2005 Gear of the Year, part 2

INTRODUCTION

Get a bonus download

At least four times a year, we license a special bonus download for our paying subscribers. This issue's bonus is:

A 56-page e-book excerpted from the new, 456-page printed book PC Magazine Windows XP Security Solutions.

To get your bonus e-book, upgrade to a paid subscription now

You'll receive the bonus e-book, and a full year of the paid version of Windows Secrets, by simply making a contribution of any amount — whatever you feel it's worth — between Nov. 22, 2005, and Jan. 11, 2006.

The e-book is a printable PDF file that's 1.8 MB in size. Your download time will range from a few seconds on a cable modem to approximately 4 minutes on a 56 Kbps dial-up modem.

The excerpt includes two full chapters from the forthcoming book. The first chapter tells you how to use built-in tools and settings to improve security within Windows XP. The second explains how to secure your Web browser.

To upgrade your subscription and get the e-book, use the following link: How to upgrade

The full, printed book won't be available until mid-December. If you wish to obtain the bound version, the book ($29.99 USD list price) can be pre-ordered via the following links: United States / Canada / Elsewhere

We hope you'll enjoy our exclusive excerpt of PC Magazine Windows XP Security Solutions. We look forward to bringing you even more secrets, and even more bonus content, in the year to come. —Brian Livingston, Editor

Contents or index? Now you get both

We've shortened our table of contents to make it more like an overview. Readers complained that listing every subtopic of each article made the table of contents too long to see at a glance in an e-mail window.

Links to every subtopic will now be found in a separate index at the end of each newsletter.

We've created new pointer symbols at the end of major articles so you can easily jump to the overview or the index, whichever you prefer.

The pointers are supposed to look like the ones circled in the image below. (The links in the image are clickable, except in Lotus Notes and a few other e-mail programs that don't support "named anchors," a basic feature of HTML.)

Windows Secrets Newsletter
Issue 65 — 2005.11.22

Editor
Brian Livingston (left)

Contents (scroll to Index)

INTRODUCTION
Get a bonus download

TOP STORY
2005 Gear of the Year, part 2

WINDOWS GIZMOS
New Xbox 360, BlackBerry, and Sirius stuff

SECURITY BASELINE
The Security Baseline as it stands

OVER THE HORIZON
Security holes don't stop for the holidays

PATCH WATCH
Even your security programs need patching

PERIMETER SCAN
Special Report: Clean your parents' PC

WACKY WEB WEEK
Play the "Best Search Engine" game

USEFUL LINKS
Beware of Google hijacking

Newsletter Control Panel
Windows Secrets home page
How to subscribe
Change your delivery address
Change your preferences
Access past free issues
Access past paid issues
Upgrade to paid version
Search for info (WinFind)
Submit a Windows tip
Get subscription help
How to unsubscribe

Circulation: over 145,000

The pointers are Unicode characters 9650 and 9660. Now that almost all PCs and Macs have one or more Unicode fonts, the pointers should look correct to nearly all of our subscribers.

If the "live" pointers that appear at the end of this article don't render in your e-mail program like triangles, as shown above, let us know. To do this:

1. Make a screen capture of your e-mail window;
2. Save the image to a file;
3. Attach the file to an e-mail message to us;
4. In the body, state your e-mail program and version number (check the Help, About box);
5. Use a Subject line of "Pointers."

Use the e-mail address shown on our contact page. Thanks for your help.

▲ to Contents ▼ to Index

TOP STORY

2005 Gear of the Year, part 2

By Brian Livingston

Reviewers of computer products often exhibit maddening differences in their ratings of identical sets of items. But when several unrelated reviewers all pick the same product as Editors' Choice, you can be sure you've found a real winner.

That's the concept behind my Gear of the Year awards. I've analyzed every objective test of computer products I could find in calendar year 2005. Out of that mass of data emerges a picture of the best of the best. Those products are featured here.

Back in the Nov. 10 issue, I reported my findings on Windows-compatible cameras, LCD screens, laptops, MP3 players, hard drives, PDAs, projectors, and printers. Today, I'm covering lower-priced items — perhaps a stocking stuffer for a loved one or, more likely, a treat you'll be buying for yourself. (Ho, ho, ho!)

The latest test results from the dozens of reviewers we analyze are summarized during the year in the newsletter's Index of Reviews section. I've left that section out this issue to make room for part 2 of the Gear of the Year. You can find every ranking we've indexed in the past 12 months — and use our search engine to locate any comparison you may need — in the Reviews section of WindowsSecrets.com.

	2005 PHONE OF THE YEAR Treo 650 takes the prize for calls A lot of powerful cell phones came out this year, but the dominant force in test after test is the Palm Treo 650 (photo, left). It's barely 2 inches wide but managed to cram in a full Qwerty keyboard, which is admittedly tiny. The Treo was named Editors' Choice by Mobile Magazine and Laptop Magazine and is top-rated by CNET. Motorola's slinky RAZR V3 (right) also won props from Mobile Mag, but the Treo edges it out. More info: Palm Treo 650, Motorola RAZR V3 Link to all reviews of phones
	2005 INKJET OF THE YEAR Canon Pixma iP4200 is fast duplexer It's impressive enough when an inkjet printer offers two separate paper trays and duplex printing. But Canon's Pixma iP4200 (left) is also PC World's Best Buy as the fastest of numerous inkjets tested. The new model improves upon the older Pixma 4000, which was top-rated earlier in the year by PC Magazine and PC Pro. Honorable mention for Gear of the Year goes to the Epson PictureMate Deluxe Viewer (right), an Editors' Choice by PC Magazine. More info: Canon Pixma iP4200, Epson PictureMate Deluxe Viewer Link to all reviews of inkjet printers
	2005 USB DRIVE OF THE YEAR Verbatim's U3 USB drive offers antivirus The biggest advance this year in USB drives — a category that suffers from Look-Alike Syndrome — is the U3 System. This new, open standard allows you to run many applications directly from a USB device without installing software on whatever PC you may be using. It's too early for real comparative reviews, but Verbatim's Store 'n' Go U3 Smart Drive (left) stands out as the best of the bunch so far. Verbatim bundles McAfee antivirus scanning and several other free programs with its 1GB drive. More info: Verbatim Store 'n' Go U3 Link to all reviews of USB drives
	2005 DVD RECORDER OF THE YEAR LG drive is the Switzerland of burners Can't we all just get along? That's the obvious question when we're confronted with the varying DVD formats: DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW, and DVD-RAM. The LG Electronics Super-Multi Rewriter handles this with aplomb by supporting every format. As a bonus, it can burn labels directly onto so-called LightScribe discs. PC World gives it a Best Buy honor and calls it "in a class by itself." More info: LG Electronics GSA-2166D Link to all reviews of DVD recorders
	2005 WI-FI PRODUCT OF THE YEAR Don't just spot Wi-Fi, share it Lots of awards early this year went to the Canary Hotspotter (right), which tells you when Wi-Fi service is in range. But, based on newer tests, the Canary is far surpassed by the ZyXel Wi-Fi Finder/Modem (left). The ZyXel not only identifies available secure and nonsecure Wi-Fi near you and acts as your laptop's Wi-Fi adapter. It also *amplifies the signal* for your companions whose own laptop antennas are too weak to connect. More info: ZyXel AG-225H Wi-Fi Finder/Modem, Canary Hotspotter Link to all reviews of wireless products That's it for the 2005 Gear of the Year awards. I hope you find the ratings in this and the previous issue helpful in finding the best devices for your business or personal use. Good hunting! Brian Livingston is editor of the Windows Secrets Newsletter and the coauthor of Windows 2000 Secrets, Windows Me Secrets, and eight other books.

▲ to Contents ▼ to Index

FORWARDING INSTRUCTIONS

Please share this information with your friends
You're encouraged to refer your friends and colleagues to this free newsletter. Because most e-mail programs don't correctly display a formatted message that's been forwarded, simply call people's attention to the permanent Web address of this issue: WindowsSecrets.com/comp/051122.

WINDOWS GIZMOS

New Xbox 360, BlackBerry, and Sirius stuff

By Brian Livingston

Sometimes, updated versions of gizmos we know and love turn out to be just as exciting as the original product itself was.

This week, the long-awaited introduction of Microsoft's new Xbox 360 raises the bar a notch in the hyper-realistic gaming world. And, in the category of mobile devices, the new BlackBerry 8700c cell phone and the Sirius S50 portable player expand the limits of technologies you can easily carry around with you.

	XBox 360 is the latest craze On sale for the first time today, Microsoft's latest über-gadget displays all games in high-definition video, perfect for your widescreen TV. The Xbox 360 (photo, left) is being criticized for having a weak selection of available new games that can take advantage of all that bandwidth. But that's not stopping millions of units from flying off store shelves. Retailers that ran out of stock on Day 1 are now taking orders for delivery. Microsoft Xbox 360
	BlackBerry 8700c slims down a notch BlackBerry's newest model, released on Nov. 21 for the Cingular cellular network, boasts the new Intel "Hermon" chip, offering slightly better performance with the silicon giant's PXA901 processor. Support for the carrier's fast EDGE network also helps your Web browsing experience. The 8700c is slightly narrower and thinner than previous BlackBerry cell phones, but still has a very workable Qwerty keyboard, noticeably larger than the Treo 650. RIM Blackberry 8700c
	Carry Sirius satellite feeds plus MP3/WMA Apple's iPod mini is often dissed for lacking a built-in FM radio. Subscribers to the XM and Sirius satellite services, with scores of channels, say, "Who needs FM?" The Sirius S50 (left) stores up to 50 hours of satellite programming and also stores and plays back MP3 and WMA files. It's thinner than a 60GB iPod and you don't have to buy songs, aside from the monthly Sirius subcription. With the reported delay to 2006 of Dell's DJ Satellite and Samsung's neXus (mobile devices for XM), Sirius has a window of opportunity. Sirius S50 —————— For non-U.S. sources of information on a product reviewed above, enter the model name into a search box at one of the following links: Canada / U.K. / Elsewhere Windows Gizmos reviews only recently released products that create new market categories. Once enough competing products have emerged for comparative tests to be conducted, the results will be summarized in the Index of Reviews.

▲ to Contents ▼ to Index

THE SECURITY BASELINE

The Security Baseline as it stands

By Brian Livingston

No major reviews of basic security products have been released since the latest Security Baseline was published in our Nov. 16 news update. For this reason, no changes in the lineup appear in today's edition.

Based on the latest published tests, the best four products to give your PC comprehensive protection against hackers are (1) a Linksys hardware firewall, (2) ZoneAlarm Security Suite 6.0.667 (or Panda Platinum Internet Security 2005, based on a high rating in PC World tests), (3) CounterSpy antispyware (or Webroot Spy Sweeper 4.0, because of the same PC World tests), and (4) an update-management tool of your choice. See details below.

		1. Hardware firewall. For small-office Wi-Fi networking, the most affordable secure firewall is the Linksys Wireless-G WRT54G router (left, about $55 USD street). To cover more than a few adjacent rooms, consider the Linksys WRT54GX ($160), which doubles the usual "g" range. Be sure to enable WPA or WPA2, either of which provide strong Wi-Fi security. For SOHO wired networking, a top-rated model is the 4-port Linksys BEFSX41 router ($65). All of these devices are PC Magazine Editors' Choice winners and support stateful packet inspection (SPI), an essential security feature.
		2. Security suite. The new ZoneAlarm Security Suite 6.0 (left, $60 street) is the best all-in-one software firewall, antivirus program, and antispam filter — now with antispyware scanning and Windows OS kernel protection. It's received Editors' Choice awards from both PC Magazine and CNET. With the ZA Security Suite, there's no longer any reason to purchase separate antivirus, antispam, and software-firewall applications. (Turn off ZA's real-time spyware protection in favor of the real-time feature of CounterSpy, shown below.) Note: One magazine, PC World, recently rated Panda Platinum Internet Security 2005 higher than ZA Security Suite.
		3. Antispyware program. Sunbelt Software CounterSpy 1.0 (left, $20) is the most effective remover of spyware for individual PC users, according to comparative tests published by Laptop Magazine. For small to medium businesses, Sunbelt's CounterSpy Enterprise ($255 for 10 machines) is top-rated by eWeek, Windows IT Pro, and Network Computing Magazine as a centrally managed program. Note: PC World has recently given a higher rating to Webroot Spy Sweeper 4.0 than CounterSpy 1.0.
		4. Update management. For small to medium networks, Microsoft provides the free WSUS (Windows Server Update Services), which automates the downloading of critical patches for Windows, Office, and Exchange. For larger businesses, GFI LANguard Network Security Scanner (left, $375 for 25 users) is a broader product, top-rated by WindowSecurity.com and MCSE World. The latter site also publishes a helpful tutorial on LANguard NSS and Shavlik's HFNetChkPro ($900 for 25 users). Individual users should opt into the new, free Microsoft Update and also turn on the auto-download features of any installed apps they may have. —————— For non-U.S. sources of information on a product reviewed above, enter the model name into a search box at one of the following links: Canada / U.K / Elsewhere The Security Baseline section appears in every issue. It summarizes the top ratings of trusted reviewers in four categories of products that every PC needs for protection against threats.

▲ to Contents ▼ to Index

HERE'S A TIP

You're reading the free version of the Windows Secrets Newsletter
Subscribers to the paid version receive additional information in each issue. Some of the extras this week are:

	Chris Mosby / Over the Horizon. The steps you need to take NOW to protect yourself, because patches aren't yet available for some known threats: • Security holes don't stop for the holidays • Popular apps allow hacker code to run • ZoneAlarm's 'Program Control' can be bypassed • Microsoft releases advisory on RPC vulnerability
	Susan Bradley / Patch Watch. We tell you which official patches have problems and, more importantly, how you can work around them: • Even your security programs need patching • Take advantage of XP's hidden backup • Where are all the expected exploits? • Ensure you're aware of security notices
	Ryan Russell / Perimeter Scan. How you can use free or commercial software to automate patching and upgrading, whether you're responsible for 5 PCs or 50,000: • SPECIAL REPORT: Clean your parents' PC • First, make a CD with everything • Free antispyware tools • The latest update on Sony BMG's rootkit

Paid subscribers can access all old and new paid newsletter content
Make a contribution to support our research into Windows and you'll immediately be able to read and search through scores of valuable articles. In addition, paid subscribers are entitled to download valuable content that we license for you at least once every calendar quarter.

To upgrade, simply make a contribution of any amount you choose
If you do this by December 14, 2005, you'll instantly be sent the full, paid version of today's newsletter.

To upgrade to the paid version of Windows Secrets, please visit WindowsSecrets.com/upgrade. Thanks in advance.

▲ to Contents ▼ to Index

WACKY WEB WEEK

Play the "Best Search Engine" game
Everyone talks about which search engine is the best, but no one ever does anything about it. Until now.

The so-called Search Engine Experiment is a "blind taste test" that provides an objective rating system. You're shown the top three results from three search engines, identified only as Brand X, Y, and Z. You then click a button to register your vote. You may be quite surprised.

With more than 10,000 testers so far, the figures are Google 42%, Yahoo 32%, and MSN Search 26% (see pie chart at left). The project just started on Nov. 21 and the results are fairly close, with the lead changing hands several times. They need more testers — only your first vote counts, so make it good. Play the game

▲ to Contents ▼ to Index

USEFUL LINKS

Beware of Google hijacking
If you come to work one morning and find that your company's traffic from Google has fallen to nothing, a competitor may be redirecting traffic from your site to his. Amazingly, there may be little or nothing you can do to stop this blatant rip-off. (By Brian Livingston, Datamation) More info

Edit documents fast online
InetWord just might be the way you edit documents in the not-too-distant future. And, at present, it's free. (By Brian Livingston, Datamation) More info

▲ to Contents ▼ to Index

INDEX

Use the index below to jump to any topic

Note: Lotus Notes 5 and 6 and Mozilla Mail 1.5 and lower fail to scroll when the links below are clicked. There's no workaround other than updating these programs.

INTRODUCTION
Get a bonus download
Contents or index? Now you get both

TOP STORY
2005 Gear of the Year, part 2
Treo 650 takes the prize for calls
Canon Pixma iP4200 is fast duplexer
Verbatim's U3 USB drive offers antivirus
LG drive is the Switzerland of burners
Don't just spot Wi-Fi, share it

WINDOWS GIZMOS
New Xbox 360, BlackBerry, and Sirius stuff
XBox 360 is the latest craze
BlackBerry 8700c slims down a notch
Carry Sirius satellite feeds plus MP3/WMA

SECURITY BASELINE
The Security Baseline as it stands

OVER THE HORIZON
Security holes don't stop for the holidays
Popular apps allow hacker code to run
ZoneAlarm's 'Program Control' can be bypassed
Microsoft releases advisory on RPC vulnerability

PATCH WATCH
Even your security programs need patching
WSUS installs may require W2K cold reboot
Take advantage of XP's hidden backup
.NET 2.0 — do you really need it?
Trend Antivirus CSM 3.0 has install issues
Exchange 2003 SP2 IMF gets stuck
Where are all the expected exploits?
Real Player needs real patches
Future-proof your computer purchases
Ensure you're aware of security notices

PERIMETER SCAN
Special Report: Clean your parents' PC
First, make a CD with everything
Free antispyware tools
Additional updates and tools to take
Don't forget those home-computer gifts
The latest update on Sony BMG's rootkit

WACKY WEB WEEK
Play the "Best Search Engine" game

USEFUL LINKS
Beware of Google hijacking
Edit documents fast online

ABOUT YOUR SUBSCRIPTION

The Windows Secrets Newsletter (formerly Woody's Windows Watch and Brian's Buzz on Windows) is published twice a month, except for breaks in August and December. The newsletter is published on the Thursday after Microsoft Patch Tuesday (the 2nd Tuesday of each month) and two Thursdays after that. A short "newsletter update" is sometimes published between regular newsletters, if breaking news occurs.

Publisher: WindowsSecrets.com LLC, 300 Queen Anne Ave. N. #456, Seattle, WA 98109 USA. Vendors, please send no unsolicited packages to this address (readers' letters are fine).

Editor: Brian Livingston is the coauthor of Windows 2000 Secrets, Windows Me Secrets, and eight other books. Contributing Editors: Susan Bradley, Mark Burnett, Woody Leonhard, Chris Mosby. Research Director: Vickie Stevens. Program Director: Brent Scheffler.

Trademarks: Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. The Windows Secrets series of books is published by Wiley Publishing Inc. The Windows Secrets Newsletter, WindowsSecrets.com, WinFind, Windows Gizmos, Index of Reviews, Briefing Session, Windows Patch Watch, Update Management, and Wacky Web Week are trademarks and service marks of WindowsSecrets.com LLC. All other marks are the trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.

How to subscribe: Anyone may subscribe to this newsletter by visiting WindowsSecrets.com/info.

Our Ironclad Privacy Guarantee: (1) We will never sell, rent, or give away your address to any outside party, ever; (2) We will never send you any unrequested e-mail, besides newsletter updates; and (3) All unsubscribe requests are always honored immediately, period. Privacy policy

HOW TO UNSUBSCRIBE: To unsubscribe from the Windows Secrets Newsletter,

Visit WindowsSecrets.com/unsubscribe.

▲ to Contents ▼ to Index