Terry's Computer Tips - Newsletter
December 16, 2007

Terry's Computer Tips Newsletter
http://www.terryscomputertips.com
A computer tips newsletter for users of PC's.

Volume 3, Number 27 — Sunday, December 16, 2007

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IN THIS WEEK'S ON-LINE ISSUE:
   1.   Microsoft Excel - Navigating with Scroll Lock
   2.   Updates Last Week
   3.   My Computer Security Software Recommendations

Welcome to the on-line edition of my Terry's Computer Tips newsletter.

My emailed newsletter is sent weekly to individuals who have subscribed to the newsletter. Click here to subscribe. It's free!

1.  Microsoft Excel - Navigating with Scroll Lock

If there's ever been a program feature that made no sense whatsoever to me, it is the impact tha the scroll lock key has on navigation in Microsoft Excel.

Hummmm... Did I say that strongly enough? Probably not, but I'm not going to write those words...

We all know about the Num Lock key and how it locks the keyboard's keypad into number mode. If you have a keyboard with an attached numeric keypad, the keys default to scroll mode (arrow up, left, down, right, Home, End, etc.). If you press the NumLock key, the keypad locks into numeric mode.

The Scroll Lock key (Scroll Lk) works differently. According to Wikipedia (www.wikipedia.org), the Scroll Lock key is left over from the DOS days. It's functionality is set by the program your using — and most programs don't even acknowledge the existance of the Scroll Lock key.

Excel, unfortunately, is one of the few that do.

The original function of the scroll lock key was to modify the arrow keys so that we could quickly scroll through a document. The cursor stayed at the same place on the screen, but the content scrolled screen by screen. Of course, in the world of Microsoft Windows (and other graphical user interfaces like those in Linux and on the Mac), we use the scroll bars to quickly move through documents.

Excel modifies the way the arrow keys work if you've turned on the Scroll Lock key. It follows the concept of : if you turn on Scroll Lock and press the right-arrow key, the columns scroll one position to the left. Your selected cell (the active cell) stays the same, though, which means that it quickly shifts out of the window.

Let's look at this movement in Excel in a sample spreadsheet. In the image on the left, I selected cell B4. Then, I clicked on the scroll lock key, which stays on until you turn it off. Finally, I clicked on the right-arrow key.

Notice that Column A scrolled off the screen. Formerly, the window showed columns A through F. Now they show B through G.

(click on the image for a larger version)

(click on the image for a larger version)

I haven't figured out any reason that Excel should support this type of movement.

On the other hand, I have seen (and experienced) the confusion that results when someone accidentally turns on the scroll lock key.

 

2.  Updates Last Week

Microsoft (operating systems, email, web browser, office suites):
Microsoft releases almost all updates once per month, on the second Tuesday. This week did not include Patch Tuesday.

First, Microsoft Updates informed me that I needed an update to the Microsoft Updates system. There was a small link, with the color almost matching the background, that allowed me to see the details. This was the update:
Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool (KB892130)
The Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool enables you to verify that your copy of Microsoft Windows is genuine. The tool validates your Windows installation by checking Windows Product Identification and Product Activation status.

Once that was installed, I could see the other updates for my computer:

Microsoft Windows XP

Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool - December 2007 (KB890830)
After the download, this tool runs once to check your computer for infection by specific, prevalent malicious software (including Blaster, Sasser, and Mydoom) and helps to remove any infection found. If an infection is found, the tool will display a status report the next time you start your computer. A new version of the tool will be offered every month. If you want to manually run the tool on your computer, you can download a copy from the Microsoft Download Center or run an online version from microsoft.com. This tool is not a replacement for an anti-virus product. To help protect your computer, you should use an anti-virus product.

Update for Windows XP (KB942763)
Installing this update enables your computer to automatically adjust the computer clock on the correct date in 2007 and 2008 due to revised Daylight Saving Time laws in many countries. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.

Security Update for Windows XP (KB941568)
A security issue has been identified in Microsoft DirectShow that could allow an attacker to compromise your Windows-based system and gain control over it. You can help protect your computer by installing this update from Microsoft. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.

Security Update for Windows XP (KB941569)
A security issue has been identified that could allow an attacker to remotely compromise your Windows-based system using Windows Media file formats and gain control over it. You can help protect your computer by installing this update from Microsoft. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.

Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer 7 for Windows XP (KB942615)
Security issues have been identified that could allow an attacker to compromise a system running Internet Explorer and gain control over it. You can help protect your system by installing this update from Microsoft. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.

Security Update for Windows XP (KB944653)
A security issue has been identified in the Macrovision Driver that could allow an attacker to compromise your Windows-based system and gain control over it. You can help protect your computer by installing this update from Microsoft. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.

Security Update for Windows XP (KB937894)
A security issue has been identified in the Microsoft Message Queuing Service that could allow an attacker to compromise your Windows-based system and gain control over it. You can help protect your computer by installing this update from Microsoft. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.

Microsoft Office 2003

Update for Outlook 2003 (KB943649)
This update helps users configure Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 to work properly with Windows Live Mail.

Update for Outlook Junk Email Filter 2003 (KB943591)
This update provides the Junk E-mail Filter in Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 with a more current definition of which e-mail messages should be considered junk e-mail. This update was released in December 2007.

Firefox (web browser, http://www.mozilla.com, free):
No new version. Version 2.0.0.11 was released on Friday, November 30, 2007. This was a stabilityi update to correct a problem that was found in the previous release, Firefox 2.0.0.10.

However, I'm still seeing some stability problems in v2.0.0.11 that first showed up in 2.0.0.10. I normally load seven (7) tabs at one time for one of my daily steps. I'm seeing some unusual delays in loading, where Firefox seems to be freezing for 5-6 seconds. It resolves itself without further action by me, but it's just not working quite right.

Opera (web browser, http://www.opera.com, free):
No new version this week. Version 9.24 was released on October 17th. This release is a recommended security upgrade.

Opera 9.50 beta 1 became available on October 25th. Based on the changelog, there are a lot of changes coming to Opera. But, bewware, if you're using OperaMail, this is a one-way upgrade as it will change your mail storage system.

Netscape (web browser, http://browser.netscape.com, free):
New version this week! Version 9.0.0.5 was released during the week ending December 15th. The new release includes security fixes that were included in Firefox 2.0.0.11.

SeaMonkey (web browser, email, HTML editor, newsreader; http://www.mozilla.org/projects/seamonkey; free): New version! Version 1.1.7 was released during the week ending December 1, 2007. This update includes security and stability fixes.

Eudora (email, http://www.eudora.com):
No update last week. Version 7.1.0.9 was released October 11, 2006. Eudora is now free, with no ads and no "paid mode" option.

The first beta version of v8 (v8.0.0.b1) was released several weeks ago and is available from http://wiki.mozilla.org/Penelope_Releases .

Mozilla Thunderbird (email, http://www.mozilla.com/thunderbird, free):
No new version this week. Thunderbird version 2.0.0.9 was released on November 14, 2007. This is primarily a security update.

OpenOffice (office suite — spreadsheet, word processor, presentations, graphics, web design; http://www.openoffice.org; free): New Version! Version 2.3.1 was released during the week ending December 8th. According to the Release Notes, this version does not include any new features. It is a security bug fix.

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3.  My Computer Security Software Recommendations

Anti-Virus

I no longer recommend Trend Micro's products. At this point, my sole recommendation for anti-virus is NOD32 from ESET, which is my choice for my family's computers.

That may change, but at this time, Trend Micro's PC-cillin Internet Security — is reporting at least one Commission Junction URL as "Dangerous." The URL that was flagged was the domain for the ad's image. PC-cillin recommended that users close their web browsers and not visit the site that linked to it again. My issue is that Commission Junction is a well-respected affiliate sales system used by many computer and non-computer-related companies.

Interestingly enough, Trend Micro sells its products through Commission Junction's affiliate system, too, including using the same domain that they complain about.

Obviously someone at Trend Micro made a mistake, but since this subject came up on an ad image displayed on my site, the warning was given to a user visiting my site! Totally unacceptable.

I'm often asked about several other popular anti-virus or anti-virus combination packages. Yes, I realize that they are not in my recommendation list. "Enough said..."

My personal choice is the ESET's small, fast NOD32 anti-virus program, which offers a FREE 30-day evaluation license. I consider NOD32 to be the cream of the crop in anti-virus protection. Unlike some of the others, ESET offers multiple-year licenses also, including updates to the program in the multiple-year license.

Many antivirus programs will offer you an anti-virus signature subscription renewal when your subscription renews. I strongly recommend against this option. Vendors routinely improve the capabilities and speed fo the programs also.

If you update only the signatures, you miss any program improvements. Fortunately, NOD32's subscriptions include both program updates and signature updates.

Read more about anti-virus programs on my web site.

Related articles:

• Anti-Virus Programs and Online Scanners
• Free Online Antivirus Scan
• NOD32 Anti-Virus Review - A Look at NOD32

Firewall Software

If you get the PC-cillin Internet Security package above, you are covered from a firewall point of view.

While the Windows XP firewall is much better than no firewall at all, don't count on the Windows XP firewall to meet your needs. You need a two-way firewall, which the Windows XP firewall is not!.

The Windows XP firewall does not control outbound communications originating from your computer — and you should want to have control if adware/trojans/spyware or even commercial products want to talk to the Internet.

Do you want Windows Media Player to call home every time you play something? It does! Do you use the Search function in Windows Explorer to find things on your hard drive? Did you know that every time you search, Windows Explorer talks to Microsoft — I didn't know that when I ran ZoneAlarm, but the Sunbelt Kerio Personal Firewall flags that for me, and I can stop or allow it to happen.

Many other programs call home when you run them, too.

If you don't get either of the above multi-function packages, I recommend my choice for a firewall program is Sunbelt Personal Firewall.

You can try the full-featured "paid version" of Sunbelt Personal Firewall free for 30 days — after that, you can register it or, if you're using it on a home non-business computer, you can let it revert to the free, lesser-function license. Sunbelt Personal Firewall is $19.95 (with discounts for multiple computers!) for a non-expiring license for the program and includes one year of their updates subscription.

Related articles:

• The Internet Versus You
• Do I Need a Firewall Program?
• Sunbelt Personal Firewall Review

Anti-Spyware / Anti-Adware Software

CounterSpy, from Sunbelt Software, has received many kudos from the computer press for its always-running and periodic full system scans. It is also my personal choice for my PC's and my family's PC's.

Sunbelt released their CounterSpy v2 in early February and I promptly updated my computers to it. Version 2 greatly improved CounterSpy's performance and reduced its load on the computer when it was scanning.

Recently (late July, 2007), Sunbelt released v2.5 of CounterSpy, which again both improved CounterSpy's performance against malware and reduced its impact on system resources and responsiveness when its scanning.

Related articles:

• Fighting Against Spyware & Malware
• CounterSpy Review

Anti-spam Software

In today's Internet world, the question is not "if" you will get spam, but "how much will you get?"

I use and now I recommend POPFile as my first choice for handling spam. POPFile sits on your computer, between your email program and your ISP mailbox, and handles emial as it downloads.

POPFile uses a different approach to handle spam than some other programs do — it does nothing to reduce spam. It is designed as an email classification tool — you train it to recognize spam and any other type of email that you want to classify. These classifications can help you sort your emails into appropriate folders in your email program.

Sunbelt Software, who makes the anti-spyware program CounterSpy (which I use and recommend) and the firewall that I use and recommend (Sunbelt Kerio Personal Firewall) also has a well-regarded, award-winning anti-spam program called iHateSpam for Outlook and Outlook Express. Since I don't use Outlook or Outlook Express for email, I haven't tried iHateSpam.

Mailwasher Pro is my first choice to handle spam before it ever gets into your computer's Inbox. Mailwasher Pro uses on-line Realtime Black Lists mail servers sending spam recently, "training" by you of what you think is spam, and your own "friends" and "blacklist" lists.

Mailwasher Pro can even bounce spam messages, as if your email address was not valid, although the usefulness and appropriateness of this is questionable. There is a free version called "Mailwasher," but it omits the functions that I consider critical for this purpose -- such as safely previewing the emails safely before they ever get to your email inbox.

Cable/DSL Router

If you have a cable modem or a DSL modem, you need to have another layer of inexpensive protection between you and the Internet. A cable/DSL router isolates your computer from direct connection to the Internet. Your computer can easily request your email, web pages, etc. through the router. The responses come back to the router and are smoothly routed to your computer. But, someone on the Internet side of the router can not initiate a connection to your computer — they can only respond to your request.

Even if you only have one computer to connect to your cable or DSL modem, I recommend that you purchase and use a cable/DSL router because of the protection it can give you against attempts to attack through some flaws in Windows itself.

A router isolates your local network, whether it is only one computer or several, from the Internet by actually making it a separate network. The router gets the "public" IP address and handles all your outbound communications and the responses to them. But, it blocks computers on the Internet side from being able to initiate communications with your computer! This will prevent you from falling prey to many worms that try to attack security holes in Windows itself.

For a wireless router, I recommend the Linksys WRT54G wireless router. I'm using the relatively new version 6 of this router.

If you don't want wireless, I recommend the Linksys BEFSR41 wired router. Either way, based on my experience, I recommend Linksys routers for price, reliability and Linksys' habit of releasing updated firmware for their products..

See these related articles:

• Wireless Security
• Wi-Fi Hotspots and Computer Security
• Wireless Networking Problems & Wireless Networking Security

Volume 3, Number 27 — Sunday, December 16, 2007

Copyright © 2007 Terry A. Stockdale.  All rights reserved.