Online Computer Tips Monthly Newsletter - August 2008
Latest Virus/Security Alerts:
tFBI_Facebook.Exe Virus
An innovative and convincing new lure for a computer virus is making its rounds on the Internet.
The emails began circulating in July, 2008 and accelerated rapidly in August, going out to users with attractive titles such as "FBI versus Facebook" and "CNN Top 10." Once opened, the emails offer a teaser story with a link to the full article.
Instead of linking to a reputable news organization, however, the links in these unsolicited emails lead to a malicious website with HTML code designed to automatically install a virus with a file name of fbi_facebook.exe on the user's PC. The install is coded to take place silently and in the background, leaving the infected user completely unaware that the file was ever downloaded.
Click here for more details and tips on how to prevent getting this virus.
July's Poll Results:
Do you use your computer more for work or for play?
Work
- 78%
Play
Both
Tip of the Month:
Trend Micro OS Protection
Trend Micro OS Protection is a security free add-on for Windows Vista computers running Trend Micro Internet Security. This software includes two new features, the Firewall Booster and the Pre Startup Scan
The Firewall Booster allows Trend Micro Internet Security to take advantage of the capabilities of the Windows firewall by enhancing you firewall protection in the background.
The Pre Startup Scan finds and eliminates viruses and spyware before Windows starts so they can’t affect your computer. The Pre Startup Scan creates a restore point to back up your system settings when initiating a scan. As soon as Pre Startup Scan completes the backup, you have the option to choose whether the Pre Startup Scan restarts your computer immediately or waits until your next restart to perform the actual scan. The Quick Scan checks only essential system files, and takes a few minutes. The Full Scan checks all files on all of your hard disks, and takes much longer. You can also add the Pre Startup Scan to your sidebar as a gadget.
If you have a problem starting your computer after performing a scan then press the F8 key before Windows starts and go into the Recovery Environment and restore your computer using the "BeforePre-StartupScan" restore point. Keep in mind that if you dual boot your computer with an older version of Windows, such as Windows XP then starting your computer with the older operating system deletes all the Windows Vista restore points.
System Requirements
Microsoft Windows Vista 32-bit Edition (some computers may require the Windows Vista DVD to install Pre-Startup Scan)
Award-winning spyware protection to secure your PC against privacy and tracking threats.
Spyware Doctor is a top-rated malware & spyware removal utility that detects, removes and protects your PC from thousands of potential spyware, adware, trojans, keyloggers, spybots and tracking threats.
This month we are going to discuss the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer so you can check your own computer to see if you have any vulnerabilities that need to be addressed. The analyzer tool checks for Windows vulnerabilities, weak passwords, missing security updates as well as the option to check for IIS and SQL issues.
After you scan your computer it will show the results and provide you with links to be able to go download missing updates. Read more about the Baseline Security Analyzer here.
www.LunaPic.com is a fun site that lets you upload your photos to edit them online and add custom effects. You can also save and print them if you like.
Readers Question of the Month:
Netsky virus wont go away
John writes in with a troubleshooting question Q. I got an error message that says lost profile. Does my computer need a new battery for the BIOS and CMOS?
A. Your Windows profile is kept on the hard drive and is not affected by the CMOS battery. It most likely became corrupt and cannot be loaded any more. The information should still be there and accessible. If you have a different user on the computer you can log on as that user and browse to the location of your profile to get things back such as your documents, desktop items and favorites. They should be located in C:\Documents and Settings\username where username is the name of the user you logged in with.
For desktop items go to C:\Documents and Settings\username\Desktop. For your documents go to C:\Documents and Settings\username\My Documents. And for your favorites go to C:\Documents and Settings\username\Favorites. You can copy these files to your new profile or to the user that you are logged in as.
If you don't have any other users on the computer then boot into Safe Mode and you should have the option to log in as Administrator assuming you know the password. It may be blank so try that as well. From there you can create a new user account for yourself to log in with.
Airlines Compete to Offer Web Surfing in the Skies
After years of talking about what customers wanted and waiting for new technology, Delta Air Lines said it will begin offering broadband Internet service on domestic flights as early as October. Other airlines, including Continental, Southwest and Virgin America, are planning tests or have them underway.
Delta's service will be available for a $9.95 flat fee on flights of three hours or less, and $12.95 on longer flights. Analysts say it will add an important revenue source for financially strapped airlines.
Passengers with WiFi-enabled laptops, smartphones and PDAs can access the network. The service allows Web access, e-mail and messaging. Delta is partnering with Aircell, a privately held in-flight communication company. Aircell's technology uses special antennas on airplanes and cellphone towers on the ground to turn a plane into a WiFi hotspot. Delta, in its announcement, promised to roll out the service on its entire fleet of 330 domestic aircraft by summer 2009, starting with 75 by the end of this year.
