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Windows Secrets Newsletter • Issue 109 • 2007-05-24 • Circulation: over 270,000
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Contents TOP STORY: Is your security system up to date? KNOWN ISSUES: Microsoft licenses OEM software for single users WACKY WEB WEEK: Make your own church marquee KNOWN ISSUES 2: More ways to avoid automatic credit-card charges PC TUNE-UP: Make Vista load files 10 times faster! OVER THE HORIZON: What to do when Windows turns against you PATCH WATCH: Internet Explorer patch is now a must-install YOUR SUBSCRIPTION: How to change your address or unsubscribe |
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For links to every subtopic in this issue, scroll down to the
Index |
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TOP STORY Is your security system up to date?
The basic tools you need You need at least three categories of tools to secure your system:
The most economical way to get a hardware firewall is to get an Internet router with built-in firewall features — preferably one that includes wireless capability. Most wireless routers in use today follow the 802.11b or 802.11g standard, which specifies the speed and range of data transfers. The newest draft specification is 802.11n, whose multiple data streams promise faster transfers and longer range than before. It's also intended to eliminate the problems of interference and spotty coverage that sometimes occur with the current standard. A number of "n"-based routers are already available. Unfortunately for consumers, the "n" standard is still in draft stage and is not expected to be ratified by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) until 2009. An unratified status means the specification could change, leaving consumers stranded with an incompatible product that may or may not be easy to upgrade. For this reason, a number of reviewers shied away in 2006 from recommending "n"-based products. Now the climate seems to be changing. Manufacturers have worked together over the last year to create "n"-based routers that work well and work together. A number of commentators and reviewers, including PC Magazine and the computing column of the Houston Chronicle, have begun to recommend these products. Here's my advice: If you aren't suffering from the problems that the "n" standard is meant to solve — slow speeds and inadequate range — there's little reason to risk isolating yourself with a product that may be outdated soon by a changing standard. I suspect that most home and small-business users are not likely to need the new technology in the near term. Netgear is the hardware firewall of choice There's no clear winner in the latest batch of router reviews, but Netgear's RangeMax 240 WPNT834 has garnered an Editor's Choice from PC Magazine and got high marks from other publications as well. This pre-"n" router includes the WPA2 encryption standard (which is the current leader and one I recommend) and includes four LAN ports, in addition to wireless capabilities. Its price online ranges from US$50 to US$120. The separate NetGear WPNT511 notebook adapter card is not required, but is likely to improve speed and compatibility. It sells for US$85 (street). ZoneAlarm remains the top-rated suite Long a favorite among testers, ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite ($50 street) is still the preferred security suite among respected reviewers. Like other products in this category, this suite includes software firewall, antivirus, and antispyware as well as other OS and privacy-protection features. It recently received an Editor's Choice from CNET, which cited its "perfect balance between best-of-breed security protection and ease of use." In previous editions of the WSN Security Baseline, we've recommended a separate antispyware utility because the tools in the security suites weren't yet up to snuff. That no longer appears to be the case. CNET notes that the antispyware tools in ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite continue to improve, and the Apr. 10, 2007, PC Magazine goes so far as to say that the ZoneAlarm suite "blocked and removed spyware better than the best standalone antispyware products (and better than NIS 2007)." NIS 2007, known formally as Norton Internet Security 2007, is a major alternative to ZoneAlarm and received an Editor's Choice designation in the Apr. 10 PC Magazine. MS Update and PatchLink for patch management For novices, we continue to recommend the free Microsoft Update (which requires Internet Explorer) to update Microsoft Office and a few other Microsoft products as well as Windows itself. As before, we advise users to configure Microsoft Update to Notify me but don't automatically download and install. Then, keep reading Windows Secrets to learn which updates might be risky or undesirable to install. For businesses with solid IT experience, it's useful to have an independent tool for downloading and installing Windows patches and upgrades. Windows IT Pro Magazine recently gave its Editor's Choice to PatchLink Update, which costs $1,495 for a network server plus $18 annually per Windows machine. The same product received a Best Patch Management award from SC Magazine during its 2006 SC Awards Europe. The product gets especially high marks for networks that support a mixture of operating systems. For larger networks, the Window Security site gives its recently updated gold rating to GFI LANguard Network Security Scanner ($575 for 32 machines). The WSN Security Baseline as it stands To see a summary of the end-user security products that are currently top-rated by test labs, visit the WSN Security Baseline page. As changes occur in the ratings, we'll give you updates here in the newsletter. Scott Dunn is associate editor of the Windows Secrets Newsletter. He is also a contributing editor of PC World Magazine, where he has written a monthly column since 1992, and co-author of 101 Windows Tips & Tricks (Peachpit) with Jesse Berst and Charles Bermant. |
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KNOWN ISSUES Microsoft licenses OEM software for single users
MS site encourages OEM sales to individuals Reader Richard Edwards sent us some Web pages from Microsoft's Partner Program site, which is accessible only to registered users. These Microsoft pages support the view that any "system builder" can legally purchase and install OEM software — even a home hobbyist who just works with a single machine. Microsoft's OEM license agreement defines a system builder as "an original equipment manufacturer, an assembler, refurbisher, or pre-installer of software on computer systems." [Emphasis added.] Naturally, the other limitations of the OEM version, which I mentioned in the Apr. 26 issue, still apply, including the lack of technical support from Microsoft and the fact that the license can't be transferred to another machine under the license terms. A February blog posting on the Partner Program site asks, "Can a system builder sell an OEM copy of Windows Vista without attaching it to a piece of hardware?" The answer that follows is:
Figure 1. This image from Microsoft's Partner Program site, which is
available only to registered users, clearly states that vendors can
sell the OEM version of Windows as a 1-pack to individuals who are
building a system, as long as the packaging is not opened by the
vendor.Unfortunately, Microsoft has chosen to hide some of its clearest statements about the sale of OEM software to end users on a Web site that is only available to those who join the Microsoft Partner Program (see Figure 1). A further annoyance is that the license agreement states that OEM software must be installed using Microsoft's OEM Preinstallation Kit (OPK). According to a Microsoft Web page, although the OPK tool is included with the "3-pack" OEM version of Windows and Office 2003, it is not included with the 1-user OEM version of Windows and Office 2003. To obtain the tool, an individual system builder must download it from the members-only Microsoft Partner Program Web site. The good news, however, is that any business (however small) can join the Partner Program at no charge. Quick fixes for subscription subterfuge Reader responses poured in after my May 17 story on security firms that make it difficult for you to opt out of automatic credit-card charges. We received a lot of good tips, tricks, and suggestions for avoiding surprises on your credit-card statements. Many people sent in solutions, like this one from Steve Himel:
Use virtual credit-card numbers An enormous number of readers suggested single-use credit-card numbers, a feature offered by some credit-card companies. For example, Matthew Persico explains his strategy:
Naturally, readers will want to check out the policies of their individual credit-card companies to see if this service is available, and whether it would solve this particular problem. In the paid version of today's newsletter, you'll find more ways to defeat subscription subterfuge, as well as a tip on Data Execution Prevention relating to my May 3 article on the subject. |
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EDITOR'S BOOKSHELF
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WACKY WEB WEEK Make your own church marquee
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YOUR SUBSCRIPTION The Windows Secrets Newsletter is published weekly on the 1st through 4th Thursdays of each month, plus occasional news updates. Vacation breaks occur in late August, Thanksgiving Week, and Christmas/New Year's. Publisher: WindowsSecrets.com LLC, Attn.: #120 Editor, 1700 7th Ave., Suite 116, Seattle, WA 98101-1323 USA. Vendors, please send no unsolicited packages to this address (readers' letters are fine). Editorial Director: Brian Livingston. Editor-at-Large: Fred Langa. Associate Editor: Scott Dunn. Contributing Editors: Susan Bradley, Mark Edwards, Woody Leonhard, Chris Mosby, Ryan Russell. Research Director: Vickie Stevens. Program Director: Brent Scheffler. Managing Editor: Jody Braverman. Trademarks: Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. The Windows Secrets series of books is published by Wiley Publishing Inc. The Windows Secrets Newsletter, WindowsSecrets.com, LangaList, LangaList Plus, WinFind, Security Baseline, Patch Watch, Perimeter Scan, Wacky Web Week, the Logo Design (W, S or road, and Star), and the slogan Everything Microsoft Forgot to Mention all 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 our free signup page. WE GUARANTEE YOUR PRIVACY: 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. 3. All unsubscribe requests are honored immediately, period. Privacy policy HOW TO UNSUBSCRIBE: To unsubscribe from the Windows Secrets Newsletter,
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