Archive for July, 2007
Java needs patching
It’s like a never-ending song, “Patch that program”. Having just been through applying security updates to Windows, Microsoft Office, Adobe Flash, Apple QuickTime, now it’s Sun Java (not to be confused with JavaScript) that needs fixing. Java is widely used so you better go to this link and download the security patch if it hasn’t [...]
Mouse for couch potatoes
Want to surf the Internet while lying down? Logitech has announced a hand gesture mouse. The announcement begins:
The future of PC navigation starts now. Logitech (SWX: LOGN) (NASDAQ: LOGI), the world’s leading manufacturer of computer mice, today introduced the Logitech® MX Air™ Rechargeable Cordless Air Mouse, a versatile laser mouse that works on the desk [...]
PDF spam
If you are wondering why you seem to be getting a lot of email with PDF files, it is the new thing in spam. I’ve been getting a raft of them and PC World says:
Beginning to take image spam’s place is PDF spam, where the spammer sends an e-mail message with a PDF attached — [...]
The economics of botnets
There are a lot of “zombie” computers out there. These are computers that have been infected by malware and which are partly under the control of criminals located perhaps half a world away. The legitimate owners of the computers are unaware that their computers are being controlled from elsewhere for various nefarious purposes. These zombie [...]
QuickTime media player needs patching
Not everybody uses the Apple QuickTime player for Windows but it is pretty common and Apple has just issued critical security updates.
Adobe Flash player needs patching
Most PCs have Adobe Flash player installed and Adobe has just issued a new security patch that should be installed. Your player may have automatically updated but my systems did not because of the security settings that I use. To check your version, go to this Adobe link. The new version of the player is [...]
More about RAID and other multi-disk setups
A few days ago I posted something about arranging hard drives in what is known as a RAID configuration. And now I see that Steve Bass is talking about RAID over at PC World. Bass says he doesn’t like RAID although he is really referring to RAID-0.
In any event, I agree that the average [...]
GREP search tool for Windows
Today’s huge hard drives with hundreds of gigabytes of capacity, combined with all the ways that we now accumulate files, means that a system may have hundreds of thousands of files. Finding things is not always easy, even with one of the desktop search programs. Many times it’s not the file name that needs searching [...]
More features in Google maps
While others may make speeches with vague references to the “cloud”, Google just keeps adding things to its online applications. Google Maps now has something called “Mapplets” that let you customize maps in various ways. All of this is explained at this Google site. The introduction says:
Mapplets are mini-webpages that are served inside an IFrame [...]
Phony Microsoft security alerts
Phishers and other bad types are sending out fake Microsoft security bulletins that can infect your computer with malware. Microsoft has a site explaining how to recognize these scams. Note that Microsoft never sends updates as email attachments.