November 14 2008 COOLSITES Newsletter #191 by Mark Donaldson

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I have published the November 14 2008 COOLSITES Newsletter #191 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.


November 14 2008 COOLSITES Newsletter #191 by Mark Donaldson


Subscribers who didn't receive the newsletter, due to stupid filters, 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 9am 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 or more for the newsletter.

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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


Greetings from Clif Notes Newsletter
November 9, 2008

Hi everyone, there is no newsletter this week. I've been tied up all
weekend and simply ran out of time.

Latest Newsletter http://freewarewiki.com/ClifNotesNewsletter081102

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Security News


"National Cyber Alert System Cyber Security Alert SA08-316A Microsoft Updates for Multiple Vulnerabilities Original release date: November 11, Source: US-CERT Systems Affected * Microsoft Windows * Microsoft Office XP, 2003, and 2007 * Microsoft XML Core Services. Overview: Microsoft has released updates that address vulnerabilities in various Microsoft products, including Windows and Office. Solution: Install updates The updates to address these vulnerabilities are available on the Microsoft Update site. We recommend enabling Automatic Updates. Description: In the Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary for November 2008, Microsoft released updates to address vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office, and Microsoft XML Core Services. The most severe of these vulnerabilities may allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code on your computer. More technical information is available in US-CERT Technical Cyber Security Alert TA08-316A. References http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA08-316A.html "


"Websense® Security Labs(TM) ThreatSeeker(TM) Network has discovered that the Koobface social networking worm is again spreading on Facebook.

The email reveals that infected user accounts are being used to post messages to Facebook friends lists. The content was an enticing message with a link that used a Facebook open redirector. When recipients click the link, they are automatically redirected multiple times, finally reaching a site masquerading as YouTube that serves a malicious Trojan downloader.

The Facebook link directs to a malicious account hosted at Geocities.com.
The malicious Geocities account includes an obfuscated JavaScript link to http://lost[REMOVED]/js/js.js, which goes to http://off3[REMOVED]/go/fb.php
The .php file next redirects to either http://youtube-spyvi[REMOVED]/?schk=&keat= or http://youtube-x[REMOVED]/?ch=&ea=. These sites serve the malicious "flash_update.exe" (SHA1: 62689f89f1c5f6df10f4c7096772468d4c8e458a) file.
Websense Messaging and Websense Web Security customers are protected against these threats. To view the details of this alert http://securitylabs.websense.com/content/Alerts/3233.aspx "



"Websense® Security Labs(TM) ThreatSeeker(TM) Network has discovered a new malicious social-engineering spam campaign masquerading as official emails sent by Google's Web 2.0 social networking site, Orkut. Orkut is one of the most popular social networking sites in Latin America and the second most visited site in India. The email is spoofed, appearing to be from the domain google.com for this fake notification which advises the user that their account has been subject to investigation and will be terminated within 72 hours unless they click through the hyperlink and follow the necessary instructions.

The links in the message actually lead to a malicious executable, a Trojan Downloader named "regulamento_orkut.exe" (SHA1: 8eb1366d580aeab38d00a5c32835006c3648b8f3).
This malicious executable has a very low AV detection.

When run, the malicious executable downloads another malicious file, "fox.exe" (SHA1: 8e1df3d55a778550affea7c5216e58a55beaf979), from the same site. The file copies itself to multiple locations on the infected machine with different names. It also adds itself to startup, and monitors browser activities with the intent to steal user information.

While malicious code is being downloaded a browser window will also popup with objectionable material on it.

Websense Messaging and Websense Web Security customers are protected against these threats. To view the details of this alert http://securitylabs.websense.com/content/Alerts/3242.aspx "


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Security Links

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- Rogue-Suspect Anti-Spyware Products & Web Sites: http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm

3 New Nigerian Scams Uncovered -- Plus a Personal Family Identity Theft Scare. Scambusters.org: http://www.scambusters.org/nigerianscams.html

7 Fantastic Internet Hoaxes. Despite our increasing technological sophistication, we can't help falling for email about Bigfoot, giant mutant cats, doomed tourists, and deadly butt spiders: http://www.informationweek.com/news/internet/security/showArticle.jhtm...article

Be aware of online job scams - Tips from The Kim Komando Radio Show- & Web site: http://komando.com/tips/index.aspx?id=5231

Update. Avast! Home Edition 4.8.1282 complete ICSA certified antivirus package for home noncommercial use. This is the one I use. Mark.: http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html

Update. CryptoExpert 2008 Lite 7.8.3. Free on the fly hard drives encryption software with Password authentication.: http://www.secureaction.com/cryptoexpert/lite/

Update. Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool 2.4: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ad724ae0-e72d...54-9ab3

Update. Norman Malware Cleaner 2008.11.07: http://www.norman.com/Virus/Virus_removal_tools/en

Wi-Fi- How to Protect Your Wi-Fi Network from the WPA Hack: http://lifehacker.com/5079721/how-to-protect-your-wi fi-network-from-the-wpa-hack

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Consumer News and Links


5 Holiday Shopping Tips & Tools for Tough Times: http://www.consumerworld.org/pages/holidaytips.htm

Consumer Reports. 10 Tips on Buying Electronics. Get the best electronics while not overpaying: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/electronics-computers/resource-cent...buying-

Consumer Reports. Online Clothing Sellers Rated: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/money/shopping/where-to-buy/online-...thing-s

Coupons - Online Coupons: http://coupons.smartsource.com/Web/index.aspx?Link=YUYHAVQJ5PCUY

Disneyland, world FREE ADMISSION ON YOUR BIRTHDAY: http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/disneyparks/en_US/WhatWillYouCelebrat...ndex?na

Free 20 oz soda or 32oz fountain drink from RaceTrac: http://recp.mkt32.net/servlet/MailView?ms=Mjg3MjkzNQS2&r=MTE0MzA3N...OQS2&am

Get online coupons for your favorite restaurants: http://www.komando.com/downloads/category.aspx?id=5727

How Much Ink is Left in that Dead Cartridge. Here are the test results: http://www.pcworld.com/article/152953/how_much_ink_is_left_in_that_dea...artridg

How To- The Ultimate Consumerist Guide To Fighting Back when a business screws you: http://consumerist.com/consumer/how-to/the-ultimate-consumerist-guide-...fightin

More People Taking Up Art of Haggling: http://www.montereyherald.com/ci_10894323?source=rss

Save by doing it yourself: http://www.telegram.com/article/20081028/NEWS/810280414/1102/rss01&amp...urce=rs

Zilok to rent anything online!: http://us.zilok.com/

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Windows Secrets Newsletter • Issue 173 • 2008-10-30

Free content posted on Nov. 13, 2008:

TOP STORY
By Stuart Johnston
How to maintain XP after Microsoft ends support
Third-party vendors pledge XP compatibility
XP's support has been extended once before
There are plenty of XP resources out there

WACKY WEB WEEK
By Katy Abby
Keanu has encountered an error and must restart

http://WindowsSecrets.com/comp/081113

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Make My Start Page Your Home Page I have updated it on 10-3-8

Try my start page and make it your home page by clicking "Click here to make my start page your default homepage".

It has the following convenient logins and links such as: Google Mail Login, Yahoo Mail Login, Windows Live MSN HotMail Login, Froogle Price Search, Google Maps, MySpace Login, Lockergnome Cool Web Links, Weather Radar, BugMeNot, E! Online, Zap2it TV Guide, Snopes, Scambusters, YouTube, FaceBook, and links to my webpages. You can also google the web or my website. It also has a link for your suggestions so you can help me make it better.

The best thing about it is it's simple, small and loads up on dialup in less than one second. Check it out today at: http://luem42.googlepages.com/start.html

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COOLSITES Toolbar has been updated to include the following gadgets:

LabpixiesTV
Calorie Calculator
Calculator
Todo
Sudoku
YouTube Top 10
FloodIt
Unit Converter
Invaders
Show My IP
Backgammon
NY Times Classic Crossword
Babylon
Notes
Wikipedia Search
Travelocity
Trio
Memory Game
Black Jack
Video Poker

The best thing is you don't have to do anything. The next time you open your browser the toolbar will be automatically updated to include them.

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COOLSITES 143 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.