CYBER FOX

Here is some info on the Conficker worm everyone is worried about, because today is the day it gets activated. The following comes from Symantec’s website.

CONFICKER WORM

Target: All users of Windows XP and Windows Vista.

If you’re worried about the Conficker worm striking on April 1st, don’t be.

On April 1st the Conficker worm will simply start taking more steps to protect itself. Beginning on April 1st the worm will use a communications system that is more difficult for security researchers to interrupt.

What does the Conficker worm do?
The Conficker worm has created secure infrastructure for cybercrime. The worm allows its creators to remotely install software on infected machines. What will that software do? We don’t know. Most likely the worm will be used to create a botnet that will be rented out to criminals who want to send SPAM, steal IDs and direct users to online scams and phishing sites.

The Conficker worm mostly spreads across networks. If it finds a vulnerable computer, it turns off the automatic backup service, deletes previous restore points, disables many security services, blocks access to a number of security web sites and opens infected machines to receive additional programs from the malware’s creator. The worm then tries to spread itself to other computers on the same network.

How does the worm infect a computer?
The Downadup worm tries to take advantage of a problem with Windows (a vulnerability) called MS08-067 to quietly install itself. Users who automatically receive updates from Microsoft are already protected from this. The worm also tries to spread by copying itself into shared folders on networks and by infecting USB devices such as memory sticks.

Who is at risk?
Users whose computers are not configured to receive patches and updates from Microsoft and who are not running an up to date antivirus product are most at risk. Users who do not have a genuine version of Windows from Microsoft are most at risk since pirated system usually cannot get Microsoft updates and patches.

What to do if you are infected
If you are reading this page, your computer is probably not infected with Conficker as the worm blocks access to most security web sites.

Advice to Stay Safe from the Downadup Worm:

Run a good security suite (we are partial to Norton Internet Security 2009 and Norton 360 Version 3.0).

Keep your computer updated with the latest patches. If you don’t know how to do this, have someone help you set your system to update itself.

Don’t use “free” security scans that pop up on many web sites. All too often these are fake, using scare tactics to try to get you to purchase their “full” service. In many cases these are actually infecting you while they run. There is reason to believe that the creators of the Conficker worm are associated with some of these fake security products.

Turn off the “autorun” feature that will automatically run programs found on memory sticks and other USB devices.
Be smart with your passwords. This includes
Change your passwords periodically.

Use complex passwords – no simple names or words, use special characters and numbers
Using a separate, longer password for each site that has sensitive personal information or access to your bank accounts or credit cards.

Use a passwords management system such as Identity Safe (included in Norton Internet Security 2009 and Norton 360 Version 3.0) to track your passwords and to fill out forms automatically.
Run Norton Internet Security 2009, Norton AntiVirus 2009 or Norton 360 Version 3.0. You can also try Norton Security Scan.

FAQ

Q: What should I do if my PC is infected?

A: If you have a computer that is infected, you will need to use an uninfected computer to download a specialized Conficker removal tool from.

Q: Am I safe if I don’t go to questionable web sites?

A: No. The Conficker worm seeks out computers on the same network. You can be in a coffee shop, an airport or in the office and the worm will quietly try to attach to your computer and run itself.

Q: How do I know if I am infected?

A: The best way to know if you are infected is to run a good antivirus product. One symptom that may indicate you are infected is finding that your computer is blocked from accessing the web sites of most security companies.

Q: Can’t I just run free antivirus software?

A: Yes, but free products often aren’t thorough or comprehensive. Worse, the internet is overflowing with fake free security scanners that actually infect your computer. Fake scanners such as “Antivirus 2008” are difficult to identify and have plagued hundreds of thousands of users around the world.

DOWNLOAD CONFICKER WORM REMOVAL TOOL HERE

I got my paycheck a week ago, so I decided to stimulate the economy and buy myself a new laptop. Buying a desktop computer or in my case, a laptop, is really difficult. Not only are prices extremely high but some of us don’t need a 2 or 3 thousand dollar machine, if the only thing you need to do with it, is check email.

I only needed something that would allow me to get on the internet, and since all computers have this capability, I had hundreds to choose from. Of course the price and capabilities do narrow them down. Here are some tips to help you buy a new economic computer.

First, Do some research.

When buying a new computer, whether it’s a desktop or a laptop, you have to find a model or models you are interested in. Usually Google, can help you in your search. Or if you want a more specific and well researched search, try these links. They are reviews written by the editor and by contributors who have bought the product and want to share their opinion. Also, decide whether you want a Mac or a PC.

For Desktops check Here

For Laptops check Here

The second most important thing is…

Buying ONLY the computer and not the extra software added in by the retailer. Retailers try to throw in everything they can, with the computer. Whether, it’s antivirus, spyware or warranty they will end up increasing your price by at least a $100 dollars. I have found that it is better to buy all software separately.

In some cases you can get decent antivirus programs free as well as spyware. of course, warranty is something you may want included but I personally never buy it or need it. Through my experience I have found out, warranty doesn’t cover everything that can possibly happen to your device and sometimes you never need it. If you are willing to pay for warranty just in case, make sure you check what is covered and what is not, and if it applies to things that can happen in your life.

For me, finding the perfect laptop ended when I found an HP Pavilion dv6910us on sale, at a local retailer. It had some extras included like a built in web cam and bluetooth. The only things it lacked were an antivirus software and warranty, but I soon installed Comodo’s antivirus and as for the warranty, I am being very careful with my new laptop. I hope your new PC of Mac hunting experience goes well and you find what you wanted in an affordable price.

Firefox was working fine one day, then the next a box keeps coming up” Firefox is already running but not responding. To open a new window you must first close the existing firefox process or restart your system” I restarted it but nothing changed. Checked the task manager, and it wasn’t running. Tried to uninstall it, than reinstall but that didn’t work. Does anyone know a solution to this annoying problem?

A few days ago I accidently deleted my Firefox profile, thus it wouldn’t let me open Firefox, I kept getting the error mentioned above. This was because it was looking for a profile that no longer exists. Here are two ways to fix it:

First way is, going to: Windows Defender

If you have Windows Vista, then you have Windows Defender. Sometimes it is located in your task bar, or you can make it come up, if you log off and log back in. It’s a small document thumbnail picture, usually with a small red circle and a bar through it. If you can’t find it or you want to do it manually, the directions are below.

You can access it by going to Security on your control panel.There you will see Windows defender, click tools at the top. Then you get Tools and Settings, look for Software Explorer, click on it and you will get a list of all programs on your computer. There is a category bar located at the top, choose “Currently Running Programs” and scroll down for FireFox, click on it and choose end process located under the description. By far this is the easiest fastest way to fix this problem. But, it may not always work.

The second way is going to:

Command prompt (start -> run –> cmd), then I changed directories until I was in: c:\program files\mozilla firefox\, from here I ran: firefox.exe -profilemanager

So it would be:

C:\program files\mozilla firefox\firefox.exe -profilemanager

This could be different depending on your configuration. After running that, the profile manager popped up. I deleted my old profile and created a new one, and I was good to go.

Hope this helps anyone who might encounter this problem. Cheers.

One of the greatest features of the iPod Touch is the ability to connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi. All that is required is for you to be in range of an access point. The thing is, to get a wifi signal you have to have a router. I unfortunately do not have the resourcess to buy one, yet how come I am writing this post using my iPod?

I found a way to make a laptop become a wifi hotspot. I’ll guide you through the process but I will be assuming you have a Windows Vista laptop, with wifi capabilities.

You must have the following in order to make a wifi hotspot:
1: Active Cable Internet
2: Laptop
3: Wifi on laptop (just means your laptop can receive wifi)

The first step is to click on the small icon at the bottom of your screen. It should look like two computer monitors and a small planet Earth. After you click on the icon, you should get two options, the one you want is the network sharing. Then, located on the task bar, select the “set up a connection or network”. Once you click on that, choose “set up a wireless ad hoc network”.

Click next on the next two pages, choose a network name. Now, when you choose the security type, let me just tell you that I tried using WPA2 and WEP and it didn’t work, I got no signal on my iPod. So, I decide to use an Open security type. It doesn’t require a password but you can check whose on your network, and if someone does try to use your network they must be within 30 feet.

To finalize, make sure you allow sharing. You might also have to connect your iPod to iTunes to activate the signal. With the wifi signal not only does it work with iPods and iPhones but also on other laptops, bascially anything that accepts wifi.
Lastly Have fun!

Any questions? If so please leave them below! I’ll try to help!

If you are trying to look for a great internet security, look no further. I have found the nest thing on the market. It’s called Comodo. You can download Comodo’s Internet Security at Comodo.com .Some of the things I like about this internet security system is that it’s free. It is also extremely powerful, and advanced.

You get a firewall and a antivirus program. The firewall and antivirus can be downloaded together or if you choose to, you can download only one. At first, since it was free I downloaded only the Firewall, I wanted to see how effective it was. I liked the firewall so much, I am currently downloading the antivirus program. The firewall checks every thing that comes in, and has various modes. I recommend this for advanced computer users. Most of the times you have to choose to allow a program and it is usually in computer terms.

You can have more than one antivirus, but not more than one firewall. Two firewalls will never play nice with each other, and your computer can get invaded. If you choose to get Comodo’s internet security suite make sure to uninstall your old firewall or only install the new antivirus.

Yesterday, i got an iPod touch, it took a few hours to charge but a whole day to setup. It took a whole day because I didn’t start the process. If you get a new iPod you will notice you don’t get a very informative manual, I guess Apple didn’t think anyone would bother reading. My iPod just stood there for 5 hours charging, with the all enigmatic arrow pointing to the iTunes symbol. I searched the internet trying to find a solution and found only pieces of it. Here is what you should do to setup your iPod Touch.

To setup your new iPod, the first thing you need to do is download the latest version of iTunes. Don’t connect the USB cord to your iPod until you download the new version first. If you already did, that’s okay, you can let it charge first if you want. You can choose to update iTunes or completely install it again. If you choose to install it completely you don’t need to uninstall it, the new iTunes will just replace the old one. After, it has been installed successfully, restart your computer to complete the installation process.

Once the computer has restarted, disconnect your iPod, if you had it connected to the USB port. Then press the off button (that’s the small rectangular button at the top of the iPod) the device should turn off. You may be asked if you want to turn it off, you say yes by sliding the red button on the screen. Once, it’s off plug the USB cord back into the USB port, then turn on the iPod by pressing the same button you pressed to turn off. Give it a few seconds then iTunes should recognize the device. When you turn the iPod on you will see the Apple logo on the screen. If you don’t see it you probably did not turn it on. This is of course for a PC as a Macintosh will recognize the hardware immediately.

There comes the time when we all get or have to get a new PC. of course, getting a new PC is great, new hardware, new software and perhaps a new OS. The only problem here is that we have gotten so used to our old PC we may feel disoriented in the new one. The old PC has our old programs and files we may need on this one as well. Most can be replaced but that takes time and effort. Some can only be installed one time, even! So how do solve this problem? Here’s how to transfer your stuff!

Since Windows has moving tools already installed on them, you only need to worry about the hardware you will need to use. With Windows Easy Transfer, you can use to copy your data and settings from the WinXP to a removable device. Like an external hardrive, USB flash Drive, DVD, or CD, and then copy the data onto the Vista PC. Or if you choose to, you can transfer your data with an Easy Transfer cable, the cable is a specially made USB cable that allow both computers to switch data. The Easy Transfer Companion can only transfer applications via your home network or an Easy Transfer Cable.

When transferring data, you need to calculate how much data you will transfer. For example, if you need to migrate 4.9GB you will probably need about seven CDs and about 2 sigle layered DVDs. If you use the cable you don’t have to worry about how much data you really need to send, all you need to know is how much hard drive spare your new computer can hold. The cable is ideal for large transfers but you can still transfer the same amount on the CDs or DVDs you just need a lot f them.

WinXP computers need a Service Pack 2 to run Windows Easy Transfer and the Windows Easy Transfer Companion, so make sure your OS is updated before the migration. If your new computer came with a Vista installation disc an your WinXP computer has a DVD-ROM, you can install the Easy transfer Companion from the disc onto your old computer. If your new computer did not come with a disc, got to the Microsoft download page at Microsoft’s Download Center

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads

To find your software, search for “Easy Transfer” on the search bar, then follow the links. Easy Transfer will guide you through the process, first it will ask you a few questions. Select “Start a new transfer”. Select My Old Computer, as you will be transferring from your old computer to your new one. Select what you want transfer you will be given many choices, all you have to do is choose the one you need.

Remember, there is more than one method to do this, so you will need to choose it at the beginning of Easy Transfer. Method one- Removable Media
Method two- Transfer cable
Method three-Home Network

Today, in this century the internet is part of our daily lives. We use it to do almost everything from sharing information to shopping. It’s available to use on everything from phones to iPods, we just have to have it available through the phone network or wi-fi. Wi-fi is internet transmitted through the air, it’s available almost in every McDonalds except we have to pay to use it.

A good thing is now many places have it available free, many of those places are fast food places, coffee shops and most ariports. Of course, to be able to use it free you have to come into the shop and buy at least one thing. You can also get free wi-fi on certain streets, usually those streets are very popular or use wi-fi for some reason. There are many sites that find free wi-fi for you, i have listed a few below. Remember, while some are shown free, if they are in a fast food place or shop you need to buy something.

I read an article on the web a few months ago, were a man used “free” wi-fi from a coffee shop from his car. The owner found out somehow, (the article did not state how) and called the police. They surprisingly fined him, he took it to court and he was still fined. So, i guess that the “free” wi-fi found in places like that are not always free. I may seem wacky but I guess it’s fair. The owner does pay for the wi-fi service. In my opinion the Government should have wi-fi available in every city. I looked for free wi-fi nearby and my city doesn’t have any!

Websites you can use to find free internet!

http://www.openwifispots.com/Default.aspx

This by far the best website to use. It focuses on hotels, malls, and libraries.
I found out the mall, nearby has free wi-fi, i could have been using the internet in there for years!

http://www.jiwire.com/

I also like this site, compares the same as the first. They have tools you can download to find wi-fi.

http://www.wififreespot.com/index.html

http://gwifi.net/

Is your internet service provider (ISP) making things slow down on purpose? A new software, released by Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), allows you to track whether your ISP is causing the slow downs. They add packet forgeries to the internet highway. They have no use but to slow you down, there is no software, besides the one created by EFF, that allow you to keep your internet provider in check.

Soon, if the research being conducted is correct, we might have to add this type of software to our list along with Firewalls and antivirus. It will be another pain we will have to deal with, although at this point we have no choice but to allow this, due to the laws stated by FCC 15 thru 16, which say we must comply with all interference and may not cause harmful interference (to people or machines). However it is being bent because if the machine understands the information it must use it as it was programmed to. It’s not fair that we should have to pay just to receive slow service on purpose, but it could be changed in the future. keep in mind some slow downs are caused naturally so don’t blame your service provider yet!

This post is provided by Howstuffworks.com
by Jeff Tyson and Julia Layton

You have probably heard the term FireWire if you have any interest in digital video — or maybe you know it as Sony i.Link or as IEEE 1394, the offical name for the standard. FireWire is a way to connect different pieces of equipment so they can easily and quickly share information.
Originally created by Apple and standardized in 1995 as the specification IEEE 1394 High Performance Serial Bus, FireWire is very similar to Universal Serial Bus (USB). The designers of FireWire had several particular goals in mind when they created the standard:

Fast transfer of data
Ability to put lots of devices on the bus
Ease of use
Hot-pluggable ability
Provision of power through the cable
Plug-and-play performance
Low cabling cost
Low implementation cost

What is FireWire?

FireWire 400 sockets
FireWire is a method of transferring information between digital devices, especially audio and video equipment. Also known as IEEE 1394, FireWire is fast — the latest version achieves speeds up to 800 Mbps. At some time in the future, that number is expected to jump to an unbelievable 3.2 Gbps when manufacturers overhaul the current FireWire cables.
You can connect up to 63 devices to a FireWire bus. Windows operating systems (98 and later) and Mac OS (8.6 and later) both support it.

Let’s say you have your digital camcorder connected to your home computer. When your computer powers up, it queries all of the devices connected to the bus and assigns each one an address, a process called enumeration. FireWire is plug-and-play, so if you connect a new FireWire device to your computer, the operating system auto-detects it and asks for the driver disc. If you’ve already installed the device, the computer activates it and starts talking to it. FireWire devices are hot pluggable, which means they can be connected and disconnected at any time, even with the power on.

Basically the older version of the USB Cable!
for more info on how this works visit:
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/firewire.htm