Technical Tidbits

Microsoft has issued an advisory early this morning warning of a possible blended threat that can affect Windows XP and Vista computers when Apple’s Safari is installed!

According to the advisory, Microsoft is investigating public reports of a blended threat that allows remote code execution on all supported versions of Windows XP and Windows Vista when Apple’s Safari for Windows has been installed. Microsoft reports that they are working with Apple to confirm these public reports and to establish an action plan for patching if the reports are proven true.

Microsoft recommends that you restrict use of Safari as a web browser until an appropriate update is available from Microsoft and/or Apple.

The Safari installation on Windows issue also relates to our blog entry: http://mice.org/blog/the-apple-updates-safari-great-debate/

That discusses how you might have installed Safari with an iTunes or QuickTime update.

The full Advisory is located here:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/953818.mspx

We’ve alerted our Alert subscribers and will be following this issue to resolution.

If you wish to subscribe to our Alerts Newsletters to be informed of up-to-the-minute security issues that may affect you as they happen, please visit our subscribe page located here:

http://mice.org/lists/subscribe.html

We get all early warnings from a variety (and number) of sources so we compile them into one alert for you! It saves inbox space!

written by Admin \\ tags: Advisory, apple, apple safari, blended threat, itunes, Mac, Microsoft, quicktime, safari, safari vulnerability, security advisory, vista, windows, windows safari vulnerability, Windows Vista, Windows XP, xp

I just received the early release of SP3 for Windows XP Home Edition.

So far, so good! But maybe I shouldn’t speak too soon?

Here’s what I’ve found so far….

1. It downloaded quickly.
2. The installation was long but not as lengthy as previous updates or service packs, and required little user intervention.

Some of the quirky behavior I’ve had on my PC seems to have actually disappeared since installing this.

1. No incompatibilities thus far. (I’ve only had it about 6 hours, so give me time!)
2. There are a few new services running that were never there before. (More on this later.)
3. No noticeable slow down on my speed or browsing and considering I’m using Firefox (which M$ usually hates!), I’d say we’re doing great so far!

So, more later on the XP SP3 Service Pack!

written by Admin \\ tags: Microsoft, service pack, sp3, windows, xp

The other day, my older sister tells me she’s buying this new Dell PC that is on sale. The problem with the PC is that it has Vista Home Premium pre-installed. Aside from the fact that I warn her I can help her with troubleshooting Vista and I have no intention on learning nor purchasing this POS (Piece of Sh*t) software, she asks me to just help her with a few minor problems she’s having with it.

What constitutes minor? Well, she can’t install a single piece of software for starters! And that’s only the beginning.

First the new Dell comes with Google apps and Desktop. When you open the browser (IE), the positioning of the Google toolbar and the fact that the cursor automatically lands on the search address bar as opposed to the actual address bar, she can’t navigate anywhere. Not surprising when I find out that she’s searching as opposed to going anywhere!

Okay, so I remove the Google junk. We’re back to a regular IE and I get her home page established. We’re making progress.

I try to install the first program she wants installed.

I now understand the Apple/PC commercials for Vista. You know the ones where there’s this guy in a black suit with dark sunglasses standing behind PC and every time Apple tries to talk to PC, the suit says, ”Apple is requesting to talk to you, accept or deny?”

OMG! That is an understatement of the annoying crap within this new operating system. Excuse my language here, but what the %&*#  were you thinking Microsoft??? Are you out of your gosh darned mind???

I have been in the technology business for nearly 20 years now. And I have never been reduced to tears by frustration as I had been last night. What a $*%(&&$#  nightmare!

I finally get the darned thing turned off so I can start installing software, and low and behold, Windows Defender decides to put its two cents in!

Something happened with one installation that actually wiped out the DSL modem settings and there was no Internet connection after that. I had to call tech support and we ended up having to reset the modem back to factory!

Every time I tried to install any type of protection software other than what Vista wanted, we lost Internet connection.

World of Warcraft, my nephews favoritest game in the whole wide world won’t connect. Yet, we can connect to his account through the browser.

I have not been so frustrated since I first learned how computers worked in the early days of desktop PCs.

Vista is a *$%&;ing nightmare and I cannot fathom why anyone would ever want this POS in their computer.

I just had to vent and get the anger and frustration off my chest. I also wanted to put it out there, that if you agree with me, feel free to sign the InfoWorld petition to save Windows XP.

You can sign the petition here: Help Save XP Petition. 

Debbie

PS Bill Gates, You SUCK! I’m glad you retired and maybe someone with some common sense will put M$ back on track!

written by Admin \\ tags: infoworld, Microsoft, vista, windows, world of warcraft, xp