Archives for Security

New additions to Ed's Excellent Toolkit

Hit the Toolkit button at the top of this page and you will find some great additions to our  weapons for combating malware: Microsoft Security Essentials,  Comboxfix, and SUPERAntispyware.  The best news is that they are free or have good freemium services, i.e. they can work for free but offer some additional services etc. if you pay a subscription.  A good example is our favorite Malware Bytes. The free version does a great job hunting down viruses and other malware but it is not active all the time, unless you pay a yearly subscription of $24.95; then it actively hunts for, stops and/or destroys the malware before it has a chance to infect your machine.



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Libya Finds New Way to Strangle the Net

While mid eastern users have found ways around other dictator’s attempts to block the Internet, Col. Moammar Gadhafi, Libya’s dictator, seems to be shutting down the Net for everyone but himself.   His son Muhammad Gadhafi just happens to own one of the country’s largest ISP’s which would explain the level of skill needed to do this, but we all know that this is a digital chess match that is far from over.


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Bug Hits All Versions of Internet Explorer

“Microsoft is investigating new public reports of a vulnerability in all supported editions of Internet Explorer on all Microsoft Windows editions. The vulnerability could allow an attacker to cause a victim to run malicious scripts when visiting various Web sites, resulting in information disclosure.  IE has over 900 million users worldwide.  Microsoft has published a one-click “Fix it” workaround for the bug that involved locking down MHTML. This will prevent the launch of script in all zones within an MHTML document. Any application that uses MHTML will be affected by this workaround.” Full Article.


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IA Tech Roundtable #10 1/3/11

2011 Predictions

Gary Baker, Ed Rudel, Cal Carson, Foster Braun

Click here to listen or download IA Tech Roundtable 10 (30 min.)

Top ten gadget predictions for 2011

What won’t happen in 2011

IPTV become mainstream

Expect Malware and Spyware to target Tablet devices

11 predictions for 2011 Chris Obrian of the Mercury News

Big Tech Predictions for 2011 (PC Mag)

Twitter Predicts

Slash Gear Top Predictions for 2011

Tweet


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How Good is Microsoft Home Security Essentials?

We have been hearing a lot of good things about Microsofts new security package called MS Home Security Essentials. We saw the dismal performance of the prior OneCare product my Redmond and weren’t too keen on trying it out but apparently it has come a long way.  Paired with Win 7, MSHE is scoring impressive marks as a light weight but highly effective security package.


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IA Tech Roundtable #8 Dec. 20. 2010

Click here to play or download: IA Tech Roundtable 8 Final

Show Notes:

Google Chrome OS and CR 84 Device

Sign up for a free CR 84 Test Device

Mark Zuckerberg Time Man/Person of the Year

iPhone and iPad rumors

Microsoft Gives Away 10 Free Products for IT and Home Users

iPhone Color Blind App.

Google set to map a new frontier: The human body

Download the new Chrome HTML 5 (beta) browser and explore the human body.

Nasty new virus: ThinkPoint

Moving theatre seats in Michigan

Once again Happy Holidays and a Blessed New Year.

Gary Baker, Ed Rudel, Cal Carson, Erik Anderson, Scott Anderson, Kurt Hines and Foster Braun


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Microsoft Security Center

Microsoft has developed an excellent portal for all aspects of computer security. There are links to areas of concern for consumers, businesses and IT professionals plus lots of free downloads.  MS seems to have stepped up to the plate on security and hit some home runs.


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New Super Virus Attacks Power Plants.

A new smarter, more deadly virus called Stuxnet has targeted power plants in Iran.  The virus is particularly powerful and has already launched itself against power plants in India and Russia.  According to some reports, power systems have been held hostage for ransom and in one case may be responsible for a death.  Agencies that oversee US power grids claim that no successful penetrations have happened here although other reports indicate that our systems featuring Siemens software are vulnerable.   Full Story Gary Baker


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How to Block Facebook Places

Facebook took away another piece of your privacy the other day when they activated Places which lets everyone know where you are whenever you use Facebook whether you want them to or NOT.  Mark Zuckerberg may want his buds to know when he’s using the WC but I prefer to keep that item of national security to myself.  Here are directions for removing the Places listing from your Facebook setting.


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Another Security Company Gets a Big Cash Infusion

Quick, hang out a shingle as a security company!  Money keeps flying their way.  This time the luck recipient is AVAST which is about to get $100 million to help them defend us.  Hope this really translates into more security.  Whose next?  Microsoft buys Symantec?!  Ed Rudel


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