August 16, 2007
Next issue Sept. 6 — take a break!
Like a lot of people, we need a week or two off in the summer to recharge our batteries and then come back to work rejuvenated. That's why our next newsletter won't appear until Sept. 6. If any important developments occur that can't wait, we'll send you a brief "news update" to let you know. Read more »
Media players more dangerous than Windows
Windows users face the greatest security risks today not from flaws in Windows itself but from unpatched media players. That's because many Windows Secrets readers, according to an online test we sponsored, are running versions of Flash, Java, and QuickTime that are unpatched against the latest security threats. Read more »
Restrict application privileges for greater security
In recent columns, including in the Aug. 9 issue, I've told you how to limit user and application permissions in XP for greater security. Our readers have responded with their own questions and suggestions on running programs with greater or fewer privileges. Read more »
Is there a movie idea on your Start Menu?
Where does Hollywood get its ideas for those summer blockbusters? Producers don't just borrow from novels, plays, TV, and comic books, but also from major computer games like Tomb Raider, Mario Brothers, Wing Commander, and Doom. Read more »
Here's the real Start Menu entry 
In last week's article, I explained a Registry change you can make if you inadvertently "improve" the Start Menu delay time, making menu items flash so fast you can hardly click them. I made a mistake. I said that the Registry entry you should change was: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Desktop In fact, I should've told you to navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop That's where the rogue MenuShowDelay setting resides. (The default, leisurely, value is 400.) Check out my Aug. 9 column for the rest of the details on the fix. Thanks to those who wrote in to scrub my flub. Read more »
How to get private, anonymous Web surfing
Many public proxy services exist that let you both surf the Net anonymously and bypass overly restrictive content filtering systems. This week, I tell you how to easily build an entirely private, anonymous proxy service that you control at your own leisure. Read more »
Internet Explorer flaw exposes FTP credentials
Among the patches Microsoft released on Patch Tuesday this week is yet another cumulative rollup for the company's Internet Explorer browser. But an IE flaw that's been present at least since 2004 is still unpatched, because Microsoft never released a patch for IE 6 and allowed the flaw to remain in IE 7. Read more »
Malware cocktails sure to hit unpatched PCs
Microsoft ranks 6 of the 9 patches released on Aug. 14 as "Critical," and only 3 as "Important" — but I'm rating all 9 of them as critical if you use the platforms that are affected. We must patch once again for three XML, GDI, and VML threats, along with the usual Malicious Software Removal Tool updates and a new fix for 64-bit kernel protection. Read more »
August 9, 2007
Google, Live, Yahoo run dubious scanner ads
You've heard of "adware" and "spyware" and the antispyware products that are designed to eliminate them. A third category of software — "rogue antispyware" — promotes itself deceptively and yet is allowed to advertise on such major search engines as Google, Yahoo, and Microsoft's Live.com. Read more »
Change user access one app at a time
In the "last issue, I explained how to use XP without administrator rights to simulate the safety offered Vista's User Account Control. Readers responded with their own tools and tricks to stop programs from gaining full (and therefore risky) access to your system. Read more »
Quite possibly the first duct-tape server
You always hear how endlessly useful duct tape is: it's water resistant, tears easily, and comes in a variety of colors. Just go online and you'll find numerous examples of duct-tape creativity, including entire articles of clothing made from this miracle product Read more »
How to stamp out Windows weirdification
I've bumped into a bunch of strange Windows settings lately while trying to clean up some of my clients' PCs. If your computer is behaving strangely, check my list to see if there's a straightforward solution to your maddening problem. Read more »
Your application software sorely needs updating
In my July 26 column, I invited readers to use Windows Secrets' link to test their PCs with Secunia.com's free Software Inspector. I'm happy this week to present the results and answer the many questions this generated from our readers. Read more »
Vista patching is a wee bit different
As we start our back-to-school time of the year, many of you are purchasing Vista machines. Vista handles patching just a little bit differently than the older versions of Windows, and I'll tell you how. Read more »
August 2, 2007
Make sure you get the e-mails you want
We've made some improvements in the systems that send you the Windows Secrets Newsletter. But, as they say, no good deed goes unpunished, so our upgrades meant that some readers didn't receive the last issue at all! Read more »
How to simulate User Account Control in XP
Vista users love to complain about the intrusiveness of User Account Control, but it does provide a degree of security. If you're using Windows XP, I'll show you what steps you can take to give yourself a similar level of safety. Read more »
Drive encryption not just for hard disks
I pointed out in our July 19 issue some programs that encrypt hard-disk partitions — a feature of the more-expensive Ultimate and Enterprise versions of Windows Vista. But these days, you may want protection for more than just hard disks, such as Flash drives. Read more »
Apple takes on iRack
Sure, Apple Inc. is famous for cool products with trendy designs. But what would happen if the high-tech corporation took on something different, something even bigger than it already has? That's the question MadTV asks in this skit about the most daring Apple product to date — the iRack. Read more »
Does the future of Windows include adware?
Microsoft recently filed for a patent that may change the way the company targets advertising at its customers. This week, I tell you how that technology might impact both your desktop and your privacy. Read more »
IE 7 allows Firefox exploit to work
In my July 12 column, I discussed a flaw in IE that was exposed installing Firefox. Now the tables have turned and the opposite is true with the latest releases of Firefox and IE 7. Read more »
How to clean up after MS's .NET patches
Let's review one more time the issues we've seen with Microsoft's July 10 .NET patches Hopefully, this will give you a bit more guidance to help you get your systems patched. Read more »