The Savvy Boomer

Malware Bytes is my new favorite virus detector

While I have what I thought was  good virus software, AVAST still let something called Vundo, which is about as nasty a Trojan as there is, into my system.  I knew it was there but AVAST couldn't get rid of it and neither could Spybot which is usually pretty reliable. Symantec's Vundo Fix said I didn't even have the virus.

Things slowly got  worse.  First I lost my wireless print capability, then occasionally my internet connection and all the while the system ran slower.   I kept trying thing to get rid of Vundo but nothing worked and if you Google all the tech sites, you'll see that it is a very difficult thing to dump.  After I started getting random web page pop ups, and my automatic software updates from Microsoft as well as the XP firewall could no longer load leaving a red balloon in my system tray harping at me that my system was vulnerable (no shit, Sherlock) I resigned myself to re-loading XP.  Finally, I figured when I booted this morning and got no desktop, simply wallpaper, the end was at hand.  I re-booted in safe mode to copy a bunch of files I hadn't backed up and after I finished, I decided to take 1 final look for a solution before I started the dreaded system reload.

I found a tech forum where several people with similar problems were raving about a piece of free software called Malware Bytes.  With nothing to lose, I downloaded it and tried it.  It found a mess of Vundo files and when I quarantined them, it asked to reboot the system.  Hallelujah, it worked!!

There was my desktop, the system was much faster, the wireless printer worked, no more red balloon and no more popups.  I'm going to give it another few days and if all stays as is, I'll be dumping AVAST and going with their recommended Anti-virus, Avira and the PRO version of Malware Bytes for $24.95 for further protection.  The best part is that if you are really stuck you can send them some files from your system that they will analyze and tell you how to fix.

By the way, who are these A-holes who write software like Vundo?  And what about the sites that the pop-ups take you to?  Do they really think anyone is going to buy their product when they land there because of a virus?

Is MINT's release of data more than just a PR grab?

In September 2007, I commented on a new service called MINT that allows users to keep all their financial information on-line.  My biggest concern was giving personal financial information to a 3rd party that isn't a recognized financial institution.  I felt that the remote possibility of a security breach, no matter how minuscule, (they use the word "Paranoia" when addressing the concern) meant that you should only keep such information on your own system.  Internet fraud and hacking are at an all time high now and if someone managed to get into their servers-well, I don't even want to imagine the chaos but more importantly, what recourse could you have?  This is simply an internet company, not a bank or some other kind of financial institution.  I never questioned the integrity of the folks at MINT and while I still don't, I wonder why they have chosen to release aggregate data about their clients' spending and saving habits.

The article on TechCrunch which received the data from MINT shows spending and other financial trends that support the fact that the U.S. economy is in a recession.  This bothers me for a number of different reasons:

• What are their users' demographics, incomes, ages etc?  How relevant is this data to the total population?

• While the data is the aggregate of their 900,000 users, you might wonder what other data they are releasing to whomever?

• Why don't other financial institutions reveal this level of data?  

BECAUSE IT's PRIVATE-THAT's WHY

So again, I caution you to think long and hard before you release your bank account numbers, credit card numbers and pins (yes they really ask you for that.)  It says on their site they have no access to any of this information but if their security is really that great why don't they have any testimonial statements from known financial institutions that it's OK to let 3rd party financial service companies have access to this information?

If you're a regular reader you know I love technology and new applications on the internet that make our lives easier.  In the last year we have learned that no financial institution, government official, financial advisor or Fortune 100 company is invincible to security breaches and/or fraud.  I'm sure the intentions of the folks at MINT are honorable, but in my opinion, this type of online application could be a disaster waiting to happen.  I can't say it enough-Think long and hard before you put any personal financial information on-line. 

UPDATE: I wrote this article after I read the TechCrunch post but decided not to post it until after I contacted my banker for her comments.  She returned my call today and I asked her what would happen if I gave my account and PIN to a 3rd party to access my account online.   Her comment?  "You can't be serious.  Why would you ever do that?  Anyway, we'd put a lock on your account, then contact you because we'd know it wasn't you."  When I asked how, she just chuckled and said "This is (name of bank deleted because I won't even tell you where I bank let alone give you my account and pin #.)  We know how to protect our customers."  Of course, Canadian banks are much more conservative than U.S. banks but Canadian banks were declared the soundest in the world in the World Economic Report in 2008.  But that made me feel better that this application probably can't be used by Canadian bank customers.

Windows 7 available free today from Microsoft

Steve Ballmer announced at CES (Consumer Electronics Show) on Jan 7, that Windows 7, the follow up to Vista will be available Jan. 9.  It seems though that there are a lot of hoops to jump through and you must already be running Vista.  You can get all the details at Wired.  Take note-this is BETA so unless you are reasonably technical, don't even think about trying to install this.  I'll be taking a pass.

Ultimate list of free software from Microsoft

can be found at this web page from Microsoft consultant Blake Handler.  While you're there, look around the rest of the site for a wealth of information on Microsoft software as well as solutions to your MS problems.

Thanks to Lifehacker.

Wobzip useful online file uncompressor

A common way of sending several files on the internet is to compress them into one file with a program like Winzip or WinRAR.  Unfortunately if you receive a file like this in an email attachment or off a web site, you may not have the appropriate software to extract them into their original file format and unless it's a critical file, you probably don't want to spend the money on a program that you only use occasionally.  Now you can use Wobzip which will uncompress the most popular types of software online for you.  It does warn it is still in testing mode but I tried a few files and they all worked.  Be patient if the file is large, remember it has to upload it from your system first.  It can also convert files directly from a website thereby saving you the hassle of downloading it.  Definitely a useful tool.  Click on the logo.

An online program to enhance digital photos

I bought my first digital camera about 10 years ago.  Like the first personal computer, a lot of people didn't understand why they needed one but today they are everywhere and most boomers have at least one.  But with digital photography came a whole new art form, modifying the photos taken.  "Photoshopped" has even become a verb that means a digital picture was altered with the use of the Photoshop program. 

I have used Photoshop for years but still probably use less than 10% of its features.  I mainly use it for cropping, resizing, to try and make photos sharper or brighter or fix whatever needs fixing because I am not an accomplished photographer.  Occasionally I will also change, delete or add subjects or place text in a photo, usually for comic relief.

While a very powerful tool, Photoshop is not only difficult to learn but also costs a few hundred dollars.  Recognizing this, a few products have been introduced to try and offer a poor man's online version of the product.  The most recent entry comes from Fotoflexer.  I haven't spent much time with it, but it does do layers which is the key for altering photos and is recommended on TechCrunch which is usually a sound stamp of approval. 

Every keyboard shortcut you'll ever need

and probably many more that you'll never need can be found on KeyXL.  After all, a boomer memory only has a capability to remember just so many of these right?

Thanks Lifehacker

Countdown timer in your browser.

Here's a great little timer you can set up in one of your browser tabs if you want to set time limits for your browsing, blogging, goofing off or whatever.

If you need a stopwatch function try this site