Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Australian APC Magazine October 2008

Features
  1. Affordable Mobile Broadband
  2. Hiding Files from Prying Eyes
Cover DVD (Free Paid Full Version)
  1. AVG Internet Security 8.0 (90 days)
  2. BB FlashBack Express 2

Monday, September 29, 2008

Opening Word Mobile Documents

I found that the Word Mobile on my LG KS20 PDA phone saves documents in docx format by default. Even saving as doc, rtf or txt on the PDA won't change the docx format. So, I can't open these files on my computer without Microsoft Office 2007. The Notes application will saves files as pwi format which also cannot be opened on a computer. In fact, there is no text editor on the PDA without resorting to third party utility.

Since there is no Word Viewer 2007 available, you've to download the following:
  1. Word Viewer 2003
  2. Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel and PowerPoint 2007 File Formats
  3. Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack Service Pack 1
Why does Microsoft make it so complicated?

Friday, September 26, 2008

Mozilla Firefox Portable Edition 3.0.2

You can download the latest portable edition now. Before upgrading to this version, remember to backup your bookmarks and copy all your extensions if any.
  • Bookmarks
In old browser, select Bookmarks -> Organize Bookmarks -> Import and Backup -> Backup

In new browser, select Bookmarks -> Organize Bookmarks -> Import and Backup -> Restore -> Choose File
  • Extensions
Copy the contents of the following to the new browser location : \FirefoxPortable\Data\profile\extensions

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Acer LCD Monitors

They come with both analog and DVI with HDCP interface. Only P203W and P223W have Acer CrystalBrite screen with response time of 5ms but P244W has a response time of 2ms.

Model
P203W (20")
P223W (22")
P244W (24")
Resolution
1680 x 1050
1680 x 1050 1920 x 1200
Brightness (cd/sq m)
300
300 300
High Contrast Ratio
2500:1
2500:1 20,000:1
Viewing Angle (degree)
160 (H), 160 (V)
170 (H), 160 (V) 170 (H), 160 (V)
Price
$279
$329 $499

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

SanDisk Cruzer Titanium USB Flash Drive

The price of SanDisk Cruzer Titanium 1GB is equivalent to Kingston microSD 1GB. I bought the former as it comes with Avast! Antivirus U3 Edition and CruzerSync. The latter U3 software allows users to easily and securely (AES 128-bit encryption) access, edit and restore ALL their personal files (productivity documents, audio and video files, bookmarks etc.) and Outlook data (emails, attachments, calendar, contacts, notes, tasks) at anytime from any computer in the world.

There is no need to install any software as it is already installed on the flash drive. You'll need a computer running Windows 2000 or XP to use the U3 software. After updating online, the trial license for Avast! Antivirus is 2 months only.

However, you can also download free license of Cruzer PocketCache for Titanium and CruzerLock 2 from SanDisk. Cruzer PocketCache enables you to perform regular and repeated backup of PC files and directories, typically for months, onto a single Titanium flash drive. CruzerLock is a security application designed to protect your personal data files. Your individual files can be encrypted / decrypted to prevent unauthorized viewing.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Firewall Challenge

The results of Firewall Challenge were published but may not be the latest versions tested. Also, the tests were performed on Windows XP Service Pack 2 and may not be relevant to Windows Vista. As of now, the latest versions are as follows:
  1. Outpost Firewall Pro 2009 6.5.2358.316.0607 released on July 15, 2008
  2. Online Armor Personal Firewall 2.1.0.131
  3. Comodo Firewall Pro 3.0.25.378 released on May 30, 2008
  4. Kaspersky Internet Security 2009 8.0.0.454
  5. PC Tools Firewall Plus 4.0.0.45 released on August 14, 2008
  6. Jetico Personal Firewall 2.0.2.6 released on August 25, 2008
  7. System Safety Monitor 2.3.0.612 released on January 29, 2007

Friday, September 19, 2008

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Computer Shopper November 2008

Features
  1. Bring your old kit back to life
  2. Play to win
  3. Science fiction: Light years ahead of fact
Cover DVD (Free Paid Full Version)
  1. Kaspersky Internet Security 2009
  2. Iolo System Mechanic

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Hakin9 September - October 2008

Features
  1. Kernel Hacking & Anti-forensics: Evading Memory Analysis
  2. Threats are in the Air!
Cover CD (Free Paid Full Version)
  1. Filseclab Twister Anti-TrojanVirus V7 R3 (Windows XP/Vista)

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

PC Advisor November 2008

Features
  1. Blacklisted: Blocking known malware sites
  2. Google: fact or fiction
Cover DVD (Free Paid Full Version)
  1. StuffIt Standard 11.0

Monday, September 15, 2008

Using VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware

There is a useful tool in VIPRE called PC Explorer which determines whether your running process is safe, unknown, suspicious or hazardous. But on a computer running Windows Vista SP1, it was unable to check its own running process "sbamsvc.exe".

Another tool History Cleaner can only clean history in IE 7 SP1. You've to clean cookies, passwords, form data and temporary internet files yourself.



Saturday, September 13, 2008

Choosing A Mobile Broadband Plan or 3G/3.5G Phone

The highest data speed achievable for HSDPA or 3.5G is 7.2Mbps. I'm using a Huawei Modem E220 which supports speed up to 3.6Mbps and LG KS20 3.5G phone also supports maximum speed of 3.6Mbps. Since my mobile broadband plan is only 1Mbps, there is no point to pay more for a device which can support 7.2Mbps.

Similarly, if you've a iPhone 3G which supports speed up to 1.4Mbps, it is not worthwhile to subscribe to a mobile broadband plan with speed greater than 1Mbps. The data bandwidth is limited either by the device or the mobile broadband plan.

Friday, September 12, 2008

Extended Trial of Eset NOD32 Antivirus

Today, I notice that the NOD32 system tray icon has changed back to green. Upon opening, it shows that the license will be valid until October 15 2008.

For whatever reason, the trial has been extended. Kudos to Eset.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Sunbelt VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware

You can download a 15 day trial from Sunbelt Software. After installation, the computer was very slow. I found that it is incompatible with PC Tools Spyware Doctor 6. Due to the slow response, the only way to uninstall Spyware Doctor 6 is booting into safe mode.

The update is automatic and it only passed Eicar tests for eicar.com but all Spycar tests on a Windows Vista SP1 computer.

It also bundles with Secure File Eraser, History Cleaner and PC Explorer.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Using LG KS20 Phone

  • Phone
Do not set any password to lock the device if unused otherwise your bluetooth headset won't pick up any incoming calls.
  • Torchlight
In power save mode, hold volume down until flash light is on. Press any hardware button to turn flash light off.
  • Internet
To be alerted when programs try to access Internet so as not to incur unnecessary GPRS/HSDPA charges, tap Start > Settings > Sounds & Notifications > Notifications tab
Select Connection established
Tick Play sound & select Alarm 5
Tick Display message on screen
Tick Vibrate
Tap ok

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Personal Computer World November 2008

Features
  1. Make XP last longer
  2. Add a server to your home network
  3. Cheaper computing
  4. The paperless home
Cover DVD (Free Paid Full Version)
  1. Paragon Hard Disk Manager 8.5 SE
  2. Iolo DriveScrubber 3.5
  3. Titan Backup 1.5

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Trial of Eset NOD32 Antivirus

Yesterday, the Eset NOD32 icon at the system tray changed from the usual green to orange and there was a pop-up message. When I clicked on it, it showed that maximum protection is not ensured.

I installed the trial before August 31 and it has not ended. Automatic update and real-time protection are still working but just the annoying pop-up message each time you start up the computer.

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Australian PC Authority October 2008

Features
  1. Virus Myths Busted
  2. Wireless Routers
Cover DVD (Free Paid Full Version)
  1. BB FlashBack Express 2
  2. iolo System Mechanic 8
  3. iolo Search and Recover 5
  4. Ashampoo UnInstaller Platinum 2

Friday, September 5, 2008

AhnLab V3 Internet Security 2007 Platinum for USB

This Korean software is bundled with either 1GB or 2GB USB thumbdrive for a reason. After installation from the software on the thumbdrive, you still need the thumbdrive connected on the computer in order to open the software interface or perform any virus or spyware scan from Windows Explorer. This applies to real-time protection from virus and spyware as well.

The update is automatic and it only passed Eicar tests for eicar.com but all Spycar tests on a Windows Vista SP1 computer. Unlike Avast! Antivirus U3 Edition or McAfee VirusScan USB, this software does real-time protection the host computer from virus and spyware.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Australian PC User October 2008

Features
  1. IT Careers
  2. Ultimate Connected Home
Cover DVD (Free Paid Full Version)
  1. Serif PagePlus 8 PDF Edition
  2. Agenda At Once 2.3
  3. Ashampoo AntiVirus 1.61 (180 days of free updates)

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

PC Answers September 2008

Features
  1. Healthcheck your PC
  2. Help me buy a powerline network kit

Monday, September 1, 2008

Online Malware Scanners

It is advisable not to install more than one antivirus software with real-time on-access protection on a computer. It may conflict with each other. But sometimes, your antivirus software may give a false positive. So, how can you be sure? You can always check using online malware scanners.
  1. Trend Micro HouseCall - will detect and remove malware; works with both IE and Firefox.
  2. Kaspersky - will detect malware but doesn't remove it; works with IE and Firefox.
  3. Eset - will detect and remove malware; requires IE.
  4. BitDefender - will detect and remove malware; requires IE.
  5. F-Secure - will detect and remove malware; requires IE.