Mrs. Mecomber's Scrapbook

Talking technology, computers, and the Internet… for the average computer user

Archive for March, 2009

The Conficker Problem

Mar 31

Posted by Mrs. Mecomber in computers, security news, security programs | 4 Comments

Kim Komando has a very informative article about the Conficker worm, due to strike April 1st. Conficker is a worm lying dormant on an estimated 2 to 12 million computers. It’s programmed to recruit these infected computers and do something unknown (as of yet) on April 1st. Most of the infected computers are in China and Russia.

Kim posted a 60 Minutes video about the nasty worm. 60 Minutes does an “ok” job but they leave a LOT of details out about the situation (for example, no one knows if Conficker is going to steal bank information, but the video makes you think that’s what happened to one lady here). (P.S. Also notice in the video how Google is so arrogant. GRR!).


Watch CBS Videos Online

The 60 Minutes program is sensationalist and a little fear-mongering. They make it sound like the world is going to implode, no matter what. The Conficker worm is not the end of the world! Here are some things you can do.

  • Use Open DNS for your router settings. According to KimKomando, OpenDNS has a list of all the sites Conficker contacts. OpenDNS blocks these sites. I blogged about OpenDNS here.
  • Make sure you have security systems in place: have a firewall (do NOT use Windows firewall– it’s totally useless), an anti-virus, malware scanners, and have all the latest software updates.
  • Make sure your Windows computer is updated.
  • Do not surf to obviously suspicious websites (porn, videos, games, music). Do not click on links in emails without confirmation from the person that he/she did indeed send it.
  • Download the Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool. Conficker blocks computers from getting through the Windows Update, so you can find it and download it manually here.

If you are in absolute terror and think you may be targeted, well, here are some other things you can consider:

  • Reformat your computer. I do it regularly every year or so, anyway.
  • Unplug your computer from the Internet April 1st. The worm can’t phone home if there’s no phone, right?

You can read more about the Conficker worm at the Wikipedia page about it and the Microsoft page about it. The BBC has a timeline of the worm.

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Updates and Upgrades Are SUCH a Pain

Mar 30

Posted by Mrs. Mecomber in browsers, conversion programs, desktop publishing, word processors | 1 Comment

I spent the better part of the weekend in computer repair work. I helped my pal in Virginia clean his computer of a nasty virus (we did it through long distance telephone, that was fun :-p). And then I had my own problems to fix. Last week, a lot of my software programs got “updates” and “upgrades.” I really, really wish software manufacturers would just STOP DOING THIS. I have my programs set in a special way, JUST the way I like it. I don’t want it changed or messed with! My Windows Live Mail and Windows Live Messenger programs were working so great… then came the upgrade. YUK! They got rid of the “Send/Receive” button, messed with the formatting… there’s no more “Enter” button for the IM chat window… GRR!!! I wish Microsoft would leave well enough alone. After doing a lot of searching for something that would help roll the upgrade back (which I didn’t find), I finally dumped Windows Live Mail and went back to the old Windows Mail. MUCH nicer– nicer-looking and easier to use.

Which reminds me– I recently tried Microsoft Office 1007. Yikes. It looks nice enough, but the interface is so difficult to operate. That “Ribbon” design is a thorn in a lot of computer users’ sides. I found a terrific “skin” program for the MS Office 07– it’s called “Classic Menu for Office 2007.” It includes Classic Style Menus and Toolbars for Word, Excel, PowerPoint 2007, and more. The interface is gorgeous. And isn’t it terrific to see the good old days of MS Office?! I love it.

Classic Menu for Office 2007 retains the look and feel of Office 2003 (the best Office version ever, IMHO), but functions just like Office 2007 and includes all the newer features of the 07 suite. Go here for more screenshots of the software– gorgeous!

Classic Menu for Office 2007 is selling for $30, but there’s a free trial if you want to test it out first. The software has gotten excellent ratings from Softpedia, the Files Dudes, and others. Check it out!

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Free Antivirus Programs

Mar 27

Posted by Mrs. Mecomber in anti-virus, firewalls, free stuff, security programs | 6 Comments

Every computer should have an anti-virus software program running, as well as a firewall. Back in the early days of the Internet, before baddies like trojans, worms, and viruses were invented and dispersed, security wasn’t much of an issue. But as with all things, people have taken the benefits of technology and have twisted them around for selfish gain. Your computer is severely at risk if you connect online without a firewall and anti-virus.

The great thing is that some people have made terrific software programs and offer them free of charge! And another great thing is that security your computer is easy- it does require effort and maintenance, but it’s not like moving trucks or anything! Here’s a brief list of some highly-rated anti-virus programs.

Some firewalls are now coming with an anti-virus built in to the program. I see that Comodo Pro Firewall (my favorite firewall) now includes an anti-virus. And AVG Anti-Virus Pro version now includes a firewall. I haven’t tested any of these extras: I still use just the Comodo firewall and the separate AVG anti-virus. Be aware that any software maker is going to market the paid-for version. So you may have to look around on the websites for the free version. The free versions give you just as much protection as the paid-for versions, have no fear, and they do regularly update. The paid-for versions usually have more bells and whistles, additional software, and offer tech support. Free versions almost never give tech support; but the forums for the product can be very helpful if you have questions or problems.

Also, be VERY careful where you get your downloads from. There has been a sudden increase in phishing sites set up to sound like or look like the real download site. What you wind up downloading is a trojan! If I ever have any doubts about the website I am on, I check the site with a nifty toolbar called Netcraft. It’s available for Firefox and Internet Explorer. I wrote about Netcraft here.

Install only one anti-virus program on your computer; two or more sometimes conflict with each other. It is also important to keep your anti-virus updated. The updates are crucial, ensuring that the anti-virus program knows what malicious files it needs to watch for.

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Today.com Banning Entrecard Widgets

Mar 24

Posted by Mrs. Mecomber in Blogger, Google, blogs, web hosting, websites | 17 Comments

Ouch. That’s gotta hurt.

Some of my favorite blogs are with the Today.com network, and they make up a good percentage of my Entrecard friends and droppers. Entrecard is rather unstable these days, deciding one day to commence monumental changes to the community (like forcing bloggers to accept advertisers on the widgets), and the next, completely turning around. It’s extremely difficult to keep track of where Entrecard stands at any given moment. This instability makes it a very unpleasant experience.

The redeeming factor for Entrecard has been its bloggers. It has been a wonderful place to discover new blogs, new friends, and improve traffic. I’ve loved my particpation in the network for this.

I do still intend on keeping my membership, until the day comes where the Entrecard people decide to implement advertisers ad-hoc, or charge me for the service. That will be going too far.

Back to teh Today.com blog: I’ve been saying for a very long time now that if you haven’t considered getting your own domain and your own webhosting, there is NO time like the present. I was a Blogger blogger, but quit in 2008, after hearing rumors of Google deleting blog content. I now own most of my domains and host all my blogs with Hostgator, whose service has been SUPERB. Please know that clicking on that link and creating an account with Hostgator helps me earn money– I get $50 for the affiliate referral! It would be great if you would consider me if you decide to order a Hostgator account. And I do mean it when I say they are the best around.

As a blogger, if you have any questions about my experience, or desire to hear my reviews or tips, please feel free to email me or leave a comment here with your question. I am no “pro” tech, but I’ve assisted a large number of people with obtaining domain names, getting web hosting, transferring blogs from one host to another, and solving MySQL database problems and such. I’m happy to help others.

My sympathies to the bloggers at Today.com. But it is expected– Today.com and other free blogging platforms essentially have control over the content on their servers. They reserve the right to ban networks that they feel threaten or thwart their policy. This is why it is best, if you are a serious blogger, to part ways with the controlling companies and get your OWN blog.

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Good Prices on Address Labels

Mar 24

Posted by Mrs. Mecomber in business services, desktop publishing | Comments off

I was scrabbling through my desk drawers the other day, in search of an address label for some mail I was sending. I haven’t sent mail in a while, and hadn’t noticed I was low on those address labels. Because I have my own small business, I try to make my correspondence look as professional as possible. I even have my own little logo for my correspondence- that circle with New York State in the center, and “New York Traveler” around the circle. It’s a nice eye-catching logo, I think. I’m going to have some new business cards printed up with the logo, to distribute to various tourism sites and companies that I have contact with. Every little thing counts!

One of the BEST places to get address labels, business cards, and just about everything and everything pertaining to printing needs, is VistaPrint. I have been giving VistaPrint my exclusive business for years. I love them! I first encountered them when a friend (an arborist) gave me his business card. It had a great design, and he said he got it free from VistaPrint.com. VistaPrint has a promotional offer for free business cards, you just pay for shipping. I tried them out, and I was so impressed that I ordered several hundred more at regular price, for my business.

Since that time, VistaPrint has expanded, and they now offer TONS of stuff: rubber stamps, t-shirts, mugs, stationery, all sorts of home office paper supplies, invitations, calendars, and more. Their selection is impressive, and their customer service is superb. I highly recommend them for any printing job you might need. They frequently have promotional offers and good deals on items. You can upload your own images for special customization, and I have found it very easy to order frme the website, too. It’s just a great company, all around.

So next time you need something for your office– be it as small as return address labels or as large as company polo shirts– check out VistaPrint!

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