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The LangaList
14-Feb-00
A Free Email Newsletter from Fred
Langa
That Helps You Get More From Your Hardware,
Software, and Time Online
1) "I Opened The Door...
...and in flew Enza." So went the children's joke during the influenza pandemic of 1918. Kids have a way of making light of even horrific events: the English nursery rhyme "Ring around the rosie..." actually describes dermatological symptoms, folk remedies (the plants called posies), and consequences (all fall down...), of bubonic plague!
Kids can joke about illnesses, but they're not really a laughing matter: At least, I'm not laughing--- I have the flu, big time. I'm medicated to the gills, and this issue's going to be a race between a descending deadline and a rising fever. 8-) With luck, I'll stay relatively coherent to the end. if not--- well, you'll know why!
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The Internet is a two-way street.
Just as it's easy for you to connect to other sites, it also may be easy for
others---for hackers--- to connect to your PC. In fact, by default, many PCs are
set up with truly awful online security settings that can leave the door to your
system and your hard drive unlocked and wide open! The more time you spend online,
the greater the odds that someone will indeed try to crawl back through your
internet connection to get inside your PC. And if a hacker finds a weakness or a
security flaw in your setup, he or she can launch a full-blown hack attack that
can cause trouble ranging from the merely annoying (slowing down or crashing
your computer) to major headaches (potentially reading files, stealing
passwords, and worse.) Many people succumb to one or
more of the following myths about online security, and in doing so, leave
themselves wide open to major trouble: Myth #1: "I'm not on a
network, so my PC is safe." Myth #2: "I just use
Dial-Up connections, so my PC is safe." Myth #3: "I use an
anti-virus app, so my PC is safe." Myth #4: "I use a
firewall, so my PC is safe." But there are solutions. Using
tools you already have, and for free, you can vastly improve your online
security--- and that's what my WinMag column is about this week: I'll cover the
essentials of how to set up your Internet connections so as not to needlessly
create security holes. In future columns, we'll talk about other techniques and
products (some also completely free!) you can add to further reduce security
problems. With the secure networking
foundation I'll show you in the WinMag column, any firewalls or other products
you use will only add to an already-safe setup. And, if there turns out to be a
problem with your firewall or security software, you won't be left totally
exposed to hackers. You won't have all your security "eggs" in one
basket! Starting this afternoon (Monday,
Feb 14, EST [GMT-5]) click on over to http://content.techweb.com/winmag//columns/explorer/
for a step-by-step description of how you can make your PC much much safer that
it may be now---for free, and without any additional software whatsoever! Then join the discussion
available from that page (above). WinMag readers are famous for being both
knowledgeable and helpful--- If you have questions about networking, ask them
there, and I or someone else will try to help. Plus, share your tips, tricks,
and suggestions for making your PC more secure. Join in! Click to
email this item to a friend "Mozilla 5.0," the
long-awaited, much-delayed, open-source successor to Netscape Communicator and
Navigator, finally is in Alpha release. It's the subject of my InformationWeek
column this week: I ran Mozilla5 through the full BrowserTune test suite, with
surprising results! In the column, I'll show you a
screen shot, discuss the test results, and tell you where you can download a
free copy of Mozilla to try for yourself. Check it out, and then join in
the discussion: Will Mozilla be strong enough to succeed in its own right, or
will it gain users only among those who hate Microsoft? Will AOL force-feed the
new browser to its users, carpet-bombing the world with Mozilla CDs? Do you
think Netscape and the Mozillans can catch up, or has too much time elapsed? Is
it "game over" for Netscape--- or a whole new beginning? Join in the
ongoing discussion running now at http://www.informationweek.com/langaletter
. Click to
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WinMag's annual "Hot or
Hype?" feature is out; I contributed several items to the mix. I don't
agree with all the other WinMag picks, but it makes for interesting reading. For
example, the WinMag editors deem "Windows vs Linux" to be Hype, and
Firewire to be Hot. Hmmmm. Come check it out at http://content.techweb.com/winmag//help/2000/hot_or_hype/ Click to
email this item to a friend I told you about ZoneAlarm in the
last issue (see http://www.langa.com/newsletters/2000/feb-10-00.htm#3
). It's a FREE personal firewall that can significantly enhance your online
security. I like it a lot, but I also wrote "But ZoneAlarm isn't perfect...
It can be unstable and may cause unusual interactions with other software." I shared my concerns with Gregor
Freund, the president of ZoneLabs, and also expressed concern that some users
might just slap in ZoneAlarm and think all their security problems were solved.
(They're not--- see "The Four Myths of Online Security" above). Gregor wrote back: Your point about readers
using ZoneAlarm as a miracle solution is well taken. Any time you add some
security technology (both in the cyber and real world) you will increase risky
behavior. For example people driver faster with their seat belts on. Or you're
more inclined to test an unknown program if you have a virus checker. A good
security product will always have to overcome that effect. We are very careful to
make sure that we consider the product as part of a balanced breakfast. You need
an up-to-date virus checker. And lots of common sense. Again, the cyber world is
not that different from the real one. You hang out in a bad neighborhood, you're
so much more likely to get mugged. Having said all of this
ZoneAlarm does a remarkable job (I am somewhat biased here <g>). We've
thrown just about everything we can think of at it denial of service, scans,
fractured packets, ping of death, BO2K, you name it. The result are a bunch of
annoying popups and that's it. Gregor Freund ZoneAlarm has had two minor
revisions since I first wrote about it---the folks at ZoneLabs are busy killing
the remaining bugs, undesirable interactions, and instabilities. If you tried
the earlier version and had trouble (as I did), you might want to check out the
newest version. ( http://www.zonelabs.com
) I'll be covering ZA more in the
future, along with other free and low-cost security-enhancing apps. But for now,
because it's free and so easy to use, ZA really deserves your attention. Just
don't rely on it (or any similar app) to provide all your security--- check out
the "Four Myths" article, above, for other essential steps you
should take! Click to
email this item to a friend Do you have a home page or
website? (It doesn't matter what size.) Maybe we can help each other out. Please
click on over to http://www.langa.com/code.htm
to see what I'm talking about! Click to
email this item to a friend In the last issue, I
told you about a reader who'd been nicked for $100 in Peachtree tech support
phone charges--- he was charged for his time waiting on hold as well as for the
actual (brief) support contact. Turns out there's more to the
story: My name is Aimee Weaver
and I'm the public relations manager for Peachtree Software. I was looking at
today's LangaList, and noticed, much to my chagrin, that someone by the name of
J. Roche has grievances regarding Peachtree and our support. I was wondering if
you have an email address or other contact information so that we can contact
this person and attempt to ameliorate the situation. Our customers' satisfaction
is our primary concern, and we certainly do not want them to be unhappy. It sounds like this
Mr./Ms. Roche called our 900 number, which is billed directly to the customer by
the phone company, and unfortunately, we have no control over those charges. To
our knowledge, there is no way to begin the charges only when the technician
begins to speak, nor would the phone company allow this since it requires
someone to pay for the call. There is a preamble to every call on our 900 line
stating that charges are billable to the customer at a rate of $4/minute after
the first minute, which is free. At that time, the
customer has the option of hanging up. During the busy tax season, (last month,
for example) the same message states that call hold time is greater than 5
minutes, if in fact it is. We try to staff this line so that customers do not
experience a long hold time. But with the volume of calls we receive during
January, we cannot realistically hire enough people to handle every call
immediately during that time, only to be forced to let them go when things calm
down again in February. As an alternative, we do
offer several options for technical support that are more affordable, including
support contracts through our 800 number, "Peach fax," Website FAQs,
pay per call on credit card, and e-mail support. Unlike our 900 number, our most
expensive option, these support options are billed to the customer through
Peachtree Software, rather than through the phone company. As I mentioned
before, we ultimately want to ensure that our customers are pleased and that
their needs are met. If you do have any contact information for Mr./Ms. Roche,
please let me know, so that we can amend this situation. Best regards, Click to
email this item to a friend Congratulations to reader Dennis
Wolfe who won a free copy of "Poor Richard's E-Mail Publishing: Creating
Newsletters, Bulletins, Discussion Groups and Other Powerful Communications
Tools." This $29.95 book has been described as "An excellent,
straightforward manual on email publishing, banner ads, driving traffic and
especially ethics." (Full details also available via the link that
follows.) All Dennis had to do was
recommend the LangaList to a friend using the form at http://www.langa.com/recommend.htm#2 Once a month or so, I draw one
name, at random, from among those who have used the recommendation form, and
award a prize. (Note that this isn't some big-company sweepstakes: It's just my
informal way of saying thanks for your help in spreading the word about this
newsletter.) If you think the LangaList is a
worthwhile read, just use the link above to recommend the LangaList to a friend.
Your friend just may find a new source of useful information; I just may gain a
new subscriber; and you just may win a book! Or, if you'd rather try to win up
to $10,000 from the folks at Recommend-It, use this link instead: http://www.langa.com/recommend.htm#1 Either way, thank you, and good
luck! Click to
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Reader "Dana" sends
this along: Gullibility Virus
Spreading over the Internet! WASHINGTON, D.C.-The
Institute for the Investigation of irregular Internet Phenomena announced today
that many Internet users are becoming infected by a new virus that causes them
to believe without question every groundless story, legend, and dire warning
that shows up in their Inbox or on their browser. The Gullibility Virus, as it
is called, apparently makes people believe and forward copies of silly hoaxes
relating to E-Mail viruses, get-rich-quick schemes, and conspiracy theories.
"These are not just readers of tabloids or people who buy lottery tickets
based on fortune cookie numbers," a spokesman said. "Most are
otherwise normal people, who would laugh at the same stories if told to them by
a stranger on a street corner." However, once these same people become
infected with the Gullibility Virus, they believe anything they read on the
Internet. "My immunity to tall tales and bizarre claims is all gone,"
reported one weeping victim. "I believe every warning message and sick
child story my friends forward to me, even though most of the messages are
anonymous." Internet users are urged to examine themselves for symptoms of
the virus, which include the following * the willingness to
believe improbable stories without thinking T. C. is an example of
someone recently infected. He told one reporter, "I read on the Net that
the major ingredient in almost all shampoos makes your hair fall out, so I've
stopped using shampoo." When told about the Gullibility Virus, T . C. said
he would stop reading e-mail, so that he would not become infected. President
Clinton has been advised by the National Health Council. He has had an emergency
session with former presidents Bush, Reagan, Carter, Ford, and Lincoln. All
agreed he should not quarantine the country. This is not being reported in the
major news media to avoid panic. Anyone with symptoms is urged to seek help
immediately. Experts recommend that at the first feelings of gullibility,
Internet users rush to their favorite search engine and look up the item
tempting them to thoughtless credence. Most hoaxes, legends, and tall tales have
been widely discussed and exposed by the Internet community. Many companies have
internal support groups to help employees minimize the impact of this terrible
virus. ******************************************************************* Click to
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Baker's
Dozen Great Books Check
out computer-related books personally recommended http://www.langa.com/books.htm --------------( the above is an
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I'm going to bed. <g> See you next issue! Best, (Please recommend
the LangaList to a friend! (And maybe win a Palm III) An easier-to read formatted HTML version is
available in the "what's new" section of http://www.langa.com.
(The HTML version of each issue normally is available by 9AM EST [GMT-5] of the
issue date.) All past LangaList issues are also available via the same link. Why are you getting this newsletter? There are
only two ways to get on the list (direct email request or via the WinMag mail
list signup page) so if you're getting this newsletter; your name came to me
through one of those channels. SUBSCRIBE (it's free!): Send email to subscribe-langalist@lyris.dundee.net About
the advertisers: Langa Consulting LLC will never knowingly accept
advertising for a fraudulent product, company or service. However, Langa Consulting LLC makes no implied or explicit warranty, recommendation or endorsement
of or for the products, companies or services mentioned in the ads. Disclaimer:
The tips and other information given in the newsletter are researched and are
believed to be accurate, but we cannot and do not guarantee that all the
information here will work on all systems, for all users, all the time. All
information herein is offered as-is and without warranty of any kind. Neither
Langa Consulting LLC, nor its employees nor contributors are responsible for any
loss, injury, or damage, direct or consequential, resulting from application of
any information presented here. This newsletter is a free service of Langa Consulting LLC and is Copyright © 2000 Langa Consulting LLC. All rights reserved.2)
Don't Fall For The Four Myths Of Online Security
The Internet *is* a network, and any Internet-enabled stand-alone PC will
have some or all the same networking protocols running that you'd find on a PC
in (say) the heart of a huge business setting. But a PC in a huge business
setting probably has corporate firewalls and a professional IT staff working to
keep it safe. In stark contrast, a PC in a small business, home office, or a
laptop used in the field (away from corporate security measures), or a
personal-use home system may have a networking setup that's wide-open, totally
vulnerable to hackers--- and you might not even know it. The threat is very,
very real: With today's "always on" connections such as cable modems
and DSL, you can be virtually certain that at least two or three or four (or
more!) bonehead miscreant hackers will try to break into your PC every single
day!
Dial-up connections come and go; each time you dial-up, you get a slightly
different ("dynamic") numeric Internet protocol (IP) address. This
makes it harder for a hacker to find you than if you have a "static
IP" or an always-on connection. But hacker tools have evolved to the point
where they can scan literally tens of thousands of IP addresses an hour. With so
many hackers scanning so many possible addresses, even dial-up connections can
and do come under hack attacks.
A good anti-virus app will indeed protect you--- against viruses and similar
problems. But it'll do nothing to prevent a hacker from lifting information off
your system or crashing your PC. It'll do nothing to prevent a malicious (but
programmatically legitimate) application from surreptitiously "phoning
home" and sending information about you or your system back to some other
site or person. Anti-virus tools are just one small (but important) part of
online security.
Firewalls are great, but if your PC is inherently insecure in and of
itself, then totally relying on an add-on program to provide security puts all
your figurative eggs in one basket. If the firewall software itself has a flaw
or a bug, or if anything goes wrong with it, you're toast. Plus, some firewalls
are useless against viruses or similar apps; most do absolutely nothing about
malicious apps that quietly send data about you or your system back to an
outside source; and some firewalls actually can make things worse because they
advertise their presence to hackers, inviting specialized attacks designed to
defeat that particular kind of firewall.
http://www.langa.com/sendit.htm
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The Mozillans Arrive!
http://www.langa.com/sendit.htm
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Hot Or Hype?
http://www.langa.com/sendit.htm
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More on ZoneAlarm: Free Personal Firewall
President, Zone Labs Inc.
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Load The Code!
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Peachtree Replies
Aimee Weaver
Public Relations Manager
Peachtree Software
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And We Have A Winner!
(Full details on both giveaways are available via the links.)
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Just For Grins
* the urge to forward multiple copies of such stories to others
* a lack of desire to take three minutes to check to see if a story is true
Forward this message to all your friends right away! Don't think about it! This
is not a chain letter! This story is true! Don't check it out! This story is so
timely, there is no date on it! This story is so important, we're using lots of
exclamation points!!! For every message you forward to some unsuspecting person,
the Home for the Hopelessly Gullible will donate ten cents to itself. (If you
wonder how the Home will know you are forwarding these messages all over
creation, you're obviously thinking too much.)
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(At a 20% Discount!)
by Fred Langa and available at Amazon.Com's deepest discounts!
Fred
(fred@langa.com)
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