The Weekly Geek

One of the more anticipated features of Windows 7 is the proclaimed “better” support for and implementation of 64 bit architecture. The 64 bit architecture consists of a 64 bit operating systems (most are 32 bit) and a 64 bit motherboard and of course a 64 bit processor.

These systems will allow users to address more memory (RAM), to do more with and / or speedup video editing, Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM).

About 4 years ago when Windows release Windows XP 64 bit I was eager to jump on the 64 bit bus (pun intended), since then I have learned a few things I want you to consider before hopping on that bus. [Read more →]

The Internet Crime Complaint Center is reporting that last year the business model of scareware and my term crapware reached $150 Million in the US last year. http://www.ic3.gov/media/2009/091211.aspx

Symantec published a report in October of 2009 reporting 40 million infected users worldwide. http://eval.symantec.com/mktginfo/enterprise/white_papers/b-symc_report_on_rogue_security_software_WP_20100385.en-us.pdf

As Scareware continues to proliferate via Facebook, with the deaths or misfortunes of celebrities, due to web site injections and drive-by downloads and the profitability of this scam, expect it to rise dramatically in 2010.

So what is a person and business to do?
I have discussed the details of these infections over the last 13 months more than I would like. Today I want to help you clean up your computer from an infection and give you a suggestion or two on preventing the fake anti-virus and fake infection warnings.

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It has happened again, another attack / exploit on Adobe Acrobat, all versions (including the free Reader and paid for versions). There is no patch at this time but there is a quick fix. Before we go any further, here is the fix.

Open Adobe Acrobat, go to “Edit” on the menu bar (2nd from the left) select “Preferences” (at the bottom of the drop down menu).
A new menu will appear, on the left side select “JavaScript” and on the right side uncheck “Enable Acrobat JavaScript”. [Read more →]

Well, it was bound to happen. The week before Thanksgiving our shop was building a Windows 2008 server. The technicians and I could not get past the Intel POST screen, the one with the Intel logos only. We removed and tested hard drives. They keyboard and mouse would just not respond and leaving it alone for hours resolved nothing. With the support of Intel, we swapped the motherboard, both CPUs, the RAM (3 times – I’ll get to that later). We tried 3 power supplies, taking the system off the KVM and direct connecting, nothing. Last Thursday we began the build of another server with a different motherboard and CPU, same issue.

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Passwords are like toothbrushes, you should change them often and never share them.

Any Questions? Didn’t think so.

Until we meet again, have a virus free week.