31 July 2006
Browser wars heating up
With release of Opera 9 about a month in the past, Opera is now talking about the next version, Opera 10, which is said will be able to run on any device both fixed or mobile platforms. Firefox is gaining more market share, about 13% world-wide. Most of Firefox's gain has been in German with a gain there of about 39%.
This has lead Microsoft to announce an early release of IE 7. Based on previous Microsoft performance, especially when they rush something, I don't know that this is a good idea for Microsoft, but we'll see. IE 7 basically has the exact same features as Firefox and Opera with some additional Microsoft features (no I don't mean bugs). The one thing that is troubling me about the release of IE 7 is the fact that they are planning on making it a high priority security update so people will most likely download it without really knowing what they are downloading. Yes IE 6 has some serious security risks, but this isn't a patch. It is a completely new version of the software. It needs to be considered an upgrade not a security update which has usually meant a patch from Microsoft in the past.
I advise everyone to make sure that if they have a Windows box they watch what updates they install on their computers from Microsoft and if they don't want to update IE 6 to IE 7 then make sure you don't select that update. I would also say that from a security standpoint Firefox or Opera is better. On Internet Explorer I get several different pieces of spyware (usually about 4 to 10) after just 10 minutes of using the browser. With Firefox I get maybe 3 after a week of using it. Of course using something other than Windows I don't get any at all.
This has lead Microsoft to announce an early release of IE 7. Based on previous Microsoft performance, especially when they rush something, I don't know that this is a good idea for Microsoft, but we'll see. IE 7 basically has the exact same features as Firefox and Opera with some additional Microsoft features (no I don't mean bugs). The one thing that is troubling me about the release of IE 7 is the fact that they are planning on making it a high priority security update so people will most likely download it without really knowing what they are downloading. Yes IE 6 has some serious security risks, but this isn't a patch. It is a completely new version of the software. It needs to be considered an upgrade not a security update which has usually meant a patch from Microsoft in the past.
I advise everyone to make sure that if they have a Windows box they watch what updates they install on their computers from Microsoft and if they don't want to update IE 6 to IE 7 then make sure you don't select that update. I would also say that from a security standpoint Firefox or Opera is better. On Internet Explorer I get several different pieces of spyware (usually about 4 to 10) after just 10 minutes of using the browser. With Firefox I get maybe 3 after a week of using it. Of course using something other than Windows I don't get any at all.
Labels: firefox, IE, internet, microsoft, opera
30 July 2006
Dangers on the Internet
Of course we all know about the dangers of viruses and worms that are so commonly talked about. We probably have all heard of spam by now too. Spyware is a popular word among the Internet as well. But the fastest growing problem on the Internet is not something that you can protect yourself from as easily as by running software to block or detect it. The fastest growing problem requires people to be wise and careful about what they do and what information they give.
Phishing which involves making a website or email that looks legitimate asking for personal information such as passwords and bank account numbers is becoming the number one problem on the Internet.
For more information and ways to prevent such things happening to you read this article.
Phishing which involves making a website or email that looks legitimate asking for personal information such as passwords and bank account numbers is becoming the number one problem on the Internet.
For more information and ways to prevent such things happening to you read this article.
Labels: internet, phishing, safety, spyware
Removal of MS Genuine Advantage
Microsoft Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) is a patch that Microsoft released for Windows that checks the system for any pirated software with results that are not always accurate. This patch consists of two parts one Notification that dials Microsoft servers every time the computer is started and a second that tests for pirated copies of software, namely Windows. This part goes by the additional name of WGA Validation. The second cannot be removed without causing problems with Windows Update, but the first in not required and may leave some users concerned with the thought of it reporting to Microsoft what software you have on your computer.
For those of us who are not really happy with the thought of our computers dialing Microsoft servers every time we start our computers there is a tool to remove the part of MS WGA that dials the servers. For those interested in keeping their computer's contents a little more private, the application and more information can be found here.
For those of us who are not really happy with the thought of our computers dialing Microsoft servers every time we start our computers there is a tool to remove the part of MS WGA that dials the servers. For those interested in keeping their computer's contents a little more private, the application and more information can be found here.
Labels: microsoft, wga, windows
A blow for MS from the East
China and other areas of Asia are migrating 50,000 desktops over to Linux. These computers were running different versions of Windows from Win 98 to XP. They are claiming a savings of around $25 million in software and $50 million in hardware.
This should be another rather painful blow for Microsoft. This should be about the second government to switch from Microsoft to Linux recently.
This should be another rather painful blow for Microsoft. This should be about the second government to switch from Microsoft to Linux recently.
Labels: linux, microsoft, os, windows
29 July 2006
MS Office Beta for $1.50
Starting next Wednesday, people who want to download the beta version of MS Office 2007 will have to pay $1.50 for each download. This is said to help with the cost of running the servers which host the downloads.
I have two comments on this. The first, I always though those who beta test are doing a service for the people they are testing for and without the beta testers there could be more undetected bugs in the code. The second comment is, a company the size of Microsoft is going to actually be hurt by the cost of hosting a beta version of their software. Other companies seem to have no problem providing beta versions of their software free of charge. It seems to be another MS game to make more money from it's loyal crowd.
I have two comments on this. The first, I always though those who beta test are doing a service for the people they are testing for and without the beta testers there could be more undetected bugs in the code. The second comment is, a company the size of Microsoft is going to actually be hurt by the cost of hosting a beta version of their software. Other companies seem to have no problem providing beta versions of their software free of charge. It seems to be another MS game to make more money from it's loyal crowd.
Future Fingerprint Reader
Recently Epson and Seiko developed an ultrathin fingerprint reader.
It appears they want to market it for use in credit cards originally. This could be very useful if to use a card the person must have the correct fingerprint. It could eliminate stolen credit cards being used in shops. Online is still another issue.
Also it could be possible to incorporate the reader in a cell phone to make the phone unusable without the correct fingerprint.
These seem to be very good security measures for the future, unfortunately we will have to wait for 2010 before it becomes commercially available.
It appears they want to market it for use in credit cards originally. This could be very useful if to use a card the person must have the correct fingerprint. It could eliminate stolen credit cards being used in shops. Online is still another issue.
Also it could be possible to incorporate the reader in a cell phone to make the phone unusable without the correct fingerprint.
These seem to be very good security measures for the future, unfortunately we will have to wait for 2010 before it becomes commercially available.
Labels: security
25 July 2006
The dangers of spam
Spam has changed drastically in it's function. Originally offering "organ" enlargement or magic cures, spam now is offering free viruses and the such to sit on your computer. Some of these programs can be used to take control of your computer to send more spam or even worse attack computer networks.
The good news is that anti-spam applications are getting better, but the bad news is that the amount of spam being sent is increasing.
For more information I suggest reading this article.
And for those with the time and energy to spend. I'd suggest the possibility of using the spam blockers less and taking action against the spam by reporting it to ISPs. For those who don't know how to use whois to find the information, there is a service from SpamCop.net that allows you to send them the message and message headers and they will pass the spam on to the correct ISP.
The good news is that anti-spam applications are getting better, but the bad news is that the amount of spam being sent is increasing.
For more information I suggest reading this article.
And for those with the time and energy to spend. I'd suggest the possibility of using the spam blockers less and taking action against the spam by reporting it to ISPs. For those who don't know how to use whois to find the information, there is a service from SpamCop.net that allows you to send them the message and message headers and they will pass the spam on to the correct ISP.
23 July 2006
Getting the best price?
With the new service from Frucall you can call a free 888 number and after entering the product bar code number and the service searches online stores for new and used prices and reads them out to the users. It will also play comments from different people who have bought the product. In the future they plan on adding the feature to purchase the product over your mobile phone.
This seems like a product to try especially that it's currently free.
This seems like a product to try especially that it's currently free.
New Online OS
YouOS, a new internet based "operating system", was released recently. It allows for users to install and use applications including those written by you and word processors. All of this is possible from a web browser. This will allow people to do some work in one place and then continue working on a different computer without needing to transfer any information between the two computers. This seems like a very good option for people who travel a lot and who don't have a laptop. Also students would find it very useful to be able to work on something at school and then continue working when they get home without having to carry anything or transfer anything. Of course this isn't possible for everyone and every type of application but the everyday types of activities would be no trouble and even some programming.
For those interested in learning more information from the website.
For those interested in learning more information from the website.
New Skype offers
Skype has announced that it is offering wireless telephones to allow users to make calls with Skype from any WiFi hotspot. For cities with a high number of WiFi hotspots this could greatly reduce your mobile telephone costs.
This comes along with an announcement recently by one Korean company of creating a solution to make providing high speed WiFi access to houses and many areas of cities feasible. This is currently being tested and used in Korea.
It will definately lead to some very interesting developments during the next several months and over the next two years.
This comes along with an announcement recently by one Korean company of creating a solution to make providing high speed WiFi access to houses and many areas of cities feasible. This is currently being tested and used in Korea.
It will definately lead to some very interesting developments during the next several months and over the next two years.
22 July 2006
Google toolbar users - be wary
A new trojan has been found that sends an email from Google to you. It provides you with instructions on how to update your Google toolbar. Users unlucky enough to follow the instructions and links will be taken to a page very similar to Google's with an option to install the trojan ("toolbar"). After the install your system will become part of a series of computers sending spam emails.
The only advice I can give on this one, always be careful where you are on the internet and be careful what you install.
The only advice I can give on this one, always be careful where you are on the internet and be careful what you install.
Labels: Google, internet, trojan
Anti-virus not perfect
It has recently been published out of Australia's AusCERT 2006 conference that the writers of viruses and worms are creating them specifically to avoid detection in anti-virus programs. It is also said that they are doing a good job at it. In 45% of the companies responding to a survey a virus had entered their systems despite the up-to-date anti-virus software.
The use of popular anti-virus solutions are probably less likely to detect these viruses and such due to the developers of the viruses testing them to ensure they escape their detection.
Does this mean you should rush out to get the not so popular anti-virus solutions, not necessarily. It's also possible those won't detect the virus, as well. It also doesn't mean you should run two anti-virus programs. Usually two simultaneously running anti-virus programs will cause conflicts with each other and not work correctly.
It does mean update as often as possible and make sure your data is safely backed up in case of the worst.
The use of popular anti-virus solutions are probably less likely to detect these viruses and such due to the developers of the viruses testing them to ensure they escape their detection.
Does this mean you should rush out to get the not so popular anti-virus solutions, not necessarily. It's also possible those won't detect the virus, as well. It also doesn't mean you should run two anti-virus programs. Usually two simultaneously running anti-virus programs will cause conflicts with each other and not work correctly.
It does mean update as often as possible and make sure your data is safely backed up in case of the worst.
20 July 2006
Big news for browsers
For the first time in a few years completely new versions of the major browsers are coming out. Microsoft, Firefox, and Opera are all three releasing new versions of their browsers.
Based on popularity all of the browsers feature tabbed browsing, of course some have had it before. Also common to all is the use of addon modules to add features. Built in search engines are also included although really nothing that new. A new feature though is the use of a built in popup blocker and anti-phishing capabilities. Rather than only saving the content of one tab to a bookmark, a group of tabs can be saved as bookmarks/favorites.
Only Firefox and Opera have the ability to pause and resume downloads. IE users will of course still have the option of using a download manager separately to get the save features. Mac and Linux functionality are featured as well on Firefox and Opera but IE lacks both. Although only IE will offer a one click option to save bookmarks. Only Firefox will feature a spell-checker for text boxes for those of us who cannot spell. IE and Opera both have the ability to remember tabs between sessions.
It seems that most of the browsers will have similar features. Will people change to other browsers because of these updates, maybe, maybe not. The advantage of using Firefox or Opera will probably still be less adware and less exploits. Is that because it's a better browser or because more people try to find exploits in IE? I do know with Firefox being open-source and having many developers able to update the software it will allow updates and patches to be released faster than other browsers - that is one advantage.
Based on popularity all of the browsers feature tabbed browsing, of course some have had it before. Also common to all is the use of addon modules to add features. Built in search engines are also included although really nothing that new. A new feature though is the use of a built in popup blocker and anti-phishing capabilities. Rather than only saving the content of one tab to a bookmark, a group of tabs can be saved as bookmarks/favorites.
Only Firefox and Opera have the ability to pause and resume downloads. IE users will of course still have the option of using a download manager separately to get the save features. Mac and Linux functionality are featured as well on Firefox and Opera but IE lacks both. Although only IE will offer a one click option to save bookmarks. Only Firefox will feature a spell-checker for text boxes for those of us who cannot spell. IE and Opera both have the ability to remember tabs between sessions.
It seems that most of the browsers will have similar features. Will people change to other browsers because of these updates, maybe, maybe not. The advantage of using Firefox or Opera will probably still be less adware and less exploits. Is that because it's a better browser or because more people try to find exploits in IE? I do know with Firefox being open-source and having many developers able to update the software it will allow updates and patches to be released faster than other browsers - that is one advantage.
Labels: firefox, IE, microsoft, opera
Dangers of Adware
It seems that a banner ad for a site deckoutyourdeck.com contains adware that exploits a weakness in MS IE. The bad news is that there are about 600 sites that use this weakness. The good news is that since January 06 there has been a patch for it.
This banner ad installs a trojan that begins downloading other software some of which causes pop-up ads to be displayed and track online activity.
Patched computers will ask the user if they want to download the program rather than just doing it, so make sure you have the latest security patches if your running IE and make sure you're doing regular adware scans to keep yourself safe from such attacks.
This banner ad installs a trojan that begins downloading other software some of which causes pop-up ads to be displayed and track online activity.
Patched computers will ask the user if they want to download the program rather than just doing it, so make sure you have the latest security patches if your running IE and make sure you're doing regular adware scans to keep yourself safe from such attacks.
Labels: adware, IE, microsoft, vulnerability
More security for online operations
A new firm out of San Mateo, CA is beginning to sell a USB based on the smart card chip to enable users to access their favorite secure sites without having to type an user name or password, making it more secure for people to do their online banking, etc. InformationWeek has the complete article.
While this does solve part of the problem, there still is the issue that the users should be responsible in their use of their computers by refraining from actions that will allow malicious code from entering their computers and updating their virus scaners and adware scanners. Most importantly if the users actually do regular scans of their computers for such programs as trojans and key loggers the majority of the problem will go away saving the user from having to spend the $50 for the USB key that would be my first target when burgling homes. Why steal anything else when you now have the person's entire bank account. To finish off with one last point, how long should we assume it will take for someone to crack this device and create some malicious software to read the information from it.
Yes we can create more and more elaborate devices for Internet security, but the one best way to keep your data secure is to use common sense and good practices when using the Internet.
While this does solve part of the problem, there still is the issue that the users should be responsible in their use of their computers by refraining from actions that will allow malicious code from entering their computers and updating their virus scaners and adware scanners. Most importantly if the users actually do regular scans of their computers for such programs as trojans and key loggers the majority of the problem will go away saving the user from having to spend the $50 for the USB key that would be my first target when burgling homes. Why steal anything else when you now have the person's entire bank account. To finish off with one last point, how long should we assume it will take for someone to crack this device and create some malicious software to read the information from it.
Yes we can create more and more elaborate devices for Internet security, but the one best way to keep your data secure is to use common sense and good practices when using the Internet.
Labels: adware, antivirus, internet, safety, security, spyware
