This is still a work in progress, but I figured I'd publish it anyway for now so fellow Axcess readers can benefit now, rather than later. Feedback welcomed (as always)!
How to set up a subdomain to use with your Yubikey enabled OpenID:
Go to http://openid.yubico.com/server.php
Press your Yubikey
Create subdomain (ex. Openid.yourdomain.com)
Create index.html as the only document in the newly created subdomain
Copy the following code into the index.html file:
<html>
<head>
<link rel="openid.server" href="http://openid.yubico.com/server.php" />
<link rel="openid.delegate" href="http://openid.yubico.com/server.php/idpage?user=XXXXXXXXXXXX" />
</head>
</html>
(Replace the "XXXX" with your unique, 12 digit ID, found on Yubico's OpenID page)
Each site that uses OpenID has a different approach to associating your OpenID to your login, so that part you'll have to figure out for yourself, but this will get you started.
Have fun using your new, secure, login!
Eleven Reasons Why You Should Upgrade to Windows 7
By Kaden Pownall
Hey, was Windows 7 your idea? If it was, you aren’t reading this article as you are retired to some remote tropical island! For the rest of us Windows 7 looks to be the most anticipated product Microsoft has ever released. Here is the short version of what Windows 7 is. Microsoft Windows 7 builds on the good points of Windows Vista and eliminates many of the negatives with Vista. Windows 7 also has added functionality and it comes in a package that demands less resources than Vista. Some of you reading this are upgrading from Vista and some of you are still using XP. Either way these eleven reasons are for you:
1. Windows 7 allows you to get quicker access to all of your stuff. This is done in two ways. The first is with Jump Lists. This allows you to open a file, photo or website you use a lot in just two clicks. Jump Lists keep the most recent things you’ve used handy so you can get to them quicker. The second way is the Pin feature. This works like using a push pin to hold a note to a corkboard. You can pin programs to the task bar and pin files to the Jump Lists. In other words keep the things you need close at hand.
2. Windows 7 allows you to manage your open windows easier by letting you resize and arrange them simply by dragging their borders to the edges of your screen. You can instantly expand them to full screen or you can arrange two windows side by side.
3. Windows 7 allows you to quickly find what you are looking for by using Windows Search. This allows you to find a specific file, program or even an email in just a few seconds. This is located right on the start menu. Simply open the search and type in a word or two and hit enter.
4. Windows 7 allows you to share files and even printers from one Windows 7-based PC to another. You can also share music and photos.
5. Windows 7 has a Windows Media Center that allows you to record TV, watch internet TV and watch DVDs. You can also play your music and watch your videos and slideshows.
6. Windows 7 allows you to easily create and share movies. With the free programs that come with Windows 7, you can share photos, send messages and mail quickly. You can also share the movies you made on YouTube.
7. Windows 7 allows you to easily connect to networks. With this new feature you can view and connect to any available wireless network in just a few clicks. This includes Wi-Fi, mobile broadband, VPN or dial-up networks.
8. Windows 7 allows you to do more and wait less. These upgrades from Vista accelerate sleep and resume and make your PC more responsive. Windows 7 is designed to improve your PC’s performance so it’s faster, more secure and more reliable.
9. Windows 7 has a “No programs left behind” feature. You can run many Windows XP productivity programs in Windows XP Mode. To run Windows XP Mode does require a download.
10. Windows 7 gives your PC better protection. With the upgrade to Windows 7 you can easily configure and schedule regular backups of you important files like photos and financial records. Windows 7 Ultimate Edition also comes with BitLocker data encryption to put a virtual lock on your files.
11. Windows 7 comes with parental controls. For you parents reading this you know how important this is. With Windows 7 you can quickly set up your PC so it helps keep your kids safe. You can keep them from playing the wrong kind of games and set limits for how much time they are on the computer.
There you have it. Eleven reasons to upgrade to Windows 7. This operating system has many other features that you will enjoy as well. Give us a call and we can give you more detailed information regarding Windows 7 as well as show you how to customize it to your preferences. You can also visit us on the web at http://www.bulldoginfotech.com/
By Kaden Pownall
Here at Bulldog Information Technologies we care about our clients. Not only do we want to fix your computer when it has problems, we also want to help you prevent problems with your computer. In this day and age the biggest problem people encounter with their computers involves an infection of some sort, namely Spyware and Malware (true computer viruses are pretty rare these days). In this article we are going to discuss how to avoid Malware on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. These sites are quite popular and have many positives. However, due to their popularity they are also populated with hackers whose only goal is to infect your computer. As a computer consultant, I check out a lot of computers that are “just acting funny.” The majority of these computers have been used on Facebook and Myspace or other social networking sites. With that in mind, Bulldog Information Technologies has put together some tips to help you avoid Malware.
1. Protection, Protection, Protection! Without sufficient anti-virus and malware protection programs installed, social networking users can easily become victims to these ever-evolving attacks. There are a number of these anti-virus programs available. Contact us for a free consultation on what program would be best for you.
2. Beware The Link! One of the most common ways for a hacker to infect your computer is with a malicious link. These are posted to either your Twitter or Facebook wall. Once you click on them you are directed to a site that infects your computer with Malware. This is vicious stuff and once it is on your computer a hacker can do serious damage. So don’t assume a link is “safe.” Here are two methods hackers use to get you to click their link. These methods are excerpted from the article “How to Avoid Malware on Facebook and Twitter: 8 Best Practices” by Sarah Perez on Read Write Web
Method 1: Hijacking Twitter’s Hot Topics
This is a relatively new technique and involves hackers creating Twitter news accounts and then posting messages related to whatever hot topic is being heavily discussed on Twitter at that time. This would allow the post to be aggregated in Twitter search results where unsuspecting users would click on the included link. The text accompanying the link would be intriguing to those interested in the subject, enticing them to click through.
Method 2: Hijacking Legitimate Accounts
This technique involves invading a legitimate account so that the hacker essentially has control over a “real” account. After the hacker has control, if on Twitter, the hacker will then tweet out links that redirect users to malware-infected sites. Because the tweets come from an account that already has an established set of followers, those reading the tweets assume it is safe and don’t hesitate to click on the links. On Facebook, malware often uses that particular person’s account to spread. As with malicious link on Twitter, because it appears that the links posted to your wall are from a trusted friend, other users don’t realize that the posted link is harmful.
So use common sense when it comes to clicking on links. If the link says something that doesn’t sound like your friend, don’t click, it isn’t worth the hassle of dealing with malware. Contact them through email or text or even a phone call and see if the link is legit.
3. Be Updated! Always use the latest version of your web browser and keep it updated with the necessary patches. If you are using Internet Explorer you should be on IE8. Internet Explorer is the most attacked browser therefore it is critical to keep it updated. Firefox is the second most attacked browser, but it has a self-updating feature built in. The same is true for Google Chrome. This browser has some additional security features built in. Other good browsers are Opera and Safari. Again call us and we can help you better understand these browsers and which one would best suit you.
4. Clean Your Windows! If you are a Windows user make sure your system is current with the latest patches from Microsoft. Make sure your Automatic Updates is turned on. If you are not sure how to do this, contact us and we can help you with this.
5. Reader & Flash! Adobe Reader and Flash are the two most targeted programs by hackers. All software systems have vulnerabilities and malware targets these vulnerabilities. A common trick for hackers is to redirect you to a malware-infected site where you are prompted to update your Flash player or Adobe Reader in order to view the website. NEVER do this. Always type in the website you want to visit in your browser, in this case Adobe. This way you know you are safe.
6. Mac Attack! Are you a Mac user? Don’t count on that alone to keep you safe. Yes the Mac is less targeted than a Windows based PC, but they are not immune to malware. Yes they have clever commercials touting their malware protection. Yes Apple does have some malware protection built in but again it is not inclusive. There are hundreds of Trojans out there that specifically target Mac machines. The most common Trojan designed to attack a Mac is the DNS Changer Trojan. If you are a Mac user, read up on this. If you would like help understanding this Trojan and what it can do to your Mac, give us a call.
7. Evil Email! Don’t assume that an email you receive from Facebook or Twitter is really from that site. Remember email addresses can be “spoofed” by hackers. Never open an attachment that you were not expecting and always be wary of clicking on a link. If you do click on a link and are redirected to a web page that asks you to log into that site, DON’T DO IT! You would hand over your password to the hackers and the damage would be catastrophic. As mentioned earlier, always access a web site directly by typing in their address into your browser or save the site in your favorite’s folder.
So there you have it! Seven things you can do to stay safe. Most of what we talked about above is the same things that have been done in the past. The issue with Malware though is it is trickier to identify these days and it will continue to evolve. The best way to keep your computer clean is to follow all the steps above – not just one or two. Malware isn’t ever going away and neither are the hackers. They will continue to look for new ways to infect your computer. Bulldog Information Technologies is committed to helping you avoid this problem. If you would like more information on safe browsing or need help fixing a computer that is “just acting funny”, give us a call at 509-765-4849 or, if you live around the area, stop in and see us at 1555 S. Pilgrim St. Suite B in beautiful Moses Lake, Washington, USA. You can also visit us on the web at http://www.bulldoginfotech.com/