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The
LangaList
Standard Edition
2003-09-22
A Free Email Newsletter from
Fred Langa
That Helps You Get More From Your Hardware,
Software, and Time Online
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1) More On Defeating Startup/Browser
Hijackers
Wow! Lots of you had additional suggestions for helping either to recover
from or to prevent scumware from installing itself on your PC and hijacking either
your startup process (so it reinstalls itself every time you try to delete it)
or by taking over your browser's home page or other settings. (See
http://www.langa.com/newsletters/2003/2003-09-18.htm#4 and
http://search.atomz.com/search/?sp-q=scumware&sp-a=0008002a-sp00000000 )
Examples:
[re: the danger in using Admin-level accounts for routine web surfing] Having been bitten by similar bad-boy sites in the past, I agree with you
150%, so some years back I started running StartUp Monitor, that great freeware
utility from Mike Lin at
http://www.mlin.net/StartupMonitor.shtml
which at least warns me if some lowlife scumware is trying to install itself on
my system. I think I originally read about it here ) In any event, anyone who shares a 'puter
with anyone else, admin or not, should at the very least run this utility or one
like it in total self defense! LOVE the newsletter! ---Elaine Pack
Fred: I use a small and simple program called WinPatrol that warns about additions and alterations to my OS without my consent and gives me the option to keep or delete. Keep up the good work--- Barry UK
Hey Fred, Re: WinPatrol [is] no longer [just] a simple Startup Monitor. WinPatrol is able to alert users of new dangers without constant updating of descriptor files and remains a single tightly coded 168KB exe. All the new features remain available for Free thanks to the support we have received from editors like yourself and from those users who upgrade to our $19.95 PLUS version.
http://www.winpatrol.com/upgrade6.html Thanks again, Bill Pytlovany
Fred, This little gem has saved my bacon a couple times. It
is a small program called HijackThis. It scans the registry and lists areas of
registry entries that are used by hijackers (and legitimate entries). They have a spyware/hijack forum you can cut and paste your
results to and get timely expert advice on what entries to delete. Link to
their main page:
http://www.tomcoyote.org/hjt/ ---Scott Velie
Hi, I believe you've mentioned this site before but this
utility on that site has aided me in cleaning up my pc and finding
ANYTHING hiding ANYWHERE. For instance if that name 'Xtrocash' was in the
shortcut this would hunt it down and find it. It doesn't matter if it is
embedded in executable code, in the registry or any part of any file. I have
cleaned up more unknown problems including trojans and other craziness on many
machines using this. It's Xteq's 'X-Find'.
http://www.xteq.com It's one of the best little free utilities we have
ever used. (The search accepts wildcards which is of course a blessing.)
Sincerely, Keith Breen
Fred, I enjoy your newsletter very much and find a lot of
tidbits I tuck away for when needed. The following link might be of interest
to Mr. Carswell as well as many more of your readers. I think it is the most
direct way of dealing with current spyware.
http://www.spywareinfo.com/articles/hijacked/ Keep up the good
work, Don G
Thanks to all who wrote in!
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2) One Man's Scum Is Another's
Sustenance...
Reader "Amoeba" sends along this excerpt from "The E-List News." It's
interesting on several levels. First, it contains links to sites you may find
interesting and useful in their own right. Second, it shows what can happen when
a software vendor uses aggressive, but perhaps fully legal, distribution methods. To them, they're playing by the letter of the law to push
their product and to make a living. To others, they're purveyors of "scumware." And therein lies the
battle:
THE SCUM IS GETTING MORE AGGRESSIVE.
In the war against scumware, the scum-pushers are getting more aggressive -- and are now trying to use legal pressure to pave the way for their invasion of your system. Last night I learned something truly disgusting. My Windows Support Center (
http://winsupportcenter.com/ ) site and MS-MVP Sandi Hardmeier's Sandi's Site (
http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/ ) have teamed up to take a stand against it. Here is what we learned last night:
According to the evidence, two of the most important Web sites in the battle against scumware have been pressured (for the moment) into taking down information on the insidious parasite **IEPlugin.** One of these sites is
http://security.kolla.de , the people who bring you Spybot Search & Destroy. Their
http://security.kolla.de/kbase.php?lang=en&sbi=spybots&kbase=ieplugin page on IEPlugin has, for the present, disappeared altogether. The other site is Andrew Clover's
http://doxdesk.com/ . On his
http://www.doxdesk.com/parasite/IEPlugin.html page on IEPlugin he now has only the short message, "IEPlugin is a parasite I can't tell you about, until I can get back to Germany and work out a legal response to its manufacturers. Sorry about that."
Draw your own conclusions about this... I've already been candid about mine. Sandi Hardmeier, in the Microsoft MVP community, is the uncontested Queen of IE Support. Her name spelled
sideways (i.e., its
anagram) is "Hinder IE Drama." She has always been known for a 'damn the torpedoes' courageous stance and taking on any problem head first. On seeing the above news last night, she intentionally infected her computer with IEPlugin, and was really taken for a ride! She has generously shared her personal experience of that journey with us in the following guest article. You can find Sandi's original (and any future updates) here
http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/Darnit.htm#ieplugin
[Click there for the horror story...]
I have no first-hand experience with IEPlugin or "Intelligent Explorer," but
Sandi's experience suggests that something isn't right. Maybe it's simple coding
errors, or maybe it's something else. In any case, my experience tells me that
almost all such plugins and addons cause more trouble than they're worth. I have
my security settings adjusted so that my browser asks before it tries to install
*anything,* and I always, always, always say no, unless it's a tool I've
gone looking for consciously, deliberately, and with full prior
knowledge that I want the software on my system.
Prior knowledge--- doing your homework--- is the key. if something new
and interesting comes along, a simple Google or Google/Groups search will
quickly show you what others think. I find that actual user feedback, pro or
con, is much more reliable than the glowing verbiage you'll always find on
vendor web sites. 8-)
For example, check this Google information on IEPlugin/"Intelligent Explorer" and draw
your own conclusions:
Groups:
http://langa.com/u/1i.htm
General:
http://www.google.com/search?q=%22intelligent+explorer%22+ieplugin
In any case, there's no need to make yourself a guinea pig for software from
people you don't know. Don't let tools auto-install on your system, and don't
manually install software that you haven't checked out beforehand!
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3) Downloads Machine
Hi Fred: Ii thought I might ask that you look at "Downloads Machine."
The author and webmaster of the site builds freeware and nothing but freeware for all to download, is it worth mentioning do you think ?
http://www.craftsman-logos.co.uk/ Regards, Gail
Dunham
Thanks, Gail. The main download page is at
http://www.craftsman-logos.co.uk/downloads/download.html , and they also
offer the software on CD, to avoid long download times. Nice!
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4) Another
Slow-Modem Update Alternative
Fred, I have the same problem with my slow connection downloading Windows updates
(and other large software programs). [See "Can't Patch Due To Slow Modem"
http://www.langa.com/newsletters/2003/2003-09-18.htm#7 ]
In these cases, it can be worthwhile making a list of what you need, where to
get it and spending half an hour or so at a local internet café downloading the
files on their fast connection. They will usually have a machine with a burner
which means you can walk out with everything you need on a CD. Check out the
speed of their set-up first though!
Thanks for the Plus edition - the best $12 dollars I ever invested. Keep it
coming! --Martin Pachy
Thanks, Martin! Many public libraries also have public-access PCs, although
they're less likely to have burners. Still, if you're hobbled by a slow modem at
your home or office, it's worth checking out public alternatives!
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"When I placed my order
for the Langa List Plus version, I didn't see anything about
if you automatically re-bill until I cancel. I don't like automatic
rebilling.--- Bill"
Neither do I! That's why
I never auto-rebill Plus! subscribers; each $12 subscription is for one year,
and then you're given the option to sign up again, or not. If you do nothing,
your subscription stops, and that's that. But the overwhelming majority of Plus!
subscribers do choose to renew--- which is why this newsletter is still going
strong!
The LangaList Plus!
Edition offers many benefits--- it's ad-free, spam-proof,
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5) Super-Fast Free Registry Editor
Windows Registries are large, and Windows' own Regedit can be a bit, um,
pokey in trying to run searches--- such as when you're trying to find
scumware-related changes to your system. This reader found a fast, free
alternative:
You mentioned a free registry editor called RegEditX (
http://www.dcsoft.com/products.htm
) . For sometime now I have been using one called "Registrar Lite" available at
http://www.resplendence.com/registry/reglite.htm . I have yet to find a
better free one. One feature that I really like, is it's incredibly fast
searches. Fantastic newsletter, Fred. Best regards, John
Thanks, John!
Wow--- a stab from the past! <g> the late Windows
Magazine once reviewed and
recommended "Registrar Lite," but it had faded from my memory.
Thanks for the reminder!
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6)
Recommend This Newsletter And Win!
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 one of three FREE ONE YEAR SUBSCRIPTIONS to the
LangaList Plus! edition given each month. (If your name is drawn and you're
already a Plus! subscriber, your current subscription will be extended by a full
year.)
Check out the details at
http://www.langa.com/recommend.htm . Thanks for recommending the
LangaList--- and good luck!
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7) "PreFetch"
Fred, I've recently upgraded to WinXP. I've heard you should periodically
defrag and cleanup your %windir%\prefetch directory. I don't recall you
covering this subject. If you get a mo, could you explain what this "prefetch"
directory is used for and why we should clean and defrag it? Thanks. -Joe
Caravella
The prefetch folder contains information about what files your system runs at
startup, and your other commonly-used files: Some of the various components of
these files can be gathered in anticipation of future need--- pre-fetched--- to
speed system operation.
In XP Pro, Defrag also uses the Prefetch data to know which files you're
accessing at boot, so they can be placed in the fastest-access part of your hard
drive.
But over time, the Prefetch folder can end up containing information about
programs that you once used, but no longer do. So, it can be part of good system
housecleaning to wipe out the Prefetch contents from time to time, and let the
system rebuild the information there from your current setup.
You can do this manually, or with a variety of tools specially built for the
task. For example, see:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=2495 or
http://www.voodoofiles.com/8193
http://www.computing.net/windowsxp/wwwboard/forum/49946.html
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,600480,00.asp
http://www.google.com/search?q=prefetch+xp
Note that this maintenance isn't essential: I've never seen a Prefetch folder
get unwieldy, although I suppose it could happen. On my current system, for
example, the folder is a little over 3MB in size---hardly worth worrying about.
<g>
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8)
They Loaded The Code
Over three thousand of your fellow readers have
"Loaded the code." Please click over to
http://www.langa.com/code.htm , and maybe you can join them! (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
Karl's Driver Site & Forums
http://www.karlsforums.com/
Vintage Lock Reproductions
http://blackstage.co.uk/reprolock/
Euro Tan
http://www.eurotanusa.com/
123-Stamps
http://members.shaw.ca/draco18stamps/
Family Site
http://home.ec.rr.com/rebmarkham/
Magic Faction
http://www.angelfire.com/magic/faction/
Doxie's Kennel
http://www.doxieskennel.com/
JimPro Blog
http://www.jimpro.net/
Stings Rants And Raves
http://atsting.blogspot.com/
Guld Systems
http://www.campgroundcomputerheroes.com/home.htm
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"After reading your latest
edition, I noticed an advertisement for cyberguys.
I have been looking for a switchbox. Their price was
definitely at least 1/2 prices of what others were wanting,
for the same product. --- Tammy"
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9) BootIT Tip
Since our discussions of BING---BootIt Next Generation (
http://search.atomz.com/search/?sp-q=bootit&sp-a=0008002a-sp00000000 )--- as
a lower-cost, more versatile (but harder to use, alas) alternative to tools like
Drive Image and Partition Magic, many readers have been exploring the software.
For example:
Fred, When you're about to install something that might make you have to restore from an image and copy all the data back in, just use bing (bootitng) to copy the partition to some empty space on your drive. Now if the install doesn't work ok, just boot the copy and continue where you left off, deleting the original. Or else try the install on the copy and if it works out install it on the original. Or whatever.
When you create the copy in bing by pasting, the name you give it won't show up in XP. The name of C will still be the same, so you'll want to rename it in XP too the first time you boot it. Copies are neat ready-to-run backups also. You can paste one onto a removable hard drive and boot it using the swap option. The first time it runs XP detects a hardware change, but doesn't ask for an activation. --Ed Light
Thanks, Ed. You can do something similar with most other imaging tools, too.
It sure is nice to have a bulletproof, fast-to-restore image, isn't it? It makes
it much easier to try new software or make system changes because it's so simple
to roll things back if something doesn't work out.
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10) Just For Grins
I know that this has nothing to do with keeping your computer updated with
all the latest. But I ran across this, and I thought it was hilarious. Please
check it out, and enjoy a laugh. Would be nice to see it in your "Just For
Grins" section of your newsletter.
How To Cook An Alien!
http://users.bigpond.net.au/wanglese/Alien_recipes.html
Thanks for looking!
Larry L. Mikkelsen
Wow, looks like someone had a *lot* of free time on their hands... <g> Check
the bottom of the page too, for other, er, unusual recipes.
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11) Plus! Edition Highlights:
- Another Free Anti-Spammer Tool
(hides your email
address!)
- Speed Up Network Browsing In XP
(take the brakes off
your local connection!)
- Browser Security Test
(check for up to 28
vulnerabilities)
Plus! edition subscribers not only get much more
content in every issue (like the above), but also have access to a private web
site with over 100,000 words of special content and features not found in *any*
issue of the newsletter; along with dozens of private downloads and much more---
all for just $1 per month!
Check out:
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PLEASE
NOTE:
Due to scheduled monthly system maintenance,
the next issue will mail on:
Sept 29
See you next issue!
Best,
Fred
( Editor@Langa.Com )
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