Software Recommendation: Startup Delayer 2.5.138 (Free)
Mar 5th
(http://www NULL.rj-diamond NULL.com/alex/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/startdelayt NULL.jpg) There are times during the Windows start-up that issues or slowness can occur is multiple programs are trying to start at the same time. r2 Studios (LINK: http://www.r2.com.au/software.php?page=2&show=startdelay (http://www NULL.r2 NULL.com NULL.au/software NULL.php?page=2&show=startdelay)) based in Brisbane, Australia has a nice little (and Free) utility allowing to control how long each program waits before startup.
From the r2 Studios site -
The power to speed up your computer’s startup process! If each program (Scheduled to run at startup) tries to load at the same time, you will notice the slow down that occurs during boot up, due to your CPU trying to help all the programs to load, and your hard disk accessing multiple files
Startup Delayer allows you to setup how many seconds after Windows has started, to load each program.
For Example:
If you have your mail program and a special clock starting up, then you can make your mail start say 10 seconds after Windows has loaded, and then the special clock start 20 seconds after Windows Starts.
Compatible with Windows 98/ME/2000/XP/Vista
http://www.r2.com.au/software.php?page=2&show=startdelay (http://www NULL.r2 NULL.com NULL.au/software NULL.php?page=2&show=startdelay) (Software Author Website)
ALERT: Fake Antivirus software really adware meant to take your money $$$
Mar 2nd
(http://www NULL.rj-diamond NULL.com/alex/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/pandalabs_security NULL.jpg) Story (and pictures) from the Panda Labs website (LINK: http://www.pandasecurity.com/emailhtml/oxygen/022809_ENG_in.htm (http://www NULL.pandasecurity NULL.com/emailhtml/oxygen/022809_ENG_in NULL.htm))
Anti-Virus-1: A new fake antivirus
Anti-Virus-1 is adware, specifically a "fake antivirus". As with all such adware, it is designed to simulate a scan of the computer, supposedly detecting thousands of strains of (non-existent) malware. The end aim is to sell users a pay version of the fake antivirus in order to eliminate the threats.
When run, this adware warns the user that the computer is not protected. The main screen displayed (http://www NULL.flickr NULL.com/photos/panda_security/3313653378/) is a spoof of the Window Security Center
(http://www NULL.rj-diamond NULL.com/alex/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/3313653378_e9307e88f8 NULL.jpg)
It then pretends to scan the system for malware (http://www NULL.flickr NULL.com/photos/panda_security/3313653384/). If users do not immediately take the bait and buy the pay version of the fake antivirus, the malicious code will sporadically display a message reminding the user that the computer is infected (http://www NULL.flickr NULL.com/photos/panda_security/3313653386/)
(http://www NULL.rj-diamond NULL.com/alex/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/3313653386_d7d2477df1 NULL.jpg)
In warning messages, and after the fake scan, a link is provided from which users can download the fake antivirus. Anyone clicking on the link will be redirected to a page like this (http://www NULL.flickr NULL.com/photos/panda_security/3313653390/).
(http://www NULL.rj-diamond NULL.com/alex/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/3313653390_a9554b8264 NULL.jpg)
Additionally, when infected users visit certain Web pages with comparative reviews of antivirus products, there will be redirected to a spoof page showing a review of an ‘antivirus’, called Antivirus2010, with functions and characteristics similar to Anti-Virus-1.
"By doing this, cyber-crooks hope that users will download this adware on their own initiative. This makes it far less likely that users will suspect that they have been infected and consequently more likely that they will buy the fake antivirus", explains Luis Corrons, Technical Director of Panda Labs.
Software Recommendation – Network Mapping Tool Add-On for Visio 2007 (Add-on is Free)
Feb 27th
(http://www NULL.rj-diamond NULL.com/alex/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/microsoft1 NULL.jpg) A great tool allowing you to easily document your network and what is installed on it is LANsurveyor. It will create a network diagram in Visio format in just a matter of minutes, after going out and scanning the network for connected items (PC’s, Laptops, Routers, Printer, etc). For a limited time, solarwinds is offering this add-on free (a $499 value as they claim), by just filling out their registration form. *NOTE: As they themselves claim – Visio 2007 is required*
**From their Website**
LANsurveyor Express for Microsoft® Visio® is a powerful Visio 2007 plug-in that makes it easy to get comprehensive network maps in just minutes! Accessible via the Visio toolbar, LANsurveyor Express automatically discovers your network and produces topology maps in Visio format. Plus, LANsurveyor Express uses Visio SmartShapes® to represent your network devices and populates each node’s custom properties with the node’s IP address, network name, and fully-qualified domain name
http://www.solarwinds.com/register/registrationform.aspx?program=583&c=70150000000E50d (http://www NULL.solarwinds NULL.com/register/registrationform NULL.aspx?program=583&c=70150000000E50d) (Registration Location you need to register to be able get your FREE License Key which is a $499 value)
http://www.solarwinds.com/register/MoreSoftware.aspx?External=false&Program=583 (http://www NULL.solarwinds NULL.com/register/MoreSoftware NULL.aspx?External=false&Program=583) (Download Location)
**Disclosure – I have no affiliation, employment, or payments from anyone connected to this product (Even though if they would like to pay me I wouldn’t mind), I’m simply recommending this product as an end user who has benefitted from the product.**
ALERT: Gmail Users Gets Phished
Feb 25th
(http://www NULL.rj-diamond NULL.com/alex/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/googlelogo NULL.jpg) After the widespread Gmail outage yesterday users were hit by a phishing attack over the Gtalk chat client. "The malicious message spread via the Google Talk instant messaging chat system (http://www NULL.sophos NULL.com/blogs/gc/g/2009/02/25/gmail-users-hit-viddyho), urging users to a video by clicking on a link connected via the TinyURL service.
(http://www NULL.rj-diamond NULL.com/alex/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/gtalkviddyho NULL.jpg)
The link points to a website called ViddyHo, which invited users to submit their Gmail usernames and passwords."
(http://www NULL.rj-diamond NULL.com/alex/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/viddyho NULL.jpg)
When users entered their credentials the information would be logged and the email account would be compromised. If you think you may have been subjected to this attack it is advised you change your password immediately. The attack was not immediately picked up by Google either because it did not use conventional means. By using the Gtalk client it bypassed the Gmail filters completely.
(*Story information and pictures from http://www.sophos.com/blogs/gc/g/2009/02/25/gmail-users-hit-viddyho (http://www NULL.sophos NULL.com/blogs/gc/g/2009/02/25/gmail-users-hit-viddyho))
Sprint – Phone Replacement Pt3
Feb 24th
(http://www NULL.rj-diamond NULL.com/alex/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/sprintlogo1 NULL.jpg) I finally have a replacement phone (That isn’t reported lost/stolen) and I have been able to get everything set up on the new phone. I have returned both the original phone and the 1st replacement phone (The “lost/stolen” one), let see if they process them properly or if i get a notice saying I haven’t returned them. I’m not holding my breath.
(http://www