Vista Sp2 Beta Still not up yet!
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Is this Windows 7?
Comments OffAs you can see that looks to be the final release of the start screen. In the past they haven’t change the start screen, it looks to be really polished and ready for use with Windows 7. If anything, I think the boot screen will be permanent and definitely not temporary. On a Side note, I found this video as well:
I also found one more little Video that looks to be promising, it’s called Windows 7 Super bar. This little Video looks convincingly like this will be kept in Windows 7 but you know how Microsoft is on beta’s. Any how, Here’s this one:
Windows 7 Super Bar from Paul Jenkins on Vimeo.
Apple’s Immunity, Botnet sanctuary.
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But is Apple projecting a false sense of security just to save face? Many experts repeatedly warn that all operating systems are susceptible to viruses, and as the Mac becomes more popular OS X will inevitably become a bigger target for malicious attacks.
[via Pcworld]
Having said that I feel the notion that Apple is trying to keep there reputation as a virus free system. I can only hope that they stay that way. Which as much as I know, Apple will most like start to be the main source for botnets, because of the lack of security.
Microsoft issues Vista patches out of Monthly Patch Cycle!
Microsoft issues Out of cycle patch for Vista. These patches are as Followed:
An update rollup is available for the Microsoft Windows Imaging Component (WIC) in Windows Vista or in Windows Server 2008. This update rollup resolves the problems that are documented in the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
954708 An update to add support for the serialization of complex Extensible Metadata Platform (XMP) data types in the Windows Imaging Component945060 There may be inconsistencies in the Extensible Metadata Platform (XMP) and Exchangeable Image File (EXIF) values for an image file in Windows Vista and in Windows XP
The Windows Portable Device (WPD) API collects and transfers Software Quality Metrics (SQM) data to Microsoft servers. The SQM data is collected only on an opt-in basis through the Microsoft Customer Experience Improvement Program. An update is available that disables the collection and transfer of SQL data to Microsoft servers.
This update affects Windows Vista-based computers, Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1)-based computers, and Windows Server 2008-based computers that are in the Microsoft Windows Media Player Customer Experience Improvement Program.
Microsoft kills a fake antivirus tool from 994,061 computers!
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According to Arstechnica and I’ll quote:Win32/FakeSecSen has gone by various names, including Micro Antivirus 2009, MS Antivirus, Spyware Preventer, Vista Antivirus 2008, Advanced Antivirus, System Antivirus 2008, Ultimate Antivirus 2008, Windows Antivirus, XPert Antivirus, Power Antivirus, and Ultra Antivirus 2009. Furthermore, it is skinnable, so each of these variants has a different GUI, although the basic functionality is the same: bother users with warnings of malware until they pay up.The Microsoft Malware Protection Center recently released some data on how the removal tool performed this month: FakeSecSen was removed from 994,061 machines. That number isn’t the highest Microsoft has recorded before, and the number of removals depends on which malware Microsoft adds each month and how widespread it is.
[via Arstechnica]
This seemed to of happened this month with the usual Windows update. If you haven’t updated your system just yet you should. This troublesome fake virus seems to have been killed from several systems. This could effectively make it harder for these guys who ever designed this program to make money. I hope microsoft does even more virus removals in next month. If you still want to try to get rid of these viruses don’t forget to check out my tips on Virus removal.
How to disable autorun the easy way!!!
Comments OffI read a report from Cnet about USB devices spreading Virus and I will quote:
The bad guys are intentionally developing new flavors of malware designed to propagate through USB devices,” said Gunter Ollmann, chief security strategist for IBM’s ISS security division. “They are today’s floppy drives.”
An infected computer can spread a virus to a clean USB thumb drive that is inserted. That USB drive will then be spreading the virus onto other computers if the operating system on those machines has an AutoRun-type feature enabled. The AutoRun function in Windows launches installers and other programs automatically when a flash drive or CD is inserted. The Mac has an equivalent function, according to Ollmann.[Via Cnet]
In order to disable “autorun“, which in Vista is called Autoplay. In order to disable Autoplay from starting when you insert media into your computer here is how you do it:
You will need to be Logged in as Administrator before this can be done:
Next click start and type “Autoplay” without quotes. It will bring up a screen but all you have to worry about is this:
Vista has a new Vulnebility!
Comments OffAccording to Techworld.com, Vista has a new Vulnerability that could let a hacker infect a Vista machine with a rootkit. The talk from them is quite intriguing. I will quote it to better let you know what the Vulnerability is:
The vulnerability could allow a hacker to install a rootkit, a small piece of malicious software that is very difficult to detect and remove from a computer, Unterleitner said.
Phion notified Microsoft about the problem on 22 October. Microsoft indicated to Phion that it would issue a patch with Vista’s next service pack. Microsoft released a beta version of Vista’s second service pack to testers last month. Vista’s Service Pack 2 is due for release by June 2009.
[via Techworld.com]
The way they could do this is through the Device IO Control which in turn could corrupt the Kernel of Windows Vista. Now we all know that Microsoft will release a patch quicker than 6 months away. According to this article, people are already looking for the exploit and want to know more about it. I would be willing to bet they will have a patch out sooner than later. Probably January or Febuary, which will be a big deal because no one will expect it. I would also imagine hackers will start trying to figure out how they could install software as quick as possible before Microsoft pushes out the patch. So what can you do to protect yourself, Get a firewall, a Antivirus and learn how to protect yourself to prevent yourself from getting a computer virus.
A good free VPN Client — OpenVPN & more
Comments OffI’ve been doing some research on what might be good to use in case, I was away from my home network. I was thinking how safe am I at Starbucks or other places that I might doing my web. So I did a little looking around to see which one I liked and I came to the conclusions that only one I need right now is:
The nice thing about this was the simple installation of the software and how easy it was to set it up. This service is in beta but seems to be really well done with regards to the end users. When you install this software and want to connect it uses the OpenVPN software with there configurations. OpenVPN, is a open sourced SSL VPN solution and is free to use. The way this this free is of Ad Supported banners. Now it is cheaper than paying monthly for a VPN service. The ones I’ve found so far are these few:
- OpenVPN (FREE)(*advertisement)(Linux, and Windows)
- Always VPN (Prepay) (5 GB to 80 GB limit) (Linux, Mac and Windows)*Out of Beta
- Hotspot Shield (FREE) (*advertisement) (Windows) (3 gig Cap)
Is Vista just Windows 7?
Comments OffNow I know Vista isn’t what people expected and that it had high expectations when they first released it. I think that is due to the fact Microsoft tried so hard to make Vista seem more than it actually was. Now According to Ina Fried from CNET her post was about Windows 7: A better Vista?. In her post she talked about the features of Windows 7, and how Windows 7 is almost like Vista. I tend to agree because of the look from screenshots I’ve seen to make me think it will be Version 2 of Vista. I don’t think it is anything that will change from Vista to Windows 7. It will however be more ready to boot up and shutdown that is according to what Microsoft said to Ina.
Oprah Recommends the Kindle!
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Today in Chicago, and on TV screens across the USA, Oprah Winfrey is going to recommend her new “favorite gadget,” which is Amazon’s Kindle ebook reader. A brief video has appeared on Amazon’s website to plug the show — as spotted by Chris Nuttall at the Financial Times — which will also feature a guest appearance by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. (Not his first, by the way.)[via Guardian.co.uk]
I this recent turn of events I thought I recommend some great Kindle Reviews and let you decide if it is worth your money. So Here are some fantastic Sources to help you decide for yourself:
- Amazon Kindle Real-Live Review Gizmodo
- MacInTouch Kindle Review
- Cnet Reviews of the Kindle
- ZDnet Reviews of the Kindle
These are just a few that I could find to better help you make choices on if you would like to buy a Kindle. I hope this better helps you decide if it is worth.
Apple reports there earnings for the quarter!
After all that happened today, Apple decides to talk about there earnings for today. Some things to consider are:
Apple ships more than 2.6 million Macs and 6.9 Billion Iphones. Now let’s do the numbers on this 6.9 billion Iphones at an average over 500$ a piece would mean quite a earnings for Apple. This according to Applewatch and I’ve got to think is this showing the real economy or is this all hype from Steve Jobs?
According to M&G Business they are up 24 per cent this fiscal year. Which means that they have gain ahead from the recent problems in the stock market. Are they going to be able keep that going?
Last but final least saying of the day Gizmodo is stating : Steve is on the call, says that iPhone is now 39 percent of their business, Apple is now world’s “third largest mobile phone supplier.”
Now what about the Google Phone is that going to out sale the Iphone? I would like to know the current status of how man Google phones they have estimation sold on pre-orders? Are they going to be able to out do the Iphone or is it going to be even more of a problem when they release the final numbers on the G-phone!!
Whatever happened to that One Red Paper clip?
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Kyle MacDonald: “One Red Paper Clip”
What did happen to that One Red Paper Clip? We know Kyle MacDonld traded that paper clip for something more valuable and sooner or later it got all the way to a house? So he’s trying to sell this house of his. Here’s the quote:
“We’d like to trade the house because it’s kinda sitting empty most of the time, and it’d be great if somebody was in there!” As to his barter options, MacDonald is playing his cards close to the vest. He will reveal only that he has received 300 offers so far. “I’m keeping them all a secret until I make my decision who to trade with,” he says.
[Via PC World]
So what did happen to that Red paper clip? I hope it didn’t get thrown away or stomped on? Will we ever know. I doubt it.
Shutting down Windows Vista Episode 1
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Having seen this become obviously a big problem. I have decided to do a podcast on this and talk about the solutions on it.
[display_podcast]
My Social Networks:
My Sponsors:
Show Notes for Shutting Down Vista:
Is Spore Worth 49.99?
Comments OffSo I been doing a little digging and trying to find out what the heck people are complaining about and I found some great reviews telling me exactly why people hate EA. They don’t necessarily hate Spore or Will Wright, but the Security around The Spore game.
So In a couple of these comments. These reviews talk about Creating the creatures and All. I’ll submit some of the reviews that I thought was relevant and let you decide for yourself. I would however wonder the one big question? Is Spore Worth the Money? Here’s the details that I know of right now:
- You can only install it 3 times before you have to call EA to get an override code. (Although I heard rumors that if you unistall it, you will get a credit for an Install)
- You can not Install new hardware or upgrade your hardware because if you do, it’ll count as an install, According to this one person.
- The game only allows 1 login per Install. So you can’t have more than one character and one universe according to this person.
Getting Spaz to work with the Twit Army:
Comments OffI having successfully installed Spaz and use it with the Twit Army. I’d figure I would talk about how to get Spaz to work like Twirl. It’s a very simple way but some people seem to having trouble. This will only work with Vista or XP and I am not sure about Linux or Mac. I’ve been successful doing this with a Vista Premium Machine. It seems to be really easy to use and not take up to much of your desk space.
- Download and Install Adobe Air — (You will need this to installed first.)
- Download and Install Spaz — (This is the main program)
- Once install you will need to go to:
- Go to the [ Preferences ]
- Go to [ Other Services ]
-
Put this in exactly as shown (see example)
- Go to [ Networking ] (optional)
- Put this in exactly as sown (see example)
>
Doing this should get you connected to the Twit Army. I am not sure why it says “ERROR : Server returned invalid data” When you first start the program but if you wait a couple seconds you will see that it will eventually loads up. If you have any suggestions or comments please feel free to leave a comment.
