Recently, several malware apps have been discovered in the Android Marketplace. Tech headlines are brimming with descriptions of malware called DroidDream, DroidKungFu, Plankton, & YZHCSMS. Well, at least you would think that tech headlines would be all over this subject. According to Google, just one of these password stealing programs, Plankton, was downloaded over 210,000 times. These malicious programs are capable of stealing personal information, passwords, contacts, emails, browser history, device ids, sending SMS text messages (at a premium cost to you), discretely calling expensive premium numbers, and more; all the while hiding themselves from you, the user. These apps are piggybacked onto legitimate looking apps (Angry Birds Rio Unlock anyone?) that you can download from Google’s official Android Marketplace. Remember the old adage, if it looks too good to be true/free, it is. Be very wary of installing apps from unknown sources / unknown official market developers.
What does this mean for the average ‘Droid’ user? Continue reading “Android Malware – How to Protect Your Droid”
Fix Honda Odyssey Crosswind Rattle TSB 08-080
How to DIY fix the crosswind rattle in the Honda Odyssey as outlined in Honda TSB 80-080
The TSB claims that it applies to 2008 Odyssey – From VIN 5FNRL38..8B000001 thru VIN 5FNRL38..8B093699 & 2008 Odyssey – From VIN 5FNRL38..8B400001 thru VIN 5FNRL38..8B419525. However, the OdyClub.com forum claims that other owners have experienced similar problems. There is a three inch plastic garnish molding rising vertically along both front doors that is secured by a single screw. When driving at highway speeds, crosswind will cause this trim piece to rattle against the metal door frame. TSB 80-080 is old and some dealerships may not perform work under warranty. The following is a how to do it yourself quick guide to securing the trim and removing the noise.
Continue reading “Fix Honda Odyssey Crosswind Rattle TSB 08-080”
How to Set Message Size Limits in Exchange 2007 and Exchange 2003
The default email attachment size limit in Exchange 2007 and Exchange 2003 is 10 MB. Here is how to change that setting for both systems.
First, Exchange 2007. Use the Exchange Management Shell to enter the following commands:
Get-TransportConfig | ft MaxSendSize, MaxRecieveSize
- Output will show current transport send receive attachment size limits. This is the most restrictive setting and overrides all other less restrictive size limits set elsewhere (i.e. individual mailboxes / receive-connector)
Set-TransportConfig -MaxSendSize 100MB -MaxReceiveSize 100MB
- Note: commands are not case sensitive and are capitalized for readability. This will set send and receive size limit to 100MB per email.
Get-ReceiveConnector | ft Name, MaxMessageSize
- Make note of “Windows SBS Internet Receive SERVERNAME” and “Default SERVERNAME” for set-receiveconnector command
Set-ReceiveConnector “Windows SBS Internet Receive SERVERNAME” -MaxMessageSize 100MB
Set-ReceiveConnector “Default SERVERNAME” -MaxMessageSize 100MB
- Note: If the TransportConfig size is more restrictive, it will override this setting. Also, “Windows SBS Internet Receive SERVERNAME” may be case sensitive as it is in quotes.
Continue reading “How to Set Message Size Limits in Exchange 2007 and Exchange 2003”
How to Google, Better
I came across the Google Guide Advanced Operators Reference today and it reminded me just how powerful Google searching can be. Here is a quick rundown of how to use a few of the more useful operators.
Did you know Google can quickly give you the five day forecast by simply typing in “Weather”? It pulls geographic location data from your ISP IP address, so it may show the wrong city (in my case, it pulls up Indianapolis and not Bloomington). That’s ok, just type in “weather in bloomington in”. That was easy. Google figured out what I needed by the “o” in Bloomington 😉
Other search operations to try (these should be fairly self explanatory):
- weather or weather in london
- time or time in Sydney
- movies or showtimes in Indianapolis
- flights or flights from New York
- stocks:Goog
- define:americana or what is americana
Configure Win7 Corporate VPN to Secure Public WiFi Browsing
The following are instructions on setting up a VPN connection to a corporate office specific to Windows 7. In addition, the end of the article includes usage information on securing your web browsing when using public WiFi hotspots. Using a VPN can encrypt passwords, web browsing, email, banking, etc, when connected and checked “use default gateway on remote network”. This added security comes at the expense of increased network overhead and possibly slower browsing / download speeds. The following instructions can be used by any of my offices running Windows server with modification to the line Internet Address: mail.YOURCOMPANYNAME.com. If you do not know this information, contact me. If you do not have access to a corporate VPN, you can use any number of for pay services (and some free). Check out LifeHacker’s Top 5 VPN Services or just skip to the voter favorite WiTopia.
Click – StartControl PanelNetwork and InternetNetwork and Sharing Center –
choose “Set up a new Connection or network”
Continue reading “Configure Win7 Corporate VPN to Secure Public WiFi Browsing”
Best Buy Mobile Upgrade Checker
Check your mobile contract upgrade eligibility on all major networks. Woohoo! I’m eligible to switch to Big Red. Take that AT&T! Now if only they had a phone anywhere cool as my Dell Streak running Gingerbread… Maybe Xperia Play?
Cannon Image Runner 5065 and Device ID Management
How to use device ID management on the Cannon ImageRunner 5065 for copy accounting:
- Hit the Log In / Log Out (ID) key on the keypad
- Enter your 7 digit matter number as the Dept. ID with password blank
- Make copies
- Hit the Log In / Log Out (ID) key to log out the matter number (Dept. ID).
Adding matter numbers (referred to as Dept. ID).
All copies not to be accounted are to be entered under the System Management account “1234” using password “1234”.
This should be the first screen you see when you begin copying. If not, hit the ID “Log In / Log Out” Button to get to this screen. Continue reading “Cannon Image Runner 5065 and Device ID Management”
Safer Web Browsing with Adblock Plus and WOT
Often, when I am tasked with cleaning up a malware infected computer, I am asked “how did this happen?” The quick answer is: the malware most likely made its way onto your computer through the web browser. I recommend using Firefox with Adblock Plus and WOT (Web of Trust) for ‘safer’ web browsing. Google Chrome browser also has these extensions available.
First, make sure your version of Firefox is the latest version. Click FirefoxHelpAbout Firefox. If you are already running version 4, it will automatically check for updates and may give you an option to Apply Update. If you are not running Firefox 4, you need to be. Click the link to download here: http://www.getfirefox.com
Click Apply Update – Firefox 4.0.1 is the latest at the time of this post.
Continue reading “Safer Web Browsing with Adblock Plus and WOT”
Only on the iPad + Win7 + XP
What you are looking at here is the culmination of technology in the modern age. iPad connected via 2xClient to Windows7 connected via RDP to WinXP!
2XClient – Best Free Remote Desktop for iPad (iOS 3.1.3+)
While everyone seems to be using and loving LogMeIn or Go To My PC with their iPad, I wanted to find the definitive FREE (as in beer) solution to using my iPad as a laptop replacement. I downloaded every free RDP and VNC connection client for iPad in the App store and my finding is that 2xClient beats them all hands down for one simple reason. The on screen mouse pointer.
On screen mouse allows for “mouse over” and dead simple Right Click
Continue reading “2XClient – Best Free Remote Desktop for iPad (iOS 3.1.3+)”