SPAUG Newsletter August 2007
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Notes from the Prez
by Jim Dinkey
Most of the users of XP and Vista state that if they have Automatic Updates in the ON position, that they are protected from malware.
To some extent that is true, but there are many updates that are not called Security Updates that patch holes in the Microsoft software.
Specifically, Microsoft patches come in three distinct classes:
1. Security patches to the Operating System;
2. Non-security patches to the Operating System that are essentially bug fixes;
3. Microsoft Office Patches.
The security patches released by Microsoft on the second Tuesday of the month cover only #1 above. In other words, if you are relying only on Automatic Update to protect you and keep you current, you're wrong. You need to do more. How much more?
Once you have the Security Updates installed, you then need to start Windows Update again and then click on the CUSTOM button. Follow instructions.
The third part of the three requirements is taken care of by putting OFFICE UPDATE into Google. Install ALL of the updates found there.
Once you are patched, you then need to get all of your programs current, e.g. if it is out-of-revision.
There is a neat program by Secunia Software named Software Inspector that will tell you if your entire software set is current-Microsoft or not. Basically what it does is compare what you have on your computer with about 5000 entries of what software version is current. [N.B.— Windows Secrets Newsletter Issue 121 has a great article by Scott Dunn, “Unpatched software abounds on user systems”, which explains how Secunia Software Inspector works and why you should use it. Note this is the free version of Windows Secrets Newsletter; the paid version has even more important information for keeping your computer patched and malware-free]
The neat part of the scheme is that when an update is needed, the link to the actual download is provided. The whole process, therefore, is incredibly simplified.
Google™-search:
[ Secunia Software Inspector ] [N.B.—or else use this link for a free test of your PC by Secunia.com's Software Inspector (you can read the whole article and lots more detailed instructions in Window's Secrets Newsletter)]
It found four programs, primarily older sound programs that I had not used in years, were out of revision So I took the opportunity to bring them current, an extremely simple process since the location of the patch had been identified already.
This kind of free service is not new. A company offered the service years ago and the decision of the company to cease offering the service was mourned by the industry and users alike. I'm glad there is a replacement as it will be a great aid in the Clinic, especially since none of the program is downloaded in the real sense but is merely run as a hot load in your memory and then is erased from your computer.
A note about our September speaker:
Hank Skawinski, President of Datawise, an integrator of computer equipment, is responsible for thousands of computers' maintenance.
"Professor" Skawinski will be telling us about the state of the marketplace, what equipment to purchase and what the marketplace has to say about the Vista progress in the marketplace.
The "Professor" will undoubtedly be talking about items to avoid in the assembly and operation of your computer.
SPAUG Elections are in November. If you want to have inputs to the SPAUG process, please indicate so to the Planning Committee or bring some dialog with you to the next meeting. Everyone has something to contribute. Join in and contribute! Walter Heyman, our new Publicist, has done just that.
What are the results of the phishing test?
In a word: varied.
About 10 persons went ahead and reported their results of the test. The scores ranged from 1 right to 9 correct. No 10s or 0s. I had a 6. The distribution was pretty much a bell curve.
What bothered me was that my entire being was aware and concentrated on finding the displays that were phishing expeditions and I only caught 6 out of 10. How well would I do in the normal day-to-day swing through emails and other presentations?
The point to be learned is that if you receive any sort of warning that an account is not right or a bank is threatening something and you want to get in touch with the supposed entity, DO NOT CLICK ON THE URL BUT POUND IN THE URL BY HAND! Always! It is cheaper to do so!
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General Meeting Notes
by Stan Hutchings
Administrivia
- Starting 10 October, general meetings will be held at the American Legion Hall; 12 September is still at the Elks Lodge, Hank Skawinski will give the presentation
- Jim is having occasional trouble receiving email. If you get a bounce message, resend it, and also send the bounce message. Les Laky will investigate the reason for the bounce. A member mentioned that AT&T has filters that sometimes were too aggressive; you can request they be turned off. Jim will try to find out if that's his problem. If you're not getting email you expect, check your spam folder both in your email application and/or the ISP spam bucket. Google's gmail has a link to spam they've kept from your computer, and it's above 98% for me; but there are still a few messages that should have gotten through.
- 25th anniversary celebration - the current plan is to have a celebration 14 November prior to the General Meeting. We'll probably have it catered, maybe by Armadillo Willy's or Draegers. The cost will be about $15 per person; prior presidents of SPAUG will be hosted. Send any comments or suggestions to Jim Dinkey.
CrossTalk/Random Access
- The SPAUG CD's RegClean is supposed to be free, but a member found you have to register to use it. RegClean has gone commercial, so that may be part of the problem. Previous SPAUG CDs have earlier versions of the program and they works fine for free. Another member says RegClean 4.1 is free; another version is $29. [N.B.– the site advertises a free download; it may be a trial, or it may be you are expected to pay for the fix after a free evaluation. Anyone with more info, please
- A recent FireFox update has given a member problems. This may be a problem with the Tab feature, which may be hidden in the new configuration. [N.B.– MS IE7 has the tab feature, too. If you open multiple tabs and click the "close window" red X in the upper right, there is a dialog asking if you want to close all open tabs. If you don't, cancel the action an close the tabs individually with the "close window" red X.
- Question: Can we use a security suite for computer protection, such as TrendMicro or Symantec, and can we then get rid of some other security programs?
Answer: You need at least one firewall, but should only use one at a time. Turn off the one(s) you don't want, leaving just one on. When removing Antivirus and other security programs, be sure to completely remove them. See last month's Newsletter article "Changing your Antivirus Application".
- Problem: In the Task Manager's Processes tab, services.exe is using excessive CPU time.
Suggestion: * Run an Antivirus program from Safe Mode. * HiJackThis can help show you what's going on. * BartPE (Bart's Preinstalled Environment), McAfee and Lavasoft's AdAware will help you evaluate your disk; also Ultimate Boot CD. BartPE, AdAware and Ultimate Boot CD are downloads – some versions are free, some are paid. Be sure to read the instructions for use carefully; they are powerful tools.
Presentation
Jerry Cellilo [you can email him at cellilojerry@foothill.edu] of Foothill College www.foothill.fhda.edu was our speaker. He described the course offerings in the Computers, Technology & Information Systems Division relating to computers and technology at Foothill. He also covered a few points of interest for students from the Foothill website, such as the Microsoft Alliance, lists of software in their labs, how students can get Microsoft software for incredibly low prices by just taking a class at Foothill, and other useful advice and tips.
Dr. Jerry Cellilo is the counselor for the IT division of Foothill College. He has 20+ years in MIS, teaches VB, computer applications, MOUS prep and career classes both online and onground. He spends much of his time doing online counseling. He has a wide angle hi-res webcam on top of his computer so that he can do video chats and IM with students.
If you're interested in taking courses for certification or for fun, or just to get Microsoft products at a very low price, go to the Foothill web site and register. You could also make an appointment with a counselor or adviser, to help you determine which courses would be best for your goals.
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Planning Meeting Notes
by Stan Hutchings
- The meeting was held at Bev Altman's house; attendees: Jim Dinkey, John Sleeman, Bev Altman, John Buck, Stan Hutchings, Nat Landes. The attendees enjoyed the "crumby" donuts and refreshments served.
- Status of SPAUG CD - We need to go through the Club CD's readme file at one of the general meetings to show what's available. Bev recommends reviewing some in detail for a few of the more significant ones; Jim Dinkey will give a demo, expect about 10-15 minutes.
- Review of finances - Nat - we're doing OK.
- Membership - Bev - we had 10 renewals, and 4 CDs sold at the CompuSIR meeting. CD sales go better if we have a demo of the CD. We have about 125 members.
- Expenses, reimbursements, need for future funds - we'll need a screen for the new venue at the American Legion Hall. We got permission from the management to mount a screen on the wall. We should talk to Red Calub of Micro Center, who offered to help us when he gave his presentation at a previous general meeting. A 6' wall mount would be suitable.
- Review future speakers and topic vs. attendance - Jerry's presentation exceeded our expectations.
We should pursue Foothill's offer for specialized classes. A minimum of 20 people is needed to start a course; but a core of 10-15 SPAUG members could be enough for Foothill to develop a course, especially if it seems of general interest and would attract other people.
Interesting topics and speakers result in better attendance. We'll continue to try to schedule topics and speakers with good draw.
Some promising topics include: Larry Magid on ISPs, TV/cable providers, cell phone companies; Bob Mitchell doing a how-to-create-a-video presentation; OpenOffice.org; Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) Users (if we have a significant number interested and can find an appropriate speaker); Database capabilities and applications; Linux, as an alternate or a full replacement for Windows; Spreadsheet capabilities; Blogs and Blogging; Wi-Fi availablility and use in the Silicon Valley; Really Simple Syndication (RSS); the advanced features of Outlook (Nat Landes has someone in mind). Perhaps instructors from the local adult high school programs, etc. could be invited.
The club membership will be regularly polled to suggest vivacious, lively, knowledgeable speakers they know of.
- Future speakers & potential pre-meeting dinner locations:
Link to Up-coming General meetings (NOTE: subject to change)
- PrintScreen - John Buck - the President's message is expected soon, and the Newsletter will be coming out shortly thereafter.
- Mail - John Sleeman - not much in the mail. Next Tuesday at the MultimediaSIG meeting at Stan's will be a review of the updating and maintenance of the website.
- Setup/Cleanup support - We need a volunteer refreshment manager to fill in for Joan Wheelwright starting in October. Otherwise, we'll have little or no refreshments.
Starting in October, just before the noon meeting, folding chairs (stored on carts) will be set up by the CompuSIR group; SPAUG will fold and put away the chairs, and sweep up after the evening General Meeting.
- WebSIG activities and schedules - next Tuesday 7:30 at Stan's. John Sleeman and other interested persons will be shown more of the SPAUG website update and maintenance process.
- Publicity - Walter Heyman will take over publicity from Richard Sweet & Gene Duncan
- Clinic activities and changes - the Saturday Clinic will be offered by pre-arranged appointment only.
- Other items that came before the Committee -
The laptop has had Vista installed on it at least twice. It is being "burned in", and Vista will be installed as dual boot with WinXP. There are instructions how to do it whichever OS was installed first.
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