Windows 7 Optimization for Beginners

So you just got Windows 7 on a new system and you want to optimize the system to run smoother. I wanted to talk about how even a novice could do some of the things that might help with that.

If your coming from Windows XP to Windows 7, I would like you to check out some Vista tips that will also help you with Windows 7.

• 5 Things Microsoft Vista doesn’t want you to Know!!
• Turn Aero OFF at will!!
• Ways to improve Battery Life in Vista
• Tips and Tricks to Shut down Windows Vista!
• Vista Tips and Secrets!!
• Running old programs on Vista (tips and tricks)
• The best New Windows 7 Keyboard Shortcuts
• Troubleshoot Windows 7 Sleep mode Problem
• Windows 7 Inside Out : Great little Book to read to better understand Windows 7.
• How to Do a System Recovery image in Windows 7
• How to Enable Windows 7 GodMode

If you bought a OEM version that comes with bloatware, you can always use Autoruns.  What most people don’t know is that Windows 7 is a better version of Windows Vista and that is why I suggest reading those other Vista Articles that I wrote about.   I can still use those tips and tricks from Vista to make Windows 7.   With these tips you can make Windows 7 run better and smoother.

Have a Great Friday, See you Monday!

List of Malware sites for Dec 10, 2009

Personal Antivirus — Download SUPERAntiSpyware (Database Version 4349):

• update-protection-z4.cn
• update-protection-z6.cn
• lenovosecurity01.cn
• lenovosecurity51.cn
• new-antimalware01.cn
• update-protection-z1.cn
• ferrari-scan9.cn
• radius-protect-c1.cn
• radius-protect-a1.cn
• radius-protect-b1.cn
• intel-secure10.cn
• intel-secure20.cn
• intel-secure90.cn
• intel-secure02.cn
• intel-secure01.cn
• atomantispyware11.cn
• atomantispyware21.cn
• atomantispyware31.cn
• atomantispyware51.cn
• atomantispyware61.cn
• pc-antispy013.cn
• pc-antispy999.cn
• pc-antispy051.cn
• pc-antispy001.cn
• windefscanm9.cn
• windefscanm0.cn
• vip-protectionv9.cn
• vip-protectionz4.cn
• windefscanm1.cn
• vip-protectionv8.cn
• top2009security.cn

Internet Antivirus Pro Scareware

• ewiali.cn
• ewiaguh.cn
• inb6sh.com
• divyza.cn
• jynuroh.cn
• jypebgi.cn
• diwehym.cn
• enoihup.cn
• kanjiur.cn

Fake Scanner Pages:

• scan.dewesan.cn

Rogue Antivirus scareware sites:

• siteadware.com
• antitroy.com
• letmeguard-yourzone-pc.com
• systempc-scan-check.net
• livepcguard.com
• downloadavr13.com
• clean-vironmypc.net
• cleanvir-onmypc.net
• cleanviron-mypc.net
• cleanvironmypc.net
• internal-scanforpc.com
• internal-scanforpc.net
• internalscanforpc.com
• internalscanforpc.net
• safetyantispywareshop.com

List of malware sites for Sept 1, 2009

Well with it being the end of the month it was to be expected here is a long list of sites.   So please read these carefully.

Personal Antivirus Scareware Site and How to Remove them:

• live-virus-scanner9.com
• tryantivirusscan.com
• antispyware-scanner2.com
• bewareofvirusattacks2.com
• antivirus-scanner6.com
• valueantivirusshop1.com

Internet Antivirus Pro Scareware*SUPERAntispyware gets rid of these too*

• adjudg.info
• atwain.info
• caretz.info
• gaudad.info
• krapen.info
• nevils.info
• outliv.info
• penvie.info
• stampo.info
• ticedu.info
• unwept.info
• gelded.info
• dolchi.info
• figgle.info
• botled.info

Rogue Antivirus scareware sites:

• securepcshield.com
• myprotectedzone.net

Most of the time, These sites are injected into one's browser by way of a Trojan taking over the system. If left untreated these sites will become more and more profound trying to get you to install them. Most of the time these are installed in unsuspecting computers by way of exploits, backdoors, or unsafe downloading practices. This usually means that if you have it you should remove it by any means necessary because this software has been know to cause more and more trouble as time goes by. This software is fake ware, it tries to tell you have a virus and that they can get rid of it. In fact, this software is not designed with Antivirus engine in mind but to illicit pop ups and warning to raise the users security concerns about the computer in question. Downloading programs from bit torrents or other unsafe ways can and most likely will have these types of programs installed alongside the program you wanted.

Threat to System : Moderate

How to know if the scareware warning is real or not:

I got an email from someone who wants not to be named asking how do I know if these sites that I have talked about like Defenderpageblock.com, Spywaredomainlist.com, adwaredomainlists.com, badwaredomainlists.com, browserdefenderlist.com, malicioussitesblock.com, and browserliveprotection.com are fake warning sites because of how the site handles the URL presented.   Let me give you a few example urls to see what I mean:

http://defenderpageblock.com/block.php?id=2006-54&url=http://tech-linkblog.com/scareware-adviser-from-defenderpageblock-com/

http://browserliveprotection.com/block.php?id=2024-4&url=http://tech-linkblog.com/2008/12/microsoft-readys-to-layoff-around-15000-workers.html/

http://malicioussitesblock.com/block.php?id=2006-54&url=http://tech-linkblog.com/2009/08/list-of-malware-sites-for-aug-24-2009.html/

http://spywaredomainlists.com/block.php?id=2018-2&url=http://tech-linkblog.com/2009/08/scareware-adviser-from-spywaredomainlists-com.html/

http://adwaredomainlists.com/block.php?id=2031&url=http://tech-linkblog.com/2009/04/pc-speedscan-pro-a-bad-idea.html/

Now as you can see al these have an identification number probably like an affiliate link and then the url of the site that is supposed to be bad or have malicious in some way.  So what do you do when you see these types of warning pop up and you would like to know if this real.   Here are some things to try to see if it is real or not:

• change the url it is going to, try Google or some other site that you know isn’t malicious and see what happens.   You will notice it will say the same exact same thing.
• Check out Stopbadware.org –  Google uses this service for there search results so this would be more reliable and check out the warning domain to see what it says then also check out the domain and website in question.

AVG 8.5 Free Version Best on my system

Pcworld has a released there top free Antivirus software picks.     Now let’s be clear on this, I am an a average user, and have tested these products out on my own laptop plus others and here is what I find.

According to Pcworld, Avira Antivir Personal is the top pick and claims to block 98.9 percent of samples:

Such less-than-friendly default behaviors make Avira AntiVir Personal a better choice for tech-savvy users who know how to muck about in the settings. If you’re willing to put up with a somewhat clumsy interface and the recurring pop-up ads, in return you’ll enjoy top-notch, free protection against malware. It’s not a bad trade-off by any means.

[Via Pcworld : Avira Antivir Personal Antivirus]

Now with Pcworld saying it isn’t a bad trade-off to have the Pop-ups and the default behaviors of this program, it doesn’t make me want to use this program since I am a gamer and the pop-ups would interfere with playing online games, not to mention if your not that tech savy person you’d have a lot of head scratching to  figure out this program.

List of Fake AV sites for Aug 22, 2009

If you know anything about the Malware writers they are always registering new domains and here is the newest ones they are using:

Personal Antivirus Scareware Site:

• antispywarebestscanner.com
• professionalvirusscanv3.com
• professionalcomputerscanv2.com
• scan-your-pc-now.com
• professionalspywarescanv8.com

Internet Antivirus Pro Scareware:

• hopest.info
• suffic.info
• cressy.info
• unowed.info
• inclin.info

Rogue Antivirus scareware sites:

• securitytoolsite.com (Fake Scanner)
• webscansecurepc.com (Fake Scanner)

Most of the time, These sites are injected into one's browser by way of a Trojan taking over the system. If left untreated these sites will become more and more profound trying to get you to install them. Most of the time these are installed in unsuspecting computers by way of exploits, backdoors, or unsafe downloading practices. This usually means that if you have it you should remove it by any means necessary because this software has been know to cause more and more trouble as time goes by. This software is fake ware, it tries to tell you have a virus and that they can get rid of it. In fact, this software is not designed with Antivirus engine in mind but to illicit pop ups and warning to raise the users security concerns about the computer in question. Downloading programs from bit torrents or other unsafe ways can and most likely will have these types of programs installed alongside the program you wanted.

Threat to System : Moderate

List of Malware sites for Aug 21, 2009

It has been kinda busy today for the Antivirus scareware sites but here they are.

Personal Antivirus Scareware Site:

• check-for-malwarev3.com
• safeonlinescannerv4.com

Internet Antivirus Pro Scareware:

• fatuus.info

Rogue Antivirus scareware sites:

• antivirusplus2010.com
• mybestantivirusplus.com
• internetantivirusplus.com
• antivirusplus09.com
• antivirus-plus-now.com
• yesantivirusplus.com
• goodantivirusplus.com
• i-antivirusplus.com
• nextantivirusplus.com
• antivirusplus-ok.com
• getavplusnow.com
• antivirusplusnow.com
• getantivirusplusnow.com
• realantivirusplus09.com
• freeantivirusplus09.com
• addedantivirusstore.com
• addedantivirusonline.com
• myplusantiviruspro.com
• yourcountedantivirus.com
• easyaddedantivirus.com
• addedantiviruslive.com
• addedantiviruspro.com

Most of the time, These sites are injected into one's browser by way of a Trojan taking over the system. If left untreated these sites will become more and more profound trying to get you to install them. Most of the time these are installed in unsuspecting computers by way of exploits, backdoors, or unsafe downloading practices. This usually means that if you have it you should remove it by any means necessary because this software has been know to cause more and more trouble as time goes by. This software is fake ware, it tries to tell you have a virus and that they can get rid of it. In fact, this software is not designed with Antivirus engine in mind but to illicit pop ups and warning to raise the users security concerns about the computer in question. Downloading programs from bit torrents or other unsafe ways can and most likely will have these types of programs installed alongside the program you wanted.

Threat to System : Moderate

Service Pack 2 For Vista is out — Working good on the Cricket Broadband A600

Microsoft has sent out Service pack 2 for Vista, and so I installed it on my machine to see what happens with the Cricket Modem.  The Files Microsoft are letting people download are:

• Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 and Windows Vista Service Pack 2 – Five Language Standalone X86
  
• Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 and Windows Vista Service Pack 2 – Five Language Standalone for x64-based systems
  
• Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 – Five Language Standalone for ia64-based Systems
  

All of these are KB948465 and will be released on June 30, 2009 via Automatic updates.   I also tested it out and I have a 32 bit system.   I am unsure as to the other systems if the Cricket Broadband works or not on the UM100 Modem.  I have the A600 Cricket Broadband modem and it installed without a hitch.

According to Ars technica this Service Pack has over 800 hot fixes and have fixed several things that Microsoft did wrong with Service Pack 1.  If you have the Beta version you will have to unistall it before you install this service pack.  I would love to hear of any problems with Cricket Broadband from others in the forums.   If you have problems let me know and I’ll  do my best to help you out.

Microsoft to Release One Crictical update for Tuesday

Microsoft has release the information for May’s Patch Tuesday and it looks like there is one major update for Power point:

The Affected software is MS Office 2000, MS office Xp, MS Office 2003, Ms Office 2007, Power point viewer, and MS compatibility pack for Word, Excel, and Power point 2007.

What will be coming out for Tuesday is as Followers for Non-security Releated:

• Windows PowerShell 1.0 for Windows Vista (KB928439)
  
• Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1 and .NET Framework 3.5 Family Update (KB951847)
• Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 Service Pack 1 (KB867460)
• Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool – May 2009 (KB890830)/Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool – May 2009 (KB890830) – Internet Explorer Version
• Update for Windows Mail Junk E-mail Filter [May 2009] (KB905866)

Although some of this is usual like the Malicious software removal tool, and Windows Junke e-mail filter, we won’t know what else will be released until Tuesday.  Some of the updates will be minor like the Powershell, I am guessing tis will help get ready for SP2, and the SP1 for the .NET framwork also looks to be getting ready for SP2.  So I will keep you updated if i find out what else is released on Tuesday!

Miketechshow Listener Roundtable : #242 Backups

We had a great time talking about backing up our system. On a side note, I’d like to tell people that During the Round table, I was restoring my system due to a major network issue. The system wouldn’t stay connected at all to my network or my USB A600 Cricket Modem.  I used the A600 Modem during the podcast with Skype, so the quality isn’t as good as it should but that is due to two different factors.  One I had a cheap headset and two the bandwidth limitations.  This however shows that this is possible and works really well.  I also used the Antenna for the Skype meeting.   It actually seems like a stable connection.   Although Mike has told us in his email this might be the last Round Table, so if you want this to continue you can either email him or twitter him telling him you want to keep seeing these podcasts.  I also talk about Roboform and how I make sure the passwords are backed up.   We did talk about making sure to test our backups, so we know if the backup process works.   I have to say my backup procedure was without doubt working for me.   Even though I had some issues with Vista security updates after the restore, my restore to laptop didn’t take more than an hour to get the programs that I wanted back on the system.
Mike Tech Show Listener Roundtable #242 Backups

Twitter Spam attempt: “See the NSFW pics twitter deleted from my profile here”

Looks like this might have been a improper adult content or maybe a Malware attack:

If people are wonder what NSFW means:

Not suitable/safe for work (NSFW), not work-suitable/safe (NWS), or not school-suitable (NSS) is Internet slang or shorthand. Typically, the NSFW tag is used in E-mail, movies (such as on Youtube) and on interactive discussion areas (such as internet forums, blogs and community websites) to mark URLs or hyperlinks which may be sexually explicit or include audio containing profanity, helping the reader avoid potentially objectionable content.
[via Wikipedia]

It looks like this was done with using Tinyurl and has been flagged for either Spam, Fraud, Malware, or Any other use that is illegal. I am glad Tinyurl did catch this and stop it. If you see something that say NSFW in your twitter account your best bet is to delete it and go on with your life. I am sure it is something your should not go to probably because it was a malicious way to get your to go to the link. If you want to preview the urls that are used by Tinyurl, just visit the preview feature. If anyone else hears of some kind of Twitter attempt let me know and I’ll blog about it. This would be the best time to install Free Anti-virus and Free Firewalls to help prevent from getting Viruses or Malware.

Adobe PDF Zero Day Warnings : Experts agree

All the Security experts online are talking about The 2 Zero Day Adobe Vulnerabilities:

• F-secure
• Graham Cluely’s Blog
• Sans Internet Storm

As you can see this seems to be one of those Adobe problems we had in the past with Javascript.   They seem to be having a major problem with Javascript vulnerability and the old saying is to just to disable Javascript in PDF’S again.   Adobe is calling this a Potential Adobe Reader issue and is suggesting that the users disable Javascript until this is fixed with a security update.

This is mostly affect the corporate world more than the private sector because of the fact corporate world will use PDF by sending them through emails.   I suggest installing another reader and these are all free.

Be advised the vulnerabilities affects Linux, Windows, and Macintosh systems.  This will most likely mean that even Macintoshes could be used to create even more botnets and will need to disable there Javascript until this issue is fixed or maybe they would like to find another reader themselves.  This also goes for Linux users but I have not heard of anything in the wild yet.

Don’t forget to install some free Anti-virus and Free Firewalls to help protect your system from becoming a botnet.

Microsoft released April Patch list for Patch Tuesday

To see what systems are affected please see the bulletin for further details.   Some of the updates have to do with IE 6 and IE 7, maybe it is time to update to IE 8.  It looks like if you update to IE 8 you will not have to worry about the Remote Code Execution.  There also seems to be a remote code execution for DirectX 9.0A, B, and C.  This however doesn’t affect DirectX 10 and if you have a Vista machine please consider updating to DirectX 10.

The other one is a MSDTC program that has a vulnerability of Elevation of Privileges that needs to be fixed.  There will of course be more than this for April but these are the ones that Microsoft has determined to be release for Tuesday.  There are going to be at least 8 Different patches for Windows XP, and some For Vista.  Some will be only for XP and others will be for XP and Vista.

Then Microsoft Internet Security andAcceleration server will have an update to prevent a Denial of Service attack.  This will be needed to patch on the server side as soon as possible.  Then there is the Excel Remote Code execution that needs to be fixed.  It looks like CVE-2009-0238 is the one that this is being patched for but this is only a guess.

Now is the best time to get Autopatcher ready for this update because this will be quite a big update.  You should also update your anti-virus software and Firewall.

Electric Company fear Mongering gone wrong!!

I saw this talking going on at Arstechnica and SANS Interenet are Talking about the Elecric Company Fear mongering. Here’s what Ars Says:

It sounds like something straight out of Hollywood. Current and former US security officials have reported that foreign nations have penetrated the cybersecurity barriers surrounding the US electrical grid, water system, and even financial networks. Although no known attempts have been made to activate the booby traps said black hats left behind, such sleeper cells could activate suddenly during a war or crisis, plunging the nation into a disaster only Bruce Willis and that Mac dude could avert.

[Via Arstechnica]

This was posted today with people asking the question Is the Electric company have a viruses or have a worm? I don’t know but these fears are coming from the Wall Street Journal:

WASHINGTON — Cyberspies have penetrated the U.S. electrical grid and left behind software programs that could be used to disrupt the system, according to current and former national-security officials.

[Via Wall Street Journal]

Now let’s talk about this, This is being a talked about on a friends Podcast, The Caffination Podcast. This is where I have figure we should talk about this. I think Sans Internet Storm says it better than I could:

Securing your Windows Machines

After a Long day at work, you sometimes feel like there isn’t much you want to talk about. Then this idea comes to me? Why do people blog and why do people talk about security?

I’ve come to realize something, I’m not one who was grew up understanding bits from bytes. I grew up as any family does fighting with my siblings.

Having been blogging the past few years, it seems like only yesterday that I started blogging. Cliche I know but still very much true. Most blogs do what they know, I aim to learn and teach each day I blog. Like days like this when the world is pretty much quite and the remnants of the conficker worm dies to a rumble.

So how do you secure your Windows Machine?

After a day long battle with  my wife’s system, I grow to wonder if there is something I should do differently with how to prevent Viruses and Worms on her system.  So I’ve groomed my Knowledge base and come up with 5 good points when it comes to locking down your Windows Machines:

The Seriousness of the Twitter Vulnerability?

The main question is how much do you want to know about this?  Yes I am talking about a Vulnerability that could risk your twitter account or even yet inject malious software into the computer.

We’ve seen that there have been twitter phishing in the past, and Facebook phishing have made people wonder out much do we depend on Twitter.

Lance James and Eric Wastl have provide Proof of Concept for this vulnerability, according to Information Weekly:

James cautions that XSS vulnerabilities should be taken seriously because they can reach beyond Web pages. “A lot of people think XSS is limited to the Web,” he said. If there’s another vulnerability in the victim’s browser, the Twitter flaw could be used to launch additional malicious code, he explained.

As you can see there is more to this problem then meets the eye.  For one using the URL redirects could be one way this could be used.  No telling what other vulnerabilities lay for the client side twitter programs.   Twitter has a long way to go to be security minded, and yet Twitter hasn’t said what they will do to fix this problem.

Free Syncronization and Backup programs

So I talked about finding some free backup utilities on the Mike Tech Show Listener Roundtable Show # 234.

I said I would publish some good free ones programs to backup your system files and I think I have done it.  Here’s are some great ones that I recommend for anyone who doesn’t want to pay for a backup program:

Allway Sync –  Works with Windows Vista/XP.  It supports : Hard Drives, Removable Hard Drives, Network Drives, Amazon S3, FTP Server, Offsitebox.com, and WEBDAV Folder.  This program is also quite portable and can be used on more than one computer with the portable version.(A600 USB Broadband Modem for Free after Instant online web only rebate + Mail in rebate. First month free and free shipping. Buy now!)

ViceVersa — Windows 98, Me, 2000, XP, Vista. Vice Verse FREE will compare files in two folders (source and target) and synchronize file differences.  There isn’t much else you can do with this but It does look to be good for small backups and older system.

Acebackups — is a powerful tool to create completely secure backups of your data. Store your data on any local storage device, on CD, DVD or on your remote FTP server!

Malicious Spammers target Bank of America

I’ve saw two different security firms talking about Bank of America and I wanted to share with you:

Picture from F-secure

The two sites are F-secure and Pandalabs who are talking about Bank of America and how they try to get you to install malware.  With Adobe having just sent out the new updates last month it looks like spammers are using this to get people to install Malware.

It is also been known to be floating around in Facebook this spam.  So if you get a link going to a site you don’t know about to see a video and it says you need a codec or the Adobe update you should turn right around and leave site. You should always type in the url of Your Bank and not go there through links.

From what they are saying it monitors Network traffic and Steals ICQ, POP3, and IMAP passwords.  If you find network traffic going to Hong Kong IP, then it is time to check to make sure all your Virus definitions are up to date and you’ve installed an Anti-virus and Firewall.  I would encourage  users to report it to Phishtank so that any other unsuspecting user or person going to that site will be warned.

Is Google the ultimate news source?

As you know We had a big problem Monday Night and All day Tuesday. If you are a regular reader of this blog, you would of noticed either a 503 or lag. It was due to an article that I released late Monday night about the PIFTS.EXE and the so call conspiracy.

At the time, I was wondering and quite disturbed about what Norton Symantec was doing to the forums. So I blogged about this and wouldn’t you know my site was Held Hostage by Google. I kid you not, I had so many people come to my site in under an hour it wasn’t even funny.

So I sit here, asking a really good question is Google the News? I don’t know exactly when but according to Wikipedia Google was formed in 1998. The Google Motto is Don’t Be Evil, and I guess it makes them look like a news source. When did they get past the news site? I would hazard a guess that it was in late 2004 they started when they when Google gave people the first chance to own the stock on August 19, 2004, when Google became a publicly held company.

I got hit hard by Slashdot, Reddit.com, and Google.  In truthfulness, It was more of searches and people coming from Google than anywhere else. I would say Google was the 90% and and Slashdot and Redidit was 8% and the rest was from other websites for this one article. Now don’t get me wrong the 2% of people was my normal amount of people for the day. So you can imagine how many people actually came to my site over this fiasco.

Thinking back to PIFTS.EXE.

Thinking to this very incident looks to something out of the movie “Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events“.  I won’t go into much detail but here is what I want answers to about the PIFTS.EXE.  You see after I have read a great article talking in detail about this, I have also come to the conclusion something isn’t right.

The blog owner known as Anshar in the forums on the Symantec points out some key events. He wanted to point out that the users who were posting were not violating the TOS and was posting questions that look to asking about this file. See screen capture of what I took. This one picture doesn’t prove his theory in whole, but does bring up some suspicions. This actually might be them trying to find a ’scapegoat’ so to speak. He also talks about what others are asking? What is PIFTS.EXE? People seem to still have not be answered that question.

Although, in Norton’s defense there seems to be a lot of information that they have to sort through. I’ll admit this information people are asking should be really simple to find in the Symantec Databases somewhere. I will not say they are hiding anything major but I do think something is going on that we are not aware of. Here’s some other thoughts to considers? If Norton needed to find out who was using Windows 7, couldn’t they of asked or even made a simple site redirect to find that information, after all anytime you visit a site you have that information sent to the stats. I could in theory find out how many visitors are visiting from Macs and how many are on older systems. That would be very easy to do with Google Analytics.

Fake Emails about Windows Support spam!

According to Trend Micro, Some malicious software is being sent to unsuspecting users about Windows SP1 andSP2 having a error that could damage software or even hardware.  See Trends blog with the photos of the fake spam.

Although from time to time Microsoft does send out security information to Technet subscribers people have also used this in the past to get people to install Viruses and Malware, like this one that installs TSPY_BANKER.MCL. TSPY_BANKER.MCL monitors the affected user’s online transactions and steals banking related information

Microsoft sends e-mail messages to subscribers of our security communications when we release information about a security software update or security incident. Unfortunately, malicious individuals can and have sent fake security communications that appear to be from Microsoft.

[Via Microsoft]

So if you get an email from Microsoft you’ll probably want to delete it.  Any Microsoft communications will be sent from the Update center.  You should never install software that is from an untrusted website.    If you are concerned you should check the web and find out what people are saying about the situation and see if it is a scam or true!!  Remember only you can prevent a virus or Malware!

How do you like your Cricket USB Modem?

Lately I talked about the A600 USB 3G modem and Now I want to hear from the Readers?  You see I can’t do my best reviewing these with comments from the readers, that being you.

Click the picture to send me email, just remember to replace “AT” with “@”.

So I want to hear what you think about either the USB UM100 Modem or the A600 USB 3g Modem?  Here a re a few things to answer when you write your email.

Something will go to the people who email me?  I want to publish some of these comments on my blog for all to read.  I want to hear if what I am publishing helps you?  I will even give your credit as  to who wrote it.  If you have a site or something you want to promote by all means add that to your testimonial.  Here’s the basic questions that should be talked about:

• Which one did you buy? (Cricket USB A600 or Cricket USB UM100)
• Did you Upgrade from the Cricket USB UM100 to the Cricket USB A600?
• Are you using it for travel or Primary internet?
• Is it for business or Pleasure?

Microsoft Releases the Patch Information for March

Microsoft Has Released the Patch information For march and This is what is expected to be patch on March 11, 2009:

• Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Excel Could Allow Remote Code Execution (Kb949029) — This security update resolves several privately reported and publicly reported vulnerabilities in Microsoft Office Excel that could allow remote code execution if a user opens a specially crafted Excel file. An attacker who successfully exploited these vulnerabilities could take complete control of an affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.  (affected System : Microsoft Office)

Cracking and Warez sites are Host of Trouble!!

It is nothing to laugh at and should be understood that gamers have no freedom right now.   That said this new Variant to Virux Trojan is in regards to Win32/Vitro Trojan.  It seems tobe infecting .exe and .Scr files just like this.

According to Trend Micro:

The downloaded malware include variants under the FAKEAV, TDSS, and VUNDO families. Infection chains, however, are notable for the presence of VIRUT and VIRUX malware. VIRUX and VIRUT attacks were initially about the volume of infected PCs. The numbers are massive enough to worry Web users and security researchers: around 20,000 PCs are infected per day
Read more: “Crack Sites Distribute VIRUX and FakeAV“

Now it seems to be more and more sites with getting computer infected. It also seems the Malware writers are using these servers for helping infect essentially gamers computers. So for the time being, if you have a favorite game and you want to:

• No-CD Crack (This is good for those who want to play the game without the CD)
• Key Gen Cracks (This is used for pirated version of a game)
• Update Cracks (This is used to prevent CD checking or Also prevent Version Checking)

A Sneak Peak at the A600 3G Broadband Cricket Card

So I was doing a little research and found this nugget from my Affiliates Network:

Features:

Removable Memory Format:  microSD
Storage Capacity External memory up to 4GB
Text Messaging Yes
Contact Directory Yes
Language English/Spanish

Wireless Capabilities:

Technology CDMA
Mode Tri-Band
Data Transfer Speed 3G (EVDO Rev 0, Rev A) and 1x
USB Broadband Modem (A600) Looks interesting, and I am thinking this will be the next thing the company will start Advertising for. Right now though, it cost 119$ with a 50$ Mail in Rebate and you spend 69$. With a CDMA only USB Card like the UM100, you know the speed of that. Now According to Wikipedia for 3G and I’ll quote:

Thus users sold 3G service may not be able to point to a standard and say that the speeds it specifies are not being met. While stating in commentary that “it is expected that IMT-2000 will provide higher transmission rates: a minimum speed of 2Mbit/s and maximum of 14.4Mbit/s for stationary users, and 348 kbit/s in a moving vehicle,”

Offline Update 5.0, Clone of Autopatcher to Some!!

Offline updater 5.0 has been released a couple months ago and I just realized it now.  This is an excellent tool for IT professionals who want to keep all your Systems up-to-date with the last patches from Microsoft.  The systems it supports are Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 x64, And Windows Vista / Server 2008.(32 bit and 64 Bit updates).

I find this a very useful program for people who have a multitude of problems, from not being able to get on the net to computer virus infections.  This is really good for big businesses that want to update a lot of systems in easy way without having to wait for downloads of updates to install.   You can take a DVD and update on the fly within Mins.   DVD being Cheap or buying them in bulk helps saves time and money for the company.   Less time spent downloading the updates and more time actually getting work done.  As with the Conflicker, Downadup, and to some the Conflickr Trojan, if you got infected with that little worm.  This would help install the updates that it prevented you from doing in the first place.  I also found that once you download do the update the files are kept on the hard drive so you no longer have to redownload them again.  You just update the updates every second Tuesday of the month and it downloads the newest patches and creates a whole new ISO for you to burn.

Fix Shutdown Problems in Vista!

In the Patch Tuesday update, Microsoft quietly released the patch to fix Windows Vista machine shut problems. This patch should of came sooner.

KB957388

Update for Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista

Install this update to resolve a set of known application compatibility issues with Windows Server 2008. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.

This was not a critical update and it seems to resolve so many issues with compatibility.  One thing it seemed to fix on my system has been the shutdown time.  It is now quite fast, it would normally take me 2 to 3 mins to shutdown, now it does it in less than a Minute.   So if you’ve not installed this update please install it soon.   I would like to know if people are seeing the same thing I am.   I’ve found a great resource on fixing it if you are still having problem, it talks about how to check your system performance. Although this is been doing it lately with these programs not loaded or even running, they still seem to cause problems so now I get the feeling it has to do with legacy programs.  This should fix most of the problem with older programs.

Upcoming Patch Tuesday

I wanted to get prepared for the updates for this Tuesday and I thought I’d go through them and list what Microsoft said about each.   These are what’s been said on Technet and I am sure there will be more.   Each one of these don’t look to serious but I will post Tuesday if there is anything I’ve missed on this post.   As you might know this is not set in stone but just the direction of Microsoft for this Months Release.

KB955839

Update for Windows Server 2008, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP

Install this update to resolve an issue that is caused by revised daylight saving time laws in many countries. This update enables your computer to automatically adjust the computer clock on the correct date in 2008. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer. This update is provided to you and licensed under the Windows Server 2008 License Terms.

KB957388

Update for Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista

Install this update to resolve a set of known application compatibility issues with Windows Server 2008. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.

Are you patched, Secunia Says NO

Think you’ve got nothing to worry about, according to Secunia 98% of computers are not fully patched and are vulnerable to some kinda of attack.

So I wanted to talk about this a little and give you a few good ways to make sure you are patched.  There are several ways to get your system up to almost 100%.

Some things to do is make sure you have your Windows systems updated.  This is easy to make sure, if you have an internet connection you can just check for updates.  If you don’t know how to do it, it is quite simple, Just go here.    If you have Windows Vista all you have to do is hit Start and type in the search box “Windows Update” and hit Enter and you will be taken to the update page.

If you have a system that is off of the Net you could use the Clone of Autopatcher Program to do it for you.   You also need to update all your secondary programs such as Audacity, Open Office, and other programs that you use weekly.

You asked for it, Now it’s real — Vista SP2 Dec 4,2008

Beginning Thursday Dec. 4^th, we will be making the Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 Beta available to everyone through a Customer Preview Program (CPP). The CPP will launch on TechNet and be available to anyone interested in trying out this service pack. The CPP is intended for technology enthusiasts, developers, and IT Pros who would like to test Service Pack 2 in their environments and with their applications prior to final release. For most customers, our best advice would be to wait until the final release prior to installing this service pack.

[Via Technet]

Yes you heard right, you can get into the Beta of Vista SP2 and not have to wait till April.  Some things to remember:

• It is a Beta
• It will Have Bugs
• It is for people who want to test it out
• It should only be installed for people who need to test it out