Triona's Tech Tips

If you’re still wondering why securing your computer matters, you might be interested in this recent article. Hacking is not limited to Russia and as the article notes, cyber attacks are increasingly being used to achieve political as well as financial gain.

Your computer may well be part of the “cyber-criminal ecosystem,” if it is has become a zombie controlled by rogue software. Protecting our computers now affects others in real-life ways.

Don’t forget our four legs of the computer security chair, and be sure to sign up for the email version of Triona’s Tech Tips for the latest computer bulletins. And have a happy and safe New Year!

Not long ago, the simple, anonymous thrill of exposing chinks in American software was enough of a payoff for a Russian hacker. Today it’s cash. And almost all the targets are in the United States and Europe, where Russia’s notorious hackers pilfer online bank accounts, swipe social security numbers, steal credit card data and peek at e-mail log-ins and passwords as part of what some estimate to be a $100 billion-a-year global cyber-crime business.

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Yevgeny Kaspersky, chief executive of Moscow-based Kaspersky Lab, one of the world’s leading computer security firms, says Russian hacking flourishes as “a cyber-criminal ecosystem” of spammers, identity thieves and “botnets,” vast networks of infected computers controlled remotely and used to spread spam, denial-of-service attacks or other malicious programs. A denial-of-service attack floods a Web site with inquiries, forcing its shutdown.

Microsoft has released an off-schedule patch for Internet Explorer for Windows. Please check your Automatic Updates or go to the Microsoft Update web page to make sure you have patch MS08-078, or KB960714.

There have been some recent reports of problems with the 10.5.6 update for Mac OS X 10.5. If you are running Mac OS X 10.5 aka Leopard, you should hold off on this update until the problems are resolved.

Apple has also released a large batch of security updates for all versions of Mac OS X. Please use Software Updates under the Apple menu to be sure you are secure.

The 2009 Guidry Consulting Computer Services datasheet (pdf) is now available. Guidry Consulting, Inc. provides computer services for PC and Mac including tech support, web design, and training. We are located in Chicago’s northwest suburbs. For more information, please visit our web site at www.guidryconsulting.com.

With the economy a mess, many people are looking to upgrade rather than replace computer equipment. This year’s Holiday Gift Guide will help you give the gift of technology for less.

• Memory
  Nothing says “I love you” like a faster computer. In Windows, go to Start, Control Panel, and look at how much memory you have in the System control panel. Mac users can find the same thing under the Apple menu, About This Mac. Note the model of your machine, and contact your local computer shop to find out what your upgrade options are.
• Belkin Mini Surge Protector With USB Charger
  This little gem from Belkin offers portable power protection, and charges USB devices too.
• HP SimpleSave Photo DVD-R
  If you have Windows and a DVD burner, backing up photos couldn’t be simpler. Just insert the CD and the software does the rest. Also available for music and data.

In January we’ll discuss Orphaned Server Accounts. Be sure to sign up for the email version of Tech Tips for regular alerts plus bonus tips and product reviews.

When choosing a computer, you want to be happy with it in the long run. By evaluating the best computer for your needs, you can stretch its lifespan and spare your wallet.

The first question people ask is, “PC or Mac?” I call it the “Coke or Pepsi” argument because it’s a matter of personal preference. PCs and Macs let you do the same things: check email, surf the Web, write documents. They differ in how you use them.

PCs are ubiquitous in the business world, so if you already have an investment in Windows it’s wise to keep it. This is especially true for those who use the enhanced features of programs like Outlook,Windows Server, and Exchange. For your average consumer, Windows works well but can be difficult to keep protected from Internet threats.

Everyone knows Macs rule the graphics world, but what you may not know is that they are the foundation of many businesses as well. Now that Macs run Windows, the old argument that Macs can’t run the same software as PCs is moot. Quite a few of my corporate clients are mixed-platform, meaning they have both PCs and Macs.

I personally believe the Mac is “more secure” than the PC, not that any computer is truly secure. Macs are based on the UNIX operating system, the same systems upon which the Internet was developed and continues to run. That’s forty years’ worth of security testing, compared to half that for Windows. I still advocate antivirus for Macs, and I hold out hope that Windows can be redesigned to be more secure without losing the features that have made it so popular.

So, should you buy PC or Mac? It’s up to you but either way, I’ll be here to give you a hand.

Next month ask me why I say, Don’t Renew Your AntiVirus Software. Be sure to sign up for the email version of Tech Tips for regular alerts plus bonus tips and product reviews.

A few months ago I wrote an article in which I mentioned the insidious WinAntiVirus, a phony antivirus program that scams you out of your credit card number and leaves you with an unprotected machine. A federal judge recently shut down two firms alleged to have participated in the spread of this and other fake computer security software, sometimes called “scareware” because it tries to frighten you into installing it.

It’s vital that you know what antivirus program you use, and more importantly, that it is legitimate. Do NOT rely on web pop-ups that tell you you’re at risk; many of them are bogus. For reliable antivirus, try one of the tools listed under my Windows Help sidebar, such as Trend Micro or the excellent and free AVG.

And don’t forget the four legs of our computer security chair: you also need antispyware software and a firewall, and to keep current on your system updates.

Be sure to sign up for the email version of Tech Tips for regular alerts, plus bonus tips and product reviews.

‘Tis the season… to warn you about online greeting cards.

Once a benign way of waving electronically to friends, online greeting cards have become a common ruse. Many spam messages are sent under the guise of online greeting cards, trying to get you to click on malicious links.

Although some companies, like Hallmark and Bluemountain, are legitimate, scammers may try to fool you into thinking they are these bona-fide services, down to similar wording and logos.

My recommendation is that you avoid online greeting cards period. Bah humbug, perhaps, but I’d rather have you miss out on a greeting card than wind up with a zombied computer or, worse, a stolen identity.