Security & Hacking: Adobe & Microsoft Update Patches

http://krebsonsecurity.com/2013/01/adobe-microsoft-ship-critical-security-updates/

http://www.livehacking.com/2013/01/09/in-brief-adobe-fixes-at-least-26-security-problems-in-adobe-acrobat-and-adobe-reader/

Short Version:  Make sure your Updated & Patched!

Also, use Firefox with Noscript (Addblockplus as well is good idea, you can Whitelist ie allow sites you want to support or trust) or Chrome, (again with Addblockplus) Chrome has functionality that is similar to Noscript!

Stop using IE unless your forced to, if your forced to use IE set updates to auto AND check updates second Wednesday (Microsoft issues patches every second Tuesday, but checking Wednesday you generally avoid checking to early in the day, and also usually have bit faster download speeds).

Security & Hacking: Chrome & Flash Updates

http://www.livehacking.com/2012/12/12/google-updates-chrome-to-fix-a-critical-vulnerability-and-update-flash/

http://www.livehacking.com/2012/12/12/adobe-releases-security-updates-for-flash-player/

I got the Chrome Update late last night.

Chrome is supposed to update automatically, but I strongly suggest checking all your Auto Updates once a month or so, or at least quarterly.

Personally I don't trust Auto Updates, I use Calender alerts from my Smartphone Calender & computer schedule app (I don't like synching, because by having separate Calender apps I have backup redundancy that synching would destroy) to remind me to check updates on Patch Tuesday for Windows (I check everything on Patch Tuesday, not just Windows).

Part of that is that I used to rely on auto updates, but found that they were missing critical patches sometimes.

Nerd News: Lumia 920 Brick Fix (try at your own risk)

I have no way to evaluate this, I don't have a Lumia 920 bricked or otherwise.

If you attempt this you might make things worse.  This youtube channel only has one other VOD uploaded, so no way to tell anything from that either.

Link to Youtube http://youtu.be/O4tU4oRkyAs

In case you missed it Yesterday was Patch Tuesday for Windows

http://krebsonsecurity.com/2012/11/microsoft-patches-19-security-holes/

Just a reminder, if like me you review updates/patches before downloading and installing them.

Nerd News: "Microsoft Cheapens Windows 8 with Ads"

http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/microsoft-cheapens-windows-8-ads

Now to be clear, since Paul's title makes it sound like the ads are in the OS, they are not, they are in the apps, he shows a couple of examples.

I have to say, I am feeling good about my decision to switch to Mac over Windows 8, though I am gonna use Windows 7 and eventually Linux via Bootcamp.

Though it feels ironic, I went to Apple for computer, but looking at Microsoft Surface Pro for laptop.

A upside down world.

Windows & Adobe Patch Recap: Microsoft patches Windows & Office problems; Adobe Flash Update

In case you missed my post before Microsoft's Tuesday, Brian Krebb's post http://krebsonsecurity.com/2012/10/microsoft-patches-windows-office-flaws/ covers all the important aspects, and he mentions the Adobe Flash update as well.

Windows 8 Start Button Back!

Saw article here http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9231773/_5_buys_a_Start_button_Start_screen_bypass_for_Windows_8 about Stardock's  Beta
Start 8 product http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/ that lets you get Start button back on Windows 8, so if your stuck using Win 8 but want Start Button back give them a try.

Stardock has been around for some time, I have never used any of their products, but remember coming across them in research I did trying to accomplish some things on my desktop back when I was using Windows XP.

Windows Blinds is what most people know them for http://www.stardock.com/products/windowblinds/ 

I might try that out myself in the future, I have more computers that I use on a daily basis now than I ever did before, I use two most every day now, and am working on getting 3rd computer, Linux on old XP machine, plus budgeting for 2 more laptops/tablets (ether a small 13ish laptop or Surface Pro Tablet,  and a 17" gaming laptop).

Stardock has beta available for Start 8 http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/download.asp

Start 8 provides other features, such as "Optionally disable the desktop Windows 8 "hot spots"".

Nerd News: Samsung October 24, 2012 Event

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9231772/Samsung_Galaxy_Note_2_coming_to_U.S._Oct._24_

No one knows for sure, but rumors are this will be launch announcement/party for Galaxy Note 2 in the US, this is the day before Microsoft event for Windows 8 so I wouldn't be surprised if there is something more or different.

I am hoping for more information on Galaxy Note 2, I am looking to switch to Note 2 from my Blackberry Bold 9780 when my current contract ends near Christmas.

Gonna miss all the hot key shortcuts Blackberry has, but RIM seems like it is in a death spiral, Google on the other hand seems rock solid.

Desert Stormfront RTS game for Android, Windows, Linux, & Mac

A serious RTS game for Android, also available for Windows, Linus, or Mac, but not iOS.

From reviews I have read this game sounds great for serious RTS gamers, but has steep learning curve, and probably not good choice for total RTS Noobs.

More info available at his forum http://www.multiplayerhub.com/board/

The game requires Android OS 2.0 or higher and a minimum screen resolution of 800x480px.

LITE version available for free, links below.

Earlier version of this game, set in Island maps, called Tropical Stormfront is also available.

The Dev's site http://www.noblemaster.com/ 

The Game's site http://www.operationstormfront.com/

Though I always suggest getting apps from Google's store or Amazon for security (nothing against his or any Dev's storefront, I am just very careful about downloads, YMMV), downloads for Android, Windows, Linux, & Mac are available direct at http://www.operationstormfront.com/purchase.html


Google's Play Store:
Desert Stormfront LITE very LONG LINK
Desert Stormfront https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.desertstormfront.android.full 

Tropical Stormfront LITE very LONG LINK
Tropical Stormfront https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tropicalstormfront.android.full

Amazon, full disclosure, I am Amazon Associate, so if you buy with Amazon link I get a little money, doesn't affect your price:

Desert Stormfront Lite
Desert Stormfront
 
Tropical Stormfront LITE
Tropical Stormfront

Nerd News: "McAfee update chaos sparks user fury"

See story at SC Magazine's site http://www.scmagazine.com.au/News/312625,mcafee-update-chaos-sparks-user-fury.aspx

Personally I don't use McAfee's AV anymore, I think they have skills & talent to make decent AV software, but how they view and treat customers just doesn't make me feel like giving them my money.

I prefer Microsoft Security Essentials for Windows AV software (talking home & small business use, a business with some real money to throw at software could be different).

For Mac OS not sure yet, currently using and testing Sophos Free Mac AV.

So far for free AV it seems good, small bug issues couple of times, fixed with next patch, but other than that no complaints so far.