Antimalware Software

I've been evaluating antivirus software regularly. All come bundled with antispyware even if they are called antivirus. They should change their names to antimalware software instead. According to toptenreviews.com, the following software are ICSA certified, VB100% certified, W. C. L Level 1 Certified and W. C. L Level 2 Certified. You can download a free trial without submitting personal details such as e-mail address.

1. BitDefender Antivirus 2009
2. Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2009
3. Eset NOD32 3.0 Antivirus
   
4. AVG Anti-Virus 8
5. Trend Micro AntiVirus plus AntiSpyware 2008 (won't install with PC Tools Spyware Doctor 6 already installed)
   

HP Mini 1000 Netbook

Genuine Windows(R) XP Home with Service Pack 3
8.9" diagonal WSVGA LED BrightView Widescreen Display (1024 x 600)
512MB DDR2 System Memory (1 Dimm)
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
Intel Atom Processor N270 (1.60GHz)
8GB (Solid State Drive Flash Module)
HP Mini Webcam with HP Imprint Finish (Swirl)
HP Color Matching Keyboard
Wireless-G Card
3 Cell Lithium Polymer Battery
Integrated 10/100BASE-T Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 connector)
HP Mini Webcam
2 USB Ports
2-in-1 integrated Digital Media Reader
Built-in Stereo speakers
30W AC Adapter
1-year limited H/W warranty
US$399.99

Putting Ultimate Boot CD for Windows on USB Flash Drive

If you've a netbook but don't have access to an external CD/DVD drive, you can put Ultimate Boot CD for Windows on a USB flash drive. You'll need at least a 1GB USB flash drive and it will be formatted. The files occupied for a default installation for Ultimate Boot CD for Windows 3.2.0 is 692MB.

PeToUSB allows you to make your USB flash drive bootable with Ultimate Boot CD for Windows.

Building Ultimate Boot CD for Windows

Ulimate Boot CD for Windows allows you to boot up from a CD into a Windows XP environment. This CD can be used to back up your important files from FAT, FAT32 or NTFS partitions to USB flash drive or an external USB hard disk under the following situations:

1. computer is unable to boot
2. computer is bootable but unable to use
3. unable to access safe mode using F8

You can also use the Ultimate Boot CD for Windows to remove any malware in your computer without installation.

The CD is quite similar to live Windows XP CD but with many more tools pre-installed. You can follow the steps to create the bootable CD on a Windows XP SP2/3 or Vista SP1 computer.

Issues with Java SE 6 Update 10 on Vista SP1

On my computer running Windows Vista SP1, I encountered the following issues:

1. Each time I open IE 7 or open a new tab or window in IE 7, User Account Control will be activated to ask me about ssvagent. Disabling the add-ons do not help.
   

2. I can't disable the option to Check for Updates Automatically as shown.

I don't have such issues in Jave SE 6 Update 7.

In fact, Java SE 6 Update 10 does not contain any new fixes for security vulnerabilities to its previous release, Java SE 6 Update 7. Users who have Java SE 6 Update 7 have the latest security fixes and do not need to upgrade to this release to be current on security fixes. I decided to revert back to Java SE 6 Update 7.

Vulnerability in Server Service Could Allow Remote Code Execution (958644)

Microsoft has released a security bulletin MS08-067 which is critical for Windows XP and important for Windows Vista.

It was installed successfully on a computer running Windows XP SP3 and another computer running Windows Vista SP1.

Java Runtime Environment (JRE) Version 6 Update 10

Sun has updated the version of JRE from Version 6 Update 7 to Version 6 Update 10. There is no mention of the changes and the sudden jump from 7 to 10. The only thing mentioned during installation is JavaFX.

During installation on a computer running Windows XP SP3, it encountered the error as shown. This is puzzling as there is no other installation going on at the same time. But, it worked on another computer running Windows Vista SP1.

Australian APC Magazine November 2008

Features

1. gPhone vs iPhone
2. Networking: go beyond the manual

PC Advisor December 2008

Features

1. Google Chrome
2. Welcome to Windows 7

Cover DVD (Free Paid Full Version)

1. Ashampoo WinOptimizer Advanced 2009
2. StuffIt Standard 11 Windows
   

PC Pro December 2008

Features

1. Google Chrome: The complete guide
2. How to land a top tech job
3. My life with Linux

Cover DVD (Free Paid Full Version)

1. Ashampoo Burning Studio 2009
   

Computer Shopper December 2008

Features

1. Can You Compute For Free?
2. Modding Times
3. The High-tech World of Finance
   

Cover DVD (Free Paid Full Version)

1. Macrium Reflect

Updating Adobe Flash Player

Version 10.0.12.36 of Adobe Flash Player has been released with clickjacking fix. I've no problem updating twice on a computer running Windows XP SP3 with IE 6 and Mozilla Firefox 3.0.3. The update can be applied over the existing Adobe Flash Player 9.0.124.0.

But, on another computer running Windows Vista SP1 with IE 7, it failed as shown. Uninstalling the older version of Adobe Flash Player 9.0.124.0 as advised online also did not work. In the end, I've to download the new update manually and install.

Disk Wiping Software

A bootable CD can be created from all software and the free Darik's Boot & Nuke can even be booted from a USB flash drive. After wiping, the disks can be recycled or reused.

Software	Darik's Boot & Nuke 1.0.7	Iolo DriveScrubber 3.0	Paragon Disk Wiper 7.0
Data Wiping Methods	1, 3, 7, 8 or 35 passes	1, 7 or 35 passes	Paragon's algorithm or create own mask & pass
Wipe options	Verify	Verify Wipe from start to end	Verify
Status	Show %, runtime & remaining	Show progress bar with % & time remaining	Show progress bar, time elapsed & time to finish
Supported disks	IDE/SATA HDD SLC/MLC SSD	IDE/SATA HDD SLC/MLC SSD	IDE/SATA HDD SLC SSD
Speed - time to wipe 20GB IDE HDD with 1 pass & no verify	12 mins	13 mins	50 mins

Mobile Broadband Modem

All modems are white in color.

Model	Huawei E169	Huawei E180	ZTE MF628
Size	72.15 x 25.70 x 12.20mm less than 40g	80 x 26 x 10mm	69 x 27 x 12mm
Speed	Download up to 7.2Mbps	Download up to 7.2Mbps Upload up to 5.76Mbps	Download up to 7.2Mbps Upload up to 384kbps
Download Firmware	Yes	No	No
Built-in MicroSD	No	Yes	Yes
OS Support	Windows 2000/XP/Vista Mac OS X 10.3/10.4/10.5	Windows 2000/XP/Vista Mac OS X 10.5	Windows 2000/XP/Vista Mac OS X 10.5

Acer LCD Monitors

The response time of P194W and P223W is 5ms whereas P244W is 2ms. All LCD monitors have analog/DVI with HDCP interface.

Model	P194W (19")	P223W (22")	P244W (24")
Resolution	1440 x 900	1680 x 1050	1920 x 1200
Brightness (cd/sq m)	300	300	400
High Contrast Ratio	10,000:1	2500:1	20,000:1
Price	$349	$429	$699
Trade-in Price with old monitor/LCD	$209	$309	$429

Australian PC User November 2008

Features

1. Rip and Go
2. Huge Gadget Guide

Cover DVD (Free Paid Full Version)

1. Serif WebPlus 8
   

Preventing Clickjacking in Adobe Flash Player

Adobe has published a security advisory regarding "Clickjacking" issue in Adobe Flash Player.

You can check your version and apply the workaround as shown.

Personal Computer World December 2008

Features

1. Fix your laptop
2. Clone your PC
   

Cover DVD (Free Paid Full Version)

1. Serif PagePlus 9
2. Paragon Drive Backup Express Pro 9
   

Australian PC Authority November 2008

Features

1. Mobile Broadband
2. Computers in Space

Cover DVD (Free Paid Full Version)

1. Paragon Hard Disk Manager 8.5 SE
2. Iolo DriveSrubber 3.5
   

Optus Pre-Paid Wireless Broadband

In Australia, you can purchase a minimum AUD$30 voucher with Optus SIM card for pre-paid wireless broadband if you already have Huawei E169 or E220 USB modem. Alternatively, you can buy the pre-paid bundled starter pack for AUD$199 and receive an Optus E169 USB modem, SIM card and 1GB of data.

1. Buy the voucher at Optus, Woolworths, Coles or Dick Smith store
   
2. Activate service online
3. Check your available data balance and remaining SMS by sending the word ‘balance’ via SMS to 9999. You will receive a replay SMS confirming your available data allowance and how many free standard SMS you have remaining.
4. Re-charge online using voucher
   

Your first 30MB of usage per day will be charged at 10MB. The downside is that usage after this will be counted in 10MB increments or part thereof and includes both uploads and downloads.

Mozilla Firefox 3.0.2 Crashed

Today, I can't use Mozilla Firefox, Portable Edition 3.0.2 after switching on my computer. It crashed for no reason. Choosing the option to Quit Firefox or Restart Firefox does not help.

Since Mozilla Firefox, Portable Edition 3.0.3 is released, I upgraded the browser and the problem is resolved.