Google Chrome Web Browser Project Out Soon
By John F | September 2, 2008
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Google Chrome will be the newest web browser on the block. Google will release their open source web browser shortly. They have an informative [if slightly too long] ‘comic’ that explains why they are releasing an open source web browser and the benefits of downloading and using it.
The main features is that each tab will be using separate process due to the multi-threaded nature of the browser. Which means less hang ups and crashes.
Google Chrome will also have an ‘undercover’ mode where any pages viewed via this method will leave no history and cookies are deleted on exit of this mode. Handy for accessing sites at work, college or university!
Windows versions are due very shortly with Linux and Mac versions not too far behind.
Once it’s released I’ll download it, give it a test drive and report back to you via this blog. I must admit it sounds really good, and my only concern is what will Google do with the data, that they in all probability will be gleaning from you using their product?
Some preview images are available here.
Microsoft and Mozilla should be worried about this product. Very worried indeed.
Topics: Other Computer Usefulness | No Comments »
Aardvarks Receive More Spam Than Zebras
By John F | August 29, 2008
In a recent study, it has been found that spammers use the dictionary attacks to send millions of spam emails starting at the beginning of the alphabet, and they tail off towards the end.
So a person called Alan@domain.com will receive 15% more spam than somebody called Zac@domain.com.
Personally i don’t receive that much spam. Then I’m at J [for John] and I don’t have that many email addresses. This blog does receive a hell of a lot of comment spam that Akismet takes out for me. The contact form I have put up also makes it that bit harder for spammers to send me their gibberish.
Unless you wish to change your name from Alan to Zac by deed poll, there are some measures you can take to reduce the amount of spam emails you receive.
My earlier post about reducing spam emails is available here.
Topics: Computer Security Usefulness | No Comments »
Are Torrents Worth the Hassle?
By John F | August 23, 2008
Recently a woman from London, UK was fined £16,000 [$32,000] for sharing software via a file-sharing network. By the letter of the law, she was found guilty and fined. Much like somebody caught speeding in a car, you do the crime then you may have to do the time.
What you may be thinking is yes, so what? Well, a lot of people are downloading and sharing files all over the world. It’s just so damn easy. Maybe you’re one of them? Most people have broadband these days, and some of the speeds are in excess of 8MB. So downloading an album could take 5 minutes and downloading a film or TV show episode could take around 15-25 minutes.
ISP’s are now cracking down on customers who download a lot. It doesn’t take Sherlock Holmes to figure out that people who download a lot of data are possibly downloading movies or software. Now some people will be genuinely downloading, but most won’t.
The ISP’s are under pressure from the music, film and software industry to prevent their networks and customers from downloading data that is copyrighted and should be purchased and not downloaded for free.
Now, this is where most people and human nature takes over. The average person thinks, “Hmmn, should I buy that album in the shop at £12.99 [$24.99] or should I download it for free and then burn it for free?” This is where the music, and other industries have gone wrong in my opinion.
They have been for years, charging too much money for CD’s, DVD’s and software. Now the consumer has a chance to fight back, albeit using ‘illegal’ means, they don’t like it. As, we all know, the Internet is pretty much a free for all, and nobody is policing it at the moment, and hopefully never will.
So the music, film and software industries are aware that of what is happening, but much like nailing jelly to the wall, it’s proving extremely difficult. People now have easy access to technology that enables them to download pretty much what they want, when they want.
Yes ISP’s are throttling heavy users bandwidths and some people are receiving warning letters. The well informed out there [geeks to you and me] will find a away round the system and then the information will find a way onto the Internet for all to see.
The consumer determines the way a market ultimately turns. I hope the music, film and software industries start to take notice and respond in a positive manner. I realise they don’t like people ‘stealing’ their precious data [it's only 1 & 0's at the end of the day], but they need to look at the real reason people are downloading so much for free.
Being free makes it accessible for so many people, but most people would be happy to pay, if the product they bought was of high quality and what they wanted. Not a product that has been rammed down their throat, made to look amazingly good and then ultimately disappoints.
So what should a person who does download a lot of music, films or software do? Well, that is down to your own conscious and how much money you have available in your bank account in case you do get found guilty.
In general people won’t stop downloading while prices are still stupidly high and also rubbish music, films and software are still being released, admittedly along with some good releases also.
Topics: Computer Privacy Usefulness, Computer Security Usefulness, Free Software Usefulness | No Comments »
What Is Spyware?
By John F | August 20, 2008
In the following post I will explain what exactly Spyware is, what its purpose is, whether it’s legal and what free anti-Spyware programs you can use to prevent infection on your computer.
Why Does Spyware Exist?
Spyware is the hair in your soup, there’s no disputing that. Spyware can change certain settings on your computer, namely your Internet home page, monitor keystrokes that you type on your computer, spy on other applications on your computer and install other spyware [or even worse] programs without your knowledge.
The Spyware program will then relay the information back to the spyware author who can use the information for good, advertising purposes or evil [hint, its either for advertising or evil].
Spyware will ultimately slow down your computer and especially the Internet connection as it watches over what you do records information and reports on what you do. This strains the computer. So if your computer has become sluggish or is slowing down, Spyware could be the cause of it.
Is Spyware Legal?
In a word no. Spyware is illegal, as in any type of software installed onto your computer without your knowledge. Although some spyware does come bundled with legitimate programs that mention the spyware in the small print, but in such a way that skirts around the fact that spyware will be installed onto your computer.
Shareware or freeware programs can be the main culprits when Spyware ‘legally’ appears on your computer. You agree to the Spyware being installed onto your computer when you agree the EULA [end user license agreement]. So be careful when installing programs onto your computer, especially share/freeware.
Wikipedia states “Unauthorized access to a computer is illegal under computer crime laws, such as the U.S. Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, the U.K.’s Computer Misuse Act and similar laws in other countries”.
What Can I Do To Protect My Computer From Spyware?
As I said above, most Spyware will infect your computer from shareware or freeware programs. Your computer can also be infected via programs pretending to be anti-Spyware programs, when in-fact they are Spyware programs in their own right.
The other main way of insuring that your computer will become infected is to download software programs from torrent sites. Many pieces of software available ‘illegally’ will contain all sorts of nasty additional files, such as Trojans, Viruses and Spyware. So if you download programs this way, seriously think is it worth the hassle if your computer does become infected?
Be careful clicking on any pop-ups or clicking on links to ‘free’ programs as these occasionally will lead you to a website that will tempt you to download a handy free program that you will regret.
Recommended Anti-Spyware Programs?
For free recommended anti-Spyware programs I strongly recommend the following below. All of them do have a paid for version that will find more Spyware infections from a larger database and some offer real-time protection. I have found that the free versions suffice for me, however a paid for program that offers real-time protection will ensure that you prevent infections rather than cure them.
Spyware Doctor Starter Edition
For Internet browsing, you may already use Firefox. If not download it now!! Firefox is a much better browsing program which can prevent many infections and another benefit of it is that it’s quicker than Internet Explorer.
Summary
So there you go. Spyware is a hassle when you use a windows based machine, and other than switching over to Linux or a Mac, unfortunately it’s something you have to suffer. By taking some [or all!] of the advice above and installing anti-Spyware programs and using Firefox you should reduce the amount of Spyware files you encounter.
Topics: Computer Privacy Usefulness | No Comments »
Handy Window XP Keyboard Shortcuts
By John F | August 15, 2008
Windows has a plethora [I always wanted to use that word in a blog post!] of keyboard shortcuts. Most people are aware of CTRL+ALT+DELETE or CTRL+SHIFT-ESC and the old favourite CTRL+V.
There are many more keyboard shortcuts that can make your computer experience so much more enjoyable/quicker. I rarely use any keyboard shortcuts apart from the ones above. As I was messing about with the Windows key and some other buttons the other day some useful results appeared.
So below are some handy keyboard shortcuts that I found useful to me, and hopefully will be useful to you too.
- SHIFT+DELETE (Delete the selected item permanently without placing the item in the Recycle Bin)
- CTRL+SHIFT while dragging an item (Create a shortcut to the selected item)
- CTRL+A (Select all)
- SHIFT+F10 (Display the shortcut menu for the selected item)
- SHIFT when you insert a CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive (Prevent the CD-ROM from automatically playing)
- Windows Logo (Display or hide the Start menu)
- Windows Logo+D (Display the desktop)
- Windows Logo+M (Minimize all of the windows)
- Windows Logo+SHIFT+M (Restore the minimized windows)
- Windows Logo+E (Open My Computer)
- Windows Logo+F (Search for a file or a folder)
- Windows Logo+L (Lock the keyboard)
- Windows Logo+R (Open the Run dialog box)
For a full list of windows keyboard shortcuts, click here.
Topics: Other Computer Usefulness | No Comments »
Re: You Have Spam
By John F | August 12, 2008
If you get your broadband service from Orange, then I do feel sorry for you. According to this survey, Orange allows just under 97% of all email traffic sent to be SPAM email traffic.
That means only 3% of emails sent are genuine on the Orange network. The future isn’t bright and the future isn’t Orange when an authentic email you send is battling away with the 97% of SPAM email traffic to arrive at its intended destination.
There are some other big companies in the top ten list as well. BT Internet [they're probably too busy running Phorm tests on their customers, without their permission], Pipex and Tiscali.
These companies should be filtering the incoming emails at their gateway exchanges before they even enter their network. They can’t stop all emails, but Orange allows 96.63% SPAM emails onto their network is shoddy professionalism/laziness.
Read my earlier post regarding reducing SPAM to combat the deluge of crap most of us receive on a daily basis. Or move to an ISP that actually makes an effort to deal with SPAM.
Topics: Other Computer Usefulness | No Comments »
Who Do Your Children Speak To Online?
By John F | August 8, 2008
In a recent survey, 72% of parents admit to snooping and checking out what their children get up to online. They are especially concerned about social networking sites, who their children are talking to and are the people their children are talking to really who they say they are?
One in five children admit that they have come into contact with strangers online, and regularly ignore social networking age restrictions to create online profiles and socialise with school friends. Unfortunately, this is like open season for child molesters and paedophiles.
What can you do to protect your child’s identity online and prevent them from coming into contact with undesirable people?
I have some suggestions below that will enable you to keep a close eye on their activities. All of these I have passed onto my sister, so my nephew’s online activities can me monitored.
Tip 1 - Create times when children can and cannot access the computer. If the computer is in their bedroom, occasionally pop into their room. Don’t feel bad about this, explain why you are in there if you have to. They’re your children, do what you have to do to protect them.
Tip 2 - Install parental control software. There are loads of free and paid for versions out there. I suggest in this instance to pay for a product with good feedback. Use the Internet to research and invest in a good product.
Tip 3 - Move the computer out of the bedroom and into your lounge of a room which you frequently use. By doing this you will be around more whilst your children are online. You may even be around to help with their homework!
Tip 4 - Explain to your children to be careful when online and if they encounter somebody who asks inappropriate questions to instantly log off and to let you know. Also tell them not to disclose their surname, send pictures or give out phone numbers or their address.
Tip 5 - Create limited user accounts without passwords for your children. Regularly check their browsing history and speak to them if they break any of the above rules. It’s for their own safety and your piece of mind.
Remember to keep and eye on Instant Messenger programs as well as social networking sites. If you have any more tips or advice please feel free to leave a comment for others to see.
Topics: Computer Privacy Usefulness | No Comments »
How Vulnerable is Your Computer?
By John F | August 4, 2008
I came across a handy website recently called http://www.auditmypc.com/. It is a free to use website and will help you determine how exposed your computer is when you are online.
Security wise there is a firewall test and an anonymous surfing check. The firewall test will scan your computer for any open ports that shouldn’t be. The anonymous surfing check will tell you what information your computer is broadcasting when you are browsing online. All handy information you should be aware of.
There is also a handy broadband speed test, free software links, website monitoring tool, a sitemap generator and a very useful anti-spam link.
I ran the firewall, anonymous surfing and broadband tests on my computer. Whilst I didn’t find any surprises, it was good to know my firewall is up to the job and broadband speed is exactly what it should be.
Have a look at http://www.auditmypc.com/. It is a handy site to bookmark as security of your computer should be a priorty. If it isn’t, why are you reading this blog?
Topics: Computer Security Usefulness | No Comments »
Lavasoft Ad-Aware 2008 Free Now Available
By John F | July 29, 2008
I have used Lavasoft’s Ad-Aware Free anti-spyware program for years now. As long as I use it in conjunction with Spyware Doctor I find these two programs are enough to protect and rid my computer of spyware filth that builds up over time.
The 2008 Free version of Ad-Aware is now available. Maybe because I’m not on their mailing list, or some other reason I wasn’t aware of the update until late last week. However, the update is here and if you use Ad-Aware then ensure you visit this page to get the latest version.
If you don’t use Ad-Aware, and are willing to use a free anti-spyware program then I strongly suggest you get this product and use it on your computer.
The features for the 2008 version are as follows:
- Improved Threat Detection
Spyware, Ad-Aware, Trojans & Hijackers
Fraud Tools & Rogue Applications
Password Stealers & Keyloggers
- Enhanced Rootkit removal system
- Faster Updates & Faster Scans
- Less Resource Usage for optimal computer performance
- Easy to Download, Install and Use
- Lavasoft ThreatWork submission tool
- Compatible with Windows Vista (32- and 64-bit)
If you have any suggestions or better programs that I am not aware of, please feel free to leave a comment.
Topics: Computer Privacy Usefulness | No Comments »
Phorm Storm Rumbles On
By John F | July 24, 2008
The EU Commission has warned the British Government to deal with Phorm or they will. The continuing issues with Phorm and with the company behind Phorm carrying on regardless, no matter what reports come to light, thus enabling the ‘Phorm Storm’ to gain more momentum.
A statement from the EU commission states: “”It is very clear in E.U. directives that unless someone specifically gives authorization (to track consumer activity on the Web) then you don’t have the right to do that,” EU commissioner Viviane Reding said. If UK government does not deal with the issue, Dow Jones says, the EC could take action in the European Court of Justice.”
Phorm have now conducted two trials with BT without informing their customers. This type of underhand and most probably illegal activity is pissing off a lot of people and I hope that BT is losing customers because of their secret Phorm trials.
Recently a Baroness from the Liberal Party [a political party from the UK] attended a protest outside BT’s office in central London to highlight the two Phorm trials that BT conducted on their customers without their permission.
And if you’re reading this from the land of the free [USA that is], then a very similar type Phorm system called NebuAd, looks like it’s looming for you as well.
My advice is to wait and see what your ISP plans to do. If you don’t agree, there are plenty of ISP’s who won’t be signing up to Phorm. If you are in the UK and use BT then think very seriously about staying with them, as they have lied to you twice already about Phorm.
Topics: Computer Privacy Usefulness | No Comments »