On Tuesday March 18th, Microsoft finally released Vista SP1 in its final form. SP1 contains a year of updates and improves on some of Vista's features the public has complained about. At the moment it is available through both Windows Update as an optional download or through the Microsoft Download Center as a standalone download. In the middle of April it will become a mandatory automatic download from Windows Update. There are a couple of issues with the download and installation that have

Recently I was asked this question : "Why do we have to patch Windows all the time? Couldn't Microsoft have built a secure OS from day 1 for Windows 3.0, Windows 95 or any of the other OS's so it doesn’t have to be patched?" I was quite surprised at the question as I know the answer and had never thought that others might not. There are probably many people out there who are asking the same question, so I will start by introducing you to what makes the objects, browsers, pictures

So you think your PC is secure. You have a resident Antivirus program, an Antispyware program and a firewall. You have Microsoft Updates set on ‘auto’ so that your copy of Windows is updated automatically as soon as one is available. You have set up all your third-party programs to notify you when any update becomes available. You have added all the recommended tools that don’t conflict, for example: IE-Spyad and SpywareBlaster to your PC. You have UAC turned ON in your new copy of Vista. Now you

Please have a look at the new links I have added to the sidebar of my blog, to decide if the websites and programs may be useful to you, my readers. I am hopeful that these quick links to online information will help you keep your computers safe and healthy: There is a new section “News” where I have added several links including my favourite site to help children surf safely on the internet. The theme and title are “ Be Web Aware ” and you can rely on it for safe topics and links appealing to children

aahhh procrastination…..what causes it? As far as I’m concerned there are three types of people in this world, the first type are those that get things done immediately, the second type are those that put everything off until they have too much to do, ie: procrastinate, and third, those that do both depending I think on the fazes of the moon or heredity. I am one of the third group, at times I get things done immediately and at other times I let all the tasks due pile up until I don’t know where

There is a new forum that may be of interest to Windows, Linux and/or Cross-Platform developers. The Linux and Windows Development forum was started by my son Darin who has most recently been programming linux software. Interested in programming since he was a child, he continues to find it a very satisfying hobby. Another area of interest for him is Security for personal computers. At Linux and Windows Development he hopes to create an area where programmers can discuss their interests, share their

Did you get a new computer for Christmas? If so, you have probably spent the time since Christmas exploring your computer and surfing the internet to find out what all this Internet fuss is about. Perhaps playing games, watching videos, exploring things you are interested in - hobbies etc., chatting with others, and generally looking around. In a word you’ve had fun with your new toy! Included with your new computer are the OS (most likely Windows XP or Windows Vista), some Proprietary software from

Is your home as secure as your computer? If your answer is "Yes it is", then you are WRONG . For your computer security you have installed all the recommended security programs and a Firewall, set all of your software to download updates as they become available, and your computer is now as secure as possible. But have you added the equivalent protection to your home? A reporter with WMC-TV memphis discovered that all the locks you have carefully installed and use, won't keep a thief

Have you joined the wireless world? Many people think of wireless technology as applying only to computers. If you have a cordless phone, a garage door opener, GPS in your car, a satellite hookup for your TV, or a cell phone, then you have been using wireless technology as long as you've been using those items. Surprised? Many people are when they realize they have been using a cordless phone or garage door opener, for several years. In the computer world you have Laptops/Notebooks, PDAs (personal

Almost 2 years ago I wrote the first article called Protection For Your PC and the second Protection For Your PC - Part 2 almost 6 months ago. All of that information, though 6 months and 2 years old respectively, applies today. However, in the past 2 years since I wrote the first article, the nasties have become nastier, the ID theft more rampant, and the scumware writers more adept at creating Spyware, Malware and other Scumware that is harder to detect and more invasive into your private life