St. Kate's Help Desk

Will you read my blog?

2010-01-26T15:36:00.000-08:00

I will be posting different things from the TLN Lightening Round very fast four minute presentation! If you are here reading this, then you already got one of the most important pieces, how to find my blog!

The PowerPoint that I flipped by so fast here here now, and you can open the show to see it again, or just read these TLN posts.

The slide show is here: Will you read my blog

I wanted to at least get the link to the slide show up, in case anyone wanted to visit some of the sites I mentioned, especially the sites to create a blog.

This is a topic that I will be writing a lot about for the next week, so please check back often for more information (especially about posterous.com :-)

Watch the labels on the right side, you can see how many posts are in the TLN section, and if you click on it, you will see all of them in a nice neat page.

Thank you all reading my blog!

How's your password doing these days?

2010-01-25T08:12:00.000-08:00

The below is a synopsis of an article. This is my synopsis of the synopsis - what's your password? Geeks can read the full article, non-geeks can read my tips for making a secure password (you know, a password that is not password1!)

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January 21, The Register – (International) RockYou hack reveals easy-to-crack passwords. Analysis of the 32 million passwords recently exposed in the breach of social media application developer RockYou last month provides further proof that consumers routinely use easy to guess login credentials. ... The five most common passwords used were 123456, 12345, 123456789, Password, and iloveyou. The trivial nature of the top ten RockYou passwords is bad enough, but worse is that nearly 50 per cent of passwords records exposed by the RockYou breach used names, slang words, dictionary words or trivial passwords (consecutive digits, adjacent keyboard keys), Imperva discovered. ...
Source article for the geek in you.

Summary of CNet's 2010 Security Toolkit

2010-01-16T13:00:00.000-08:00

The CNet Security Toolkit recommendations are in, and I have summarized their article for you. These software types are what you must have on your Windows computers, and you must update them and run scans regularly. The software below is rated as good by CNET.

The full CNET article is here. I trust their reviews. Read more for yourself, or go to the download links I have for you. However you find this software, install it and learn how to use it! Protect yourself from malware (read here to learn more about malware)

Do not think that Macs are all automatically safe and you don't need to protect yourself. That is not completely true. Hackers write for Windows because it is easier to code and there is more bang for their malicious buck. But never fear, one day they will start writing for Macs. Be careful no matter what computer you use!

Anti-Virus
(You can only one anti-virus application, they don't like to share their sandbox)

(Windows) Avast Home Edition - Free Antivirus (Avast requires registration and then they will give you a product key to activate their software. They will make you do this once a year, but there is no charge to do this.)
(Windows and Mac) Facutly, staff and students can receive our McAfee Enterprise free. It is available when you are on our campus network with your computer. You can download it from http://nac.stkate.edu, or come to the Help Desk with your flash drive or laptop and we can copy it there for you to install at home. (Obviously, this last for McAfee did not come from CNet ;-)

Anti-Malware
(You can and should have multiple anti-malware programs)

(Windows) Malwarebytes (Free to upgrade, scan and remove threats. Small fee if you want auto-updates and scanning)
(Windows) ThreatFire (Threatfire is freeware from the makers of Spyware Doctor. They will try to coerce you to download their pay version. You do not need to do this! If you are going to purchase software Malwarebytes has a great reputation.)

In-browser security (all are for Windows and Mac)
(helps to stops malware at the source)

Web of Trust (for Firefox and IE)
Adblock Plus (Firefox)
McAfee SiteAdvisor (Firefox, Internet Explorer)

(Bonus from Help Desk, not CNet)

(a favorite of mine - if you have a lot of favorites or bookmarks, you need this!)

xmarks - This is a favorite of mine - if you have a lot of favorites or bookmarks, you need this! Synchronize your bookmarks on different computers, and access them online if you are somewhere else. They are also then backed up.
dropbox - Online storage (called Cloud Computing). Get 2 GB free online storage that can be synced to your multiple computers or just accessed online. You can purchase extra storage if you care to.

If you have any questions please fee free to call the Help Desk. We are always happy to teach you to be safe online!

Viruses, Spyware and Trojans, Oh My!

2010-01-16T11:40:00.000-08:00

This excellent work that explains what these very different threats are. Knowledge is more than power, it is safety and security in the world of computers. If you are going to use a computer you have to learn what these threats are and how to protect your computer (and your time and data and maybe even your identity!)

Read this slide show from the good folks at TechRepublic.com.

If you prefer a document format vs a slide show format, use this link (this would be easier to print).

Some of this is a little technical, and you might not understand it all, but it will start you thinking. At the end of this short piece you will at least know that there are differences in the threats. That spyware, malware, adware, trojans, and worms are all different.

In fact, rather than call these spyware or viruses or trojans or malware, some experts are now calling all of them by a scarier name: crimeware. They are all designed to steal something from you, whether it is your computer, your identity or just your time.

Knowledge is much more than power. Read our post for what you can do to protect your computer!

The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs

2010-01-16T10:25:00.000-08:00

A great presentation is more than the software, it is also captivating your audience. It doesn't matter what slide show software you use if you can't get their attention. Watch this video from Steve Jobs. This man knows exactly how to captivate his audience (and, he makes great computers ;-)

How do I do something in Office 2007 if I can't find the command?

2010-01-16T09:50:00.000-08:00

Frustrated looking for a specific command/button in Office 2007, and you just can't find it on your the Ribbon (toolbar)? This helpful add-in gives you a new tab that allows you to find specific commands.

Download and install this handy tool
This will add a new tab to the Ribbon on all Office 2007 applications that use the ribbon.
Enter search criteria, and scroll through the results.

Windows 7 for $29.99!

2009-10-25T14:59:00.001-07:00

Scroll down on The Ultimate Steal website - you can order Window 7 for $29.99 (as well as the fantastically 91% price reduced Office 2007. (if you have questions about upgrading please let us know, and ALWAYS back up your data and gather software before upgrading).

http://www.theultimatesteal.com/

Facebook, security, and fake anti-virus applications

2009-10-17T15:14:00.000-07:00

My mission: for everyone to understand anti-virus, spyware, trojans, and other security risks to your computers! This article is really important!

http://tiny.cc/wgib8

More from the Crabby Office Lady

2009-09-30T18:23:00.000-07:00

She's great!

10 ways to get office help (short version)

Office Help (longer and EXCELLENT) article. Really, folks, she's the best!

Interesting statistics - protecting and removing malware IS important!

2009-09-17T09:49:00.000-07:00

If you are curious, read this entire article. If not, just read these statistics, and know that it is just talking aboutAustralia, who has far fewer computerss than we do. In Australia, it is estimated tha 100,000 computers are infected with trojans, and that each of those 100,000 infected computers has the ability to send out 10,000 spam messages a day.

Learn to be safe, learn how to keep your computer "clean".

September 15, The Register – (International) Australia mulls botnet takedown scheme. Australia is considering the adopting of a code that would oblige ISPs to contact, and in extreme cases perhaps even disconnect, customers with malware-infested computers. The voluntary eSecurity Code is designed to put a squeeze on the estimated 100,000 zombies in Australia, each of which might be capable of kicking out 10,000 junk emails a day. Pilot data sharing schemes in Australia are praised for resulting in the reduction of malware-infected systems. Around 68 ISPs were involved in a 2007 Australian Internet Security Initiative (AISI) programme credited with reports of 10,000 compromises every day. The scheme cost a relatively modest A$4.7 million over four years. Australia’s Internet Industry Association (IIA) is hoping to extend this scheme via a draft code of conduct, set to be applied from December onwards. A consultation scheme on the programme is due to run until 30 October 2009. Once an ISP following the code has detected a compromised computer, it should contact the customer and offer a clean-up advice. The scheme also covers a reporting system. ISPs that adhere to the scheme gain the right to display an IIA tortoise logo on their site. Technology for identifying and blocking compromised clients and for delivering “clean feed” internet traffic exists, but is not cheap. Whether ISPs will be able to create a business model for getting customers to pay the cost of security-enhanced services is a potential obstacle to the scheme. ISPs would be doing the cause of internet hygiene a favour in taking part in a zombie-clampdown scheme, but that’s not going to happen if it places them at a competitive disadvantage to those who carry on regardless. Source: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/09/15/oz_botnet_takedown_scheme/

Where can I get help with my computer?

2009-08-30T16:56:00.000-07:00

The Help Desk does not have the resources to help you when you computer is sick. We would love to, but we just do not have the staff to do this.

So, what can you do? We now have a FAQ that you should read to help you get help (for your computer)!

Crabby Office Lady and the Quick Access Toolbar

2009-08-18T15:51:00.000-07:00

I love the Crabby Office Lady. She writes a column for Microsoft, and is just a little silly. Like me, silly and a little crabby, except I write for the Help Desk and she writes for Microsoft...

One of my biggest things is to find out the easiest way to do something. This month, Crabby is in my court.

Crabby Office Lady is talking about one of my favorite efficiency parts of Office 2007 - the Quick Access Toolbar. In every class I have taught there has been one person who said that this tip made it worth the whole class (now, I choose to believe that the rest of the class was ok, but they really loved this tip!)

So, here it is, the Crabby Office Lady and the Quick Access Toolbar! Go forth and be efficient and have fun with it!

Do you Jing?

2009-08-03T17:26:00.000-07:00

This is my favorite application right now!

Jing is a freeware application from TechSmith (www.jingproject.com) for creating screen captures or videos. After you install the softtware and create an account there is the option to watch their little demo video. I would recommend the few minutes it take to watch it. It is seriously the best find of the last several years! (Remember to cite your source!)

Help Desk uses this application frequently. Anytime you receive an email from us with an image in it, that was made in Jing. You can even use arrows and add text to an image.

You can copy your image immediately to the clipboard (what I use to copy into email), save the image to your computer (for later use) or even save this to their website to have a simple URL to use (we use this for chat support).

Watch their video and be amazed! (they made their video using their own Jing software ;-)

2009-07-28T10:50:00.000-07:00

Passwords, they are the bane of our existence, really. But, they are critical in both securing data and in the time wasted because we forget them (not to mention the time wasted if our identity is stolen)!

Here is a foolproof way to make good, secure passwords that you won't forget!

Start with an original but memorable phrase. Make it something you can remember. "I do not like summer because it is too hot".
Take the first letter of each word = *Idnlsbii2h*

A mnemonic does not have to be written down because it is easy to remember. Just remember to add a number and a character - replace too with 2, for with 4, hate with h8 (you might h8 winter - I hate winter in Minnesota because it is too cold = Ih8wiMbii2c!).

Really, it's that simple. Use capitalization rules (first letter, M for Minnesota) for sentences, add a character, and you have a fairly secure password.

Now, for security reasons on sites like your email, bank or credit card, facebook, twitter, or for online shopping, you should change you password. Change something in your sentence. I hate summer..., I love winter..., Spring is pretty in Minnesota because I love tuilps for my table. SipiMbIlt4mt!

Using the above password for Facebook? SipiMbIlt4mtFB. Twitter? TW at the end. Email, the same.

I always make one generic password for things I don't care about, like an account for an online newspaper. Here's one idea, I hate registering for this newspaper because I keep forgetting my password! Ih8r4tnbikfmp!

Are these passwords harder to type? Yes. Are they very secure? Yes. You have to choose which is more important to you, a little longer to type a password or someone stealing your identity?

Think about it for a minute - how much personal information do you have in your email account? What kind of information do you share with your Friends in Facebook?

As always, if you have questions please contact the Help Desk. We are more than happy to help you with this, or anything technology related!

Adding a Flash movie to a PowerPoint presentation

2009-07-02T13:22:00.000-07:00

It is just a few more steps, but you can add a Flash movie to a PowerPoint presentation. Just follow these steps (and visit www.wikihow.com for more how-to-do-this information!)

Click Microsoft Office Button on the top left corner > click "PowerPoint Options" at the bottom of the panel > go to the "PowerPoint Options" window > click "Popular" on the left column > select "Show Developer tab in the Ribbon" on the right column > click "OK" at the bottom
On the "Developer" tab > go to "Controls" group > Click the icon of hammer and nail for "More Controls" > go to the "More Controls" window
On the "More Controls" window > select "Shockwave Flash Object" in the list > click "OK" at the bottom > use your pointer to drag on the slide to draw and resize the control
Right click the control you draw > click "Properties" in the right-click menu > go to the "Properties" window
On the alphabetic tab > click the "Movie" property > type the full drive path in the value column (the blank cell next to Movie), including the file name (e.g. C\:a.swf) or URL (e.g. http://www.a.com/b.swf)
To make the Flash play automatically when the slide is displayed, set the "Playing" property to "True"; To embed the Flash into PowerPoint, set "EmbedMovie" property to "True"
Finally close the "Properties" window and save your presentation.
On the View tab, in the Presentation Views group, you can click Slide Show or press F5 to preview your presentation.

One Primary Password is here!

2009-06-18T12:43:00.000-07:00

Yeah - we finally have it! You will have just one Primary Password for our four major systems! And, with the handy-dandy Security Question that you created in KateWay, you can reset your own password online! If you have any questions at all please contact the Help Desk and we will be happy to help you!

Folks, it is all about security and prevention. Knowledge truly is power!

2009-06-12T14:43:00.001-07:00

The Most Dangerous Search Terms On the Internet
by Richard Quest

If you like to search for "music lyrics" or "free" things, you are engaging in risky cyber behavior. And "free music downloads" puts 20 percent of Web surfers in harm's way of malicious software, known as "malware."

A new research report by U.S.-based antivirus software company McAfee has identified the most dangerous Internet search words that places users on pages with a higher likelihood of malware.

The study examined 2,600 popular keywords on five major search engines -- Google, Yahoo, Live, AOL and Ask -- and analyzed 413,000 Web pages.

"Just in the past year, we've seen a pretty dramatic shift in what we call malware," David DeWalt, president and CEO of McAfee told media.

"It went from a hacker in a basement, to organized cybercrime to now, literally, terrorism and other forms of organized geopolitical attacks," he said.

Categories that had the highest risk of run-ins with malware: screen savers, free games, work from home, Olympics, videos, celebrities, music and news.

Riskiest terms: word unscrambler, lyrics, myspace, free music downloads, phelps, game cheats, printable fill-in puzzles, free ringtones and solitaire.

The study shows how cyber criminals are increasing in sophistication.

"We can have massive outages with a hacker in the basement. We saw that recently with the 'Twitter worm,' a 17-year-old in his basement basically perpetrated tens of millions of (computer) outages. Or, we can see an organized attack bringing down infrastructure," DeWalt said.

Antivirus software companies lag behind latest developments by cyber criminals. "We've been way behind, that's true for the entire world, the global infrastructure of the internet has grown dramatically -- 50 percent of the world's PCs are unprotected," he said.

Despite the increased risk, DeWalt doesn't believe there will be a "cyber Armageddon" causing widespread destruction of computers and Internet infrastructure.

"Last week, you saw President Obama in the United States talk about a major cyber-security initiative sponsored by the government, other governments are sponsoring this as well," DeWalt said. "I think we're learning this can happen, and if we get ahead of it, we can prevent it."

(CNN)

Useful Office 2007 information!

2009-06-06T10:34:00.001-07:00

Essays by Microsoft's Crabby Office Lady
Interesting essays filled with tips and tricks and a quick wit.
Hidden Gems in Excel 2007

2009-06-03T08:40:00.000-07:00

FontSpace is a community of font designers and fon addicts. All told, there are 10061 free typefaces!

2009-06-03T06:58:00.000-07:00

34 timesaving mouse tricks for Word users:
By Jody Gilbert (techrepublic.com)

Keyboard shortcuts are a mainstay for most Word users who are trying to streamline their work. Even brand-new users start slinging around [Ctrl]C and [Ctrl]V soon after mastering the intricacies of scrolling. But keyboard shortcuts are often nonintuitive and hard to remember. (What mnemonic would you use to recall that [Ctrl]E centers document text or that [Ctrl]T produces a hanging indent?)

That’s where mouse shortcuts—the unsung hero of built-in functionality—can take up the slack. Users probably know the basic moves: Right-click on an item to display a shortcut menu, double-click to select a word, triple-click to select a paragraph. But Word has quite a few additional mouse tricks up its sleeve. This overview will help you (and your users) learn some easily remembered techniques to gain quick access to a host of Word options.

Click here to open this PDF document

Increase Office 2007 Recently Used File List

2009-05-09T11:56:00.000-07:00

Office 2007 allows you to increase the recently used files list to 50!

Click the Office button and
Advanced in the left pane.
Scroll down to the Display section and enter the setting you want for Show This Number Of Recent Documents.