Microsoft and their new attempt! Windows 7, Bing, Outlook 2010, MSE

Finally, Is Microsoft trying to fix their problems….?

First of all…Vista.

Why did it take so long to get Vista off the grid? Why did it take so long for Microsoft to come up with another functioning operating system? Vista’s issues include: Compatibility problems with software, too slow, driver problems, too many redundant security warnings, etc. Why do I have so many unhappy clients?

Well, the big fix supposedly is Windows 7 (I guess that is the only name they could come up with). I have 2 technicians who have been beta testing it and actually LOVE it. Yes, they Love it. They say it is all the things that Vista promised and has found very little problems with it. XP programs are compatible with 7, it is fast, the security pop-ups are not aggressive like Vista. This is supposed to hit the shelves sometime in August-September, I’ll keep you posted.

BING- A better way to search…Trying to compete with Google by using Yahoo as it’s search engine and calling it something else. Sure it looks pretty…goes fast too…but the best feature is (kids listen up) you can search for porn easier that ever! Free and with no adware too…so parents, you may never know. Ok, I admit I had to try this feature and BING…I had some of the raunchiest porn I have seen in about 2 seconds. Also, you can look up pirated movies and music extremely easy. I tried that too…and took me 2 seconds to find hot new movie releases playing in the theaters now. I know the word is that they are working on the porn issue…lets see what else is in the works…

Outlook 2010 has people up in arms…Big issue here is that it forces the user to use Word as it’s editor. The new Word does not use HTML in the correct way…and to break it down as easily as I can, you won’t be able to view most emails as we are used to. We may not even be able to see the web content at all. If you need more explanation on this, please let me know…but basically pictures will be out and Microsoft is not using web standards and forcing their users to do what they want…again.

Finally, MSE-Microsoft Security Essentials- a free anti-virus program for all to use. Well, we all remember the free forced update defender that was to help us all defend ourselves against evil doers. That worked out well (yes, sarcasm). Funny enough, if you download this free software, it disables defender anyway…meaning some items in this new and improved anti-virus still has defender in its make up. Ughh…on a good note, this will probably be good for business…bad for the consumer.

If you would like to add your opinions…please do. I personally am waiting for Windows 7 but I will use Google and an old copy of office…and PAY for my Anti-virus ! New system…in the fall!

Viruses and Anti-Virus Issues

So, How many out there have been hit with a virus? How many out there have been hit with a virus even though you had the most up and coming anti-virus installed on your system? Every wonder why this happens even though you paid good money for protection?

First lets start with viruses themselves. Better yet, lets call them all MALWARE since spyware, adware and trojans all can infect and mess up your computer. Broke down simply, it is a computer program designed to destroy information, gather information, become a nuisance…or just to be malicious and destroy your hard drive. They (who are they) say that there are over 3500 new viruses or malware springing up every day. Their only intent is to cause some sort of harm.

The usual ways that these malware programs come into your machine is primarally by YOU!!! Not to scare you too much but here are some ways that this happens:

Email Attachments-DO NOT OPEN attachments unless you know the person or source. Be very sure you don’t get fooled by FAKES (SPOOF MAIL) either. Pay attention to how things are spelled and laid out. Close is not close enough

SPOOF WEBSITES- They almost look real but they are NOT. www.ebay.com is a well known website….www.1ebay.com is NOT.

DOWNLOADING- yes, i have been know to download items that even I should be wary of. Remember if you download it…you are permitting whatever it is to come into your system…weather music or movies or free whatever…if you don’t trust it, don’t do it! and if you do it….don’t trust it….lol.

There are a bunch more ways to get malware into your system but just wanted to get you to start thinking and ask me questions. Let me answer the question that I started to ask a bit ago.

WHY? I have anti-virus and I should be protected. I spent a fortune and I still get viruses…….WHY?

First, there is NOTHING out there that can guarantee you a 100% that you will be protected. Yes, some anti-viruses are better than others and yes free doesn’t always mean bad….but…imagine with me for a moment….

I am a smart, lonely, pre-teen/teenager and am tired of playing video games at home. I can put together a computer in my sleep and my bedroom is already networked with multiple servers and computers that I put together with my buddies. We all played every game, already know a ton about networking. What I need is mental stimulation and a little fun trouble…I know, I will manipulate some computer codes…lets see what this does. Wait, lets download a spammer and mail it to everyone we know (or maybe know and don’t like)…oh and let’s attach a worm so that it attaches to the computer’s address book and more people can be harmed.

How many smart kids you think are out there? Plus, that is just one scenario I am laying out.

Computer viruses are being made in droves EVERY DAY….and the makers of most anti-virus try to maintain that…but it is impossible. One may come out today and infect today and then may be recognized by the  anti-virus program tomorrow…but it still infected someone.

Remember, there are over 26 million recognized viruses out there….and a lot more to be made and a lot more to destroy.

Again, I write to ask you to write me and ask questions. We can all learn together!

Til next time,

Tara