Tech Thoughts

Acessing the Internet - Browsers 2011

2011-04-18T13:19:00.000-07:00

Last month the big security event CanSecWest happened. Every year there is also a competition to see who can break in to a computer by hacking the Internet browser (Internet explorer, Firefox etc.). $15,000 going to the first person to break in.

Apple computers stock Internet browser, Safari was taken down in 5 seconds. Internet Explorer 8 took part of a day. Chrome from google, and Firefox from the Mozilla group were never hacked in the 3 days of the show. The new Internet Explorer 9 was released to late for the test. It is not available except to Vista and Windows 7 users.

Firefox is still the best overall way to surf the Internet in my opinion. It is solid and tank like in its use. I do find that I use Chrome more and more and it is becoming a true contender for favorite Internet browser. I still have a fond place for Opera in my toolbox. Opera is sleek and full featured. It is also a must have when you find yourself with a slow Internet connection. Opera has it's own servers that compress content to speed it's delivery to your desktop.

The MAIN thing is Internet Explorer is not safe compared to the others out there. Give Firefox or Chrome a spin...

PS Chrome is being developed into a stand alone Operating System (replace windows), can't wait to see that.

Buy a new PC?

2010-12-02T13:36:00.000-08:00

Operating System

Windows 7 with a 64 bit version is what you will generally get with a new PC. It is different from what you are used to but it is the future of Windows. XP will be getting less and less support in the future.

Now we will get to what you need to know that gives you the most bang for the buck.

How much memory do you need.
I think 2 gigabytes is the minimum you will need. Many units come with 4 gb. If possible get 4 or more gigabytes

How big a hardrive?
For average use a 250 gb drive is fine. Have some music files? Then 500 gb might be better. Video or your favorite TV shows? 500 gb or more depending on how many hours of video you are going to store. The cost of a hardrive is pretty cheap.

How much processor power?
Much depends on what you use your PC for.
Is your primary use is email and surfing the web – then a dual core or better processor is going to be adequate for now. Most new processors are dual core or 2 processors on one chip with quad core available. Speed ratings are becoming pointless except to compare speed within the processor line itself, like core duo or x2. Email me if you need a further explanation.

If you are a heavy duty game player, use a lot of video applications, or just have a need for speed, then you are in the quad core category. You know who you are. Unless you need to have cutting edge equipment and are willing to live with the problems of having the latest you can save a lot of money by building what you need.

So, Do think you might be ready for ...

One last thing to think about is buying a Apple Macintosh or Windows based machine.
A Mac is slightly more expensive than a Windows based machine but is much easier to use, rarely gets a virus and comes with most things you need. If most people used Mac's I would not repair many computers. Also Mac's have switched to Intel processors which means that you can run a copy of windows on a Mac. This was never possible before. With software you can now run Windows from inside a Mac which will really make things interesting.
What this comes down to is, unless you use a special windows only program on your computer you should look at a Mac to see if it is you.
I do not use Mac's or Windows for myself. I use Linux which is a free software system that appeals to power users and people who like to tinker with computers. It is becoming more mainstream and could save you quite a bit of money. Ubuntu is a very easy to use Linux distribution that is free. I only use Windows for a few minor things having to do with my repair business.

Having Antivirus Does not Stop Malware

2010-02-18T15:49:00.000-08:00

In a recent study of computers that went to a antivirus site it was found that almost a third of the computers with up to date Antivirus software had become infected.

What does this mean to you... It means that even though you think your are protected, you can and do still get virus's that work there way into your system. What makes this worse is that once one of them gets in it tends to let others in as well.
I find it more and more difficult to protect your Windows computer. Please read my other articles here about security and be vigilant. Some signs....

A icon shows up in your bottom right screen that you have not seen before.
A program tells you that you have numerous viruses.
Your computer seems to be slowing down or locking up unexpectedly.

It does not matter whether you paid for the software or are using a free version. No single antivirus can protect you from the constant barrage of bugs being sent your way.

So what are you to do...
Keep your antivirus up to date. Watch your computers behavior and get help quick if you suspect you have a problem.

Passwords

2010-01-28T08:19:00.000-08:00

It has been a busy few weeks and the nasties on the internet are just getting more complex and hard to detect. It is often the other trouble makers getting in on ports opened up by the first nasty that gives it away. So with that lets take a look at…

Passwords -Why
For someone taking over your machine passwords to your credit card and or bank account is the prize. With these and some personal information your identity is free for the taking. But passwords are that which we are all horrible at keeping track of and remembering.

I first want to focus on what is a quality password. The best passwords have numbers, letters (UPPER and lower) and special charectors (*&^%$#^”+). The also are not words one would find in the dictionary. A really great password would look like this G*Lw^x2fJ1m^iB*-g+”: this would take forever to break, but you would have to write it down to remember it which leaves it vunerable.
Also it would be quite a pain to type in.

So the first thing I would reccomend is a password manager. There are many available and most are quite good. I have settled on keepass since it runs on all my devices (win, linux, win mobile) and it is free. http://keepass.info/ With a password manager you just need to remember one password. I like to use my single password by using one that I can easily remember of seven or more charectors (numbers and lowercase letters). I first type this in and then I type it in again… but the second time I hold down the shift key. By doing this on the main keypad my numbers will put out special charectors.

An example
How about the address of your cousin in another state that for some reason you always remember
Lets say it is “2689 SE Cousin St”. So I would type
2689secousin – then holding down the shift key – @^*(SECOUSIN – So the total effect is
2869secousin@^*(SECOUSIN This is a 192 bit password and no one would have time to crack it.

Of course if they have physical access to the data they will get it by other means. But by using a password manager you can protect your accounts and slow down anyone trying to get at your data via a user/password account. Most password managers will generate random passwords for you. I do not know any of my passwords except the one that gets me into my password database.

Dan

Internet Explorer - Microsoft

2010-01-28T08:13:00.000-08:00

Update January 27, 2010

Last month Internet Explorer had a vulnerability that allowed "Google" and many other large companies to be hacked. The German government recommended that people quit using Internet Explorer. The attack appears to have been sponsored in China.

Conficker Worm is a Real Threat

2009-04-10T06:11:00.000-07:00

Conficker has received it's instructions and is starting to mutate. It is not only going to try to sell you virus removal software. It will OPEN up your computer to other bad things and disable your current anti-virus software.

How do I know if I have it?

Go here to get more info - Conficker Work Group

If you can read the chart you are not infected. If you are infected you need to get off the internet and get help to remove it.

Security Update - Internet Browsers

2009-03-27T08:33:00.000-07:00

Internet Explorer 8 is out and within a week needed a security patch. While it is much improved it is always asking permission to do something. From a security standpoint this is good, but the user ends up just blindly agreeing to get to the next page. Or the user just cancels and does not get to where they want to go.

There are other choices.

Opera - fast and smooth. I use it as a backup browser and it is a favorite on portable devices like phones. Has a built in mail client and reader.

Safari - is the stock web browser that comes on a Mac. It can also be used on Windows.

Chrome - is based on Safari but has been re-worked by Google to be a fast and light web browser. As of this date it is one of the most secure web browsers available. It survived the first day of a hacking contest in Mid March. Opera was not part of the contest.

FireFox - is the most powerfull of the browsers and fairly secure. The reason for this is primarily that it is open source (anyone can look at and modify the code for their own use). So this allows lots of people to write add-on programs that make Firefox the most customizeable of the Browsers.

So... what do I reccomend?

I cannot reccomend using Internet Explorer as your primary method of "surfing" the internet. I would say it is even a bit like leaving your car unlocked with a sweater thrown over your valuables to protect them from theft.

FireFox is still the more secure and has a endless amount of add ons that are extremely usefull. I think it is a logical choice for many people. This is certainly the case instead of Internet Explorer.

Safari has had many security flaws over the last year and thus I am reluctant to reccomend it. It was hacked in record time on a Mac. Part of that is how the underlying operating system handles code.

Opera is a very nice Browser. It is available on many more devices than any other browser. I do not care for the closed nature, but that may be a plus.

Chrome is kind of minimalist and fast. But currently only available on Windows. I do use it on older machines and reccomend that you try it for yourself.

As I close up on this thought I just want to say that there are some nasty bugs on the horizon. You need to start using passwords that are not easy to break. I will share some thoughts on password management soon.

Virus, Malware and protecting yourself

2009-01-19T19:49:00.000-08:00

OK
The last few months I have been very busy removing malware. In particular things with names like "Antivirus 2008" have been particularly difficult to remove. It knows the names of Antivirus and Spy protection software and the simple trick is to rename the executable file so it does not recognize it. But these little demons really put their hooks into the system. Much cheaper to backup and do a fresh install.

So what is Malware? It is Malicious Software. Mal from malicious and ware from software. It can be a virus or a trojan or any type of attack.

Protecting Yourself

Get something other than Internet Explorer. The month of November and December saw a scramble by Microsoft to fix vunerabilities in Interenet Explorer. You really cannot go wrong with FireFox 3. It is open and so security vunerabilites get fixed much more rapidly. I also am a fan of Opera 9 and Google Chrome. They are all free.
Get Antivirus software and keep it up to date. It is in everyones interest to keep clean computers so please keep up on this. There are Free versions of AVG, Avast and Anti-vir. They all work and they can all be targeted by people who write malicious code. So safe computing is a must. If you get mail from someone you do not know do not open it. If a window pops open and says that you are infected "shut off your computer". Unplug it from the wall and the internet. Wait 20 to 30 seconds before plugging it back in. Now this is important. If a program you do not know tells you that your computer is infected it is generally a lie and it is the infection. It also wants you to spend money to buy it. This is a scam. It is cheaper at this point to hire someone to check your computer.
Get rid of windows and have linux installed. Linux can do anything you want and it is free. You may have to hire someone to setup your printer or your wirless card, but the chance of ever getting a windows virus is very remote. Also Linux is Free. Linux is open source so security issues are generally found and fixed very quickly.
Not ready for linux... perhaps there is a Mac in your future. Mac's rarely get a virus. However they can get one and you should use a Anti-virus. Mac's are easy to use and for many people a better experience than Windows.

Last but not least practice safe computing. If your computer goes somewhere you do not know, close that browser now. You can restart it and see that your homepage is still in place.
If you get a email from someone with a attachment make sure you know them. Your software should scan emails.
After you download a file, right click on it and scan it with your antivirus or spyware.

Please go to my website and check out software that may help you keep your computer clean.
http://www.beckerconsulting.net/Help.html
Also any of you computer geeks reading this... It is faster to take the hd out of the pc and scan for virus's on your faster computer that is locked down tight against intrusion.

As a aside support open software when and where you can. This could eventually slow the spread of malware and security issues.

More Cell Service in Grant County

2008-11-06T13:17:00.000-08:00

Well since my last update, the buyout of Unicel is in full progress. Verizon people are already helping to maintain Unicel radio towers and preparing for the switch. All former Unicel employees are now Verizon. The word from these service people is that the new Verizon towers will be up by the new year. So looks like the switch to CDMA phones is almost upon us. For a discussion of GSM and CDMA phones look to my previous post.

Cell Phones in Grant County

2008-06-04T14:14:00.000-07:00

As most people here know we have cell service in Prairie City. This is Unicel service. At the time this was being installed Unicel was being purchased by Verizon Wireless. Unicel is really Rural Cellular Corporation (RCC). RCC has towers all over the country. Now the big difference for the local user is that Unicel and Verizon use totally different radios in there phones.

Unicell uses the GSM network which is compatible with ATT and T-Mobile.

Verizon Wireless uses CDMA which is compatible with Sprint, Alltell and our local US Cellular. So when and if Verizon finally gets ownership of Unicel they will start to convert users to their network, which means you will need a totally new phone. Also the CDMA coverage in Eastern Oregon is not as good as the GSM network. So Verizon will have to add radios to achieve the same coverage as exists with GSM. This could take some time.

One big impediment to the deal has been Vermont. Vermont thinks the deal is not in their interest and their Senator has been putting some pressure on the FCC who has yet to approve the deal. If the deal fails it will put a lot of pressure on RCC/Unicel who would have to pay a penalty to Verizon.

Another thing that has changed recently is that T-Mobile pay as you go now works in our area. So if your contract is up with Unicel and you are waiting to see what happens with the Verizon deal you can probably use T-Mobile and buy minutes from them. You cannot get a 620 prefix with them so anyone who called you would be calling long distance. A interesting spin on this is that T-Mobile offers pay as you go unlimited data plans for $1.00 dollar a day. So you could connect to the Internet via certain cell phones for less than what is the going price locally for internet service.

Your PC * Fix it or Buy a new one

2008-03-14T14:11:00.000-07:00

Here are my thoughts on fixing a PC or getting a new one...
Windows Vista is what you will generally get with a new PC. It has much higher requirements for your computer. As new versions of Microsoft products have problems it would be best to wait at least six months before upgrading to it. I cannot at this time recommend Vista. Many computer sellers are offering a "downgrade" to Windows XP. This is worth looking into.
Now we will get to what you need to know that gives you the most bang for the buck.
Generally speaking adding memory and/or a new hardrive will make a noticeable improvement in your system. A new graphics card may give you a boost depending on what you do with your computer.
How much memory do you need.
If you are running windows 2000 or XP the minimum is 256 megabytes (mb) with 512 mb being my minimum. 1 gigabyte (gb) will be needed by most folks since service pack 3. For Windows Vista all but the very low end version will require at least 1 gb and I think 2 gb is a minimum you will need. Many units come with 4 gb
Windows 98 or ME are best at 192 mb.
How big a hardrive?
For average use a 80 gb drive is fine. Have some music files? Then 120 gb might be better. Video or your favorite TV shows? 300 gb or more depending on how many hours of video you are going to store. The cost of a hardrive is pretty cheap.
How much processor power?
Much depends on what you use your PC for.
Is your primary use is email and surfing the web – then a1.4 mhz or better processor is going to be adequate for now.
A 1700 mhz to 2500 mhz (1.7 – 2.5) will do most anything you need. There are just not that many new programs that need more than that. Most new processors are dual core or 2 processors on one chip with quad core available. Speed ratings are becoming pointless except to compare speed within the processor line itself, like core duo or x2. Email me if you need a further explanation.
If you are a heavy duty game player, use a lot of video applications, or just have a need for speed, then you are in the quad core category. You know who you are. Unless you need to have cutting edge equipment and are willing to live with the problems of having the latest you can save a lot of money by building what you need.
So, Fix or Buy a new PC?
So with that behind us it is time to look at buying a new pc. An example would be that you have a computer that is three years old and is getting cranky as they do after a while. For me to get it back in top shape could take several hours if you need to preserve your computer as it is. A new PC might be in your future. On the other hand if you want to start by completely cleaning your computer and starting fresh you may just need some more memory and buying a new PC may not be needed.
Graphic cards
If you do a lot of game playing or video editing a fast graphics card will be a must. Otherwise whatever came with your computer will be suitable. To use the latest features in Widows Vista you will need a graphics card that supports DirectX 10. As of this writing DirectX 10 is still not ready for the average user. Many question the need for DirectX 10.
Buying a new PC
There a so many variables here that I will not cover most of that. But buying that $350.00 Dell may not meet your needs either. The stripped down PC's advertised on TV usually do not have enough memory and small hardrives. So you will probably need to look at that carefully as there are big expenses in adding these later or on the phone when you purchase.
Here is a link to a article about buying a Windows based PC.
http://ptech.wsj.com/archive/ptech-20061026.html
One last thing to think about is buying a Apple Macintosh or Windows based machine.
A Mac is slightly more expensive than a Windows based machine but is much easier to use, rarely gets a virus and comes with most things you need. If most people used Mac's I would not repair many computers. Also Mac's have switched to Intel processors which means that you can run a copy of windows on a Mac. This was never possible before. With software you can now run Windows from inside a Mac which will really make things interesting.
What this comes down to is, unless you use a special windows only program on your computer you should look into a Mac.
I do not use Mac's or Windows for myself. I use Linux which is a free software system that appeals to power users and people who like to tinker with computers. It is becoming more mainstream and could save you quite a bit of money. Ubuntu is a very easy to use Linux distribution that is free. I only use Windows for a few minor things having to do with my repair business.
If you have a question about this drop me a email at beckerco@beckerconsulting.net

Dan