MikesWhatsNews 18, 03, 2005
in today's issue #772

2 FTC Bars Bogus Anti-Spyware Claims
3 Apple Goes Blue
4 10 Immutable Laws of Security
5 GFI Email Security Testing Zone
6 Backup FireFox's Profile
7 Sheppardsoftware Educational Web Games
8 CCC Systemometer
9 Moving Microsoft Office Buttons
10 Microsoft Home Network Guide
11 Speaker Problems
HackFix Updates
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NOTE: Any time you see the " ++ ", it means there is more
of the article, or story, on the linked site. Mike
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2
FTC Bars Bogus Anti-Spyware Claims
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2005/03/maxtheater.htm
The FTC has stepped up to the plate and shut down an anti-spyware software
company. The company, Spyware Assassin, allegedly used scare tactics to improve
sales of its spyware removal software. According to the FTC, Spyware Assassin
claimed through Internet advertising (i.e., banner ads, e-mail, pop-ups) that
consumers' computers had been infected with malware. Acting on complaints the
FTC tested the software and found that "the defendants" free remote scan is
phony, and the defendants" representations that they have detected spyware on
the consumer's computer are deceptive."

"Remote" scans by the software appeared to find spyware automatically when users
entered the Spyware Assassin website, even though the FTC's test computers were
uninfected. Additionally, the software's more detailed local scan failed to live
up to its claims of removing all spyware.

The Spyware Assassin software was created by MaxTheater Inc. The FTC is seeking
to permanently ban MaxTheater's deceptive claims, and is asking a judge to order
the company to refund the $29.95 consumers paid for the software.
++
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3
Apple Goes Blue
http://connectedhomemag.com/Visual/Articles/Index.cfm?ArticleID=45726
Apple Computer has picked its side in the Blu-ray-versus-HD-DVD format war. The
company announced that it has joined the Blu-ray Associations Board of Directors
and will work with the consortium to help market the format. The Cupertino-based
iPod creator (oh, and they still make computers, too) plans on adding support
for the format in its upcoming Macintosh products. With new releases of its
iMovie and Final Cut products, Apple recently began a strong push toward
convincing users to adopt high-definition (HD) video. The Blu-ray format
supports up to 50GB of storage and will compete with the HD-DVD format to become
the standard next-generation disc storage format. Unlike HD-DVD, Blu-ray doesn't
offer backward-compatibility with today's DVDs, although it does offer more
storage. Apple joins other companies—including Dell, HP, and Panasonic—in
supporting Blu-ray.
++
From: Connected Home Express

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4
10 Immutable Laws of Security
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/archive/community/columns/security/essays/10iml\
aws.mspx
Here at the Microsoft Security Response Center, we investigate thousands of
security reports every year. In some cases, we find that a report describes a
bona fide security vulnerability resulting from a flaw in one of our products;
when this happens, we develop a patch as quickly as possible to correct the
error. (See "A Tour of the Microsoft Security Response Center"). In other cases,
the reported problems simply result from a mistake someone made in using the
product. But many fall in between. They discuss real security problems, but the
problems don't result from product flaws. Over the years, we've developed a list
of issues like these, that we call the 10 Immutable Laws of Security.
++
From; Microsoft
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5
GFI Email Security Testing Zone
http://www.emailsecuritytest.com/
checks whether your email system is vulnerable to email viruses, worms and other
threats such as emails
with potentially harmful attachments with VBS and CLSID extensions, emails with
malformed MIME headers, HTML mails with embedded scripts and more.
Includes Outlook 2002 and ActiveX vulnerability tests.
++
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6
Backup FireFox's Profile
http://mozbackup.jasnapaka.com/translations.html
free backup program for FireFox's profile
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7
Sheppardsoftware Educational Web Games
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/web_games_menu.htm
Have fun learning world geography, US geography, vocabulary, and trivia with
these free
educational web games.
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8
'Christy's Computer Corner'
thanks to Christy;
http://www.1stpick.org

Systemometer
Freeware
http://www.iftix.com/systemometer/

Systemometer is a unique monitoring tool that shows system activity and
resources as a screen
saver or a thumbnail window. It allows you to create different monitoring
profiles out of the Windows
performance counters available on your system or remote hosts.
The interface displays the values of monitored parameters connecting all
measured points in one
polygon - a snapshot view that helps to read the overall system status at a
glance. This method
is also suitable for understanding load balance of a specific parameter (e.g.
CPU utilization) among
several items like computers or applications.
Different shapes of monitoring polygons draw visual patterns associated with
normal or critical
system states. One look at the screen will tell you what is happening with the
system. The history
of counter values can be recorded to the log file in either HTML or CSV format.
Systemometer is helpful for system administrators working in Windows environment
with network,
printers, databases, Web servers, etc. It is a nice toy for your home office.
~~~~~~~~
9
Moving Microsoft Office Buttons
The Microsoft Office Toolbars found in Microsoft Office Products are fully
customizable.
You can add and remove buttons or menu items and consolidate toolbars.
To do this, right click on the toolbar and choose customize.
Alternatively, you can also hold the ALT key down and move or delete buttons
from you toolbars.
There are many features in the toolbars that you will never use, so remove those
buttons, then
consolidate two or more toolbars across a single row to conserve screen real
estate.

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____________________________________________________________
10
Microsoft Home Network Guide
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=adbda816-db45-4aeb-962d\
-03ac1ee12d14&displaylang=en&Hash=YQ94MJ5
The Microsoft Home Network Guide is an interactive wizard designed to guide the
home user seeking assistance in designing their home network. By guiding the
user through a series of questions about their particular requirements, the
guide will identify the specific components for purchase based on the user's
need. The user can print out a list of recommended equipment types for use in
making their purchase decisions.

System Requirements
Supported Operating Systems: Windows 98 Second Edition, Windows ME, Windows XP

Up to 10MB of hard disk space to install

Windows .NET Framework v1.1
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11
Speaker Problems ~ Mike's Friday Tip

One of the problems we sometimes encounter is strange noises coming from our
speakers.
This static or buzzing may be caused by a faulty power block/transformer on one
our external devices.

After a period of time they may develop defects which result in their producing
an AC current instead of the required DC current. This AC results in a hum or
buzzing coming from the speakers. This can sometimes be cured by moving the
speaker wire away from the other cables on the computer.

I have seen velcro strips sold to bundle the cables behind the computer together
to 'tidying' things up, but this may in fact cause problems by inducing or
affecting the electrical field within the speaker cables.
____________________________________________________________

HackFix updates, thanks to Christy;
staff@...
Http://www.hackfix.org
This weeks Virus Pattern Updates (03/17/2005)


Updates will now vary in time but remain the same in day. Our time
schedule no longer allows for updates to be sent at a specific time on any
day so we will continue to send them on Thursdays to help our readers to
remember to update before leaving for the weekend (time away or from work).
We apologize if this causes any confusion.

All Software listed Alphabetically by Company name as some
companies manufacture more then one product.


Aladdin Knowledge Systems

Esafe Desktop/Gateway/Enterprise
Last Updated Mar 17/2005
To update your software
Visit: http://www.esafe.com/esafe/downloads/virusig.asp
Or
From the Esafe folder in your Start Menu select Download Updates
~~~~~

AlWil Software

Avast Antivirus
Last Updated Mar 15/2005
To update your software:
Visit: http://www.avast.com/
Or
Right click on the AVAST icon in the system tray, Select iAVS Update,
AVAST will check for updates and download the appropriate files as needed.
~~~~~

Authentium Software Systems

Command antivirus
Last Updated Mar 17/2005
To update your software
Visit http://www.authentium.com/support/downloads/index.cfm
~~~~~

Center for Antivirus Technologies (CAT)

Quickheal
Last Updated Mar 17/2005
To update your software
Visit: http://207.230.103.11/public/updates/updates.asp
Or
Open Quickheal select Utility from the top toolbar and liveupdate. Follow
the
onscreen prompts. Alternately you can select Liveupdate directly from the
QuickHeal program menu on the startmenu.
~~~~~

Frisk Software Systems

Fprot
Last Updated Mar 17/2005
To update your software
Visit: http://www.f-prot.com/download/home_user/
~~~~~

Computer Associates

E-Trust
Last updated Mar 17/2005
To update your software
http://www3.ca.com/support/vicdownload/
Or
From the Respective folder in your Start Menu select Autodownload

For Vet Anti virus
http://www.vet.com.au/html/software/update.html

Be sure to have your Customer ID and your registered email address
handy for verification.

**Note**

We knew this time would come eventually, that Computer Associates would
not continue to support/update the older program
https://www2.my-etrust.com/services/ipe_support??
~~~~~~


GeCad Software

Rav (Reliable AntiVirus)
Last Updated: Mar 14/2005
To update your software:
Visit: http://www.ravantivirus.com/pages/dldupdate.php?type=Daily
Or
Open Rav and select Rav Update from the toolbar
~~~~~

Grisoft Inc.

AVG
Announcing the End of Support for AVG Anti-Virus 6.0 (December 31, 2004)
Read more here: http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_avg6_termination.php
(New update details will be available soon)

Last updated Mar 15/2005
To update your software
Visit: http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_index.php
Or
Open AVG and click Virus Database to check for updates
Or
Open AVG control centre and click Update Manager/update now

**Note: To help speed up AVG updates you can set your program to use
an alternate download site.
Open AVG control centre->update manager->download from server. The
drop downbox should have listed www.grisoft.com (default) and
www.grisoft.cz. (be sure to select "apply" when done to save the changes)
The default site is most often used so can at times become temporarily
unavailable. By using the secondary site (www.grisoft.cz) helps to ease
the server and makes your update go quicker as most don't use it!
~~~~~

H+Bedv

AntiVir
Last updated Mar 17/2005
To update your software
Visit: http://www.free-av.com/antivirus/allinonen.html
Or
Open AntiVir, from the top toolbar select Tools->start internet update and
follow the on screen prompts.


Vexira
Last updated Mar 17/2005
To update your software
Visit: http://www.centralcommand.com/updates.html
Or
Open Vexira, from the top toolbar select Tools->start internet update and
follow the on screen prompts.

Vexira Antivirus is marketed by Central Command however it is the same
program as Antivir with only a different name.
~~~~~

Kaspersky

Kaspersky Anti-Virus (formerly AVP)
Last updated Mar 11/2005
To update your software
Visit: http://www.kaspersky.com/updates.asp
Or
Open AVP from the top toolbar click Tools-> Update virus definition
Or
From the Kaspersky folder in your Start Menu select AVP updater


*Note* Avp now has available a cumulative update and a
daily update with the daily being any important items they
feel shouldn't wait till the next cumulative update. Our
dates here are based on the most recent Major update.

**Note: Improved update accessiblity. To ease the update web traffic
Kaspersky labs has additional servers for autoupdating. The program
defaults to use one server but can be altered to check a variety of
servers. Select Kaspersky updater, select update via the internet to
open the drop down box(es) select "location" Check the box labeled
"Use alternate locations from the list" select next and next to update.
This option should stay selected after the first time. This helps
Kaspersky lighten the load for updates and helps you obtain updates
easier.
~~~~~

Network Associates

Mcafee
Last updated Mar 17/2005
To update your software
For Mcafee Visit
http://www.networkassociates.com/us/downloads/updates/superdat.asp
(for Virus and Engine updates)


Drsolomn (Product no longer available for new users however
updates still available for current users): Go to the following
Internet site: http://download.mcafee.com/updates/4x.asp
IMPORTANT: When you get to this site you may notice that it refers
to VirusScan. This update is not only for VirusScan. It also works
with Dr.Solomon's.

Or
Open your respective software virus scan scheduler, double click
Auto update, click Run Now to do a manual live update, or click
Schedule to set up a timed live update.
~~~~~

Norman Data Defence

Norman Virus Control
Last updated Mar 17/2005
To update your software
Visit: http://www.norman.com/downloads.shtml#definition_files_updates
Be sure to have your Valid Username and password handy for verification.
Or
From the Norman folder in your Start Menu select Internet Update

**Note Norman Virus Control web updates are only for version prior to
5.0. Norman 5.0 can only be updated via the update in the program itself.

Thunderbyte Anti Virus
Current Version: This product is no longer being supported.
http://www.norman.com/tbav.shtml
~~~~~

Softwin

BitDefender
Last Updated Mar 11/2005
To update your software
Visit: http://www.bitdefender.com/bd/site/downloads.php?menu_id=19&s_id=3
Or
Open BitDefender select Protection Options->live upgrade
Or
From the BitDefender folder in your Start Menu select Bitdefender Live

Press Release on the software change
http://www.bitdefender.com/press/ref1.php
~~~~~

Sophos

Sophos Anti Virus
Last IDE available Mar 17/2005
To obtain the latest IDE files
Visit: http://www.sophos.com/downloads/ide/

**Note: Sophos does not update as other products do. They update
the Engine/software once a month (or so) to include all the previous
IDE files. New IDE files are available with new virus threats and must
be downloaded individually until the next software update is available.
Our update dates reflect the most recent available IDE file.
~~~~~

Symantec

Nortons AntiVirus
Last updated Mar 17/2005
To update your software
Visit: http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/defs.download.html select
your language -> product from the list
Or
Open Nortons software and click the "live update" button
Or
From the Nortons folder in your Start Menu select LiveUpdate -
Norton Antivirus
~~~~~

Trend Micro

PcCillin
Last updated Mar 17/2005
To update your software
Visit: http://www.antivirus.com/download/pattern.asp
Be sure to have your Registration number handy for verification
Or
Open PcCillin click Update then click Update Now (or Update later
to Schedule a timed update)
~~~~~~~~~

If there is an Anti Virus program that is Not listed here that
you would like to see added to the weekly updates list Please
feel free to let us know.

Remember Your anti virus software is only as good as the user...
If you don't keep it updated it won't provide you with maximum
protection.

This weekly Update will be sent every Thursday on or after
6pm (eastern) to keep you up to date on virus pattern updates
available. Virus patterns are checked for most recent update
date as of 6pm Thursdays.

~~~~

~ Hackfix Project Staff
staff@...
Http://www.hackfix.org

3017 St Clair Ave #176
Burlington, Ontario
L7R 3L7
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Antivirus software is a good choice to scan your system for possible viruses,
however no virus scanner is 100% effective as manufactures cannot keep up with
the rapid change of viruses that happens daily.
Be sure to update yours regularly.
http://www.hackfix.org/software/antivirus.html
______________________________________________________________________
Please feel free, to offer constructive criticism, as that will help me keep it
interesting.
I also welcome any submissions about new products, web pages, or articles of
interest.

All submissions posted in MWN will be given proper credit.
"MikesWhatsNews" believes in giving credit where credit is due but at times
deadlines and information that is very important to readers we accidentally
misspost an item.

If you believe something to be miscredited, or you know the author of one of the
articles which we have posted as 'unknown', please do let us know so we can
correct the information where applicable.

Many times in a article you may see a click here for more information, or to go
to a link, these often will not work, as the original information, was taken
from a page with HTML links. This is when you will want to go to the webpage
indicated in the article, ++ ,for 'the rest of the story'
***MfM*** indicates that I am adding my own information to a particular
article.
`~*~*~*~*~*~`
Mike ~It's a good day if I learned something new.
You can read a sample of my newsletter on my web page http://www.mwn.ca
My virus pages ~ http://virusinfo.hackfix.org
mytech@...
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