Tech for the Timid: February 2006

Tech for the Timid Switches Subscription Service

This is just a quick note to let my readers know that I'm switching subscription services from Bloglet to FeedBlitz.

If you've previously gotten email updates from Bloglet, you can now expect to receive them from FeedBlitz. This process is automatic, and you don't have to do anything! One of the annoyances about Bloglet was that it sent updates of draft versions as well as the final version, so you got to see incomplete articles. :(

I'll be changing the subscription link shortly (I should have done that first). If you have any problems with the new FeedBlitz service, please drop me a line. Thank you for reading the articles!

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Exercise Caution with Google Desktop

Recently I mentioned the Google Desktop search tool in my article on Google Pack. The latest version of Google Desktop has come under some scrutiny from security experts the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

"Unless you configure Google Desktop very carefully, and few people will, Google will have copies of your tax returns, love letters, business records, financial and medical files, and whatever other text-based documents the desktop software can index.

"The government could then demand these personal files with only a subpoena rather than the search warrant it would need to seize the same things from your home or business," said EFF staff attorney Kevin Bankston.

The problem exists specifically with the "Search Across Computers" feature, so be wary if you use it, and especially if you are using it in a business environment. You can read the full article here.

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The Malware Removal Forum

This morning a BBC News article pointed out a good resource to visit if you've had an infection by spyware.

The Malware Removal Forum is a grassroots forum where everyday people connect to seek help removing spyware. It is another good resource to check out.

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StopBadware.org

I always welcome any progress in the fight against viruses, spyware, malware and other problems. Recently, a new group has formed to help in the battle. What makes them different from the rest of the efforts?

There are other groups attempting to combat various problems of what is normally called "spyware". But this term is used loosely and they have come up with a new word that encompasses them all: badware. I don't think we really need yet another word, what was wrong with malware?

The fight against badware has typically been fought by anti-spyware and anti-virus companies, and on the non-commercial side, by groups such as Castle Cops. A lot of helpful information can also be found with other commercial entities, such as web sites belonging to your Internet Service Provider and your bank and credit card companies. StopBadware.org is a community effort that transcends all of the groups and should eventually be a powerful force in the fight against badware. There is another fairly new group called the Anti-Spyware Coalition that is also aiming to develop standards in helping fight the cause.

Until now, private anti-spyware companies were close-lipped about their research into spyware to maintain market share, unlike anti-virus companies who regularly share information about viruses. Recently, anti-spyware intelligence is starting to become shared, at least with some participants. This is the key to successfully combating the problem of badware. No matter what antivirus program you use, it is almost certain that it will detect, clean or quarantine every virus. Yet currently no such confidence can be placed on any one anti-badware product. We as consumers should be demanding that anti-badware companies share their intelligence and fight them on a united front.

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