Windows Users
[More specifically Windows XP and Vista Users]
Ok, I'm going to do a complete about-face and recommend a product I've condemned in the past.
The reason for this change has to do with the fact that I have found that a lot of people, whom I have put on Spybot, are not correctly immunizing, detecting and destroying spyware. What users really want is something that's automated and therefore quite simple.
So, I am going to suggest removing Spybot and installing Windows Defender.
You can get Windows Defender at:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx
[NB! Do not try to install this if you do not have a legal copy of XP or Vista!]
Install using the "Recommended Settings."
After installing you can go into Options to change settings related to Updating and Scanning. In particular, you might want to pay attention to the time it has chosen by default for running updates and scans and change it to a time when you know the computer is generally on.
Regardless of what settings are installed by default, I have found that whenever Defender needs to update or hasn't scanned in a while, it will give you a warning to that effect. Thus, the user is given the opportunity to manually let it update or scan.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
ACSS Newsletter - Office Suite Converters
Microsoft 2007 Format > OpenOffice
Mac
If your a Mac user and your have Microsoft Office X or 2004 and find yourself confronted with being unable to open the new format for Microsoft Office 2007 documents, Microsoft has released a Beta version of a converter. You can download it at:
http://tinyurl.com/3ysg57
Windows OpenOffice Users
Novell has released an converter for OpenOffice on Windows, which can be downloaded at:
http://tinyurl.com/2bhk9t
Suse Linux Users
Novell has released an converter for OpenOffice on Suse Linux, which can be downloaded at:
http://tinyurl.com/2bhk9t
OpenOffice Format > Microsoft Office 2003
Now in the reverse if you have Microsoft Office 2003 (and this is only for Office 2003 right now), Sun Microsystems has released a converter to import OpenOffice files into Microsoft Office.
This converter can be downloaded at:
http://www.sun.com/software/star/openoffice/
(As a caveat, unfortunately you will have to register to download the converter.)
Mac
If your a Mac user and your have Microsoft Office X or 2004 and find yourself confronted with being unable to open the new format for Microsoft Office 2007 documents, Microsoft has released a Beta version of a converter. You can download it at:
http://tinyurl.com/3ysg57
Windows OpenOffice Users
Novell has released an converter for OpenOffice on Windows, which can be downloaded at:
http://tinyurl.com/2bhk9t
Suse Linux Users
Novell has released an converter for OpenOffice on Suse Linux, which can be downloaded at:
http://tinyurl.com/2bhk9t
OpenOffice Format > Microsoft Office 2003
Now in the reverse if you have Microsoft Office 2003 (and this is only for Office 2003 right now), Sun Microsystems has released a converter to import OpenOffice files into Microsoft Office.
This converter can be downloaded at:
http://www.sun.com/software/star/openoffice/
(As a caveat, unfortunately you will have to register to download the converter.)
Monday, May 14, 2007
ACSS Newsletter - Vista Caveats
Windows Vista Caveats
Having set up several Vista computers already, I have a few caveats for anyone who has a Vista computer or who is planning on getting one.
1. Set up
Pretty much the same procedures for setting up any other Windows computer applies to Vista.
To view ACSS tips on setting up a new computer go to:
http://www.avantguardsystems.com/secIss.php?id=51&sVer=68&sOS=1
2. Updates
There is a difference in updating Vista compared to previous versions of Windows.
Go to Start > Programs and look for Windows Update.
One really important thing to look for in the Windows Update window is the enable other updates. This is not enabled by default and it is very important for getting Office and other updates.
3. Microsoft Office
Don't use any version of Office prior to Office XP (2002). You will not be able to auto update any version of Office from Office 2000 and earlier. You can manually update, but it is a pain.
I'm sure this alone will prevent many users from moving to Vista, although I'm not sure how many people now about this issue. I have never read about this anywhere, but I have direct experience in having to manually update Office 2000.
Other options that everyone should consider, especially from an economic point of view, is using free alternatives.
OpenOffice is an excellent replacement for Microsoft Office and it's free! I've been using the Mac port of OpenOffice for years now, and I am very satisfied with it.
OpenOffice is available at:
http://www.openoffice.org
If you have a DSL connection, there are several free online office suites. Here are two that I am familiar with:
ThinkFree
http://www.thinkfree.com
Google Apps
http://www.google.com/a/
4. Anti-Spyware software - Windows Defender
Vista comes with Windows Defender installed. Although Defender has not performed as well as other anti-spyware tools, like Spybot, nonetheless, given the fact that it is preinstalled, self-updates, and can be set up to auto scan, I am going to recommend that you leave Windows Defender to protect you from spyware and malware.
By opening Windows Defender you can set up when it updates and when it scans.
Having set up several Vista computers already, I have a few caveats for anyone who has a Vista computer or who is planning on getting one.
1. Set up
Pretty much the same procedures for setting up any other Windows computer applies to Vista.
To view ACSS tips on setting up a new computer go to:
http://www.avantguardsystems.com/secIss.php?id=51&sVer=68&sOS=1
2. Updates
There is a difference in updating Vista compared to previous versions of Windows.
Go to Start > Programs and look for Windows Update.
One really important thing to look for in the Windows Update window is the enable other updates. This is not enabled by default and it is very important for getting Office and other updates.
3. Microsoft Office
Don't use any version of Office prior to Office XP (2002). You will not be able to auto update any version of Office from Office 2000 and earlier. You can manually update, but it is a pain.
I'm sure this alone will prevent many users from moving to Vista, although I'm not sure how many people now about this issue. I have never read about this anywhere, but I have direct experience in having to manually update Office 2000.
Other options that everyone should consider, especially from an economic point of view, is using free alternatives.
OpenOffice is an excellent replacement for Microsoft Office and it's free! I've been using the Mac port of OpenOffice for years now, and I am very satisfied with it.
OpenOffice is available at:
http://www.openoffice.org
If you have a DSL connection, there are several free online office suites. Here are two that I am familiar with:
ThinkFree
http://www.thinkfree.com
Google Apps
http://www.google.com/a/
4. Anti-Spyware software - Windows Defender
Vista comes with Windows Defender installed. Although Defender has not performed as well as other anti-spyware tools, like Spybot, nonetheless, given the fact that it is preinstalled, self-updates, and can be set up to auto scan, I am going to recommend that you leave Windows Defender to protect you from spyware and malware.
By opening Windows Defender you can set up when it updates and when it scans.
Monday, May 7, 2007
ACSS Newsletter
Windows Users
Tomorrow is the second Tuesday of the month, otherwise know as Patch Tuesday.
Update your computers and don't forget to check Office updates, as well.
Office updates are available along with Windows Updates (Office XP, 2003, 2007), as well as at:
http://office.microsoft.com
Tomorrow is the second Tuesday of the month, otherwise know as Patch Tuesday.
Update your computers and don't forget to check Office updates, as well.
Office updates are available along with Windows Updates (Office XP, 2003, 2007), as well as at:
http://office.microsoft.com
Monday, April 2, 2007
ACSS Newsletter - Critical Windows Vulnerability
Animated Cursor Vulnerability
Description
A vulnerability in Microsoft Windows may allow for code execution attacks. The flaw is found in the way ANI files are handled by the operating system. A user would have to visit a malicious Web site in for an attack to occur.
Programs affected:
Email applications (Outlook, Outlook Express, Thunderbird, etc.); and
Browsers (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera, etc.)
Advice:
Better to read emails in plain text.
Be careful about websites visited.
Make sure your anti-virus and anti-spyware software is up to date.
Microsoft has stated that it intends to issue an update on Tuesday, April 3, to address this vulnerability. This is further proof as to how critical this issue is.
Description
A vulnerability in Microsoft Windows may allow for code execution attacks. The flaw is found in the way ANI files are handled by the operating system. A user would have to visit a malicious Web site in for an attack to occur.
Programs affected:
Email applications (Outlook, Outlook Express, Thunderbird, etc.); and
Browsers (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera, etc.)
Advice:
Better to read emails in plain text.
Be careful about websites visited.
Make sure your anti-virus and anti-spyware software is up to date.
Microsoft has stated that it intends to issue an update on Tuesday, April 3, to address this vulnerability. This is further proof as to how critical this issue is.
Friday, March 9, 2007
ACSS Newsletter
Windows Updates
This Tuesday, March 13, like every second Tuesday of the month is when Microsoft releases updates for its products. However, despite the existence of a well-know Word exploit, Microsoft says it has no patches to release this Tuesday. Of course, things could change, so my advice is to check for any updates for your operating system, as well as any other products that you have (e.g. Office).
Apple Updates
A number of updates were recently released for OS X. Be sure you have run the update utility.
iTunes
For those using iTunes, a new update was recently released. Apple users will find that iTunes is updated through the Apple Update Utility. For Windows users, you can go to the menu item to check for updates.
Daylight Savings Time
Hopefully this will be the last entry about daylight savings time.
Microsoft has put together a site showing for which products an update is available.
Go to: http://support.microsoft.com/gp/dst_prodlist
This Tuesday, March 13, like every second Tuesday of the month is when Microsoft releases updates for its products. However, despite the existence of a well-know Word exploit, Microsoft says it has no patches to release this Tuesday. Of course, things could change, so my advice is to check for any updates for your operating system, as well as any other products that you have (e.g. Office).
Apple Updates
A number of updates were recently released for OS X. Be sure you have run the update utility.
iTunes
For those using iTunes, a new update was recently released. Apple users will find that iTunes is updated through the Apple Update Utility. For Windows users, you can go to the menu item to check for updates.
Daylight Savings Time
Hopefully this will be the last entry about daylight savings time.
Microsoft has put together a site showing for which products an update is available.
Go to: http://support.microsoft.com/gp/dst_prodlist
Monday, March 5, 2007
ACSS Updates - DST another Y2K?
Lately, I've been inundated by articles about DST and it's implications. For those of you who have been spared this madness, DST refers to the new date on which Daylight Savings Times is to start this year in the US - this weekend! And I think liking it to Y2K is rather apropos. As we all recall there were all sorts of stories warning about the dangers to be posed by the change in the year. But, in fact, nothing really happened. Either everyone was so prepared, or there just wasn't really that much of a threat, that Y2K came and like Windows ME, it has been totally forgotten. Which should encourage everyone....
This is not to say that there is nothing you should do about DST and your computers. Most of us, in fact, are probably used to manually switching our clocks forward and backwards for most of our lives. But these days most computers get their time updates from the Internet. Provided your computer's time zone is set correctly and your time server isn't located in Antartica, you're computer will probably make the change on it's own.
There are, however, updated packages to take care of the shift for your computer. Apple and Windows Users should probably go ahead and make sure that they have installed those updates. Linux users have nothing to worry about really. If you are worried or want an explanation, write me and I'll tell you why.
So, suffice to say, I hope no one on this list is sweating it out, thinking disaster will follow and their computers will fry. Worst case scenario, your computer will be an hour off. Double click on the clock in your toolbar and set the time appropriately.
(NB. All Hoosiers! I don't what the hell you guys will have to do, since you prefer to just switch time zones than having to change your clocks.)
This is not to say that there is nothing you should do about DST and your computers. Most of us, in fact, are probably used to manually switching our clocks forward and backwards for most of our lives. But these days most computers get their time updates from the Internet. Provided your computer's time zone is set correctly and your time server isn't located in Antartica, you're computer will probably make the change on it's own.
There are, however, updated packages to take care of the shift for your computer. Apple and Windows Users should probably go ahead and make sure that they have installed those updates. Linux users have nothing to worry about really. If you are worried or want an explanation, write me and I'll tell you why.
So, suffice to say, I hope no one on this list is sweating it out, thinking disaster will follow and their computers will fry. Worst case scenario, your computer will be an hour off. Double click on the clock in your toolbar and set the time appropriately.
(NB. All Hoosiers! I don't what the hell you guys will have to do, since you prefer to just switch time zones than having to change your clocks.)
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