Tuesday, March 16, 2004
Multiple sends in Outlook
Jim calling from I-70 had a problem with MS Outlook sending multiple copies of documents. Some settings of Outlook will send when you quit the program, and require the program to verify that the message has been delivered. If you send, then quit, then start up again it's possible the program does not recognize that it has been sent because it has not yet received a return receipt. Try adjusting the settings or preferences of Outlook, and wait a bit after you send before quitting.
10-gig Ethernet cabling
Chuck in Centerville writes:
In looking at a Cisco document, it appears that 10 gig will run on cat 5, 5e and 6. More specific requirements are determined by the switch selected.
In looking at a Cisco document, it appears that 10 gig will run on cat 5, 5e and 6. More specific requirements are determined by the switch selected.
Tuesday, March 09, 2004
Problems with Norton AntiVirus Live Update
Listener Don reports:
Having trouble activating Symantec products, such as Norton AntiVirus 2004? Symantec has taken care of the snag. Go to Symantec Supportto grab the fix.
Symantec also plugged a security hole in Norton AntiVirus's LiveUpdate feature (for retail products). Head to Symantec's Security Response page for a link to LiveUpdate 2.0.
Many versions of 2004 have a problem with security with Live Update. The fix is at
Symantec.com.
If you have any version of Live Update other than V2 this fix is required.
Having trouble activating Symantec products, such as Norton AntiVirus 2004? Symantec has taken care of the snag. Go to Symantec Supportto grab the fix.
Symantec also plugged a security hole in Norton AntiVirus's LiveUpdate feature (for retail products). Head to Symantec's Security Response page for a link to LiveUpdate 2.0.
Many versions of 2004 have a problem with security with Live Update. The fix is at
Symantec.com.
If you have any version of Live Update other than V2 this fix is required.
Speed test
If you want to check the speed of your cable, DSL or dial-up connection, go to Bandwidthplace.com. Note: you may need to sign up at this site.
Tuesday, March 02, 2004
Latest Mydoom Variant Can Delete Files
Several antivirus and security companies today warned that another
variant of the Mydoom worm is spreading. This one can delete files from
a user's computer. See Computerworld.com.
variant of the Mydoom worm is spreading. This one can delete files from
a user's computer. See Computerworld.com.
WARNING: eBay spoof
We have previously reported a 'spoof' on Amazon.com (that is, an email message that directs users to what appears to be an Amazon.com site but is in fact a bogus site designed to capture confidential information).
Now it appears there is an eBay spoof going around. A message might read "During our regular update and verification of the accounts, we couIdn't verify your current information. Either your information has changed or it is incomplete", accompanied by a clickable link.
Don't do it! The site will appear to be an eBay site but these are thieves trying to grab your credit card and other sensitive information.
"Let's be careful out there." -- Sgt. Phil Esterhaus
Now it appears there is an eBay spoof going around. A message might read "During our regular update and verification of the accounts, we couIdn't verify your current information. Either your information has changed or it is incomplete", accompanied by a clickable link.
Don't do it! The site will appear to be an eBay site but these are thieves trying to grab your credit card and other sensitive information.
"Let's be careful out there." -- Sgt. Phil Esterhaus
DVD formats
Dennis asked: What are the differences between various formats for recordable DVDs (i.e. DVD-R vs. DVD+R)?
Dell.com (May need to register)
Proactionmedia. com (more technical)
Dave from Beavercreek suggests DVDRhelp.com for lots of info about DVD formats, recording DVDs, etc. Of particular interest is their player compatibility list.
Dell.com (May need to register)
Proactionmedia. com (more technical)
Dave from Beavercreek suggests DVDRhelp.com for lots of info about DVD formats, recording DVDs, etc. Of particular interest is their player compatibility list.
Microsoft updates available on CD
Chuck F. writes: Microsoft has made many Windows updates for all versions since 98 available on cd free. Anyone without a broadband connection can go to Microsoft and order it. This is an opportunity for everyone to catch up on updates.
Monday, March 01, 2004
New Windows vulnerability
Microsoft recently issued a new critical security update (MS04-007) to patch a vulnerability in most Windows operating systems, including
Windows XP
Windows 2000
Windows NT
Windows Server 2003
Computer code which exploits this vulnerability has recently been discovered. If your computer is exploited by this code you could risk damaging your computer or losing your connection to the network.
Protect yourself and your access to online services by installing the Microsoft Windows updates on your computer.
Users of Macintosh computers or earlier versions of Windows (Windows 95/98) are not affected by this vulnerability.
Windows XP
Windows 2000
Windows NT
Windows Server 2003
Computer code which exploits this vulnerability has recently been discovered. If your computer is exploited by this code you could risk damaging your computer or losing your connection to the network.
Protect yourself and your access to online services by installing the Microsoft Windows updates on your computer.
Users of Macintosh computers or earlier versions of Windows (Windows 95/98) are not affected by this vulnerability.
Tuesday, February 24, 2004
Resources for print-handicapped computer users (6/10/03)
Oscar from Beavercreek inquired about computing resources for blind users. Here are some suggestions we received:
Technology Resource Center in Dayton, 937-222-5222
Ohio Technology Access Project, 937-222-2755
Zoom Text, a screen reader
Job Accommodation Network, 1-800-526-7234
Microsoft accessibility project
Technology Resource Center in Dayton, 937-222-5222
Ohio Technology Access Project, 937-222-2755
Zoom Text, a screen reader
Job Accommodation Network, 1-800-526-7234
Microsoft accessibility project
Blaster/Lovesan (8/12/03)
Help Desk dealt with the rapidly-spreading worm variously known as Blaster or Lovesan, which exploits a vulnerability in the Microsoft operating systems first announced in July 2003. Here is a link to one of Microsoft's recommendations, and here is another.
URLs from Tuesday, February 24, 2004
Acrobat Acrobat document when web browsing the web causes an External Window Manager error. Adobe has a support document about this.
Bob from Cincinnati enquired about Popups. Here is a site about them. CAUTION: you will probably see a pop-up when you go here.
This may fix the Shell32 linked to a missing export file.
Bob from Cincinnati enquired about Popups. Here is a site about them. CAUTION: you will probably see a pop-up when you go here.
This may fix the Shell32 linked to a missing export file.
Windows Messenger Service vulnerability (10/31/03)
Windows Messenger Service (not to be confused with the popular Microsoft Messenger or MSN Messenger services) is a little-known feature of some Windows versions which is subject to security vulnerabilities. Help Desk recommends that you turn it off.
You don't need to worry about Windows Messenger Service if have a Mac, a Unix box, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 98SE, or Windows ME. But if you have Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows 2003, you should turn it off.
You can manually disable the Windows Messenger Service if you want. The University of Virginia's Information Technology and Communications department shows you how to disable it. Or you can use Steve Gibson's free Shoot the Messenger program.
(Information from Internet Tourbus).
You don't need to worry about Windows Messenger Service if have a Mac, a Unix box, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 98SE, or Windows ME. But if you have Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows 2003, you should turn it off.
You can manually disable the Windows Messenger Service if you want. The University of Virginia's Information Technology and Communications department shows you how to disable it. Or you can use Steve Gibson's free Shoot the Messenger program.
(Information from Internet Tourbus).
URL Spoofing vulnerability (12/19/03)
Patrick Crispen's invaluable Internet Tourbus warns that "If you use Internet Explorer, Microsoft Outlook Express, or Microsoft Outlook, you're vulnerable to something called "URL Spoofing." Is this earth-shattering? No. Should you lose sleep over it? No. Should you at least know a little about it in order to protect your personal information should something strange happen? ABSOLUTELY!"
According to Microsoft, "a malicious user could create a link to a deceptive (spoofed) Web site that displays the address, or URL, to a legitimate Web site in the Status bar, Address bar, and Title bar."
Why is this a bad thing? Well, InformationWeek warns that "This flaw would make it appear to Internet users that they're visiting a banking Web site, for example, when that site is actually a front for fraudsters attempting to collect sensitive financial information..."
How can you tell if you're vulnerable? Just hop on over to Patrick's URL Spoofing site and take his simple test. You might be startled, as you humble editor was.
According to Microsoft, "a malicious user could create a link to a deceptive (spoofed) Web site that displays the address, or URL, to a legitimate Web site in the Status bar, Address bar, and Title bar."
Why is this a bad thing? Well, InformationWeek warns that "This flaw would make it appear to Internet users that they're visiting a banking Web site, for example, when that site is actually a front for fraudsters attempting to collect sensitive financial information..."
How can you tell if you're vulnerable? Just hop on over to Patrick's URL Spoofing site and take his simple test. You might be startled, as you humble editor was.
MyDoom worm (2/1/04)
MyDoom worm spreading rapidly
Posted February 1, 2004
On Sunday Feburary 1 the MyDoom.B worm crippled the Utah-based software firm SCO. According to the Emergency Email and Wireless Network, the Department of Homeland Security warns:
"Mydoom.B is a new variant of the Mydoom worm ... [that] attempts to perform a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack against Microsoft.com. Details regarding this new worm are still emerging, but it has been validated as spreading in the wild ... To spread over the KaZaA P2P network, Mydoom.B creates copies of itself in the KaZaA shared directory with randomized filenames."
As always, Help Desk advises all users to have installed recent versions of anti-viral software and keep their definitions up to date. Do NOT open attachments sent to you, even from friendly email addresses, unless you can verify that the sender specifically meant to send the attachment to you. Even then you are at risk. This is not the only nasty critter out there, and there are likely to be more virulent strains soon. And more after that. "Let's be careful out there," as Sgt. Phil Esterhaus used to say.
For more information visit the Emergency Email and Wireless Network site.
Posted February 1, 2004
On Sunday Feburary 1 the MyDoom.B worm crippled the Utah-based software firm SCO. According to the Emergency Email and Wireless Network, the Department of Homeland Security warns:
"Mydoom.B is a new variant of the Mydoom worm ... [that] attempts to perform a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack against Microsoft.com. Details regarding this new worm are still emerging, but it has been validated as spreading in the wild ... To spread over the KaZaA P2P network, Mydoom.B creates copies of itself in the KaZaA shared directory with randomized filenames."
As always, Help Desk advises all users to have installed recent versions of anti-viral software and keep their definitions up to date. Do NOT open attachments sent to you, even from friendly email addresses, unless you can verify that the sender specifically meant to send the attachment to you. Even then you are at risk. This is not the only nasty critter out there, and there are likely to be more virulent strains soon. And more after that. "Let's be careful out there," as Sgt. Phil Esterhaus used to say.
For more information visit the Emergency Email and Wireless Network site.
Tuesday, February 17, 2004
Beagle.B worm
This worm struck machines at Miami University during the time we were on the air with Help Desk, Tuesday morning 2/17/2004. The rapidity of its spread was remarkable and gave headaches to tech support people all over the country, but it does not appear to be as dangerous as some and can be contained easily. A reminder from your pals at the Help Desk: Don't open attachments, guys. Use virus software such as Symantec or McAfee, and keep your virus definitions up to date.
And stand up straight, and wash behind your ears!
And stand up straight, and wash behind your ears!
Removing MS Office plugin for Norton
A caller had problems with Microsof Excel constantly trying to scan files for virus. Here's how to remove the Office plugin for the Norton Anti-virus.
--an emailer to the show suggested going to the Excel preferences and lowering the level in the Security option to do the same thing.
--an emailer to the show suggested going to the Excel preferences and lowering the level in the Security option to do the same thing.
Spyware and pop-up blockers
To block annoying browser pop-ups and spyware (software that secretly reports your computer activity), recently we have recommended Ad-Aware from LavaSoftUSA. Bryan Powell also recommends SpyBot Search and Destroy.
Help Desk Guycam
We're running a camera for the show of February 17, 2004. We call it the Guycam, though Guy Moore is not always the one in the crosshairs.
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