September 27, 2007
Fred Langa is back! Get his pics
Editor-at-large Fred Langa has returned from a 5-month motorcyle tour of the U.S. and Canada. His all-new LangaList Plus column begins today in the paid version of the newsletter. Read more »
Now you can Digg this after you've Reddit
We've added special links to help you use Digg, Delicious, Reddit, and other social-bookmarking sites to point to your favorite articles. If you're not yet using bookmarking sites, today would be a great day to start taking advantage of the wealth of content they bring together. Read more »
Stealth Windows update prevents XP repair
A silent update that Microsoft deployed widely in July and August is preventing the "repair" feature of Windows XP from completing successfully. Ever since the Redmond company's recent download of new support files for Windows Update, users of XP's repair function have been unable to install the latest 80 patches from Microsoft. Read more »
Get the latest Windows updates securely
Reports of Microsoft's silent updates published on Sept. 13 and 20 Windows Secrets raised security questions for many readers. But with a little bit of know-how, you can keep risks to a minimum when getting updates using Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox. Read more »
Part one: heading to the first Housecall
In the first of eight columns on my motorcycle tour of the U.S. and Canada, I describe my findings with a reader in the American West. Unfortunately, this reader had a problem with his Temp folder. Read more »
Protect your privacy with simple changes
Protecting your privacy is becoming more difficult with each passing day. Google and other service providers may be recording your Web surfing, but you can easily configure your system to protect against such tracking. Read more »
Office 2003 service pack adds security
Office 2003 Service Pack 3 is out, bringing the security of Office 2007 to the 2003 platform. But, at the same time, there are a few "gotchas" with Office 2003 SP3 that you need to look out for. Read more »
September 20, 2007
New faces bring you more Windows info
You're starting to see some new bylines in the newsletter, and I'm happy as a bug in a rug to be getting some help around this place. Read more »
Protect yourself from silent Windows updates
Microsoft has confirmed Windows Secrets' Sept. 13 story that Windows Update periodically installs certain files even if you've selected a "do not install" option. Many companies and individuals require prior notification before any files are changed, so I explain today how you can completely prevent silent installs, if you wish. Read more »
Readers state concerns over Windows Update
The Sept. 13 issue of Windows Secrets reported that Windows Update sometimes installs files without notice, even if auto-install has supposedly been disabled. Many readers are dismayed to learn that their control over their computers is compromised and are asking how they can prevent this in the future. Read more »
Vista developers invent wild user interface
In this video spoof from the Codename Longhorn era, the former Windows Vista design team traces the steps consumers might take in customizing the user interface. (Everyone loves dogs, right? Right???) Read more »
Improve on Windows Explorer with Xplorer²
In response to my Aug. 9 column, many readers wrote with suggestions about making Windows work the way it did before it got all weirdified. Several of you recommended a simple, free, powerful, fast Windows Explorer replacement that solves many of your (and my) funky gunky problems. Meet Xplorer². Read more »
The best way to scan for rootkits
Rootkits can hide malware and backdoors, but you can use free tools to find out whether your PC is infected. Today, I briefly review three different rootkit scanners that can help you detect otherwise hard-to-find threats. Read more »
September 13, 2007
Microsoft updates Windows without users' consent
Microsoft has begun patching files on Windows XP and Vista without users' knowledge, even when the users have turned off auto-updates. Many companies require testing of patches before they are widely installed, and businesses in this situation are objecting to the stealth patching. Read more »
How to run Microsoft Update using Firefox
The Sept. 6 issue of Windows Secrets explained how to automate Internet Explorer 7 to access Microsoft Update once a month. But some readers expressed displeasure at the thought of using the dreaded IE 7 even for this relatively safe chore. Read more »
Nintendo promises Wii bit of excitement
We all know that gadgets are supposed to make our lives easier and more productive. Technology should give us time to pursue hobbies and interests, like tripping the light fantastic or playing ball in the park with the kids Read more »
Serious Visual Basic flaw remains unpatched
Microsoft patched four vulnerabilities this month, but you're still not entirely safe. There's a dangerous unpatched vulnerability, and the bad guys are actively exploiting it. Read more »
Only four patches this Patch Tuesday
This month's Patch Tuesday is a fairly boring Patch Tuesday! But just to keep you a little bit entertained this month, we do have Daylight Saving Time patches to deal with. Read more »
September 6, 2007
Unpatched software abounds on user systems
Readers of the Aug. 16 issue of Windows Secrets took our advice and used the Secunia Software Inspector service in droves. The results show that — even though our readers are more tech-savvy than the average computer user — thousands of you apparently still use computers with unpatched software. Read more »
How to fix problems Software Inspector finds
In the Aug. 16 issue, I pointed out that the Secunia Software Inspector may find multiple versions of unpatched products on your system. Older programs and Web sites may need the older versions of run-time software. But the old run-time code represents a security risk. Read more »
Danish engineers find low-tech speed limit fix
Making motorists stay within the speed limit is a problem in every country. But not every nation brings the same level of creative problem-solving to the issue as Denmark. With 70% of motorists going over the speed limit, traffic engineers decided that something had to be done Read more »
Sony renews rootkit debate with USB drives
The Sony Corporation seems bound and determined to install copy-protection software, including rootkits, no matter how many different products it has to use. Read on to find out about Sony software that you may have paid for, but you don't really want. Read more »
MS server error marks PCs as 'nongenuine'
Windows Genuine Advantage: now more genuinely annoying for genuine users of Vista. A software failure at Microsoft over the weekend falsely branded thousands of legitimate users' PCs as "nongenuine" and restricted some capabilities. Read more »
