If there are any topics you would like to see discussed in the future or if you have any comments, please contact me at JoeT@HighCaliber.com
Bullet Points
Quickly Getting to a Folder on Your File Server
You are probably used to connecting to folders on other computers on your
network using My Network Places. Here is a quicker way to get to
a shared folder (or one that does not show up in My Network Places):
Click Start
Click Run
Enter the computer's name and the folder name as follows: \\[computer name]\[folder name]
So if your server is named SERVER01 and the folder you want to get to is called CORPORATE you would
enter \\SERVER01\CORPORATE
Click Ok
Good Security Practices When Using Email
I have covered this topic in this newsletter and our DataGuard Data Protection Newsletter
but it is worth covering again because so many security and other problems stem from
improper handling of email.
Upgrade to Windows XP SP2, if you have done so already. Also, get the latest patches
for Microsft Office.
Disable Active scripting - Attackers may be able to take advantage
of Active scripting to exploit this vulnerability.
Don't click on unsolicited links - By convincing you to follow a
link, an attacker may be able to send you to a malicious site.
Don't click on unsolicited URLs received in email, instant
messages, web forums, or Internet relay chat (IRC) channels.
Read and send email in plain text format - Many email clients use
the same programs as web browsers to display HTML, so
vulnerabilities that affect active content like JavaScript and
ActiveX often apply to email.
Maintain updated anti-virus software - It is important that you
use anti-virus software and keep it up to date. Most anti-virus
software vendors frequently release updated information, tools, or
virus databases to help detect and recover from virus infections.
Many anti-virus packages support automatic updates of virus
definitions - use them.
Install and use Anti-Spyware software. Contact High Caliber regarding
significant new releases of this type of software.
IE Toolbars and Other Add-ons
Are you tired of all those toolbars added in your Internet Explorer?
Here is a suggestion for removing unwanted toolbars that may get
installed without your knowledge while you're surfing the web.
If you are running Windows XP and have installed Service Pack 2, there is a
new feature in your Tools menu called Manage Add-ons that will show you all
the plug-ins that have been installed in Internet Explorer and allow you
to disable them. The advantage of disabling them over uninstalling them is
that if something tries to reinstall the toolbar, the system will already
identify it on your machine and will not attempt to reinstall it. If you
uninstall the toolbar, it will attempt to reinstall each time because it
appears to be missing.
Backing up the Address Book in Outlook Express
[ Please note that this applies to Outlook Express and not to Outlook. ]
Outlook Express v6 uses the Windows Address Book (a .WAB file) to
store address information. If there is more than one identity set up, the
info for all identities is stored within the same .WAB file.
To back up the entire .WAB file for all identities:
In Outlook Express, click the Address Book button on the main tool bar or click
Tools and then Address Book
In the Address Book window, click Help
Click About Address Book to see the full path to your .WAB file
Run Windows Explorer by right clicking on the Start button and selecting Explore
Navigate to the .WAB file
Copy the .WAB file to your backup location (e.g. a server that is backed up, a CD, a USB drive, etc.)
To restore the data, in Outlook Express click File, Import and select the backup .WAB
file to import.
Displaying Files in Alphabetical Groups
You've probably tried out all the display options on the View menu in
Windows Explorer: Thumbnails (shows icons or, for graphics files, a miniature
version of the picture), Tiles (gives you big icons), Icons (normal
sized icons), List (small icons arranged with one to each line) and Details
(same as list but with additional columns that hold info such as file size,
type, and date modified).
However, you might not be aware that you can also cause any of these display
types to be shown in alphabetical groups, to make it easier to find things.
To do this:
Right click in an empty area of the Windows Explorer right pane
Very often when we are asked to troubleshoot a client's laptop computer
we find that the problems are self-inflicted and not even work-related.
I realize that having a laptop gives you the ability to bring your
computer home. But keep in mind that this opens up the possibility of
others (e.g. teenagers!) using what may well be a critical business tool
that you rely on heavily to do your work.
We frequently service laptops filled with viruses, spyware, games, and
non-business related software. With company-owned laptops and
appropriate-use policies in place, there is at least some modicum of
control. State the policy, monitor the machines, and enforce the policy.
But when employees pay for their own laptops, it is much more difficult
to control.
The primary loser in this scenario is the end user. They repeatedly fall
prey to the lure of using their computer for purposes other than business.
Inevitably they end up losing their data, losing several days without one of
their most valuable sales tools, or both. Their employers lose too,
especially when employees connect virus-infested laptops to their corporate
networks and due the lost productivity.
Employees that let their children use their business computer are just asking
for trouble. It only takes one weekend for teens and 'tweens to have every
toolbar and search helper on the Internet installed on mom/dad's laptop.
And the owners often don't discover the problem until one hour before an
important sales presentation or some other critical business function or
deadline.
The solution? Never let anyone else use a computer you rely on for work.
Never install any software unless you absolutely need it to get your work
done. Avoid Internet downloads like the plague. Purchase a separate computer
for the family to use. If you are in a position to do so, set specific and
strong corporate policies regarding acceptable use of company-owned laptops
and for any computer that may be connected to your corporate LAN. Then
monitor use and enforce these policies.
