Terry's Computer Tips - Newsletter
August 15, 2005

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Volume 1, Number 9 -- Monday, August 15, 2005
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

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6.  Shareware/Freeware Pick of the Week Program:   FilZip, version 3.04
Publisher:  Philipp Engel www.filzip.com
Category:  Compression/Decompression Archiving Utility

I use FilZip for all my unpackaging needs other than .zip files.  As a considerate program, when you install it, it asks which file extensions you want FilZip to handle.  I suggest you use my setting -- select all but .zip.  However, if you change your mind, you can unselect some or select some more via the FilZip's Options/Preferences menu.

FilZip handles a number of compressed file types that have become pretty obsolete, such as .lha and .arc.  It also will maintain the directory structure, if you are packaging (or unpackaging) more than one directory.  It handles current file formats such as zip, .cab files (Microsoft's favorite), gzip files (.gz), tar-gzip files(.tgz), .tar files, and rar and UU-encoded files, which are common in Usenet news.

Many of the programs that I use to run my websites are provided from the Linux/Unix/BSD world, which is appropriate since they are running on BSD (BSD is functionally similar to Linux and Unix, but is internally different.  It can often run the same script files.)  These files are usually packaged as .tgz or .tar.gz, which mean the same thing.

FilZip handles .tgz files automatically.  For files that end in .tar.gz files, it is a two-step process to ungzip compression and then untar the files package.  At that point, I can edit any configuration files I need to, and then upload all the files to my web host Powweb using FileZilla, My June 27th Shareware/Freeware Pick of the Week.

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7.  JUST FOR FUN

I ran across a new-to-me Star Wars fan site last week.  These fans figured out how to make a relatively sturdy, light saber look-alike for the times when they are in their Jedi or Sith moods.

I've been looking dreamily at several of the replicas, which usually have prices in the $250 to $350 range for models with machined metal parts.  Of course, you can pick up all sorts of cheap plastic versions, but that is just not good enough for a fan.

Hasbro released a plastic "Build Your Own Ultimate Light Saber Kit" for about $50 this summer.  With individual pieces, including several alternative pieces, your light saber can easily be different than that of a friend.

Of course, if you have read the Star wars books or seen the movies enough times, you know that light sabers are made by the individual Jedi or Sith, not purchased.  So, check out the Build Your Own Light Saber web pages, which have a parts list and directions for building your own from parts totalling $30 to $40.

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8.  One Last Message -- Keylogger Warning

Last week, researchers for Sunbelt Software, a provider of security tools for business and home computers, found that a recent variant of the Cool Web Search adware actually installed a keylogger on the infected systems.  A keylogger makes a record of the keystrokes on the computer, with the obvious goal of tracking where someone goes on the Internet and what they do on the computer.  Keyloggers can capture passwords and usernames, as well as websites visited, emails written (even if not sent), and even keystrokes in your financial software, spreadsheets and word processors -- anywhere you press a key, they record it.

This particular keylogger is nasty because it is/was being sent out via Cool Web Search, which many unsuspecting people had installed either intentionally or by accident.  This keylogger also "reported home" -- it uploaded its recordings to a server.

Quoting from Sunbelt Software's home page

Security Advisory: August 10, 2005
The spyware keylogger, named Srv.SSA-KeyLogger, secretly steals data from users' Internet sessions, including logins and passwords from online banking sessions, eBay, PayPal, and other programs that use html forms to collect personal information.

Read Sunbelt Software's press release and visit their Research Center to download a free cleaner for this keylogger.

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Volume 1, Number 9 -- Monday, August 15, 2005
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

Copyright © 2005 Terry A. Stockdale.  All rights reserved.