Windows XP service pack 3 is out, and should be installed on your XP systems. At 300+ MB, you may want to download it once and install to workstations, rather than using windows update. It will be offered automatically this month.

Download here: www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=5B33B5A8-5E76-401F-BE08-1E1555D4F3D4&displaylang=en

Details: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936929

Sending mail via your DSL connection is getting more complicated. This does not affect you if you have your own mail server onsite. ATT (Formerly SBC) has changed the rules for using their mail servers. We have had a number of clients who suddenly could not send email. If you have a domain name other than sbcglobal.net, you may need to authenticate to their mail server using your DSL account email address before you can send email. To do this, you need to register your non SBC/ATT email address in yahoo mail using your email account that you use to connect to the DSL (yourname@sbcglobal.net), and then add each non-SBC address (you@yourdomain.com) to your account. There appears to be a limit of 10 alternate addresses.

Instructions here:  http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/mail/original/manage/sendfrom-07.html

More info: http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/mail/postmaster

Some time ago SBC email users were warned to switch to SSL for sending and receiving email. This is now being enforced. Use these settings:

  Incoming mail server: (POP3) pop.att.yahoo.com port #: 995 (SSL)
  Outgoing mail server: (SMTP) smtp.att.yahoo.com port #: 465 (SSL) requires authentication.
Some personal firewall software may block these ports, and will have to be disabled or reconfigured.

List of settings for various mail services: www.sspi-software.com/mailfwd_smtp.html

5 Critical windows updates will be released May 13th.

www.pcworld.com/article/id,144136-page,1/article.html

Merely viewing a page in your browser is capable of triggering a malware attack on your PC.  http://securitylabs.websense.com/content/Alerts/3061.aspx

Old versions of Flash player do not automatically uninstall when you update. To remain secure, they need to be removed. Get the flash player uninstaller here: www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/alternates

There is an unpatched flaw in Apple QuickTime which can redirect you to a malicious web site. Be careful about opening QuickTime content until this is fixed.

Avira Antivirus is free, and getting excellent reviews. It does not scan incoming email, but does scan saved attachments. Recommended for non-business use.

 www.free-av.com/en/products/1/avira_antivir_personal__free_antivirus.html.

Virus bulletin tests: This site tests antivirus products extensively and provides annual reviews. Five products had 100% detection rates (prices include one year of virus-signature updates): Avira Antivir Personal (free for noncommercial use), ESET NOD32 ($40), Fortinet FortiClient ($28), Frisk FPROT Antivirus ($29 for up to five PCs), and Symantec Norton Antivirus ($40).  More info:  http://www.virusbtn.com/index

We still recommend Trend for business networks, because of their overall good track record.

We are recommending the Fortinet hardware firewall for clients handling financial data, such as accountants or investment advisors.  It includes an additional layer of spam and virus filtering, and provides more auditing of outgoing network traffic.  www.fortinet.com/products/telesoho.html

Scan for needed patches using one of these tools. Extensive coverage of non-Microsoft apps. I recommend running one of these on your PC’s and server. Free for personal use.

 https://psi.secunia.com  Secunia Personal Software Inspector

www.nessus.org/download  Nessus provides a server and client, and can scan the entire network.

The best of free software:

"25 Free Downloads You Need Now" from the May 2008 issue of Computer Shopper.

"101 Fantastic Freebies" from the May 2008 issue of PC World.

"The Best Free Software" from the March 2008 issue of PC Magazine.

"46 Best-ever Freeware Utilities," and "The Extended List — 71 Additional Best-ever Freebies" updated in April and March, respectively, by Gizmo's Tech Support Alert site.

Some of the best:

Comodo Firewall Pro – Workstation firewall software. Powerful but somewhat complex.

   www.personalfirewall.comodo.com
TrueCrypt – Encrypt a hard drive folder or flash drive that has sensitive data.
   www.truecrypt.org
CCleaner – removes temp files, cookies, recent files, etc. www.ccleaner.com

Foxit Reader – Read and print .PDF’s. Some like it better than Adobe Acrobat reader.

  www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/rd_intro.php

Audacity – Free sound editor supporting multiple formats.

  http://audacity.sourceforge.net
Wavosaur – another free sound editor.   www.wavosaur.com  
 Requires Lame Encoder, which you download here: http://membres.lycos.fr/itsybeetsyteeny

Pidgin – Instant Messaging app which supports most IM formats. www.pidgin.im

Useful IE add-on’s:  www.makeuseof.com/tag/top-11-must-have-internet-explorer-addons

This one helps protect you from browser hijacking, among other things: www.ie7pro.com

Xobini is an outlook add-in which makes it easier to find things in your email.

www.nytimes.com/2008/05/05/technology/05xobni.html

Real ID program will create federal ID database of Driver’s license info. May be required for interstate travel.  www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9848924-7.html

Jose Lucatero joined us May1, and will be providing desktop support onsite.  He has a degree in Information Systems from Fresno State, and had been working as a network and help desk tech at Financial Credit Network prior to joining us. He is taking over the role that Daniel and then Nino had.

Tim Torian

Torian, Group, Inc.

http://www.toriangroup.com