A Warning For Apple Users
I have long been advising owners of computers – even Apple computers – to make sure they run an antivirus (any device that connects to the Internet needs an antivirus) and keep it up-to-date. Also true: the outright *myth* that Apple is immune from viruses and hackers persists. Guess what I saw in my InfoSec headlines yesterday?
Attackers set sights on Mac OS X with Apple malware toolkit
“The growing success of Apple’s Mac OS, bolstered by iPhone sales and new iPad tablet users, has caught the attention of cybercriminals who are setting their sights on Apple users.
Danish IT-security firm, CSIS Security Group, has stumbled upon a new Apple crimeware toolkit targeting Mac OS X. Security researchers at the organization discovered the toolkit being sold in low numbers on several black hat hacking forums.” Read more..
Also: New MAC OS X scareware delivered through blackhat SEO
Researchers from Intego have intercepted a new scareware sample targeting the MAC OS X. Read more..
(Geek Speak Translation: A “malware toolkit” is a simple-to-use program that creates custom viruses, and takes advantage of known weaknesses. See, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hacker (computer_security). They are [typically] used by ‘hackers’ who aren’t really into computer programming, called “script kiddies”. “Blackhat SEO” refers to criminal manipulation of search results, so their ‘poison’ websites appear at or near the top.)
I know that my posting this will not do anything to dispel common perception; but for those of you who are Apple Mac owners, and want to prevent Identity Theft and to surf the web (more) safely, I re-recommend purchasing and installing Norton for Mac, or downloading ..
Today’s free download: Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac Home Edition
“Free antivirus that works simply and beautifully. Just like your Mac.
Overview: As Apple computers grow more popular than ever, they’re an increasingly-enticing target for hackers. And these hackers aren’t just mischief-makers — by targeting your computer or applications you use, these criminals are out to steal and profit from your valuable personal information. Don’t let them. Get free Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac today.”
Please! Let your Apple using friends and family know – Apple is in the hacker crosshairs now. (And also tell ’em “hacker” translates to “cyber criminal” these days.)
Bonus:
Copyright 2007-2011 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.
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Ink. Nozzles. Cartridges.
“Razors and razor blades..“
Today I want to talk about printers. I have some recent experiences to share, and.. a question to ask.
I have said for a long time the tech industry’s business model for printers is the old “razors and razor blades” game. They practically give away the printer, and make their money selling ink (cartridges) refills.
Because ink refills are um.. well, not cheap, a whole industry has developed, and workaround techniques used, to try to undercut the manufacturer’s ink price, and earn your business.
There are ‘kits’ you can buy which contain a syringe and a bottle of ink. There are “generic” cartridges. There are “ink recycling/refill” services offered by retail Doodad & Gizmo stores. There are online “discount ink” websites and “wholesalers”. Etc., etc. (Enter “ink refills” into your favorite search engine, and take a quick look at the millions of results.) I think you know what I am talking about.
My reco for ink refill: (Mind you, I am not talking about laser printers here.)
Unless your printer is old, basic, and you are thinking about replacing it anyway, buy the manufacturer’s recommended replacement cartridge. If money is a real factor, keep an eye out for sales and specials (the manufacturer’s themselves often offer sale prices for online orders) and stock up when you find them. I further suggest, that if your printer accepts both normal and “extended” (larger) cartridges, and you print pretty much everyday, get the larger. If you print only occasionally, don’t. Ink can dry up.
Pretty simple, right? And, also, probably not what you wanted to hear.
But the truth is – and have have witnessed scores of examples of this (3 already this January) – sooner or later, a syringed/generic/recycled ink cartridge will either:
* not print worth a *darn*
* clog your “print head” ‘nozzles’ (aka “jets”)
When it’s the latter, you can try to clean the ‘nozzles’/print head. Which sometimes works (let the print head soak overnight in a bowl of Windex, rinse and let dry thoroughly (overnight is good), and then run the printer’s “deep clean” utility a few times). But more often then not, in my experience, a clog means a new printer.
(Or a new print head.. which often costs as much as a new printer.)
If you spent good money to get a good printer, and you like it and want to keep it around for a while, play it safe — don’t gum it up by trying to save $10 — buy a manufacturer’s replacement cartridge. There are solid, sound, technical [physical] reasons for this, which I won’t bother you with. But think about it.. don’t you think using exactly what the printer’s designer designed it to use would produce the best results?
There is my 2¢.
My question for you, Dear Reader, is: have you ever had to replace a printer because you used cheap ink?
Copyright 2007-2010 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.
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Monday | Top Internet Security Suites | Countdown
Well here we are. Monday again. Today, some “miscellany”.
* A reader wrote and suggested that I start a “countdown to the Holidays” feature.. further suggesting that it go something like, “time to get the tree”; “mail 15 cards today”; and such.
While I welcome reader comments and questions and, yes, even suggestions.. I feel in no way obligated to honor each and every request that may come my way. (Some are outright whacky, as you may be able to imagine.)(Seriously, I do “answer my mail”.) Since I am not a huge fan of “countdowns”, and because I did not think of it myself, I am not going to do a “countdown to the Holidays” feature.
But I thank the writer (you know who you are) for their suggestion.
* There are a mere 18 days until Christmas arrives. Have you hung any decorations yet? Of all the ideas that come to mind about Christmas decorations for your front door, I particularly recommend the Christmas wreath. See, How to Make an Evergreen Wreath
* Loyal readers will have seen me write that the man I turn to for reliable, trustworthy reviews is Neil J. Rubenking (at PC Magazine). This has been true for .. well, as long as I can remember, really. And, Loyal readers will know that I am constantly urging computing safety and security.
Those two things come together, as Neil has just published his The Best Security Suites for 2011
“The security suites for 2011 are almost all available now, though as always a few companies march to a different schedule. If you need a suite today, read our roundup of 16 of the best (and worst) options, from Ad-Aware to Webroot.”
So, if you want to know how the various vendors stack up against each other, there is the place to look. IMHO.
If you are not interested in a “suite”, but simply want to know the best antivirus, he also has written The Best Antivirus Software for 2011
“We’ve reviewed 20 of the best (and worst) premium and free antivirus applications so that you can pick the right one for your needs—because, make no mistake: you need AV.”
I hope you all noticed the last six words of that?
* There are a mere 18 days until Christmas arrives, and we are smack-dab in the middle of the cyber-criminal’s favorite, and most active, time of year. It is the time to redouble your “paranoid common sense” and triple your vigilance for scams, e-mails links, making sure the payment portal is https://, etc.. Let’s all be safe out there!
Copyright 2007-2010 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.
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I weigh in on the iPad
There is little doubt that the top geek chic item this year is the iPad. It’s the fad.
I haven’t talked about the iPad here before. (I don’t talk about Apple much at all. I’m not an iPerson. I don’t own any iGizmos.) But lately, I have been asked my reco on them quite frequently, and I have worked on a few. So.. if you are considering buying an iPad…
Tech Paul’s iPad Reco —
Don’t buy it. Wait for version 2.
(That’s a good policy for pretty much any tech thing, btw. Hardware and software. Longtime Windows users users phrase it “wait for the Service Pack”.)
So there you have it. Short and sweet. No, not yet. This ZDNet article describes it better: The truth about iPad: It’s only good for two things
“The Apple iPad is a landmark product, but it’s also imperfect and fairly limited. In fact, there are only two areas where it really shines.“
I don’t think the iPad is a passing fad, like Apple’s Air was, but… well, read the article.
Related: CNet has a very thorough review, here. (Click on “expand full review”.)
Copyright 2007-2010 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved. 
post to jaanix.
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Best Antivirus For Netbooks?
Reader Asks My Reco On Antivirus For Their Netbook
Q: Hey TP. I want to say thanx for your website. I just baught my first netbook and I love it. It is windows 7 and is ASUS 1005PE. Can you tell me what antivirus I should get? Thanx.
A: Dear Sir or Ms.,
Congratulations on your new computer. One of the neat things about netbooks – I am frequently told – is how small and portable they are, yet they are big enough to do some “normal computing” on. That’s on the “plus” side.
But on the “minus” side is that this compact portability is achieved by using “modest” components — a “reduced horsepower”, if you will.
Netbooks are not powerhouses, and it pays to use software on them that has a “small footprint” (not demand too much CPU, RAM, etc.). And that is certainly a factor to consider when choosing an antivirus.
Were I to own a netbook, I would install either one of two titles, and!, both are free.
1) If I were to own an older, or really basic (aka “budget”) netbook I would use Panda’s Cloud Antivirus. Or..
2) On a reasonably equipped netbook, I would install Microsoft Security Essentials.
2a.) If Microsoft is not your thing, you might try Avast! 5.0.
I should say, though, that your ASUS has an Intel Atom N450, and very good specs for a netbook, so you could probably run most any Internet security product on it. My list of recommended antivirus products is here, and my Anti-spyware list is here.
PS — WinPatrol is also a great security program for netbooks, and!, I just happen to be having a license giveaway contest (nice segue, eh?) for it this week.
** A Chance To Win A Valuable Prize! **
You say you don’t know about Scotty and WinPatrol? I have recommended it here before, and I’ve used it for so long I can’t remember. I consider WinPatrol one of those essential programs to have around.
To enter my license giveaway drawing, please see: WinPatrol PLUS License Giveaway
Here’s another good review of WinPatrol: WinPatrol Revisited – Powerful HIPS with a Bite
Today’s recommended reading: The flipside: Five things Microsoft is doing right in 2010
Copyright 2007-2010 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved. post to jaanix.
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Quick Reco – Re: Online Virus Scans
infoniac.com
I have written many articles regarding the epidemic that is “cybercrime”, and done my best to keep my readers informed about current scams, hacker techniques (like “social engineering” and “phishing“), as well as malware (Spyware, Trojans, worms, viruses, keyloggers, etc.) and provided you with advice and How To’s for staying safer online.
(i.e., I have told you that malware has evolved into military-grade instruments.)
One item I have mentioned several times is the use of a free “online virus scanner” to help detect and remove malware that has managed to sneak past your current defenses (and don’t kid yourself, there are plenty of types that are capable of this trick). There are many such scanners out there, and some of them are fakes designed to trick you into thinking you’re infected — I suggest you avoid those!
Internet Security writer Bill Mullins recently published what I think is the perfect summary and analysis of the “good” online virus scanners, and their uses. I highly recommend you visit (and bookmark) Think You’re Infected? Find Out – Run An Online Scanner From Your Browser and learn about these very important (free) tools.
Related: To read my other articles on malware, and how to deal with it, click here.
Copyright 2007-2010 © Tech Paul. All Rights Reserved. post to jaanix.
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• 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.
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