Tag: Windows

Attention: Malware On Your Computer?

Posted by fogview at 11:55 PM on December 20, 2009

“Security center has detected malware on your computer.” Have you ever seen that message pop up on your computer? Have you ever seen it happen over Skype? Well, I’ve received that message three times in the last month as a Skype message. It tells me that my Windows software is infected and I need to install a patch. It even gave me a website (link) to go to to help me install the patch.

I may have fallen for the trick but I don’t know how a Windows patch would fix my iMac running OSX. I don’t run Bootcamp, or Windows in a virtual machine, nor does my iMac know what an .EXE or ActiveX file is. I’m sure if I clicked on this link and installed the patch on my Windows machine, my machine WOULD have been infected with malware! (For now Mac machines may be safer from malware infections but it’s wise to still be careful.)

I’ve written before about being safe on the Internet and not going to sites you don’t know or clicking on links in emails, but this is the first I heard of a message over Skype. If you look at the message box (on my iMac), it doesn’t even say it’s from Skype and the window title says. “Software Updates.”

What concerns me is that many people may fall for this trick. I know most readers of GNC and listener’s to Todd’s podcast are tech savvy enough that they wouldn’t fall for something like this, but what about mom (or dad) or your grand parents who get a web cam for Christmas and install Skype so they can talk to the grand kids? Would they click on this link and install the “patch” if this message box appeared?

Google is trying to find sites that install spyware and root-kit software on your computer, but you can’t depend on this for every “bad” website. Recently there was a SQL-injection virus that infected a large number of websites. The virus takes advantage of PCs running Windows that have not been patched with the latest updates. You don’t have to click on any links to get infected — just visit a site taken over by this malware software. It does this by linking to the site 318x dot com (please don’t go to this site). If you search for 318x dot com using google, the first search listing says “This site may harm your computer.” That because this site has been around for a while and has given enough time for Google’s security bots to find the site and determine that it’s up to no good. Here is the link for the Google Safe Browsing page for the 318X site: http://google.com/safebrowsing/diagnostic?site=318x.com/

Now back to my Skype message. I mentioned that this is the third time I’ve received this message in the past month. Each time I did a Whois search of the linked website and found that the website was created within one day of when I received the message. The website mentioned in the most recent warning message was created the same day I received the message. This tells me that the author of this warning message is changing the website URL to keep it from being flagged by Google and the security monitoring sites. If you do a Google search for this site it comes up clean. Oh, did I mention that the owner of this site (and the previous two sites) is from Prague, Czech Republic (outside US laws)?

As you visit relatives and friends over the holidays make sure everyone knows about safe surfing on the Internet. Don’t click on links in emails (or Skype message boxes) and make sure to keep your computer’s OS patched and up to date.

Happy Holidays.

73′s, Tom

Tags: 318x, malware, skype, Virus, Windows

Posted in malware, Security, skype

8 Comments

128 bit Windows? Don’t make me salivate.

Posted by J Powers at 9:43 AM on October 8, 2009

Ars Technica reported that in a secret bunker somewhere below the depths of Redmond, versions of Windows 8 and 9 are being planned. The big technology advance with them? 128 bit versions.

Interesting, especially since we’ve been so slow on getting to 64 bit software. Windows 7 will be shipped in 32 and 64 bit versions, but how many people will install, or have the power to install, a 64 bit version?

If you have a dual or Quad core machine, 64 bit computing will be great. Even though the requirements say only a 1 GHz machine will support it, don’t think about putting it on a single or Hyperthreaded single processor. If you do, don’t expect it to be better.

Why 64 or 128? What is the difference?

Think of it this way. You are in Grand Central Station, or another busy room. Would you want a busy room to have 32 exits, 64 or 128? The more doors, the easier to move around.

Of course, 128 bit processing is a ways away. Then there is the factor that Intel and AMD are skirting the issues and keeping the hardware in 32 bit with multi-core processors. While you can have a 32 bit processor and 64 bit OS, you can still see bottlenecks on the system because of it.

128 bit computing can really change the way we work on the machines. Faster, better, easier. But once again, that is a few years down the road.

Tags: 128 bit processing, 32 bit, 64 bit, AMD, computing, hardware, Intel, processing, Windows, windows 8

Posted in Windows

Comments 1 Comment

Google can help, Google can hurt

Posted by J Powers at 12:23 AM on September 28, 2009

There are many great things that Google has come out with in the last couple years. I have been all for what they accomplished, even if I don’t use everything. But the last couple ideas haven’t been warmly accepted by the IT populous.We’ll take a look at a few of the ideas, Good, bad and indifferent.

The Good

We’ll start with the one thing that Google has been doing right for years: Search. I remember when it came on the scene – I was pretty much torn between Metacrawler and Dogpile; I was never a Yahoo or MSN search user. Google just seemed to fit better. The later additions like images and news helped out a lot. Add to it the fact the default search on Firefox was Google. Even when i used IE I would switch it over.

Bing is a nice alternative nowadays, although I like the Google vs. Bing site. They do have to think of another name. google-vs-bing is a bit long and if you forget to put in dashes, you will not be on that site.

Gmail: I switched to Gmail a few years ago. I didn’t like the fact that Yahoo was holding my email hostage – even if it was a free service. Hotmail is no different; if I don’t pay the yearly fee, I don’t get to download my mail.

Gmail let me control my mail the way I wanted. It had some great features to connect with others and I really wanted my mail to come through in Thunderbird. Now with the iPhone, it just seems best to stay in the cloud, although i still download to TB for another way to archive.

Toolbar: I have to admit, I haven’t used the toolbar since the newer versions of browsers had the search feature added on the top. Why add another layer? It might just slow down the experience and clutter the screen.

I remember using the highlight tool a lot. Now with Firefox, I just use the highlight add-on. Works pretty well, especially if you are using webpages for reference – highlight the key points.

Maps: This has grown immensely in the last few years. It’s even changed the way I search maps. Satellite view, street view, even hybrid maps have enhanced my use.

I remember when first found out the map could be moved by click-dragging or re-sized by scrolling. I think I played with those features for hours. And yes, I tried to find my house when the Satellite feature first came out.

Labs: This was an impressive feature. No closed beta testing – the ability to put something out in public without giving to everyone. I could then use the “soon to be” features at my discretion.

Analytics: What can I say? I need help with my websites. Being able to have someone help me understand where problems lie is key. Having it come from the place that pretty much wrote the rules on how search is done is even better.

The Bad

SideWiki: Google’s recent choice of SideWiki is not a good one. It takes away from a website. As an administrator, I want comments on my site to be on my site. I don’t have sidewiki setup and I don’t want to confuse people as to where they comment on.

I also don’t like sites that steal my comments. Digg is a good example. While I don’t like Facebook or Twitter stealing comments for tweets, it does promote my brand a lot better with replies on posts.

Chrome Frame: As an IT professional, I hate this idea. It would be like having the Ford dealer put in Ford parts into your Chevy. Once they were done, they cannot really guarantee it’s not going to fail.

If your company runs IE6 for some reason at this point, they may have legitimate reasons to keep it that way. It’s not that a company doesn’t want you to have the latest version of software. It’s all about how it works with the other programs you have to use.

The Dead Pool: Jaiku, Video, Notebook and Dodgeball were all parts of Google that didn’t work out. However, they sometimes did enhance other areas with the technologies within. Notebook helped with Docs, for example.

Indifferent

Docs: I use Google Docs, but only for simple items. Documents I have to share that are not sensitive, for example. There is a lot of functionality in Office and OpenOffice that Google Docs hasn’t even touched. There are even some quirks in Docs that make it tougher to switch over.

Reader: I guess I just haven’t gotten the gist of this idea yet. I’ve used feed aggregation before, but sometimes I like to “Hunt” for news. When I used newsgator, I found that I was going back to the same items time and time again.

Blogger: I used Blogger when it first came over to Google. I remember that year I decided to give up meat for 40 days (a personal choice, although I did it during the same time as “Lent”). I used Blogger for my personal journal. And yes – this was before “Supersize Me” came out.

I like to control my own brand, though. Therefore, I moved off the platform. I also wasn’t serious about my Blogger profile. It ended up being pushed to the wayside and forgotten until it was removed by the system. I won’t get that data back.

Feedburner: There are a lot of people who live and breathe by this item. I personally don’t use it, although I do have my site up on Feedburner. You never know where a lead will come from.

YouTube: This was a great item, but then they put too many restrictions on the site. I don’t like being told what I can or can’t say or promote. Nonetheless, I know that being on YouTube is a powerful marketing tool. Therefore, certain items go on YouTube, like promoting a new show or item.

Chrome: The browser is an interesting one. It’s got a lot of great features, but as an IT pro, I cannot recommend it for business. It’s like I said with Frame – You may have to control the environment. Chrome doesn’t always give you choices on updates.

Book Search: Of course this is new to a lot of people. I still like the feel of a paperback while I sit in bed just before I fall asleep. I think there are a lot of people out there that are just like me, too. Digital books haven’t really found the happy medium yet – But when that someone comes out with the way to read a book online that is more inviting than the paper copy, the proverbial pendulum will swing.

There are a lot more products out there. It really is interesting how many pots Google has their hands in. It may someday get them in trouble with the FTC or EU, but for now, there are some great free alternatives to items you need to use.

Tags: Apple, Consumer, google, Information, internet, Microsoft, RSS, Software, Windows

Posted in google, Information

1 Comment

Forget IE6 – Update Your Windows XP

Posted by J Powers at 11:49 PM on August 11, 2009

So I was given another friends’ computer to fix. They were having overheating issues, which was easily deduced to a blocked fan. Nonetheless, when I turned it on I was greeted with the same issues that so many have not taken care of.

It was still on XP Service Pack 1.

What this meant was I was stuck doing the upgrades. I really don’t mind, but it made me think a bit about how people look at and use their computers; How they say they’re “Computer Stupid” and don’t know all the technical jargon I spew.

I hate that term – “Computer Stupid”.

To begin with, it’s not grammatically correct. With that aside, it’s not about if you know how to put together a computer. It’s about whether you read the signs – after all, if you didn’t read the road signs while driving, you might get lost. Then again, I know people that DO read the signs and still get lost…

So you turn on the computer and the first thing that pops up is an error message. What do you do? Do you 1. try to deduce the problem. 2. Consult a fellow IT friend or 3. Ignore the message altogether and select through it?

It’s amazing how many people do #3. Just like looking at that little “Change Oil” light in the car. After all, it looks so pretty when it’s on for the next 12 thousand miles…

Funny thing about these computers is the Windows Update feature is turned on. It says on the bottom there are updates to be run. Probably has said that on this computer for a long time. After all, I had to install Service Pack 2.

Recently, an initiative has come out trying to make people aware to the fact that they need to upgrade from IE 6. The initial push to IE 7 was slow simply because the added features caused online programs to not function and security holes to be created. The job at the time definitely did not want to make the upgrade because the banking software (for one) didn’t work with IE7.

Awareness has shown the masses that IE might not be the browser to run: The “Million Download” Firefox attempt brought more awareness to what we use for a browser. Still – 8 million downloads (now the Guinness record) is a far cry from as many computers that are out there. Since then Firefox has boasted 1 billion downloads – but how many computers really have the software on and how many people just didn’t go back to IE6?

It’s all about awareness. If the dirty dish is in the sink and you need to use it – you wash it. If the bag is in the hallway and you are coming through, you move it. Therefore, if the computer is telling you to update… You get the picture.

That’s not being “Computer Stupid”. It’s about being aware.

It’s even understandable if you select off it a couple times simply because you are working on something. But eventually, you should really just “Do it”. After all, it’s not going to go away. You might just end up paying for waiting in malware issues. In fact I am surprised this computer is not riddled with malware – especially since there is no Anti-Virus on it.

But that’s a whole other subject.

For now, don’t ignore the issue. Update the computer.

Tags: Anti-Virus, clean, ie6, malware, Microsoft, Software, updates, Windows

Posted in Windows

3 Comments

Four Things the Mac OS Does to Confuse a Windows User

Posted by fogview at 10:43 PM on May 31, 2009

First off I will say that I love the Mac OS and I love the Windows OS. (How about that for staying neutral?) Listeners to my Fogview Podcast know I switched to the Mac about six months ago when my main Windows XP computer died. I had an iMac that I was using for video editing and my photography work so I started using that for my daily work. I know there are a lot of Mac fan-boys out there but I’m not one of them. A computer is a computer and each type has it’s advantages and disadvantages. I enjoy using and learning about the Mac OS but I still do a lot of my work on my new Windows Vista machine.

I found that the Mac has it share of “spinning beach balls” just like Windows has it hourglass when the CPU is overloaded and can’t do one more thing. I have programs crash on the Mac just like they crash on Windows. I don’t have to worry about viruses and spyware on the Mac like I do on Windows, but I know that could change in the future.

Mac_example What I would like to mention is the four things that still confuse me as a newbie “Mac switcher.”

Closing a window on the Mac doesn’t close the program.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve clicked the close window icon and realize later that the program is still running. Most Window programs go away when they are closed.
The program menu bar is at the top of the screen instead of at the top of the window. This is related to the first item because if I close a program’s window (i.e. iTunes), I now see another program underneath it but I’m still in the program I thought I closed. If I try to access the menu for the program that I see on the screen, I will be accessing the menu for the program I thought I closed. (See the screen shot on the right for an example of what I’m talking about: iTunes menu and Aperture window)
Control = Alt and Alt = Command keys
Yes, the keys are switched, at least for how I normally think of them in Windows. For example, I press Ctrl-C to copy in Windows, and Command-C in Mac. Alt-tab to switch programs in Windows and Command-tab in Mac. (The last two are not switched, which only adds to the confusion.)
Home and End act like Page Up and Page Down instead of begin/end
If I’m typing something in Windows, the Home/End keys will move the cursor to the begin/end of the line I’m typing. On the Mac it generally shifts the content of the window up and down on the screen and doesn’t change the cursor location. (I realize that each program can use the Home/End keys as they see fit, but in the Windows world these keys always seem to work the way I expect — or at least the way I’ve come to expect of them.)

Of all the differences I mentioned, #4 is the one thing I have not been able to get use too. I’m always trying to use the Home/End keys on the Mac to move my cursor around when editing text (I admit that I make lots of typing mistakes). I try to use it when entering URLs into the browser, Google search strings, emails I’m composing, and blogs entries (like this one), and I’m always surprised at the results. I would love for a Mac user to tell me what keys will do a similar thing on the Mac.

Learning to use a Mac has been a fun thing and helps to keep my brain engaged. I picked up a great book that helped answer the question of “How do I do that on the Mac.” It’s called “Switching to the Mac, The Missing Manual” by David Pogue. I highly recommend it if you’re thinking about switching too.

I’m not a Mac expert but I will write more in the future about my experience navigating in a Mac world from a Windows map. Stay tuned.

73’s, Tom

Tags: fogview, mac, osx, switcher, Windows

Posted in mac, Operating Systems, osx, vista, Windows

3 Comments

Use your Mac as Mac

Posted by GNC at 7:36 AM on May 23, 2009

Just because a Mac can run Windows doesn’t mean you should. Yes I know that many tests revealed that the fastest PC on the market was a Mac running Windows on Boot Camp. I know that the virtualization software has made incredible progress. If I buy a Mac it should be so that I can use the OS for what it is. So why this blatant opinion piece? Well, as a mac fan, I hear many complaints.

mac-os-x-v1056-leopard-apple-store-us “My Mac slows down and doesn’t run that fast.” Uh, well are you running OS X and Windows at the same time with several applications in each? OS X does phenomenal at managing memory. I often am running 10 applications at the same time and have no idea. However, think about what you are doing in when running Windows at the same time. You are running OS X, virtualization software, and monster Windows. Windows Vista is so bloated that it barely runs itself without lots of ram. Really, OS X does incredibly well at running both at the same time with all things considered. If you insist on running Windows applications on a Mac and need super performance, then at least run Windows in boot camp and not virtualization.

“There are not as many applications out for the Mac so I need to use Windows.” That is so 90′s. The Mac developer community is growing much faster than the Windows world in percentage. I have yet to receive this complaint where I could not respond with multiple, great options of software on a Mac (and cheaper I might add). If I must admit some ignorance, it would be in the world of enterprise.

The goal of this article is not intended to be a Mac vs. PC article, just a bit of balance on the issue of running Windows on a Mac. If you love Windows then buy a PC and run Windows. If you need to run both then a Mac is your only option. Run Windows in Boot Camp or expect a slight performance ding in virtualization. As a Mac man I stand by my title and opening statements. Just because a Mac can run Windows doesn’t mean you should. Use your Mac as a Mac. It’s where I am happiest.

Tags: Apple, Windows

Posted in Apple, Microsoft, Windows

5 Comments

HP MediaSmart Home Server Available to Order Today!

Posted by geeknews at 9:00 AM on November 5, 2007

Ever since CES in January I have been anticipating what I think is going to be the product of the year. After some delays to make sure the software was ready for release, the folks at HP have released the MediaSmart Home Server for resale at most major online sites with delivery scheduled to start later this month.

The wait will be well worth it, as the 500GB model is going to retail for $599.00 and the 1TB model will retail for $749. Each model comes with 4 drive bays and dependent on how you order it will depend on how many free drive bays there will be.

HP has added some cool features to their offering that will sit on top of the Windows Home Server operating system that will make the HP offering even more compelling.

The first is called “HP Photo Webshare” with an HP specific software add-on that comes with the MediaSmart Home Server. You will be able to share your photos from your MediaSmart Home server with relatives and friends. Whoever you give access to those pictures will be able to download and or order pictures online through Snapfish. A even more cool feature is that friends will be able to add pictures to your collection as well.

This will be the first time you will not need to upload your pictures to Flickr. All of your photos are now available via your Internet connection and your family can enjoy your pictures as you update them.

When I asked how ISPs are going to cope with people running a home server on their Internet connection, the HP folks believe that because the usage will be limited to family and friends there should be no issue with ISPs.

If your ISP blocks incoming Port 80 though, this and other features may be in danger of not working. In all likelihood those on Comcast and other services that have strict policies against running servers on their Internet connections will have a issue that Microsoft and HP will have to work through with the ISPs.

The second add service is Windows Media Connect where you will be able to have one instance of your music versus on multiple machines. That media would be available to all network attached devices like an XBox.

A exceptional cool add on is Server for iTunes which will allow the Windows Media Connect to integrate with iTunes. iTunes will recognize the media as a new device and the playlist etc will be available. Thus, all of your computers with iTunes on it will be able to access through the Media Smart Home Server the Server for iTunes interface.

The small form factor and stylish design will only require a power plug and a hard-wired connection to your home network. Each PC then will need to run the client software for the automated backups and rebuild capability that the Windows Home Server brings to the table.

HP has not locked the software down, thus any third party applications that are brought to market will be able to be installed and run on the operating system.

Tags: hp, itunes, MediaSmart Home Server, Photo Webshare, WHS, Windows

Posted in Commerce

Comments 1 Comment

GNC-2007-10-19 #310

Posted by geeknews at 4:19 AM on October 19, 2007

This show is a wild ride and I get pretty wound up. Big thanks to all the loyal fans that are part of the Geek News Central Ohana. Are you going to Podcamp Boston?

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Twitter Me http://www.twitter.com/geeknews
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Comments to 619-342-7365 e-mail to geeknews@gmail.com

Listener Links:
Worst iPhone Accessory Ever
Hamachi
Verizon customers should call 1-800-333-9956 to opt out of this privacy sale

Show Notes:
It’s a Negative News World
Google Doc Mobile
China Cyberwar
Google Sitelink Management
Should I wait for the new Mac Pro?
The Road to Safari 3.0
Windows 7 Insight
FISA Bill Put on Ice
Motorola loosing to iPhone?
Airline Seats Gouge
iPod Classic has bug after Upgrade
Amazon EC2 is really packing a punch
Is Blinkx violating Copyrights?
Google has great Quarter
Are most Tech Blogger getting duped by PR People?
Popfly Application for Silverlight
Discovery Cleared to ISS
Fair Use Rights being stiffed again
Pirate Bay and IFPI Round 2
RIAA coming after your College Students
Chumby
Grandma is Pissed at Comcast
Some Lawyers need to study Internet IP
Are you a Greynet Abuser
Pitch a VC better leave Google out of the Talk

Caught my Eye
Packing it Up
Hot Homework Tips
No Shirts
Women Stop the Clock

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Tags: amazon, Blinkx, Chumby, College, Comcast, Discovery, EC2, FISA, Google Docs, Greynet, IFPI, ipod, iss, nasa, Pirate Bay, Podcast, PopFly, riaa, Safari, SilverLight, Sitelink, VC, Windows

Posted in Podcast

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GNC-2007-09-11 #301

Posted by geeknews at 3:27 AM on September 11, 2007

This is a monster show with a huge number of listener comments that I had to get caught up. This show is packed end to end with good info.

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Listener Links:
Go Green
Apple RingTones
SixApart iPhone Support
WallPaper Site
iPhone Racks Up Charges When OFF!
DSL Nightmare
Naval Air Podcast
Rare Todd Podcast
Time Travel
Invest In Time Travel?

Show Notes:
Firefox 400 Million downloads
Apple looking at 700mhz Auction
RIAA gets smacked by Judge on Boilerplate Lawsuits
iPhone Unlock Video
TechShop is totally Awesome!
Apple Cripples iPod Touch Calendar
Solar Powered Plane
iTunes 7.4.1 and RingTone Battles
$7000.00 Rebate for Apple Lisa Users
Windows Live Writer Review
Mahalo getting a lot of scrutiny
Banner Ad Trojans!
Search for Lost via Google Earth
AdBlock Plus Commentary
RIAA Facing first Jury Trial!
Cannon Hack to give RAW Images to most Cannon Cameras
Europe SeedCamp WInners
Adobe Online Image Editor Review
UAV Google Earth and Software equals cool things
ISP’s Ignoring Hacked Computers
Skype Worm
Mars Rovers on Move!
Technorati River of News
Thanks Michael

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Tags: Adobe, Apple, Cannon, dsl, Google Earth, Hacked, Image Editor, iPod Touch, isp, itunes, Live Writer, Mars, Podcast, RAW, riaa, Ringtones, Rovers, SeedCamp, skype, technorati, UAV, Windows, Worm

Posted in Podcast

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GNC-2007-06-08 #274

Posted by geeknews at 3:59 AM on June 8, 2007

Monster show with a lot of great articles. Lots of great commentary from the audience as well at the end of the show. Thanks for being part of the Ohana! Missed on key Article Watch blog today

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