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October 2005
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October 30,
2005
If this is the answer to
paying more for safeware, I feel as if
I'm being set-up.
Symantec is employing the tactic of increasing prices of
anti-virus software update subscriptions to come closer to the price
of newer versions of their products.
In his October 18, posting at
eWeek Review, Larry Seltzer lays out quite clearly what we can
expect when it's time to renew our subscriptions for virus signature
updates.
(Virus signatures are what our anti-virus programs look for when
scanning. Each virus has a unique signature and the money we pay to
the anti-virus vendors for subscriptions covers the costs of
research, monitoring and downloading them to the anti-virus programs
on our computers).
Some, but not all of the other vendors are following Symantec's
example. They want us to buy the updated software when updated
signatures would actually still be effective deterrents in many
cases.
Thanks to Mr. Seltzer, you can find out if your anti-virus vendor
has you in their gun sights. Worse yet, your current vendor cold be
preparing to eliminate subscription programs altogether. Read Mr.
Seltzer's
complete report HERE.
... Richard
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October 21,
2005 My earlier problems
with Firefox have disappeared and
Spread Firefox is back. I'm using the Firefox browser again.
After being down for a while
because of a hacker attack, Spread Firefox was rebuilt and
put back on line as of October 18, 2005.
Shortly after updating to
Firefox Build 1.0.7, the problems reported in my September 1 blog
post disappeared. I don't know what caused the problem to disappear,
but it did and I have started to use the Firefox Browser again --
primarily because it's so clean and the Tabbing feature is so
convenient.
So, I have removed my caution about using the Firefox browser. It
appears that build 1.0.7 may have returned it to the more than
satisfying user experience it had been. And now that the
Spread Firefox pages are again available, access to the user forums
and FAQ pages is again available. If you haven't done it yet, and
you use Firefox, it's a good time to update.
With over 100,000,000 downloads, it apparently hasn't lost any
popularity. If you still use IE6 and haven't checked out
Firefox yet, you can Go Here To
Get Firefox!.
... Richard
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October 19,
2005 Are your important
computer data files recoverable after a
natural Disaster?
We have all been made
acutely aware of the hardship and suffering that follows natural
disasters. Among all of the other painful losses, personal and
business records stored on our computers may never be recoverable
for most of us.
There are ways to overcome
this. Backup of data and safe storage have taken on a new meaning
for me. In addition to reviewing my data files and eliminating the
oldest and unused clutter from my hard drive, the addition of remote
storage of my remaining valuable data has
removed a lot of my anxiety.
If you are concerned about your files and aren't sure how to go
about preparing for their possible loss, there's an article by Bill
Hely posted in the Articles and Reports section of
my website that will help you understand and prepare for a potential
disaster.
Read it HERE.
It's quite thorough and covers a lot of ground -- which you could
print and share with your family and friends. It's really easy to
read and understand and isn't loaded with a bunch of technical talk.
I encourage you to check it out.
... Richard
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October 14, 2005
Merging software companies, is this good or bad for us?
Security software companies
have been purchasing one another at a fast pace. Within the
past two years, Symantec and Computer Associates have each purchased six security-related companies,
Microsoft bought four, and McAfee and Trend
Micro purchased two each. Of these 20 purchases, 11 took place
year-to-date in 2005.
This certainly will lead to fewer choices when selecting security
software...
...and I believe it has even more serious ramifications. These
assimilations might eventually lead to the elimination of the most
effective Free protective software from the top developers.
The best will have a price tag, the mediocre or useless, and
possibly sinister, will be offered for Free -- A definite threat to
the controls against the broad spectrum of malware
and nuisance ware.
Further, I see
Apathy or indifference over-shadow investing in safety for a
large portion of the lesser experienced or financially challenged
user public.
Certainly, the legitimate software developers must be paid for their
research and development efforts and for their products, and the
users must have safe and reliable security software and the desire
to use it.
Is there an answer to this dilemma? What do you think?
... Richard
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October 4,
2005
More Attacks on Firefox! But why?
Headline:
"SpreadFirefox.com Shut Down After
Security Breach"
Why do people climb mountains?
Because they're there? Why do hackers attack something good for the
surfing public? It's got to be more than just because it's there.
Why do I even bother to get upset about this latest attack on the
Mozilla Foundation's efforts to provide a safer surfing environment
for all of us?
Because it inconveniences me and thousands of other Internet users,
and threatens the security of all of us. That's why I support and
promote the Spread Firefox effort. It really makes me angry! Doesn't
it anger you, too?Here's
the story that accompanies the headline:
"The Mozilla Foundation has temporarily disabled its SpreadFirefox.com
marketing site after a hacker break-in put user accounts at risk.
They use the site to launch
grassroots campaigns to support the Firefox Web browser. The
site will remain offline until October 15 while being rebuilt
from scratch.
The Mozilla Foundation has scanned SpreadFirefox servers and at this time do not
believe any sensitive data was taken, but as a precautionary measure,
they shut down the site and will rebuild it from scratch.
"We also recommend that you change your SpreadFirefox password
and the password of any accounts where you use the same password as
your SpreadFirefox account," Mozilla advises.
The break-in was blamed on unknown remote attackers who attempted
to exploit a security vulnerability in software installed on the
Mozilla Foundation's server.
What next?
...Richard
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October 1, 2005
Helping the Victims and Survivors of Hurricanes Katrina
and Rita
First and most important!
We all want to help, but there are hundreds of
criminal types who have already taken advantage of the concern and
compassion of decent human beings, those suffering and those who
wish to help.
These criminals have posted dozens of phony sites with links that
will do no more than infest your computers with spyware, Trojans,
and other malicious malware so they can steal from you. They are
Despicable and Morally Reprehensible - hardly worth being called
human beings.
When you contribute, use caution and do it through honest and
reliable organizations like the American Red Cross, Salvation Army,
etc.
The New York Times has posted a list of honorable and trustworthy
organizations who can accept your help.
CLICK HERE for the New York Times Relief Information List
Let's all pitch in to help today,
tomorrow and during the trying months ahead. We're members of iCop
- i-Cop members are helping the survivors of the
Katrina Tragedy here.
Will you join us? However you do it, please open your hearts and
help.
http://www.katrina-long-term-relief.com/
... Richard
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October 1, 2005 (REPEATED)
A Little More Experience with RSS Readers for
adding current Web Feeds to your daily reading lists
The more I use I use
them, the more I like them, but having too many RSS readers was
beginning to be a problem.
It was all a bit intimidating a few
months back when deciding to add a RSS reader to my Desktop. There
were quite a few choices available. Some seemed very complex while
others sounded as if they'd be easy to set up. Some even required
downloading software in addition to the Reader ...so I tried 3 or 4
products and selected some feeds to follow.
Before too long, keeping track of which feeds I put 'where',
became nearly as challenging as trying to manage and use my
'bookmark' selections.
More and more of my favorite websites, newsletters and blogs were
displaying
|XML|RSS|
buttons. When I added these to my RSS Readers, I didn't have to go on a search for the latest
information they published -- every new bit of information, post, or
announcement appeared in my RSS Readers. (The new IE7 is expected to
refer to these as "Web Feeds.")
A big time saver, true, but not perfect because now it was necessary
to check each of those 4 RSS Readers for updates. I had to find one
or two easy to use Readers.
Many of my favorite blogs also displayed this button
 .
When I did a trial click, my existing 'My Yahoo' page
automatically opened with a dialog box listing the latest posts for
that Blog. All I needed to do was click on one more button and
the Feed was added to my 'My Yahoo' page.
Now I have just two Readers - - 'My Yahoo' and '
Quikonnex'
which I use with my Mozilla Firefox browser (this saves one click
when browsing with Firefox).
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 'My Yahoo' page, it's very easy to get one from the
Yahoo site.
The same is true for
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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