Torian Group Times “Technology with Integrity”

XP SP3 will be offered as an automatic download this month via windows updates. We recommend that you not install it automatically.  Known issues: HP computers with Athlon processors will continuously reboot.  Symantec/Norton antivirus is not compatible (Disable symprotect). There are reports of some fairly obscure drivers not working.  In rare cases, updated drivers may cause XP to want to register again.

Service pack 3 is a cumulative update including all the patches released to date, plus a couple of enhancements to networking to add features that came with Vista. It is something you want installed, but with proper precautions: a full backup, restore point, and disable the antivirus during the install.  http://support.microsoft.com/kb/832671/en-us

 

A significant compatibility update for Vista came out in May, including a fix for VNC. Overall, more things are working with Vista. More info here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/947562

 

I have gotten several questions about the next version of Windows (Should we try to skip Vista.). “Windows 7”  is scheduled to be released around 2010, and will be built on the same code used in Windows server 2008 and Windows Vista. Some of the new features include support for touch screen and speech, more integration with Windows Live (online services) Details here: http://d6.allthingsd.com/20080527/gates_ballmer

 

http://allthingsd.com/ is a good site for breaking news and coverage of Hi Tech companies. It is run by the Wall Street Journal, and has many of their tech columnists in one place.

 

Flash player current version is 9.0.124.0.  Use this link to verify what version you have installed, and update if you don’t have the latest: www.macromedia.com/software/flash/about . Uncheck the option to install the Google Toolbar unless you want it.  This protects you from a flaw which allows hackers access to your computer when you view online flash content.

 

Security flaw in Skype. Update to the latest version if you use Skype. http://labs.idefense.com/intelligence/vulnerabilities/display.php?id=711

www.skype.com/security/skype-sb-2008-003.html

 

Safari (MAC) browser running in Windows has unpatched security flaw.  www.securityfocus.com/brief/746

 

The next version of the Iphone will be released this month.

www.cio.com/article/380663/iPhone_._What_CIOs_Want_to_See_in_Apple_s_Next_Gen_Smartphone/1

We like this XV6900 phone from Verizon: www.xv6900.com

Remember, the hands free driving law goes into effect next month.

 

Viruses are getting nastier. We have had 3 clients in the last month infected with malware that could not be cleaned. The data files had to be scanned repeatedly, then backed up, then the computer reformatted, at considerable cost. In one case, the trial version of the antivirus software had expired, in another malicious web site was probably the cause, along with outdated antivirus updates. The virus infected a flash drive we used to copy the AV software with, and subsequently tried to infect our computer. It took over the browser, redirecting all internet connections to selected sites, and hijacked and infected every executable program by redirecting all file associations to itself. Nowadays, once a computer is infected, it is usually never going to work right again till it is reformatted and reinstalled.

 

iPassConnect  For $29.95 a month, you can get unlimited access to more than 24,000 Wi-Fi hot spots and Ethernet-equipped hotels in the U.S:  Starbucks, Borders, McDonald's, Hilton, Sheraton, Radisson, Hyatt, airline clubs and airport sites. https://www.ipassconnect.com/main

 

Windows Desktop Search ver. 4 released. Upgrade if you use outlook 2007.

XP: www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=55C18CB3-C916-4298-ABA3-5B98904F7CDA&displaylang=en

Vista: www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=BC28ED7F-C51B-49CD-B505-95B91B453284&displaylang=en

 

7 Windows critical updates will come out June 10th.

www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms08-jun.mspx

 

Comcast domain was hijacked for several hours on May 29th.

www.theregister.co.uk/2008/05/29/comcast_domain_hijacked

 

More password management software

www.baselinemag.com/c/a/Security/7-Technologies-to-Help-Manage-Passwords

 

Small business Server 2008 is now in public beta (unfinished test version available for download). It is scheduled for release “the second half of this year”, and will be a compelling upgrade for many small businesses.

www.microsoft.com/windowsserver/essential/sbs/default.mspx

 

Tim Torian

Torian, Group, Inc.

http://www.toriangroup.com