Setup MCE recordings from anywhere!

MSN Remote Record has launched and will give your clients the ability to setup MCE recordings from anywhere using an internet connection and a .net passport. Added to the huge list of features in MCE is yet another. If anyone has any tips on how to prevent a standard computer setup from becoming a two hour training session, let me know.

My all time favorite tech tool just got better...

Grab the new hijackthis this from the link above. Just a heads up: it has been reported to be detected by McAfee software as a virus (W32/Generic.worm!p2p). The NT service detection is fantastic. Here's a look at the change log:

[v1.99.1]
* Added Winlogon Notify keys to O20 listing
* Fixed crashing bug on certain Win2000 and WinXP systems at O23 listing
* Fixed lots and lots of 'unexpected error' bugs
* Fixed lots of inproper functioning bugs (i.e. stuff that didn't work)
* Added 'Delete NT Service' function in Misc Tools section
* Added ProtocolDefaults to O15 listing
* Fixed MD5 hashing not working
* Fixed 'ISTSVC' autorun entries with garbage data not being fixed
* Fixed HijackThis uninstall entry not being updated/created on new versions
* Added Uninstall Manager in Misc Tools to manage 'Add/Remove Software' list
* Added option to scan the system at startup, then show results or quit if nothing found

In other RSA news...

Bill Gates has announed at the RSA conference in California that its anti-spyware software which is now in beta, and works quite well I might add, will be free of charge.

This will be a great way to save your clients some money so they can spend it on your other important service offerings. (which just happen to have a higher profit margin)

IE 7.0 will have anti-phishing, anti-spyware, anti-virus...anti-win2K?

There are offices I visit every week for whom a windows upgrade is not logical and yet would benefit from the aparent anti-everything features of this "IE 7.0". Gates announced this pre-longhorn update to Microsoft's less than adequate browser today at the RSA in California which will only be available to XP SP2 customers.

Despite its lack of support for Windows 2000 it seems to me this move is a retaliation to FireFox that suggests the dreaded browser wars are making a comeback!

Is range expansion hit or miss, or is there a method to the madness?

Two pieces of advice for you guys today regarding wireless range expansion: One, purchase a range expander that is the same brand as the rest of the networking equipment. And two, never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, try installing one without a wired interface (WRE54G) to configure it with.

Ok this is a little extreme but if you follow these two guidelines, you will increase your chances of success and decrease the likely-hood of looking incompetent in front of your client.

Is your client's wireless network really secure...

While you're removing viruses or spyware at a client's home or office you might want to pull up this website while they are looking over your shoulder. It's an activex control that is able to detect the security settings on a wireless network and report back vulnerabilities.

It's not in geek speak which is a good thing. It will have your clients asking you, "Is that information about MY network?" You would be doing a disservice to them by not letting them know how you can help!

Anti-virus giants acknowledging spyware as a security issue?

Symantec and McAfee seem to be embracing spyware as a threat to their customers. This is good news for our clients who won't have to deal with multiple programs running behind the scenes eating up vaulable resources.

On the other hand, Microsoft has the firewall covered and spyware protection to go gold soon. What's next for Microsoft? I'm thinking virus protection...

We are computer professionals you and I...

We are always courteous and sometimes brave. We are the foremost authority on security issues facing our respective client bases and the teachers of digital bliss. We are, in the eyes of our clients, heroes.

We are not plumbers or electricians or carpet cleaners. We are not wam bam pay me ma'am and we are not specialists in any particular art.

We are computer professionals and the scope of our work is daunting. This blog has been created to help make our lives easier and our services more valuable. As a field technician myself I find that the most challenging part of my work is keeping up with technology. This blog aims to consolidate news and stories related to on-site computer repair, network setup, and all things having to do with the digital lives our clients face everyday.