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The LangaList
Standard Edition

2001-06-11

A Free Email Newsletter from Fred Langa
That Helps You Get More From Your Hardware, 
Software, and Time Online

Please visit our sponsors and help keep the LangaList S.E. free!

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1) Good And Bad Online Security Check-Ups

The idea is simple, elegant, and wonderful: You enlist the aid of a trusted external web site to mount a safe, fake hack-attack on your system, server, firewall or online intrusion detection system. The external site probes your online defenses in much the same way that a malicious hacker might. But because the "attacking" site is benign, no harm befalls you; instead the site simply reports to you any security weaknesses it finds, so you can shore up those vulnerable points to prevent a real attack from succeeding.

There are a number of online sites that perform just these kinds of tests. For free or for a very modest cost, they'll probe your online defenses in depth, and help you pinpoint any trouble spots. (We mentioned in passing several online security test sites in a previous column: "How Much Protection Is Enough?" http://www.informationweek.com/840/langa.htm ).

But some online security test sites fail to deliver on their promises. Worse, some sites are outright scams. For example: there's a site called "How Secure Is Your Computer" ( http://www.robrob8.com/online_security.htm ) that carries this to an amazing extreme.

The security test page there states: "Internet security is and always will be an important issue for anyone online….Click on the TEST SECURITY link below and if access is granted, your system is NOT SAFE."

The "Test Security" link brings you to a page that states "Access Granted," and then displays the contents of your hard drive. To the uninitiated, it looks as through the "security test" has found a way to peek at your files. Wow, better buy some security software, right?

Wrong. Behind some smoke and mirrors, the "test page" doesn't really test anything at all. It simply issues a "file://c:/" command to your browser, which then locally (and harmlessly) displays your hard drive contents: Nothing is sent to or from the remote site; the process is entirely self-contained within your own PC. You can accomplish the same thing a lot less mysteriously simply by typing file://c:/ in the address bar of your browser. Try it!

You might think this a harmless prank, except that the site is using this ruse to scare users into buying a copy of Black Ice Defender, a personal firewall, supposedly to prevent this kind of "vulnerability." So, this "security test" from start to finish appears to be a total scam designed solely to drive affiliate sales of a product that can't and won't address the security "problem" the site uncovers because the "problem" is fake to begin with!

Fortunately, there are good security-testing sites out there, but even they each have their own strengths and weaknesses.

I've checked many of these sites, and have included the top six in a new column scheduled to go live today (Monday June 11) at InformationWeek.Com. There, you'll see the URLs and descriptions of the very best test sites I could find, along with information on each site's best and worst points.

All six of the sites I discuss have at least some free tests you can run; some sites are entirely free! And some of the free tests not only look for obvious security flaws, such as NETBIOS broadcasts, but also for things such as the "Back Orifice" and NetBus Trojans.

Check out the new column and then join in the associated discussion: What security test sites do you use? What security tests do you use? Which have you found to be reliable? Which are unreliable, or worse--- scams or thinly-disguised sales tools? Please read the column and then share your opinions and experiences in the discussion area! (The discussion will run all week--- you can join in any time!)

When the column is posted (midday EST (UT-5), 2001-06-11) it should be available via this direct link: http://www.informationweek.com/841/langa.htm  If you arrive early, the link won't work: just try again a little later. <g>

Or, you can use the general "front door" to Fred's InformationWeek.Com columns:  http://www.informationweek.com/forum/Fred Langa

See you in the discussion area!

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2) Corrupted and Insecure Word Documents

"Thepccat" writes:

I was reminded of this by an ezine called WordTips: Occasionally Word documents can become corrupted -- then they will not open and even crash Word. This is quite a problem if you do not have a good backup for the information. You can try opening them in StarOffice, picking them over for useful content, then saving as Word format, then the document will then open fine in Word. StarOffice 5.2 is a freeware [for individual users] office suit available from Sun [they sell a manual and CD-ROM for (I believe) about $30]. StarOffice claims to read and write Word 97 and Word 2000 format, as well as its proprietary format. My (limited) experience is the conversion is not always perfect, but what is?

Thanks, Cat. You can get a copy of StarOffice at http://www.sun.com/products/staroffice/ .

But I do something simpler--- I've instructed Word to use RTF as its native file format, and I've disabled "Fast Saves." Combined, this has reduced my incidence of file corruption essentially to zero.

The Rich Text Format is nearly universal, so you can exchange formatted documents with almost anyone else, no matter what word processor or version they use and without any "import" or "convert" or other intermediate step. Plus, RTF files are resistant to some common forms of macro viruses. And, RTF files are smaller than DOC files.

If you want to try RTF, open a document in Word, select

Tools/Options/Save Word Files As

and then select RTF.

While you're on that same dialog tab, UNcheck "Allow Fast Saves."  In the fast save "feature," Word keeps your original document more or less intact, and then appends your editing changes at the end of the file. Because only your changes are saved each time you edit the file, the saves are very fast. But EVERY EDIT YOU'VE EVER MADE TO THE FILE may be stored in the file, along with the original text. That means that if you've written something bad or intemperate and later deleted it, your original remarks may still be in the file (albeit hidden from normal view).

Some sites have just discovered this problem (so you may see anxious emails going around about it), but it's nothing new: I wrote about this years ago when Word first got the "fast save" feature. But new or old, it is a potential security and legal problem: Your old writings can come back to haunt you, even if you later sanitize your text. Say you write something inappropriate in a memo to your boss, think better of it, delete the text, and then send the cleaned-up document file to your boss. He or she can, if they wish, inspect the raw DOC file with a file viewer (that is, outside of Word) and in doing so may see your original remarks--- the ones you thought were deleted.

Turning off "fast save" defeats this feature of Word, and helps ensure that the final file contains only what you want it to. Likewise, using RTF helps minimize the extra baggage that Word likes to attach to your files. RTF with no Fast Save helps keep things lean and clean.

But if your files *do* get corrupted, Star Office may be able to help.

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3) Wow! Lots More Free Image Viewers!

A brief item last month on iBrowser--- a free image-viewing tool ( http://www.langa.com/newsletters/2001/2001-05-10.htm#2 ) --- generated a surprising flood of email, many containing information on other free image viewers/manipulators I hadn't heard about, but wish I had! <g> Here's a sampling:

Nihao-ma (Hi); I found a couple of spots to offer comments on, the main one being section two ('Free Image Viewer'). I find the 'IrFanView' software to be the best of the free (and it really is, for non-commercial use -- and only $10 otherwise) image viewers. http://www.irfanview.com/   --- Windsinger (the first of many, many readers who suggested IrFanView)

Try ThumbsPlus by Cerious Software http://www.cerious.com/ --- William L. Collins

Here's a viewer not in beta that is free and supports 200 formats. It also ports to several OS. http://perso.wanadoo.fr/pierre.g/  --- jim washburn

Just another great image viewer for your perusal. There is not a lot it will not do, and has been on the market for many years - upgraded about every 6 months to a year. I find it takes the place of many utilities, thus keeping my computer a little leaner! AND IT'S FREE! http://stud4.tuwien.ac.at/~e9227474/english.htm --- Virginia Scofield

Thanks to all who write in!

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4) DOS Tip; and The WinMag Articles Move Again 8-(

Rick Steele writes:

Hi Fred, Can't thank you enough for LangaList Plus! Remembering your Winmag articles about DOS which I have saved in my files I thought this link might interest you and the LangaList readers.
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/maintain/msdos.asp

Thanks, Rick. That Microsoft site deals with stand-alone DOS, but still is largely applicable to the DOS bundled with Windows 9x (and WinME, if you use a boot floppy to access DOS).

Resources like that may be more important as TechWeb continually reshuffles the old WinMag content. That content was on the now-defunct winmag.com site, then went away, then came back with new URLs, and then, as of the day of the last issue, it all went away again. (Sigh.)

Now, as of this writing, it appears that TechWeb has shifted WinMag articles from the "www.techweb.com/winmag/..."  to "content.techweb.com/winmag/..."

For example, an item in the last issue referenced http://www.techweb.com/winmag/columns/explorer/2000/07.htm but that article now is at http://content.techweb.com/winmag/columns/explorer/2000/07.htm .

TechWeb is using redirection to shift visitors from the old URLs to the new, but the redirection wasn't working last Thursday. In any case, it's safer to use the actual URL than to rely on a redirector.

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5) Speaking Of DOS: A Long File Name Trick

J.T. Wheelis had a problem accessing a file with a long filename in DOS, which doesn't support long filenames. Although his problem was specific, the solution may help you access ANY file with a long filename from DOS:

I would like to delete a particular Cookie when my Computer Starts Up. A possible way to do this is place a DELETE Command within my Autoexec.bat File. The Cookie I would like to delete is entitled "C:\WINDOWS\COOKIES\anyuser@doubleclick[1].txt". The problem seems to be that the Autoexec.bat File likes Filenames that are eight characters, plus all the rest of the Cookies within the Folder also start with "anyuser@..." etc. Any Suggestions related to deleting the specific File shown above?

Win9x (and WinME) usually store file names in two parts: a unique 8.3-format name (for backward compatibility with older apps), and the long file name. Windows knows about the DOS name, but normally shows you only the long name. But you can make it show you both:

In Windows Explorer, navigate to whatever long-named file you're interested in. Right click on the file, select Properties. The dialog box will show you the unique DOS version of the file name. Use that version of the name will work in Autoexec or other DOS-level file operations.

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6) Is This Newsletter Useful?

If you think the LangaList is a worthwhile read, maybe a friend would find it useful too! Just use the following link to recommend the LangaList---your friend may find a new source of useful information and you just may win $10,000 for your trouble (full details also available via this link): http://www.recommend-it.com/l.z.e?s=143182

Or, win a no-strings $30 Gift Certificate for any item at Amazon.Com--- books, software, hardware, kitchenware, toys... and more. (Full details also available via this link): http://www.langa.com/recommend.htm

Either way, thank you, and good luck!

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7) Cool (and Free!) Tray Applet

:"Dave J" says:

[Here's] a cool tool I discovered recently that many of the "gang" may enjoy. Its called MrTechSysTray, and I think it has what it takes... its small, powerful and free! Check it out!! http://www.mrtech.com/mrsystray/

It has too many features for me to elaborate on... so I'll leave it up to Fred to see if it's up to snuff!

Thanks, Dave. Mostly what "MrSystemTray" (yikes, what a name!) does is aggregate several normally-separate applets and functions into one convenient spot. For example, it gives you easy access to all control panel functions, shutdown functions, system stats, and frequently-used tools (notepad, calculator, regedit, defrag...). It also offers a series of one-click tweaks--- nothing earthshaking or that you couldn't do on your own; but gathered in a very convenient, semi-automated form. Finally, it includes a nice toolkit designed to help you manage the MP3 files on your system.

For a total cost of $0--- that's zero--- it's hard to beat. 8-)

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8) New Code-Load Graphic

You may have noticed a nice new "spinner" graphic on the Langa.Com, HotSpots, BrowserTune, and "Load The Code" pages and links. It's courtesy of reader Andrew D. Forkes. The original logo was something I whipped out years ago in all of about 15 minutes with WordArt and a GIF animator: To call it merely "rough" would be a kindness. <g> But back then, little did I know that that small logo would become the single most-downloaded graphic on my site!

As a kindness, and perhaps to help save the world from my lack of graphics-arts talent<g>, Andrew produced a marvelously rendered version of the same basic image. The image now on the site is derived from his finely-detailed version: Because the file is called so often, I had to reduce the number of colors in his original image to keep the file size down. But even though the final result is nowhere nearly as smooth as his original, it's still a huge improvement over the old one. Thanks, Andrew!

Why is the graphic downloaded so often? That's because it's been installed on thousands of reader sites all over the world! If you have a home page or website (it doesn't matter what size), please click over to http://www.langa.com/code.htm , and maybe you can join in! (If you've already "Loaded The Code" and are wondering if your site will appear here or on the Langa.Com web site, please see http://www.langa.com/link.txt )

Speaking of which: Here's another eclectic sample of reader sites--- some professional, some very personal:

View A Randomly-Chosen Reader Site
http://www.langa.com/randomlink.htm

Manually Browse All Posted-to-Date Sites Starting At
http://www.langa.com/readersites.htm

Welcome to HandPict
http://pictish.ascifi.net/

Michael Williams' Chess Page
http://www.geocities.com/wtpodunck/index.html

A1 HARLEY SALVAGE
http://pages.zdnet.com/m_gregory/a1harleysalvage/

Terry's Place
http://members.home.net/terrywitt55/TechAdvise/index.html

Your Friendly Ebiz Coach
http://money.webmanila.com/

Vic Laurie: volunteer instructor at SeniorNet/NJ
http://pages.zdnet.com/hampsi/computers/index.html

Dreamer's Reality
http://www.dreamersreality.com/

Newhouse Consulting
http://www.arnewhouse.com/

Boogenstein
http://www.boogenstein.com/base.html

Images of New England by Jonathan Ramsdell
http://go.to/jprimages

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9) Freedom of Association

Reader "Hugh" found a nifty, free Windows file association manager:

This program will backup your file associations; provide you with recommendations for correcting errors, and backup your decision to delete any associations by saving the information, so if you make a mistake you can "go-back".  Price is right also. [$0]
http://www.zdnet.com/downloads/stories/info/0,,77392,.html

Thanks, Hugh. Here's the full description:

Freedom of Association lets you manage your file associations, offering many features that Windows lacks. You can view registered extensions and the file types associated with them, clean up invalid entries, correct erroneous associations, and add extensions to existing file types.

Looks very useful!

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10) Just For Grins

Can you stand one more bit of virus/chain mail humor? Here's what reader Nat Gildersleeve sent along:

VIRUS WARNING!!!

It has been brought to my attention that there's an insidious new computer virus that has already affected close to 30 million computers. Even though I'm running the latest McAfee and Norton viruses scans, neither have picked up this virus!

As many viruses are, this one is transmitted by email. I'm required by law to contact everyone that has received email from me in the last six months and warn them about this virus.

TO REMOVE THIS VIRUS:
** Click your start button.
** Click on "Find".
** Click on Files / Folders.
** Change the "look in" input box to "My Computer".
** The named input file should be AOL.EXE

Once the find engine has located the file, highlight it and press the delete button. Deleting this file will fix a damaged 30 megabyte area of your hard drive and restore it to full functionality.

WARNING: KEEPING THIS FILE ON THE SYSTEM AFTER JUNE 8 WILL COST YOU $2.90 MORE PER MONTH!

FAILURE TO REMOVE THIS FILE WILL KEEP YOUR "UPPER MEMORY MANAGEMENT" MODULE OF YOUR INTELLIGENCE QUOTIENT (IQ OVER 85) BLOCKED.

DELETING AOL.EXE WILL FREE YOUR IQ TO GO ABOVE 85!!!

DELETING THIS FILE WILL ALLOW YOU TO SPELL CORRECTLY AND USE THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROPERLY.

BADLY INFECTED SYSTEMS (I.E., SYSTEMS THAT HAVE DESTROYED YOUR ABILITY TO FOLLOW THE SIMPLE INSTRUCTIONS ABOVE) CAN HAVE THE VIRUS REMOVED BY TELEPHONE. CALL 1-888-265-8008 AND TELL THE OPERATOR TO CANCEL THE VIRUS. THE OPERATOR WILL DEACTIVATE THE VIRUS FROM THEIR END.

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11) Free "Undelete" Tools; How To Automatically Get Rid of The ">>>>>" In Forwarded Emails; Beware The  Dust Bunnies From Hell!

Today's LangaList Plus! Edition contains all ten items above, plus about 30% more content including: where to find and how best to use free and commercial "undelete" tools that can recover files even after you've deleted them AND cleaned out your Recycle Bin; a slick free tool that silently and automatically strips out those long lines of >>>>>> from forwarded emails; and the surprising---even disgusting!--- facts of life about dust and your pc's and peripheral's longevity and stability.

Plus! Edition info: http://www.langa.com/plus.htm 

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See you next issue!

Best,

Fred
(fred@langa.com)

Please recommend the LangaList to a friend! (And maybe win $10,000!I)

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