MalekTips: 07-21-2005
 
Welcome to the latest issue of the MalekTips newsletter, providing computer and technology help and tips. We appreciate your subscription!
 
We have 30 new tips found below in the latest issue of MalekTips.
 
* Install and configure more anti-spyware software to help protect your machine from various malware threats. Try out CounterSpy, which also can perform a PC vulnerability check; just make sure not to do so if you have already downloaded and installed Microsoft AntiSpyware. This newsletter also has a download link to Spyware Doctor, which includes tools to help prevent malicious processes from running.
 
* Familiar with the DOS prompt under Windows XP? Check out these commands and tools. Download a GREP-like command to search through text files. Change the DOS prompt color if you need to attract someone's attention due to an error. Remember directories if your batch file needs to access files elsewhere on your hard disk.
 
* Plus, this newsletter contains Yahoo! Search tips including how to find sports scores and how to limit searches to files other than web pages; information on file extensions .BAK (backup files), .BMP (bitmap graphics), .LOG (log files), .MID (MIDI songs), and .PPT (Microsoft PowerPoint presentations); plus learn how to get a free Yahoo! Mail account and configure it to your liking.
 
Remember - if you have a computer question, be sure to visit the MalekTips forums at http://www.malektips.com/forums
 
Andrew Malek MalekTips.Com
 
* Tell a Friend! *
 
Don't keep all these great tips to yourself - be sure to tell a friend about what's available, at no cost, on MalekTips.Com, and please pass this newsletter along! Let them know they can sign up to receive notifications regarding new tips added to the site.
 
Point them to the following web address to sign up and read past newsletters online: http://malektips.com/maillist
 
* Recent MalekTips Front Page Stories *
 
7-19-2005: Mozilla Firefox 1.06
 
The Mozilla Foundation has released version 1.06 of the Mozilla Firefox web browser. The new release addresses problems some users had with certain extensions and web applications with Firefox 1.0.5.
 
Link (External Site): http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/releases/1
.0.6.html
 
7-18-2005: WinZip Purchased
 
According to a story on Cnet News.com, ZIP file compressor/uncompressor WinZip has been purchased by Vector Capital, also the owners of graphics software maker Corel. According to the article, Vector's goals are to encourage more registrants by "reminding users a little more firmly that the software costs money" and adding new features for those paying for the software.
 
Link (External Site): http://news.com.com/WinZip+purchased+by+turnaround
+specialist/2100-1046_3-5790830.html
 
7-18-2005: Hurricane Emily Information
 
Deadly hurricane Emily has moved back into the Gulf of Mexico and may strike Mexico again near the Texas border. The Weather Channel has more information, as do several news outlets. NewsChannel 5 KRGV out of Brownsville, TX also has more information.
 
Link (External Site): http://www.weather.com/newscenter/tropical/
 
Link (External Site): http://www.cnn.com/2005/WEATHER/07/18/tropical.wea
ther/index.html
 
Link (External Site): http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050719/ap_on_re_la_am
_ca/hurricane_emily
 
Link (External Site): http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,162785,00.html
 
Link (External Site): http://www.krgv.com/
 
7-16-2005: Remote Desktop Protocol Vulnerability in Windows
 
Microsoft is reporting a vulnerability in Microsoft Windows involving the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). Malicious users can theoretically send a request to an affected system, causing a Denial of Service (DoS) attack. Microsoft will later issue a security update to deal with this potential threat.
 
Link (External Site): http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory
/904797.mspx
 
7-15-2005: Winamp Vulnerability Security firm Secunia is reporting a vulnerability with Winamp 5.x, whereas playing a malicious MP3 file can result in a buffer overflow attack. A patch is pending.
 
Link (External Site): http://secunia.com/advisories/16077/
 
* Tips! *
 
These tips are NOT available to the general public yet! You can find them here first in the MalekTips newsletter! Thanks for subscribing.
 
CounterSpy - Download CounterSpy to Remove Malware
The CounterSpy software can help detect and remove spyware, adware, and other malware.
 
CounterSpy - Do not Install with Microsoft AntiSpyware
Installing CounterSpy alongside Microsoft AntiSpyware, unless CounterSpy is above version 1.5, is a bad idea.
 
CounterSpy - Follow the Wizard When Starting for the First Time
When running a new copy of CounterSpy, don't just skip the wizard as it can help you perform tasks to protect your system.
 
CounterSpy - Manually Check for Definition and Program Updates
Force CounterSpy to go online to see if updated definition and program files are available to help battle malware.
 
CounterSpy - Run a PC Checkup
Let CounterSpy scan your computer for possible vulnerability holes.
 
File Extensions - BAK or BK File Format
BAK and BK files usually are backups of other documents or files.
 
File Extensions - BMP File Format
BMP files are uncompressed images, Windows bitmaps.
 
File Extensions - LOG File Fomat
LOG files are usually text file logs of processes running on your machine.
 
File Extensions - MID File Format
MID files represent MIDI music. Learn how to play and create these songs.
 
File Extensions - PPT File Format
PPT files are presentations (slideshows) created by Microsoft PowerPoint. This tip has links to free software that can view PPT files.
 
Spyware Doctor - Download Spyware Doctor to Remove Malware
The Spyware Doctor software can help detect and remove spyware, adware, and other malware.
 
Spyware Doctor - Manually Search for Updates
Force Spyware Doctor to go online to see if updated definition files are available to help battle malware.
 
Spyware Doctor - Perform a Quick Scan
Spyware Doctor can perform a Quick Scan of your system on areas commonly affected by spyware, adware, and other malware.
 
Spyware Doctor - Disable Sound Effects on Found Infections
Disable the potentially-jarring sound Spyware Doctor plays when malware is found.
 
Spyware Doctor - Turn off the Popup Blocker When Needed
Some websites need to display popup windows. Allow them to do so by turning off Spyware Doctor's popup blocker.
 
Windows XP and DOS - GREP Command for Windows XP
Search text files for matching strings with the GREP-like command for Windows XP and DOS.
 
Windows XP and DOS - Remembering Directories (PUSHD and POPD)
Use the PUSHD and POPD commands to remember directory names in DOS with Windows XP.
 
Windows XP and DOS - Remove a Directory and All Subdirectories
Use these Windows XP and DOS command line parameters with the RMDIR command to remove all subdirectories.
 
Windows XP and DOS - Run a DOS Application in Full Screen
Force DOS applications running underneath Windows XP to display taking up the full-screen.
 
Windows XP and DOS - Change the DOS Prompt Color in a Batch File
Grab the user's attention if a batch file running underneath Windows XP's DOS fails by changing the text color.
 
Yahoo! Mail - Get a Free E-Mail Account from Yahoo!
Need a free e-mail account with 1 GB of online storage? Consider Yahoo! Mail.
 
Yahoo! Mail - ALWAYS Use Secure Login
Help prevent others from reading your e-mail; always log into Yahoo! Mail securely.
 
Yahoo! Mail - Delete E-Mail Marked as Unwanted
Delete unwanted e-mail immediately; don't just move it to the bulk folder.
 
Yahoo! Mail - Don't Create Attachments When Forwarding Messages
Give your forwarded messages a chance of being read; don't send them as e-mail attachments.
 
Yahoo! Mail - Change the Color Scheme
Change Yahoo! Mail's colors to that of your liking.
 
Yahoo! Search - Search UPC Codes
Get information on a UPC code via Yahoo! Search to see other products made by the same manufacturer.
 
Yahoo! Search - Sports Scores
Get the latest scores for your favorite sports team with Yahoo! Search.
 
Yahoo! Search - Only Search for PDF or DOC files
Force Yahoo! Search to only look for Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, PDF files, or other document types.
 
Yahoo! Search - Save Time, Open Search Results in a New Window
Stop jumping back and forth between the Yahoo! Search results page and matching websites; open links in new windows.
 
Yahoo! Search - Find Zip Codes for a US City
Need a zip code for a particular US city or address? Find it with Yahoo! Search.
 
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
 
* 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 2005 Andrew Malek of Envision Programming. All other copyrights and trademarks are properties of their respective companies.

Note that due to tip recategorization, some of the URLs mentioned in the newsletter may have changed. If you have any problems finding a particular tip, use the MalekTips "Search" feature to conveniently find what you are looking for.