Windows 8.1 update via the App Store

Windows 8.1 Update

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Why you need to update to Windows 8.1

For those of you out there that purchased a Laptop or PC with Windows 8, you may not realise that there is an update available that upgrades Windows 8 to Windows 8.1.

So what, you may ask?

Well it’s important because if you do not install the 8.1 upgrade before 10th June 2014, you will no longer receive any future updates from Microsoft.

Originally this was supposed to happen in May, but Microsoft has extended the deadline for consumer customers. Enterprise customers have until 12th August.

Here is a direct quote from Microsoft:

While we believe the majority of people have received the update, we recognize that not all have. Having our customers running their devices with the latest updates is super important to us. And we’re committed to helping ensure their safety. As a result, we’ve decided to extend the requirement for our consumer customers to update their devices to the Windows 8.1 Update in order to receive security updates another 30 days to June 10th.

There is no reason why you shouldn’t update to Windows 8.1.

There are many tweaks to the OS that people using a non-touchscreen will find helpful.

To update to Windows 8.1, go to the App Store and the first thing you will see is an option to do the free update.

Windows 8.1 update via the App StoreIt is EXTREMELY important that you update to Windows 8.1. You can view the Microsoft tutorial on how to upgrade here.

If you don’t, you will be in the same boat as Windows XP users and you will not receive any security updates and patches for your OS, leaving you vulnerable to exploits and hackers.

One of the key reasons users of PC’s get viruses is because they do not download and install Windows updates, so it is imperative that you do them.

4CH IR Gyro Helicopter

Christmas Present Ideas #2

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4CH IR Gyro Helicopter

$34.95

Have loads of fun with this 4 channel remote control helicopter. Outstanding performance with stable flight and magnificent hovering capabilities; all courtesy of the on-board gyroscope and a total of 4 motors! Dip, turn, spin or hover just like you see in the movies and if the batteries run out simply recharge through the quick connect lead from the remote controller. Equipped with a full metal frame chassis, it is very durable and shockproof. Excellent for beginners and first time flyers.

Specifications:

  • Built in Gyro
  • Infrared remote control
  • Weight: 310g
  • Requires 6 x AA batteries not included
  • Flight time: 5-7 minutes
  • Charge time: 40-50 minutes
  • Suitable for ages 14+
  • Dimensions: 230(L) x 130(W) x 105(H)mm
HD Car Event Recorder

Christmas Present Ideas #1

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HD Car Event Recorder with LCD & GPS

$188

Mounts to the car windscreen to record vision, audio, GPS coordinates and speed to a MicroSD memory card (available separately), which can be played back later to prove what happened in a car accident. The camera cycle records until the G-sensor is triggered during excessive braking, acceleration or collision. You can also manually trigger the recording if you see an incident ahead. Use the 2.4″ colour screen to help align the camera or to playback any recordings. Connect to a PC with Internet connection to see the car location on GoogleMaps during the playback. Other features include HDMI output to playback on a large TV, two bright LEDs to improve night time recording, and Li-ion battery to extend the recording should the power be disconnected.

Features:

  • GPS
  • G-sensor
  • 5MP HD Sensor – HD 720P (1280 x 720) @ 30fps
  • Cycled Recording
  • Approx. 25mins per 1 GB
  • 2 brights LEDS for low light recording
  • Video format: H.264/AVI or MP4
  • 95 degree wide angle lens
  • Microphone
  • Supports Micro SDHC cards up to 32GB (MicroSD only)
  • Playback software is compatible with 32-bit Win XP/Vista/7 only
  • Battery Run Time: 30 minutes

 

Is Windows 8 really that bad?

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Well the short answer to that question is No.

Those of you who have talked to me prior to the Windows 8 release would know that I used a pre-release version of Windows 8 and that I said that I absolutely hated it.

Well now I have had a change of heart, and I really think that it’s not a bad OS at all.

I will qualify this by saying that my opinion only changed after discovering two things.

The first was that I found an Open Source program called Classic Shell, which adds a familiar “Start Button” to the Desktop of Windows 8 and also allows Windows 8 to boot directly to the Desktop instead of to the new Metro Tile start screen.

And the second thing that changed my mind was, gaining some critical knowledge about Windows 8, which was how to bring up the Charms Bar by moving your Mouse Cursor to the Top Right Hand Corner of the screen, along with the knowledge of how to close and switch between Apps and the Desktop.

To close an App, you move your Mouse Cursor to the top of the App Screen until the cursor changes to a “Hand”, then Left Click, Hold, and Drag to the bottom of the screen.

To switch between Apps and the Desktop, you move your cursor to the Top Left Hand Corner of the screen, where you will see a Thumbnail or Thumbnails for currently open Apps.  Choose the one you wish to change to.

This YouTube Video demonstrates how to do this.

In addition, Windows 8 is pretty fast and seems to require fewer system resources than Windows 7.

So all in all, I think Windows 8 is quite useable, particularly with the addition of Classic Shell.

Once the first revision of Windows 8 arrives (Windows 8.1) there will be little or no need for Classic Shell as Microsoft has bowed to public pressure and will be reintroducing the Start Button.

One year before XP’s forced retirement

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windows-xp-deadDid you know that in less than a years time, Microsoft will cease to support Windows XP with Security Updates and patches?

Yep that’s right, on the 8th April 2014, if you are still using Windows XP, your PC will be at grave risk of malicious attacks and viral infections.

Mind you, that’s pretty much the case now as XP is not as secure as Windows 7 and 8 anyway.

In an effort to convince PC Users to migrate to Windows 8, Microsoft has today begun offering 15% off a Windows 8, Office 2013 combo package.

Microsoft has stated on a promotional website, that Small and Medium sized businesses that still operate with Windows XP and Office 2003 (Office 2003 will be also retired in 12 months), can purchase licences for Windows 8 Pro and Office 2013 Standard at a 15% discount.

However Caveats apply:

  • Customers must be running XP Professional
  • the Windows 8 Pro and Office 2013 Standard licences must be purchased as a package via Microsoft’s Open Licence program
  • and the deal is capped at 100 licences for each

The discount is valid through to 30th June.

Microsoft has pointed customers to a list of partners (in US) who will offer the Open Licence discounts.

Microsoft (US) has quoted $188 for each Windows 8 Pro licence, and $373 for each Office 2013 Standard licence, for a total of $561. The 15% discount would lower each Windows-Office combo by $84 to $477.

So you have been warned, after the 8th April 2014, Microsoft will not supply security patches for Windows XP, placing all PCs still running it at risk from attack.

The only exception: Enterprises which have purchased custom support plans.

However, Microsoft has boosted prices of those plans, and some businesses have been quoted $1 million for the first year of after-retirement support for the estimated 5,000 XP systems still out there, $2 million for the second year and $5 million for the third!!!

Nice little earner Microsoft!!

Safer Internet Browsing

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Safer Internet BrowsingWell I’ve come to the conclusion that if people want a safer Internet browsing experience, then everyone needs to critically look at what they are doing online, how they are doing it, and what they should be doing but aren’t.

It has become painfully evident that the main reason PC’s are getting infected and compromised with viruses and malware is because of the User’s activities online, in conjunction with the User’s reluctance to do updates when they are presented.  The reason why updates are important to safe browsing is because if you don’t do them, simply visiting a compromised or deliberately malicious website can infect your PC.  This is regardless of what Security software you use.  There are something like 50,000 new viruses being released every single day, so it is near on impossible to protect yourself against that.

The other subject I will cover is what Browser I recommend and why, but I’ll address the updates issue first.

I am consistently told by User’s that they do not do updates for several reasons.  Those being:

  1. I never know if they are legitimate.
  2. They take too long.
  3. I have done updates in the past and they caused problems.
  4. I couldn’t be bothered.

Let’s look at these excuses one by one.

I never know if they are legitimate.  This is just a ridiculous thing to say.  If you get a pop-up or a message that tells you there is an update available, and you don’t know whether it is legitimate, then you must also believe that you are infected with something malicious, so why aren’t you doing something about it?  You must do all updates including Java, Adobe Flash, Adobe Reader, and all Windows Updates.  These updates generally address security holes that can be exploited by Hackers and bad people in general.  It is a no brainer and is not an option.

They take too long.  Seriously?  You can sit on Facebook for two hours but you don’t have time to do updates?  Try this. Switch on the computer, let it boot-up, get your updates underway and go for a walk in the fresh air.  Both yourself and your computer will be better for it.

I have done updates in the past and they caused problems.  This one I can understand.  I’ve done plenty of updates myself and afterwards the computer has crashed or something else just isn’t right.  However, this just isn’t an excuse for not doing updates.  There will be some underlying problem that has caused the issue.  You might already be infected with a virus that is screwing up the update for example.  Whatever the issue, you should address it and resolve it.

I couldn’t be bothered.  Well what can I say to this?  If this is your attitude then expect that it will be a case of when you get infected rather than if.  Not much more to say about this one!!!

Also, when you are thinking updates,  DON’T FORGET  to make sure you always have the latest version of your Security Software and Browser.

For example, quite often I see people with AVG 2011 or 2012 installed, but the current version is 2013.

The same applies to your Browser.

I see Internet Explorer 8 installed, when IE9 (latest version compatible with XP) or IE10 is available.

What Browser should you use?

I think the Browser of choice is Mozilla Firefox.

My reasons for thinking this are:

  • It’s more secure than the default Internet Explorer.
  • You can install add-on’s and extensions that give it greater functionality, but more importantly extra security.

Which Add-on’s or Extensions should you use in Firefox?

Well there are literally thousands of Add-on’s and Extensions available, but there are 3 that I consider essential.

They are:

  • NoScript – No longer available.
  • BetterPrivacy – No longer available.
  • Adblock Plus – This Add-on isn’t specifically a security Add-on, but by blocking Ad’s, you won’t be tempted to click on things you possibly shouldn’t.  Besides, who needs all those Ad’s anyway?  Adblock Plus blocks all annoying ads on the web by default: video ads on YouTube, Facebook ads, flashy banners, pop-ups, pop-unders and much more.

What about Security Software?

My advice to people on this changes periodically.

13 years ago I would have recommended VET Antivirus, but then it changed to CA Antivirus and that’s when the problems started.  Since then the recommendations have ranged from a choice of free to paid for products.

Currently I am recommending Norton Internet Security.

I am finding that this product is offering very good protection, functions and features including Social Media protection, and at a price of $29 for 12 months cover, it’s great value as well.

So what does it all mean?

The main points are:

  • Do all the updates including Windows, Java, Adobe Flash and Adobe Reader.
  • Use Firefox with the recommended Extensions and Add-on’s.
  • Use good security software.

But above all else, use your brain before clicking on or downloading anything.

Be absolutely sure that you know it is legitimate first.

Spotty Dog Computer Services can help provide you with a Safer Internet Browsing experience.

Internet Explorer 10 for Windows 7

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Microsoft has just officially released Internet Explorer 10 for Windows 7.

Previously you needed Windows 8 to experience the new Browser.

The new version brings enormous changes to the Browser, and mostly for the better.

Internet Explorer 10 is not only faster and more stable than the current IE for Windows 7 (version 9), it’s also far more standards-compliant.

Internet Explorer 10 is 20 percent faster on Windows 7 than IE 9, and it supports HTML5 and CSS3.

Microsoft say it is 60 percent more standards-compliant than IE 9. For example, it now supports CSS Text Shadow,CSS 3D Transforms, CSS3 Transitions and Animations, CSS3 Gradient, SVG Filter Effects, HTML5 Forms, HTML5 Sandboxing, and there are many other improvements.

In short, modern HTML5 sites that run smoothly in IE 10 on Windows 8, or the latest browsers from Chrome and Firefox, will now work properly in Internet Explorer 10 on a Windows 7 PC.

Will it work on XP?

Unfortunately, older OS versions are not supported and it will only work on Windows Vista or above.  So if you still have Windows XP, you are out of luck.

Download Internet Explorer 10 by clicking the link.

Adobe Patches Exploit in Acrobat and Reader

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Adobe has released a critical update to users of their Reader software, patching a critical vulnerability that can allow hackers to take control of a victims’ computer.

Adobe recommends the Patch for all users of Adobe Reader and Acrobat, version XI and earlier. The update affects Windows, Macintosh, and Linux users for versions 11.0.01, 10.1.5, 9.x, and all earlier versions. The patch can be downloaded from Adobe’s website, or through the automatic update feature.

Adobe has said that while automatic updates are enabled by default, individuals can manually check for an update by clicking on Help > Check for Updates.

The exploit was discovered by a security company named FireEye, and they appear to be the first people to breach the technology used by Adobe to protect their software. In an attack, victims would typically receive an email with a PDF attached, which in turn contains a well hidden JavaScript.

When the attachment is opened, the embedded Malware will download two DLL files.  One file will display a fake error message and open a PDF document, and the other one installs “callback” software onto the victim’s computer. Once this software is installed, it “calls back” to a Remote Server.

Those with Adobe Reader or Adobe Acrobat (which is just about everyone) should update their software immediately.  This can be done through either the software itself, or directly from Adobe. If for some reason you can’t update your Adobe software, you can instigate “Protected View” in Reader or Acrobat. This will reduce the number of options available in the software (eg. printing) but it will prevent malicious code from being executed from within documents.

To turn on “Protected View,” go to Edit> Preferences > Security (Enhanced) and then check the box next to “Files from potentially unsafe locations.” You can also check the “All Files” option, as well.

Remember, always be on the lookout for weird or unsolicited emails with PDF attachments. It is also a good policy to check with the sender to see if the attachment is legitimate or not. They might thank you, because it could be the only warning that their PC has been compromised (and it will keep you safe, too).