fix

Microsoft has revealed it will indeed have a fix for a critical Internet Explorer bug in next week's monthly update. The security loophole means XP users who don't have the latest edition of the browser could be infected even by visiting a ... theoretically safe website. The bug, which Microsoft describes as "browse and get owned," involves the Active X (Direct Show) system used for displaying online videos. The specific function it affects is no longer used, which may be how the hackers found the loophole. The bug affects users of Windows XP, as well as anyone running Windows Server 2003 that ... (view more)

Microsoft will release critical updates for six security issues next Tuesday. This Patch Tuesday will include a controversially delayed Mac MS Office fix , but won't solve a recently discovered directx flaw for Quicktime files. Biggest Monthly ... Update This Year The monthly update, which will be biggest so far this year, will contain critical fixes for Windows, Internet Explorer, Word and Excel in particular, and Office in general. In all cases, hackers could gain remote control of an affected computer. The Internet Explorer issue appears particularly serious as it reportedly affects all ... (view more)

SmitFraud Fix SmitFraud Fix is an anti-spyware tool that removes common Desktop Hijack malware, including: Advanced Antivirus, AdwarePunisher, AdwareSheriff, AlphaCleaner, AntiSpyCheck, AntiSpyware Expert, Antispyware Soldier, AntiVermeans, ... AntiVermins, AntiVerminser, AntiVirGear, Antivirus 2009, AntiVirus Lab 2009, Antivirus Master, Antivirus XP 2008, AntivirusGolden, AVGold, Awola, BraveSentry, IE Defender, Internet Antivirus, MalwareCrush, MalwareWipe, MalwareWiped, MalwaresWipeds, MalwareWipePro, MalwareWiper, Micro Antivirus 2009, MS Antivirus, PestCapture, PestTrap, Power Antivirus, ... (view more)

The United States Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) has issued an advisory regarding remote tech support tools made by SupportSoft. The affected software uses ActiveX controls contain multiple buffer overflow vulnerabilities which could allow a ... remote, unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code on a vulnerable system. The SupportSoft ActiveX controls are essentially small applications that can be run from Microsoft's Internet Explorer. The affected software is often used by Internet service providers, PC makers and other companies to provide support functions such as remote ... (view more)

Last Thursday, Apple finally announced a fix for the irritating "MacBook Shutdown" pandemic. The shutdown problem, which the company insists has affected only a "small percentage" of MacBook owners, surfaced in July after the 13-inch widescreen ... MacBooks debuted. Since then, the problem has generated quite a bit of buzz, and has even led to the creation of the website www.macbookrandomshutdown.com . Since the website launched in August, over 1500 users have registered with the site. (Source: zdnet.com ) Previously, Apple had addressed the quandary by having the affected machines sent in for ... (view more)

Dial A Fix Dial-a-fix is a collection of known fixes that repair common Windows issues, such as Windows Update, SSL, Microsoft Installer, and other problems. Most of the fixes are found in Microsoft Knowledgebase articles. When you see a list of ... DLLs that Microsoft is telling you to use REGSVR32 on, chances are they are already included in Dial-a-fix. You can figure out what most checkboxes do by hovering over them with your mouse. The tooltip describes what is going on (usually in command-line terminology). For instance, if you hover over 'Stop service' under the WU/WUA section, it tells you ... (view more)

Go According to the developer, "All the simple command lines I've found have either option after option after option or are too easy to close accidentally or come in many pieces (.DLL, .HLP, .INI, etc) or are large files or skinned or shareware or ... require installation, etc. 'Go' is [a simple shell replacement solution; it is] one file, requires no install or uninstall, leaves nothing behind when deleted, requires no special DLL files, and can only be closed by a single route, "!quit". 'Go' is set to idle CPU usage which means it doesn't gulp your runtimes. 'Go' can be used as a shell, which ... (view more)

Continuing on with our Feature Article on Registry Mechanic, here are some top Frequently Asked Questions about the Windows Registry, courtesy of PCTools.com: Q: " Do I really need to fix registry problems? " A: In short, yes. If you don't fix ... registry problems when they arise or try and prevent them from even happening at all, then you may soon find yourself faced with sudden crashes, system stalls, or a severe degradation in operating speed. Working to fix registry issues and prevent system crashes should be a top priority whether you use your computer for business or pleasure, ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader Linda G. writes: " Dear Dennis, I just read your article on the free Spyware scanning software, ' XoftSPy '. It reminded me of a similar experience I had with a program called PC Bug Doctor. The PC Bug Doctor web site promised to ... scan and repair 'every error on your Computer anytime you need it.' I admit, I was a bit skeptical, but figured it would be worth a shot. Boy was I wrong! Although the program reported over 200 errors on my computer, I had to register it in order to fix them ($40). Mind you, I would have gladly paid the registration fee if I knew what the ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader 'Margie100' writes: "Dear Dennis, You've probably have answered this question a million times, but I am having trouble finding the right answer for me. I am running XP and lately this PC just freezes up when I open just about ... everything. Pressing CTRL + ALT + DEL usually fixes it but I know that this is a temporary fix and it usually locks up again shortly after that. I've scanned my system for viruses, cleaned my hard drive using the defrag utility, and use scandisk to check for file-system errors. I know from your newsletters that it may be possible that there is ... (view more)