September 2004 Newsletter ...
Hurricanes and tornados...
Don't you love these things?
Just click on the "X" to close it, or click on "No" to avoid it, right? Try it and see what happens.
As you can see, it is just a graphic. It's possible to designate various areas of the graphic to do different things, but... do you trust them?
Windows XP SP2 update...
I still do NOT recommend loading it at this time. There are too many "issues" with it. You can avoid the reminders by picking "custom" when the patch is offered and unchecking it, then checking the "do not remind me again" checkbox. DO load other security updates. Here's a link as to why:
http://news.zdnet.com/2100-1009_22-5313402.html
The hurricanes and tornados we face are not weather related. They are spam (keep your email address private), viruses (use a virus checker), hackers (use a firewall or decent Internet router), spyware (watch where you click or browse and use Spybot and/or Adaware), phishing (double check before considering replying), and worms (use Windows update). There are still the old fashioned "bugs" (faulty software- check manufacturer's site for updates and patches) too. Quite a list, isn't it? With proper precautions, these can be reduced from destructive storms to minor annoyances.
Refer to the May 2004 newsletter for details on some of these problems.
Here's a link to Symantec's Security Check... try it out:
Here is a article on another storm "on the horizon"... a flaw in Microsoft's software's handling of graphics. It's not a threat yet, and prevention is already on the way.
http://news.zdnet.com/2100-1009_22-5366314.html
Enjoy the nice weather, but keep the umbrella and snow shovel handy.
Until next time... Happy Computing !
Past Newsletters
- May 99 (Viruses)
- July 99 (Maintenance Part 1)
- September 99 (Maintenance Part 2)
- November 99 (Networks)
- January 2000 (Y2K, Windows 2000, Misc.)
- March 2000 (System tips plus Outlook Express Email)
- May 2000 (System Upgrades)
- July 2000 (Easter eggs and more)
- September 2000 (Bugs, crashes, Windows 98, and more)
- Special Virus Issue
- February 2001 (Mid-winter vacations, Windows ME, network terminology)
- March 2001 (Server Maintenance)
- May 2001- (Internet Security)
- September 2001- (A Microsoft Competitor returns)
- January 2002- Microsoft's strategy, spam, and new servers
- March 2002- Reminders and advice
- July 2002- My Favorites
- December 2002- Things to do and not to do
- August 2003- Power Outages and Blaster
- January 2004- Why Word slowed to a crawl
- May 2004- Keeping your computer secure
- August 2004- Odds and ends