Paul Quirk

Food for thought

2008-11-10T20:03:00.000Z

Hi folks,

It seems like ages since I last posted to this blog. In truth there has been lots of change in my life. One of the positive ones is that I'm able to spend a little more time on the internet side of things. One of my ventures is to create some sites on food related topics - I love food (in fact I never eat anything else!). Rather than add things to this blog (which has more of a technology focus) I've created a new food related blog and will put stuff there. My first project is on Italian food. More on that on the new blog.

Happy days.

Paul.

Wii Site launched

2008-04-17T21:37:00.000+01:00

Greetings once more,

I thought I'd better just drop a post in here about the new Wii site my son Luke and I are working on. Having succumed and bought a Wii a bit before Christmas we've had so much fun with it that I thought it would be worth building a site with information on Nintendo's Wii for others to use.

The site's at http://www.wii64.com/. At the moment we're still populating it with appropriate articles, so if you have a particular topic you'd like covered then let me know, otherwise feel free to check it out and comment.

Cheers,

Paul.

Dog Training R Us?

2008-01-08T21:54:00.000Z

Hi folks,

well I've been off for a while looking at other content sites and thinking about creating some more hobby sites myself. One of our family interests centres around our pet dog Golly. He's a very active dog (collie cross labrador) so needs lots of exercise. Julia, my wife, has taken up dog agility with him - it's quite fun. Anyhow to cut a long story short I thought a web site centred around dog training might be fun, so I've created one. We're still adding content to it but I've got some google videos up already if you're interested. (Comments welcome as ever.)
The site's at www.DogTrainingRUS.com

Paul.

Website creation training

2007-11-19T17:27:00.000Z

Hi folks,

I've just returned from the World Internet Summit UK 2007 held in London 15-18 November this year. What at time! As always at these sorts of events there is so much information presented that your head swims with the different options. We're noting our detailed comments on the summit on the VCS Hosts blog

While a few of us were sat eating lunch a couple of the other attendees told me how they were really looking for help with the mechanics of creating web sites, what ftp was, html files and so on. Then I remembered that I owned a training course which took people through all that stuff step by painstaking step. It was created by Jim Edwards and as far as I know it's the only training material which takes you through in such careful detail.

I haven't checked the price but I think it's around $400 - quite a bargain for UK customers with the current $2 = £1 exchange rates.

The course comprises a number of training videos which shows the whole process from start to end and includes all the tools needed to create web pages. There are some sample videos on the page so you can see the sort of presentation and get a sense of just how long it must have taken Jim to create this course.

The only criticism I can level at the training course is that it's so detailed it gets painful at times - but then I guess that's just me being a techie. (Or should I say "geek" these days?)

Anyhow if it's something you might find useful, click this link to go to Jim's site. I can personally vouch for the quality and completeness of Jim's training.

Have fun!

Paul.

Beware of false greetings

2007-03-02T10:48:00.000Z

Hi folks,

twice today I've received an email which looks like this:

----------------------------------------
greetings

Hello friend !
You have just received a Greeting from someone who cares about you!

Just click here to receive your Animated Greeting !

===================
Thank you for using www.Greetings.com services !!!
Please take this opportunity to let your friends hear about us by sending them a postcard from our collection !
==================
----------------------------------------

The email says it came from "Greetings@greetings.com".

If you receive anything like this, whatever you do DO NOT CLICK THE LINK!

In this case the word "here" appeared in blue as a hyperlink. I checked it and it goes to http://flaviu.worldwidedrive.com/a_friend.exe. That means that if you click on the link it will run a program on your PC.

I have no idea what this program will do but I'm very clear that I don't want it running on my computer!

There are doubtless other emails going around with dodgy links in them. Please please please think "safety" before you click on any link in an email regardless of how friendly it looks.

It's also worth taking a moment to recognise the fact that it was addressed to "dear friend" - not to my name. If a friend of mine really did send me an online card, don't you think they would use my name?

The exception will be if you have recently done something (such as sign up for a newsletter) and so the email has arrived in response to something you have done.

Be safe.

Paul.

Protect your router - or else!

2007-02-20T15:33:00.000Z

Hi again,

on CareOfWindowsXP's page about Firewalls and Wireless Networks we haven't made great play of some of the really basic items, such as ensuring to change the password on a router to something other than the default. If you have a router and haven't changed the passwords, here's a scary reminder:

From http://news.zdnet.com/2100-1009_22-6159938.html?tag=nl.e550
Attackers could change the configuration of home routers using JavaScript code, security researchers at Indiana University and Symantec have discovered. The researchers first published their work in December, but Symantec publicized the findings on Thursday.

The researchers found that it is possible to change the DNS, or Domain Name System, settings of a router if the owner uses a connected PC to view a Web page with the JavaScript code. This DNS change lets the attacker divert all the Net traffic going through the router. For example, if the victim types in "www.mybank.com," the request could be sent to a similar-looking fake page created to steal sensitive data.

Change your password or be hacked!

A nice clear message.

Paul.

Keep your system patched or else...

2006-06-21T12:35:00.000+01:00

Hi folks,

an article here on the fact that attackers are getting faster and faster at using flaws just after the patches are announced.

Attack code comes on heels of Microsoft patches: "Just a day after Microsoft released patches for vulnerabilities in some of its software, code designed to take advantage of those weaknesses appeared on the Internet.
Most of the patches that Microsoft issued were for flaws that were widely known. But at least two flaws were made public for the first time on Tuesday as part of the company's monthly security update.
Security firms reported finding the code on Wednesday. The exploit code for previously unknown flaws means hackers could use the code to pounce on computer systems with managers who are slow to apply patches. "

The conclusion? Ensure your windows system is patched regularly. You can read more at Windows Update Info

Paul.

You may be a Zombie (check in the mirror!)

2006-06-12T19:41:00.000+01:00

Here's more proof that botnets, or networks of PCs inadvertantly running zombie software, are still a problem.

Microsoft: Zombies most prevalent Windows threat: "More than 60 percent of compromised Windows PCs scanned by Microsoft's Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool between January 2005 and March 2006 were found to be running malicious bot software, the company said. The tool removed at least one version of the remote-control software from about 3.5 million PCs, it added.

'Backdoor Trojans are a significant and tangible threat to Windows users,' Microsoft said in the report.

A computer compromised by such a Trojan horse, popularly referred to as a zombie PC, can be used by miscreants in a network of bots, or 'botnet', to relay spam and launch cyberattacks. Additionally, hackers often steal the victim's data and install spyware and adware on PCs, to earn a kickback from the spyware or adware maker. "

You can read what I have to say about this on my main site: Are you a Zombie?

Paul.

Paul Quirk

Is One Million Dollars Enough?

2006-06-07T17:10:00.000+01:00

Hi folks,

here's an interesting news item reported on ZDNet. See below for my comments.

A major spammer who was accused of sending up to 25 million e-mails per day has settled a lawsuit with Microsoft and the state of Texas.

The settlement has cost Ryan Pitylak $1 million, as well as the seizure of many of the assets he accumulated during a short-lived career as one of the world's worst spammers.

At the peak of his spamming activity, the 24-year-old Texas resident was listed as the world's fourth most-prolific spammer by antispam group Spamhaus.

Now Pitylak is claiming something of an epiphany, saying he has seen the error of his ways and will dedicate his efforts to trying to rid the world of nuisance e-mail. He has even taken to referring to himself as an "antispam activist" in an apparent change of heart of epic proportions.

On Saturday, Pitylak wrote in his blog: "Over time I have come to see how I was wrong to think of spam as just a game of cat and mouse with corporate e-mail administrators. I now understand why so much effort is put into stopping it. The settlements with Microsoft and the Attorney General's Office have been a serious reality check: harsh but good, and in the public's best interest."

He added: "I am pleased to announce that I am now a part of the anti-spam community, having started an Internet security company that offers my clients advice on systems to protect against spam. I'm now working earnestly to help other entrepreneurs avoid the traps that deceived me and led me to make questionable business choices."

Reported by Will Sturgeon of Silicon.com reported from London.

What do you think of this? Does $1m seem enough? How about if I tell you his earnings from sending spam are reported as in excess of $4m! What's more he has now gained a lot of publicity for his new "legit" business. How does $1m look now? What's more it seems that much of his activity was paid for by large companies to whom he passed on the information he gained. Who's going after them? After all they sponsored his activities! In all this the definate good news is the world now has one less spammer. :-)

What do you think?

Paul.

Paul Quirk

How fast is your network connection?

2006-06-05T15:55:00.000+01:00

Hi folks,

ZDNet have created a free to use bandwidth test. It's desperately easy to use, just click the link below and the windows will paint twice. On the second refresh it will show you link speed in the thermometer like red image.

Test you speed!

How did you do? My 2Mbs link showed up correctly as 2M.

Enjoy!

Paul.
Paul Quirk

Microsoft and Adobe squabble over PDF

2006-06-04T14:41:00.000+01:00

Here's a fun issue to make the laywers richer...

Microsoft, Adobe squabble over PDF: "Microsoft is bracing for a legal battle in Europe with Adobe Systems, following a breakdown in negotiations last week over the use of Adobe's PDF technology in Microsoft's Office applications suite.
Microsoft, which last October announced it would support Adobe's PDF format in its upcoming Office upgrade, has reached an impasse after four months of talks, a Microsoft attorney said Friday. Adobe wants the software giant to remove the PDF 'save as' feature from its beta version of Office 2007 or to charge a fee for it, whereas Microsoft wants to offer that feature for free, said Dave Heiner, the deputy general counsel who oversees Microsoft's antitrust cases.

'The 'save as PDF' feature is the second most popular request we get from customers,' Heiner said, adding, 'Adobe has told the world that PDF is an open format...and (rival) products OpenOffice, WordPerfect Office and Apple (Computer's applications) already support PDF and tout it as a selling feature. Microsoft should be able to support PDF as well.'

Adobe has threatened to file an antitrust complaint against Microsoft with the European Commission if the software giant includes the PDF 'save as' feature in its Office 2007, Heiner added. "

What do you think about all this? If Adobe has made PDF an open format why shouldn't Microsoft offer a "Save As" feature?

Paul.
Paul Quirk

Internet Explorer 7 New Security Features

2006-06-02T09:49:00.000+01:00

Internet Explorer V7 is available as a Beta and can be used on Windows XP. One of the big areas of change is the security features added to the product. Here's a list from Microsoft on the new features - you can use the link to go to the Microsoft page to read more and download a beta copy if you wish.

Internet Explorer 7 Security Features:

ActiveX Opt-inDisables nearly all pre-installed ActiveX controls to prevent potentially vulnerable controls from being exposed to attack. You can easily enable or disable ActiveX controls as needed through the Information Bar and the Add-on Manager.
Security Status BarEnhances awareness of website security and privacy settings by displaying color-coded notifications next to the address bar. Internet Explorer 7 changes the Address Bar to green for websites bearing new High Assurance certificates, indicating the site owner has completed extensive identity verification checks. Phishing Filter notifications, certificate names, and the gold padlock icon are now also adjacent to the address bar for better visibility. Certificate and privacy detail information can easily be displayed with a single click on the Security Status Bar.

Phishing FilterProactively warns and helps protect you against potential or known fraudulent sites and blocks the site if appropriate. The opt-in filter is updated several times per hour using the latest security information from Microsoft and several industry partners.

Cross-Domain BarriersLimits script on webpages from interacting with content from other domains or windows. This enhanced safeguard will further protect against malware by limiting the potential for malicious websites to manipulate flaws in other websites or cause you to download undesired content or software.

Delete Browsing HistoryAllows you to clean up cached pages, passwords, form data, cookies, and history, all from a single window.

Address Bar ProtectionEvery window, whether it's a pop-up or standard window, will present an address bar to the user, helping to block malicious sites from emulating trusted sites.

International Domain Name Anti-spoofing. In addition to adding support for International Domain Names in URLs, Internet Explorer also notifies you when visually similar characters in the URL are not expressed in the same language, thus protecting you against sites that could otherwise appear as known, trustworthy sites.
URL Handling SecurityRedesigned URL parsing ensures consistent processing and minimizes possible exploits. The new URL handler helps centralize critical data parsing and increases data consistency throughout the application.

Fix My SettingsTo help protect you from browsing with unsafe settings, Internet Explorer 7 warns you with an Information Bar when current security settings may put you at risk. Within the Internet Control Panel, you will see certain critical items highlighted in red when they are unsafely configured. In addition to alerts warning you about unsafe settings, you will be reminded by the Information Bar as long as the settings remain unsafe. You can instantly reset Internet security settings to the "Medium-High" default level by clicking the "Fix My Settings" option in the Information Bar.

Add-ons Disabled ModeTo help troubleshoot difficulties launching Internet Explorer or reaching specific websites, you have the ability to start in "No Add-ons" mode, where only critical system Add-ons are enabled.

One other note - all of the features above are available to users of Windows XP. There are a couple more available only on Windows Vista. As that's not yet on general release I haven't included them here.

Dell embraces Google | Tech News on ZDNet

2006-06-01T12:14:00.000+01:00

Here's an interesting development in pre-installed software.

Dell embraces Google: "Google and Dell have agreed to a first in a series of deals to preinstall Web and desktop search software on the PC maker's computers, Google CEO Eric Schmidt said Thursday.

Speaking at a Goldman Sachs conference in Las Vegas, Schmidt discussed details of a long-rumored deal between the No. 1 search engine and the No. 1 PC maker, which is a strike against Google rival Microsoft. Under the deal, millions of Dell PCs will be loaded with the Google toolbar for Web and PC search, along with a co-branded home page, before they're shipped to consumers."

What do you think about this?

Harry Potter Lesson Plans anyone?

2006-05-30T17:12:00.000+01:00

Hi folks,

still on the Harry Potter theme, I came across this unusual site which has some ideas for lesson plans based on the Harry Potter stories. http://harrylessonplans.bravehost.com/ I guess it takes all sorts and many teachers like to use creative ways to raise their student's interest levels and so aid retention.

:-)

Paul.

The best Harry Potter Quiz

2006-04-22T17:04:00.000+01:00

Hi folks,

back again - where does the time go I wonder?

Anyhow I just had to come and let you know about a Harry Potter quiz I've found. It's at www.Harry-Potter-Info.co.uk. You sign up with a name and email address and then the site emails you a Harry Potter quiz question once a week! What's more it's free.

So far some of the questions have been easy but they're starting to get harder. (The site does say they start easy and get trickier.)

Seems a nice way to pass the time between books to me and I'm told it's proving popular with all sorts of people.

Anyhow, the URL for the quiz page is www.Harry-Potter-Info.com/Quiz.aspx.

Enjoy.

Paul.

Sober at the CIA

2005-11-25T12:08:00.000Z

Hi folks,

worms have been hitting the news again. (Computer ones I mean, not the wriggly ones found in good soil.) The latest variant of the Sober worm is causing huge volumes of traffic around the world.

This latest variant generates an email which claims to be from the FBI or CIA and says that they have found evidence that the computer user has been visiting illegal web sites and asks the recipient to click on the attachment to answer questions.

If you're unwise enough to open the attachment your computer will be infected and the worm will copy itself to any email addresses it finds on your hard drive.

According to Allen Bell, marketing director at McAfee Australia, "(Sober) was generating around 15 million out of 16.8 million (virus-infected e-mails), so about 90 percent of the traffic is this particular virus,"

You have been warned - don't open attachments you are not expecting. You can find more advise on email handling techniques at http://www.careofwindowsxp.com/Email.html

Paul.

When is Software which Spys not Spyware?

2005-11-12T13:57:00.000Z

Hi folks,

I've just read an article which has intrigued me.

RetroCoder, a maker of a spying software application is threatening legal action against Sunbelt Software because it's software label's the others as Spyware. RetroCoder's software, SpyMon, logs keystrokes and takes screenshots. Apparently it's intended to be use to monitor use of your own computer, e.g. by parents of young children or even employers concerned about their employees web usage.

Obviously the line between software which is downloaded in secret from some website and software which is installed by the owner of a PC must exist, but how that interacts with the expectation of being able to use a computer without being spied on by others is not at all clear.

Sunbelt Software suggest that the user should have the right to know that their actions are being logged. This seems fair to me and may be the right point. There is a difference between monitoring (openly) and spying. When I had issues with one of my own children accessing web sites which I thought inappropriate I added logging on my router and let the family know. Then if I examined the logs and found inappropriate access I could openly call the person to account; to my mind this is part of being a parent.

What do you think?

Paul.

PS If you want to read the original news report you can at:
http://news.zdnet.com/2100-1009_22-5944208.html?tag=nl.e589

2005-10-21T18:35:00.000+01:00

Hi again,

been a couple of weeks since my last post. I've been somewhat busy - including short visits to Barcelona for a conference and Edinburgh to visit a client. After a while the "jet setting" lifestyle gets old and tiring.

This week Google announced third quarter earnings close to double that of the same quarter last year and Microsoft's Steve Ballmer has gone on record saying that Microsoft know's how to compete with Google. (See - I said they'd have thought about this...)

The "EEC" have asked the US to share control of the internet - more particularly the control of DNS which is currently in the hands of the US ICANN. I'm British and am horrified at the thought of the European governments being in control of the internet in this way. What do you think?

The latest Windows security patches seem to have caused concern in some quarters because of the fact that they can cause all sorts of side effects on computers configured in a particular way. While most home users should be unaffected you might want to check out this support entry from Microsoft: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/909444

We created a new web site this week - http://www.bestloanconsolidation.com/. Part of the reason is that I get shocked by the amount of debt people seem to build up without having any idea of how to take control of their finances. Loan Consolidation may be a useful tool to some to enable them to see the "wood for the trees". Maybe I'll create another site all about how to create a budget and manage money. Hmmm....

Last weekend was my parents Golden Wedding Anniversay. They had a party in Broadmoor, Pembrokshire, Wales to celebrate with their friends in that part of the world and this weekend they are having another celebration in Kidderminster, Worcestershire, England as that is where they used to live before they retired. I got (and will get) to propose the toast and Mark (brother) entertained us all with a number of songs chosen by our parents. Shelly (daughter) sang with him for a couple of the songs, including "Master of the House" from Les Miseables". Luke (son) did some juggling and baloon modelling. Quite a family affair really and so far very enjoyable. The highlight for most last weekend must surely have been Mark's daughter Leah, 2, who decided to join her dad on stage, demand his hat and sunglasses he was wearing for a "blues brothers" number and then grab the microphone cable until she had dragged it down to her level so she could join in!

Anyway, time to go - be happy!

Paul.

Microsoft vs Google?

2005-09-23T13:29:00.000+01:00

Hmmm, so Google seem to be shaping up to take on the mighty Microsoft! Seems an odd thought doesn't it?

It seems that over time Google have been building up patents and technology to offer applications from the web, thus enabling them to provide an "access anywhere from any computer" type scenario. This type of thinking isn't new of course, Larry Ellison, Oracle's colourful CEO has been saying that is where the future is for years. Even Bill Gates describes this sort of service in his book Business @ the Speed of Thought.

The press coverage seems to suggest that Microsoft are having to create a response to this new threat. I do wonder whether they have been really caught off guard as some suggest. It strikes me that Microsoft have large number of very clever people working for them, and that some of them at least must be looking at potential comptetion. I tend to think it more likely that the reaction is as much to show potential customers and the market that they are a strong and aggessive company who do not ignore threats.

What do you think?

Paul.

Zotob, Mytob and you

2005-08-29T17:19:00.000+01:00

Hi folks,

news: the police have arrested two men they believe are responsible for the Zotob and Mytob worms which have been wreaking havoc recently. Russian born Farid Essebar (18) was arrested in Morocco, and 21-year-old Turk, Atilla Ekici, was arrested in Turkey. Assuming these are the guys responsible for the worms then this is welcome news.

We could of course have an interesting time discussing why people do such things or how sad it is that the best thing bright young people can find to do is spead chaos. However that really wouldn't help us much.

What's more useful is to ask "what should we do about it?" While these two are being investigated, there are others who spread havoc. We should take this as a reminder that we cannot become complacent about security.

While it was thought the Zotob worm affected only Windows 2000 computers, Microsoft have announced that it could affect Windows XP machines running SP1 with file and printer sharing and the Windows guest user account enabled. This is the sort of configuration which may be found on home PCs. If you're running SP2 you should be fine.

For our words of wisdom on keeping your PC up to date, see CareOfWindowsXP.

On other subjects Mark and I are creating a new site dedicated to Internet Marketers, called OnlineMarketersChoice. It's intended as a resource area, with articles and links of interest to Internet Marketers. If this is something you know about then we've added the ability to add your own articles to the site. Do check it out and tell us what you think.

Gotta go...

Paul.

Paul Quirk's Blog

2005-08-19T18:09:00.000+01:00

Hi Folks,

I thought I'd better finally try out this blogging business.

It seems proper to start with an introduction. My name's Paul Quirk, I'm 47 (still) and live in the UK. That's me on the right. About a year ago I started getting interested in the possibility of making my living online. Given I currently work as an IT professional (or geek as some would have it) this may strike some as coming to the party rather late. Maybe, but then it's fashionable in some parts to arrive late...

I've always wanted a family business and this whole area has given me opportunity to work with my brother, Mark. He's also in IT. Between us we work for the two largest software companies in the world, Oracle and Microsoft.

Given the strong IT background we created our first web site, http://www.CareOfWindowsXP.com/ in order to save having to keep telling people how to do stuff that Mark and I tend to do by long exposure the the world of computers. I took a week off work to write the first version and Mark and I have been applying some updates, improving formatting and generally getting to know how to do things on the web.

It's fun.

More later. Gotta go and walk the dog..