From the Mind of Marc... » Uncategorized

Easily install multiple applications on a new PC.

Marc — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:38:06 +0000

When you set up a new PC, you are starting from scratch. There are very few programs installed, if any, and usually not any that you use. I came across a new service/app called Ninite that allows you to select from their list of programs and create a single installation file, meaning you can choose any number of supported programs and only have to do one installation. This is great for several reasons: it’s a time-saver, by default it won’t install any toolbars from the applications you choose, and it creates a single file for you that will install however many applications you have chosen. So now when you get that new PC, you don’t have to worry about going to 17 different websites to download and then install the 20 different programs you want. You can just go to Ninite, select the programs, download a single file, and go about your day while it installs those 17 programs for you.

Protecting your wireless signal.

Marc — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 20:14:11 +0000

Most wireless routers that you can pick up in a store do not have any wireless security features enabled by default. If you just plug it in and start using it, you are providing anyone within range not only with free Internet access but also access to any computers in your house that are connected to your Internet connection, wired or wireless. Unfortunately wireless security is far from a simple task to anyone not familiar with the inner workings of a router. PC Magazine’s @Work blog has some ideas on what you can do to secure your wireless network here and here. Think of it as leaving your front door open for anyone to wander in: not only can they just walk in the front door, but they can then access any room in the house.

Comcast customer info exposed.

Marc — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 12:40:50 +0000

Yesterday afternoon a file was found on the site Scribd which contained a list of approximately 4000 Comcast usernames and passwords. According to Comcast, the file did not come from within the company; Comcast has disabled the affected usernames and is contacting those customers to resolve the issue.

Major League Malware

Marc — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:59:12 +0000

According to the PCMag Security Watch blog (here), Major League Baseball’s official site is serving up malicious ads again. This happened in November 2007 when DoubleClick (one of the larger internet ad companies) had its ad network compromised, allowing fake anti-spyware ads to be shown on some highly visible legitimate sites, including MLB.com, NHL.com, the Phillies official site, and others. Now it seems that the ad network has been compromised again, as the malicious ads are once again showing up on MLB.com. Sunbelt (a major security vendor and research company) suggests that you stay away from the site for a few days until the ads are taken down. Looks like this new year won’t be any different from last year in terms of internet threats…

College admissions + Facebook could be a bad mix

Marc — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:47:11 +0000

Most teens these days have several internet profiles on any number of sites: Facebook, Myspace, blogs, etc. And most of them post pictures, videos, and personal information on these sites. However, it could be coming back to bite them in the form of extra scrutiny from college admissions boards. An article on MSN details the possible negative effects a college applicants Facebook or other internet profile can have on their admissions process. Click here for the article.

Halloween

Marc — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 13:01:29 +0000

It wouldn’t be Halloween without a scary story. Follow the read link for a Mac horror story….