Topic: Bytes & Bits, April 2008

[BillB]

 
PC Club of Charlotte      
Bytes and Bits

April 2008


Spring has sprung!
 
 
APRIL 10th MEETING
'SECURITY'
 
April's Program will consist of a presentation by noted Security Consultant Jack Wiles concerning what we computer users need to consider if we are to enjoy safe (and 'happy') computing!
 
Also, our Annual Election of PC3 Board Members
will be conducted during the Opening Session.
 
Join us for this important meeting!
  
The April PC3 Meeting will be held on Thursday, April 10th at
Little Diversified Architectural & Consulting 5815 Westpark Dr. Charlotte, NC 28217
The meeting will begin promptly at 7:00pm. (Doors do not open before 6:45).
  

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PC3 BOARD MEETING
  
Monday, March 24th, 2008
In Attendance:
President Richard Kinkel, Vice President Bill Barnes, Webmaster Dewey Williams,
Publicity Director Loren Dobosy, Secreatary Pat Rogers, Ex-Officio Paul Reiss and
Newsletter Editor Warren Shanahan
 
Agenda
 
1. Call to Order: Richard Kinkel @ 5:30 PM
2. Approval of Minutes: Paul Reiss - 2nd Dewey Williams
3. President’s Report: Last month's meeting ('Clearwire") was very well attended.  Nominating Committee discussion: nominees still needed for the upoming Board elections (see elsewhere in this newsletter).
4. Publicity Report: Our ad appears regularly in 'Creating Loafing'.
5. Treasurer’s Report: N/A
 6. Programs: The upcoming April 10th program includes apresentation on Security and also the Annual Board Elections.

7. Membership Report: N/A
8. Newsletter Editor’s Report: Submit articles and reports by 04/01/08.
9. Web Master’s Report: No problems to report.
10. SIG Reports: We are scheduled to begin classes on the absolute basics of computing at the Levine Senior Center in Matthews on Monday, April 21st in exchange for the use of their computer lab for our SIGs.  This class will also be repeated on Fridays and several PC3 members will be serving as instructors.  
MS Word SIG update: the Beginning Level has been completed and the Intermediate Level will begin later this month at the Levine Center .  Watch the PC3 Website Calendar for the date TBA.  Preliminary discussions have been held with Charlotte Interweb Design concerning a combined Web Design SIG.  
11. Discussion of Club Objectives:
Provide quality programs to our membership
Schedule general Meeting Programs 3 months in advance
Get more outside speakers for our Programs
Focus Club activitie on interested areas
Grow Club membership by 50% over the next year
12. Other Business:
NEXT BOARD MEETING - Monday, April 28, 2008
Showmar's on 7th Street at Elizabeth - 5:30PM
(All Club Members are invited to attend!)
 
13. Adjournment: 7:00 PM Loren Dobosy - 2nd Warren Shanahan

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Call for Volunteers and Nominations
by Nominating Committee Chair Dewey Williams
 
The annual Executive Committee elections will be held at the April 10, 2008 General Meeting. Our Club runs on volunteers; those working in Executive Committee and other volunteer positions are giving the ultimate to the Club in time and effort; without them the Club would not be where it is today.
 
Several Executive Committee positions are open this year and we need volunteers to fill those positions. If you would like to place your name in the “hat” to be considered for a spot: please email me your name, email address and phone number.
 
If you think someone you know would be a good fit for a position: please speak to them about it before you nominate them. No one likes being “volunteered” for something.
 
The positions that are available on the Executive Committee are:
 
Club President – After several years of being President, Richard Kinkel is stepping down as President. Richard says this is the easiest job in the Club since all he has to do is tell other people what to do.
 
Vice President – A backup to the President, if he is not available, to help run special projects.  The VP is a vital member of the Committee.  If you are dedciated and willing to help in this position: please consider volunteering.
Treasurer – If you can cash checks, count money and balance a checking account – you may be the one we need! This person must be dedicated to counting all the money we receive, depositing in the Club's bank account and keeping the membership records. A monthly report on the status of the account is given to the Board each month.
 
Secretary – If taking notes, reporting the inner workings of our meetings and writing are among your interests: the Secreatry position may be a spot you could fill for us.
Other available positions that are not elected - but are part of the Executive Committee - are:
 
Program Director – The person (or persons) responsible for our monthly General Meeting program. Finding someone interesting to speak for 45 minutes about technology should not be that hard; it apparently is more difficult than it seems. If you are a go-getter, good with people, especially getting them to do things they don’t know that they want to do – then this spot is for you.
 
Membership – Are you good at meeting new people and talking with them? Do you enjoy the Club aspect of meeting with new (and old) friends each month? This may just be the spot for you. Making our guests and new members feel welcome is a large part of this position.
 
If you would like to give back to the Club and feel you are ready to take on a more active role, we need your help. If someone you know in the Club may be right for the job, talk with them about it.
 
Any member interested in consideration for these open positions: please email me at nominations@pc3.org
 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 
SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS

 
MS Office SIG
Levine Senior Center - late April
(Check PC Club website for exact date TBA)
"WORD Intermediate" (Segment 1)
 
Web Design SIG
(Details TBA)
"Website Design from the Beginning"
 
  
For the times and locations of all meetings: go to http://pc3.org/EventCalendar.
The Event Calendar is the most reliable source for late program changes
(including cancellations).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For more from this newsletter ... read the next post in this thread.
 
See you at the Meeting on the 10th!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   SUPPORT OUR CLUB
AND ITS MEMBERS!
Please click on a Link:
  
Internet Backup Service
 
Member's Network
  
Lower Prices on Internet Phone!
  
  
INDUSTRIAL CONTROLS & COMPUTER ENGINEERING
Cliff T. Johnson, PE, Control Systems Engineer
Automation Design & Engineering; Industrial & Business PC & Network Service;
Web site development.
980-939-5184 | TheWiz@ctjohnson.com | CTJohnson.com
 

[BillB]

 
Beware of IRS-Themed E-Mail Scams
(FYI - from Mr. Modem)
Tax season is upon us once again, so taxpayers are advised to be on the lookout for a series of scams that reference the IRS.
 
In one scam, consumers receive a message that appears on its face to be from the IRS. The message suggests that the recipient is entitled to a sizable rebate for filing taxes early. After the recipient responds with an enthusiastic, "Oh, goodie," a follow-up message states that the rebatee's bank account information is required for a direct deposit of the rebate. If the consumer refuses, he or she is advised that the rebate will not be forthcoming without that information.
 
In a related scam, an email bearing a similar message arrives and the recipient is instructed to click a link in the email to access a refund claim form. The form, not surprisingly, requires personal information that the scammers can then use to access the recipient's bank or credit card account.
 
In yet another scam, the recipient is notified by email that his or her tax return has been targeted for an audit. Again, the email instructs the recipient to click complete Web-based forms that require personal and account information.
 
Another scam (these scammers certainly are industrious) instructs recipients to download information on important tax law changes. Clicking the included link installs malware that can take over the victim's computer, providing remote access to it.
 
All of the above (and similar) scams are easily avoided if you just keep one fact in mind: No legitimate organization, business, or government agency is ever going to request personal information by email. Further, the IRS does not send unsolicited, tax-related emails to taxpayers, period.
 
For additional information about IRS-related email and telephone scams, read this article located on the IRS Web site.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 VISTA SERVICE PACK 1
 The long and the short of a good story
(short version first!)
 
I just installed Vista SP1 and it installs flawlessly and the new updated operating system works like a charm.
 
I was a little disappointed expecting several reboots and an installation that would keep me on the edge of my seat. The installation was so uneventful that it was a little boring. The total time for the update took 40mins. The 70mb download took 45mins. (the server must have been very busy).
 
Richard Kinkel 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last Friday, minutes after publishing Issue 422, the Vista SP1 update arrived, ready to be installed in my PC. (Doesn't it just figure?) I immediately suited up, strapped on my Microsoft protective vest, tightened my helmet's chin strap, and set up construction barricades to create a 30-foot safety buffer around my office. HazMat teams and paramedics were standing by, ready to tend to anything from wooziness, to noxious fumes, to any explosive incidents during installation.
I am pleased to report that the big Vista SP1 update was installed without incident, injury, or wooziness.
After installing SP1, I began checking every conceivable aspect of my Vista system, all user settings, all programs, printing, peripherals, updates, and everything was fully functional. I have used the system daily since installing it and I haven't detected even the slightest problem. While there are never any guarantees how an update this large will fare on other systems, this appears to be a good, solid update and not likely to cause problems for Vista users. With that caveat, I would suggest proceeding with the update whenever you're ready.
The SP1 update is a compilation update. That means it incorporates all previous Vista updates, so if you missed any updates along the way, you'll get them as part of SP1. SP1's formal name is KB936330. The "KB" designation refers to Microsoft's Knowledge Base, so if you go to the
Microsoft Help and Support page and type KB936330 in the search field, and click Search, you can access a lot more information about SP1. It's not necessary to do that, but if you ever have insomnia and need some good, snooze-inducing material to read, the Microsoft Knowledge Base cannot be beat.
The installation process for Vista's SP1 is very simple. If you have Windows Automatic Updates enabled, you may already have it, but if you go to your Control Panel > Security > Check for Updates, if it's available to you, it will be listed there. SP1 is being rolled out slowly, so it's possible that it may not be immediately available to you yet. If you don't have it, check back periodically and sooner or later it will appear.
Before installing the SP1 update, be sure to back up any important data files. It's unlikely anything will happen to them during the update, but it's a good idea to back them up just to be on the safe side. Vista includes a backup utility you can access by clicking the Start orb and typing "backup" into the Search field, then going to the "Backup and Restore Center." Other popular backup utilities include Acronis True Image 11 which will make a mirror-image of your hard drive and NovaBackup. I don't use either, but those are available, if you're so inclined.
Some experts suggest preparing for the SP1 update by downloading and installing the latest hardware drivers. (Drivers are programs that allow your computer hardware to communicate with the operating system). I did not do that. I figured if I ran into a problem with the update and any particular hardware device, I'd update the drivers at that time. It just seemed like a lot of extra work that probably wouldn't be necessary. If you're more comfortable updating your hardware drivers before installing SP1, by all means do it. I did not suffer any ill-effects as a result of my wanton, reckless and arguably irresponsible behavior.
I've also read suggestions that users check with their respective computer manufacturers to determine if it has any specific recommendations or prerequisites before installing SP1. I didn't bother with that, either. I think some computer "experts" must have more time on their hands than most users do. The thought of calling a company's tech support line, waiting on hold for 27 minutes and then asking Bangalore "Brad" if he has any recommendations for me prior to installing SP1 -- that just strikes me as overkill and making mountains out of molehills. By the time I did all that, I could have the update installed.
The truth is, I performed the same amount of preparation for SP1 as I do for most software updates: I did nothing. I didn't defrag my hard drive; I didn't disable any security programs; I didn't fiddle with my router; I didn't do anything prior to installing SP1 other than pour a fresh cup of coffee. I felt that was adequate preparation and indeed, it was.
The installation itself is a rather slow process, so the best advice I can offer is to keep your hands off the computer once the download and installation begins. There are no weighty decisions to be made during the installation process, so it's unlikely that you will be compelled to do any major dithering during the installation. You will simply click to install the update, you'll click again to give Vista permission to proceed, then you can pretty much sit back.
It may appear at times as if nothing is happening -- which is, coincidentally, what Mrs. Modem says when she observes me at work. There is, however, a display that indicates the percentage of completion of both the download and the actual installation. If it appears to stop at 25 percent or 30 percent or some other percentage, it's very tempting to give it a poke, but don't do anything. In fact, once it starts, you can't go wrong if you leave the room. Check back every 15 or 20 minutes to see how it's progressing, but don't try to help it along.
My total time for downloading and installing SP1 was approximately an hour. When it's done, there will be a message on screen advising you that the installation was successful and a button to click to restart your computer. Click the button, and walk away. The initial restart may be a bit slower than normal -- or it may appear that way because you'll be thinking that something is bound to go wrong, but given enough time, everything should reboot uneventfully. At that time you can pat yourself on the back and bask in the glow of your successful update. Congratulations!
 
Mr. Modem
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
More on Vista Service Pack 1

The big Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) update contains more than 550 fixes, in addition to 23 security updates. Though that sounds like a huge number of fixes, it's fairly consistent with the Windows XP Service Pack updates which addressed a total of more than 660 items.

Of the 550+ fixes in Vista's SP1 update:
75 of them address Internet Explorer
41 address Sleep/Hibernation & Power Management issues, and the remainder of the fixes address the following items:

FIXES CATEGORY
38 Storage
35 Hardware and Drivers
35 Networking
28 Desktop and Shell
25 Printing & Scanning Technologies
25 .NET Framework, Data Components, Development Tools
24 Setup, Deployment, Backup, and Activation
24 Windows Media Center
23 International/Localization
20 Computer Management, Administration, and Tools
19 Application Compatibility
19 Multimedia
16 Performance and Reliability
16 Startup/Shutdown
13 Time Zone/Daylight Saving Time
13 Windows Media Player and Related Technologies
12 Security
12 Remote Access, VPN (Virtual Private Network)
08 Internet Information Services
07 Wireless Networking
07 Offline Files
06 Windows Mail and Web-based Software
05 Windows Sidebar
05 Windows Portable Devices

 CYBER SECURITY TIP
 Recovering from Viruses, Worms and Trojan Horses
 
Unfortunately, many PC users are victims of viruses, worms, or Trojan Horses. If your computer gets infected with malicious code, there are steps you can take to recover.
 
How do you know your computer is infected?
 
   Unfortunately, there is no particular way to identify that your
   computer has been infected with malicious code. Some infections may
   completely destroy files and shut down your computer, while others may
   only subtly affect your computer's normal operations. Be aware of any
   unusual or unexpected behaviors. If you are running anti-virus
   software, it may alert you that it has found malicious code on your
   computer. The anti-virus software may be able to clean the malicious
   code automatically, but if it can't, you will need to take additional
   steps.
 
What can you do if you are infected?
 
    1. Minimize the damage.  If you are at work and have access to an IT
       department, contact   them immediately. The sooner they can
       investigate and clean your computer, the less damage to your
       computer and other computers on the network. If you are on your
       home computer or a laptop, disconnect your computer from the
       Internet. By removing the Internet connection, you prevent an
       attacker or virus from being able to access your computer and
       perform tasks such as locating personal data, manipulating or
       deleting files, or using your computer to attack other computers.
    2. Remove the malicious code.  If you have anti-virus software
       installed on your computer, update the virus definitions (if
       possible), and perform a manual scan of your entire system. If you
       do not have anti-virus software, you can purchase it at a local
       computer store (see Understanding Anti-Virus Software for more
       information).   If the software can't locate and remove the
       infection, you may need to reinstall your operating system,
       usually with a system restore disk that is often supplied with a
       new computer. Note that reinstalling or restoring the operating
       system typically erases all of your files and any additional
       software that you have installed on your computer. After
       reinstalling the operating system and any other software, install
       all of the appropriate patches to fix known vulnerabilities.
 
How can you reduce the risk of another infection?
 
   Dealing with the presence of malicious code on your computer can be a
   frustrating experience that can cost you time, money, and data. The
   following recommendations will build your defense against future
   infections:
     * Use and maintain anti-virus software.  Anti-virus software
       recognizes and protects your computer against most known viruses.
       However, attackers are continually writing new viruses, so it is
       important to keep your anti-virus software current (see
       Understanding Anti-Virus Software for more information).
     * Change your passwords. Your original passwords may have been
       compromised during the infection, so you should change them. This
       includes passwords for web sites that may have been cached in your
       browser. Make the passwords difficult for attackers to guess (see
       Choosing and Protecting Passwords for more information).
     * Keep software up-to-date.  Install software patches so that
       attackers    can't   take   advantage   of   known   problems   or
       vulnerabilities (see Understanding Patches for more information).
       Many operating systems offer automatic updates. If this option is
       available, you should enable it.
     * Install or enable a Firewall.  Firewalls may be able to prevent
       some types of infection by blocking malicious traffic before it
       can enter your computer (see Understanding Firewalls for more
       information). Some operating systems actually include a firewall,
       but you need to make sure it is enabled.
     * Use anti-spyware tools.  Spyware is a common source of viruses,
       but you can minimize the number of infections by using a
       legitimate program that identifies and removes spyware (see
       Recognizing and Avoiding Spyware for more information).
     * Follow good security practices.  Take appropriate precautions when
       using email and web browsers so that you reduce the risk that your
       actions will trigger an infection.
 
   Note: As a precaution, maintain backups of your files on CDs or DVDs so that
   you have saved copies if you do get infected again.
 
Additional information
 
     * Recovering from a Trojan Horse or Virus
     * Before You Connect a New Computer to the Internet
     * Securing Your Web Browser
     _________________________________________________________________
 
     Author: Mindi McDowell
     _________________________________________________________________
 
     Produced 2005 by US-CERT, a government organization.
 
     Note: This tip was previously published and is being re-distributed
     to increase awareness.