xterIT

A great poster of computer hardware

I saw this at one of my vendor’s shops. It lists most all of the current PC hardware.  Hardware Chart

Creating Bootable Vista / Windows 7 USB Flash Drive

Here’s a useful link describing how to create a bootable flash drive in order to install Vista or Windows 7 on a PC which won’t boot from a DVD…
http://kmwoley.com/blog/?p=345

How to help prevent drive-by infections from malicious links

Viruses in the past were sent to a user in an email or through an infected document.  Todays’ Antivirus checks these common infections and prevents the malicious payloads from getting through.

Malware writers are getting around this by having sending users links, where when the user clicks them, the user is sent to a site or simply SQL code is injected onto their PC. Antivirus or Antimalware software won’t check the verity of links sent to a user. It’s up to the user to use caution when clicking on a link.

Inform users to:

1. Not open Emails they didn’t expect to receive.

2. Never click links inside of joke emails or emails they didn’t expect to receive.

3. Clicking on links on non-work related sites.

Patch Apps to help protect your PC

Install Mozilla Firefox and use it whenever possible.  www.mozilla.com

Upgrade to Internet Explorer 8. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/internet-explorer/?ocid=ie8_s_94735d11-65d1-4bb8-bf6f-72d7b059a928

Update Windows by running Windows Update.

Update Acrobat Reader, Microsoft Office, Java, Flash

Install NoScript for Firefox. This will prevent Java scripts from running on your PC without your permission. http://noscript.net/

Test out your antivirus protection on your PC by going to this link and following the directions to download the Eicar test virus:  http://www.eicar.org/anti_virus_test_file.htm . If your PC fails to detect the virus, you need to take action to make sure your antivirus and anti-malware applications are up-to-date.

Your browser’s info available to websites

Your web browser has information in it that websites can read. Most sites use this information to help them understand how you use their site or to allow them to store your password.

You have a fair amount of data which is available to a website. To see this data, and what the site can immediately glean from your browser,  go to:  https://panopticlick.eff.org/  and click on the big red dot.

Try different browsers (FireFox, Chrome, Safari or Opera). See how they share your data.

Trojan Fakealert, Antivirus 2009, Personal Security, Internet Security 2010 removal

Michael Thornburg
xterIT Business Solutions
copyright 2009

If you’re infected with one of  the Trojan variants which demand you purchase an antivirus product, your PC is virtually useless. It’s held captive by the scareware or ransomeware attempting to get you to purchase a supposed fix. You won’t be able to navigate anywhere with a browser, since the virus continually pops-up Internet Explorer browser windows re-directing you to Viagra, unsavory sites or your browser will post false reports of found viruses.

This software doesn’t damage your PC, but it’s somewhat troublesome to remove.

To remove this malware

Delete all cookies, temp files and Internet temporary files.
To do this first, right click on the Start menu and select “Explore.”
Go to the Tools menu, select Folder Options. Click on the View Tab, Click the button to “Show hidden files and folders. Uncheck the checkbox for “Hide protected operating system files (recommended)”. Click OK.

Navigate to the Temp directory
Type %temp% into the Address bar of the open window. Delete the contents of this folder.

Navigate to the Temporary Items
Navigate up one level and open the Internet Temporary Items folder and delete the contents.

Navigate to Content.ie5
Dump the hidden folder c:\documents and settings\USER\local settings\temporary internet files\Content.ie5 . Don’t worry if the index.dat file won’t delete.

Remove any Rogue applications
Use the Add/Remove Programs Control Panel to remove any programs which may be on your system, i.e. SearchAssistant, URL Assistant, Personal Security or any programs which look suspect.

Check the Registry
Start Regedit, then backup your Registry.

Check the Registry for HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run for any strings titled “Internet Security 2010” or “Antivirus 2009”, “PersonalSec” or any other title used in the pop-ups which keep trying to get you to buy their crapware product.  Write down the “Data” value in the Registry String, then go and delete the executable to which it points for example: C:\Program Files\InternetSecurity2010\IS2010.exe , then go to that directory and delete “IS2010.exe.” After deleting that program file, delete the Registry entry for the malicious software.

Download Malwarebytes
Download Malwarebytes on an unifected PC. To do this, go to www.malwarebytes.org and download the free version of the product. Copy that onto a flash drive or write a CD with that installer on it.

Install Malwarebytes on the infected PC. Launch it and choose to update it.

Run  Malwarebytes in Quick Scan mode. Delete any malware it finds.

Reboot after the scan, then scan with Malwarebytes in Quick mode again.

Reset Internet Explorer’s Proxy settings
In Internet Explorer, go to Tools>Internet Options and check the  Connections tab>LAN Settings and remove any settings for Proxy Server (if you don’t use a Proxy Server). This should be set to “Automatically detect settings.”

Reset the hidden selections
Go to the Tools menu, select Folder Options. Click on the View Tab, Unclick the button to “Show hidden files and folders.” Check the checkbox for “Hide protected operating system files (recommended)”. Click OK.

Additional precautions
To help protect your PC while websurfing…I recommend: Installing Firefox from www.mozilla.com and installing NoScript for Firefox from http://noscript.net.

Distance and interference considerations in wireless network troubleshooting

Distance and interference with the signal from the wireless access point to the PC on the receiving end are the two biggest factors in network setup and troubleshooting. Understanding how to mitigate these hindrances are key to setting up or troubleshooting a wireless network.

The FCC limits how much wattage a wireless access point can emit (http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/news/article.php/1136171). This keeps the wireless networks from interfering with other wireless products (TV’s, radios, and phones). Unfortunately, this can make the signal somewhat anemic. They should be able to effectively cover your home, but often interference from walls, floors or electronic devices create attenuation (a measurable drop in the quality of the signal) making your home a challenge to service with a conventional wireless access point.

Radio Frequency interference comes in many different forms. Some of the usual are other Wi-Fi networks, microwave ovens, cordless headsets, Bluetooth headsets, 2.4GHz portable (cordless) phones, fluorescent lights, even bad electrical connections can cause radio frequency interference.
Glass windows, heavy plaster, brick, concrete and floors are all architectural hindrances to Wi-Fi. Try to position the wireless access point away from these barriers.

Plan your network so that the wireless access point feeds from the center of the house as opposed to broadcasting from a side room. Try to position the wireless access point in the middle of the room as high as possible.

The interference from different sources can also happen at certain times of the day, so the problem can be intermittent. This would be from a source such as a microwave. Intermittent problems are usually the most difficult to solve.

Always log into the wireless access point (WAP) as the first order of business in setting up a new client on the network. Do this with a laptop or another device on the wireless network. Write down the name of the SSID, WPA or WEP key, WAP manufacturer model number and firmware version. Immediately go to the manufacturers website and check the most current version of the firmware available for your WAP. If you’re not at the latest release, then read how to update the firmware, then execute.

If you have an antenna on the PC or laptop, position it perpendicular to the wireless access point.

Use Netstumbler (http://www.stumbler.net ) to assess your network and to identify other networks which may be interfering with yours. If you notice another wireless network broadcasting on the same channel as your network, then log into the WAP and change the channel to an unused frequency.
If you’re working along and the wireless network drops, try disconnecting the power to the base unit of your portable phones (if you have one). You can even ask your neighbors if they’re running 2.4GHz phones. See if that rectifies the issue.

Another is to try an external antenna i.e. a Super Cantenna http://www.cantenna.com/ some Radio Shacks carry these. I’ve had great luck with these. They look strange, but they work well.

An unhealthy PC or one with little RAM or a slow processor can also cause wireless access speed issues. Your PC should be free of viruses and spyware.
Be dead sure of the WEP or WPA encryption key. Write it down, then be careful entering it into the PC or laptop’s wireless dialog box.
The source of the broadband (DSL, Cable, Satelite) needs to be 1.5MBPs or faster. Starting with a slow Internet connection hurts your chances of getting reasonable speed on your wireless network.

The last possible solution is, if possible, move the PC or laptop closer to the WAP. This is a no-brainer, but sometimes it’s the only solution.

Setting an NTP server in Windows

To set a PC or server to read a time server, do the following:

Find an NTP server you wish to use. Microsoft hosts an NTP server (time-nw.nist.gov) at: 131.107.1.10

Start the DOS Command Prompt. In Windows Vista be sure to start the Command Prompt by right clicking on the Command Prompt shortcut, then select “Run As Administrator.”

At the command prompt, enter the command: net time /setsntp:{Server Address}

i.e. net time /setsntp:131.107.1.10

This configuration change is not effective until the Windows Time Service next restarts.

Stop and restart the w32time service by using the following two commands at the DOS prompt:
net stop w32time
net start w32time

To check out your success, enter the command “net time” at the DOS prompt: c:\net time

Windows Vista Internet Explorer Cookie Location

Cookies are kept in a somewhat obscure location in Vista.

Substitute your Windows Profile name (your login name) where you see “(Username)” .

Here it is: C:\Users\(Username)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies .

Some Mac troubleshooting tips

When you’re troubleshooting a Macintosh desktop or laptop which isn’t booting or is exhibiting some error, there are some basic steps to take to get the computer working again.

1. Keep good notes about your troubleshooting steps.
Write down any error messages or what you may see on the screen.
Take note of the model of the Mac.

2. Ask the operator “What has changed in the operating environment?”
Any new software installed?
Any strange environmental issues (i.e. power surge, power outage, spills, drops)?
Any new hardware installed?
Any odd behavior the system exhibited prior to the failure to boot or crash?
3. Restart the Macintosh.
Take note of the behavior during reboot
-What do you observe?
-Are there any error messages?
-Do you see a sad Mac display?

4. If the Mac doesn’t boot, try restarting without loading the Extensions.
Immediately after pressing the power button, press and hold the Shift key until you see the Mac desktop. You don’t really have to hold it that long, but it will insure that the Extensions aren’t loaded.
-Did the Macintosh start up? If so, it could be a conflict between Extensions or between an Extension and the Mac system itself.

5. If restarting with Extensions off didn’t do the trick, then try “rebuilding the desktop.”
Press the power button, then immediately press and hold the Command and Option keys until you see the Mac desktop.
If you boot successfully, you’re all set.

6. If the above steps don’t get you to the desktop, then Zap the PRAM.
This process clears the system memory which the Macintosh holds onto after you turn off your machine. This is information such as your desktop color, bit depth of the monitor, time settings. This sometimes gets sideways and needs to be reset.
To do this, press the power button, then immediately press and hold the Command + Option + “P” + “R” keys until you see the Mac desktop.