Terry's Computer Tips - Newsletter
February 22, 2009
Terry's Computer Tips Newsletter
http://www.terryscomputertips.com
A computer tips newsletter for users of PC's.
Volume 4, Number 37 — Sunday, February 22, 2009
IN THIS ON-LINE ISSUE:
1. One Computer Will Talk to the Router But Other Two Computers Won't Talk to the Router
2. The Lighter Side of Technology
3. Can't Get to Secure Web Sites
4. Checking and Sending Emails When Traveling
5. Adobe Reader and Adobe Acrobat Security Alert
6. My Computer Security Software Recommendations
7. Recommend my Terry's Computer Tips Newsletter to Your Friends
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Welcome to the on-line edition of my Terry's Computer Tips newsletter. Its articles are not in the email issue — and the email articles aren't in the online issue — subscribe to my email newsletter so you can read both.
1. One Computer Will Talk to the Router But Other Two Computers Won't Talk to the Router
Reader James Biddle wrote to ask for help with a strange networking problem:
I ran into a unique problem that has defied the experts so far.
I have three computers hooked to a router. One day two of the three won't connect to the internet via the router. They will on direct connect.
On the older computer, I decided to install Ubuntu to see if that would change anything (thinking the issue might be related to the os--it had Xp when this problem raised its ugly head).
No luck. Nothing appeared to be wrong in the set up (net working).
Like I said all three run on direct connect.
The only computer that works via the router is my XP Pro machine (about two years old. My new Gaming machine using Vista) with a quad core is one that quit working.
The other machine is about 4 years old runs Ubuntu.
What would cause two out of three computers NOT to recognize the routers. I have substituted three routers and a hub all with the same dismal results.
HELP!
Thanks, and love the newsletter and the web site.
I wrote back to James to give him some suggestions on possible solutions.
One trick that you may have tried, but didn't mention. Computers and routers remember the MAC address at the other end of the wire. Sometimes you have to power all the computers and the router down, then power the router on, then power the computers on.
You would definitely have the problem with a hub, as your ISP is probably only assigning one IP address from your cable or DSL modem.
With a router, you can have a similar problem if you have the upstream cable connected to a regular LAN port on the router instead of to the WAN port on the router. The WAN (wide area network) port should be connected by Ethernet cable to the cable or dsl modem. The individual computers should be connected to LAN (local area network) ports on the router.
Yes to all you questions. They are hooked up correctly. They had all been working. Then one day this happened. Hence why I replaced the router. My computers are powered down at night. I did recycle both router and cable modem. I spend hours and hours on the phone with the cable company and the router (DLink) people. All agreed, that if one computer worked, then the router and cable modem work. The two other computers work ok on direct connect. But out of the clear blue won't go thru a router. I've tried three different one with the same results. I even hooked up a wireless card to test one of the computers and still nothing.
None of the techs I consulted can explain it. I had one tech out her for five hours and nothing he could do would make the computers see the router (other than the one). We even plugged them in one at a time to see if that would work. Nada. It's really baffling to say the least. This is the first computer problem that has ever defeated me.
Unfortunately, I don't have another solution for James. If you have a suggestion, please post your suggestion as a comment in my blog, send it to me via the Contact link at the bottom of the page.
2. The Lighter Side of Technology
Access Your PC from Anywhere |
This week's computer/technology cartoon at Terry's Computer Tips!
If he saw them on the laptop's monitor, instead of real life, he'd probably figure it out...
3. Can't Get to Secure Web Sites
I received a request for help last week from subscriber Nola McCabe of New Zealand. Nola had a problem that I've seen before, so I was pretty sure the fix was an easy one.
Hi Terry, When I try getting into secure sites a notice comes up internet exployer cannot display this website. My broadband provider spent a hour on the phone with me trying to solve this problem he was unable to do so. Could you please try to help. kind regards Nola
First, I wrote back to Nola to get a more definitive explanation of the error — that is "What does the full message say?" Nola responded to say:
Hi terry,
Thanks for your e-mail, it says internet exployer cannot display website, regards, Nola
I wrote back to say that I assumed that she was using IE7 (although a few people still run IE6 and others are trying the IE8 beta version). It sounds to me like her internet settings have gotten messed up.
One of the easiest ways to get your self locked out of web sites that use SSL encrypted connections is to blindly follow directions you find on the web on how to lock down your system — or by running programs to do the same. Some of these REALLY lock them down.
I suggested that Nola take advantage of IE7's Reset button:
In Internet Explorer,
Open Tools > Internet Options > Advanced Tab
And then click the button that says Reset.
Finally, I asked her to let me know if this solved her problem.
She quickly responded
Hi Terry,
Thank you for your advise, it has brought the computer back to normal, very nice of you, regards, Nola
4. Checking and Sending Emails When Traveling
This week, subscriber Rita Bies wrote to ask me if I could help her get her web mail working:
I used to use mail2web.com to retrieve my e-mail while on vacation. I haven't used it in over a year and now when I try to access it, the log-in page comes up with my e-mail address and password already typed in; BUT, when I click "ENTER" it comes back as error, incorrect user or password. Is there some way to delete this information and start all over with a new password. Or, maybe there is another site that I can use to access my e-mail?? Rita Bies
I wrote back to Rita to say that, If she had not used it in over a year, they may have disabled her account.
Regarding the prefilled fields, you can always click in the field and delete everything there — and enter it yourself. The more global solution depends on which web browser you're using.
Tech Tip
Basically, she's asking how to delete the saved userID and password for a specific site.
Firefox and Opera make it easy to delete the userID and password for a specific site. Internet Explorer 7 is an all-or-nothing — delete all saved userIDs and passwords, or delete none of them.
Regarding changing her password, perhaps mail2web.com has a "I've forgotten my password" link. I think they've disabbled her account. If she tries the "forgotten password" link (if it has one), it will probably tell you it can't find a user with that name.
After thinking a while longer, I realized that there was a much simpler solution to Rita's problem.
I wrote back to Rita to say
Rita, Another thought — you don't need to do that — since you're using wctel.net, use http://webmail.wctel.net to check your email via a web browser.
Most Internet Service Providers have webmail capabilities, and most of them use the same style address, just substituting "webmail" for the "www" in their HTTP address.
I checked wctel.net and, sure enough, http://webmail.wctel.net is their web mail interface. Just log in as normal and you should be able to both receive and send emails.
Terry
Rita wrote back to tell me
Thanks, Terry. I finally called the wctel tech service and that's exactly what he told me to do.
Thanks for your help.
Rita
5. Adobe Reader and Adobe Acrobat Security Alert
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VIPRE Antivirus Premium— the New Release!
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US-CERT, the computer emergency response team that is now part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, on February 20, 2009, released a Cyber Security Alert warning about Adobe Reader versions 9 and earlier and Adobe Acrobat (Professional and Standard) versions 9 and earlier.
According to the US-CERT release, the issue is that JavaScrpt, as implemented in these Adobe products, is vulnerable and can be used by the bad guys to take control of your computer.
For now, the fix recommended by US-CERT is to turn off JavaScript in Adobe Reader's and Adobe Acrobat's Preferences and to turn off the ability to view PDF documents in your web browser, which is also in the same Adobe Reader and Adobe Acrobat Preferences dialog box.
The Preferences tab can be found on the menu bar at Edit > Preferences.
US-CERT also announced that Adobe released Security Bulletin APSB09-01 addressing this problem. Interestingly, Adobe's release says nothing about disabling JavaScript or preventing your web browser from opening PDF files. It recommends that you keep your antivirus signatures up to date and do not open PDF files from untrusted sources.
Tech Tip
That is a good recommendation for any time and any kind of file!
Adobe's security bulletin can be found at http://www.adobe.com/support/security/advisories/apsa09-01.html. It also states that there are reports that the issue is currently being exploited and that Adobe expects to have updates by March 11, 2009.
6. My Computer Security Software Recommendations
I review my security software recommendations and update them, for each weekly newsletter issue, if I think they need to change.
My Philosophy: Many people want to pick their most economical solution and prefer an all-in-one anti-virus, anti-spyware and firewall solution. In concept, that's a great idea. In actual practice, this type of package is not likely to be the best in all the protection categories you need. Other people want to pick the best of each type program. I'm one of the these folks.
My choice of software that I am willing to recommend is driven by my search for software for me to use. I only recommend programs that I like and that I use. I will sometimes suggest alternatives to my recommendations, but I clearly note if I no longer use them.
Anti-Virus
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..."
For the last five years, until very recently, my personal choice has been ESET's small, fast NOD32 anti-virus program, which offers a FREE 30-day evaluation license. I consider NOD32 one of the best in anti-virus protection. Unlike some of its competitors, ESET offers multiple-year licenses also, and includes program updates in the multiple-year license.
Tech Tip
Many antivirus programs will offer you an anti-virus signature subscription renewal when your subscription renews. I strongly recommend against this option — buy the full program or make sure you get program updates with the subscription renewal.
Vendors routinely improve the capabilities and speed of the programs, too. If you update only the signatures, you miss any program improvements.
Now, I've changed from my long-time programs NOD32 (antivirus) and CounterSpy (antispyware) to Sunbelt's new VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware.
I've found that VIPRE puts even less load on my computer than the speedy combination of NOD32 and CounterSpy. I've also been impressed with the way its "deep scan" has found and eliminated risks that were stored in zip files, which is one of the latest malware email tricks.
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
- VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware Review
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VIPRE Antivirus Premium— the New Release!
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Firewall Software
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!. Microsoft woke up and supplied a two-way firewall with Windows Vista.
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. Whether they are calling home or spewing spam, you want to be able to control your computer.
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 Personal Firewall flags that to me, and I can stop it or allow it to happen. Many other programs try to call home when you run them, too.
I recommend my choice for a firewall program, which 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 regularly $19.95 (with discounts for multiple computers and/or multiple years!) for a non-expiring license for the program and includes one year of their updates subscription.
Related articles:
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 has been my personal choice for my PC's and my family's PC's.
Sunbelt's CounterSpy v2.5, both improved CounterSpy's performance against malware and reduced its impact on system resources and responsiveness when its scanning.
Sunbelt continues to release updated program versions — the current version is v3.1. Nicely, they do NOT install the updated programs automatically. You have to use the Update process in the program, which means that you'll know that something significant has changed.
Now, I've changed from my long-time programs NOD32 (antivirus) and CounterSpy (antispyware) to Sunbelt's new VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware.
I've found that VIPRE puts even less load on my computer than the speedy combination of NOD32 and CounterSpy. My computer seems to have much more pep and power than it had previously. I've also been impressed with the way its "deep scan" has found and eliminated risks that were stored in zip files, which is one of the latest malware email tricks.
Related articles:
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 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 would be 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. Note: I found that PopFile generally meets my needs and stopped using Mailwasher Pro, even though PopFile works AFTER the emails have been downloaded. If I used a dialup connection, I would be more interested in Mailwasher Pro.
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.
Related articles:
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
If you don't want wireless, I recommend the Linksys BEFSR41
Tech Tip
By the way, if you get tempted by the new "802.11n" routers, please pay close attention. So far, the 802.11n specification has not been approved and finalized.
If you buy one, you may be locked into a specific vendor's implementation of a draft of a standard that never got approved. I recommend choosing 802.11g for now.
See these related articles:
7. Recommend my Terry's Computer Tips Newsletter to Your Friends
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Volume 4, Number 37 — Sunday, February 22, 2009
Copyright © 2009 Terry A. Stockdale. All rights reserved.
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