May 30 2008 COOLSITES Newsletter #167 by Mark Donaldson

This is what the COOLSITES Toolbar looks like. Click here for more info: http://luem42.com/toolbar.html Click here to get it: http://luem42.OurToolbar.com



I have published the May 30 2008 COOLSITES Newsletter #167 by Mark Donaldson.

The following is an excerpt from this weeks newsletter. To see the full newsletter with all of the COOLSITES links please click and bookmark this link: http://luem42.googlepages.com/coolsites.html and check it each week. Thank you. Mark.


May 30 2008 COOLSITES Newsletter #167 by Mark Donaldson

Attention Subscribers and readers. Please read this.

No AOL, MSN and Hotmail addresses got this week's newsletter. I suspected that would happen because of a link to bad news about AOL and MSN/Hotmail uses AOL filters. AOL routinely rejects the newsletter whenever there is a link about AOL. They don't want their users to know that AOL is dying and have more users dessert them. That is just good business practices or un-American censorship. You decide. Mark.

I still may have problems from time to time so here is what I have done. Subscribers may use a private link to download the newsletter in the text ( .txt ), html (.html ) and the MS Word Doc ( .doc ) format in a zip file. I will upload the zip files to my archive site right after I send out the newsletter on Friday morning. If a subscriber doesn't receive the newsletter, by 8am EDT, they can quickly download it, unzip it and peruse it offline. You can also read it online from there.

If you are a subscriber and don't know the private link you can email me for it. These zip files are less than 40K which is smaller than the 100K to 130K newsletter email.



I have signed up to use Google's free Google Analytics to track visitors to my website. However I have set it up to NOT share info with anyone, even anonymously, to insure your privacy.

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Semper Gratis (forever free) of cost

COOLSITES is a list of safe, fun, useful, informative and just plain cool websites and programs that are FREE, FREE and FREE. All of the programs and websites I list are free. If I list anything that is so good but isn't free I will list the price with it.

My website is Dialup Friendly. All pages except "Just The Links" and "Specialized Search Engines" load up in under 15 seconds.

Wherever you go if you see the user name LUEM42 that's me

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Pirillo's Picks for February 13 2007

"And if you think that's a lot of links, you should see how many http://luem42.com/ collects every day. It's enough to make you wanna never leave the house again as long as you live" Yours Digitally, Chris Pirillo http://chris.pirillo.com/


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Clif Notes Newsletter, Feb 2007 http://freewarewiki.com/ClifNotes

"The COOLSITES Newsletter - find the coolest links here. This fella named Mark Donaldson has been sending out his lists of cool sites since 2003. I'd never heard of him before last week. One day I was Googling myself to see who was posting links to my newsletter, and I found his website. I guess he's mentioned my newsletter at least 3 times. I like the COOLSITES website too, but I think it could use some reformatting to make it a bit easier to read. What I really like is the content there. Mark must really read a lot of stuff on the web and he takes the best links then tells you about them." http://freewarewiki.com/CoolSitesNewsletter


Welcome to Clif Notes Newsletter
May 25, 2008

I'm a day late, but here's what you've been waiting for.
Here are the headlines from this week's newsletter.

# REVIEWS
1. ObjectDock - a better start menu replacement
2. K9 Web Protection - free internet filtering for young surfers
3. Azulstar Wireless Wizard - gives you more info on WiFi networks
4. Streaming Radio Alarm Clock - wake up to your favorite radio station
5. IExpress.exe - create self-extracting archives with this XP utility
6. SysExporter - extract infromation from any program or window
7. LocatePC - Free Theft Recovery Software
8. Old Newsletter

# TIPS AND FEEDBACK
1. What free software do you need?
2. Bob's list of Online File Storage and Collaboration Services
3. Vulnerability Management for Dummies - free E-book
4. Internet Fixes Weekend Windup
5. Comments last week

# COOL WEBSITES
1. Dirty Car Art - Tip from Tiffany
2. Musopen - Free Public Domain Classical Music
3. BitDefender Online Scanner - be very careful with this one
4. CoolSites Newsletter this week

# NEW NEWS
1. SnapFiles.com - new and updated freeware
2. News from Sarah in Tampa
3. Security news from Malware Advisor
4. A view from CyberNirvana

Lastest Newsletter http://freewarewiki.com/ClifNotesNewsletter080525

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Security News

Beware of the IRS Stimulus Check scam. Phishers are sending out emails that look like they came from the IRS and calling on the phone claiming they need additional info or for you to click a link to get your check. The IRS says that they do not correspond with anyone via email and that it's a scam. If you should receive this email or other IRS scams please forward to: phishing.DeleteThis@irs.gov.

"National Cyber Alert System Cyber Security Alert SA08-149A Exploitation of Adobe Flash Vulnerability Original release date: May 28, 2008 Source: US-CERT Systems Affected Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac OS X, and other operating systems that use Adobe Flash Player Overview: A vulnerability that affects Adobe Flash Player is being actively exploited to install malicious software. Solution: Apply Updates Adobe has provided updates to remedy these vulnerabilities. To obtain the updates, visit the Adobe Player Download Center. Description Adobe Flash Player is affected by multiple vulnerabilities. If you open a malicious Flash file, which may be hosted on a website, an attacker may be able to take control of your computer or cause it to crash. The Adobe Security Bulletin provides updates that address these vulnerabilities. This issue was first published in US-CERT Cyber Security Alert SA08-100A. However, recent reports indicate that at least one of these vulnerabilities is being actively exploited at the time of this document's publication. For more technical information, see http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA08-149A.html "


"National Cyber Alert System Cyber Security Alert SA08-150A Apple Updates for Multiple Vulnerabilities Original release date: May 29, 2008 Source: US-CERT Systems Affected * Apple Mac OS X * Apple Safari for Mac and Windows Overview: Apple Mac OS X is affected by multiple vulnerabilities. Apple has released Security Update 2008-003 to address these vulnerabilities, the most serious of which may allow a remote attacker to take control of your computer. Solution: Install an Update Use Software Update to install Apple Security Update 2008-003 or Mac OS X 10.5.3. Description Apple Mac OS X is affected by multiple vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities could allow an attacker to run malicious programs on your computer, crash your computer, or access your data without your approval. For more technical information, see http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA08-150A.html "


"Websense® Security LabsT ThreatSeekerT technology has detected thousands of web sites infected with the recent mass JavaScript injection that exploits a vulnerability in Adobe Flash (CVE-2007-0071) to deliver its malicious payload. This attack has been previously mentioned in ISC and Adobe's blog. This vulnerability is not a 0-day and users with the latest version of Flash Player (version 9.0.124.0) are safe. However, there are still many on older versions of Flash that are unaware of this mass web infection and are susceptible to this drive-by attack. An update to the latest version of Flash Player is highly recommended. Websense ThreatSeeker has been tracking these malicious web sit! es and have discovered numerous reputable web sites that are now unwilling participants, infecting their very own visitors. These sites are from various industries such as government, education, healthcare, finance, media, and entertainment. This attack also attempts to exploit other popular vulnerabilities such as MDAC, RealPlayer, and various ActiveX controls."

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Security Links

Some subscribers have indicated that the anti-spyware/adware programs I have listed here recently are "rogues". I get these links from good sources however I do not test the programs myself because I just don't have the time and most new programs won't work on my old 98 system. The definitive source of rogue info is Spyware Warrior and they weren't listed there. Spyware Warrior- Rogue-Suspect Anti-Spyware Products & Web Sites: http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm


Apple Mac OS X 10.5.3 Fixes Flaws: http://www.informationweek.com/news/hardware/mac/showArticle.jhtml?art...eID=208

Freeware. Advanced security & analysis software for Windows - freeware & shareware: http://www.diamondcs.com.au/software.php

Get rid of spyware and adware: http://ct.cnet-ssa.cnet.com/clicks?t=52903596-be56918137808c8d29d61779...633af-b

New. RightCrypt 1.0 - A simple but powerful file encryption-decryption tool that runs from the context menu with options: http://www.freewarefiles.com/RightCrypt_program_41952.html

Online malware scan: http://virusscan.jotti.org/

The 7 Things You Must Do If You Believe You Are A Victim Of Identity Theft. Scambusters.org: http://www.scambusters.org/identitythieves2.html

The six dumbest ways to secure a wireless LAN. urban legends and myths on wireless LAN security: http://blogs.zdnet.com/Ou/index.php?p=43

Update. Comodo Firewall Pro 3.0.24.368 secure your system against internal attacks: http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/download_firewall.html

Update. XP-AntiSpy 3.97 Beta 2: http://www.xp-antispy.org/

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What Me Laugh

The following are 2 good science geek jokes that would be great for "The Big Bang Theory"


A neutron goes into a bar and orders a drink. When the drink arrives, the neutron asks how much he owes. The bartender says, "for you, no charge."

Rene Descartes is drinking with friends in a bar. At the last call, the bartender asks him if he'd like another drink. Descartes says, "I think not" and disappears.

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What a Freebie

Iolo is giving away their System Mechanic 6 to promote System Mechanic 7. They are also giving away their Anti-Virus.

SM6 is compatible with Windows 98 so I gave it a try. You must have cookies enabled to get it because it's a shopping cart/checkout system which uses a cookie to tell it what is in your cart. You can download it (12meg) for free or order a CD and pay shipping and handling.

SM6 does more than SM3 which I have been using for years.

Free System Mechanic and Iolo Anti-Virus Genuine License Key: http://www.nirmaltv.com/2008/05/02/free-system-mechanic-and-iolo-anti-...us-genu

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Windows Secrets Newsletter • Issue 155 • 2008-05-29

INTRODUCTION XP Service Pack 3 problems require a news update
This week is a great time for a checkup
No paid content today — next issue: June 5

PATCH WATCH Norton software conflicts with Windows XP SP3
A Registry fix is needed by the latest XP patch
A cure for XP SP3's never-ending reboots

WACKY WEB WEEK A numbers game set to a catchy tune


http://WindowsSecrets.com/comp/080529

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COOLSITES 118 cool links

I harvest what I believe to be the best links from the best sources that are safe, fun, informative, useful and just plain cool. I categorize them and edit their descriptions for clarity. I may make comments about the links but you will know because I always sign them with "Mark".

To see the full newsletter with all of the COOLSITES links please click and bookmark this link: http://luem42.googlepages.com/coolsites.html and check it each week. Thank you. Mark.