|
||
| Adobe has released a new version of the popular Adobe Reader® in version 7. This new release has two important benefits: it's faster, and it is immune to a recently discovered vulnerability that affects oder versions of Acrobat, Acrobat Reader and Adobe Reader(January 2005)
Chris Gardner, Positek.net |
 |
|
| This is one update that is a pain to accomplish, but is well worth it. The vulnerability affects all older versions of Acrobat reader except for the most recent version 6.0.2 update. Since version 7 is faster, we highily recommend you upgrade if you have Windows 2000 or XP. To do this, you need to first uninstall the older reader version, and then go to Adobe's website, download and install version 7. We recommend you decline to use the Adobe Download Manager, and decline any trial version software offerings, as well as any other 'free' software they offer. If you run an older version of Windows (ME, 98SE, etc.), you cannot use Acrobat Reader 7. For you, simply update your reader software to version 6.0.3 using the built-in update feature. | ||
|
||
| A recent survey conducted by AOL and the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) finds that while 77% of home users think they're safe, four out of five home computers harbor unwanted spyware, and one out of five is infected with a virus. The NCSA survey also says that two-thirds of users don't have antivirus protection. (November 2004)
Chris Gardner, Positek.net |
|
|
| For home computer users, the advice is clear, purchase a current version of an antivirus utility (such as Norton Antivirus 2005), and purchase and use an anti-spyware utility programs (such as Pest Patrol or Webroot Spy Sweeper) and consider using a 2nd anti-spyware program (such as Spybot Search & Destroy or Ad-Aware SE Personal). Why bother? First, if spyware and/or a computer virus are on your computer, your computer may be a zombie under the control of a hacker. All you'd notice (if anything) is the computer is slower than when you first bought it. Cyber crimefighters may come knocking on your door! Second, any data, information, home financial records, credit card numbers, documents, etc. you have on your hard drive are at serious risk of being stolen and/or obliterated. And finally, your computer may come to a sudden, grinding halt, and the cost of having it fixed is likely going to be as much or more than a new computer. So go buy (relatively) cheap insurance and protect your computer and yourself from computer viruses, spyware, and hackers. | ||
|
||
| There's a new type of virus/worm/trojan transmission method just starting to circulate on the internet. This method uses graphics or photograph files (jpeg or .jpg) with the payload hidden inside. Current antivirus technologies are not able to detect and protect your computer from this threat. This primarily affects users of Microsoft Office, so the best defense is to go to Microsoft Office Update® and update your Office software. (October 2004)
Chris Gardner, Positek.net
|
|
|
| It used to be that if you purchased a good antivirus product like Norton Antivirus, you could count on it to protect your computer from viruses. Not anymore! A new technique for transmitting viruses and worms has been recently demonstrated, and it's only a matter of time before someone unleashes a virus on the internet using this new medium.
The new method uses image files known as jpegs, where the payload (virus, worm, etc.) is contained inside the coding for the image file. Tough thing is, most web pages on the internet contain at least one image file. Image files are the graphics you see on a web page, such as my picture above, or the Positek.net logo. For website designers, it's kind of tough to forego using such images, as they provide much of the 'eye candy' that makes a web page look attractive and interesting to a website visitor. So what do you do about this new threat? First off, your computer probably contains several programs that process graphics images, such as Microsoft Internet Explorer, Microsoft Office programs, and graphics editing programs like Macromedia Fireworks and Adobe Photoshop. Microsoft has given you a helping hand in their Windows Update, by providing a detection tool that will advise you which programs are at risk. For Microsoft Office programs, simply run Office Update and obtain all the latest updates for Office programs and you'll be fine there. For other programs, you need to visit the software manufacturer's website and get (if available) software updates to protect those programs from the vulnerability. Hint: If you use old software that has been superseded by newer versions (and you haven't bit for the upgrade), the software manufacturer may not provide updates. Your options are then limited to either using the software as is and taking the risk, upgrading to the newest version and installing any updates to that, or uninstalling the old software and doing without. While this may sound not very attractive, you can't really blame the software manufacturers. Using an automotive metaphor, an old car is much more likely to break down (at the worst time) than a newer car. If you like your old car, you put up with that, and the increased maintenance, and the lack of newer features or functionality. Since computer technology is moving much faster than automotive technology, things don't have to get very aged to become truly long in the tooth. My advice, live with it or bite the bullet and follow along with the technology changes. |
||
|
||
| Microsoft Windows XP® now has Service Pack 2 (SP2) available on the Windows Update® website. Be careful of this one! Up to 10% of Windows XP® users have had problems installing this update, and many corporate organizations have decided to defer installation until more information is available on how to avoid problems. (October 2004)
Chris Gardner, Positek.net |
|
|
If you are using Windows XP, you need this update! But before you install it, take the time to make your installation as trouble-free as possible. There have been a number of reported problems installing SP2, with problems ranging from botched installations that had to be uninstalled, to toasted computers that had to have everything reloaded from scratch. NY Times columnist David Pogue has written a nice article Seven Steps to a Smooth Service Pack 2 Installation. Our advice is similar:
Whew! Looks like a lot of work, and if you do it carefully, it is. But the alternative is rolling the dice on turning your computer into a paperweight. Don't expect much help or sympathy (without paying for it) from your computer manufacturer, Microsoft, or any other tech support person you turn to. Using the automobile metaphor, if you don't service your car, sooner or later it'll break down at the worst possible time and place (say, the beltway at rush hour). Same with the computer, if you don't service it regularly it'll become toast. While both tasks are drudgery work, Jiffy Lube is a lot cheaper than any commercial tech support outfit for this kind of work, so you're pretty much stuck with doing it yourself (unless you have more money than time). |
||
|
||
| Microsoft® has changed their Windows Update® support site for users of Windows XP. Now you have two methods of updating your system to choose from: an Express Install and a Custom Install. Be sure to select the Custom Install method if you are deferring the SP2 update!. (October 2004)
Chris Gardner, Positek.net |
|
|
| If you choose to defer the SP2 update, be sure to select the Custom Install method each time you run Windows Update, and skip the SP2 installation. You can then go on and find/install other updates. The first time you run Windows Update, you may have to update the Windows Update software on your computer before you actually get to the point of choosing the installation method. If you don't have Windows XP, see the next advice column! | ||
| To view our Archives, please click here. | ||
Positive Technology Solutions from Positek.net LLC
Hardware | Software | Business Support Services | Personal Support | Advice
| Frequently Asked Questions
subglobal6 link | subglobal6 link | subglobal6
link | subglobal6 link | subglobal6 link | subglobal6
link | subglobal6 link