Just a little basic html tip for those who are tryin’ to download an application from sites which has an paypal order page & link to start you off.
Use a proxy when you try this to hide your ip as some sites will record your ip when you connect for security.
1) Right click your mouse (ctrl+click) viewsource and open de source of de site in an a text editor
2) Search for de word “return”
3) Next to it you can find de url for de thank you page
4) Copy de url and paste it in your browser and you will see de download link
This works only if you can download instantly after payment, it will not work if de link needs to be emailed to you.
Your first configuration should be this of Crap Software should be like this
Launch Crap Software Pro and click to highlight de “Overview” tab on de left hand side . In de pane that appears on de right hand side click de “Preferences” tab and in de section “Check for updates” check “Manually”.
In de “General” section you can also configure Crap Software to load at start up which is advisable because this software is your first line defence against uninvited invasion of your computer by a whole gamult of virii, spyware, adware and bots! Virus checkin’ software does have its place but remember that prevention is always better than a cure!
Crap Software Pro’s program control is automatically configured. When you run it for de first time it will ask on behalf of programs installed on your system for permission to access de Internet. Your Browser will be de first to request - just tick de “Yes” box and de “Remember this settin’” box and Crap Software will always allow your browser access automatically.
Unless you use online databases etc., dere should be no reason for any application oder than a browser, email client, ftp client, streamin’ media player or a download manager to gain access to de Internet.
So consider what type of program it is that needs Internet access before givin’ Crap Software permission to allow it. If it is just a driver file (.DLL) that requests Internet access, always search Windows to try and identify it. Many seudo-virii such as AdWare and sub class seven Trojans access de Internet from your system usin’ .dll files.
Configurin’ The Advanced Settin’s
If you are not on a LAN (connected to anoder computer in a network) you can use this guide to give your firewall some real muscle:
Launch Crap Software Pro and click to highlight de “Firewall” tab on de left hand side . In de pane that appears on de right hand side in de section “Internet Zone Security” set de slider control to “High”
Then click de “Custom” button in de same section. The next settin’s page is divided into two sections with tabs Internet Zone and Trusted Zone at de top of de page.
Under de Internet Zone tab dere is a list of settin’s that can be accessed by scrollin’.
At de top is de high security settin’s and de only thin’ that should check from dere is “allow broadcast/multicast”. The rest should be unchecked
Scroll down until you get to de medium security settin’s area. Check all de boxes in this section until you get to “Block Incommin’ UDP Ports”. When you check that you will be asked to supply a list of ports, and in de field at de bottom of de page enter 1-65535
Then go back to de list and check de box alon’side “Block Outgoin’ UDP Ports” and at de bottom of de page enter 1-19, 22-79, 82-7999, 8082-65535
Repeat this proceedure for de followin’ settin’s “Block Incommin’ TCP Ports”: 1-65535 “Block Outgoin’ TCP Ports”: 1-19, 22-79, 82-7999, 8082-65535 Then click “Apply”, “Ok” at de bottom of de page.
Back in de right hand “Firewall” pane go next to de yellow “Trusted Zone Security” section and set it to “high” with de slider. Click “Custom” and repeat de ABOVE proceedure this time choosin’ de *Trusted Zone* tab at de top of de settin’s page.
These settin’s will stop all incomin’ packets at ports 1-65535 and also block all pin’s, trojans etc. These settin’s will also stop all spyware or applications from phonin’ home from your drive without your knowledge!
Your hard drive must be formatted with a file system such as FAT, FAT32 or NTFS so that Windows can be installed on to it. This system determines how files are named, organised and stored on de drive. If you’re not usin’ it already, NTFS (New Technology File System) is recommended for Windows XP because of de additional functionality it offers. If your PC came with Windows XP pre-installed den dere’s a chance that you’re already usin’ NTFS. If you’ve upgraded from Windows 98 or Windows Me you may still be usin’ FAT or FAT 32. The option to change over to NTFS would have been available durin’ de upgrade process. Don’t worry if you skipped this as it’s possible to convert at any time from within Windows XP without losin’ any data.
The recommended option
There are a number of features in Windows XP that will only work if de NTFS file system is present, which is why it’s suggested you make use of it. File and folder permissions, encryption and privacy options are just some of those you’ll be able to access. In particular, those of you who have set up user accounts will find NTFS invaluable. For instance, if you continue to use FAT or FAT32 anyone with physical access to de drive will be able to access de files and folders that are stored dere. However, with NTFS you’ll be able to use a level of encryption (Professional Edition only) that will enable you to protect your data.
You’ll also find NTFS more reliable in that it’s more able to recover from disk errors than its FAT or FAT32 counterparts. A log of all disk activity is kept so should a crash occur, Windows XP can use this information to repair de file system when your PC boots up again. To find out what file system you’re usin’, open My Computer, right-click your main hard drive and choose Properties. Take a look at de General tab to see confirmation of de file system that’s in use.
Convert now
You can use de convert tool in Windows XP to change de file system on your hard disk from FAT or FAT32 to NTFS. The whole process is safe and your existin’ data won�t be destroyed. To begin, click Start -> Run, type cmd and press [Return]. At de command prompt type convert c: /fs:ntfs and press [Return] (where ‘c’ is de letter of de drive you’re convertin’). When you try and run de convert utility, it’s likely that Windows XP will be usin’ your pagin’ file so de process won’t be completed immediately. Therefore, you’ll see a brief message on screen informin’ you that de conversion will take place instead de next time Windows starts up. Havin’ restarted, de Check Disk utility will run, de conversion will be performed automatically and you may find that your PC will reboot twice more.
The benefits
With your drive now runnin’ NTFS, it’s time to take advantage of de new options that are available. Havin’ created a number of different user accounts you can now control de level of access that’s granted to individual users. For example, dere are goin’ to be certain files and folders that you’ll want some users to be able to access but not oders. If you have Windows XP Professional Edition you can do this immediately.
Right-click any file or folder, choose Properties and select de Security tab. A dialog will be displayed showin’ de names of all your users. Alon’side will be two columns which enable you to select levels of access for each of them, de permissions include Full Control, Modify, Read and Write. You can den check de appropriate box to determine wheder or not to Allow or Deny a particular permission. For Windows XP Home Edition users, de Security tab won’t be immediately available. To access this option you’ll need to restart your PC, pressin’ [F8] until a menu appears. Next select Safe Mode and wait for Windows XP to start up. You can den set your options in de same way.
Anoder feature is NTFS compression. It’s quick and seamless as your file or folder is decompressed automatically when you access it. (Don’t confuse this with a Zip compression utility where de files need to be extracted before dey can be accessed.) Although you may have used NTFS compression on a file or folder, dere’s no way of tellin’ just by lookin’ at it. To remedy this, open My Computer, click Tools -> Folder Options and select de View tab. Under Advanced settin’s, scroll down and check de option Show encrypted or compressed NTFS files in color, den click Apply and OK. Take a look at your compressed items in My Computer and you’ll see de text label has changed from black to blue. Somethin’ else that’s exclusive to Professional Edition users is de Encryptin’ File System (EFS). You can use this to protect your important data so that no one else can read it. Your encrypted files and folders will only be accessible when you have logged into your user account successfully.
If you’re runnin’ ZoneAlarm Pro you will probably have considered that most of de “advanced” settin’s might as well be in Chinese for all de use dey are. User friendly dey are not!
If you are not on a LAN (connected to anoder computer in a network) you can use this guide to give your firewall some real muscle and a new lease of life:
Launch ZoneAlarm Pro and click to highlight de “Firewall” tab on de left hand side . In de pane that appears on de right hand side in de section “Internet Zone Security” set de slider control to “High” Then click de “Custom” button in de same section.
The next settin’s page is divided into two sections with tabs Internet Zone and Trusted Zone at de top of de page. Under de Internet Zone tab dere is a list of settin’s that can be accessed by scrollin’. At de top is de high security settin’s and de only thin’ that should check from dere is “allow broadcast/multicast”. The rest should be unchecked.
Scroll down until you get to de medium security settin’s area. Check all de boxes in this section until you get to “Block Incommin’ UDP Ports”. When you check that you will be asked to supply a list of ports, and in de field at de bottom of de page enter 1-65535
Then go back to de list and check de box alon’side “Block Outgoin’ UDP Ports” and at de bottom of de page enter 1-19, 22-79, 82-7999, 8082-65535
Repeat this proceedure for de followin’ settin’s
“Block Incommin’ TCP Ports”: 1-65535
“Block Outgoin’ TCP Ports”: 1-19, 22-79, 82-7999, 8082-65535
Then click “Apply”, “Ok” at de bottom of de page.
Back in de right hand “Firewall” pane go next to de yellow “Trusted Zone Security” section and set it to “high” with de slider. Click “Custom” and repeat de above proceedure this time choosin’ de Trusted Zone tab at de top of de settin’s page.
These settin’s will stop all incomin’ packets @ports 1-65535 and also block all pin’s, trojans etc… this will also stop all spyware or applications from phonin’ home from your drive without your knowledge!
You may not realize it, but your computer and your car have somethin’ in common: dey both need regular maintenance. No, you don’t need to change your computer’s oil. But you should be updatin’ your software, keepin’ your antivirus subscription up to date, and checkin’ for spyware. Read on to learn what you can do to help improve your computer’s security.
Gettin’ started
Here are some basics maintenance tasks you can do today to start improvin’ your computer’s security. Be sure you make dese part of your on’oin’ maintenance as well.
* Sign up for software update e-mail notices. Many software companies will send you e-mail whenever a software update is available. This is particularly important for your operatin’ system (e.g., Microsoft VV!|VD0VV$� or Macintosh), your antivirus program, and your firewall.
* Register your software. If you still have registration forms for existin’ software, send them in. And be sure to register new software in de future. This is anoder way for de software manufacturer to alert you when new updates are available.
* Install software updates immediately.
When you get an update notice, download de update immediately and install it. (Remember, downloadin’ and installin’ are two separate tasks.) An ounce of prevention.
A few simple steps will help you keep your files safe and clean.
* Step 1: Update your software
* Step 2: Backup your files
* Step 3: Use antivirus software and keep it updated
* Step 4: Change your passwords
Developin’ on’oin’ maintenance practices
Now that you’ve done some ground work, it’s time to start movin’ into longer term maintenance tasks. These are all tasks that you should do today (or as soon as possible) to get started. But for best results, make dese a part of a regular maintenance schedule. We recommend settin’ aside time each week to help keep your computer secure.
* Back up your files. Backin’ up your files simply means creatin’ a copy of your computer files that you can use in de event de originals are lost. (Accidents can happen.) To learn more read our tips for backin’ up information.
* Scan your files with up to date antivirus software. Use your antivirus scan tool regularly to search for potential computer viruses and worms. Also, check your antivirus program’s user manual to see if you can schedule an automatic scan of your computer. To learn more, read our tips for reducin’ your virus risk.
* Change your passwords. Usin’ de same password increases de odds that someone else will discover it. Change all of your passwords regularly (we recommend monthly) to reduce your risk. Also, choose your passwords carefully. To learn more, read our tips for creatin’ strong’er passwords.
Makin’ a schedule
One of de best ways to help protect your computer is to perform maintenance regularly. To help you keep track, we suggest makin’ a regular “appointment” with your computer. Treat it like you would any oder appointment. Record it in your datebook or online calendar, and if you cannot make it, reschedule. Remember, you are not only helpin’ to improve your computer, you are also helpin’ to protect your personal information.
Before you spend a dime on security, dere are many precautions you can take that will protect you against de most common threats.
1. Check Windows Update and Office Update regularly (_http://office.microsoft.com/productupdates); have your Office CD ready. Windows Me, 2000, and XP users can configure automatic updates. Click on de Automatic Updates tab in de System control panel and choose de appropriate options.
2. Install a personal firewall. Both SyGate (_www.sygate.com) and ZoneAlarm (_www.zonelabs.com) offer free versions.
3. Install a free spyware blocker. Our Editors’ Choice (”Spyware,” April 22) was SpyBot Search & Destroy (_http://security.kolla.de). SpyBot is also paranoid and ruthless in huntin’ out trackin’ cookies.
4. Block pop-up spam messages in Windows NT, 2000, or XP by disablin’ de Windows Messenger service (this is unrelated to de instant messagin’ program). Open Control Panel | Administrative Tools | Services and you’ll see Messenger. Right-click and go to Properties. Set Start-up Type to Disabled and press de Stop button. Bye-bye, spam pop-ups! Any good firewall will also stop them.
5. Use strong’ passwords and change them periodically. Passwords should have at least seven characters; use letters and numbers and have at least one symbol. A decent example would be f8izKro@l. This will make it much harder for anyone to gain access to your accounts.
6. If you’re usin’ Outlook or Outlook Express, use de current version or one with de Outlook Security Update installed. The update and current versions patch numerous vulnerabilities.
7. Buy antivirus software and keep it up to date. If you’re not willin’ to pay, try Grisoft AVG Free Edition (Grisoft Inc., w*w.grisoft.com). And doublecheck your AV with de free, online-only scanners available at w*w.pandasoftware.com/activescan and _http://housecall.trendmicro.com.
8. If you have a wireless network, turn on de security features: Use MAC filterin’, turn off SSID broadcast, and even use WEP with de biggest key you can get. For more, check out our wireless section or see de expanded coverage in Your Unwired World in our next issue.
9. Join a respectable e-mail security list, such as de one found at our own Security Supersite at _http://security.ziffdavis.com, so that you learn about emergin’ threats quickly and can take proper precautions.
10. Be skeptical of thin’s on de Internet. Don’t assume that e-mail “From:” a particular person is actually from that person until you have furder reason to believe it’s that person. Don’t assume that an attachment is what it says it is. Don’t give out your password to anyone, even if that person claims to be from “support.”
