News

October 23, 2008: Vulnerabiity in Server Service Could Allow Remote Code Execution (958644)

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS08-067.mspx

Make sure you have Automatic Updates enabled in your Windows Operation System.

October 8, 2008: In Tokyo Microsoft announced that on Nov. 19, 2008.

The XBOX 360 gaming console’s interface and features will be getting a facelift.

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2008/oct08/10-08nxepr.mspx

• Xbox Live Party: Xbox 360 allows you to create a virtual party on your TV with up to seven friends.  With LIVE Party, voice chat while you play games, share photos in rela time and entertain friends all over the world.
• Personality Plus.  Create a customizable, animated avatar and literally jump into the world of Xbox LIVE.
• On-Demand Entertainment.  TV Shows and Netflix instant view features.

Windows Vista Tip:

Control Panel/Ease of Access Center:  The new Ease of Access Center in Windows Vista provides a centralized location where you can get quick access to adjust accessibility settings and manage assistive technology programs.

http://www.microsoft.com/enable/training/windowsvista/eoa.aspx

• Start the Magnifier
• Start the Narrator
• Start on-screen keyboard
• Setup high contrast
• Use the computer without a display (for the blind)
• Make the computer easier to see (optimizing the visual display
• Use the computer without a mouse or keyboard (use other input devices such as a microphone for speech recognition).
• Make the mouse easier to use: Adjust settings for the mouse or other pointing devices.
• Make the keyboard easier to use.
• Make it easier to focus on tasks.

 See http://www.microsoft.com/enable/training/windowsvista/eoa.aspx for more detail.

Backing up

Local Backup: A backup of your data that is stored at home for fast recovery in case of data loss.

• External USB hard drive http://www.maxtorsolutions.com
• Computer to Computer backup: If you have multiple computers on your network, you could setup your backup software to store files on other computers as a form of local Backup.

Offsite storage: A place where you store a copy of your local backup that is not in your home.   This is a good practice that will ensure that you can recover your data in the event of a fire or flood in your house.

Online backup: Online services where you will send your data over the internet for storage.   This would replace the offsite storage (above), but will not replace your local backup.

• http://www.mozy.com 4.95/month for unlimited storage (Windows & Mac)
• http://www.carbonite.com 49.95/year for unlimited storage (Windows & Mac(

Software to use to backup:

Most External USB drives come with software to perform backups.  Below are my recommendations:

Note: I suggest you use a program that will create the same file and folder structure 

• Smartsync Pro: http://www.smsync.com ($45.00)
• SyncToy: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads (FREE)
• Cobian Backup: http://www.cobian.se (Free): Useful for more advanced users.

Callers:

Koolguy asked for my recommendations on which Ipod Touch that he should purchase.  Since the differences are the amount of music and video, I suggested that he figure out how much he needs to store.  You need to determine which IPod Touch will be able to store all your music an videos.

USB Drive issue

I talked about how my external USB drive that holds all my backed up DVD’s failed.  To resolve this, it might be just a matter of removing the standard hard drive out of the USB enclosure and using an adapter.  When you are able to see your data, immediately copy it to another drive to avoid losing it in the future.

USB Switches: www.usbswitch.com 

Tips to keep your laptop battery last longer:

2. Right click the taskbar and go to Toolbars/New toolbar.

3. Browse to the folder you created and select it.

This will require a third party FREE application called Launchy.

Callers:

Daveac called in and talked about these links:  

Tips for Wireless Router

• Change administrator password on router
• Change SSID (Server Set Identifier)
• Do not broadcast SSID
• Enable WPA pr WPA2 Encryption
• Enable MAC Filtering
• Reduce WLAN transmitter power.  Some routers can do this and it is difficult to setup.
• Disable Remote Administration
• Disable UPNP unless you know that you need this.

Passwords:

Keep Passwords safe

• www.roboform.com (Free, but there is a pro version with more features, has a password generator)
• www.keepass.info (Free)

Check the strength of your password – Microsoft’s Password Checker

How to create a strong password

Tips for creating a passsword:

1. Think of a sentence
2. Use the first letter of every word in the sentence
3. Substitute the letter ‘O’ with the number ’0′ (Zero), the letter ‘E’ with the number ’3′, I with ! or the number 1 etc.
4. Make sure you use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters.
5. Check password with Microsoft’s Password Checker

Do’s

• Use both upper and lower case letters
• Use numbers nad punctuation marks. 
• Make your password between 8 and 20 characters long.
• Use the special characters on your keyboard. (! @ # $ % * ( ) – + = , < > : : “ ‘ .)
• Make your password easy to remember, but hard to guess
• Create different passwords for different accounts and webites
• Keep them to your self.
• Consider using a phrase, sentence, or song title or lyrics as a password.  Use the first letter of every word. Substitute the letter ‘O’ with the number ’0′ (Zero), the letter ‘E’ with the number ’3′, I with ! or the number 1 etc.
• Make your password easy to type quickly to avoid people from seeing your password typed over your shoulder.

Don’ts

• Use the same password for different accounts of application. 
• Creat a password using your user name for site you are visiting.
• Use your name, social security number, or any other person information that could identify you.  This means pet names, girlfriend/boyfriend names, birth dates, phone numbers, etc…
• Use any word found in a diction longer than three letters.
• Use numbers in place of letters.  For example “Password” becomes “Pa55w0rd”.
• Create a password of keys next to one anoter on the keyboard (asdfghj or zxcvbn)
• Use dates to create a password (AUgusT2001)
• Re-use any of your last 10 passwords.
• Share your password with others.
• Write them down and store them near your computer.
• Provide your password or any other sensitive information over email or instant messages.
• Enable the ‘Save Password’ option in your web browser.
• Use sample passwords given on different web sites, including this one.

Listener calls:

Koolguy wanted to say hi.  We breifly talked about Guitar Hero on his PC. Thank you for the call Koolguy!

DaveAC from the chat room mentioined www.pctools.com/guides/passwords to generate passwords.  He asked a question about trusting these types of sites.  I let him know that Roboform has it’s own password generator so you would not have to worry about trusting a site.

DaveAC and I also discussed backup strategies.