Security

Thu
23
Nov
Dennis Faas's picture

Vista Patches Already Planned

When a technology product goes "gold", generally it means all systems are go, and the final version should soon be lined along retail shelves soon. It's often reason to celebrate, for gamers anticipating the next big title, or in this case, ... businesses anxiously awaiting the release of Microsoft's newest operating system, Windows Vista. However, reports suggest that although Vista is indeed "gold" for corporate users, the OS will be subject to a plethora of updates and patches in the weeks after its first install. Windows Vista is due to launch in just over a week, as November comes to an end ... (view more)

Thu
23
Nov
Dennis Faas's picture

Staying Safe While Shopping Online

Now that the holiday season is rapidly approaching, it's a good time for some quick reminders about safely purchasing items online. Armed with the proper knowledge and a little common sense, purchasing things online can be as safe as going to the ... store and purchasing it in person. It's getting easier to purchase items online from reputable companies. However, there are also several "companies" that want to steal your personal and financial information. Listed below are some suggestions for making your online shopping experience more enjoyable. Contact Information Is the sellers address and ... (view more)

Thu
16
Nov
Dennis Faas's picture

Shocking Statement: Windows Vista Doesn't Need Anti-Virus Software

It has been drummed into the minds of PC users for years that anti-virus software is an absolute must! That's why most new computers today come with a limited time subscription for free anti-virus protection. However, Microsoft co-president Jim ... Allchin boldly declared in a recent press conference that he's completely comfortable running Vista minus a program that shields his little boy's computer from viruses. "My son, seven years old, runs Windows Vista, and, honestly, he doesn't have an antivirus system on his machine," Allchin said. "His machine is locked down with parental controls, he ... (view more)

Tue
14
Nov
Dennis Faas's picture

Virus Spoof Slams Wikipedia.org

It has been a controversial week for the free web encyclopedia known as Wikipedia. First, it was hit with a plagiarism scandal . Now, the website is under fire again because shady hackers have used it to distribute a virus. A page was created on the ... German version of Wikipedia warning users about a new variant of the Blaster worm. The article included a link to download a virus remover. Unfortunately for unsuspecting users, what they ended up downloading was the virus itself. (Source: Internetnews.com ) Anti-virus company Sophos posted this on its website: "Wikipedia allows anyone to create ... (view more)

Wed
08
Nov
Dennis Faas's picture

Block and Remove / Uninstall Internet Explorer 7 (IE7)

Internet Explorer 7 (IE7) has been released as of November 1, 2006. If you're not ready for it yet, there are a few options to prevent its installation through Automatic Updates. Personally, I update my computer manually, so I can see what's being ... installed before it's installed. Reports say that IE7 is more secure and has more functionality than Internet Explorer 6 (some improvements include tabbed browsing and a built-in RSS reader) -- but I prefer to wait until they get a few more bugs worked out and some patches for the flaws that still exist before I'll agree to install it myself. Many ... (view more)

Wed
08
Nov
Dennis Faas's picture

International Hackers Crack ... Pennsylvania Water Supply?

Not even the essence of life is safe from hackers, it seems. Although one might expect industrial chemical dumping to be the greatest threat to a city's water supply (the Detroit River is proof), hackers actually cracked a laptop at a Harrisburg, PA ... treatment plant earlier last month. The infected computer gave the intruders access to a variety of vital files. The question is: did they use those critical files? Not apparently, according to reports. Instead, the hackers took the opportunity to load the access point with Spyware and computer viruses, perhaps unaware of the power they wielded. ... (view more)

Tue
31
Oct
Dennis Faas's picture

Microsoft's Vista 'PatchGuard' Hacked by a Security Company?

It appears that some of Microsoft's ambitiousness in developing its latest operating system, Windows Vista, is receiving anything but glowing reviews from other segments of the electronics industry. Recently, a few notable vendors are expressing ... anger over Microsoft's internal virus protection within Vista, which they claim has not been developed in coordination with other security companies and is thus, susceptible to hackers. The main problem stems from Microsoft's refusal to allow firms like Authentium, McAfee, and Symantec from full access to the "kernel" technology within the 64-bit ... (view more)

Fri
27
Oct
Dennis Faas's picture

McAfee and Symantec: Vista May Be Less Safe Than XP

Both McAfee and Symantec have recently countered claims that Microsoft has provided security firms with enough information to get their products working its upcoming operating system, Windows Vista. McAfee's Worldwide Corporate Communications Vice ... President Siobhan MacDermott released a statement explaining that the information is inadequate. MacDermott says that although McAfee has received a document that contained the SDK (Software Development Kit) for Windows Security Centre, requests for both clarifications and meetings have been ignored. "To date, we have not had any cooperation from MS ... (view more)

Thu
26
Oct
Dennis Faas's picture

XP Service Pack 3 Delayed Until 2008

Just as Microsoft releases one of its most anticipated products of this season (Internet Explorer 7), the Redmond-based company has announced the delay of an important update for the Windows XP operating system -- XP Service Pack 3 (SP3). Even ... though Windows Vista is planned for mass release in November 2006 (business and corporate versions) and January 2007 (home editions), XP Service Pack 3 will not be officially launched until at least 2008. And now that the bomb has been dropped, speculation has begun. When XP SP2 was released in 2004, the last Service Pack essentially acted as a whole ... (view more)

Wed
25
Oct
Dennis Faas's picture

IE7 To Be Sent As Automatic Update

Now that Internet Explorer 7 (IE7) is now officially out, and Microsoft is trying to position it as a viable replacement for Mozilla Firefox -- but there are already some security issues with the new browser. One way Microsoft may be trying to ... "bigfoot" Firefox is by making IE7 an automatic update. Starting in November, computers with Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, or Windows Server 2003 will automatically receive IE7. (Source: pcmag.com ) From a distance, it appears that Microsoft is essentially forcing its newest browser onto an unsuspecting public. ... (view more)

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