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Torian Group Times
“Technology with Integrity”
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There is a flaw in an active-x control which can cause your computer to be compromised by opening a malicious web page or html email. This is actively being exploited, and has been in the news. Trend has issued a pattern update that detects it. I recommend patching immediately using the workaround here: http://blogs.technet.com/srd/archive/2009/07/06/new-vulnerability-in-mpeg2tunerequest-activex-control-object-in-msvidctl-dll.aspx
Two .NET Windows updates were released July 7, which should be installed. One is a fix for a previous .NET update, the other addresses compatibility with Firefox. More Windows critical updates are due July 14th. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/951847 http://support.microsoft.com/kb/963707
Windows 7 Pricing: $300 for pro, $200 to upgrade from XP Pro or Vista Business. Any computer purchased now should come with a free upgrade to Windows 7 (up to 25 per company). It will be out Oct. 22nd. Pre-order from Amazon or Best Buy at 50% off. Consider setting up a test machine, to determine if your business applications will work.
www.informationweek.com/news/windows/operatingsystems/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=218101310&subSection=All+Stories
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002DHGM50
Firefox 3.5 is finally here. If you use Firefox, this is a significant update. Some add-ons may need to be updated, some may not work. Be sure to apply the .NET update as well.
Review of new features http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Enterprise-Applications/Firefox-35-Pushes-Mozilla-Back-Among-the-Top-of-the-Browser-Heap-655179/?kc=EWWHNEMNL070209EOAD
Add-on compatibility list: http://download.cnet.com/8301-2007_4-10276017-12.html
The latest IPhone 3Gs looks good. You may be eligible to upgrade your IPhone – check by going to www.att.com/iPhone and clicking on “Check upgrade eligibility”.
Smartphone platforms compared http://mossblog.allthingsd.com/20090410/the-smartphone-wars/
Kindle books now available on IPhone http://mossblog.allthingsd.com/20090303/first-impressions-of-kindle-on-iphone
Vista SP2 is being offered through windows updates. Be cautious about installing – many people have had problems. Known issues include problems with drivers, and incompatibilities with Trend, Avira, Spyware Doctor, Lenovo System update, and Spysweeper. Download and run the compatibility checker, run chkdsk, and have a full image backup before installing. SP1 must be installed first. There are some worthwhile improvements if you can get it to install.
System readiness tool – run this first. www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=0435684B-8D12-4028-9CB0-B2903257F1FD&displaylang=en
Known incompatibilities http://support.microsoft.com/kb/969707
Fixing sound problems http://support.microsoft.com/kb/948481
Manually installing device drivers in Vista http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927524
Installation guidance and links http://support.microsoft.com/kb/948465
Free support for SP2 issues http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?prid=13014
Vista SP2 download www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=9F073285-B6EF-4297-85CE-F4463D06D6CB&displaylang=en
Roboform password manager combined with their online sync tool can be used to manage website logon accounts across computers. www.roboform.com
You can also have your shortcuts anywhere using one of the online shortcut services:
www.bookmarksync.com www.xmarks.com
http://en.onsoftware.com/how-to-sync-bookmarks-across-multiple-web-browsers
INSERT is a bootable cd packed with tools for rescuing computers such as virus scanners, disk repair, etc. www.inside-security.de/insert_en.html
It incorporates tools from the Ultimate Boot CD, another well know bootable tools disk
www.ubcd4win.com/index.htm
Another tool we use a lot is Portable Apps, a collection of software that runs entirely from a USB drive. http://portableapps.com/
Google Apps sync for MS Outlook sync’s between Outlook and Google apps- keeping email, calendar, and contact data up-to-date. It requires a Google Apps Premier Edition ($50/Yr) or Education account. http://www.google.com/apps/intl/en/business/outlook_sync.html#utm_medium
Help and more details: http://mail.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=147751
Federal Government IT spending dashboard. See where your money is going.
http://it.usaspending.gov/
Fonolo web site allows you to “never listen to a phone menu again”. Go directly to the person or department you want to reach in large companies. http://fonolo.com
Tulare county library online, including free research tools. More than you might think is available online – free with a library card. http://www.tularecountylibrary.org/
IPhone Bug to watch http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/07/02/critical_iphone_sms_bug
Comcast will likely be offering 50MB internet accounts to business for about $150/month by the end of this year. This could open up new ways of managing your data, making online services more attractive.
Jose passed his A+ certification. His rate for regularly scheduled helpdesk maintenance is $37/Hr ($2 increase), and individual repairs/service is $50/Hr. ($5 increase), starting July 1.
Tim Torian
Torian, Group, Inc.
http://www.toriangroup.com