February 16 2007 COOLSITES newsletter by Mark Donaldson

I have published the February 16 2007 COOLSITES newsletter by Mark Donaldson.

The following is an excerpt from this weeks newsletter. To see the full newsletter with all of the COOLSITES links please go to my website at: http://luem42.com/coolsites.aspx Thank you. Mark.


February 16 2007 COOLSITES by Mark Donaldson


This is the special 100th issue. The newsletter will return to it's normal format next week


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


COOLSITES is a list of 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.

From 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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Security News

Chip and pin card details could be hacked by fraudsters while shoppers make purchases: http://www.sbpost.ie/breakingnews/breaking_story.asp?j=4451910&p=4...9z5&amp


Debunking myths about identity fraud - Perspectives - CNET News.com: http://news.com.com/2010-1029_3-6156841.html?part=rss&tag=2547-100...-0-10&a


Free Airport Wi-Fi Scam. everything you type once you connect to this "scam" connection can be captured by the bad guys: http://www.lockergnome.com/nexus/windows/2007/02/09/free-airport-wi-fi-scam/


How to Avoid Foreclosure. Has the American dream of homeownership turned into a personal nightmare: http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/feb2007/db20070205...4704.ht


Internet ScamBusters current issue: http://www.scambusters.org/valentinesdayurbanlegends.html


LEARN CPR - CPR information and training resources.: http://depts.washington.edu/learncpr/


Microsoft fixes 20 flaws with 12 patches - Alpha Blog - alpha.cnet.com: http://reviews.cnet.com/4531-10921_7-6693689.html?tag=nl.e724


New. Disk Redactor is free Disk wipe utility to clean old ( deleted ) files. Erased information will be wiped from free unused space on your drives to ensure complete data destruction: http://www.cezeo.com/products/disk-redactor/


New. PC World Downloads - Steganos LockNote. Keep your confidential info under wraps and well-encrypted with this secure notepad program: http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,62583/description.html?tk=nl_hsxdwn


PC World - Watch Out for Online Ads That Watch You. New Web ads respond to your activities--and this has privacy advocates worried: http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,128272/article.html?tk=nl_cxanws


Spyware, data privacy bills reappear in House - CNET News.com: http://news.com.com/2100-1028_3-6157826.html?part=rss&tag=2547-102...-0-10&a


States work to address foreclosure fraud: http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8MV5KJ00.htm?chan=search


Study Finds Web Antifraud Measure Ineffective - study suggests that a popular secondary security measure provides little additional protection: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/05/technology/05secure.html?ex=13283316...amp;en=


Trend Micro patches antivirus scanner. The scanning engine, used in virtually all of the company's products, has a critical flaw: http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasi...mp;arti


Undercover- Identity Thieves Go Postal. Our Cameras Show Local Post Offices Lacking Security: http://wcbstv.com/local/local_story_038223430.html


Update. Comodo Firewall Pro 2.4.18.184 Firewall Free Firewall Protection Best Firewall Test Firewall Software Network Security Internet Attacks Computer Personal Firewall: http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/


Update. Crypt4Free 4.5.12 128 bit to 2048 bit strong aes encryption software.: http://www.secureaction.com/encryption_free/


Update. RegASSASSIN 1.01 Malwarebytes.org: http://www.malwarebytes.org/regassassin.php


Update. RogueRemover 1.12: http://www.malwarebytes.org/rogueremover.php


Update. Spyware Terminator 1.8.3.951 Spyware & Adware Real-Time Protection: http://www.spywareterminator.com/


Update. WinPatrol Free 11.1.2007 BillP Studios- WinPatrol: http://www.winpatrol.com/


US-CERT Cyber Security Tip ST04-002 -- Choosing and Protecting Passwords: http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/tips/ST04-002.html


What Danger Lurks in the School Cafeteria- roaches, both dead and alive; rodent droppings; and improper food storage and handling techniques: http://www.cspinet.org/new/200701301.html



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National Cyber Alert System Cyber Security Alert SA07-044A

Microsoft Updates for Multiple Vulnerabilities. Original release date: February 13, 2007 Source: US-CERT

Systems Affected:

Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Internet Explorer
Microsoft Office
Microsoft Works
Microsoft Malware Protection Engine
Microsoft Step-by-Step Interactive Training

Overview: Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows, Internet Explorer, Office, Works, Malware Protection Engine, and Step-by-Step Interactive Training could allow an attacker to gain control of your computer.

Solution: Apply Update

Microsoft has provided updates to remedy these vulnerabilities. To obtain these updates, visit the Microsoft Update web site. We also recommend enabling Automatic Updates. Users of Office for Mac OS X should obtain updates from the Mactopia website.



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Websense® Security LabsT has observed a surge in email spam messages relating to Valentine's Day, which attempt to lure the user into installing Potentially Unwanted Software. The majority of these emails appear to have been sent from IAC Search & Media subsidiaries MyWebSearch and MyFunCards.

We have not yet discovered any exploit code being utilized. Instead, these lures rely on social engineering to tempt users into installing their software by promising free electronic cards and other gifts. The installed software may redirect your internet traffic or search results when it believes you have "misspelled" a term.

EULA Excerpt:
The Software, in the course of processing a given search query, sends a request to our servers. This request includes the keyword query, time of day, browser type, default language setting, IP address, an anonymous unique ID, and a code which identifies the distribution source of the Software used by you to conduct your search. If the search query is being generated as the result of a misspelled URL or search term entered in to the browser address bar, we also receive the misspelled URL address or search term.

Just remember this old adage: "There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch!"

For additional details and information on how to detect and prevent this type of attack:
http://www.websensesecuritylabs.com/alerts/alert.php?AlertID=738

Thank You

I want to thank all of the new subscribers, I got this week, from Chris Pirillo's mention in his newsletter "Pirillo's Picks". I received many compliments and kind words about my website and newsletter. Thanks. Mark.

I'm doing it again

I am thanking my cousin Bill again for his thoughtfulness and generosity. When he sent me the Pocket PC and PDA I sent him a thank you email and said if he knew of a 15 to 17 inch LCD monitor, for cheap, to let me know. Friday, after I sent my newsletter, UPS delivered a 15 inch NEC Multisync LCD monitor that works like a charm. The only problem I have with this monitor is that it is too bright to use in a darkened room. I'm going to get some automobile window tint film to reduce the brightness. These old eyes never felt better. Mark.

The Answer to the Ultimate Question

Have you ever wondered why I choose the user name LUEM42? If you checked out the "Google Knows the Answer to the Ultimate Question" link last week you might have wondered about my user name. LUEM42 is a reference to Douglas Adam's wonderfully funny science fiction novel "The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy". The scientists asked the great computer Deep Thought "what is the meaning of life, the universe and everything". And Deep Thought answered "42". When I first went online I choose LUEM42 as my user name to mean Life, the Universe, Everything and Me equals 42. That's why wherever you go if you see the user name LUEM42 that's me. Mark.

Exploring Google's Hidden Features - Google Knows the Answer to the Ultimate Question: http://www.informit.com/articles/article.asp?p=675528&seqNum=15&rl=1

Gmail is now open

Google Gmail has now opened it's door to everyone. You no longer need an invite to get 2.8 gigs of storage. They are the best email account you can have. I suggest everyone get an account in their name. I own markldonaldson@, marklegranddonaldson@ but not markdonaldson@. Someone else named Mark Donaldson snapped that one up before I could. Reserve your name before someone else does. Mark.

http://mail.google.com/

From: Windows Secrets Newsletter • Issue 96 • 2007-02-15 http://WindowsSecrets.com/comp/070215

The following topics appear in the free newsletter

TOP STORY Use Vista without activation for 120 days
How to extend the Vista activation deadline
Why does Microsoft allow 120-day extensions?
Legitimate uses of the Software License Manager
Using the 120-day extension in various scenarios
When the Vista activation deadline passes

LANGALIST TIPS New hardware doesn't have to cause problems
Using Windows with PCI Express hardware
Online resources to find Windows tips
Is the '1024-cylinder boundary' real?
Is the antimalware tool PrevX1 worthwhile?

USEFUL LINKS Put a projector in your pocket

WACKY WEB WEEK Vista voice-recognition software is laughable

New Service

I am starting a new service for my subscribers. Any subscriber that has a website and would like to publicize here in this newsletter should contact me. After all this newsletter is as much yours as it is mine. Mark.

Subscriber's Websites

The Frictionary. A collection of clever, irreverent, witty, thought-provoking, poetic, stupid and etc. quotations http://frictionary.blogspot.com/

COOLSITES 99 cool links

To see the full newsletter with all of the COOLSITES links please go to my website at: http://luem42.com/coolsites.aspx Thank you. Mark.

Hello,

Congratulations on your 100th newsletter.

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky