Mike, What should my Power settings be and how do I change these?

1. On your Desktop, right-click and select Properties.
2. Click on the Screen Saver tab.
3. At the bottom here, click on the Power button.
4. Check your settings under Power Schemes:
- Turn off monitor is typically 20 minutes.
- Turn off hard disks is typically None.
- System standby is typically 45 minutes.
- Under the Hibernate tab, make sure the box for Enable hibernate support is unchecked.
5. Select OK and OK again to exit.

ITC Computer Services of Arizona
Office/Fax: 602-375-7934
Mobile: 602-684-7501
Web Site: www.itcaz.com
Email: mike@itcaz.com

Mike, I just brought my new laptop home and it’s asking me for a key or passphrase to my wireless network. I have no idea what this is. Any insight?

I’ll keep my response basic and simple; choosing not to get into too much technical detail.

If you find you cannot connect to your wireless network (typically after introducing a new computer or other authorized computers into your network) because you do not know or have forgotten your Passphrase or Key, read on.

The simplest way to resolve this is to place your wireless device’s installation CD into a computer that has a direct cable connection to your wireless device. Install the software paying close attention to what type of encryption the software will install. If you use a Linksys device, you may wind up installing WPA encryption by default and the wireless device will more than likely choose a Passphrase for you. If you choose this method write the Passphrase down and keep it handy for future reference. An alternative is to set your encryption for WEP (64-bit) and enter a 10-digit number (such as a telephone number with area code) into the KEY 1 field. Regardless, if you use WEP be sure and enter the KEY 1 number under KEY and the WAP Passphrase under Passphrase. The two are not interchangeable.

This should resolve your issue, but if you want to learn more about this please read on.

A Passphrase or Key (I’ll simply call these access codes) refers to a means of securing your wireless network to prevent others within your geographical area from “dropping in” to use your connection or to break into your computer or network. Besides being a security and privacy risk, unauthorized connections can drag down your Internet and use up critical bandwidth.

There are three methods you can use to secure your wireless network from unauthorized use.

WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) is the original, wireless privacy method that incorporates various levels of encryption. With WEP you can establish a level of network privacy that best suits you needs. The typical level of protection under WEP that I’ve seen is 64-bit encryption which translates to a 10-digit binary access code or KEY (the higher the encryption the slower your throughput). In larger installations, you can increase the encryption level to 128-bit and allow wireless network access by logical areas and sub-nets through the use of KEY numbers. But for home use I typically find that 64-bit WEP encryption through KEY 1 is a fairly safe level to use. Yes, there are crackers out there ready and willing to break into a wireless network, but these folks are more likely interested in the big payoff (companies).

A newer level of wireless security created to resolve issues with WEP encryption is WAP (Wi-Fi Protected Access). WAP/WAP2 was created to resolve critical security deficiencies in WEP with a renewed focus on protection as opposed to WEP Privacy.

Encryption for WAP is far more secure than WEP and should be a definite requirement for any medium to large businesses. WAP utilizes in-depth encryption algorithms to encrypt and decrypt wireless data when sending or receiving. Typically you can choose a pre-defined Passphrase (Pre-Shared Key or PSK) or a system generated Passphrase for each user. Regardless of which of these you choose write this Passphrase down and keep it secured and handy for future reference. WAP2 provides the strongest of the three encryption methods incorporating more algorithms than WAP thereby guaranteeing the ultimate in secured protection for your network.

ITC Computer Services of Arizona
Office/Fax: 602-375-7934
Mobile: 602-684-7501
Web Site: www.itcaz.com
Email: mike@itcaz.com

Mike, What are cookies?

Cookies are used by web sites and web site advertisers to collect information (there’s that word again) about your system. I suggest you make a change in your Internet Explorer options that could be quit entertaining to you:

1. Open Internet Explorer.
2. Pull down the Tools menu and select Internet Options...
3. Click on the Privacy tab then click the Advanced… button.
4. Under the Advanced Privacy Settings window you will no doubt see that Override automatic cookie handling is unchecked. Check this now.
5. Under First-party Cookies, leave this checked. Under Third-party Cookies check Prompt.
6. Click Okay and Okay again.

Now, go out and surf the Internet. I would bet that within minutes of surfing an IE window will pop-up and alert you that (n) is requesting to save a file on your computer and ask you if you want to allow this or block this. On the Smiley Central site, I encountered:

Ø Ads.digitalpoint.com (1 time)
Ø Apmebf.com (2 times)
Ø Qksrv.net (2 times)
Ø Hermoment.com (2 times)

Even visiting a Spy-ware Protection site (spywareonline.org) I was hit with Counter2.hitslink.com (4 times) and when returning, Zedo.com (6 times).

Now most of these will relate to “pop-ups” which will advertise other sites. When these pop-ups occur you will be hit with even more cookie requests and the cycle continues.

So I think we all need to stop and ask ourselves, “Even though the web site says they do not track or capture information about me, what do I know about them and how much do I trust them? I’ve never dealt with them directly, I do not know their intent, nor do I know their personal integrity. Am I willing to take the chance that they are telling me the truth?"

If you want to simply block these cookie requests silently, follow the steps above and check, Block. However, if you like having unknown companies load cookies onto your system, simply check Allow.

ITC Computer Services of Arizona
Office/Fax: 602-375-7934
Mobile: 602-684-7501
Web Site: www.itcaz.com
Email: mike@itcaz.com

Update 2005: Viruses and Parasites - What's a EULA?

The good news is Viruses seem to be passé, although still with us. The bad news is Parasites are on the rise.

Parasites: those pesky spy-wares, ad-wares, key-stroke loggers, mal-wares, trojan horses, and worms are still going strong. As Michael Gregg of High-Performance Network Tips reports on March 23, 2005, “While spyware programs are nothing new, they continue to grow in virulence and sophistication. Anyone that uses a computer and the Internet should be aware of the risk these programs present. While they can be troublesome to the home user, they can pose an even bigger risk to a corporate network.”

Why? Because Parasite writers themselves have become more sophisticated.
In the old world order, Virus writers reveled in destroying information. In the new world order, Parasite writers have shown us that information is important and can be profitable…to the right people. Imagine being able to dip down into the bowls of an operating system while quietly, and systematically, collecting critical personal and company information to either sell or otherwise use for your own gain. For home users this could mean stealing credit card information, bank account numbers, social security numbers, addresses, phone numbers, and contacts. For business users this could mean lifting customer lists, getting into bank accounts, stealing passwords, employee lists, addresses, phone numbers, and financial information. All of which is a sellable commodity to advertisers, marketers, identity thieves, investors, the competition, recruiting companies, even to the federal government.

The more holes we seem to plug the more that new ones open up. It is impossible today to restrict everything, yet that is almost exactly what we would need to do in order to protect ourselves. Of course we all know this is not viable, so we need to depend on software and hardware companies and products to help us stay safe. But we also need to take responsibility for our own actions.
Most spy-ware for instance, is legitimately downloaded to your computer at your approval. That’s right, you approved of it. Take those seemingly innocent smiley faces, those cute little mode-icons, or even music and movie downloads. In almost all cases you were presented with what is called a EULA (End User License Agreement) to approve or deny. Have you ever completely read one through? Hidden among the legal-eeze you will most likely find a paragraph that specifically states that you are giving the web site authorization to download and install certain softwares onto your computer to be used to track and report on your buying or surfing habits.

Here is the paragraph listed at the bottom of the Smiley Faces web site that most users will not read. I’ve highlighted it in red:

Please read carefully. By clicking the "Click Here"button above and downloading Smiley Central, I accept and agree to abide by the End User License Agreement
Click on End User License Agreement above to view the entire EULA.

Among other notices and conditions, the Smiley Central EULA cites,

“MY WEB SEARCH BROWSER COMBINED END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT/ TERMS OF SERVICE/AND PRIVACY POLICY IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BY CLICKING ON THE "SUBMIT", "DOWNLOAD", "I ACCEPT" OR SUCH SIMILAR BUTTON OR LINK AS MAY BE DESIGNATED FOR PURPOSES OF INITIATING THE DOWNLOAD OF THE ACCOMPANYING SOFTWARE
PRODUCT AND SERVICES (WHICH CONSIST OF THE "MY WEB SEARCH BROWSER", ITS ASSOCIATED FEATURES DESCRIBED BELOW AND "EASY INSTALLER") (COLLECTIVELY, THE "SOFTWARE") OR BY USING THE SOFTWARE, THE END USER ("YOU") AGREES TO BE LEGALLY
BOUND BY THE MY WEB SEARCH BROWSER COMBINED END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT/TERMS OF SERVICE/AND PRIVACY POLICY (THE "AGREEMENT").
THE SOFTWARE INCLUDES A SUITE OF FEATURES TO IMPROVE YOUR ONLINE EXPERIENCE. THESE FEATURES INCLUDE MYWEBSEARCH™, SMILEYCENTRAL™, CURSOR MANIA™, FUN BUDDY ICONS™, HISTORYSWATTER™, MY INFO™, MY MAIL NOTIFIER™, MY MAIL SIGNATURE™, MY MAIL STAMP™, MY FUN CARDS™, MY MAIL STATIONARY™, POPSWATTER™, POPULARSCREENSAVERS™ AND SEARCH ASSISTANT. ALL OF THESE FEATURES ARE INCLUDED IN THE SOFTWARE AND ARE COVERED BY THIS AGREEMENT.”

So yes, the smiley face icons you requested will be downloaded… along with 14 to 15 other programs that you probably did not want. Some, or all, of these products may be classified as spy-ware. Take the reference above for MY WEB BROWSER. This is known spy-ware that can easily track and report back your web surfing habits as it is a plug-in to Internet Explorer.

ITC Computer Services of Arizona
Office/Fax: 602-375-7934
Mobile: 602-684-7501
Web Site: http://www.itcaz.com/
Email: mike@itcaz.com

ITC Newsletter - September 29, 2007

Okay, okay; it’s been awhile since I last dropped you a line, but great news, “I’m still here and in January ’08 I celebrate my seventh year in Computer Services consulting!” I know it’s exciting for you too, but calm down; I have important stuff to write you about.

I’ve hemmed and hawed this past year over building my new website; whether it should be more business focused or customer focused. Well I finally hawed and decided on customer focus and am happy to tell you it’s ready to go. I have a new logo, an expanded company name, color scheme and content so take a moment to check it out here: http://www.itcaz.com.

Some of my new features include Blogs where I write about specific technology issues and answer any questions you have, new service packages that include pre-paying for support hours at an great discount, gift certificates for family, friends, coworkers, and others, New Live Remote and Phone Support services, a top-ten list of the latest Windows news, top-ten virus concerns, an ITC search engine, a Free Popular Downloads area and a place to link to research sites. I can’t wait for your feedback!

And if you have a Home or Small Office or Business and want to advertise on itcaz.com drop me a line. I’d be happy to include a link to your website or a small ad.

Now down to serious business…
If you’re in the market for a new computer you may be in for a big surprise. If you don’t already know Microsoft pulled all of its XP operating systems from the shelves earlier this year, so you are left (stuck?) with Vista. Now I’m not writing that Vista is all that bad, but it certainly has its fair share of flaws (unplanned features?). The problem stems from Microsoft’s arrogance and rush to release (behind schedule) that they forgot to tell all the third party vendors that they were releasing Vista early. What’s the issue? Well these third party vendors never had a chance to complete (or even begin!) to write new peripheral drivers (for video, printers, disks, scanners, etc.) so Vista was initially released without these. Of course Vista has its own set of problems and idiosyncrasies, but this just makes matters even worse. Oh, talk about upset customers and vendors! My, my, my Bill… haven’t you learned yet?

Don’t dismay though, there are alternatives to Vista and its called XP Home and XP Professional. Yup, good ole XP is still available, but you have to know where to go and how to get it. I know of three computer vendors that still offer XP Home and XP Professional on their website. These are HP, Dell, and Lenovo and I’m sure there are more. In the case of HP and Dell, go to their website and opt to view Small Business computers. When you select one of interest and view the options, you’ll see that you are offered XP. Check it out. There’s more than one way to skin a Gates.

Speaking of Lenovo ThinkPad Notebooks (IBM); I’ve heard nothing but rave reviews about these and wish I had purchased my laptop from them. ;)

On the security front…
Infections are still here and growing steadily. I reported an article about two years ago that stated organized crime was getting into the Spam and Spyware market and this month a news segment confirms they are here and doing well. Trojans continue to dominate the infections through bogus emails, Internet pop-ups, and dangerously infected sites. One thing you really need to be careful of is getting a pop-up window that says your computer is or may be infected and to Click Here for a free scan. Of course, the entire window is a button and by clicking anywhere other than the X (close the window in the upper right corner) will download the infection. The latest of these Zlog which downloads a Trojan called Antivirgear. The most prevalent so far is the Vundo infection, so if you see these give me a call.

Some of you are still out there surfing the web without protection. For all of us, basic protection should include an anti-virus and anti-parasite product. Improvements over this include a software firewall. If you haven’t renewed your existing protection, or haven’t yet acquired one (arghh), an alternative is AVG’s Free Spyware and Virus protection. Check the home page of itcaz.com for the Free Popular Downloads area and get protected today!

Symantec has finally simplified their product with the introduction of Norton 360 (meaning full circle I guess). I think what has hurt Symantec/Norton over the past few years has been the complicated and frustrating Internet Security product. I’m glad to see they’ve finally realized this.

Tips
If you’re using wireless in your home or office, be sure to turn on encryption in order to secure your computer and protect your Internet connection so nearby neighbors (and other snoops) don’t get a free ride. Give me a call if you need help on this. A typical wireless setup usually takes me between 30 and 45 minutes to setup and install.

If you’ve downloaded Windows IE7 and are as disappointed as I was, you can always remove it and automatically revert back to IE6. Just go to your Control Panel, select Add/Remove Programs and remove it. To prevent this from being offered a download in the future, uncheck the option to install this now and you’ll be asked if you want Windows to ignore this in the future. Most definitely say yes.

One of easiest and best ways to keep unwanted sites and downloads from coming into your computer (as well as going out) is to populate your Hosts file. You can read my Blog here for more information and a link to download a Hosts file already populated with a large number of known infectors.

Did you know you really don’t have to enter a full web address into your URL? As long as the address ends in “.com” you need only to enter the site name (such as msn or itcaz), hold down your control key and press Enter. IE will fill in the rest. There’s an IE setting for this and is usually turned on. Let me know if this doesn’t work for you and I’ll send you instructions on how to turn it on.

I don’t want to make this email too long, so I’ll cut off here. Please remember to send me your questions and I’ll Blog an answer for you.

ITC Computer Services of Arizona
Office/Fax: 602-375-7934
Mobile: 602-684-7501
Web Site: www.itcaz.com
Email: mike@itcaz.com