MalekTips: 7-14-2004
 
Welcome to the latest issue of the MalekTips newsletter, providing computer and technology help and tips. We appreciate your subscription!
 
Read just some of what you can find by visiting the following web addresses:
 
* Download a free version of the ZoneAlarm firewall software to help protect your PC against backdoor software, Denial of Service Attacks, and other nasties. Plus, read a few tips on getting the most out of this security software.
 
* Take photos of animals or wildlife with your digital camera, taking into account the need to avoid flash, use a long zoom so you can take photos from a presumably safe distance, and enable a fast shutter speed. Plus, never feed the wildlife!
 
* Learn a few tips and tweaks with the Explorer in Windows XP. Delete files that Windows XP constantly complains are currently in use. Disable titles in Thumbnail View to leave more room for photos. Show previously hidden files and folders.
 
These tips and more, 27 in total, can be found below in the latest version of MalekTips - just access the links for the full tips. Enjoy! And remember - if you have a computer question, be sure to visit the MalekTips forums at http://www.malektips.com/forums
 
Andrew Malek MalekTips.Com
 
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* Recent MalekTips Front Page Stories *
 
7-13-2004: Updates for Windows Released
 
Microsoft has just released a slew of security updates for Windows, including critical and important updates. These patch issues on virtually all versions of Windows: remote code execution in Task Scheduler, Utility Manager, POSIX (an operating system component in NT4.0 and 2000), the Windows Shell, and in HTML Help; security updates for Internet Information Server; and updates for Outlook Express. For those using Automatic Update - these updates may not be sent yet (but should be soon), so you may want to visit Windows Update using Internet Explorer to download the patches.
 
Link (External Site): http://www.microsoft.com/security/bulletins/200407
_windows.mspx
 
7-13-2004: Four New Internet Explorer Security Holes Found
 
According to IT security company Secunia, Four exploits have been found targeting Internet Explorer. These include security risks involving adding sites to Favorites, the ability for malicious sites to cause execution of arbitrary code, the ability for windows and dialog boxes to be "altered", and more. There are currently no patches available, and according to Secunia, the issues have "been confirmed on a fully patched system with Internet Explorer 6 and Microsoft Windows XP SP1."
 
Link (External Site): http://secunia.com/advisories/12048/
 
7-13-2004: Epson announces New Digital Camera
 
According to wire reports, Epson has introduced a new four megapixel digital camera, the L-410. It contains a 3x optical zoom, high-speed continuous shooting (3 photos/second), and an ability called "PRINT Image Framer" that lets users of Stylus Photo Printers add frames to their printed photos.
 
Link (External Site): http://www.epson.com/
 
7-12-2004: Windows XP Service Pack 2 Delayed Again
 
According to news reports, Microsoft's long-awaited Service Pack 2 for Windows XP is being delayed again, with an anticipated release to manufacturer date in August. Because of the continued delays, those waiting to update their security settings for the release of the Service Pack should consider going ahead and performing the following tasks:
 
* Using Windows Update to patch known bugs
 
* Updating your Antivirus settings
 
* Installing a software and/or hardware firewall
 
* Installing and keeping up-to-date spyware removal software, such as Ad-Aware or SpyBot.
 
7-8-2004: Mozilla / FireFox / Thunderbird Security Update
 
A security update for FireFox, Mozilla, and Thunderbird has just been released, fixing a vulnerability on Windows systems regarding links using the "shell:" protocol. This fix disables the protocol. On a related note, due to this fix, new releases for the above software are available on this page as well.
 
Link (External Site): http://mozilla.org/security/shell.html
 
7-7-2004: Minolta Announces Four New Digital Cameras
 
Minolta has been busy today introducing four new digital cameras, according to industry reports.
 
* The DiMAGE X50 is a new compact five-megapixel camera with a 2-inch LCD.
 
* The DiMAGE X31 offers 3.2 megapixels, 3x optical zoom, and a 0.1 shutter release lag in a compact size with an approximate 1.0 second start time.
 
* The DiMAGE Z10 has a startup time of 0.5 seconds, 8x optical zoom, and 3.2 megapixels.
 
* The DiMAGE Z3 contains Minolta's "Anti-Shake System" for supposedly clearer photos. This camera has a 12x optical zoom and 4 megapixels.
 
Link (External Site): http://www.konicaminolta.com/
 
7-6-2004: Dell Power Adapter Recall
 
According to this page on the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's website and a recall website created by the company for more information, Dell announced a recall of about 28,000 Combination Auto-Air power adapters that were sold with the following notebooks: Latitude D400, D500, D505, D600, D800, X300, and Inspiron 300M, 500M, 510M, 600M, I8500 and I8600. These units were also sold separately in some cases. "DELL," and "Dell P/N W1451" are printed on the top of the adapters. You may wish to visit the mentioned websites if you have such an adapter.
 
Link (External Site): http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prereljul04.htm
l
 
Link (External Site): http://www.auto-air-adapter.com/
 
7-5-2004: Spyware Removal Still Needed for XP SP2
 
While the upcoming Windows XP Service Pack 2 has important feature and default setting updates for Internet Explorer, e-mail, firewall, and Windows Update, its proposed integrated security center currently does not have a section for spyware removal software. Thus, it is still important to download and regularly update software to help remove such malware from your machine. There are many software programs on the Internet that claim to do this - two such software packages are (external links) LavaSoft's Ad-Aware and SpyBot Search & Destroy.
 
Link (External Site): http://www.lavasoftusa.com/
 
Link (External Site): http://www.safer-networking.org/
 
7-2-2004: Frame Injection Fix
 
UPDATE 3:30p: After patching Internet Explorer against the Download.Ject Security Issue, be sure to check out Secunia's Frame Injection Vulnerability test page. This patch should keep subframes from downloading files, but subframes can still be created that spoof other sites, possibly as a phishing trick to grab personal information, credit card numbers, etc.
 
According to Secunia, if you disable the Internet Explorer security setting "Navigate sub-frames across different domains", the frame injection will not occur. I tested this and it seemed to work. Be sure to change this security setting in all your Zones. Note, however, that this may cause some framed websites to not display correctly.
 
Link (External Site): http://secunia.com/multiple_browsers_frame_injecti
on_vulnerability_test/
 
7-2-2004: Upcoming Configuration Change for Internet Explorer
 
According to Microsoft, a "configuration change" will be sent later today to Windows Update for Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Windows Server 2003 to address the "Download.Ject" (frame injection vulnerability) problem.
 
Link (External Site): http://www.microsoft.com/security/incident/Downloa
d_Ject.mspx
 
* Tips! *  
 
These tips are NOT available to the general public yet!  
You can find them here first in the MalekTips newsletter!  
Thanks for subscribing.  
 
Windows 2000 and DOS - Write a Mini Batch File On the Command Line  
Combine several DOS commands on one line with Windows 2000.  
http://malektips.com/2000wd0018.html  
 
Windows 2000 and DOS - Change a User's Password  
Modify a user's password from the Windows 2000 DOS prompt or batch file.  
http://malektips.com/2000wd0019.html  
 
Windows 2000 and DOS - Executing a Shortcut  
Run a Windows 2000 shortcut's destination application or folder from the DOS prompt.  
http://malektips.com/2000wd0020.html  
 
Digital Wildlife and Animal Photography - Use Your Zoom  
Don't scare away animals - use your digital camera's optical zoom to record detail.  
http://malektips.com/animal_wildlife_photo_0001.ht
ml  
 
Digital Wildlife and Animal Photography - Snap Quickly and Often  
Snap plenty of digital photos to compensate for random animal movements.  
http://malektips.com/animal_wildlife_photo_0002.ht
ml  
 
Digital Wildlife and Animal Photography - Show Some Patience  
The best things come to those who wait.  
http://malektips.com/animal_wildlife_photo_0003.ht
ml  
 
Digital Wildlife and Animal Photography - Give Your Pet a Toy or Food  
Try to keep your pet from noticing your digital camera.  
http://malektips.com/animal_wildlife_photo_0004.ht
ml  
 
Digital Wildlife and Animal Photography - Use a Fast Shutter Speed  
Compensate for fast animal movements with your digital camera settings.  
http://malektips.com/animal_wildlife_photo_0005.ht
ml  
 
Digital Wildlife and Animal Photography - Obey the Don't Feed the Animals Signs  
For your personal safety and others', never feed the wildlife!  
http://malektips.com/animal_wildlife_photo_0006.ht
ml  
 
Digital Wildlife and Animal Photography - Avoid Flash  
Avoid flash whenever possible to keep animals from getting startled.  
http://malektips.com/animal_wildlife_photo_0007.ht
ml  
 
Digital Camera Battery - What is mAh?  
What does mAh mean when it comes to digital camera batteries?  
http://malektips.com/digital_camera_battery_0007.h
tml  
 
Digital Camera Battery - Buy Extra Proprietary Batteries  
Ensure you have a backup digital camera battery for long photo shoots.  
http://malektips.com/digital_camera_battery_0008.h
tml  
 
Digital Camera Battery - Don't Mix and Match Brands and Types  
To prevent possible damage, only insert similar digital camera batteries.  
http://malektips.com/digital_camera_battery_0009.h
tml  
 
Digital Camera Battery - Use an Add-On NiMH Power Pack  
Get more use out of your old AA NiMH batteries.  
http://malektips.com/digital_camera_battery_0010.h
tml  
 
Digital Camera Battery - Recycle Your NiMH Batteries  
Don't throw away your old rechargeable AA batteries - they are recyclable.  
http://malektips.com/digital_camera_battery_0011.h
tml  
 
Digital Camera Battery - Take Batteries Out of the Digital Camera  
Remove batteries from your digital camera when not in use.  
http://malektips.com/digital_camera_battery_0012.h
tml  
 
Digital Camera Battery - Never Charge Incompatible AA Batteries  
To prevent fire, only insert similar batteries into your battery charger.  
http://malektips.com/digital_camera_battery_0013.h
tml  
 
Windows XP and Explorer - Cannot Delete a File  
Remove a file Windows XP does not want to delete.  
http://malektips.com/xpwex0006.html  
 
Windows XP and Explorer - Disable Titles in Thumbnail View  
Leave more room for picture thumbnails in Windows XP.  
http://malektips.com/xpwex0007.html  
 
Windows XP and Explorer - View Hidden Files and Folders  
Show previously hidden files and folders with Windows XP.  
http://malektips.com/xpwex0008.html  
 
Windows XP and Explorer - Modify the Send To Menu  
Add the option to quickly copy files to various locations or open files with selected software with Windows XP.  
http://malektips.com/xpwex0009.html  
 
Windows XP and Explorer - Lock or Unlock the Toolbars  
Enable or prevent modifying toolbar placement in Windows XP Explorer  
http://malektips.com/xpwex0010.html  
 
ZoneAlarm - Free Firewall Software  
Download a free version of the ZoneAlarm firewall.  
http://malektips.com/za0004.html  
 
ZoneAlarm - Attacked by Popups  
Keep websites offering dozens of popups from crowding your desktop with ZoneAlarm.  
http://malektips.com/za0005.html  
 
ZoneAlarm - Run No Servers  
Help keep your machine from becoming a stealth server with ZoneAlarm.  
http://malektips.com/za0006.html  
 
ZoneAlarm - Clean Out Your Logs  
Have ZoneAlarm automatically rotate your log files.  
http://malektips.com/za0007.html  
 
ZoneAlarm - Change Your Color Scheme  
Tweak ZoneAlarm Pro's colors to your liking.  
http://malektips.com/za0008.html  
 
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* Copyright Notice *
 
This newsletter can be redistributed, in electronic or print, provided that no changes are made to this document and this notice is left intact. If you wish to redistribute just pieces of this newsletter, such as certain articles, contact Andrew Malek for information.
 
MalekTips is published by Envision Programming:
 
Envision Programming attn: MalekTips PO Box 11592 Knoxville, TN 37939-1592
 
This issue of MalekTips is Copyright 2004 Andrew Malek of Envision Programming. All other copyrights are trademarks of their respective companies.

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