[MikesWhatsNews] MWN #606 HackFix

MikesWhatsNews, 29, 11, 2002
in today's issue #606
HackFix Updates
2       RenexII 
3       PageDefrag
4       Dacris Benchmarks Lite
5       Firewalls and ZoneAlarm Guide and Tips
6       Old OS
7       Nickelodeon Jr. 
8       CCC     FotoArchive
9                   Picking Your Password
10      Process Explorer v5.25
11      Clear Typed URL's from IE
____________________________________________________________

NOTE: Any time you see the "  ++ ",  it means there is more 
          of the article, or story, on the linked site. Mike
____________________________________________________________

There is a complete archive of past MikesWhatsNews newsletters 
available to members on the Yahoo page, it is searchable by word 
or issue #.  Here is the address direct to the messages;
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and; http://www.freelists.org/archives/mikeswhatsnews/
____________________________________________________________

  HackFix updates, thanks to Christy;
staff@xxxxxxxxxxx
Http://www.hackfix.org
This weeks Virus Pattern Updates (11/28/2002)



All Software listed Alphabetically by Company name as some 
companies manufacture more then one product.


Aladdin Knowledge Systems

Esafe Desktop/Gateway/Enterprise
Last Updated Nov 26/2002
To update your software
Visit: http://www.esafe.com/esafe/downloads/virusig.asp
Or
>From the Esafe folder in your Start Menu select Download Updates
~~~~~

AlWil Software

Avast Antivirus
Last Updated Nov 25/2002
To update your software:
Visit: http://www.avast.com/latest.htm
Or
Right click on the AVAST icon in the system tray, Select iAVS Update, 
AVAST will check for updates and download the appropriate files as needed.
~~~~~

Command Software Systems

Command antivirus/Fprot
Last Updated Nov 26/2002
To update your software
Visit: http://www.complex.is/f-prot/Download.html (F-Prot)
http://www.commandcom.com/downloads/virus_definition_updates.html (Command)
Or
Open Command antivirus click Update Deffiles
~~~~~

Computer Associates

E-Trust
Last updated Nov 28/2002
To update your software
http://support.cai.com/Download/virussig.html
Or
>From the Respective folder in your Start Menu select Autodownload

For Vet Anti virus
http://www.vet.com.au/html/software/update.html

Be sure to have your Customer ID and your registered email address 
handy for verification.

**Note**

We knew this time would come eventually, that Computer Associates would 
not continue to support/update the older program 
https://www2.my-etrust.com/services/ipe_support??
~~~~~~


GeCad Software

Rav (Reliable AntiVirus)
Last Updated:  Nov 28/2002
To update your software:
Visit: http://www.ravantivirus.com/pages/dldupdate.php?type=3DDaily
Or
Open Rav and select Rav Update from the toolbar
~~~~~

Grisoft Inc.

AVG 
Last updated Nov 25/2002
To update your software
Visit: http://www.grisoft.com/html/us_updt.php
Or 
Open AVG and click Virus Database to check for updates
Or
Open AVG control centre and click Update Manager/update now

**Note:  To help speed up AVG updates you can set your program to use 
an alternate download site.  
Open AVG control centre->update manager->download from server.  The 
drop downbox should have listed www.grisoft.com (default)  and 
www.grisoft.cz. (be sure to select "apply" when done to save the changes) 
The default site is most often used so can at times become temporarily 
unavailable.  By using the secondary site (www.grisoft.cz) helps to ease 
the server and makes your update go quicker as most don't use it!
~~~~~

Kaspersky

Kaspersky Anti-Virus (formerly AVP)
Last updated Nov 22/2002
To update your software
Visit: http://www.kasperskylabs.com/updates.asp
Or
Open AVP from the top toolbar click Tools-> Update virus definition
Or
>From the Kaspersky folder in your Start Menu select AVP updater


*Note*  Avp now has available a cumulative update and a 
daily update with the daily being any important items they 
feel shouldn't wait till the next cumulative update.  Our 
dates here are based on the most recent Major update.

**Note:  Improved update accessiblity.  To ease the update web traffic
Kaspersky labs has additional servers for autoupdating.  The program
defaults to use one server but can be altered to check a variety of 
servers. Select Kaspersky updater, select update via the internet to 
open the drop down box(es) select "location"  Check the box labeled 
"Use alternate locations from the list"  select next and next to update.  
This option should stay selected after the first time.  This helps 
Kaspersky lighten the load for updates and helps you obtain updates 
easier.
~~~~~

Network Associates

Mcafee 
Last updated Nov 27/2002
To update your software 
For Mcafee Visit
http://www.nai.com/naicommon/download/dats/superdat.asp 
(for Virus and Engine updates)
http://www.nai.com/naicommon/download/dats/mcafee_4x.asp 
(for Just virus pattern updates)

For Drsolomn (Product no longer available for new users however 
updates still available for current users):  Go to the following 
Internet site: http://download.mcafee.com/updates/4x.asp
IMPORTANT: When you get to this site you may notice that it refers 
to VirusScan. This update is not only for VirusScan. It also works 
with Dr.Solomon's. 

Or
Open your respective software virus scan scheduler, double click 
Auto update, click Run Now to do a manual live update, or click 
Schedule to set up a timed live update.
~~~~~

Norman Data Defence

Norman Virus Control
Last updated Nov 25/2002
To update your software
Visit: http://www.norman.com/downloads.shtml#definition_files_updates
Be sure to have your Valid Username and password handy for verification.
Or
>From the Norman folder in your Start Menu select Internet Update

**Note Norman Virus Control web updates are only for version prior to 
5.0.  Norman 5.0 can only be updated via the update in the program itself.

Thunderbyte Anti Virus
Current Version: This product is no longer being supported.
http://www.norman.com/tbav.shtml
~~~~~

Softwin

BitDefender (Previously known as AVX - AntiVirus eXpert as of Nov 06/01)
Last Updated Nov 22/2002
To update your software
Visit: http://www.bitdefender.com/html/updates.php
Or
Open BitDefender select Protection Options->live upgrade
Or
>From the BitDefender folder in your Start Menu select Bitdefender Live
         
Press Release on the software change 
http://www.bitdefender.com/press/ref1.php
~~~~~

Sophos

Sophos Anti Virus
Last IDE available Nov 25/2002
To obtain the latest IDE files
Visit: http://www.sophos.com/downloads/ide/

**Note:  Sophos does not update as other products do.  They update 
the Engine/software once a month (or so) to include all the previous 
IDE files.  New IDE files are available with new virus threats and must 
be downloaded individually until the next software update is available.  
Our update dates reflect the most recent available IDE file.
~~~~~

Symantec

Nortons AntiVirus
Last updated Nov 27/2002
To update your software
Visit: http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/defs.download.html select 
your language -> product from the list
Or
Open Nortons software and click the "live update" button
Or
>From the Nortons folder in your Start Menu select LiveUpdate - 
Norton Antivirus
~~~~~

Trend Micro

PcCillin 
Last updated Nov 27/2002
To update your software
Visit: http://www.antivirus.com/download/pattern.asp
Be sure to have your Registration number handy for verification
Or
Open PcCillin click Update then click Update Now (or Update later 
to Schedule a timed update)
~~~~~~~~~

If there is an Anti Virus program that is Not listed here that
you would like to see added to the weekly updates list Please
feel free to let us know.

Remember Your anti virus software is only as good as the user...
If you don't keep it updated it won't provide you with maximum
protection.

This weekly Update will be sent every Thursday on or after
6pm (eastern) to keep you up to date on virus pattern updates
available. Virus patterns are checked for most recent update
date as of 6pm Thursdays.

~~~~

~ Hackfix Project Staff
staff@xxxxxxxxxxx
Http://www.hackfix.org

3017 St Clair Ave #176
Burlington, Ontario
L7R 3L7

____________________________________________________________
2
RenexII  game ~ free
 http://www.alawar.com/games/renex/ 
Windows 95/98/NT4/2000/ME   
You play in a field of 10x10 cells by dropping items in the shape of a
beautiful coral fish. You drag the items from three cells in the upper-left
corner and drop them in the game field. 
After a combination of 5 identical items is built on the same line the items
vanish to free the line for new items. Each time your move you are to choose
among three items. If dropping an item causes no line disappearance the
remaining two items are distributed randomly in the field. The game ends
when the field has no free cells. The items dropped from time to time become
"animated" and float away from their cells. A floating item would randomly
move over the game field until it stops and remains in a cell. Thus, the
items on the field are slowly mixed and the player is given a chance to find
a way out of a deadlock situation (vice versa, a suddenly floated out item
may spoil a semi-finished combination). 
 ++
____________________________________________________________
3
PageDefrag ~ free
http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/pagedefrag.shtml
One of the limitations of the Windows NT/2000 defragmentation interface is
that it is not possible to defragment files that are open for exclusive
access. Thus, standard defragmentation programs can neither show you how
fragmented your paging files or Registry hives are, nor defragment them.
Paging and Registry file fragmentation can be one of the leading causes of
performance degradation related to file fragmentation in a system.

PageDefrag uses advanced techniques to provide you what commercial
defragmenters cannot: the ability for you to see how fragmented your paging
files and Registry hives are, and to defragment them. In addition, it
defragments event log files and Windows 2000/XP hibernation files (where
system memory is saved when you hibernate a laptop). 
PageDefrag works on Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000 and Windows XP. 
 ++
____________________________________________________________
4
Dacris Benchmarks Lite
http://benchmarks.dacris.com/lite.htm
Windows 95 or later, 8 MB RAM, 386 or better CPU
With this special version of Dacris Benchmarks, you can perform basic tests
and view system information on any computer with Windows 95 or better. It is
small enough to put on a floppy disk and use to test systems where Dacris
Benchmarks .NET may not be useable. It is freeware and is a subset of Dacris
Benchmarks 4.9. Please read the documentation to find out what limitations
this version has. For full features, please purchase either Dacris
Benchmarks 4.9 or .NET. The version number is 5.0, build 5005.
It is freeware!
V5.0 Trial Version English Version 
Requires Pentium II or better
Windows XP, 2000, ME, or 98 

From; Lockergnome  
http://www.lockergnome.com/issues/daily/20021112.html 
____________________________________________________________
5
Firewalls and ZoneAlarm Guide and Tips 
http://www.markusjansson.net/eza.html
To put it simple, firewall, and only a firewall, lets the user decide what
programs are allow to connect to net and what connection are allowed from
the net to the users computer. Without firewall, anything can go to net from
the computer and something can even come from the net to your computer,
usually without the user knowing anything about whatsoever! Firewall is a
must to anyone with "allways on" internet connection, but it is highly
recommend to all users that have even some kind of internet connection. If
setup properly, it NEVER has any harmfull effects on your computer.
++
____________________________________________________________
6
Old OS
http://www.oldos.org/os.htm
Your ultimate resource for old PCs 
Download old operating systems here. 
These are very useful for old machines without them. 
Get them while you can - these operating systems are becoming increasingly
rare!
++
____________________________________________________________
7
Nickelodeon Jr.
http://www.nickjr.com
Click on the "Play Now" to play interactive games with your children.

Nick Jr. Magazine  
   Which holiday does your family like best?   
   This month's highlights  
 
   
 Blue's Clues Live Tour 2003
  See the new tour schedule  
 
 Playful Parent
 Tell us your stories  
 
 Just for Me Stories
 Play the stories online  
 
 Teachers
 Preschool learning activities for teachers (and parents, too!)  
 
 Clue Into Safety
 Get great safety games and information from Ford and Blue  
 
 Broadband Zone
 Got a high-speed Internet connection? 
 Watch music videos from SpongeBob, Blue's Clues, and more 
++
____________________________________________________________
8
'Christy's Computer Corner'
  thanks to Christy;
http://www.1stpick.org

FotoArchive ~ freeware
http://users.hol.gr/~dilos/anistor/software/fotoarchive.htm

Windows95/98/Me/NT3.51/4.0/2000/XP

Divide image files into albums and catalog them using the image file type. 
No thumbnails are used, saving disk space. 
The interface displays a scrollable image, the full path of the image file
and three searchable category text areas. 

There are 640x480 and 800x600 viewers with scrollable sides and full-image
capacity. 
View many images at once in a large thumbnail format without saving
individual thumbnails.

~~~~~~~~
9
Picking Your Password

Password protection is everywhere nowadays. To get the most out
of your passwords, remember the following:

*    Never use the same password twice. If the security of one of
your accounts is compromised, then all of your accounts that use
that same password are endangered as well.

*    Always write your passwords down (but out of sight), even if
you think you can remember them. Keeping a couple dozen passwords
straight in your memory can be pretty hard, especially if some of
them are for sites that you don't visit regularly.

*    Never leave your passwords lying around. No matter how
careful you are in picking passwords, they aren't secure if you
don't protect them. You'd be amazed by the number of people who
tape their passwords to their computer monitors!

*    Change your password from time to time. If you have a
password for a Web site that is very important to you, change the
password more often than usual.

Was this forwarded to you ?
Get your own subscription here:
<1stpickPCtips-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?Subject=subscribe>

____________________________________________________________
10
Process Explorer v5.25  ~ free
http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/procexp.shtml
Ever wondered which program has a particular file or directory open? Now you
can find out. Process Explorer shows you information about which handles and
DLLs processes have opened or loaded. 

The Process Explorer display consists of two sub-windows. The top always
shows a list of the currently active processes, including the names of their
owning accounts, whereas the information displayed in the bottom window
depends on the mode that Process Explorer is in: if it is in handle mode
you?ll see the handles that the process selected in the top window has
opened; if Process Explorer is in DLL mode you?ll see the DLLs and
memory-mapped files that the process has loaded. Process Explorer also has a
powerful search capability that will quickly show you which processes have
particular handles opened or DLLs loaded. 

The unique capabilities of Process Explorer make it useful for tracking down
DLL-version problems or handle leaks, and provide insight into the way
Windows and applications work. 
++
____________________________________________________________
11
Mike's Friday Tip ~ Clear Typed URL's from IE

Have you ever started to type an address in IE/Opera/Mozilla address bar
only to have Windows try to put text in.
Do you share your computer with others, and don't want then to see where you
have been browsing?

In Internet Explorer:

 Click on; Tools> Internet Options
 On the General tab, click Clear History. 

In Opera;

Click on; File> Preferences> History> Clear

In Mozilla ( probably Netscape also)

Click on; File> Preferences> History> Clear History
____________________________________________________________



Antivirus software is a good choice to scan your system for possible viruses, 
however no virus scanner is 100% effective as manufactures cannot keep up with 
the rapid change of viruses that happens daily.
Be sure to update yours regularly.
http://www.hackfix.org/software/antivirus.html
______________________________________________________________________
Please feel free, to offer constructive criticism, as that will help me keep it 
interesting.
I also welcome any submissions about new products, web pages, or articles of 
interest.

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"MikesWhatsNews" believes in giving credit where credit is due but at times 
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misspost an item.

If you believe something to be miscredited, or you know the author of one of 
the articles which we have posted as 'unknown', please do let us know so we can 
correct the information where applicable.

Many times in a article you may see a click here for more information, or to go 
to a link, these often will not work, as the original information, was taken 
from a page with HTML links. This is when you will want to go to the webpage 
indicated in the article, ++ ,for 'the rest of the story'
***MfM*** indicates that I am adding my own information to a particular    
article.
                         `~*~*~*~*~*~`
Mike ~It's a good day if I learned something new.
You can read a sample of my newsletter on my web page http://www.mwn.ca
My virus pages ~ http://virusinfo.hackfix.org 
mytech@xxxxxxxxxxx
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