Online Safety
Windows XP Support Ending on April 8 2014 (EOL)
On April 8 2014, Windows XP, now 12 years old, will no longer be supported by Microsoft. Widomaker will also end support for Windows XP at the same time. Additionally, Outlook Express and Microsoft Outlook 2003 will no longer be supported (prior versions are already unsupported).
D-Link Router Security Issue
Vulnerabilities have recently been discovered that affect certain models of D-Link broadband routers. If you are using one of the affected models you should take steps to update the firmware of your router with the security patch provided by D-Link, or replace the device.
The list of affected D-Link router models can be found in CERT Vulnerability Note VU#248083 or in D-Link’s page on the issue. D-Link’s page says that firmware updates should be available by the 31st of October, 2013.
An example photo of a D-Link DI-524 wireless router (one of the affected models) can be found here.
If your D-Link model IS NOT listed as affected then you DO NOT need to take any action.
You should not continue to operate a vulnerable D-Link router because it will put your computers and personal information at risk.
If you would like to replace an affected D-Link device, and you would like to purchase a replacement router from Widomaker, please call, or e-mail, our office to discuss the available options.
Internet Explorer 0-Day Vulnerability
There is a zero-day vulnerability that has been discovered and in the wild exploiting Microsoft’s Internet Explorer (7, 8, and 9). Due to this, it would be a good idea to switch web browsers for a few weeks until security updates can be released for Internet Explorer. Also, make sure your anti-virus software is up-to-date.
The following are several other web broswers you can install and use:
- Mozilla Seamonkey – Seamonkey is an all-in-one internet application suite containing an Internet browser, email & newsgroup client with an included web feed reader, HTML editor, IRC chat and web development tools.
- Mozilla Firefox
- Opera
Internet-Wide Protests Against the Blacklist Legislation ( #SOPA #PIPA )
When you browse The Web on Wednesday, January, 18th, you will notice that many popular sites will be displaying messages protesting the dangerous censorship legislation currently pending in Congress (#SOPA #PIPA) instead of their regular content. Sites such as Google, Wikipedia, and many others. January 18th, 2012, may be the date of the largest online protest to occur so far in Internet history. Please take the time to learn more about this important issue that effects all Internet users. See the links below for more information and actions you can take…
http://blacklist.eff.org/
http://americancensorship.org/
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2011/12/fight-blacklist-toolkit-anti-sopa-activists
Help Stop The Internet Censorship Bill
Congress is about to pass Internet censorship, even though the vast majority of Americans are opposed. We need to kill the bill to protect our rights to free speech, privacy, and prosperity.
The Senate is scheduled to vote on the internet censorship bill on Tuesday, January 24th 2012, and unless we can find 41 senators to block the vote, it is going to pass…
Can you meet with your senators during the January recess and ask them to vote it down? Visit http://americancensorship.org/ before January 24th to help.
Here is a helpful guide to In-Person Meetings with Your Congressional Representatives provided by the EFF.
Say “NO” to Internet Censorship
The US Congress is considering America’s first system for censoring the Internet. Despite public outcry, the Internet Censorship bill could pass at any time. If it does, the Internet and free speech will never be the same.
SAY “NO” TO INTERNET CENSORSHIP
Please take a few minutes to learn more and contact your elected officials to oppose the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the PROTECT IP Act (PIPA). Use the links below…
http://americancensorship.org/
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2011/11/protect-ip-act-very-real-very-bad-call-now-block-it
https://wfc2.wiredforchange.com/o/9042/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=8173
Learn more about these and similar issues by visiting the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF)
This video helps to explain the issues with these bills…
Phone Scam for your Computer!
Be weary of receiving phone calls from a Microsoft Service Center or similar name, claiming they are calling you to help you remove viruses from your computer. This is likely a scam to take money or even your identity from you.
So far, the callers seem to always call with an accent and try to get you to go to websites to remove the viruses and want to charge you a fee for it using a credit card.
Mostly this scam appears to be attacking UK folks, but phone calls have started hitting US customers and even our own Widomaker Customers.
If you receive such a phone call, do not fall for it. If you can, record the call or if you can get any information, take it and report it to the authorities. Hang up the phone.
Phishing
Phishing is the act of sending fake, misleading, or fraudulent messages in an attempt to trick recipients into providing personal information.
Support for Windows 98/ME is Ending
Don’t be left behind with old and soon to be outdated software, leaving your Operating System (OS) open to vulnerabilities, hacker attacks, and viruses. Microsoft Windows 98, 98SE, and Millennium Edition (ME) will no longer be supported by Microsoft (including security updates) as of the end of June 2006.
It may be time to decide whether you should upgrade your exisiting computer or buy a new computer. Visit this page for more details and information.
Fighting spam & spyware
We have just posted two articles written by one of our staff members regarding fighting spam and spyware/adware.
Read about Fighting Spam
Read about Fighting Spyware/Adware
