Computer: Hints, Tips, Guides, and Anti Virus Safety

Open Microsoft Word 2007 files

2009-03-20T09:51:00.000-07:00

If you are unable to open documents from Microsoft Word 2007 with Word 2003 (the current campus default) it will be necessary to install Microsoft's File Format Converter. The process is simple.

Download the Office Compatibility Pack (FileFormatConverters.exe).
Close any Microsoft Office applications that may be running.
Double click the FileFormatConverters.exe file to begin installation.
A dialogue with a license agreement will appear, accept the terms and click "Continue".
Installation will proceed and complete without further intervention.

Although you can open Office Word 2007 files in previous versions of Word, you may not be able to change some items that were created by using the new or enhanced features in Office Word 2007. For example, equations will become images that cannot be changed. The following is a list of document elements that are changed when they are opened in a previous version of Word.

Office Word 2007 element	Change when opened in a previous version
Equations	Become graphics and cannot be changed.
Themes	Permanently converted to styles. If the file is later opened in Office Word 2007, you cannot automatically change the style by using themes.
Theme colors	Permanently converted to styles. If the file is later opened in Office Word 2007, you cannot automatically change the style by using theme colors.
Theme fonts	Permanently converted to styles. If the file is later opened in Office Word 2007, you cannot automatically change the style by using theme fonts.
Theme effects	Permanently converted to styles. If the file is later opened in Office Word 2007, you cannot automatically change the style by using theme effects.
Content controls	Permanently converted to static text.
Tracked moves	Permanently converted to insertions and deletions.
Heading and body fonts	Permanently converted to static formatting. If the file is later opened in Office Word 2007, heading and body fonts won't automatically change if you use a different style.
Relative text boxes	Permanently converted to absolute positioning.
Margins	Permanently converted to absolute positioning. If the file is later opened in Office Word 2007, the margins won't automatically change if you use a different style.
Bibliography	Permanently converted to static text.
Citations	Permanently converted to static text.
Placeholder text in citations	Permanently converted to static text.
Placeholder text in content controls	Permanently converted to static text.
Office Art	Only a small subset of illustrations are available.
Charts and diagrams	Some charts and diagrams will be converted to images that cannot be changed.

AVG Free Antivirus New Version

2009-03-12T10:09:00.000-07:00

AVG Free Edition is the well-known antivirus protection tool. AVG Free is available free of charge to home users for the life of the product. Rapid virus database updates are available for the lifetime of the product, thereby providing the high level of detection capability that millions of users around the world trust to protect their computers. AVG Free is easy to use and will not slow your system down (low system resource requirements. Highlights include automatic update functionality, the AVG Resident Shield, which provides real-time protection as files are opened and programs are run, free Virus Database Updates for the lifetime of the product, and AVG Virus Vault for safe handling of infected files.

Version 8.5 now includes LinkScanner's Active Surf-Shield to check every Web page for threats at the only time that matters--when you're about to click on the link.

Symantec Update

2009-03-10T15:37:00.001-07:00

(an excerpt from a recent web news article)

Late yesterday evening, Symantec released an unsigned patch containing the file 'PIFTS.EXE'. Because the file was unsigned, it caused firewall alerts in Norton Internet Security and Norton Antivirus when the file attempted to access the Internet. It's not yet been revealed exactly what the purpose of the file was, but it's actions were to create a URL consisting of version information for certain Norton products. But though the actions of the file were pretty benign, reactions from users were anything but calm. Instead, spammers immediately began flooding Symantec forums, theory crafting many evil scenarios, leaving nonsense posts, and generally creating havoc. That led to Symantec deleting the threads, which in turn led to even more conspiracy theories and finger pointing.

malware distributors were quick to pick up on the controversy and immediately began seeding malware through search engines by posting links to malicious files using the keyword 'PIFTS.EXE'. Be wary of any update file with this name.

Symantec Released the following statement:

"Symantec released a diagnostic patch "PIFTS.exe" targeting Norton Internet Security and Norton Antivirus 2006 & 2007 users on March 9, 2009. This patch was released for approximately 3 hours (4:30 - 7:40 PM March 9, 2009 Pacific Time). In a case of human error, the patch was released by Symantec "unsigned", which caused the firewall user prompt for this file to access the Internet. The firewall alert for the patch caused understandable concern for users and began to be reported back to Symantec. Releasing a patch unsigned is an extremely rare occurrence that does not pose any security issues to our users. The patch reached a limited number of Norton customers and has subsequently been pulled from further distribution. Norton users are fully protected and do not need to take any action as a result of this issue.

There has been activity in the Norton User Forum related to PIFTS.exe which has generated additional concern and media speculation. At approximately 10:30pmET Monday March 9, Symantec detected that our User Forum boards were being abused by an individual or individuals. One individual created a new user account and posted about the name of the patch executable, PIFTS.exe. Within minutes, several dozen user accounts were created commenting on the initial thread, and/or creating new threads on the topic. Over the next few hours, over 200 user accounts were created. Within the first hour there were 600 new posts on this subject alone. While the intent of the spammer(s) remains unclear, there were no malicious links and it simply resulted in a widespread communications challenge for Symantec. Below are some examples of the forum spam we received from these new user accounts.

Symantec strictly adheres to its Norton Community Terms of Service and does not delete postings unless they are in violation of these guidelines. Upon determining that our User Forums were being abused, Symantec began removing the spam posts.

Finally, it has also been reported by the Washington Post that hackers are taking advantage of this situation. "Some of the top searches (currently the 3rd and 4th result in a Google search) are Web sites that try to install malicious software when you visit them." When searching for information on "pifts.exe," Symantec strongly advises all users to be wary of following links to unknown sites as malicious users are attempting to use this hot topic to distribute malware."

Anti Virus 2009

2009-03-10T09:54:00.000-07:00

An updated malware using the name Antivirus 2009 is spreading via the World Wide Web. What is Antivirus 2009? You may have seen some examples already: Messages that tell a user their machine is full of spyware or adware. These messages (in many cases disguised to look like a legitimate system message) will ask users to click on it to install or purchase software that will remove the offending programs. Once installed the software works as a backdoor allowing advertisement popups and other unauthorized activities on the computer.

How to Install a printer on OS X.5

2009-03-08T13:41:00.000-07:00

Instruction: How to install a printer on Mac OSX

How to install a printer on your Apple Computer running OS X Leopard aka: 10.5

Confirm you are running OS X Click on the apple in the upper left hand corner of your Apple. It will reveal a menu. Please Select “About This Mac” Please Ensure that it says Mac OS X as shown. Note: if you do not have OS X please consult a different tutorial.
Close the about this Mac Window. Now go back to the “Apple” and click “System Preferences” This will reveal amenu with multiple options.
Now in the second row from the top you will see “Print and Fax”. Click this and the menu will change to the add printer interface.
Just below the White box on the left hand side you will see a + sign. Click on this. This will bring up a menu where you can select your printer. Make sure to plug your printer into the wall and connect the USB cable to the computer and turn the printer on at this point. It will then appear in the list of available printers
(for this demonstration mine is named “Adobe PDF 08”)
Now Click on the Printer in the window. Now, Towards the bottom of the window click the Blue arrows next to “Select a Driver to Use”. This reveals a menu list of all available printer drivers.
Scroll through the list and find your printer. They are listed alphabetically by Manufacturer/Make/Model/Number. It is a long list, you can speed the process up by typing in the search field right above the list
(I typed HP). Then I found my Driver for the HP 9500
(this will be specific to whatever printer you are installing and will match the name on the printer).
Now just click the “Add” button and your printer will be installed and ready to use. You will see a dialogue box showing your printer and it’s status.

You have successfully installed your Printer!!!!
Great Job

Virus Protection on the Internet

2009-03-07T21:16:00.000-08:00

Here are 5 ways to protect yourself from viruses and Malware on the internet.

Always have a virus scanning software installed on your computer before your go onto the internet
NEVER DOWNLOAD freeware or shareware unless you know it is from a reputable source. This includes illegally downloading music. Downloading pirated music or programs is not only extremely unsafe it is illegal.
Never execute a pop-up that is asking to install something on your computer. There are many fake anti-virus programs that present themselves this way. Stick with AVG, Kaspersky, Symantec aka: Norton, or McAfee.
Update, Update, Update. Most virus scanning software is designed to update automatically, but if your system prompts you to update your virus scanner (make sure it's the program you use) allow it to update. Keep it current and active so that you can have maximum protection.
Think before you Click. I know it seems simple, but ask yourself a couple questions: Where are you on the internet? Who are you downloading this file from? Do you know the answer? if not really stop and think. Virus scanners do not protect you from files that you opt into downloading. It is far easier to prevent getting a virus then it is to clean the virus once it has been discovered.

There are several fake anti virus programs out there:

Advanced Cleaner AlfaCleaner AntiSpyCheck 2.1 AntiSpyStorm
AntiSpywareBot AntiSpywareExpert AntiSpywareMaster AntiSpywareSuite
AntiSpyware 2008 XP Antivermins Antivirgear Antivirus 2008 Antivirus 2009
AntiVirus Gold Antivirus Master Antivirus XP 2008 Awola 6.0 Brave Sentry BestsellerAntivirus Cleanator ContraVirus Doctor Antivirus DriveCleaner
Disk Knight EasySpywareCleaner Errorsafe free-viruscan.com IE Antivirus IEDefender
InfeStop KVMSecure MacSweeper MalCrush 3.7 MalwareCore MalwareAlarm Malware Bell 3.2 Microsoft AntiVirus PCSecureSystem PC Antispy PC Clean Pro
PC SpeedScan Pro PestTrap Perfect Cleaner PAL Spyware Remover PCPrivacytool
PC-Antispyware PSGuard SecurePCCleaner Security toolbar 7.1 SpyAxe Spy Away
SpyCrush Spydawn SpyGuarder SpyHeal Spylocked SpySheriff SpySpotter
Spyware Cleaner Spyware Quake Spyware Stormer SpywareStrike Spy-Rid
SpyWiper System Live Protect SystemDoctor TrustedAntivirus TheSpyBot
UltimateCleaner VirusHeat Virus Isolator VirusProtectPro VirusRanger Vista Antivirus 2008 WinAntiVirus Pro 2006 WinFixer WinSpywareProtect
WorldAntiSpy XP Antivirus XoftSpySE Zinaps 2008

Virus Removal Tools

2009-03-07T20:46:00.000-08:00

Have you ever gotten one of those virus warnings? I know that I have. So how do you go about getting rid of this little intruder. The first thing you need to do is get some anti virus software. I use AVG free anti virus. With this software you will be able to scan and remove most virus types.

Download and install AVG Free: if you are having a problem connecting to the internet consider downloading the install file on a different computer and putting it on a flash drive, then install it on your infected machine.
Also it is a good idea to install an anti spyware client like Spybot Search and Destroy or Hijackthis by Trend Micro, only use one of these free virus spyware removal software products. Installing two can cause several difficulties.
You can run complete scans with both the anti virus scanner and the anti malware scanner. You will most likely receive multiple virus warnings when you run the scans. If this is the case allow your software to clean the threat from your computer.

It is important to mention that sometimes the only recourse to fix certain kind of malware and viruses is to reformat your computer and reinstall windows. This is especially true in the case of Trojans. Happy hunting and I hope that you are able to remove all the viruses on your machine.