What about Kaspersky?

Some of you may have heard some of the hype about Kaspersky, with accusations that they are in some way under the thumb of the Russian government.  Personally I have confidence in their products and the company.  To date I have seen no evidence of a problem.  Here is a link to read Kaspersky's side of the story and you can decide for yourself.

What Can Possibly Go Wrong? (everything)

Please take 5 minutes to read the horror stories at the link here.  Share the link, educate your friends and coworkers.

Myth's about Web Security

One of the companies I use to help with online security has posted the results of a survey.  I find the results very predictable based upon my experience.  I have posted about OpenDNS before, they help prevent you from getting to places you don't want to be by blocking known threats.  If you haven't already done so you might want to look into OpenDNS.

Java Exploit Patched

If you haven't uninstalled Java you don't need to, but you do need to make sure you are up-to-date.  If you uninstalled it you can safely reinstall now (Click here to reinstall).  For more details on the fix you can click here.

Updated Java Link

The link posted in the Java Article was moved.  Here is a new link.

Java Security Risk affects both PCs and Macs

Security experts have discovered a flaw in Java (click here to learn about Java) that allows a remote computer to silently take control of your computer without your knowledge by visiting a website that contains malicious code.  The experts that discovered the problem are suggesting that you remove Java from your computer until such time as Java is fixed.  It is important to note that the problem affects both PCs and Macs!  You can read more about the issue and get instructions to remove Java at this link. I would probably not remove Java if you have version 6, but you need to decide that for yourself.  Some of you may have applications that require Java to run so check before uninstalling it.

As always, be sure you have good mal-ware protection and that it is up to date.

Picking a New Laptop

I am often asked for recommendations on computers.  Here are my thoughts on laptops as of today (tomorrow may bring something different). Remember, this is my opinion, and other computer experts will sometimes disagree (okay, maybe often).

• Stay away from the extremes in pricing, avoid the sub $500 class.  Remember, you get what you pay for.  If it’s selling for $300 there is a reason.  And on the high end you may get a great computer but not great value.  This is true for all brands including the ones below.
• Get a Toshiba or an ASUS.  Dell is also very good, particularly for their service, but you have to select the correct service during checkout.  Select “North American Support.”  Dell and Toshiba have the best accessory selection.
• Be sure to check the warranty.  Consider an extended warranty from www.squaretrade.com if the manufacturer's warranty is only a year.  Laptops are particularly expensive to repair so I like having a three year warranty.
• Get an Intel processor (not an AMD).  Others really like AMD but I have not been impressed.
• Get Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit or Professional 64-bit.  This makes migration from an older computer more of a project, but 64-bit is important for the future.  And in a business environment Professional is very important.
• At least 4GB of RAM (Random Access Memory).
• Don't confuse RAM with hard drive capacity.  In most cases the hard drive provided will be sufficient, but the bigger the better.
• Never buy “refurbished” or “re-manufactured” electronics! (Just trust me on this.)
• Compare processors at http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_list.php and get the fastest processor you can afford (Passmark CPU mark column).
• Find the model you like and then compare at www.pricegrabber.com. Just enter the laptop model number in the search box. There are some vendors to avoid so pay attention to the star ratings.
• Generally October and November offer the best deals as vendors want to move inventory before Christmas.

Happy Hunting!

Spam (not the stuff from Hormel)

Click here to visit the folks that make the food-stuff that the email we will discuss is named after.

Have you noticed an increase in spam in your inbox? Last September Microsoft and Kaspersky managed to temporarily disable a botnet comprised of an estimated 45,000 computers. A botnet is a collection of compromised computers connected to the Internet (each compromised computer is known as a 'bot'). They could have removed the malicious software from the infected computers but apparently that is illegal. This botnet is called Kelihos.

Well, the bad guys have managed to reestablish control of Kelihos, and with 45,000 computers it sends an estimated 4 billion spam messages a day. It seems like most of it is directed to email servers I manage. You can get more details by clicking here.

So what can you do to block spam? There isn't a silver bullet, but here are some programs that can help.

SPAMfighter

MailWasher

As always, be aware of piggyback programs.

Piggyback Programs

A piggyback program is a program that you don't want that gets installed when you install another program that you want. Usually you are asked if you want to install the piggyback program and given an opportunity to skip the install. I find these programs on computers everyday. Often they are toolbars and present themselves in Internet Explorer as shown below.

These programs slow down your computer and are generally a nuisance. There is a good posting on how to avoid and remove these piggyback programs, click here.

Scams

I had a customer that fell for a scam yesterday. Someone called him claiming they were from Microsoft and stated his computer was infected with a virus. They wanted to help him remove the virus and convinced him to install a program that gave the caller complete control of his computer. Bottom line: SCAM!!! If someone calls with such a claim HANG UP THE PHONE. Let me just say that Microsoft is not going to call you if your computer has a virus. They don't have a way to correlate your phone number to your computer (at least right now).

Click here to read what Microsoft suggests you do if you've fallen for something like this. If you are unsure you should call a computer expert.

Keep Your Keys Secure!

No, I'm not talking about your car or house keys. There are lots of things about your computer that no one tells you. Like when your hard drive crashes you will most like need some information on the bottom of your laptop. I'm referring to the Windows License Key, one of Microsoft's methods to prevent piracy. I have had several laptops come in lately and the Window License Key is worn off. The sticker used to be almost invincible, but not anymore. And when you need to reinstall Windows you need that key. My suggestion is that you either write down the 25 character key, or walk your laptop to the copier and make a copy. This isn't near the problem on stationary computers, the label doesn't tend to fade. Take a minute and do it now.

Here are a few examples of what Microsoft refers to as a CD Key, Product ID, Certificate of Authenticity, and License Key.

iPhone 4s Siri Doubles Data Usage

I came across an interesting article on data usage for the new iPhone 4s with Siri. Siri is the impressive voice recognition software introduced on the 4s. Basically the article states that the use of Siri doubles your data usage. If you have an iPhone 4s and use Siri you should keep an eye on your monthly data usage to avoid an overage.

Protect your Money

If your username and password for your online banking are compromised, the bank is not responsible for lost funds (read the article by clicking here). You need to protect yourself by protecting your account credentials. A few tips:

• Use a strong password
• Have a good anti-malware program installed (I like Vipre Premium)
• In a business environment, you should consider dedicating a PC to banking tasks.

In an article published January 2010, USA Today reported that the American Banking Association recommends that if involved in financial transactions on the Internet, small business should dedicate a PC to the task. In other words, use one PC for your financial transactions, and use that PC for nothing else, and isolate that PC on a separate network.

Is the Mac immune to viruses

It seems that about once a week someone asks me if they should switch to a Mac computer because they just got hit by some sort of mal-ware (malicious software). The answer is usually the same (and is phrased in the form of a question for you Jeopardy fans), "Do you need a Windows computer to run any of the applications that you use?" If the answer is no, and the price doesn't cause pause, then a Mac may be the computer for you. But don't buy a Mac to avoid mal-ware, at least not anymore. The article at this link points out that due to the increase in the Mac market share criminals are taking aim at that computer line. So if you get a Mac, be vigilant about protecting it.

Email Etiquette

It seems that somehow with all the different forms of communications in this digital age, we have lost our ability to properly communicate. Watch this video for a few good reminders.

Mobile Malware Protection

Some time ago I told you I would find a program for security on your mobile device. This one works for Android, Blackberry, and Windows mobile devices.

Is Your Mobile Device at Risk for a Virus? YES!

It seems that Microsoft, with the help of third party anti-malware software, is finally getting the security level of its software at a level that has forced cyber criminals to focus their efforts to different operating systems to wreak havoc. According to a report from Cisco, a giant in computer connectivity, mobile devices are prime targets (click here to read the article). This includes Apple Computer's iPhone and Google's Android.

Cisco also points out the increasing number of vulnerabilites being found in the Apple operating systems. These systems have been ignored as the cyber criminals have mostly focused on the mainstream Windows computers. But as the Windows vulnerabilities starts to dwindle, criminals are turning their focus to the largely unprotected and unprepared Apple world (many Mac users don't have any anti-malware software installed).

As of today I don't have a recommendation for your mobile device, but will be posting again in the next few weeks after I have had some time to research the topic.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

This has nothing to do with computers. It is a story I have had in my files for a very long time. I received an email from a friend in Wisconsin and the story he told reminded me of this story for some reason.

An elderly man lay dying in his bed. In death’s agony, he suddenly smelled the aroma of his favorite chocolate chip cookies wafting up the stairs. He gathered his remaining strength, and lifted himself from the bed. Leaning against the wall, he slowly made his way out of the bedroom and with even greater effort forced himself down the stairs, gripping the railing with both hands. With labored breath, he leaned against the door-frame, gazing into the kitchen. Were it not for death’s agony, he would have thought himself already in heaven: there, spread out upon newspapers on the kitchen table were literally hundreds of his favorite chocolate chip cookies. Was it heaven? Or was it one final act of heroic love from his devoted wife, seeing to it that he left this world a happy man?

Mustering one great final effort, he threw himself toward the table, landing on his knees in a rumpled posture. His parched lips parted; the wondrous taste of the cookie was already in his mouth; seemingly bringing him back to life. The aged and withered hand, shaking made its way to a cookie at the edge of the table, when it was suddenly smacked with a spatula by his wife. “Stay out of those,” she said, “they’re for the funeral.”

Windows 7 - My First Thoughts

Let me start by apologizing for the length of this post. I try to keep these post very short, but in this case there is much to say.

Windows 7 was released fall of 2009. Since then, I have had several clients that purchased new computers that came with Windows 7 (all Home Premium 64-bit version to the best of my recollection), and I bought a new Dell laptop in March 2010 with the 64-bit Professional version pre-installed.

So far I have had no major negative events on either my laptop or my clients computers. I have been able to fix or overcome all problems (there will always be problems). This is the first time I purchased a 64-bit version of Windows for my computer. The biggest benefit of a 64-bit version of Windows is that it utilizes more memory, which helps make it faster. Yes, my new laptop is pretty fast. But it is hard for me to know if it is fast because it has Windows 7 (last laptop was Vista), or because it has a faster processor than my last laptop, or if it is fast because it has 4GB of RAM (last laptop had 2GB). BTW, I was often heard saying "I hate Vista" even though Microsoft had dealt with most of the problems. I have yet to say that about Windows 7.

Overall Windows 7 has been a positive experience. There have been things to which I have had to adjust (like the look and feel of the SysTray), and things I found ways to fix (like the Missing Quick Launch Bar). I can happily recommend that my clients purchase systems with Windows 7. There is a learning curve. It will take some adjustment. But the adjustments are minor. The biggest problem is that there are several versions to select from, and you need to be sure you select the correct version for your situation. More on version concerns in a future post, but for today let me suggest that you stay away from the Starter Edition and I will steer most of you to the 64-bit versions of either Home Premium or Professional. If you want a jump on that post click here.

Bad news, there is no direct Windows 7 upgrade path from XP (there is from Vista, but I still recommend a clean install). In other words, you can't just go buy Windows 7 and install it over an existing Windows XP. Unless you are technically suave, you should plan to buy a new computer with Windows 7 pre-installed. You will need to install all your programs on your new PC, and then transfer your data. With only a rare exception, I will not install Windows 7 on your old computer.

Future posts:

When should I make the move to Windows 7?

Which version of Windows 7 should I get?

Should I consider a Mac?

What level Service Pack is installed on my computer?

Many of you have asked the question above, so here is one of several ways to tell. Right-click on the "My Computer" icon on the desktop or in the Start Menu. Then select Properties from the menu that appears. You should get a dialog box similar to the one below. This computer has Service Pack 3.