Clipmarks | Microsoft Clips

TIP OF THE WEEK: FREE ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 04:39:31 GMT

clipped by: ellington

Tip of the Week: Free Antivirus Software

October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and the Department of Homeland Security (dhs.gov/cyber) recommends running antivirus software on your PC to protect it. Plenty of programs offer to defend your Windows PC from viruses, spyware and other malicious code roaming the Internet. But if money is tight, you don’t have to do without: AVG Free (free.avg.com), Avast Home Edition (avast.com) and Microsoft Security Essentials (microsoft.com/Security_Essentials) are all available to download free of charge.

Tags: avg, avast, microsoft.com security essentials, .

Microsoft Exposes Firefox Users to Drive-By Malware Downloads

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 08:59:19 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: Here, the affected process is the Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) hosting process, PresentationHost.exe.
While the vulnerability is in an IE component, there is an attack vector for Firefox users as well. The reason is that .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 installs a “Windows Presentation Foundation” plug-in in Firefox.

Now, Microsoft’s security folks are actually recommending that Firefox users uninstall the buggy add-on:

For Firefox users with .NET Framework 3.5 installed, you may use “Tools”-> “Add-ons” -> “Plugins”, select “Windows Presentation Foundation”, and click “Disable"

This introduction of vulnerabilities in a competing browser is a colossal embarrassment for Microsoft. At the time of the surreptitious installs, there were prescient warnings from many in the community about the security implications of introducing new code into browsers without the knowledge " and consent " of end users.

http://blogs.zdnet.com/security/?p=4614&tag=nl.e589

Clip Source: blogs.zdnet.com

Remember that Microsoft .NET Framework Assistant add-on that Microsoft sneaked into Firefox without explicit permission from end users?

Well, the code in that add-on has a serious code execution vulnerability that exposes Firefox users to the “browse and you’re owned” attacks that are typically used in drive-by malware downloads.

[ SEE: Patch Tuesday: MS plugs critical IE, Windows Media Player holes ]

The flaw was addressed in the MS09-054 bulletin that covered “critical” holes in Microsoft’s Internet Explorer but, as Redmond’s Security Research & Defense team explains, the drive-by download risk extends beyond Microsoft’s browser.

A browse-and-get-owned attack vector exists. All that is needed is for a user to be lured to a malicious website. Triggering this vulnerability involves the use of a malicious XBAP (XAML Browser Application).

Please not that while this attack vector matches one of the attack vectors for MS09-061, the underlying vulnerability is different.

Tags: code execution vulnerability, microsoft .net framework, sneaked into firefox

Twitter Talks Data With Microsoft, Google — All Things Digital

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 22:53:07 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: All this without tarnishing the noisy service as a shill, because it lets you listen to only what you want.

The deals would be nonexclusive and may not happen, All Things Digital reports " which only feeds the casual cred Twitter has been cultivating, taking its time about coming up with a business model that produces operating revenue, while it rakes in VC money at a level that values the three-year-old private company at about $1 billion.

The “Let them do it” philosophy works like a charm for Twitter, whose content comes from the general public and whose best interfaces come from third-party developers making full use of the company’s freely available API. Along with the recently announced “lists” initiative, Twitter seems to be carefully setting the table so that partners can leverage its data " and the way it is organized " to enter new markets, while it sits back and maintains a server farm.

Clip Source: www.wired.com

Twitter is in talks with Google and Microsoft to make Tweets accessible in the real-time searches of the two major search engines, The Wall Street Journal blog All Things Digital is reporting.

Together Google Search (No. 1) and Microsoft’s Bing (No. 3) own about an 80 per cent market share, with No. 2 Yahoo accounting for almost all of the rest. With Microsoft providing the underlying search for Yahoo under their proposed tie-up, a Twitter deal would essentially make the microblogging service’s output available to virtually the entire searching public in one fell swoop (well, two).

The main interest in real-time search lies in Twitter’s emergence as a remarkable if still messy news-discovery service. But as a disclosure system — also a component of news — a ubiquitous, free service like Twitter could give a run for their money to the closed, paid, press-release distribution networks and even news services that circulate company press releases.

Tags: enterprise, media, social media, startups

Free Antivirus-Malware from Microsoft now available

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:36:17 GMT

clipped by: smellydiaper
clipper's remarks: Can't get any better then this even from paid antivirus programs. Just finally released an hour ago 10:30am 9/29/09

Clip Source: www.microsoft.com

Get high-quality, hassle-free antivirus protection for your home PC now.

Help and Support

Help and how-to guides

Installation Video

See just how easy it is

About Microsoft Security Essentials

Microsoft Security Essentials provides real-time protection for your home PC that guards against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software.

Microsoft Security Essentials is a free* download from Microsoft that is simple to install, easy to use, and always kept up to date so you can be assured your PC is protected by the latest technology. It’s easy to tell if your PC is secure — when you’re green, you’re good. It’s that simple.

Microsoft Security Essentials runs quietly and efficiently in the background so that you are free to use your Windows-based PC the way you want—without interruptions or long computer wait times.

Find information, definitions, and analyses of all the latest threats that Microsoft Security Essentials can help protect you against in the Microsoft Malware Protection Center

Tags: microsoft, antivirus, malware, software

Microsoft Security available tomorrow

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 02:26:48 GMT

clipped by: smellydiaper
clipper's remarks: AWESOME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Clip Source: www.downloadsquad.com

Microsoft Security Essentials leaves beta, available for download 9/29/2009

We knew it was coming soon, and now we know when: tomorrow, or - depending on whether you read this post before midnight - today.

Yes, Microsoft Security Essentials is set to shed the beta tag and will be available for public download starting September 29, 2009.

Many of our readers have been using the successor to Live OneCare since it first appeared as a leaked (and then official) beta build back in June of this year. Reviews have generally been very favorable. MSE has been praised for its good detection rates, infrequent false positives, scanning performance, and minimal resource utilization.

Once the download is live, you'll be able get Security Essentials right from Microsoft's web site. Chances are good that you will also be able to get your hands on the final version from Softpedia - just in case you need a backup plan.

Tags: microsoft, free, antivirus, security, software

Microsoft's grinning robots or the Brotherhood of the Mac. Which is worse?

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 01:48:39 GMT

clipped by: pjr-s

Clip Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Microsoft's grinning robots or the Brotherhood of the Mac. Which is worse?

Windows works for me. But I'd never recommend it to anybody else, ever.

The most nauseating advert in history? The Windows 7 ‘launch party’

I admit it: I'm a bigot. A hopeless bigot at that: I know my particular prejudice is absurd, but I just can't control it. It's Apple. I don't like Apple products. And the better-designed and more ubiquitous they become, the more I dislike them. I blame the customers. Awful people. Awful. Stop showing me your iPhone. Stop stroking your Macbook. Stop telling me to get one.

Of course, it's safe to assume Mac products are indeed as brilliant as their owners make out. Why else would they spend so much time trying to convert non-believers? They're not getting paid. They simply want to spread their happiness, like religious crusaders.

Consequently, nothing pleases them more than watching a PC owner struggle with a slab of non-Mac machinery. It validates their spiritual choice.

Americans are being sacrificed on the altar of big business

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:57:33 GMT

clipped by: gemfemfox
clipper's remarks: First manufacturing, then IT.

And, even in midst of the worst "recession" since the Depression, it continues on.

Yet we, the still employed, don't care. We stock our homes with foreign made goods and spend our money with companies that are slaughtering our middle class.

The irony is starting to show itself. Good luck to our children with the future. They are going to need it.

Clip Source: washtech.org

How Well-Educated, Hard-Working Americans are Treated in America

Rennie Sawade

Many American IT workers are being forced out of their careers, while corporations continue to offshore jobs and hire non-immigrant guest workers on corporate Visas, such as the H-1B and L-1.

Some of these American IT workers are being forced into homelessness, due to the lack of an adequate social safety net in this country. One such homeless IT worker is Bruce Richall, an IT consultant in Connecticut. You can read his story on the BBC news site.

I am an American citizen, displaced Microsoft employee, and one of the MS1400 (1,400 workers laid off from Microsoft Corporation January 22, 2009).

On January 22, 2009, I was the only person on a team of seven people laid off.

My team of seven, a supervisor and six Microsoft Office Product Managers, in similar roles, employed four guest workers.

Tags: economy, layoffs, visas, foreign workers

Lectures by Dr. Richard Feynman at Microsoft's research website

Sun, 20 Sep 2009 05:25:44 GMT

clipped by: arifsali
clipper's remarks: Impressive website by Microsoft. Seems like interesting old videos available at the source. I intend to check out later.

Clip Source: research.microsoft.com

Tags: microsoft, physics

bing

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 02:26:59 GMT

clipped by: lollipop10
clipper's remarks: Any thoughts Infowarrior?

Clip Source: www.discoverbing.com



	Take the tour: Check out our new features.
	Behind the scenes: Learn about Microsoft’s new approach to search.
	DecisionEngine.com: Stop searching. Start deciding.
	Bing goes mobile.

Tags: bing, search engine

Microsoft apologizes for photo gaffe

Sat, 29 Aug 2009 00:51:05 GMT

clipped by: EddieIsSteady

Clip Source: news.yahoo.com

Microsoft apologizes for photo gaffe

WASHINGTON (AFP) – Microsoft has issued an apology after editing out a black man from an advertisement run in Poland.

The ad featured on the US website of the US software giant featured a white woman, a black man and an Asian man sitting around a conference table.

The same photo was used by Microsoft for an ad run Poland but the black man had been edited out of the image and replaced with a white man.

Clip Source: d.yimg.com

Clip Source: news.yahoo.com

Microsoft, in a message on its official Twitter feed, described it as a "marketing site photo mistake" and issued its "sincere apologies."

"We're in the process of taking down the image," the Redmond, Washington-based company said.

Tags: microsoft, advertising

Windows Xp Registry Cleaner

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 15:28:06 GMT

clipped by: jacobaug09
clipper's remarks: Forget Downloading A Registry Cleaner Until You Read Our Shocking Windows XP Reviews. Over 81% Of Registry Cleaners Failed Our Tests.

Clip Source: www.registrycleanergeeks.com

Registry Cleaner Geeks

Microsoft Windows Registry Cleaner Reviews, XP, Vista, Free Downloads!

XP Registry Cleaner

So you have a computer installed with Microsoft Windows XP, and recently your computer is throwing untold amount of errors and you fear you may have a problem with your systems registry?

Tags: xp registry cleaner, windows xp registry cleaner, xp registry cleaner software

Microsoft can't kill support for IE6 because somebody still uses it (in Outer Mongolia?)

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 09:02:00 GMT

clipped by: kelvin273
clipper's remarks: I'm still trying to figure out why anyone would still be using IE6. After all, IE7 is such a quantum leap forward (albeit mostly ripped from other browsers). If you have a dial-up connection that makes the download a pain, you can just get a newer version of Firefox, Chrome, or Opera.

Clip Source: www.maximumpc.com

For some time now there has been plenty of talk about killing off IE6. Digg has prevented users on IE6 from certain activities, Facebook has been hinting at its users to upgrade since February 2009 and YouTube is supposedly going to cut off support altogether. But, according to a recent post on the IEBlog, Microsoft is committed to keeping support – at least for the lifespan of XP.

Microsoft has stated that they plan on keeping Extended Support for XP until April 8, 2014 – so if you’re an IE6 user, you’ve got roughly four more years to enjoy your ancient web browser.

Tags: browsers, computers, ie6, internet, internet explorer

Bill Gates backs open borders and national ID cards

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 04:49:08 GMT

clipped by: The Infowarrior
clipper's remarks: When Corporations and Private Banks (Federal Reserve) are allowed to control policy that id Fascism.

Hitler would be so proud.

Clip Source: www.wiseupjournal.com

Bill Gates backs open borders and national ID cards

Clip Source: www.wiseupjournal.com

Bill Gates: Tough US immigration stance a ‘huge mistake’

Bill Gates called US immigration restrictions a “huge mistake” while on tour of India today, urging America to open its golden doors for more “smart people.”

Clip Source: www.wiseupjournal.com

he is “very excited” about India’s new government agency tasked with creating a national identity card for the country’s 1.2 billion citizens starting in 2011. Gates said he’s booked a meeting with the minister in charge of the project during his visit to discuss Microsoft’s possible involvement. At the same time, Gates expressed disappointment in the US government’s unwillingness to embrace a similar national ID program because it “got off to a bad start” using computers to keep data on citizens.

“It has always come back to the idea that ‘the computer knows too much about you.’” Gates said.

Clip Source: www.wiseupjournal.com

Full article

Clip Source: www.wiseupjournal.com

Times: Billionaire club in bid to curb overpopulation

Clip Source: www.wiseupjournal.com

Tags: national id, bill gates, microsoft, open borders, anti-privacy, india, wiseup, immigration, america

Bill Gates: not accepting your Facebook friend request

Sun, 26 Jul 2009 10:24:05 GMT

clipped by: tabsey
clipper's remarks: Trivial whatever.

Clip Source: www.abc.net.au

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates said he was forced to give up on the social networking phenomenon Facebook after too many people wanted to be his friend.

Mr Gates, the billionaire computer geek-turned-philanthropist who was honoured by India for his charity work, told an audience in New Delhi he had tried out Facebook but ended up with "10,000 people wanting to be my friends".

Mr Gates, who remains Microsoft chairman, said he had trouble figuring out whether he "knew this person, did I not know this person".

"It was just way too much trouble so I gave it up," he told the business forum.

Mr Gates was in the Indian capital to receive the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development, awarded by the Government for his work for the charitable organisation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Mr Gates also confided to the audience that he was "not that big at text messaging" and that "I'm not a 24-hour-a-day tech person".

Tags: ?

Best Free Alternatives to Commercial Software

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 11:34:09 GMT

clipped by: Stumblerz
clipper's remarks: Some alternatives to costly software like MS office, photoshop and such, worth a read and bookmark

Clip Source: reviews.digitaltrends.com

Best Free Alternatives to Commercial Software by Nick Mokey

Sometimes, you just have to cheap out. Whether it’s picking up six-pack of Shasta at the grocery store rather than Coke, a packet of generic acetaminophen at the drug store rather than Tylenol, or a Kia Amanti instead of a Mercedes E-Class, the option to go with “close enough” is everywhere. Do it right, and you’ll save a bundle while never noticing the difference. Do it wrong, and you’ll curse the purchase every day for the next 10 years as you cling to your pleather steering wheel wondering how a seductive pair of headlights tricked you into thinking you were buying a German luxury sedan.

Instead of Adobe Photoshop, use GIMP

Instead of Microsoft Office, use OpenOffice

Instead of Nero, use ImgBurn

Instead of Microsoft Outlook, use Mozilla Thunderbird

Tags: technology