Hervey Bay Gossip

Computer monitors are a fairly sturdy piece of equipment and they can last for quite a few years before they need to be replaced. Even when they do need to be replaced you may not notice the problem for quite some time because the problems usually creep up on you.

You may not notice it but the image your monitor displays may begin to become darker or one colour may slowly become more prominent than others. Over the years we’ve had monitors that have become very dark before we noticed the problem and others that have displayed a distinct green tinge to everything before we realised there was a problem.

But you will see this problem almost as soon as it begins to happen.

Now that is fairly severe but you can get it in some slightly more subtle variations. Even if they are a little more subtle you will still notice it and the good thing is, it’s not necessarily indicative of a major problem.

The pink computer monitor screen in this image was caused by a fault within the cable that connects the monitor to the computer and can be identified with a very simple test. All you have to do is have someone watch the monitor screen while you squeeze and roll the cable between your thumb and forefinger.

If the colour returns to normal while you’re squeezing and rolling you can be fairly sure that the problem is due to a fault within the cable. The remedy is simple - buy a new cable.

The other problem that can cause a pink computer screen is caused by a loose connection. All you have to do is make sure that the plug at each end of the cable is firmly connected to the monitor and the computer.

If that doesn’t fix the problem - or if you need a new cable - then see Rick at the only computer shop in Hervey Bay that we recommend, Fraser Coast Computers. We don’t let anyone else touch our computers.

I was doing a little tweaking of a website for one of our Hervey Bay clients today and, out of curiosity I typed - best computer shop Hervey Bay - into Google’s search box.

I must confess that I’ve never heard of the top listing but this one was the second listing

This business has now closed and left many unhappy customers who would like to contact the owner.

I guess it goes to show that you shouldn’t always believe Google and it also goes to show you that user ratings can definitely be fiddled.

Edit: As one reader has pointed out, the page that Google will now show you for the term I talk about here has now changed completely. And I should point out that many of the results pages in just about all the search engines are rather fluid and do change quite often.

The latest web browser from Microsoft has now been released and is available for download but what’s it like and is it worth the effort of downloading?

You can read my quick review of Internet Explorer 7 here

If you own an Apple laptop and you purchased it between October 2003 and August 2006 then perhaps you should read this story at Home and Small Office Computer Guide

Here is a little bit of news for the geeks who wander through here every couple of days

If you are in any way involved in placing images on websites then this will be of great interest to you.

Microsoft has announced the release of a new image format that will be supported in its upcoming Vista operating system. It will also be supported in XP.

Windows Media Photo is said to allow great compression of file sizes while maintaining a clear image. Microsoft suggests that their new format will replace the Jpeg - the current Internet standard.

You can read the full story here

Lots of Hervey Bay people use Hotmail but have you ever wondered just what is happening behind the screen when someone logs into their Hotmail account?

When a user logs into their Hotmail account they are actually taken to one of more than 10,000 servers spread around the globe. To manage that huge number of computers Hotmail employs less than 100 systems administrators to keep the system running.

If you are interested in finding out how it all works here is a link to an interesting interview with one of the senior Hotmail managers.

Back on December 26 the Hervey Bay Bossip reported on a phishing scam involving the National Australia Bank.

The scam involved fake emails supposedly from the bank that were sent to many people. The emails required the recipients to visit a link that was included in the email to update their personal bank details.

Of course the emails were not from the bank at all. Just after Christmas another similar email started to appear and, over the last few days the Gossip has received dozens of them. This time the email is supposedly from the Westpac Bank and includes an attachment.

Our advice to you is not to open the email at all. Delete it every time you get it and empty your email programme’s trash bin as well. The email is not from the bank and the chances are that the attachment contains a malicious code that will damage your computer.

As you surf the net you will often come across little pop-ups that appear on your monitor warning you that spyware and other nasty programmes have been found on your computer. Almost without exception nothing has been found on your computer at all.

Instead the pop-up generates automatically and you’re about to be conned.

It doesn’t even matter which sites you are surfing when those pop-ups appear, there is no guarantee that the message in the pop-up is genuine. I’ve even seen them appear on sites that you would probably trust with your life.

No matter where they appear they are basically a total con and more and more people are being fooled by them every day. That’s why Bruce Cramer from Cramer’s Computer Services in San Antonio has taken the time to give you some good advice about these bogus programmes.

With the proliferation of spyware, or malware there has also been a proliferation of applications claiming to be your partner in fighting the problem.

Many folks get into a jam worse than they were in before they started using what they thought was a legitimate antispyware program. Rogue antispyware programs usually start out by alerting an individual in some unambiguous way, perhaps through a pop-up or unsolicited email (spam), that they have a spyware and or virus problem.

They will urge the person to buy or use their product. It may even tell them that they that it has already found (through osmosis I guess) a large amount of spyware and that by purchasing their product you will be free of the ugly vermin once and for all.

Not only are these programs digital snake oil serving no useful purpose and charging $30 and up, but it is like having a mole or insider infiltrate your computer. Once the rogue program is in your system it opens the door for other malicious programs to come in and wreck havoc on the computer.

Most of these programs go by heroic names such as Error Guard and WinFixer, or other names that sound very similar to reputable, well established antispyware programs. The user should not be fooled by the name or its claim or you could be in for a long ride.

Once the seed is planted and the rogue program has opened the door for his partners in mischief the programs will work together try to ensure their survival so it is not as easy as terminating a singal piece of spyware. After one is gone another one will take his job sometimes even regenerating the one that was just terminated. Once these guys have enough for a full team it can be an uphill battle unless the user has some experience in dealing with the tactics they employ.

What the user can do to protect themselves: First of all, be wary of any antispyware application that does not offer a free, fully functional, trial of their product. If it can’t be driven it around, kick the tires and ask some questions through tech support, either by phone, email or website because it might not be the real deal. Don’t buy from a pushy salesman, meaning don’t buy from spam and pop-ups.

Don’t be fooled by the fools.

Stay safe and happy computing.

Cramer’s Computer Services provides In home, on site computer service in the San Antonio area. Specializing in virus and spyware removal, upgrades networking and more.

Cramer’s Computer Services
210-865-2933
http://www.mysahomes.com

Hervey Bay residents have been among those across Australia who have been receiving emails allegedly from the National Australia Bank. The emails were timed to appear over the holiday period when it may have been difficult for people to check the bona fides of the email.

There are several variations of the email but every one of them asks the recipient to follow a link in the email to a website where they are asked to enter their personal banking details.

Anyone who does receive one of these emails should immediately delete the email and not follow the link at all. Don’t even be a little curious to see where the link takes you, just delete it without even opening it.

As long ago as last year experts were beginning to see a disturbing trend in cyber crime. In 2004 income from cyber crime exceed the estimated income from global drug trafficking.

Cyber crime is defined as child pornography, corporate espionage, stock manipulation, email scams, piracy and even extortion. Unfortunately while cyber crime is on the increase around the world there is no law enforcement agency that is able to keep up with this surge in crime.