Microsoft Addresses Zeus Malware in Latest Update

By DustinPosted on

Microsoft has updated their Malicious Software Removal Tool to include the new Zeus malware. This comes two weeks after law enforcement officials busted up the gang responsible for the malware infection.

On Tuesday, Microsoft started detecting Zeus with its Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT) — a widely used virus removal program that’s free for Windows users. That should make it harder for the many criminals who use Zeus to keep running their software on computers that don’t have antivirus software installed — often an easy target up until now.

Windows Phone 7: Not That Different

By DustinPosted on

Well, there is always someone to rain on Microsoft’s parade, this time over at Fortune Magazines website. I think I can assume she owns an iPhone, probably. While I’ve yet to see any Windows Phone 7 devices in person, from what I hear, I have been proven very wrong. I have said in the past that it may be too little, too late. Well, it certainly isn’t too little. As far as too late, only time will tell if they can rip back some market share.

But good is not enough. I’m not talking about a couple of missing feature like copy and paste, which the company promises will arrive shortly. Can Microsoft create a platform that stands out enough to compete with Android and Apple? Will it be different enough that consumers are hungry for it? Will it be pervasive enough that developers want to invest limited resources in making appls for it?

Verizon Likes Microsoft, Not Windows Phone 7

By DustinPosted on

Verizon has said that they will be supporting Apple, Google and RIM Blackberry instead of Microsoft. Microsoft messed up some up their reputation when they launched and then killed the KIN a couple months later.

The comments come ahead of Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 event in New York, which will involve America’s number-two wireless carrier AT&T. T-Mobile, the US number-three, will also talk about devices it plans to ship once Windows Phone 7 is available.

Microsoft to Patch 49 Holes Next Tuesday

By DustinPosted on

Next Tuesday, you may need to take an extended break if you are doing manual Windows Updates, with 49 of them coming down the hatch. It makes sense to have them set to automatic, if you don’t already.

Microsoft will fix a record 49 vulnerabilities in its Patch Tuesday release next week that will involve 16 security bulletins affecting Windows, Internet Explorer, Office, and the .NET framework.

IE Most At Risk For DLL Attacks

By DustinPosted on

I’ve been an on again/off again user of Internet Explorer, and think I am staying with IE9 (for now!). But, IE users are most at risk for DLL highjacking attacks. I’m not sure if this will affect IE9, but it makes sense to stay updated. There have been times when Firefox has been hit with a big vulnerability and I jump ship to Opera or Chrome until it is fixed, and I don’t mind doing it with IE9 if needed.

When running on Windows XP, Internet Explorer 6 (IE6), IE7 and IE8 do not warn users when they click on a malicious link that automatically downloads a malicious dynamic link library, or DLL, to the PC, said Mitja Kolsek, the CEO of Slovenian security company Acros Security.

Most IT Shops Still Use Server 2003

By DustinPosted on

Similar to Windows XP, most IT shops are staying with Server 2003 even though it has dropped mainstream support and is in Extended Support until July 2015. This puts a lot of businesses in risk for a security breach or outage. I guess “If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it” applies for a bit longer…. Until it breaks and they go down for a bit. I’m quite a bit more proactive in supporting my servers. I stay up to date. If the new version doesn’t have many new features, I’ll hold off, but not at the expense of security or stability.

“The greater the changes, the less likely Microsoft will fix even security problems,” Cherrysaid. “Looking at the degree of change in Windows Server 2008 and 2008 R2, it is becoming riskierto continue to run on Windows Server 2003.”

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FixWin: A multi problem fix tool for Windows

By DustinPosted on

TheWindowsClub has posted another free program, this time it is FixWin, which is a GUI for fixing common problems with Windows Vista and Windows 7. Always good those users that want a quick solution for a problem. Always be sure to create a Restore Point before doing any of these automatic fixes (unless, of course, your System Restore isn’t working!).

Does your Recycle Bin not refresh correctly? Or maybe you find that for some reason your right click context menu has been disabled in Internet Explorer! Or perhaps things are not fine with your Windows Media Center and you need to flush & rebuild Windows Media Center database! Maybe you opted to be not-warned while deleting Sticky Notes and you now want the warning dialog box back! Or then perhaps, post a malware attack you find that your task manage or cmd or your Registry Editor has been disabled! Fixes for these and many more such common Windows problems are being offered here.

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New XBox Live Preview

By DustinPosted on

PC Mag has a hands on preview of the newest update for XBox Live, updating the dashboard as well as adding a few new features. Definitely some cool stuff being added. I don’t like the new interface, as I’ve just gotten used to the current one!

Scheduled to debut in November, ESPN on Xbox Live (included for free with a Gold membership) will feature more than 3,500 live and on-demand sporting events streamed from ESPN3.com. The sporting content will include everything from college football and basketball to MLB to NBA to international soccer.

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Microsoft To Launch Windows Phone 7 On October 21st

By DustinPosted on

The time is finally coming where you can get some hands on experience with Microsoft’s new phone operating system, Windows Phone 7. October 21st is the date that they have set to officially launch the devices.

According to sources familiar with the software giants plans, Microsoft will hold several launch events worldwide on October 21 to introduce its latest Windows Phone 7 handsets. Microsoft is planning to hold an open house event in New York City on October 11 where it plans to show off some of the new devices. Devices will hit retail shelves on October 21 in the UK, France, Germany Italy and Spain. Neowin