How To Subscribe and Unsubscribe is at the end of this note. Mailing List Trouble? See http://www.langa.com/help.htm
Questions about the advertisers? See the end of this note. Please also see legal notices at the end of this note. LangaList: ISSN 1533-1156

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

An easier-to read formatted HTML version of this newsletter is available
<a href=" http://www.langa.com/newsletters/2002/2002-05-30.htm ">here</a>

The LangaList
Standard Edition

2002-05-30

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!

1) The "!000" or "AAA" Hoax

I won't embarrass anyone by using names, but ever since the K l e z worm went into overdrive, I've gotten a *lot* of well meaning but mostly incorrect emails along these lines:

...Based on all the LangaList subscribers that have hit you with the K L E Z worm, it obviously needs saying again there is a very simple way to stop the spread of worms that exploit your address book. All you have to do is create a contact called WORM ALERT with an email address of 000 (zero, zero, zero), or !000, or ANY combination of characters that 1) puts this contact first in your address book, and 2) and is not a valid email address.

The worm tries to send to this address, and you get an NDR (Non Delivery Report) with the recipient name of "WORM ALERT". Usually, this stops the worm from proceeding down the list of your contacts, but, it definitely alerts you that you are infected with a worm that is trying to propagate via your address book.

Anybody can do this, I wonder why more people don't.

We actually covered this before (last fall) and stated then that this tip is (ahem) mostly pointless. At best, it might help stop the re-propagation of a few of the simplest kinds of worms on a few kinds of email clients. For many worms, and on many email clients, this tip will do absolutely nothing useful.

But, ineffectiveness aside, there's an even larger problem: This "fix" only kicks in *AFTER* your system has already been infected and is actively trying to infect other systems. In other words, by the time this trick tries to do anything at all, it's already too late: Your system has already been damaged, and the worm is already seeking its next victims!

You don't have to take my word for it:

http://www.europe.f-secure.com/hoaxes/0000hoax.shtml
http://vil.mcafee.com/dispVirus.asp?virus_k=99213
http://www.lbl.gov/ICSD/Security/vulnerabilities/hoax.html
http://vmyths.com/hoax.cfm?id=263&page=3&cat=Poor%20advice%20from%20non-experts
http://techupdate.zdnet.com/techupdate/stories/main/0,14179,2821795,00.html

A far, far better approach is to prevent any initial infection with good online defenses--- firewalls, script blockers, anti-virus tools, etc. If your system stays safe and clean, then you can rest assured it also won't infect anyone else, and you won't need to rely on next-to-useless things like the "!000" or "AAA" trick.

Click to email this item to a friend
  http://www.langa.com/sendit2.htm

return to top of page

2) Old IE4 Speedup Tip Still Works On IE6

Hi Fred - Great newsletter. I have been subscribing for a couple of years now, and really find it helpful. A while back, you listed a registry fix to enable Internet Explorer to download more than 2 things at a time - believe it was called 'browser pig'. Could you please [cover this] again? I could not find it in your search section of the website. Currently running Internet Explorer 6. Thanks, Keith Harrison

This tip first appeared way back when IE4 was Microsoft's current browser, but it also worked in IE5 and still works today in IE6. It doesn't increase your bandwidth, but does increase the number of simultaneous connections your browser can make to any given web site. It works, but does make your browser non-compliant with the HTTP1.1 specification, and also makes you somewhat less of a "good netizen," because your browser can "hog" more than its fair share of web site resources. (That's the "browser pig" comment that Keith remembered.)

Depending on how your system is set up and which version of Windows you're using, you'll either need to alter or add two specific Registry entries. You can read our original tip--- and the good reasons why you might NOT want to do it--- at http://www.langa.com/newsletters/2000/2000-03-20.htm#5 .

Win2K and XP users can find similar info and an automated patch for those OSes under the heading of "Windows 2000 Web Patch" at http://www.speedguide.net/Cable_modems/cable_reg_win2k.shtml

Click to email this item to a friend
  http://www.langa.com/sendit2.htm

return to top of page

3) Opera Security Problem

When niche software emerges into the mainstream, it becomes an attractive target for more and more hackers and crackers. They discover security problems that formerly escaped notice--- not because the software was glitch-free, but simply because not many people were looking for security holes to exploit.

It's happened before with the Mac and Linux, for example. Both were sometimes erroneously hailed by partisans as all but worm/virus/trojan-proof, but that was never true. Yes, these OSes do have fewer security problems than some of Microsoft's software; and some of that strength is architectural. But some of it is simply that there weren't very many people trying to subvert those systems in the first place.

It's the same with Opera, the #3 browser in popularity. It's good software, and relatively robust. But as more people are taking a closer look at it, some problems are emerging.

For example, the folks at "GreyMagic Software" discovered that Opera versions 6.01 and 6.02 have a security hole through which  an attacker can download any file--- *any file*--- from an unsuspecting Opera user's PC!

This isn't to suggest that Opera is a "bad" browser. But Opera users--- like Mac and Linux users--- should realize that just because you're not using Microsoft software doesn't mean you're immune to security problems. No software is perfect, and once enough people use any given piece of software, then the bad guys will move in and try to take advantage. No matter what software you use, you have to keep your guard up.

Opera users can read the full GreyMagic security bulletin at http://security.greymagic.com/adv/gm001-op/ , and should upgrade to Opera version 6.03 ASAP.

Click to email this item to a friend
  http://www.langa.com/sendit2.htm

return to top of page

4) Free Formatter For Email Newsletters

Fred, Some of your readers may find this new tool from my friend, Judy Vorfeld, to be quite useful. This is an on-line form/template that makes creating a structured text ezine a breeze. It allows you to enter your content in the appropriate boxes and it structures a plain text ezine, complete with table of contents, for you in a matter of moments. The completed ezine is then emailed to you so you can do any additional editing or formatting you want - or sent to your subscriber list. You see it before it is emailed, so you could just copy and paste it into your favorite editor or email program right then. Judy also provides some wonderful writing tips and resources for both web and ezine writing at the site http://www.ossweb.com/ez-ezine-template.html  Best regards, Claudia Slate

Thanks, Claudia. The online tool is nicely done: You just type in (or paste in) the text and ads you want to run in your newsletter, and the form will break the lines at the 65th character, and perform other formatting functions.

If you already have a newsletter template, or a more powerful ASCII or HTML formatting tool, you may find the online tool too limited. But if you're just getting started with an ezine, it could give you a nice running start.

Click to email this item to a friend
  http://www.langa.com/sendit2.htm

return to top of page

5) Windows XP Pre-SP1 Hotfixes

Dear Fred: This link will take you to the MS site and shows all the patches to be included in the soon-to-be-released SP1 for windows XP. If you haven't heard or seen about this, please include it in your next newsletter. -- JJ

Thanks, JJ. Service Pack 1 for XP will be out in late summer or early fall, and will include a roll-up of all the to-date security patches, plus some additional updates and new components. In the meantime, the page JJ references is a handy one-stop resource that lists everything you can download *now* that will later end up in SP1.

The page's URL is a beast, so I've split it across two lines. You may have to de-wrap the line to return the URL to its gigantic, all-on-one-line form in order to access the page.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=
%2Fsupport%2Fservicepacks%2Fwindows%2Fxp%2Fpre%2Dsp1%5Fhotfixes%2Easp

Note that, if you've been keeping up with the WindowsUpdate patches, you should already have most or all of the listed Hotfixes. But still, it's nice to have an all-in-one reference.

And while you're on the Microsoft site, check out the "Windows XP Support Center" at http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;en-us;winxp . It contains lots of other free XP info and downloads you may not know about.

Click to email this item to a friend
  http://www.langa.com/sendit2.htm

return to top of page

6) "Not All Startup Items Can Be Displayed..."

Reader Jonny Lieberman writes:

Hi Fred.  I am writing to you because my cranky Dell machine has produced another bit of weirdness. When I boot the machine and click on the start menu, A Windows Attention dialogue/balloon pops up to inform me that not all items on the start menu can be properly displayed.  As far as I can tell, every piece of software I have installed is visible to me on the start menu. It is very frustrating, because it just will not go away. It began after I installed Stuff It, which is like WinZip but worse.  One key may be that I keep my computer's theme set to classic windows. And, I'm running XP Pro. On another note, my computer's clock is functioning perfectly after i applied the patches that your readers supplied. Thanks in advance, -Jonny-

I don't think this is unique to XP, but can happen when any Windows startup menu--- which is really just a special kind of window--- can't completely fit within the allocated space. Windows will try to alter the way the menu appears, but if it can't make it fit, the dialog may appear.

I've sometimes seen this message when I've temporarily dropped to a low video resolution, such as when I'm installing a new display driver. My startup menus--- which fit fine at my normal resolution of 1280x1024--- are way too large for the lower screen size, and the warning may appear.

If you get the warning, simply increasing your video resolution may solve the problem. But if you can't do that, another simple fix is to reorganize your Start Menu. It's really just a folder on your system, and you can manipulate its contents the same way you do any other folder's:

Click to "\Windows\Start Menu," or "\Documents and Settings\[user name]\Start Menu" and edit away, especially inside the "Programs" subfolder. You can create new folders, for example, and then move similar menu items to within the new folders.

I have a "Maintenance" folder, for instance, into which I've stuffed numerous system and disk utilities. Each utility used to have its own entry in the Programs section of the Start Menu, but now just the top-level "Maintenance" folder appears there, saving space. (I still can access the separate utilities by clicking on Maintenance folder.)

This link also may help: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=%22items+on+the+start+menu%22

Click to email this item to a friend
  http://www.langa.com/sendit2.htm

return to top of page

7) Last Days To Enter May's FREE Drawing

On May 31, I'll choose another monthly winner of a no-strings $30 Gift Certificate for any item at Amazon.Com--- books, software, hardware, kitchenware, toys... To have a shot at winning, just use the following link 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 $30 shopping spree! (Full details also available via this link): http://www.langa.com/recommend.htm

The more times you make a recommendation, the greater your chances are of winning!

Or, if you'd like to try to win $10,000(!), try this link (full details also available here):
http://www.recommend-it.com/l.z.e?s=143182

Either way, thank you, and good luck!

Click to email this item to a friend
  http://www.langa.com/sendit2.htm

return to top of page

8) More Reader Sites!

Do 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 the thousands of LangaList readers who have "Loaded the Code!" (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 From Among All Listed
http://www.langa.com/randomlink.htm

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

Otakou New Zealand Creative Design Awards
http://www.peacework.com/otakou/awardprog/awards.htm

FREE FOR ALL (Skills Pool)
http://www.geocities.com/theskillspool/home.html

The Aptsolution Centre (Australia)
http://www.users.bigpond.com/aptsolutions/

Western Road Links (UK)
http://www.western-road.info/links.html

OHara Home
http://houseofohara.bravepages.com/

Family Site from Missouri
http://www.christgen.net/

Langhorn Family Pages (UK)
http://www.langhorns.co.uk/

Speak Out Loud
http://www.speakoutloud.org/

Sarah and Jerry
http://www.jccntry.com/index.html

Peko Products
http://www.pekoproducts.com/

One Ton Tomato
http://www.onetontomato.net/

Nokia Ring Tones
http://www.megagate.com/~scottr/ring2.htm

Click to email this item to a friend
  http://www.langa.com/sendit2.htm

return to top of page

9) Adding To The List Of Popup Stoppers...

It's a sure sign of how annoyed we all are about popup ads: Popup stopper software is appearing in droves. Example:

I've been using "popup buster" when going into web sites that are notorious  for such ads. It seems to prevent those "on exit" ads. The principle is simple - it won't open a second window unless you hold down the shift key while you click for it. If you just click, it opens that link  only, in the same window. If that link is a "new window" link, it fails until you SHIFT-click it. Get it at http://www.popupbuster.com/  Best regards, John Gay

Thanks, John.

Click to email this item to a friend
  http://www.langa.com/sendit2.htm

return to top of page

10) Just For Grins

I normally try to include a complete, self-contained "Grin" item here, but when you see this site, you'll know why I can't this issue:

Fred,  Here is a the humor link from the Redmond Roundup site. Much of the humor has gone around a good many times, but some is worth another look and laugh. Targeted is Microsoft; its programs and functionaries:
http://i-want-a-website.com/about-microsoft/humor/

Hoping you and my fellow readers of the LangaList enjoy some time at this site. --- C. Wilson

These folks have spent a lot of time gathering many of the Microsoft jokes: They have *hundreds* of jokes in 14 separate categories! 8-)

Click to email this item to a friend
  http://www.langa.com/sendit2.htm

return to top of page

11) Plus! Edition Highlights

• 346 Free Utilities
• Deeper Cleaning, For Free
• Custom Searching In IE6

Today's LangaList Plus! Edition contains all ten items above, plus about 30% more content including: A little-known site featuring a huge list of carefully-screened freeware utilities; a reader-modification that makes your hard-drive cleanup more thorough than ever; and ways to invoke highly customized searches in IE6.

The Plus! Edition costs just pennies per issue: http://www.langa.com/plus.htm 

Click to email this item to a friend
  http://www.langa.com/sendit2.htm

return to top of page

See you next issue!

Best,

Fred

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

An easier-to read formatted HTML version is available in the "Current Issue" section of http://www.langa.com.  (The HTML version of each issue normally is available by 9AM EST [UT-5] of the issue date.) All past LangaList issues are also available at the Langa.Com site.

return to top of page

Administrivia:

UNSUBSCRIBE: From the same email account you used to sign up with), send an email to
unsubscribe-langalist@lyris.dundee.net

SUBSCRIBE (it's free!): Create and send a new email to
subscribe-langalist@lyris.dundee.net

CHANGE ADDRESS? LIST TROUBLE? HAVE QUESTIONS? OTHER PROBLEM? NEED HELP? See http://www.langa.com/help.htm

This newsletter is SPAM PROOF and requires two levels of subscriber confirmation before delivery begins: See http://www.langa.com/info.htm

About the advertisers: http://www.langa.com/privacy.htm#ads

Disclaimer: http://www.langa.com/legal.htm  In brief: 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 your choosing to use any information presented here.

This newsletter is a service of Langa Consulting LLC and is Copyright © 1997-2005 Fred Langa/ Langa Consulting LLC. All worldwide rights reserved. LangaList: ISSN 1533-1156

return to top of page