While over 99% of users ignored these scams, perhaps 1 in a thousand would believe the email letter and start participating. Often the victim would be robbed online of hundreds if not thousands of dollars. Major arrests have been made to shut down most of these operations, which should result in fewer emails. Nigeria - Major arrests made for 419 scams http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8322316.stm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigerian_419_scammer Nigeria's anti-corruption agency says it has shut

This TechNet article offers a great overview of the key security improvements found in Windows 7 TECH NET - An Introduction to Security in Windows 7 http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/2009.05.win7.aspx Table of Contents * Windows Biometric Framework * Extending Authentication Protocols * BitLocker Core Enhancements * BitLocker To Go * UAC Improvements * AppLocker * Global SACLs and Granular Auditing * Wrapping Up

Like Vista, Windows 7 continues to improve on security controls. In a corporate setting, Windows 7 offers much improved security over Windows XP especially for mobile users with laptops (who may be outside the umbrella of corporate protective controls as they travel). Windows 7 - offers improved security for corporate users http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Security/Windows-7-Security-Story-May-Appeal-to-Enterprises-549002/ QUOTE : Microsoft Windows 7 has a number of new security features designed to appeal

Microsoft's Malware Protection Center (MMPC) has provided an informative update related to the 1st week for MSE going live. As an original beta tester and current user on our family PC, MSE continues to offer good basic performance and has had a couple of good reviews on it's capability to detect malware using a signature based approach. Microsoft Security Essentials – Week One http://blogs.technet.com/mmpc/archive/2009/10/15/microsoft-security-essentials-week-one.aspx QUOTE: Now that

Please be careful with Windows 7 email messages you may receive. AVERT Labs has noted extensive spamming to deceive folks. Usually with email, if it appears too good to be true, it's too good to be true ... Windows 7 Spam and Malicious links circulating http://www.avertlabs.com/research/blog/index.php/2009/10/21/windows-7-beaten-to-the-punch-by-spam/ QUOTE : The release of Microsoft’s next major operating system, Windows 7, is at hand. It’s timely to remind everyone that we have seen

I like the security and reliabilty found in Vista and I'm now looking forward to the release of Windows 7 on Thursday. It will offer further improvements and efficiencies, plus an XP compatibility mode where needed. TechFlash Survey - 50% of businesses implement Windows 7 in one year http://sunbeltblog.blogspot.com/2009/10/half-of-businesses-surveyed-will-go.html http://www.techflash.com/seattle/2009/10/survey_50_of_businesses_to_deploy_windows_7_in_first_year.html QUOTE : Nearly half of 1,200

This link is handy for manually updating PCs with MSE installed, esp. if there is no Internet connectivity. After updating MSE signatures, it's beneficial to perform a QUICK or FULL SCAN with these latest definitions to ensure your system is malware free. It's a very easy process in downloading the applicable file, clicking on it, and it installs in about one minute. http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/971606

College students should avoid this new phishing attack which is currently circulating in spam attacks Internet Storm Center - University email quota scam http://isc.sans.org/diary.html?storyid=7402 QUOTE: New week, new scams. One seems directed at universities, and is informing students that their email quota is exhausted and asks them to connect to a malicious web site to re-enable their account . The site includes an iframe and doesn't even TRY to look like the web site of an university. It

This Network World article provides excellent advice for IT professionals during the difficult economic times we are experiencing. However, this is applicable to any job , as it's important to pursue continuing education , exhibit a positive attitude , and provide greater-than-expected contributions for your employer. Throughout my career, I've strived for these principles and they are even more valuable in today's difficult job market. IT Professionals - How to make yourself layoff-proof

While manual Microsoft Updates (MU) worked with on issues on my work PCs, issues were encountered with our more marginal XP family PC at home in trying to apply 14 items. After experiencing "x08" type abends, I then let MU run unattended in dial up mode and have almost completed the process. While automatic MU updates are a little slower they work well and the BITS transfer saves the prior position when you shutdown your system. On any abend, it's good to write down the exact message