Anti-Virus for Windows Home Server

Most of you may probably have known, while some antivirus software are free for personal use, server based programs normally will ask for a premium. Same goes to Windows Home Server. Since it’s based on Windows Server 2003, PC version mostly won’t be compatible. For an example, I am using Avast Home on my PC, but it won’t install on the server. Fortunately, there are always good people out there, especially those who write open source program, which means it’s free (they only ask users for some donation to support their hard work).

So, after searching here and there, I came across this WHSClamAV. Based on ClamAV, and implemented on Windows Home Server by the guy Al West. Write up is available at MSWHS.com.

Technorati Tags: WHS,WHS ANti-Virus

PROLiNK PHS100 USB Wireless Modem

The problem with Windows 7 is finally solved.  I was unable to get it connected to the Internet after I installed Windows 7.  The modem showed cannot find connection port, or failed to connect to the Internet.  Changed to XP compatible mode didn’t help, neither it works after I upgraded the modem firmware.

Perhaps I don’t know how to use Google properly, I just couldn’t find any answer to the problem.  No broadband means no life to me (freakin’ net addict I’m).  So, after some tried and error, I finally made it to work - by creating a new Dial-up connection under Connections tab in Internet Options.  Set the Phone number to *98# and leave everything else as default.  That’s it!  (Yup, it’s Celcom Wireless Broadband number.  I’m using it when I’m away from home).

The PROLINK 3G Modem PC Manager will “work together” with the newly added Dial-up connection.   Why is it that way?  Why can’t it work by itself?  That, I have absolutely no clue.  Due to Windows 7 is still a RC version, maybe?  But as long as I can get my netbook connected to the Internet when I need it while on the go, I’m a happy man.

Windows Live Writer - Error 403! Forbidden

I started to use Windows Live Writer couple of weeks ago, it comes with Windows Live.  One good thing about this writer is that it allows you to add various blog accounts, just like how you can add several email accounts in Windows Live Mail. 

However, I encountered a problem when I was trying to publish a blog with photo attached to my blogger.com account.  The server will return an Error 403.  The problem could be due to Picasa Web Albums (blogger.com, Google, and Picasa are all linked) doesn’t automatically create a specific album to store the pictures during upload. 

So, to overcome this problem, simple.  Just login to the Picasa Web Albums with your Google ID and create an album titled “Windows Live Writer”, and voila!  No more error 403 or whatsoever.  Pictures attached in your new blog will automatically store in that album. 

Happy Blogging!

Internet Security Practices

When I was in IT line last time, I actually have quite a number of customers coming in asking for help in "virus-fighting". I even get question like "my P4 quite powerful mah, why still can infected by virus leh?". So the fact is that there are actually people who think that a computer with powerful processor will not get infected by computer virus, and believe me, there are still PC users out there who don't know what is computer virus.

No matter how powerful your PC is, it's extremely vulnerable if you don't practice Internet security, especially when countless of computer virus attacks, malwares, computer hoaxes, and phishing scams are reported almost everyday. So, how do we actually practice Internet security?

Below are some points taken from hardwarezone.com:

1. Use an Internet security solution that combines antivirus, firewall, intrusion detection, and vulnerability management for maximum protection against malicious code and other threats.
2. Ensure that security patches are up-to-date and that they are applied to all vulnerable applications in a timely manner.
3. Ensure that passwords are a mix of letters and numbers. Do not use dictionary words. Change passwords often.
4. Never view, open, or execute any email attachment unless the attachment is expected and the purpose of the attachment is known.
5. Keep virus definitions updated regularly. By deploying the latest virus definitions, consumers can protect their computers against the latest viruses known to be spreading “in the wild.”
6. Check to see if your PC or Macintosh® system is vulnerable to threats by using Symantec Security Check at: http://security.symantec.com/.
7. All computer users need to know how to recognize computer hoaxes and phishing scams. Hoaxes typically include a bogus email warning to “send this to everyone you know” and/or improper technical jargon that is intended to frighten or mislead users. Phishing scams appear to come from a legitimate organization and entice users to enter credit card or other confidential information into forms on a Web site designed to look like that of the legitimate organization. You should never disclose confidential information without confirming that the request is legitimate.
8. Both spyware and adware can be automatically installed on a computer along with file-sharing programs, free downloads, and freeware and shareware versions of software, or by clicking on links and/or attachments in email messages, or via instant messaging clients. Therefore, you should be informed and selective about what you install on your computer.
9. Don’t just click those “Yes, I accept” buttons on end-user licensing agreements (EULAs). Some spyware and adware applications can be installed after you accept the EULA, or as a consequence of that acceptance. Read EULAs carefully to examine what they mean in terms of privacy. The agreement should clearly explain what the product is doing and provide a way to uninstall it.
10. Beware of programs that flash ads in the user interface. Many spyware programs track how users respond to these ads, and their presence is a red flag. When you see ads in a program’s user interface, you may be looking at a piece of spyware. Don’t click on ads that appear unexpectedly in your browser window. Instead, close the window immediately.

Internet connection

Read an article in a PC mag regarding Internet connection in other countries, and realize that Malaysia's is still falling far far behind. Looking at our neighbour, Singapore, people are enjoying a higher speed connection since some times ago. Now I'm not sure about the charges, but I guess it will be an affordable one. For Hong Kong, they are running at 10M and for only HKD100+ per month (100HKD is around RM44)! I can only imagine and dream for that to come true in our country...

For ours, we have Jaring and TMNET since the 90's, and now we are only speeding at 512k up to 2mbps. Worst case is that our broadband connection is always down, not "always on" as stated by our ISP. Imagine how frustrated can it be when you are going to perform an urgent online banking transaction and you realize that the connection is down.

TMNET was promoting the RM77 1mbps connection in the recent PC Fair. The salesgirl asked me to sign up. So I asked her what for if my current connection is always down and my 512k can never hits the limit, and she told me that everything will be fine after I upgrade to 1mbps connection. Now that is a VERY RESPONSIBLE salesperson one would like to avoid as they only care about the sales commission, not providing solution! Malaysia TMNET is wasting money on such sales team and no wonder we can't be improved. One of my friends just signed up for the 1mbps package recently and it's down the day after, for whole day long. Malaysia is a boleh-land.

Perhaps our government should upgrade the service under the 9MP. I believe people don't mind to fork out a little bit extra for higher and stable Internet connection speed. If other Asia countries can do it, why can't we?

We don't brag if our results are higher, but we need to revise when we are falling far behind.