computers and the Internet coming in September.]