November 29, 2007
WGA: better, but still not good enough
When it was first released, Microsoft's Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) was widely criticized for spyware-like qualities and numerous false positives. Since then, Microsoft has given its anticopying program a number of changes, but they're not enough to give this tool a positive reputation. Read more »
Save energy without sacrificing after-hours tasks
In the Nov. 15 issue, I recommended putting your system on standby when you're not at the keyboard. But how can your system do all of your automated tasks if it's asleep? With a few well-chosen strategies (including the right BIOS or some helpful freeware), you can have your disk-maintenance cake and eat your energy savings, too. Read more »
How Disney really feels about Christmas
Ladies and gentlemen, Thanksgiving is over. It's officially the Christmas season. So put away the turkeys and break out the tinsel, the Christmas tree, the lights, the gift wrapping, the trips to the mall, the crowds, the invitations to in-laws — well, you get the picture. Read more »
Own any PC in 60 seconds or less 
If someone can gain physical access to your computer, they can easily "own" it by either stealing it or breaking into it to access your data. This week, I show you how easily an intruder can reset any Windows password — and how you can protect your data if someone gets his hands on your system. Read more »
MS's update icons confuse Windows patchers
This month's security patches were fairly few in number, but bulky updates for Vista and OneCare have caused some "interesting" side effects. For some people, it wasn't until days after Patch Tuesday that notifications became visible that patches were ready for Vista machines. Read more »
November 15, 2007
Get Woody's new e-book bonus
Our contributing editor, Woody Leonhard, thinks Microsoft has done something right with its new product, Windows Home Server. The software shares all your files, photos, videos, and songs with everyone on your network, and it automatically backs up all your PCs. Read more »
Next issue: November 29
We're taking a break on Nov. 22, which is the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States. Our next regular newsletter will be published on Nov. 29, the 5th Thursday of the month. We're ignoring our usual policy of skipping an issue on any 5th Thursday that occurs. Publishing an issue will allow us to explain to you any problem that may come to light with the patches that Microsoft released this week. Read more »
Simple tips save power and the environment
Computers and computer peripherals consume dramatic amounts of electricity every year, draining your budget and contributing to greenhouse gases. But for little or no money, you can reduce the number of watts your system and peripherals use, saving cash and limiting the environmental damage. Read more »
Handle Registry editing with caution
In a Nov. 8 article, I explained how to disable Windows' auto-run behavior to protect yourself from inadvertently running malware that might exist on USB drives or other devices you insert into your PC. Be aware, however, that careless Registry editing can make your system malfunction or even keep you from starting Windows. Read more »
Saving the world with dial-up
It's 1994. Who knew that in the day of single-word coffee orders and Netscape Navigator, the world of national security was such a struggle? Luckily for us, and Jack Bauer, things have progressed a little since those days. Sorry, terrorists. Jack's got his BlackBerry now! Read more »
Part eight: Regedit can fix Symantec problem
In this, my eighth and final column on my Housecalls across the continent, we see how editing the Registry resolves a Symantec networking problem. Symantec's Norton Antivirus requires a larger IRPStackSize than the default value in order to handle data in a peer-to-peer network. Read more »
Use disposable e-mail addresses to minimize spam
Spam is a major problem, so keeping your e-mail address private is paramount. This week, I tell you where you can get free, disposable e-mail addresses and how to automate the creation of those addresses. Read more »
URI patch for IE 7 needs action now
A new patch for Internet Explorer needs to be installed quickly, in addition to more Vista patches that you need to know about. Administrators of WSUS (Windows Server Update Services) also got yet another surprise this week — a poorly punctuated category name caused problems with the patching interface. Read more »
November 8, 2007
Get Woody's new e-book bonus
Our contributing editor, Woody Leonhard, thinks Microsoft has done something right with its new product, Windows Home Server. The software shares all your files, photos, videos, and songs with everyone on your network, and it automatically backs up all your PCs. Read more »
One quick trick prevents AutoRun attacks
The AutoRun function in Windows can launch installers and other programs automatically when you insert a CD or flash drive, but this convenience poses a serious security risk. Unfortunately, simply turning off AutoPlay, a separate feature, isn't enough to prevent AutoRun from introducing a rogue program into your system. Read more »
Your life vest clashes with your oxygen mask!
We've all been there. Flying these days has become increasingly drab, with long lines at check-in, privacy violations in the name of national security, and flight delays out on the runway. Read more »
Part seven: decluttering a PC frees up 6GB
In this column, the seventh in my series on Housecalls across North America, we see just how much space a proper PC housecleaning might free up. Nearing the end of my cross-country journey, I also take some time to ponder what I've accomplished during the trip. Read more »
Another batch of indispensable Windows utilities
My Oct. 25 column presented a very short list of the utilities I install on every new Windows XP and Vista computer. Hundreds of you wrote with suggestions for more must-have Windows utilities, and I've found a few that really ring my chimes — read on. Read more »
Apple's new Leopard OS shows Windows envy
The latest version of Mac OS X is out, and among its new features are a few security additions. While Apple continues to make fun of problems experienced by Windows users, the Cupertino company is just now catching up to some protective features Windows has had for a while. Read more »
November 1, 2007
Get Woody's new e-book bonus
Our contributing editor, Woody Leonhard, thinks Microsoft has done something right with its new product, Windows Home Server. The software shares all your files, photos, videos, and songs with everyone on your network, and it automatically backs up all your PCs. Read more »
Free software finds your security flaws
Computer security covers a host of areas — password policies, software patches, account restrictions, protection against malware and more. Fortunately, with the right software, you can get a complete security analysis of your system for free without hiring a costly consultant. Read more »
Microsoft is 'revisiting' warnings in OneCare
Associate editor Scott Dunn reported on Oct. 25 that Microsoft's OneCare security suite turns on "auto-install" without notifying users, causing some machines to unexpectedly install patches and reboot at 3:00 a.m. Microsoft's OneCare team has officially confirmed the behavior, saying, "We are evaluating user feedback and will be revisiting how we communicate the installation details of Windows Live OneCare as we are continually working to improve that experience." Read more »
Playing with your food? Paint with it instead!
We all know that an order of fries isn't the healthiest choice. Now this unique art video will make you think even harder before answering the question, "You want fries with that?" Read more »
Part six: schedule tasks without constant logons
Today's Housecall, in the sixth article of my eight-part series, shows how to set up Norton's LiveUpdate to run from a password-protected user account without constantly having to log on. After finishing in Toronto, I enjoyed more views of the Great Lakes as I made my way through the night to my native New Hampshire. Read more »
Lock down USB ports on your computers
USB ports offer great flexibility to let you easily add all sorts of new devices to your computer. But USB devices also pose a considerable risk, so this week I explain how you can secure your USB ports to prevent unwanted activity. Read more »
Microsoft server installs unwanted Desktop Search
The tool Microsoft provides to patch entire networks, WSUS (Windows Server Update Services) ended up causing more issues than it fixed this week. Despite the fact that many administrators had configured WSUS not to install new applications, the service silently installed Windows Desktop Search, which horribly slowed down many workstations. Read more »