Computer Tips

Here is the Windows XP Security Check-off list.  If you are not using all of these and using email or the Internet the probability of Malware (A Software Virus) on the computer is nearly sure:

1. A 3rd Party Firewall (the default Windows Firewall is not sufficient).
2. An Anti-Malware Software with current Malware Signature.
3. An Anti-Spyware Software with current detection Signature.
4. Normally using an Administrator User Account when opening email or accessing the Internet.

Maybe the first 3 were covered but what about the 4th.  The top Anti-Malware software has detection rates at about 97% for known Malware and about 70% for new threats not on the current Malware Signature database.  This means there is a chance of Malware executing or being installed onto the computer!  With a Windows XP computer where the current user has Administrative Privileges the secondary protection is not existent.  The malware has access to the critical Registry and core system files.  A Root-Kit Malware is free to bury and hide itself in the computer.  To remedy this situation the Limited User Account is the key.  To access a series of articles that talks more about the benefits and how to implement a Limited User account follow me at Ezines.  As an analogy, if a locked and protected room has your important documents, you would not want to give the key to anybody.  So, when leaving the house you place the key to this room in an unknown location.  This way if pick-pocketed someone might get the key for the house but the documents in this room are safe.  Using a Limited User Account for Windows XP works like that.

[Stay tuned; for using Internet Browsers to increase safety on the Internet.]

If you are one of the estimated current 60% of Windows Computer Users with Windows XP do not be alarmed by the announcement of Windows ending mainstream support.   Laurence Painell, Windows marketing manager at Microsoft UK  states, “We will provide critical security fixes via Windows Update for all editions of XP until 2014.”  This means that the automatic Critical Updates feature of Windows XP will continue for many more years.

What this does mean is Software Developers will become focused on the Windows 7 edition that is soon to be the newest Windows Operating System.  So, as time progresses, new features that you might need or require will be on Software that is designed to work on the Windows 7 edition.

From a Security Standpoint upgrading to either Vista or Windows 7 is a good bet if you are not using a Limited User Account as a rule in Windows XP.  Especially, in a business situation.  No Anti-Malware Software is 100% in detection and protection so having a Operating System configuration that naturally protects against changes to the Registry or Key System files is essential to blocking Root-Kits from buring themselves on to the computer.

[Please pass this news along! From http://blog.napavalleysecurityconsulting.com]

Recent Windows Updates and other program changes can cause the default Windows Firewall to activate.  This is a problem if running another Firewall program since trusted Programs can be blocked and stop working properly when trying to access the Internet.  It is recommended to use a 3rd Party Firewall which has been tested to successfully defeat firewall termination  attacks.   To verify if the Windows Firewall is active see the detailed instructions found at page III-66 of the Computer Appliance Learning Maintenance Manual OR the quick guide for XP is to LEFT-CLICK on START, LEFT-CLICK on Control Panel, LEFT-CLICK on Windows Firewall.  In Vista, LEFT-CLICK the PEARL, type Security Center and press ENTER to reach the Windows Firewall settings.   If it is Green and active AND you ARE using a 3rd party Firewall go ahead and LEFT-CLICK on Off and LEFT-CLICK on OKAY.

These steps will improve how you use the computer.  The trick is to clear up short-cuts and give quick access to documents and programs that you use often.  Begin by clearing out short-cuts and icons to programs or files that are unlikely to be used.  Create a NEW FOLDER;

RIGHT-CLICK on the Desktop [this is the area seen when all programs and files are minimized]
Move the mouse arrow over NEW
LEFT-CLICK on Folder and a folder appears and TYPE in SPARE [to RENAME a Folder, RIGHT-CLICK on it and LEFT-CLICK Rename.]
LEFT-CLICK-HOLD on each program or icon or short cut that you are not sure you’ll use and drag it to the SPARE folder and release.

You will soon know what is SPARE by tracking when you open this folder for a program or file.  And for any you do use, drag them to another location or desktop folder you’ve created.

Now, organize the remaining desktop short-cuts either by TYPE or DESCRIPTION.  To organize by TYPE create folders based on the Program such as all Word Processing Documents or all Picture files.  To organize by DESCRIPTION create folders such as Baseball, Auto, or XYZ Project.  Now drag the short-cuts and icons to each type of folder you have created.  You could organize any security or maintenance programs [like the ones from the www.C-A-L-M-M.com Registered User section] short-cuts by creating a New Folder and naming it UTILITIES.  Now, drag [LEFT-CLICK-HOLD] these short-cuts to this folder.

Here’s another example and at the end we are going to create a desktop toolbar.  This is great way to clean up clutter while still having quick access to programs or files.  Alright, if you work with different Photo Programs and have a group of template files you might like easy access to them.  So:

Create a new folder and give it a name like SNAPSHOT and DOUBLE-LEFT-CLICK on it to open a window.
Drag the photo Program shortcuts to this folder.
To create a shortcut to put in the folder locate the existing program’s icon either via the START or PEARL button or as a sub-folder in the ALL PROGRAMS files.
RIGHT-CLICK-HOLD on the icon and drag to the already open window and LEFT-CLICK on create shortcut here.
To have easy access to templates or files open a My Documents or Documents window but do not maximize so the SNAPSHOT folder is visible.
Either move the files you need by a LEFT-CLICK-HOLD and drag, or create short-cuts to the file by RIGHT-CLICK-HOLD and drag to the open SNAPSHOT folder.

You can create different folders this way to group your work and projects while cleaning up the desktop.  Now for the final trick, CREATING A TOOLBAR;

LEFT-CLICK-HOLD and drag the folder to any edge of the computer monitor and a TOOLBAR will immediately appear.  All the shortcuts in the folder are accessible via a LEFT-CLICK.  This tool bar can be made to Auto-Hide so it appears only when you move the mouse arrow to the edge of monitor.  Locate the dotted line at the end of the new toolbar and RIGHT-CLICK for a menu and LEFT-CLICK on Autohide.  Use the same procedure and LEFT-CLICK on Close Toolbar to remove a tool bar.  The desktop folder associated with the toolbar cannot be deleted since this will delete the short-cuts used by the toolbar.

By using these techniques you may end up with 3 or 4 desktop folder icons and a TOOLBAR for the left, top and right side giving quick access to common Programs and files.  And the toolbars can be easily changed by adding, deleting and shifting files and shortcuts between the desktop folders.

Services, drivers & Registry oh my!  A recent Windows Vista update caused problems for some computer users.  The challenge this time was certain computer coding, that was changed for security reasons, could not be reversed by using the RESTORE POINT feature of Windows XP & Vista.  [Not sure how to use this feature, get the PDF at BOOKLOCKER for loads of nuts & bolts information for both XP and VISTA computers.]

Some Hardware Drivers were affected stopping the associated device from working.  The Hardware Drivers are used by the computer to communicate to a Compact Disc (CD) player, for example.  It is similar to learning a language such as Spanish and being able to ask the Taxi Cab Driver to take you to the airport.  However, if the Taxi Driver suddenly got out and a Norwegian Driver got in you’d be stuck until you could learn Norwegian.  The Driver is the language, garble the language and the communication stops.

What to do?  In this particular case, not much, but to wait for the uproar and maybe join in if you have the inclination.  Soon enough a follow-up patch will be issued that should correct the problem.  On an XP computer you can get the KB number of the Microsoft Update by using this utility (the download link is at the bottom of the webpage*) and search for solutions (in this utility RIGHT-CLICK on an item and LEFT-CLICK Open Web Link).  In Vista; LEFT-CLICK on the Windows PEARL (bottom left of screen), type in Windows Update, press ENTER, LEFT-CLICK  View update history and a list of updates is shown in the left pane.  You can copy the KB plus the number and use this to search for what people are saying.

If problems occur following an update or you suspect this, double check the update history.  Since, Windows automatically creates a Restore Point prior to performing an update and System Checkpoints are also regularly created, unless Restore Points is not activated on the computer, you can use one of these just prior to an update.  The update should be listed in the Restore Point Calendar and Vista lists the last 5 Restore Points.  If using a Restore Point returns the computer to good health the trick is to now change Automatic Updates to ask your approval prior to installation.  This way you can wait it out for the fix from Microsoft that should be forthcoming.   To do this in XP open the Control Panel, Double-Left-Click Automatic Updates, and Left-Click the radio button for Download updates for me, but let me choose when to install them.  Vista makes finding things easy, LEFT-CLICK on the Pearl and type in Automatic Updates.

Here’s to having control over the computer and it not controlling you!

[* Download the zip file, Right-Click on it and select Extract All and follow the instructions, Double-Left-Click on the executable (.exe) file and say okay to the pop-up warning.  The computer just wants to make sure you are the person starting this Program.]

As a Windows XP User you can have natural security.  It is called the Limited User Account.  Using the default User Account of an XP computer places you in a higher risk category no matter what additional security software you use.  This is because the Administrator account has full privileges to modify critical computer resources.  Any Malware (Virus) that is able to use an unknown vulnerability can now gain access to these same resources because it will use the same privileges of the logged in user.  By using a Limited User Account that has limited privileges naturally provides for the security of the computers crucial resources.

This is not a small point but an essential point.  The existing and growing numbers of infected computers using the Internet boils down to lacking a solid firewall, poor Anti-Malware Software, bad habits and not using the natural defenses that a limited User Account provides.  Don’t wait until you have a super big headache, instead make the transition today.

Several resources are available; such as the Computer Appliance Learning Maintenance Manual which will take you step-by-step AND stay tuned to read the 3 Part – BLOCK the HACKER series.  This series will give more details on how to make the transition along with the instructions on how to do it!

DO …Install Anti-Malware Software, a Firewall and configure automatic updates.
DO …Always type in Web Site Addresses.
DO NOT … Click on links in emails even if inconvenient.
DO …Double-Check web site addresses you type ESPECIALLY for financial institutions.
DO NOT … Click on Pop-Ups, download buttons, or warnings to download a plug-in unless you expected the notice because of something you were doing.
DO NOT …submit sensitive or personal information unless it is via a secure HTTPS web page.
DO NOT …send personal or financial information, via email.  A Financial Institution will NEVER request information to be submitted via email.  AND, if an email from your financial institution arrives DO NOT CLICK on LINKS, instead type the Financial Institution’s web site into the Internet Browser.
DO … avoid questionable web sites.
DO … Use Credit Cards for on-line purchases.
DO NOT … Use Debit Cards for on-line purchases.

Using a public wireless Internet connection is risky business and there is plenty of incentive for both the curiously bored and criminals to take advantage.  Encryption is the safety net and using file sharing on the computer is like adding a running faucet.   Using public Wi-Fi is something to avoid, whenever possible, unless you have a top notch IT person configuring the laptop.  If you must connect to a public Wi-Fi connection the rules of thumb to live by are:

• Consider keeping files on a USB device and removing it while using a public Wi-Fi.  Complete a full scan of the computer prior to connecting the USB drive to protect against Malware.

• Or, place all files in an encrpyted Folder either by using Window’s encryption, typically, accessed by a RIGHT-CLICK on the Folder, LEFT-CLICK on Properties and LEFT-CLICK on the Advanced button.  Only the USER ACCOUNT used to encrpyt can access the files in the encrypted folder.  [Another option is to use a free utility such as 7-Zip [More users will want to use the top download link]which allows more fexibility on moving files between computers.]

• Turn off file sharing of any kind on the computer.  Open an Explore window, RIGHT-CLICK on the installed Hard-Drive(s), LEFT-CLICK Properties and LEFT-CLICK on the Sharing tab.  Disable File Sharing if it is enabled.

• Open Network Connections; for Vista: type Network Connections and select; or with XP: access via the Control Panel.  RIGHT-CLICK on any listed Network connections and LEFT-CLICK Properties.  Consider using tighter security settings that require a secure password and encrypted connection.  Check the Networking Settings and make sure File and Printer Sharing is not enabled or checked, and make sure you have a solid FIREWALL protecting the computer.  A 3rd Party Firewall is recommended.  [The Software Section of the Web Site has a list of the top performers that are free for home use.]

• Avoid using Web Sites requiring personal information and passwords but if it is a must, only use secure connections that begin with HTTPS, S for secure, and show a locked symbol.

• Be extremely careful about the Wi-Fi service to avoid connecting to a spoof Wi-Fi set up by a hacker.

• And assume that all emails sent and received can be read!

Be safe.

As recently reported (2.26.09) by PCMag, Inc. pushers of Malware (Viruses) are using Search Optimization Tools to place their deceptive Web Site links high on the results of Search Engine Sites to increase the number of infections.  And this means money for the criminals if they can turn your computer into a Zombie or electronically pick-pocket it.  This is why several options are recommended.

First, make sure you have multi-layered security to protect the computer as instructed by the c-a-l-m-m.com manual.  Two, use a browser Add-On that can warn prior to visiting a link to a Web Site.  Firefox may not work perfectly at all your favorite web sites, such as certain social sites, but for general web surfing it provides good protection.  Consider using your favorite Internet Browser for your most trusted web sites and Mozilla Firefox for general web surfing.  Or, add a web screening tool to your Internet Browser of choice.  Typically, these Internet Browser additions can be found via the Tools option of the Internet Browser.

Recently, a customer complained that their AOL Service was conflicting with another Internet Browser add-on. It appeared they had uninstalled this other Manufacturers software but there were some bits & pieces left on the computer. This is a common occurrence when uninstalling software. This is why I recommend using Revo Uninstaller which has additional tools to help remove any left-over bits. And, of course, if you would like to save yourself hours of searching the Internet and have a handy reference and website to use you can find this Software and more specific instructions in the Registered portion of the www.c-a-l-m-m.com website. It will explain using another free resource to extract even the most difficult to find and remove bits & pieces.