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Thanks, .... Richard Rossbauer
____________________________
March 25, 2006Buying a new computer now?
Will it be Vista ready?
With the latest
announced Vista reschedule, it doesn't appear as if we'll be able to
purchase a Vista equipped computer until well after then end of the
year holiday season.
However, if you need to
purchase another computer now, you can spec a Vista-ready computer
and make that commitment to buy one today.
MicrosoftTechNet posted an article on "Windows
Vista Hardware" requirements outlined by Charlie Russel,
Microsoft MVP, covering Processor,(CPU), Memory, Graphics, Storage,
and Networking that takes a lot of the mystery out of what you'll
need.
No doubt, we'll see "Vista Ready" computers being advertised by the
major manufacturers soon, if not already available in your local
electronic equipment supplier's stores.
Although final hardware requirements do not seem to have been
absolutely tied down, Charlie Russel's article should help you
understand what the computer store sales people will be including in
their offers, and save you from "over buying" stuff you might not
really need.
March 19, 2006 Microsoft Vista will
be here soon, but is it the Security Answer
for everyone?
Microsoft's Vista
operating system is expected to ship in late 2006. It will include a
variety of features and functionality, the most significant of which
are built around anti-spyware, firewalls, and encryption.
It is expected to be very
effective in withstanding Hacker attacks.
Upgrading existing computers to the Vista Operating System will
probably be fairly expensive, if even possible. Many recently
acquired machines will no doubt be limited in Vista operating
performance, too.
Owners of older computers will face a "scrap","replace" or "stick
with earlier Windows Operating Systems" decision. Purchasers of new
systems will no doubt have the opportunity to opt for already
installed Vista OS and Defender security protection.
There are probably 10's of thousands of machines that won't be able
to run Vista, IE7 or Defender now and aren't even capable of being
upgraded. The cost and technical knowledge required to
upgrade for Vista will
definitely be beyond the abilities of many non-technical, everyday,
(discouraged) Internet users.
The purveyors of spyware will respond to Windows Vista with more
sophisticated attacks.
No matter how strong the security features are in Windows Vista, the
incentive for cyber-crime is still too great. Money, yours and mine,
is a powerful lure.
And does anyone for a moment think that these newer more lethal
attacks will be deflected by all of the older systems still in use?
Certainly not!
I see the potential for the older, non-Vista compatible systems
becoming Zombies and being absorbed into Bot farms.
Maybe Vista and it's super secure capabilities will be a boon to the
Hackers and criminals after all. Let's hope Not!
... Richard |
March 13, 2006Parents beware.
Irresponsible adult Internet activities can now
lead to Police searches.
Curious teenagers and younger children with
unsupervised access to the Internet could view and download banned
pornographic images placing a family in jeopardy.
How?
A U.S. appeals court ruled recently that Police may search computer
hard drives for child pornography if their owners subscribe to Web
sites selling the images.
According to the ruling by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.
There is a "fair probability" customers of child pornography Web
sites receive or download the illegal images, opening the door for
police searches.
The ruling affirmed a lower court's decision supporting an affidavit
by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for its probe of
Lolitagurls.com Web site and one of it's subscriber's computer
files.
One would hope that adults who visit or subscribe to such websites
do so as a considered decision, recognize the risks, and delete or
secure access to protect their children from accidentally stumbling
into their illegal files.
Consider the seriousness of the consequences to the children, the
family reputation and the responsible adults (and not the least of
these consequences is the infestation of the family computer with
spyware, viruses and Trojan Horses often attached to such files).
Today's computer and Internet savvy children could find these sites
without an adult's help, but they may not be aware of the dangers in
such explorations. Why not share this information with them?
...Richard |
March 10,
2006
U.S. Treasury Department Releases Free
Identity Theft DVD
I just ordered the Identity Theft:
Outsmarting the Crooks, DVD through the Federal Citizen Information
Center in Pueblo, CO. This is an excellent source for a wealth of
free and inexpensive publications covering hundreds of consumer
topics.
It'll take 2 or 3 weeks until it and a few other
publications arrive in my mailbox, and it all cost only $2.00.
The Treasury Department has very recently released this DVD and I
believe supplies are limited. The content caught my interest, of
course. It informs consumers about identity theft, how to protect
themselves against the crime and what to do if they fall victim. It
also features a resource library of downloadable materials,
including sample forms and letters that victims can use in reporting
the crime and collecting evidence.
Free Copies of the Treasury Department DVD are available through the
Federal Citizen Information Center at www.pueblo.gsa.gov , toll-free
at 1-888-878-3256, or by writing to: FCIC -05B, PO Box 100, Pueblo,
CO 81002.
I appears to me to be a good investment for just about everyone.
Order item number 635N ... Richard |
March 3, 2006
(Repeated*)
Zombies, botnets, cyber criminals, and
more - one of the best,
and most interesting explanations
of these cyber antics that
you'll read anywhere!
Brian Krebs, the Washington Post cyber security
journalist who wrote this analysis, was able to get very close to
this criminal. The article also covers other aspects of the adware
and spyware scourge.(*) I repeated this posting because it is really
a great article.
"The Agony of Spyware". (Invasion of the Computer
Snatchers). Do take the time to read this one!
I bookmarked it for my future reference; it's such a good documentary.
Mr. Krebs' writing style is engrossing, entertaining and down to
earth. You'll really like it -
and learn a lot about the seamy side of cyber space.
The SANS Organization
highlighted this article in their Feb 21, 06 "NewsBites as providing
"extraordinary detail about the motivation and techniques used by a
young criminal who makes his living by installing spyware on
thousands of computers."
February 2,
2006Stinger updated as of February 2, 2006 to include
protection against the Sober@MM!M681
worm.
Add this
protection to your new computer update your backup protection for
your existing machines
STINGER,
the Free virus checking and removal
tool (compliments of McAfee's Anti-virus and Vulnerability Emergency
Response Team -
AVERT)
was
updated February 2, 2006.
It's a great
little program that fits neatly on a floppy disc - a perfect way to
clean up your computer if a worm or other 'rogueware' has disabled
your ability to get back on the Internet to update your
security ware.
Whenever updated versions becomes available, I'll post
a notice here, on the Firewalls and Virus Protection website and
in the Security Alert News Reporter. Download the current version
here at McAfee
STINGER
March, 2006(UPDATED) Use RSS
Readers to
add current Web Feeds to
automatically update your daily reading lists
More and more of my favorite websites, newsletters and blogs
display
|XML|RSS|
buttons.
Now, even more display the
button. Clicking on it automatically adds that feed to my personal
MyYahoo page.
Using RSS feeds has saved a lot of time!, I don't have to go on a search for the latest
information published on my favorite sites -- every new bit of information, post, or
announcement appears in my RSS Reader. (The new IE7 browser is expected to
refer to these as "Web Feeds.")
Soon you'll find that many of your favorite sites display the little
buttons. There will be more and more in the days ahead. If you don't
have a Free 'MyYahoo' page, it's very easy to get one from the Yahoo site.
The same is true for
and
After you put the first Web Feed into you RSS Feed Reader and have
up-to-date notices delivered to you without having to worry about
opening an email notice, you'll appreciate how great this RSS stuff
really is. Try It. You'll enjoy it!.
......Richard |
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