How to avoid Malware...please!. I appreciate the business, but it's getting out of hand!

There are many ways malware can infect your computer. But with some simple tips you can easily avoid even the nastiest of viruses. These tips apply to both Mac and Windows machines.

Here are the most common ways malware infects your computer:

Outdated Anti-Virus and Unpatched Operating Systems – Every day criminals are finding new ways to exploit your computer, operating system, and installed applications.

• Keep up to date with the latest operating system updates and patches
• Keep up to date with the last anti-virus definitions and patches
• Keep up to date with the last application updates and patches

If the manufacturer is releasing updates or patches to fix a problem, you can assume that criminals are actively trying to exploit computers that have not yet been updated/patched.

Drive-by Downloads – When you visit a website a script on the site secretly runs and installs malware

• Avoid suspicious websites
• Make sure your anti-virus, operating system, and web browser is up-to-date

Website Ads – Many ads are designed to persuade the user to click on the ad or to click on a Close button in the ad. When the user clicks on the ad or Close button, a “drive-by” download is initiated and malware is installed.

• Do not click on advertisements or Close buttons. Instead, close the window through the( x) in the upper right corner of the window

Website Popup Alerts – Web Popup alerts falsely tell the user that their machine is infected with a virus or has some other problem that needs to be fixed. The user will click on the alert and either be asked to install the software (really malware in disguise) that is purported to fix the problem or a “drive-by” download will be initiated.

• Do not click or engage with the popup window. In the example to the right (click image for larger version), do not click on the “Pause” or “Stop” buttons.
• Close the window by either closing the browser completely or through the (x) in the upper right corner of the window

Free Games, Applications, and Screen Savers – Many free applications and games are simply vehicles designed to install malware. Even if the application itself is functional, malware may still be installed on your computer.

• Only download applications from trusted websites such as itunes.apple.com, download.cnet.com, and gamespot.com

Media Players – A popular source of malware is a website media player download. When a user wants to play a video, the website will ask to install a video codec or other required software. When the user installs the application, the malware is also installed and the video may or may not play.

• No matter how enticing the video, only install media player software from trusted websites such as Apple.com, Microsoft.com, and Adobe.com, winamp.com, videolan.org

Pornographic Websites – Many pornographic websites contain malware that is either installed though drive-by downloads or media player installations.

• No matter how enticing the video, only install media player software from trusted websites such as Apple.com, Microsoft.com, and Adobe.com, winamp.com, videolan.org
• Do not download or install any files or applications from the website
• Make sure your anti-virus and operating system are up to date with security patches

Email attachments – One of the oldest ways to spread malware is through email attachments

• Do not open attachments from people you do not know
• If a friend sends you an attachment that looks suspicious contact them first before opening the attachment
• Never open emails that end in .exe, .bat, .com, .vbs

Phishing Emails – Phishing emails will try to convince users into clicking on a link within the email. The link will take the user to a website that will either try to make the user manually install malware or will perform a “drive-by” download to install the malware.

• Never click on links in an email
• Find out how to protect yourself from Phishing Emails

Peer – to – Peer (P2P) / file sharing programs and websites – Many of the P2P software such as Kazaa, Bearshare, and iMesh contain malware that will be installed when you install the P2P software. In addition, malware has often been disguised as legitimate music and video files for download.

• Do not download or upload copyrighted material; this is illegal and against the NU Acceptable Use Policy.
• Do not allow P2P uploading to your computer
• Run any downloaded file through a virus scan before opening
• Only install P2P software that has been verified malware free

Could Microsoft be prepping a free version of Windows 8.1

Microsoft is reportedly testing a free version of Windows 8.1, which will come bundled with its Bing search engine.

Creatively titled "Windows with Bing," the software appears to be similar to the standard Windows fare, with the additional built-in search capacity—perhaps best described as a sideways move, since Bing SmartSearch is already included with Windows 8.1, ZDNet pointed out.

Russian leaker Wzor this week posted screenshots of the new SKU, which ZDNet said is a monetization play by Redmond.

Citing unnamed sources, the tech site reported only minor differences between the current Windows 8.1 and this new, free license version, adding that "it may be a kind of placeholder for the future when consumer operating systems are, basically, free."

A Microsoft spokesman declined to comment on the reports.

It is unclear whether this move could mean a free copy of the software for new Windows users, or a free update for existing users.

Microsoft's final release version of Windows 8.1 arrived in October, reviving some sorely missed functions from pre-Windows 8 platforms but also adding to Redmond's goal of evolving highly mobile, touch-enabled, always-connected computing.

"Windows is delivering the most personal computing experience out there, making your device a unique extension of you and offering more ways to create an experience that is personal, expressive and keeps pace with your life," the company said at the time.

But, as is often the case with new software—especially with software developed by Microsoft—many longtime Windows users are still not happy with the new UI paradigm that's still front-and-center in Windows 8.1. Redmond appears to be working on a fix, details of which were leaked earlier this month, pointing to search and power buttons added to the Start screen, as well as a boost to keyboard and mouse functions in the UI.

Microsoft corporate vice president Joe Belfiore told a Mobile World Congress audience earlier this week that the updates will likely launch during Microsoft's Build conference on April 2.

For more see How to Download Windows 8.1, as well as the slideshow above counting The Top 6 New Features in Windows 8.1.

Microsoft really thought us tech guys would sell their product for them?

Microsoft grossly overestimated the loyalty of those it thought were its most steadfast customers when it asked for their help in getting friends and family members to dump Windows XP, a corporate communications expert said Friday.

"There's nothing wrong with asking your customers for help," said Gene Grabowski, an executive vice president at Levick, a Washington, D.C. firm that specializes in crisis public relations and corporate reputation messaging. "But you have to establish loyalty before you ask them, and even then you have to structure [the request] so there is a distinct advantage to the customer."

Microsoft neither had the customer loyalty it had assumed it had, nor a plan that made the effort attractive to those it asked for assistance. "Essentially, Microsoft was asking its customers to help it sell more product," said Grabowski.

Grabowski was referring to the appeal Microsoft made Feb. 7, when it implored its technically astute customers to help others who are still running Windows XP get rid of the soon-to-be-retired operating system.

Those same savvy users ridiculed the idea, saying that Microsoft's pitch -- which relied on upgrading Windows XP to Windows 8.1 or purchasing a new computer -- was unacceptable because they refused to recommend Windows 8.1. They also criticized Microsoft for not offering a discount on an upgrade, for not suggesting the older but more familiar Windows 7 as an alternative to Windows 8.1, and for not providing an upgrade path from XP to 8.1 that retained settings, files or applications.

"The problem here is that Microsoft is behaving more like the 'Sopranos' than a technology company," Grabowski said. "They're shaking down their customers."

Facebook's email service is ending...not that you were using it though..

Facebook will shutter its email service next month, and it's likely that not many people will even notice.

In what may be one of Facebook's first failures, the social media company said in an email to Computerworld Tuesday that it has begun notifying email users that the service is ending.

The service will be shut down and users' emails will be redirected to their alternate email address by early to mid-March.

Facebook had a simple problem with its email service: Not enough people were using it. The company did not respond to a question on how many people use the email service.

"This reminds me of that old saw about a tree falling in the forest," said Dan Olds, an analyst with The Gabriel Consulting Group. "If a tech service that no one knows about goes away, does it make a noise? In this case, not much of one, no."

What's New? The ABCs of IP addresses

IP addresses are unique sets of numbers assigned to devices that connect to a network. These sets of numbers are used to send and receive information on the network and to find other devices. An IP address is very much like a home address that others use to send you mail and for you to send mail from—it's a unique identifier of your location.

While your home or small business router usually handles all IP address assignments via a DHCP (Dynamic Host Control Protocol) server within the router's software, there are organizations that officially manage and allocate blocks of IP addresses for companies and organizations. IANA (Internet Assigned Number Authority) handles IP addresses allocated globally, typically to Regional Internet Registries. In the Unites States, IP address allocation is managed by ARIN (American Registry for Internet Numbers).

Learn More under What's New on the left!

Microsoft slowly admitting 8.1 problem

At a Sunday press event prior to Mobile World Congress, Microsoft vice president Joe Belfiore led with bright news about Windows 8: Microsoft has sold 200 million licenses (more than all of OS X’s user base, he noted); users have downloaded 4 million apps from the Windows Store; and 40 percent of Windows 8 machines are touch-enabled.

But for the 60 percent of Windows 8 machines still not touch-enabled, Belfiore conceded, users’ “satisfaction level is lower.” So when the Microsoft executive confirmed rumors of a Windows 8.1 update this spring, he also detailed three major improvements that would come with it. First and foremost will be features to give mouse-and-keyboard diehards a break.

Specific user interface changes will include what Belfiore called “discoverable Search, Power, and Settings,” meaning these three features would be visible on the Start screen. There will also be a new mouse UI for right-clicking to start and close apps, and you’ll be able to launch and switch apps from the taskbar.

Belfiore also made a pointed reference to the rumors that Microsoft might dial back some of Windows 8’s more finger-friendly aspects. “We love touch,” he proclaimed, and “we have no intent to degrade the touch experience.” But he clearly wanted to placate legacy mouse-and-keyboard users: “Our measure is, Did we make things better for people without touchscreens?”