Ask the Geek

If you haven’t tried this program, you simply must. Run Dr.Web CureIt!^® (no need to install it) to quickly scan your computer and cure it of any malicious objects. It’s completely free for home use, and believe me, it works. All you have to do is go to http://www.freedrweb.com/cureit/?lng=en and follow the instructions. It’s very simple. Want to know who Dr. Web is? See below.

Doctor Web is a Russian IT-security solutions vendor. Dr.Web anti-virus software has been developed since 1992. The Russian IT security services market leader, Doctor Web was the first vendor to offer an anti-virus as a service in Russia. The company also offers proven anti-virus and anti-spam solutions for businesses, government entities, and personal use. We have a solid record of detecting malicious programs, and we adhere to all international security standards. Doctor Web has received numerous certificates and awards; our satisfied customers spanning the globe are clear evidence of the complete trust customers have in our products.

Enjoy!

The Geek Toolkit has just been updated and is ready for download. If you have previously purchased the toolkit, you’re entitled to free updates and will be receiving download instructions shortly in your email inbox. If you haven’t purchased the toolkit yet, you’re really missing out on some fantastic tools. Click here to get yours today!

This is a major update – more than 150 MB – with six exciting new
tools from Comodo added:

Under ..\Security\Antivirus\ you’ll find Comodo Internet Security, a
complete and very robust security suite.

Under ..\Security\Secure Browsers\ you’ll find the new Comodo Dragon Internet Browser that’s based on Chrome, but has enhanced security features.

Under ..\Security\Secure Email\ you’ll find Comodo SecureEmail and
Comodo AntiSpam.

Under ..\Security\Secure VPN\ you’ll find Comodo EasyVPN. This is a
very cool tool! Be sure to check out the web page.

Under ..\Useful Utilities\ you’ll find Comodo System-Cleaner to help
keep any system in perfect tune. There’s also a portable version
available on their website.

I’m sure you are going to find these new additions interesting and useful.

Cheers!

The Geek

P.S. If you send me an email with the code “June Geek” in the subject, I’ll send you a special link for $10 off the regular price of the Geek Toolkit. There, now you have no excuse not to get yours today!

Our computers have become a mainstay in our homes and offices, and we rely on them to perform well to keep the rest of our lives motoring along at peak efficiency as well. One of the most common problems people encounter with their computers has to do with their drivers. These tiny bits of software are responsible for many of the communication connections within our computer systems. When communication is hindered, the entire system can be affected. We have some tips to keep your computer in top health by keeping your drivers in top form.

Click Here To Download Your Drive Analyzer Report

First, make sure you perform periodic updates on your drivers. Just like the rest of your system, drivers need to be equipped with the latest and greatest technology to allow them to communicate effectively with the rest of your updated system. In some cases, you will know your driver is due for an update because your computer will slow down or a particular piece of hardware no longer works as well. However, it is best to perform updates before these types of problems arise, so maintaining a regular update schedule may be the best approach.

Next, make sure your system remains clean by removing unused and outdated drivers as necessary. Just like any other excess files cluttering your system, unused drivers can take up valuable computer space, which can slow down the performance of your system. If you have an automated driver program, this software will often remove these unwanted drivers automatically for you. For more about these programs, click here:

Click Here To Download Your Drive Analyzer Report

Keeping your drivers working at top capacity makes a big difference in the performance of your PC. You can handle these tasks manually or invest in an automated driver software program that can take care of these jobs for you. Check out this automated program here:

Click Here To Download Your Drive Analyzer Report

One of the things I come across all the time is the XP forgotten password problem. Running a close second is the router forgotten password. Well, there’s a handy password card you can get that will allow you to remember your passwords in the future.

Thanks to “A password reminder to carry with you” on the IT Trenches blog letting me know about this great little tool. This thing is a real winner for all those XP forgotten password issues. Now, when you get those calls like “I forgot my password for my ____,” you can give them something that allows them to write down password clues that are secure and also easily remembered.

You visit? http://passwordcard.org and it generates an unique credit card sized matrix like the one in the picture. Just pick a symbol, a color and a number of characters and you have a secure password. You have the option of creating a numbers-only area as well as including symbols into the mix, depending on the type of passwords or PINs you require. The default is upper/lowercase and numbers. If you lose your card you can get a duplicate by going to the site and entering the number that appears on the bottom of the card, so you might want to write that down and keep it in a safe place just in case.

There are several ways you can use the password card. The simplest way is to pick a symbol, color and sequence of characters from left to right as in the illustration. You would remember this, or write it down, as “spade green 8.” But notice that there are eight rows under each symbol. You could could choose the column under the diamond symbol and use the password JwdC4aGt. You’d write that down as “diamond down.” Reverse the order, and you might write it down as “diamond up.” In this case, the password would be tGa4CdwJ.

Have fun!

The Geek Toolkit has just been updated and is ready for download. If you have previously purchased the toolkit, you’re entitled to free updates and will be receiving download instructions shortly. If you haven’t purchased the toolkit, you’re really missing out. Click here to get yours today!

The powerful security testing tool Ettercap has been added to the Security tools; dscrypt, a portable standalone file encryption utility has been added to the Encryption tools; and, Partition Wizard 5.0 has been added to the Disk Tools. I’m sure you are going to find these new additions interesting and useful.

Go ahead, get your Geek Toolkit today!

The Register – John Leyden
Posted in Malware, 6th April 2010 13:37 GMT

The security perils of PDF files have been further highlighted by new research illustrating how a manipulated file might be used to infect other PDF files on a system.

Jeremy Conway, an application security researcher at NitroSecurity, said the attack scenario he has discovered shows PDFs are “wormable”. Computer viruses are capable, by definition, of overwriting other files to spread. Conway’s research is chiefly notable for illustrating how a benign PDF file might become infected using features supported by PDF specification, not a software vulnerability as such, and without the use of external binaries or JavaScript. [Read more]

Now this is a cool Geek gadget!

From Popular Science:

A new electronic notepad may be lifelike, cheap and energy-efficient enough to replace those wasteful paper slips we still use for memos and grocery lists. The four-ounce Boogie Board runs for years on a single watch battery and, thanks to a novel use of the material inside ordinary computer screens, even mimics the feel of putting pen to paper.

[ Read Full Story ]

I’m going to get one, for sure!

I’m going to usher in this second month of 2010 with a password challenge contest. There are two entry categories: The Top Ten List of Worst Passwords; and, the Strongest Short Easy-to-remember Password . One First Prize winner in each category will get a free copy of my Geek Toolkit. Here are the rules:

Top Ten List of Worst Passwords: Compile your own Top Ten List of the worst passwords you’ve seen or read about. I will compare that with my compiled list from authoritative sources. The person whose list matches the most entries on my list wins. If there are ties, everyone wins.

Strongest Short Easy-to-remember Password: In ten characters or fewer, come up with a strong password that is also easy to remember. Random strings are not allowed, i.e., I won’t accept Xcy4lmO3az. I will judge the strength of the passwords using my Password Meter at Ask the Geek. You must tell me what makes the password memorable to you. For example, can you write down a password hint that means nothing to me, but that tells you what the password is? If there are ties, everyone wins.

You may send an entry for either or both categories, but they must be in separate emails. Use my secure contact form to enter (http://askthegeek.kennyhart.com/index.php/ask-a-question/). Deadline is Sunday, February 28, 2010

Results will be published.

Good luck!

You know how I preach about passwords? Well, here’s a password joke:

During a recent password audit at Bank Of Ireland it was found that Paddy O’Toole was using the following password:

MickeyMinniePlutoHueyLouieDeweyDonaldGoofyBerlin

When asked why he had such a long password he replied: “Oi was told it had to be at least 8 characters long and include one capital!”

Cheers!

The Geek

P.S. See the post below this one to get your Geek Toolkit!