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August 2005 Part One

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Date: 10th August 2005

Issue: The August 2005 Newsletter Part One...


Dear Friend,

As promised here is PART ONE of the August UpdateXP.Com Newsletter!

Information, news and tips you can use....

In my email last week I mentioned I would be revealing the address of my new website dedicated to Windows Vista, the new Microsoft operating system due around fall 2006.

Sadly that will have to wait until PART TWO of the August newsletter, as I was unexpectedly called out of town for a few days and am only just catching up with writing the articles!

...but you won't have long to wait, I should have the next newsletter in your inbox early next week.

I hope you find this newsletter useful and if there is something you would like me to cover in a future issue then just hit the "reply" button and let me know!

Enjoy and see you in a few days...


=================================================

1) Digital Rights Management In Windows Media Player 10.

2) New MSN Shopping Site.

3) Changing Video Settings In Windows Media Player 10.

4) Image Resizer Power Toy.

5) Controlling AutoComplete In Internet Explorer 6.

6) Podcast Infections?

7) Yahoo Research.

8) Empty Temporary Internet Files Folder When IE Closes.

9) Spyware Doctor 3.2 Released By PC Tools.

10) Coming Soon From Microsoft...

11) Picasa 2.0 From Google.

12) Data Execution Prevention In Windows XP Service Pack 2.

13) Windows August Security Updates!

14) Microsoft Windows OneCare - Beta Testing For You?

=================================================

1) Digital Rights Management In Windows Media Player 10.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

With the advent of faster Internet connections and file
sharing software, commercial sales of music and video looked
unlikely due to piracy. The record labels were just too
scared to take this route!

However, with Digital Rights Management (DRM), companies
can distribute music & video AND make sure online piracy is
minimized.

Windows Media Player 10 allows you to purchase/subscribe to
music/video tracks using "DRM". This article is a basic
introduction...

Read it here:

http://www.updatexp.com/digital-rights-management.html


------------------------------------------

2) New MSN Shopping Site.

------------------------------------------

Looks like MSN have slipped out a new and improved shopping
store:

http://blogs.msdn.com/msnshoppinginsider/archive/2005/07/31/Scott.aspx

So What's new?

# 6 times more merchandise and an over 100 fold increase in
merchants...

# Far better search results created by improved technology...

# Spelling correction in the search box...

# New product comparison tools...

# User created RSS feeds from search results...

# User "Recently viewed" feature...

# Ratings and reviews that users can add too...

...overall these improvements have propelled the MSN Shopping
site onto a whole new level - and a good level at that!

Check it out yourself today at:

http://shopping.msn.com

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3) Changing Video Settings In Windows Media Player 10.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We have all got used to being able to change the brightness,
color etc... on our televisions. But what about when you are
watching a video in Windows Media Player?

Perhaps you have just popped in a DVD to watch on your
PC/Laptop and want to adjust the contrast for better viewing?

How can you make the adjustment? Find out here:

http://www.updatexp.com/wmp10-video-settings.html

Not got the DVD plug-in for Windows Media Player? get yours
here:

http://www.watch-dvds-in-wmp.com

It's FAST, inexpensive and Microsoft approved! and the only
DVD plug-in I personally recommend...


--------------------------------------------

4) Image Resizer Power Toy.

--------------------------------------------

Do you ever find yourself wanting to quickly resize an
image (e.g. a photo) on your computer, but don't have time
to launch a full graphics program?

Well this free "Power Toy" from Microsoft will be just
what you need!

After installing the small file, the next time you want to
change the size of an image simply "Right Click" and select
"Resize Image" from the menu of options.

A small window will then appear where you can choose a preset
size or make a custom image size of your choice.

You can grab a copy here (Microsoft makes NO CHARGE):

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx


----------------------------------------------------------------------------

5) Controlling AutoComplete In Internet Explorer 6.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Internet Explorer 6 contains a feature that some folk find
annoying and that is the AutoComplete feature.

...start typing in a web address and IE finishes it before
your very eyes, if you have already been to the site before.

Well this brief article shows you how to turn off this
feature if you wish to.

Read it here:

http://www.updatexp.com/autocomplete-ie6.html


-----------------------------------

6) Podcast Infections?

-----------------------------------

With the online explosion in the popularity of Podcasting,
some commentators are spreading stories that this is an
excellent way to spread viruses etc...

However I disagree, IF you are using established Podcast
software like Nick Bradbury's FeedStation and FeedDemon.

(This is the software I created the video & PDF tutorials
on at http://www.rss-lessons.com )

FeedStation and FeedDemon will NOT allow the download
of any file not listed in the default settings:

wma;wmv;avi;wav;mpeg;mp3;mp4;mov;aiff;au;zip;torrent;gif;
jpg;jpeg;png;zip;pdf

...this means that using leading software like FeedDemon
for RSS and Podcasting will remain a SAFE option!

You can grab a trial copy of FeedDemon here:

http://www.feed-demon-trial.com

...and for a few days more watch the training video's here:

http://www.rss-lessons.com/msg100.html


------------------------------

7) Yahoo Research.

------------------------------

In previous Newsletters I have shown you tools that
Google.com is working on prior to making them a major
release...

Well not to be left behind Yahoo.com also has its own online
access to tools it's research folks are working on.

You might want to check out the site at:

http://research.yahoo.com

I really like the "MindSet" search tool.... A really unique
search facility that has great potential.

See it in action here:

http://mindset.research.yahoo.com

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

8) Empty Temporary Internet Files Folder When IE Closes.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Keen to remove all those files Internet Explorer keeps a
copy of every time you go surfing the Internet?

Well you can have Internet Explorer automatically clear out
the temporary files folder, where it stores all these files,
by ticking one box!

This article shows you how:

http://www.updatexp.com/temporary-internet-folder.html


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9) Spyware Doctor 3.2 Released By PC Tools.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

PC Tools recently released Spyware Doctor 3.2 which
incorporates four major enhancements to version 3.1:

(1) A behavioral Keylogger Guard (patent pending): The
advantage of behavioral protection over signature based
protection is that it is capable of detecting and stopping
new Keyloggers NOT yet known to the Signature database.

Please note that Spyware Doctor performs both behavioral AND
signature based detection. Catching keyloggers is of extreme
importance as having them running on your PC, even for few
hours can cause a significant amount of damage to your privacy.

Keylogger Guard can be turned off or keyloggers
can be added to the white list if you wish to run a
keylogger on your PC while Spyware Doctor 3.2 is operational.

(2) Process Guard: A real time protection against a broad
range of Spyware threats. Process Guard monitors all
attempts to execute a file and if the file is found to be
malicious then Process Guard will block it from executing.

This prevents malware from running or installing on YOUR PC.

(3) Startup Guard: This OnGuard function monitors all
additions of files to auto start locations such as run keys
in the registry, Startup Folders, etc. If the file is found
to be malicious then Startup Guard will remove the auto start
entry. This prevents many malicious programs from starting up
each time YOU the user boots or logs in.

(4) Multi-browser Cookie Monitor that supports four browsers;
Mozilla FireFox, Mozilla/Netscape, Opera and Microsoft's
Internet Explorer browser. Version 3.1 supported only
Internet Explorer!

Spyware Doctor is rated 5/5 by both CNET and TUCOWS, is
Majorgeeks.com 'editors pick', has been inducted into
WUGNET’s 'shareware hall of fame' and is downloaded over
500,000 times each week.

You can try a free trial of SpyWare Doctor 3.2 here:

http://www.updatexp.com/spyware-doctor-trial

Running AntiSpyware software in addition to AntiVirus
software is *ESSENTIAL* for any Internet connected PC today!

If you are looking for AntiSpyware with more "advanced"
user controls then look no further than the award winning:

SpySweeper 4.0 from Webroot Inc.

You can get a 30 day free trial here:

http://www.free-trial-of-spy-sweeper.com

I personally use SpySweeper 4.0 with the free Microsoft
AntiSpyware (Beta) - available to users of Windows XP.

The combination of BOTH provides me with great protection
and unlike running two versions of AntiVirus software
on a PC, is perfectly safe!!!

Speaking of Microsoft AntiSpyware (Beta) if you are currently
using it, did yours "expire" on the 31st July 2005 ?

If so then you will need to upgrade by downloading the
updated version here:

http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=3765934

A review of the Microsoft AntiSpyware is posted on my site:

http://www.updatexp.com/microsoft-antispyware.html


-----------------------------------------------------

10) Coming Soon From Microsoft...

-----------------------------------------------------

Over the next 6 months we will see a whole slew of releases
from Microsoft.

These include:

# The XBOX 360 (I have personally seen this demonstrated last
month and can't wait until they are available in the shops!)

# Microsoft Visual Studio 2005

# Microsoft BizTalk Server 2006

# Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 (The demo I have seen really
impressed me...)

# Microsoft Small Business Accounting 2006

# Microsoft CRM

# Microsoft TV - IPTV Edition

# Microsoft Server 2003 R2

# Microsoft Office Communicator Web Access

# Microsoft Office Business Scorecard Server 2005

# ??? Microsoft Office "12" (...just rumours at this stage!)

-------------------------------------------

11) Picasa 2.0 From Google.

-------------------------------------------

Last year Google got out their corporate cheque book and
bought the graphics software Picasa from its creator.

July saw them releasing an updated version 2.0 packed with
really useful features you may be interested in using:

# Find the pictures you forgot you had...

# Move and re-name pictures from inside Picasa...

# Keep one picture in multiple albums...

# Password-protect collections...

# Write captions that stay with the picture...

# Zoom. Pan. Tilt. Get the angle you intended...

...and so much more!

You can grab a copy (Google makes NO CHARGE) here:

http://picasa.google.com/index.html


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

12) Data Execution Prevention In Windows XP Service Pack 2

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In recent years we have seen rogue software that attacks
the memory on Windows XP computers.

With the release of Service Pack 2, we were introduced to
a new tool that automatically seeks to prevent those kind
of memory attacks.

It is called Data Execution Prevention (DEP) and you can
read an introduction to the technology here:

http://www.updatexp.com/data-execution-prevention.html


-----------------------------------------------------------

13) Windows August Security Updates!

-----------------------------------------------------------

As you may be aware Microsoft issue security patches/updates
on the first Tuesday of each month...

And today sees the release of the following patches below.

You should have *Windows XP Automatic Updates* turned ON, in
which case a small yellow "Shield" icon will have appeared
in the system tray - bottom right of your screen.

...if this is the case simply click it and follow the
installation/download instructions.

If you are NOT familiar with Automatic Updates then this
article may help you:

http://www.updatexp.com/windows-automatic-updates.html

If the information below seems "technical" then ignore it
as most home users simply do not need to know the details,
just make sure you INSTALL the patches!!!

NB - If you want Microsoft to automatically scan your
computer for missing patches/updates you can visit the
Windows Update website at any time you wish:

http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com

Here are details about this months releases:

CRITICAL PATCHES:
--------------------------------

# Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (KB896727)

Vulnerabilities exist in Internet Explorer, the most severe
of these could allow an attacker to take complete control
of an affected system.

Technical info here:

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=45781


# Vulnerability in Plug and Play Could Allow Remote Code
Execution and Elevation of Privilege (KB899588)

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Plug and Play
(PnP) that could allow an attacker who successfully
exploited this vulnerability to take complete control of
the affected system.

Technical info here:

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=48900


# Vulnerability in Print Spooler Service Could Allow
Remote Code Execution (KB896423)

A vulnerability exists in the Print Spooler service that
could allow remote code execution.

Technical info here:

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=48902


IMPORTANT PATCHES:
-------------------------------------

# Vulnerability in Telephony Service Could Allow Remote Code
Execution (KB893756)

A vulnerability exits in the Telephony Application Programming
Interface (TAPI) service that could allow remote code execution.

Technical info here:

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=42466


MODERATE PATCHES:
-----------------------------------

# Vulnerability in Remote Desktop Protocol Could Allow
Denial of Service (KB899591)

A vulnerability in the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) exists
that could allow an attacker to cause a system to stop
responding.

Technical info here:

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=48898

# Vulnerabilities in Kerberos Could Allow Denial of
Service, Information Disclosure, and Spoofing (KB899587)

This update resolves two newly-discovered vulnerabilities.
The most severe of these vulnerabilities could allow denial
of service.

Technical info here:

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=48899


SOFTWARE UPDATES:
-----------------------------------

# Update For Windows XP (KB894391)

Install this update to address an issue that may cause
a "Generic Host Process" error message to be displayed
after you install security update MS05-012, or cause
attachment file names not to be displayed in Rich Text
e-mail messages.

Technical info here:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/894391


# Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool (KB890830)

After the download, this tool runs once to check your
computer for infection by specific, prevalent malicious
software (including Blaster, Sasser, and Mydoom) and
helps to remove any infection found. If an infection is
found, the tool will display a status report the next
time you start your computer.

This tool is not a replacement for an anti-virus product.
To help protect your computer, you should use an
anti-virus product.

After it has run once the software will remove itself
from your computer.


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14) Microsoft Windows OneCare - Beta Testing For You?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Microsoft are testing a new service to help home users
and small businesses improve the security of their systems.

It is called Windows OneCare and Microsoft are looking for
members of the public to try the service while it is in
PRE-PUBLIC release (called Beta testing).

They describe the service as:

# Comprehensive, integrated PC health service...

# Easy, automatic PC protection and maintenance...

# Evolves continuously to provide you with the latest
technology...

Open to residents of the US only, you can find more
details at:

http://beta.windowsonecare.com


==========================================

See you next week for Part Two...


Kind Regards

Marc Liron
Microsoft MVP
Windows Digital Media
http://www.updatexp.com
http://www.marcliron.com

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