July 20 2007 COOLSITES newsletter # 122 by Mark Donaldson

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I have published the July 20 2007 COOLSITES newsletter # 122 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.


July 20 COOLSITES Newsletter # 122 by Mark Donaldson

Semper Gratis (forever free)

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

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.


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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
July 15, 2007

Hi folks. I'm back after a good vacation. Thanks for waiting and I hope it was worth waiting for.
Enjoy this week's letter. Be sure to write me for advice or yell at me for messing up.

# REVIEWS
1. QuickTime Alternative - put Apple's bloatware on a diet
2. Passion Audio Player - audio that gives you chills
3. ClearProg - clearing your tracks
4. Internet Window Washer - erase your surfing histories
5. A-Squared Anti-Dialer - gives bad dialers the busy signal
6. Stick - add personal tabs to your desktop
7. Raptor - save your eggs
8. Old Newsletter

# TIPS AND FEEDBACK
1. What free software do you need?
2. Returnil Virtual System Personal Edition
3. Vista rumors unconfirmed after MS tries to plug leaks
4. Internet Fixes Weekend Windup
5. Comments last week

# COOL WEBSITES
1. GCAst - create your own podcast station
2. Game Giveaway of the Day
3. DonationCoder Newsletter - awesome
4. CoolSites Newsletter this week
5. Websites I've visited recently

Go to http://freewarewiki.com/ClifNotesNewsletter070715
to see the current newsletter at the Freeware Wiki.

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Security News

"National Cyber Alert System Cyber Security Alert SA07-199A Mozilla Updates for Multiple Vulnerabilities Original release date: July 18, 2007 Source: US-CERT Systems Affected : * Mozilla Firefox * Mozilla Thunderbird Other products based on Mozilla components may also be affected. Overview: Mozilla Firefox, Thunderbird, and derived products contain several vulnerabilities. By taking advantage of one or more of these vulnerabilities, an attacker may be able to take control of your computer. Solution : Upgrade to the latest versions of Firefox and Thunderbird. Mozilla has released Firefox 2.0.0.5 and Thunderbird 2.0.0.5 By default, Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird automatically check for updates. These vulnerabilities can be mitigated by disabling JavaScript. For more information about configuring Firefox, please see the Securing Your Web Browser document. Thunderbird disables JavaScript by default. Description : Mozilla products, including the Firefox web browser and Thunderbird email application, contain a number of vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities may allow an attacker to access your computer, run programs that could cause your computer to crash, or gain control of your computer. An attacker could exploit these vulnerabilities by convincing you to visit a web site or read an HTML formatted email message. For more technical information, please see US-CERT Technical Alert TA07-151A http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA07-199A.html "


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Security Links

In an effort to reduce the newsletter's size these security links will no longer be duplicated in the COOLSITES links. Mark.

BlueHippo Allegations Continue From BBB. non-delivery of promised merchandise, and unwillingness to provide a refund or exchange: http://www.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/2007/07/16/bluehippo-allegation...ontinue

Critical IM bugs hit Yahoo, Trillian. It wasn't clear when either flaw might be patched: http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasi...mp;arti

EFS. Back Up Your File Encryption Key in Windows Vista -- the How-To Geek: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/back-up-your-file-encrypt...-key-in

EFS. How to back up the recovery agent Encrypting File System (EFS) private key in Windows Server 2003, in Windows 2000, and in Windows XP: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/241201/EN-US/

EFS. How To Remove File Encryption in Windows XP: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308993

EFS. Windows Vista Help- Encrypt or decrypt a folder or file and Back up Encrypting File System (EFS) certificate: http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/5a2b6b98-9833-4d73...7e-9293

FBI says military names used in e-mail scams. FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center is warning of fraudulent e-mails that appear to come from the FBI and U.S. military: http://www.networkworld.com/news/2007/071707-fbi-military-names-being-used.html

Firefox update fixes problem with Internet Explorer - Network World: http://www.networkworld.com/news/2007/071807-firefox-update-fixes-prob...-with.h

Freeware. Parental control tools, Shutdown Utilities, Programs by AgataSoft: http://agatasoft.com/

How to avoid a car that's been wrecked - 10 Tips - MSNBC.com: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19701315/

How to Avoid Travel Scams When Vacationing Overseas. Scambusters.org: http://www.scambusters.org/travelscams3.html

Huge PDF spam spike reported. Spammers dump images, pump stocks with Adobe documents: http://www.computerworlduk.com/management/security/cybercrime/news/ind...cfm?new

Keylogger. Ardamax Keylogger Lite - freeware keylogger: http://www.ardamax.com/akll/

Keylogger. KL-Detector1.3 detect keylogging activity on your computer! (it detects keyloggers, but you should remove keylogger by yourself): http://dewasoft.com/privacy/kldetector.htm

Keylogger. Update. Tiny Key Logger 1.0.1: http://home.rochester.rr.com/artcfox/TinyKL/index.html

Microsoft Copy Protection (DRM) Cracked Again: http://apnews.myway.com/article/20070717/D8QE5GMO0.html

New. a-squared Anti-Dialer Freeware! Successor of YAW (Yet Another Warner) - free of charge Dialer scanner and remover: http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/antidialer/

New. Haute Secure IE Toolbar. prevent malware from attacking your PC. Beta, coming soon for Firefox: http://www.hautesecure.com/

New. SECUREMAKER.com 5.5.1.04 Beta protection at a click - freeware: http://www.securemaker.com/

Rip-off Alert- Beware -Equity Stripping-. Clark Howard's Show Notes July 13, 2007: http://clarkhoward.com/shownotes/2007/07/13/index.html#12422

Scot's Newsletter Firewall Test Part 1. Kicking off a Software Firewall Comparo: http://www.scotsnewsletter.com/85.htm#swfw2

Scot's Newsletter Firewall Test Part 2. Update- Software Firewalls for Windows XP: http://www.scotsnewsletter.com/90.htm#swfw

Scot's Newsletter Firewall Test Part 3. More on Software Firewalls for Windows: http://www.scotsnewsletter.com/91.htm#swfw

Security Freeware by RTSoftware: http://www.rtsoftware.org/

TeMerc Internet Countermeasures: http://temerc.com/

Update. BCArchive v1.08.6 All security products from Jetico- BestCrypt, BCWipe, Jetico Personal Firewall, BCArchive. Download it now.: http://www.jetico.com/

Update. Norman Malware Cleaner 2007.16.07 Antivirus - Firewall - Network security: http://www.norman.com/Virus/Virus_removal_tools/en

Update. RemoveIT Pro v4 - SE 7.15.2007 Antivirus Software - Remove Spyware and Adware with RemoveIT Pro: http://incodesolutions.com/

Verizon ISP Largest Bot Collection. Stats by Trend Micro show them to be the ISP with most bots on users PCs, yet they do nothing: http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,2149093,00.asp

Web Warnings May Not Make Kids Safe - washingtonpost.com: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/13/AR2007...300440.

Windows Personal Firewall Analysis. The clear winners of our tests are Comodo Firewall Pro 2.4.18.184 and Jetico Personal Firewall 2.0.0.28 beta: http://www.matousec.com/projects/windows-personal-firewall-analysis/

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GOODBYE, ENCRYPTION KEY; HASTA LA VISTA, DATA

From: The Kim Komando Show Electronic Newsletter http://www.komando.com July 14, 2007 Vol. 11, No. 28

"Bev in Columbus is in a panic. Her computer recently crashed, so she had to restore Windows. She had the foresight to back up her files. But she's encountered a problem. She can view encrypted files, but she can't open them. She's using Windows XP Professional's encryption feature.

Don't shoot the messenger, Bev! It's my sad duty to tell you that your data is gone. I know of no way to crack Windows' encryption.

I'm not a fan of the encryption feature in Windows XP Professional. It will only succeed in keeping you out of your files. You see, it stores the encryption key with your Windows password. When you log in to your account, you can access your encrypted files without any other password. Log off, and you can't access your encrypted files.

The Windows password is easily broken. So a thief can access your encrypted files without much effort. But if your user account is damaged, there is no way to get the encryption key back. Your files are inaccessible.

I recommend that you spend a good hour or two yelling and screaming. When you calm down, explore other options for encryption. There are encryption methods that don't have Windows' flaws. Try TrueCrypt or Cryptainer.

If you don't heed my advice, at least back up Windows' encryption key."

EFS. Back Up Your File Encryption Key in Windows Vista -- the How-To Geek: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/back-up-your-file-encrypt...-key-in

EFS. How to back up the recovery agent Encrypting File System (EFS) private key in Windows Server 2003, in Windows 2000, and in Windows XP: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/241201/EN-US/

EFS. How To Remove File Encryption in Windows XP: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308993

EFS. Windows Vista Help- Encrypt or decrypt a folder or file and Back up Encrypting File System (EFS) certificate: http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/5a2b6b98-9833-4d73...7e-9293


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Internet Fixes Weekend Extra!

You can now see all of the Weekend Windup Text Newsletters online. View all the past dates that have been posted now.

IF01801 Week Of 04/07/2007 http://www.internetfixes.com/weekend_windup/IF01801.htm
IF01802 Week Of 04/14/2007 http://www.internetfixes.com/weekend_windup/IF01802.htm
IF01803 Week Of 04/21/2007 http://www.internetfixes.com/weekend_windup/IF01803.htm
IF01804 Week Of 04/28/2007 http://www.internetfixes.com/weekend_windup/IF01804.htm
IF01805 Week Of 05/05/2007 http://www.internetfixes.com/weekend_windup/IF01805.htm
IF01806 Week Of 05/12/2007 http://www.internetfixes.com/weekend_windup/IF01806.htm
IF01807 Week Of 05/19/2007 http://www.internetfixes.com/weekend_windup/IF01807.htm
IF01808 Week Of 05/26/2007 http://www.internetfixes.com/weekend_windup/IF01808.htm
IF01809 Week Of 06/02/2007 http://www.internetfixes.com/weekend_windup/IF01809.htm
IF01810 Week Of 06/09/2007 http://www.internetfixes.com/weekend_windup/IF01810.htm
IF01811 Week Of 06/16/2007 http://www.internetfixes.com/weekend_windup/IF01811.htm
IF01812 Week Of 06/23/2007 http://www.internetfixes.com/weekend_windup/IF01812.htm
IF01813 Week Of 06/30/2007 http://www.internetfixes.com/weekend_windup/IF01813.htm
IF01814 Week Of 07/07/2007 http://www.internetfixes.com/weekend_windup/IF01814.htm
IF01815 Week Of 07/14/2007 http://www.internetfixes.com/weekend_windup/IF01815.htm

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COOLSITES Toolbar

Gadgets

Here are the gadgets that you can add to your individual COOLSITES Toolbar.

YouTube Top Feeds. Be the first to know about new cool videos, browse the latest feeds from YouTube right on your toolbar.
iTunes MusicAccess. iTunes Music Store from your toolbar. Get the latest RSS feeds from iTunes Store.
Yahoo! Music Top 10. Get unlimited access to more than 1,000,000 songs from more than 60,000.
Translation service. Single-click online translation service. Enjoy the leading dictionary and thesaurus by Babylon and Wikipedia on your toolbar.
Rhapsody Top Feeds. Get the top songs and album feeds from the world's #1 rated digital music service.
LabPixies TV. Watch your favorite TV stations right on your Toolbar.
Flickr Slides. Add color and fun to your toolbar. See the daily Flickr collection of awesome images in a convenient slide show gadget.
Memory Game. Test your memory with this fun and simple game.
Mini-Clock. The coolest clock for your toolbar, now mini-sized.
Calculator. The coolest calculator for your toolbar. This simple and useful calculator lets you perform most basic operations.
Your IP Address. This simple gadget displays your current IP address and country flag.
ToDo Gadget. Easily manage and track your daily to-do list.
Calorie calculator. A simple way to monitor you daily calorie intake, easily manage your diet and meals.


COOLSITES Toolbar links menu

This is the current menu structure on the "Links" button on my COOLSITES toolbar which you can get for free here: http://luem42.ourtoolbar.com/. Mark

COOLSITES Newsletter
http://luem42.googlepages.com/coolsites.html

Newsletter Archive
http://luem42.googlepages.com/newsletter.html

Contact Us
http://luem42.com/contactus.html

Favorite Freeware
http://luem42.com/freeware.html

Just The Links
http://uem42.googlepages.com/links.html

Specialized Search Engines
http://luem42.googlepages.com/search.html

Dee's Recipes
http://luem42.com/recipes.html

Mark's Tips
http://luem42.com/markstips.html

Flight 93
http://luem42.com/flight93.html

Pirillo's Picks
http://chris.pirillo.com/

Lockergnome Cool Web Links
http://help.lockergnome.com/general/Cool-Web-Links-forum-18.html


Daily Links

Game Software Giveaway of the Day
http://game.giveawayoftheday.com/

Software Giveaway of the Day
http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/

New Freeware every Day
http://www.xtort.net/

Celeb News
http://www.tabloidcolumn.com/

Space Weather
http://spaceweather.com

Zap2it TV Guide
http://tvlistings.zap2it.com/tvlistings/ZCGrid.do

Hardware Deal of the Day
http://www.woot.com/

NASA's APOD
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html

Space and Science News
http://www.newscientistspace.com/home.ns


Weekly Links

Weekly Deals on Hardware
http://www.weeklycloseouts.com/page/en/home.aspx

New Freebies
http://absurdlycool.com/

Nature News
http://www.nature.com/news/index.html


Monthly Links

Hosts File Update
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

Restricted Sites Update
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/uiuc/resource.htm

Monthly Sky Map
http://www.skymaps.com/downloads.html

NOAA maps
http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/index.html

Please suggest links to be added to the toolbar by contacting me at http://luem42.com/contactus.html

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COOLSITES 133 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.

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.