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AOL Users
HackFix updates, thanks to Christy;
staff@hackfix.org
Http://www.hackfix.org
This weeks Virus Pattern Updates (05/04/3005)
All Software listed Alphabetically by Company name as some companies manufacture more then
one product. © 2004/2005 Hackfix
Aladdin Knowledge Systems
Esafe Desktop/Gateway/Enterprise
Last Updated April 4, 2006
To update your software
Visit:
http://www.esafe.com/esafe/downloads/virusig.asp
Or:
From the Esafe folder in your Start Menu select Download Updates
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AlWil Software
Avast4 Antivirus
Last Updated April 4, 2006
To update your software:
Visit
http://www.avast.com/eng/update_avast_4_vps.html
Or:
Right click on the AVAST icon in the system tray, Select iAVS Update, AVAST
will check for updates and download the appropriate files as needed.
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Authentium Software Systems
Command Antivirus
Last Updated April 5, 2006
To update your software:
Visit
http://www.authentium.com/support/support/portal.aspx
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Center for Antivirus Technologies (CAT)
Quickheal
Last Updated April 4, 2006
To update your software:
Visit
http://207.230.103.11/public/updates/updates_800.asp
Open Quickheal select Utility from the top toolbar and liveupdate.
Follow the on screen prompts.
Alternately you can select Liveupdate directly from the QuickHeal program menu on the startmenu.
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Frisk Software Systems
F-prot
Last Updated April 4, 2006
To update your software
Visit: http://www.f-prot.com/download/home_user/
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Computer Associates
For E-trust
Last updated April 5, 2006
To update your software
http://www3.ca.com/support/vicdownload/
Or:
From the Respective folder in your Start Menu select "Autodownload"
For Vet Anti virus
Visit
http://www.vet.com.au/html/update.html
Be sure to have your Customer ID and your registered email address handy for verification.
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GeCad Software
Rav v8 (Reliable AntiVirus)
Last Updated: June 12, 2005
To update your software:
Visit:
http://www.ravantivirus.com/pages/dldupdate.php?type=Daily
Or;
Open Rav and select Rav Update from the toolbar
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Grisoft Inc.
AVG
Last updated April 05, 2006
To update your software:
Visit
http://www.grisoft.com/doc/72/lng/us/tpl/tpl01
Or:
You can also perform updates using the Check for Updates option within the menu
that opens after right
mouse button clicking over the AVG icon located on the system tray.
**Note: To help speed up AVG updates you can set your program to use an
alternate download site.
AVG 7.0 go to the control panel at the bottom is "Update Manager select that
and then select "settings" at the bottom) in there under "url" you can
add/delete/edit etc the update urls as needed you can move the order of the update urls as well.... such as putting the backup url
first etc.
You can add the secondary site (www.grisoft.cz) to help to ease the server and
make your update go quicker as most
don't use it!
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H+Bedv
AntiVir
Last updated April 05, 2006
To update your software:
Visit
http://www.free-av.com/antivirus/allinonen.html
Or:
Open AtiVir, from the top toolbar select Tools->start internet update and follow the on screen prompts.
Vexira
Last updated April 05, 2006
To update your software:
Visit
http://www.centralcommand.com/index.html
Or:
Open Vexira, from the top toolbar select Tools->start internet update and follow the on screen prompts.
Vexira Antivirus is marketed by Central Command however it is the same program as Antivir with only
a different name.
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Kaspersky
Kaspersky Anti-Virus
Last updated April 06, 2006
To update your software
Visit http://www.kaspersky.com/updates.asp
Or
Open AVP from the top toolbar click Tools-> Update virus definition
**Note: Improved update accessibility. To ease the update web traffic Kaspersky labs has additional
servers for auto updating. The program defaults to use one server but can be altered to check a variety
of servers.
Select Kaspersky updater, select update via the internet to open the drop down box(es) select "location"
Check the box labeled "Use alternate locations from the list" select next and next to update.
This option should stay selected after the first time.
This helps Kaspersky lighten the load for updates and helps you obtain updates easier.
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Network Associates
Mcafee
Last updated Nov April 05, 2006
To update your software:
For Mcafee Visit
http://www.mcafee.com/us/downloads/
(for Virus and Engine updates)
For Dr Solomon (Product no longer available for new users however updates still available
for current users):
Go to the following Internet site:
http://download.mcafee.com/updates/4x.asp
IMPORTANT: When you get to this site you may notice that it refers to VirusScan.
This update is not only for VirusScan. It also works with Dr. Solomon's.
Or:
Open your respective software virus scan scheduler, double click Auto update, click Run Now
to do a manual live update, or click Schedule to set up a timed live update.
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Norman Data Defense
Norman Virus Control
Last updated April 05, 2006
To update your software:
http://www.norman.com/downloads.shtml#definition_files_updates
Be sure to have your Valid Username and password handy for verification.
Or
From the Norman folder in your Start Menu click "Internet Update"
**Note Norman Virus Control web updates are only for version prior to 5.0.
Norman 5.0 can only be updated via the update in the program itself.
Thunderbyte Anti Virus
Current Version: This product is no longer being supported.
http://www.norman.com/tbav.shtml
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Softwin
BitDefender
Last Updated April 05, 2006
To update your software:
Visit
http://www.bitdefender.com/ca/Main/view/Updates.html
Or:
Open BitDefender select Protection Options->live upgrade
Or:
From the BitDefender folder in your Start Menu select Bitdefender Live
Press Release on the software change
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Sophos
Sophos Anti Virus
Last IDE available April 05, 2006
To obtain the latest IDE files:
Visit http://www.sophos.com/downloads/ide/
**Note: Sophos does not update as other products do.
They update the Engine/software once a month (or so) to include all the previous IDE files.
New IDE files are available with new virus threats and must be downloaded individually
until the next software update is available.
Our update dates reflect the most recent available IDE file.
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Symantec
Nortons AntiVirus
Last updated April 05, 2006
To update your software:
Visit
http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/defs.download.html
and select your language> product from the list
Or:
Open Norton software and click the "live update" button
Or:
From the Nortons folder in your Start Menu select LiveUpdate - Norton Antivirus
Norton AV is now offering a daily update as well
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Trend Micro
PcCillin (also known as Trend AntiVirus)
Last updated April 05, 2006
To update your software:
Visit
http://www.trendmicro.com/download/viruspattern.asp
Be sure to have your Registration number handy for verification
Or:
Open PC-Cillin click Update then click Update Now (or Update later to Schedule a timed update)
Users of non-NPF (i.e., old 3-digit pattern format) compliant products will
not be able to update to the pattern release indicated in this email.
Non-NPF compliant products can only update to pattern 991, which was
released March 7, 2005. TrendLabs urges all affected customers to apply the
New Pattern Format solution at
http://www.trendmicro.com/en/support/npf/overview.htm or upgrade to the
latest product version to address this limitation.
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If there is an Anti Virus program that is Not listed here that you would like to see
added to the weekly updates list Please feel free to let us know.
Remember Your anti virus software is only as good as the user...
If you don't keep it updated it won't provide you with maximum protection.
This weekly Update will be sent every Thursday on or after 6pm (eastern) to keep
you up to date on virus pattern updates available.
Virus patterns are checked for most recent update date as of 6pm Thursdays.
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Antivirus software is a good choice to scan your system for possible viruses.
however no virus scanner is 100% effective as manufactures cannot keep up with
the rapid change of viruses that happens daily. Be sure to update yours regularly.
http://www.hackfix.org/software/antivirus.html
Fun, short, true, non-religious stories about real people who step up to help
others.
Free e-mail subscription! See HeroicStories.com
for details.
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I use and recommend
MailWasher Pro
The Freecycle Network™
The Freecycle Network™ is made up of many individual groups across the globe.
It's a grassroots movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns.
Each local group is run by a local volunteer moderator (them's good people). Membership is free.
To find your community by clicking on the region on the right, click on the Go TO button,
to go directly to the Web site for your local group by clicking on your community's link on the left.
Can't find a group near you?
You might want to consider starting one (click on "Start a Group" for
instructions). Have fun!
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Windows OneCare BETA free
Are you tired of spending time trying to protect and maintain your computer?
Are you worried that you’re still not doing everything you should to keep it
safe and running at optimal performance? If your answer is "Yes," then
Windows Live OneCare is for you. Windows Live OneCare is a comprehensive
PC care service that goes beyond security to take an integrated approach to
help protect and care for your computer.
It is still free for the rest of April: From the Beta notice;
In appreciation of your support, we'd like to offer you a special one-year
subscription to the service for $19.95 - each one-year subscription covers
up to three computers. This offer expires April 30, 2006, so please act quickly.
Just click on the "Purchase Now" button in the OneCare main window.
Share it with friends and family.
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The ONLY MS Support Notification Service You Need!
Subscribe to KbAlertz.com and get notified every time
Microsoft publishes new Knowledgebase or Support articles.
RAM TEST ~ Microsoft Windows Memory Diagnostic free
The Windows Memory Diagnostic tests the Random Access Memory (RAM)
on your computer for errors. The diagnostic includes a comprehensive set of
memory tests. If you are experiencing problems while running Windows, you
can use the diagnostic to determine whether the problems are caused by
failing hardware, such as RAM or the memory system of your motherboard.
Windows Memory Diagnostic is designed to be easy and fast. On most
configurations, you can download the diagnostic, read the documentation,
run the test and complete the first test pass in less than 30 minutes.
To run Windows Memory Diagnostic, you must reboot your computer with
the disk or CD-ROM on which you installed Windows Memory Diagnostic
in the drive. After the reboot, Windows Memory Diagnostic will load and its
interface will appear. After loading, the first test pass will begin, using the
default standard test suite, and continue until complete, unless Windows
Memory Diagnostic is either paused or exited. Once the first test pass is
complete, Windows Memory Diagnostic will begin a second test pass using
the same settings as before. Windows Memory Diagnostic will continue to
run test passes until you exit.
++ There is more on the web site.
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Turn off an add-on in IE ~ Mike's Friday Tip
Do you have some extra features enabled in Internet Explorer?
Here is how to turn off an add-on in Internet Explorer
1. Open Internet Explorer.
2. Click the Tools menu, and then click Manage Add-ons.
3. Click the name of the add-on.
4. Click Disable.
5. Click OK
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9 Perfect Password Pointers
http://redmondmag.com/features/article.asp?editorialsid=577
Passwords are often the weakest part of a security infrastructure.
Here are nine ways to make them one of the strongest.
++
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Powerful New PCs Will Get 'Vista Capable' Stickers
By Elizabeth Millard
April 3, 2006 7:51AM
Labeling PCs as "Vista Capable" will give users some assurance that
buying computers before the OS is launched will not put them behind
when Vista finally ships. But the new sticker might not be
descriptive enough to help, said Gartner analyst Michael Silver.
In the wake of concerns about PCs not being powerful enough to handle
the Windows Vista operating system when it hits the streets,
Microsoft has launched a program that will identify new computers
that are capable of running it when it ships.
A logo with the familiar Microsoft Windows icon will declare a
computer "Vista Capable" to indicate that the machine can be
upgraded to Vista.
The program currently only applies to PCs that can run the home edition
of the operating system, but it is possible that Microsoft will extend
the program to business editions of Vista as well.
System Requirements
PCs that can feature the logo must offer at least 512 MB of internal
memory and must be able to run Windows XP. The computers also must
have a strong graphics chipset that, at minimum, can handle Microsoft's
latest DirectX 9 technology.
The emphasis on graphics is likely due to Vista's new look, which Microsoft
says will be more graphics intensive than its
predecessors.
Microsoft has noted that these requirements will allow customers to
ascertain that the computers they buy will run Windows Vista Home
Basic, but not necessarily the higher-end versions of Vista.
When Vista's ship date slipped from November 2006 to early 2007,
there was speculation that the delay would impact PC sales,
especially around the holidays.
Some analysts predicted that consumers would wait to buy new
machines until Vista was available so they would not have to
purchase the new operating system separately.
Buyer Assurance
Labeling PCs as "Vista Capable" will give users some assurance that
buying computers before the OS is launched will not put them behind
when Vista finally ships, Microsoft and its partners are hoping. But
the new sticker might not be descriptive enough to help, said
Gartner analyst Michael Silver.
"Windows Vista's user experience will scale based on the power of
the hardware, and users that think they're buying a box that can run
Vista may be unpleasantly surprised when some PCs turn out to be
incapable of displaying the Flip and Flip 3D effects," he said.
Windows Flip was designed for easier transitioning between applications.
The technology will let users flip through open windows using the Alt-Tab
key combination to view a live thumbnail of each window. Flip 3D moves
the applications into a 3D space through which users can sort windows
using the arrow keys or the scroll wheel on a mouse.
The higher-end versions of Vista will include a new user interface,
dubbed Aero, which Microsoft is calling a "glass" interface because
it can render open windows translucently, making it easier to see
what is happening on the desktop at all times.
Silver believes that Microsoft needs to rethink "Windows Capable" to
offer better guidance. "Buyers that really want a Windows Vista
capable PC need to ensure that what they're buying is capable of
Windows Aero," said Silver.
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'Christy's Computer Corner' ~ thanks to Christy;
http://www.1stpick.org
EssentialPIM freeware
This is an absolutely free and versatile Personal Information
Manager. It can store, manage and encrypt data:
day/week/month/year schedules, notes (pictures, tables, any formatted text) and contacts.
Why the Heck Did I Bookmark That Site?
Have you ever poured over your Favorites/Bookmark list and
wondered why you bookmarked a particular website? Sure, you might
have them organized into folders, but the purpose of the site is
a mystery. Good news, all of you Netscape/Mozilla and Opera users
have an excellent resource to help you keep track of bookmarks.
That's right, this is one of those few times that Internet
Explorer users are left out of a browser trick.
If you are using Netscape or Mozilla, right click the bookmark
you want to put a note in and choose "Properties". In the
"Description" box, add your comments.
With the Opera browser, right mouse click a favorite and choose
"Properties".
A window pops up where you can change the name,
give the site a nickname, and best of all, describe the site.
Other options include check boxes to show the site on your
Personal Toolbar and/or in your Hotlist Panel.
When you mouse over a bookmark in Opera, it displays the properties,
including description, in a pop-up window.
Something Netscape/Mozilla doesn't even do!
This is one of the most useful tools I've ever found in web browsers.
I wonder when the brains in Redmond will "incorporate" this feature in Internet Explorer?
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Things You Need to do Before Disaster Strikes
a. WinXP Bootup disks from MS
b. Password Reset disk - in case you forget your password.
c. A copy of your NTDETECT.COM, boot.ini, and ntldr files in a floppy.
Make sure that you do not format it as a DOS or boot disk.
Make sure the floppy is COMPLETELY EMPTY.
You will need that when you can't boot to Windows due to one of them being corrupted.
Boot up to that floppy and you will see what I mean.
Your computer will boot up to it, then reads the 3 files, and then transfer control
over to your system partition. All the 3 files are in the C:\ .
Again, make sure all hidden files are made visible.
Otherwise you can't find them.
d. Emergency disk created by your antivirus
e. Install Recovery Console if you are using XP.
Not too sure if other Windows have this.
And hopefully, you installed the Recovery Console before you installed SP2 of XP. :)
f. Back up your MBR. In my MCH Forums (
http://mycomputerheadaches.tz4.com), sorry shameless plug, there is a How To and Tutorial
Forum and in it is a Backup Primer that I wrote.
Follow my instructions there if you are brave enough :). Oh, the link is:
How to back up the MBR (Master Boot Record)
http://s11.invisionfree.com/SpunkyMcSpank/index.php?showtopic=35
g. Back up your BIOS either manually by copying them with pen and paper or by special-purpose utilities.
I did mine using both methods :)
h. This is optional:
Clone your pristine partitions, without the spyware, any virus, defragged and scandisked,
with all temp files deleted too. Use Acronis True Image.
Install all your favorite programs and utilities then clone your whole drive on CDs,
DVDs or another drive. To some people, this is a must.
Thanks to: Sean at MCH Forums http://mycomputerheadaches.tz4.com
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How to Get to Safe Mode ~ Mike's Friday Tip
If you are like me you have probably experienced some
difficulty in getting to Safe Mode during the boot process.
The simplest and easiest way to get into "Safe
Mode" without constantly tapping the F8 key is to
start the PC with a non boot floppy in the drive.
When the machine stops and asks you to remove the non
boot disk and hit any key to continue, select the F8 key and
click it once.
You should be at the Safe Mode prompt.
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Games Kids Play
Rules for kids games for all children.
Kids games such as Tag, playground games, outdoor and indoor types, hopscotch, jump rope and skipping
rope rhymes, hide and seek, and much more.
Games from Canada, France, and England, among other international games.
Submit your own kids games as well.
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