Winners named, Browsers & Add-ons, Friday Fun
I am posting a bit of a hodge-podge mixed bag for your Friday, which I hope you’ll enjoy. There’s pictures, so you may have to scroll..
First, I am frequently asked my opinion about web browsers: mainly, “which is best – Firefox or Chrome?” Yes, sometimes I am asked about IE or Opera too. Well.. what do you mean by “best”? And is your definition of “best” the same as mine? Fortunately, I don’t have to think too hard when I am asked, as web browsers all basically do the same thing –> show you websites.
I use Firefox as my “alternative” browser. And I have chosen it simply because of the many Add-ons available. If these “Add ons” were not available, I would not use Firefox. It’s that simple.
So, what Firefox Add-ons do I use? I’ll show you:
With the exception of the Vimeo video capture-to-blog plug in, I would recommend this configuration. Why? Well, what do these things do? Look at them, and you’ll see that they are defenses, and yes folks, your machine needs defenses on the Internet. (OK. The Java is not a defense. It’s a vulnerability.. see, Java, the new Adobe (+How To Protect Yourself).)
Adding Add-ons to Firefox is easy: click on the Tools menu, and then Add-ons. A window like the one pictured will open. In the upper left is the Get Add-ons button. Click it.
(If that seems like too many to you, I would say at a minimum you want NoScript, WOT, and Flashblock.)
* * *
Do you have a favorite TV show? Do you ever record movies?
I thought so. So I have a reading reco for you, a tutorial: How To Burn A Recorded TV Show in Windows Media Center
“Many people out there that have Windows Vista and Windows 7 based computers have never tapped into the Windows Media Center component that is right under their noses.”
* * *
The folks at TuneUp Utilities generously donated 3 licenses, to me, of their ‘hot off the press’ newest release of TuneUp Utilities (aka “TU 2011″). I sincerely thank them for that. I generously offered them as prizes to you, Dear Reader, in Wednesday’s giveaway. Here are the winners.
Congratulations to:
Again, my thanks to the folks at TuneUp Utilities for making the giveaway possible!
(Winners, check your Inbox [and maybe your Junk folder] for the Subject TU2011 Winner)
* * *
Loyal readers know that I sometimes post Nigerian 419 (and other) scam emails — as a warning.. and because they often amuse me.
Yesterday, I saw an email with the Subject DID YOU AUTHORIZE DR GEORGE JEFFLEY TO PICK UP YOUR ATM CARD FOR YOU?
A slightly different tack from the usual.. but the rest looks vaguely familiar.
DID YOU AUTHORIZE DR GEORGE JEFFLEY TO PICK UP YOUR ATM CARD FOR YOU?
Friday, November 12, 2010 6:19 AM
From: “ATM CARD PAYMENT OFFICE” < info_cbn41@yahoo.in > <— Ha! India..
To: undisclosed-recipientsOFFICE OF NEW APPIONTED EXECUTIVE
GOVERNOR CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA (CBN)
ZARIA STREET, GARKI 11, ABUJA NIGERIA
P.M.B 0187, GARKI, ABUJA .ATM Card Beneficiary,
I wish to use this medium to inform you that your CONTRACT/INHERITANCE Part Payment of USD$2.3M (Two Million Three Hundred Thousand Dollars) from CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA have been RELEASED and APPROVED for onward transfer to you via an ATM CARD which you will use to withdraw all the USD$2.3M in any ATM SERVICE MACHINE in any part of the world, but the maximum you can withdraw in a day is USD$40,000.00 Only.
We have mandated Skye Bank Nigeria Plc, to send you the ATM CARD and PIN NUMBER which you will use to withdraw all your USD$2.3 Million Dollars in any ATM SERVICE MACHINE in any part of the world, but the maximum you can withdraw in a day is USD$40,000.00 Only.
However, we received an email now from one Dr George Jeffley, who told us that you send him to come and pick up your ATM CARD for you.
He has also submitted his account for us to transfer your funds to him. Dr George Jeffley account co-ordinate is as stated below:
Bank: Bank of America
1121 N 205th St, Shoreline, Wa 98133
Bank routing number: 167000024
Bank account number: 3619672201
Account Holders name Dr George JeffleyWe want to know if you are the one that send him,but if you are not the person that send him You are therefore advice to contact the Head of ATM CARD Department Contact Person:
DR.ANTHONY AKA
E-mail:dranthonyaka47@gmail.comTell DR.ANTHONY AKA that you received a message from office of the director of ATM CARD International Credt Card Settlement department Skye Bank Nigeria Plc,instructing him to send you the ATM CARD and PIN NUMBER which you will use to withdraw your USD$2.3Million Dollars in any ATM SERVICE MACHINE in any part of the world, also send him your,
1. FULL NAME
2. FULL ADDRESS
3. PHONE AND FAX #(P.O BOX NOT ACCEPTABLE)
4. YOUR AGE, SEX AND CURRENT OCCUPATION.
Please do keep this only to your self for now until the bank transfer your fund into your bank account.Yours faithfully.
Lamido Sanusi.
Executive Governor,
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
(Reply to: dranthonyaka47@gmail.com
Yes, Mr. or Ms. info_cbn41, somewhere in India, I’ll get right on this. Check your Inbox.
The weekend is almost here…
and how about some action? You did say you like movies? Like stunts? Jackie’s the man.
Vodpod videos no longer available.
Copyright 2007-2010 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.
>> Folks, don’t miss an article! To get Tech – for Everyone articles delivered to your e-mail Inbox, click here, or to subscribe in your RSS reader, click here. <<
| Share this post : |  |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
16 Comments »
Post your Comment/Question
• About Tech Paul
I am a Retired computer & network technician. I used to think the machines were pretty cool. Now I don’t.
They’re anything but.
I regularly posted how-to’s and tricks & tips and general computing advice here starting in 2007. (Use the Search tool to find answers. But be aware, many are rather dated.) Sometimes I answered (your) specific questions in an article if I believed the answer was generally helpful to “everyone”. All the writing you see was my own, typos and all. There always is/was an implied “IMHO” in what you see here.
Note: You are responsible for using this blog and its content. I am in no way liable for any losses caused by user error, viruses and/or other malware, hardware or software failure, or any other conceivable reason.
-
Say "thank you!" Buy Tech Paul a cup of coffee (and keep T4E ad free).
-
-
McAfee® Cybersafety Resource Portal, an online help center designed to assist victims of computer crime and provide information on how to avoid becoming a victim.
-
Subscribe to Tech--for Everyone by EmailRecent Comments
-
-
-
-
Also:
-
-
Tech - for Everyone 
CONGRATS!!! TO ALL THE WINNERS
LikeLike
Cappydawg,
I am sorry you didn’t win (this time), but I appreciate your participation, and good sportsmanship!
LikeLike
Congrats to all the winners..
Thanks to Paul for this opportunity.
Thanks,
Grr
LikeLike
Grr,
Allow me to express the same sentiments to you as I said to Cappydawg.. I am sorry you didn’t win – but I do appreciate your participation, and good sportsmanship!
LikeLike
Congratulations to Jay, Margie, and BaldEagle. As the owner of a previous version of TuneUp Utilities I know that it will help keep your computers running smoothly. I’m pleased that you all own this great utility now. You will find it useful and I’m sure you are thankful to get a licensed copy of TuneUp Utilities free of charge.
Paul, it sure is nice of you to offer your extra licenses to your readers like this. It drives that nail home… the one that tells me something about who you are.
Keep up the great work my friend.
LikeLike
You are a gentleman, sir.
Thank you.
LikeLike
congratulations to the winners as well … thanks for a chance at this
LikeLike
phase,
I join you in congratulating the lucky winners, and I appreciate your good sportsmanship. I hope you have better luck in future giveaways.
LikeLike
Thanks for the info.You are very helpful.
LikeLike
Graphics,
Thanks.
LikeLike
Hey Paul
I like your choices of Firefox Add-ons. I already had a few of them, and added the ones I didn’t. This brought up a few questions that I have concerning Add-ons and my browser choices over the past few years.
First, how did you verify the integrity of the Add-ons you chose? Many of them say “Author not verified” or some other warning that makes me nervous… I did some research on them and they SEEM alright, but how do you know for sure? I was comforted some by Norton AV’s Pop-up stating that the files were safe.
Second, you mentioned using Firefox as your “alternative” browser. Do you still use IE? I use IE for Windows Update ONLY. I like to go to the Windows Update site to see what optional updates are available along with the critical updates. I don’t ever click on the IE icon. Instead I click on Windows Update which opens IE even if it isn’t your default browser. Am I wrong in my opinion that like Windows XP, hackers OWN Internet Explorer? I stopped using Outlook Express long ago for the same reason.
I use Firefox with security Add-ons for web sites that require sensitive information transfer, and Chrome for general browsing when I am relatively sure that the sites I’m visiting are safe, and no personal information is being entered. I.E.: Network news sites, nfl.com, Tech-for Everyone, etc.
Tell us O guru of the net…
LikeLike
KsTinMan,
I will try to answer all the questions here, and I will (also) say that flattery gets you far with me.
1) I regret to say I know of no way to really “verify” the Add-ons, other than the methods you used. Which is the correct approach to anything coming from the ‘net. (You could run the app in a sandbox, and watch it for a while..)
Do your due diligence. Scan the download with an AV. Keep your downloading to a minimum. Avoid “torrents”. Cross your fingers.
The Internet is *darn* dangerous, and there is no “magic shield”.
2) Yes, I still use IE, though mainly as you do – only for sites which require it: such as Microsoft Update, and certain online AV scanners.
3) Yes.. you are not quite correct.. unless you are talking about hackers pwning IE 6 (the most hacked item of programming EVER). In some instances, IE is more secure than Firefox. But understand, that ‘fact’ changes week to week. Yesterday’s “safest” is probably not today’s, but it may be again the coming week.
I am not a Chrome user, but if I were, I would uninstall my Firefox. This would reduce my “attack surface”, the number of apps I had to keep updated, and jibe with Rule #1 for PC performance: Keep It Lean And Mean. (Not saying there’s anything wrong with your approach. The “P” in PC stands for “personal” after all. But I have seen machines with 6 different web browsers installed. That makes no sense to me [unless you develop websites, I mean].)
LikeLike
Thanks for your input on the subject(s) Paul. I value your opinion. It’s good to know how you feel about the issues you discussed. I’ll take all the advise I can get. My opinion: You can’t ever be TOO careful.
Good day to all!
LikeLike
KsTinMan,
The unofficial Motto here (or.. “catchphrase”, if you prefer) is “use paranoid common sense”.
Because it’s not paranoia when they ARE out to get you.
Two other phrases I like are:
“The weakest link in the security chain is the end user.” (aka “Layer 8”)(aka us, Dear Reader)
“The best antivirus exists between your ears.”
BTW – your comment is so important, it has earned a gold star
LikeLike
Wow, an autographed gold star… Makes me feel kinda special. Please accept my humble thanks Paul.
It IS extremely important that we protect ourselves. I still have to pound that into some of my family members heads… “Aunt Martha doesn’t pay for any of that stuff and she doesn’t have any problems”. That you know of…
I think of it like safe sex. Don’t take precautions and see what happens. It may not be life threatening with computers, but it certainly can ruin your life. Identity Theft is one good example.
Stay safe in here my friends!
LikeLike
KsTinMan,
On one side of the coin, my “gold stars” are a bit of levity, and kind of a sideways dig at our society’s recent trend of awarding kids just for showing up (Certificates of Participation). I understand that – as of the most recent listings – a TP Gold Star fetches exact $0.00 in Exchange.
On the other side of that coin, I have only endowed three of them – in 2925 replies. Over 3+ years.
It is my hope that – someday – a viewer’s eye will be ‘drawn’ to that star (as a fish is to a shiny lure), which will cause them to slow down long enough to read your words.
And then say to themselves.. “Maybe I better finally do something about that ‘expired’ McAfee thingy that keeps popping open…”
LikeLike