Monday, June 30, 2008

Maximizing Security in Mozilla Firefox 3

  1. Disable Awesome Bar
Type about:config in address bar & change browser.urlbar.maxRichResults from 12 to 0.

  1. Disable Referer
Type about:config in address bar & change network.http.sendRefererHeader from 2 to 0.

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Testing your mail server

You can connect to your mail server SMTP service on TCP port 25 using a Telnet or Netcat client and send email to your own account with the following code, where "IP" is the IP address of the server:

telnet IP 25

helo

mail from

rcpt to

enter message here, followed by a full stop on a new line

.

Also, check whether your email server divulges your internal users by supporting the EXPN and VRFY commands (for example, VRFY administrator -> admin@company.com):

' telnet 25

help - does it show EXPN / VRFY to be supported?

EXPN administrator

VRFY admin'

Finally, check if it's possible to send a spoofed email through the email server. For example, SMTP server for domain "company.com" receives an external email from user@company.com. Does your email server drop this email? It should do.

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Personal Computer World August 2008

Features
  1. Home network masterclass
  2. Run your office from an iPod
  3. Partition your hard drive for free
Cover CD (Free Paid Full Version)
  1. StuffIt Standard 11 (Windows 2000/XP/Vista)
  2. Cyberlink Power2Go 5.5 LE (Windows 2000/XP/Vista)
  3. East-Tec Eraser 2007 (Windows 98/ME/2000/XP/Vista)
  4. Serif MediaPlus 2 (Windows 98/ME/2000/XP)
  5. Ashampoo WinOptimizer 4.4 (Windows 2000/XP/Vista)

Friday, June 27, 2008

Australian APC Magazine July 2008

Features
  1. Windows Killer!
  2. PC Graphics Revolution
Cover DVD (Free Paid Full Version)
  1. 1-abc.net Registry Washer 2.00

Sunday, June 22, 2008

PC Advisor August 2008

Features
  1. Vista's half-term report
  2. Mini Laptops
  3. Windows 7 - breaking the silence
Cover DVD (Free Paid Full Version)
  1. AVG Internet Security 8.0
  2. Guardian Anti-Spy & Anti-Spam (1 year updates)
  3. Agnitum Outpost Pro Anti-Virus

Saturday, June 21, 2008

PC Pro August 2008

Features
  1. How to build an online shop
  2. Green gadget challenge
  3. Billion-dollar website
Cover DVD (Free Paid Full Version)
  1. BullGuard Backup 8.0 (6 month licence)

Friday, June 20, 2008

Computer Shopper August 2008

Features
  1. Lifetime of a Photo Print
  2. People Searching
  3. Computers in Space
Cover DVD (Free Paid Full Version)
  1. Norton AntiVirus 2008
  2. Ashampoo Uninstaller Premium
  3. X-OOM MovieClone 4

Thursday, June 19, 2008

AVG Safe Search 8.0 and Security Toolbar Problem with Firefox 3

After installing Mozilla Firefox 3 yesterday, AVG Safe Search 8.0 and AVG Security Toolbar are not functioning because they are not compatible with Firefox 3.

My current AVG Internet Security version is 8.0.93 and according to LinkScanner, the add-ons are only supported from 8.0.125 which was released on 15 June 2008.

It seems strange that even though AVG 8 is configured to update automatically every 4 hours and the last update is this morning, the latest version was not installed. You have to manually download the latest version and install. After a reboot, AVG Safe Search 8.0 and AVG Security Toolbar are now functioning in Firefox 3.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Mozilla Firefox 3 Released

In terms of privacy, there is no difference between this version and the previous version 2.0.0.14 except that you can clear Offline Website Data in Firefox 3.

In terms of security, the improvements are :
  1. One-click site information
  2. Malware protection
  3. Web forgery protection enhanced
  4. Easier to understand SSL errors
  5. Out-of-date add-on protection
  6. Secure add-on updates
  7. Anti-virus integration
  8. Windows Vista parental controls support
For performance, the changes are :
  1. Reliability
  2. Speed
  3. Memory usage reduced

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Beware of Keyloggers

If you need to do on-line banking at any public computers, please be aware of keyloggers which will capture your keystrokes as you type. To circumvent this problem, you can use the On-Screen keyboard in Windows XP. Click Start -> Run, type osk and click OK.

Monday, June 16, 2008

Best Value Budget Notebook

Acer Aspire 4315 (RM 1599)
  1. Intel Celeron M 2.0GHz, 1MB L2 cache, 533MHz FSB
  2. 512MB RAM
  3. 80GB HDD
  4. DVD burner
  5. 14.1" WXGA TFT
  6. 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi
  7. webcam
  8. 3 x USB 2.0
  9. Intel 945GM 128MB
  10. 56k modem & LAN
  11. card reader
  12. 2.4kg
  13. carry case
  14. 1 year international warranty
  15. Linux/DOS but you can get Windows XP Home for RM 289
Drivers
  1. Windows XP
  2. Windows Vista

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Multi-Function Mono Laser Printers (Print, Fax, Scan, Copy, PC Fax)

Model
Samsung
SCX-4521F

Brother
MFC-7340

Memory
16MB
16MB
Price
S$379*
S$398
Warranty
3 years on-site
3 years on-site
Average Toner Yield
Average Drum Yield
3,000 standard pages
2,600 standard pages
12,000 standard pages
Toner/Drum Cost

Running cost per page
SCX-4521D3 - S$129

S$0.043
TN-2150 - S$80
DR-2125 - S$128
S$0.041*

Saturday, June 14, 2008

How to Dual Boot Linux and Windows XP on Asus Eee PC 900

It's easier to install Linux on a Windows XP computer. But, if you've a Linux computer, how do you install Windows XP without wiping the Linux OS. PCMag has an article which shows you how to add XP to a Linux-running Eee PC. You'll need the following:
  1. External USB optical drive
  2. ASUS Support CD Rev 1.0
  3. Windows XP with Service Pack 2 installation disc
  4. External storage device for backing up data (optional)

Friday, June 13, 2008

Checking & Testing Your Computer

  1. CPU-Z - check processor core (running) speed, L1 cache, L2 cache & available memory slot
  2. HWiNFO32 - check hardware information
  3. OCCT - Overclock Checking Tool
  4. ORTHOS - test CPU & memory
  5. Rthdribl - test graphics

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Samsung Mono Laser Printers

Model
ML-1640
ML-1630
ML-2240
Speed (Mono)
Up to 16ppm in A4
Up to 16ppm in A4 Up to 22ppm in A4
Price
S$118
S$198 S$145
Memory
8MB
8MB 8MB
Average Cartridge Yield 1,500 standard pages
2,000 standard pages 1,500 standard pages
Toner Cost
MLT-D108S
S$93
ML-D1630A MLT-D108S
S$93

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Benchmarks of Intel Atom & Celeron

According to Engadget, using PCMark05 1.20, CPU score of Asus Eee PC 900 (1441) > MSI Wind (1159) > Asus Eee PC 4G (997). Graphics score of MSI Wind (490) > Asus Eee PC 900 (479) > Asus Eee PC 4G (326).

The above results may not be conclusive as different OS was compared. In fact, MSI Wind or Asus Eee PC 901 will be using Diamondville CPU N270 instead of Silverthorne Z520.

A better comparison is found at Eeepcnews where the same Windows XP OS is used. Using PCMark05, CPU score of Asus Eee PC 901 (1496) > Asus Eee PC 900 (1440).

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Best Value UMPC/Notebook Available Now

Model

Asus
Eee PC
900



Twinhead
Twinmate
E10


Display 8.9"
1024x600
10.2"
1024x600
CPU & Chipset Intel
Celeron M
ULV 353
900MHz

AMD
Geode
LX-800
500MHz

OS
Win XP
Win XP
Storage
4GB + 8GB
SSD
60GB
HDD
USB ports
3
2
WLAN
802.11b/g
802.11b/g
RAM
1GB
512MB
Battery
5800mAh
1600mAh
Webcam
1.3MP
-
Others
Ethernet,
card reader,
VGA out,
225 x
170 x
20-33.8 (mm)
0.99kg
1 year local warranty

PC card slot,
Ethernet,
4-in-1 card reader,
VGA out,
250 x
188 x
36 (mm),
1.2kg,
3 years local &
1 year international
warranty

Price

US$550

RM1738

Monday, June 9, 2008

Australian PC Authority July 2008

Features
  1. Build a PC for $400
  2. CPU Megatest
Cover DVD (Free Paid Full Version)
  1. PC Tools Internet Security
  2. Kaspersky Mobile Security 7

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Australian PC User July 2008

Features
  1. Ultimate PC Buyer's Guide
  2. Photo Superguide
Cover DVD (Free Paid Full Version)
  1. Ashampoo Photo Optimizer

Saturday, June 7, 2008

Personal Computer World July 2008

Features
  1. Build a new PC for only £99
  2. TV over the Internet
Cover CD (Free Paid Full Version)
  1. Norman Parental Control
  2. Agnitum Outpost Antivirus Pro

Friday, June 6, 2008

PC Answers July 2008

Features
  1. Get more from photos, movies & music
  2. 38 ways to enhance and expand your digital life
Cover DVD (Free Paid Full Version)
  1. Ashampoo Antivirus (180 days free)

Thursday, June 5, 2008

PC Pro July 2008

Features
  1. Double your broadband
  2. The 10 worst security gaffes
Cover DVD (Free Paid Full Version)
  1. Paragon Hard Disk Manager 8.5

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

PC Advisor July 2008

Features
  1. Best free software
  2. Social-networking sites
  3. Stop the scammers
  4. Carry a PC in your pocket
Cover DVD (Free Paid Full Version)
  1. Kaspersky Anti-Virus 7.0 (6 month licence) with free upgrade to Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2009
  2. MAGIX Movie Edit Pro Silver 14
  3. Ashampoo ClipFinder 1.6

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Australian APC Magazine June 2008

Features
  1. Instant PC Upgrades
  2. How to avoid PC Disasters
Cover DVD (Free Paid Full Version)
  1. Acebit Hello Engines! Professional Edition 5
  2. 1-abc.net Hard Drive Washer 2.01 (Windows Vista/XP)

Monday, June 2, 2008

Computer Shopper July 2008

Features
  1. The Dark Economy
  2. Expert's Guide to Video Codecs
  3. Windows Vista Secrets - Part 2
Cover DVD (Free Paid Full Version)
  1. BullGuard Backup 8.0
  2. Avira Antivir Mobile

Sunday, June 1, 2008

Netbook or UMPC

Model
Acer Aspire One


MSI Wind U100

Dell
E

Gigabyte M912



Display 8.9"
1024x600
10"
1024x600
8.9"
1024x600/
12.1"

8.9"
1280x768

CPU & Chipset Intel Atom
1.6GHz
945GSE
Intel
Atom
1.6GHz
945GSE

Intel
Atom
1.6GHz

Intel Atom
1.6GHz
945GSE
OS
Linpus
Linux Lite/
Win XP
Win XP
Linux/
Win XP

Linux/
Win XP/
Vista Home Basic

Storage
8GB SDD/
120GB HDD
80GB
HDD
4/8/16GB SSD
4GB SSD/
80GB
HDD
USB ports
3
3
3
3
WLAN
802.11b/g 802.11b/g
802.11b/g
802.11b/g
RAM
512MB/
1GB
1GB
512MB/
1GB
1GB
Battery
3 cell
2000mAh
3 hours
3 cell/
6 cell
4 cell
5 hours
4500mAh
3.5hours
Webcam
0.3MP
1.3MP
0.3MP
1.3MP
CMOS
Availability
July 08
(US)
July 08
(US)
Aug 08
(US)

Jul - Sep 08
(Europe)

Others
Ethernet,
5-in-1 card reader,
VGA out,
249 x
170 x
29 (mm)
0.985kg
1 year international
warranty
Gigabit Ethernet,
Optional Bluetooth,
4-in-1 card reader,
VGA out,
260 x
180 x
19-31.5 (mm)
1.0-1.2kg
VGA out,
SD
230 x
170 x
30 (mm),
0.998kg,


Touch screen,
Optional
Bluetooth,
Ethernet,
SD card reader,
VGA out,
235 x
180 x
42 (mm),
1.2kg,
1 year warranty
Price
US$399/
US$422
RM1399
S$699
US$499
S$859
A$699
From
US$299
476 Euros/
615 Euros