If you receive a document written in Office 2007 format, you may find yourself unable to open it. So long as you have a version of Office from 2000 or later, then you can download and install the following application from Microsoft that will enable you to open Office 2007 files.
Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel and PowerPoint 2007 File Formats
http://tinyurl.com/y5a879
Monday, February 26, 2007
ACSS Updates
Everyone using Firefox should have noticed that a new update has been installed.
If Firefox has not updated itself, please check your installation. Go to "About Mozilla Firefox..." you should see that you have Firefox version 2.0.0.2 installed. If not, have Firefox update itself. Go to "Help" > "Check for Updates".
If, however, you're still using a pre 2.x version, then you will have to go to Firefox's website and download the latest version.
http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/
If Firefox has not updated itself, please check your installation. Go to "About Mozilla Firefox..." you should see that you have Firefox version 2.0.0.2 installed. If not, have Firefox update itself. Go to "Help" > "Check for Updates".
If, however, you're still using a pre 2.x version, then you will have to go to Firefox's website and download the latest version.
http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/
Thursday, February 22, 2007
ACSS Updates
All Users in the USA
Due to changes in when daylight savings time will start as of 2007, all computers and other electronic devices that compensate for daylight savings time automatically will need to be updated for such changes. Automatic updates for Windows and Mac OS X take care of these changes. If come daylight savings time your clock hasn't changed automatically, you might want to look into getting the appropriate update in order to ensure proper time in the future.
Windows Users
Microsoft finally patched up a lot of the exploits related to Office applications (Word and Excel) with the Feb. 13th updates. However, a new Word exploit has already been discovered and now there is an Internet Explorer issue.
The new Word exploit apply to Office 2000 and Office XP versions. Again the suggestion is to be careful about the documents you open. Are they from a trusted source or not?
The Internet Explorer flaw is for version 6.0 only. The severity of the flaw is very high. Basically a malicious remote user could obtain access to files on the computer. The advice from Symantec is not helpful for most end-users. They say:
"To mitigate the risk, Symantec recommended users run all software and the Web client as a non-privileged user with minimal access rights and avoid links provided by unknown or untrusted sources. Users should also refrain from visiting sites of questionable integrity, Symantec said."
Better advice would be to say, "Don't use Internet Explorer 6.0".
Mac Users
There have been a number of updates for Mac OS X released recently. Be sure to keep your system up-to-date.
I've also noticed that ClamXav for Apple computers has really matured. If you looking for a good AV solution for a Mac that is free, check out: www.clamxav.com
Finally, the website for AvantGuard is going through some major changes. So, if you find you can access our website, don't worry. Once the new website is up, expect an email!
Due to changes in when daylight savings time will start as of 2007, all computers and other electronic devices that compensate for daylight savings time automatically will need to be updated for such changes. Automatic updates for Windows and Mac OS X take care of these changes. If come daylight savings time your clock hasn't changed automatically, you might want to look into getting the appropriate update in order to ensure proper time in the future.
Windows Users
Microsoft finally patched up a lot of the exploits related to Office applications (Word and Excel) with the Feb. 13th updates. However, a new Word exploit has already been discovered and now there is an Internet Explorer issue.
The new Word exploit apply to Office 2000 and Office XP versions. Again the suggestion is to be careful about the documents you open. Are they from a trusted source or not?
The Internet Explorer flaw is for version 6.0 only. The severity of the flaw is very high. Basically a malicious remote user could obtain access to files on the computer. The advice from Symantec is not helpful for most end-users. They say:
"To mitigate the risk, Symantec recommended users run all software and the Web client as a non-privileged user with minimal access rights and avoid links provided by unknown or untrusted sources. Users should also refrain from visiting sites of questionable integrity, Symantec said."
Better advice would be to say, "Don't use Internet Explorer 6.0".
Mac Users
There have been a number of updates for Mac OS X released recently. Be sure to keep your system up-to-date.
I've also noticed that ClamXav for Apple computers has really matured. If you looking for a good AV solution for a Mac that is free, check out: www.clamxav.com
Finally, the website for AvantGuard is going through some major changes. So, if you find you can access our website, don't worry. Once the new website is up, expect an email!
Monday, February 12, 2007
ACSS Newsletter
All Windows Users
Tomorrow, Tuesday, February 13, is PATCH TUESDAY! Be sure to take time out this week to update your Windows system, as well as Office.
(NB! Depending on your version of Microsoft Office* you may have to go to http://office.microsoft.com in order to get the updates for Office.)
According to preliminary information Microsoft will be releasing at least 5 Windows updates and 2 Office updates. There will be one critical update for Windows and one for Office.
As an additional reminder don't forget to do your weekly Spybot updates and checks. Spybot updates are released every Friday.
*Versions of Office prior Office XP or Office 2002 (they are the same) will have to go to the Office site.
Tomorrow, Tuesday, February 13, is PATCH TUESDAY! Be sure to take time out this week to update your Windows system, as well as Office.
(NB! Depending on your version of Microsoft Office* you may have to go to http://office.microsoft.com in order to get the updates for Office.)
According to preliminary information Microsoft will be releasing at least 5 Windows updates and 2 Office updates. There will be one critical update for Windows and one for Office.
As an additional reminder don't forget to do your weekly Spybot updates and checks. Spybot updates are released every Friday.
*Versions of Office prior Office XP or Office 2002 (they are the same) will have to go to the Office site.
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
ACSS Newsletter - Vista Anti-Virus Solutions
am not aware that any of the subscribers to ACSS Newsletter are using Vista yet, however, if you are or are thinking of using Vista, the following information concerning anti-virus products for your computer is very important.
Virus Bulletin is a highly respected publication dedicated to studying and providing information about viruses, spyware, etc. They also perform tests on anti-virus and other security products. Based on it's tests products obtain a VB100 certification, which you will often find advertised on websites.
In light of Vista's release new VB100 certifications have been performed on a number of anti-virus products and the results are quite interesting.
If I may, however, regress for a moment.
Microsoft has been touting just how secure Vista is. Due to new security built into the system, a number of companies producing anti-virus products have been complaining about the fact the Microsoft has not provided them with sufficient information about Vista in order to ensure that their product can, in fact, protect Vista systems. However, Microsoft has bought out companies providing an anti-virus and anti-spyware/malware solutions and repackaged them as Microsoft solutions - i.e., Live OneCare and Defender.
So, you would think, go with Microsoft's solution as it's probably the only thing that will really protect your Vista system, right?
Well Live OneCare failed VB100 certification for Vista. Others that failed include McAfee's VirusScan Enterprise, G DATA's AntiVirusKit 2007, and Norman's VirusControl.
Those that passed are anti-virus solutions from CA, Fortinet, F-Secure, Kaspersky, Symantec and Sophos.
As a final note: Sophos, by the way, is ACSS's recommend anti-virus solution and we are currently in negotiations with Sophos to become an authorized reseller.
Virus Bulletin is a highly respected publication dedicated to studying and providing information about viruses, spyware, etc. They also perform tests on anti-virus and other security products. Based on it's tests products obtain a VB100 certification, which you will often find advertised on websites.
In light of Vista's release new VB100 certifications have been performed on a number of anti-virus products and the results are quite interesting.
If I may, however, regress for a moment.
Microsoft has been touting just how secure Vista is. Due to new security built into the system, a number of companies producing anti-virus products have been complaining about the fact the Microsoft has not provided them with sufficient information about Vista in order to ensure that their product can, in fact, protect Vista systems. However, Microsoft has bought out companies providing an anti-virus and anti-spyware/malware solutions and repackaged them as Microsoft solutions - i.e., Live OneCare and Defender.
So, you would think, go with Microsoft's solution as it's probably the only thing that will really protect your Vista system, right?
Well Live OneCare failed VB100 certification for Vista. Others that failed include McAfee's VirusScan Enterprise, G DATA's AntiVirusKit 2007, and Norman's VirusControl.
Those that passed are anti-virus solutions from CA, Fortinet, F-Secure, Kaspersky, Symantec and Sophos.
As a final note: Sophos, by the way, is ACSS's recommend anti-virus solution and we are currently in negotiations with Sophos to become an authorized reseller.
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