No access to some websites

Lately I’ve been having problems seeing certain websites some which I use on a daily basis and various others, even sites that I own. Now this is Extremely frustrating.

The problem here lies in a little know setting on your computer responsible for transmitting information across networks. I won’t get too technical here [you can read the techie stuff here provided by Ask-Leo] but there is quite a simple remedy to fix the computer problem and it worked for me.

This little know setting is called “MTU”, which stands for Maximum Transmission Unit. It lies within the registry, and if you are not familiar with making changes there then this simple little pc tool will help you with your problem. Download DR.TCP [I just ran the .exe] and a grey window will pop up.

DR.TCP

There is no need to touch any settings there except, look at the:

Adapter settings - select the setting that corresponds to your Internet connection setting. If you  are not sure which is yours, go to your CONTROL PANEL ===> Network Connections there run your mouse over the connection icon and a little box will flag up which connection you have.

If there is no number in the MTU box, like there was none in mine put in 1500, then SAVE. Reboot your PC and see if this worked.

If there is a number in the MTU box, write it down to return to it later, and then try these numbers in order:

* 1492

* 576

Select your adapter, insert the number, and click Save and  Exit. Reboot and test to see if the new value has corrected the problem. Your MTU settings maybe just to high or too low.

Mine worked using 1492 but all depends on your connection.

Remember: if the smaller doesn’t solve your problem, then reset the MTU value to whatever it was when you started. Save and exit.

Hope this solves your problem successfully.

Zo

One of the first problems that I noticed was that for some strange reason my computer was very slow. Having checked that there were no Ms updates coming through, or anything else that would cause this sudden decrease in speed, when opening my browser - I saw that my homepage had changed. A sure sign of malaware .

The most common tell tale signs are:
1. A slow computer
2. Home page changes
3. Pop ups, strange virus warnings
4. Additional items on the start menu and favourites
5. Firewall alerts - unidentified programs trying to gain access
6. Additional toolbars or toolbar tools.

If your computer is clean then installing the Spyware blaster as recommended here, this will give it the protection it needs. 
If you are already having problems then a good program to use to clean and fix your computer is Lavasoft Ad-Aware 2008. Do a FULL SCAN, and although it may take a while, will perform a thorough clean.

If you are like me and do a lot of surfing on the net, you will certainly come across some real nasties that try to download stuff onto your pc that you don’t want, or try to hijack your system.  Just be wary.

I have come across a neat tool that will strengthen the security on your pc  and actually blocks the malaware. Download the Javacool Spywareblaster 4.1 and watch the short video on the right as the lady explains the features.

1. Click on UPDATES and then CHECK FOR UPDATES.
2.Click on PROTECTION STATUS  then at the bottom ENABLE ALL PROTECTION.
3.Click on TOOLS and then HOSTS SAFE and then at the bottom CREATE BACKUP.
4.Click on SYSTEM SNAPSHOT then GO to CREATE SNAPSHOT. 
That’s all there is too it. Simple.

Follow the few simple steps to set it up, these are most important. Make sure that you regularly do updates to keep yourself protected. This little program is a good addition to your security arsenal.

You may be surprised..

Although this article was written for the UK market - it applies to anyone, anywhere, we are all vulnerable to hijackers.

UK households at risk of broadband hijackers
Rob Barnes, Head of Broadband and Mobile Phones

Internet access at home is now mainstream with the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics showing that more than two-thirds of British households are now online. An increasing number have wireless connections, but the majority of these are not secure, leaving consumers vulnerable to fraud.

Recent research from moneysupermarket.com found that only 15% of those with wireless broadband have a protected router. With all major providers now providing a wireless router with their packages, wireless broadband is becoming increasingly popular leaving Brits open to ‘piggybacking’.

Piggybacking is where broadband users connect to someone else’s wireless router to gain access to the internet for free, with the potential to steal bank details, identity information or even downloading illegal content through the owner’s connection.

According to our research more than five million adults (11%) have used someone else’s wireless internet connection without permission in the past 12 months.  The results also show people are doing little to protect themselves, with one in seven failing to put a password on their connection.

It’s not just security risks people face as 37% of broadband deals impose a download cap, which could mean additional charges if the limit is exceeded. Of those who admit to piggybacking nearly half say they check emails and do some browsing and an unrelenting 12% hijack someone else’s wireless connection everyday, downloading films and music regularly.

What are the consequences?

If you’re not careful, you could unwittingly find a huge bill landing on your doorstep for going over the download cap imposed by the broadband provider. More and more providers offer routers with broadband packages and the range of the signal is increasing. People need to be aware just how important protection is and the best way to do it.

People are learning to be safe online but those using wireless can undo all that by leaving their network unprotected. An unsecured internet connection is just the same as leaving your front door open.

So how can you beat the broadband pirates?

* Password protect your wireless internet connection with non-dictionary words and numbers
* Check that your router uses WPA rather than WEP encryption
* Know your download limit and what that translates to (i.e. 5 music albums)
* Make sure you have appropriate security software and firewall
* If you have children, consider using parental controls as well as password protection for the router.

You can never be too careful.

Zo Nicholas

If you have been wondering why the intenet has been such a pain this week with so many sites being up and down  its been due to a long known security flaw.  A flaw that compromises the entire internet’s adressing system.

The DNS flaw has now been fixed and a multi vendor patch sent out to all internet users.

.

As issued by PandaSecurity.com

Game lovers everywhere

‘World of Authentication

The creation of malicious code aimed at stealing passwords for online games is on the rise, especially those aimed at World of Warcraft and Lineage players. Most of these games offer certain functions, objects and even money can that can only be obtained as users advance through the different levels. As a result, some less skilled users are willing to pay for items they have been unable to obtain through playing the game.

Fully aware of this, cyber-crooks are creating malware strains to steal passwords for these games in order to sell avatars, objects, etc. to the highest bidder.

This situation has led video game companies to react. Last week, Blizzard Entertainment, the company behind such popular games as World of Warcraft, LineageWarcraft, Diablo and StarCraft announced the launch of an authenticator for World of Warcraft players at the 2008 Blizzard Entertainment Worldwide Invitational.

“It’s good to see that video game companies have started to care about users’ security, as the situation is becoming really dangerous”, explains Luis Corrons, Technical Director of PandaLabs.

Play safe!

Zo Nicholas

Stop the Junk mail

Fed up with all the trash mail that comes in your mailbox? aren’t we all.
One man, Rob Clymo, has put his foot down, enough  is enough. Read Rob’s article below:

The last few days of my humble existence have been dominated in equal measure by outstandingly tedious spam messages and infuriating websites. It started at home on Saturday when I got a random web-style newsletter from a squash ‘organisation’.
 
“Clymo,” it said, “You have received this email because you subscribed to it.” Erm, no I didn’t. And it’s Mr Clymo to you. Besides, I’ve never played a game in my life so they’re not likely to sell me a racket, balls or any other kind of squash paraphernalia anytime soon, thank you very much.
 
Infected websites
According to research by Sophos, the biggest threat for most computer users today comes from the web and email. Hardly a revelation, until you hear the scary statistics. “One new malware-infected webpage is discovered every five seconds,” reveals Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant with the anti-spam specialists.
 
“There are over 15,000 new infected web pages uncovered every day, and 79% of those are legitimate websites that have been hacked.”
 
“What that means to users is that if you visit a website, you may become infected by a piece of malware designed to steal your identity simply by browsing to the site. This doesn’t just happen if you visit a pornographic or gambling website – it can happen when you visit any kind of website. A recent example is the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) website which was found to be carrying infected web pages during the Wimbledon tournament.”
 
Sea of spam
The spam continues back at work on Monday, this time from a nightclub that keeps trying to get me to go to their bangin’ house nights. Not interested. I told them as much and got this shirty email saying ‘Well, go to the ‘Unsubscribe’ link and remove yourself’. Excuse me, I didn’t sign up in the first place.
 
If it’s not spam, it’s something else. On Tuesday I’m sent an automated email telling me a flight I’ve booked has been rescheduled. The good news is that I’m still going from Southampton to Aberdeen. The bad news is that it’s via Belfast, is about two hours earlier and the journey time has gone from around one hour to nearly six. My options? There aren’t any. No other flights on that day so I’m stuck with it and all for the bargain basement fare of £153.
 
By Wednesday I try to pay the electricity bill online. The website doesn’t recognise me, even though I’ve registered before. Three attempts to log in but no joy. I try the automated phone payment system and the digitised voice at the other end is obviously having an off day and refuses to understand me. After half an hour I give up.
 
Lost identity
On Thursday I have to carry out a chore on a government website, and I fear the worst. I go through six steps and then, out of the blue, it asks for an ID number. I try a couple from my original registration emails. They don’t work. I email them. They don’t reply. I phone them. “I can’t hear you caller,” says the distant voice at the other end. “If you can hear me, please replace the handset and try again.” I do and get cut off. I phone back and, after a lengthy wait, a guy says he can resend the ID I need via email.
 
“But they usually end up in the trash,” he tuts.
 
“You sound like you’ve said that before?” I add wearily.
 
Breaking up
On Friday the phone goes and it’s a salesman from my gas company. He gives me the spiel on this boiler scheme they have on offer. “One of your colleagues said all this to me last Friday,” I tell him. She kept on cutting out so I ended up putting the phone down.
 
This guy is even more persistent. “Well, we are your energy supplier. You must have put your number into our website (I didn’t). So do you have cover at the moment? Who is it with?” This time I pretend the line is breaking up and say “Hello” repeatedly into the handset until he hangs up. It’s the oldest trick in the book, mate.
 
Hefty fines
In between all this, my inbox continues to fill with all manner of spam. Laws on email marketing came into force back in December 2003, with fines for wrongdoing supposedly hefty. But this doesn’t seem to bother Moses H. Slingback and all the other madly monikered legions who keep trying to sell me Viagra from far-flung corners of the globe. And that’s a big part of the problem. As most of the spam we receive comes from outside of the UK, our slowly evolving laws can’t touch it.
 
“Spam is a worldwide problem which knows no national boundaries, and computer crime authorities are working hard at tracking down the worst offenders,” says Graham Cluley.
 
“However, legislation alone is not going to be the answer to the spam problem. The fundamental reason why spam exists is because it works – in a nutshell, it makes money for the spammers.
 
“11% of people admit to having bought goods advertised via spam. If you buy goods marketed via spam then you are simply encouraging the spammers to send more junk email. If no-one purchased the products, then the spammers would largely disappear.”
 
So what am I to do? Well, I’m going to try some new and improved software and let you know what it’s like in a couple of weeks or so. Watch this space… 
Source: Rob Clymo: Columnist - Tech & Gadgets 
Wednesday, 02 July 2008 

Grab your FREE TRIAL of.. 

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The intelligent spam filter for Outlook and Outlook Express analyzes email so effectively that in many cases it is more accurate than filtering by hand.

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Zo Nicholas

Making life easy….anytime, anywhere…

Anyone who works on a computer day-in and day-out, for any extensive period of time, dreams of the day when a product will be developed that will end the tyranny of our endless tapping at the keyboard.  Wouldn’t it be swell if we could simply speak and the computer recorded and typed what we said?  Oh, yeah, it also has to be affordable for the average consumer. 

That day, my friend, has come courtesy of Nuance and Dragon NaturallySpeaking® Preferred software.  This unique software has won over 140 major awards worldwide for accuracy and ease of use.  This accurate, affordable, and easy-to-use speech recognition program enables small/home office, business, and educational users to create and edit documents, reports, spreadsheets, and email all by voice.

With this software, you can accurately turn your voice into text.  You can dictate continuously and naturally at up to 160 words per minute.  The software is fully integrated with Microsoft Word, Excel, Internet Explorer and Corel WordPerfect.  It can be used with virtually any Windows-based application. 

Other product features include:
• A comprehensive vocabulary of over 250,000 standard and business terms, with the ability to add new words easily. 
• The ability to insert text and graphics with a spoken word or phrase.
• The capacity to dictate into any L&H certified handheld recorded while you are on the road.
• Text-to-speech technology that allows your documents and emails to be read back to you in a human sounding voice.
• Searching the Web, accessing information, and navigating web pages by speaking URLS and links.

Dragon NaturallySpeaking® 9 boasts a speech to text conversion accuracy rating of 99%.  The standard version is available for just under $100 while the preferred version retails for approximately $200.  You’ll be faster, and have more fun, as you create letters, reports, and e-mails all by speaking. Just talk, and you can surf the web, open and close applications, even control your mouse and the entire desktop!

Harness the power of Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9, and improve the way we perform work on our computer. 

Zo Nicholas

Me too, and its getting worse!

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When a new e-mail arrives, it is automatically tested by SPAMfighter. If it’s spam, it will be instantly moved to your SPAMfighter folder. If you receive a spam mail that is not detected, click on a single button, and the spam mail is removed from the rest of the 5.092.577 SPAMfighters in 222 countries/areas in seconds.

Zo Nicholas