Quicktime conflicts with Windows Vista

oh ya.. I just came across quicktime software version 7... Jus remembered that 1 month ago, when i installed it in my windows vista home basic laptop, it causes a lot of BSOD (blue screen of death).. after i uninstalled it, the blue screen is gone.. so most likely the culprit is quicktime... i not sure if quicktime had release a newer version to patch it or not.. but so far as i know.. it conflicts with windows vista.. i'm not sure if this problem applies to other people, but just a gentle reminder to those who are going to install it , create a system restore point first, jus in case.. cheers

To find out how your antivirus had fared..

In order to find out how your antivirus had fared in recent antivirus test, you may refer to the link below. Go to the website and click on Comparatives on the left, and select the month you wanna find out on.


http://www.av-comparatives.org/

Basic Security Guide 3

Firewall Software

Here you must distinguish between two different types of firewalls:

*Desktop-Firewalls*
They interpose into the operating system and catch unwanted data packages before they can reach the target program. They also catch data, which is sent from specific programs to the web. You can define rules to block or allow certain programs to be used. You can also define rules to allow or block certain data from being received or sent.

But desktop firewalls have a fundamental weak point. They can be bypassed. Nearly everyone has a rule for the web browser (Internet Explorer) defined, which allows the browser to access the web. This fact is capitalized by some Trojans that hijack the browser to make a connection to outside the computer with the rights of the browser. Another weak point of desktop firewalls is, that they can only catch data that is processed by the communication modules of the operating system (WinSock). If a harmful program uses it's own communication module (it's own protocol stack) the firewall can't do anything against it in most cases. Examples of desktop/software firewall includes Comodo Firewall Pro, and Zonealarm Firewall.

*Hardware Firewalls*
Firewalls that are not installed on the local computer are better in every way. They are located between your computer and the Internet. So they can hardly be bypassed. Hardware firewalls are special appliances or computers with special firewall software installed. For private use, they are too expensive in most cases. But several routers can also be used as hardware firewalls.

The best solution in any case is don't run software that tries to send or receive unwanted data. Don't open unnecessary ports and set the firewall to block them. Examples of hardware firewall cum router is D-Link DI 524 router, and Linksys WRT54G. Router.

Basic Security Guide 2

Anti-Malware Software

Malware describes Trojans, Dialers, Worms (worm-viruses) and Spyware (adware). These few are the most common threats for users.

Trojans
Trojan Horses (Trojans) are programs that make you think they are something else than what they really are. In most cases they come via email or downloads to the computer. They mask themselves as programs, games or other media of interest. Trojans hold a wide choice of harmful features such as logging credit card numbers and passwords to destroying all data on your system. A special subgroup of Trojans are the backdoors, they open the computer from the inside and hold a port open for an outside attacker who can take over the PC.

Dialers
Dialers are little programs that reconfigure your dial-in default number to an extra cost number if you have a computer dialup modem. This can result in many hundred dollars costs for each dial-in procedure. When a site popup asks you if it may install some software, even if it seems necessary to obtain more information on certain topics, be alarmed and if you don't wish to install it, don't let them coax you into saying "accept".

Worms and viruses
Worm and viruses are currently the biggest dangers in the Internet. They spread via emails with harmful attachments, which send themselves to as many other computers as possible and damage your system if they are opened. If you don't open the attachments or, at best, delete them at once, you won't be in danger.

Spyware, Adware and Browser Hijackers
Your personal data and your habits are gold for some advertising companies. So they try to infiltrate your computer with their software that can collect your information about your surfing habits and invade your privacy. The information it collects is then sold for advertising purposes or for companies that gather marketing data. Browser Hijackers can change your Internet Options settings to get you to visit certain websites or use certain search engines. They usually affect your Internet Explorer search settings and homepage, but can also change context menu items or add entries to your Registry and Hosts file to redirect you to the site of their choice (not yours). Advertising modules and Adware can also change your default home page settings in your browser.


Antivirus Software

Although the classic 'virus' has been moved into the background lately, a good antivirus software is indispensable. When you chose the software, make sure that the program has a background guard that detects and blocks the spreading of viruses. Viruses affect programs or write into the boot sector of hard disks, some of them are not found in files on the disk but exist in the virtual memory space of the PC (the latter can be eliminated with a reboot). Good Antivirus Software can also find these viruses in the memory and remove them. Examples include Nod32 Antivirus and Kaspersky Antivirus.

Basic Security Guide 1

Service Packs, Patches and Windows Update

You can install as many security tools (such as antivirus, anti-malware or firewall software), as you like, it won't be a secure solution if the operating system itself has security flaws.

However no software is error free. It doesn't matter if is a Microsoft OS or a Linux OS, some software errors are based on problems in the software architecture. Most of the critical security holes result from inaccurate programming or too short tests during the developing phase. As soon a critical error is found, a patch, which is a tiny update eliminating the security hole, will be made available by the software manufacturer.

Microsoft offers patches and patch collections (service packs) for free. All you have to do is go to the Microsoft Windows Update Page and follow the installation instructions.

Windows Update: www.windowsupdate.com

Thus the most important rule to make your system safe is: Always keep your system up to date with updates and patches!

The same goes for your Java.

Update Java from this link: http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/index.jsp. Scroll down to Java Runtime Environment (JRE).

Click on Download.

Select Accept License Agreement. The page will refresh.

Select either online or offline installation. For offline installation, save it to a convenient location and run it. If you are surfing the Net, just close your browser, and open it again for the changes to take effect.

Firefox Tips and Tricks

To make your firefox load pages faster

At the address part, type: "about:config" *without quotes of course*
then at filter type in pipe

the following below should appear
"network.http.pipelining"
"network.http.proxy.pipelining"
"network.http.pipelining.maxrequests"

right click and click toogle to set
"network.http.pipelining" to "true" and
"network.http.proxy.pipelining"; to "true"

then right click and click modify to set
"network.http.pipelining.maxrequests" to some number like 50.

Now right-click anywhere and select New-> Integer.
type "nglayout.initialpaint.delay" and set value to "0".


Open search result in new tab instead of replacing the existing tab

1. In firefox, type about:config in the URL box
2. In the filter box, paste this text:

browser.search.openintab

3. Change the value to true

Open any pop up window in a new tab

1. In firefox, type about:config in the URL box
2. In the filter box, paste this text:

browser.link.open_newwindow.restriction

3. Values: ... i set to 1 for my case

0 - Divert all new windows to current tab/window or new tab
1 - Don't divert any windows spawned by JS
2 -(Default) Don't divert JS windows that include size/placement/toolbar info

the above 2 problem can be slove my installing tab mix plus also .. but for my case i dont want to install additinal add-on .. to prevent slowing down ff

Stop PDF files from opening in Firefox, sometimes ff crash when u accidentaly click on a link for a very big pdf file

1. Go to the "Tools -> Options" menu
2. Select the "Downloads" tab
3. Open "View and Edit Actions..."
4. Enter "pdf" in the "Search" box
5. Select "Change Action..."
6. Change the selection from "Use this Plugin" to "Open them with the default application", which should point to Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Acrobat Reader, or your favorite PDF viewer.

Nod32 online scan is out!!

Do a online scan using ESET nod32 at the website links given on the left, and remove any adware/spyware or virus found. Recommended!! Try it!!

HP/Compaq laptop users take note!!

HP Notebook PCs - Quick Launch Button Software or HP Info Center May Allow Malicious Person to Target the PC.

Please install a security patch for the Quick Launch Button software named "HP Softpaq SP38166" at HP Security Patch

Comodo firewall version 3 is out!!

Oh yea!! Comodo firewall version 3 is finally out!! this powerful firewall is as good as zonealarm and outpost firewall, and uses less memory, try it! you can download the free firewall on the links given on the left.. enjoy!!

Microsoft Windows XP SP3 (Beta) ready for download

Microsoft Windows XP SP3