Macintosh – Page 2 – Paul's Tech Talk

Reviewing the 3G A600 Cricket Modem

PaulMarch 6, 20096 Replies

So I got the Modem and wanted to test out the speed being stationary, So I go to my usual site Speedtest.net look at the speed, check below for speed.
As you can see this went fairly well. It does depend on your Cricket Coverage area. So you want to hear all about it.

First thing if you are upgrading from the UM100 Broadband Card, You’ll want to uninstall the Quicklink Software. To do that you can uninstall it by going to:

Computer > C: Drive > Program Files > Cricket > Quicklink > UNWISE.EXE

(This will uninstall the Quicklink software, I’d suggest after you uninstall it you reboot.)

How does the USB Modem work?

Once you do that you can then insert the A600 Modem into your USB. The Nice thing about this is the software for the Modem is on the Modem itself, so you don’t loose the CD for the modem. It currently only supports Windows and MAC OSX operating system but I have seen there is a work around to use the A600 Modem with Linux if your wondering.Once you insert it into the USB you’ll find you have a new Drive. It will say a Cricket CD Drive with 24 megs used. You’ll want to run that program on the Cricket CD and that will install the software.

The Connection

As you can see this is the provided application to connect to the Cricket Network and the speed and signal strength can differ from location to location due to coverage areas. This application can do several different functions:

Connecting to Cricket

Text Messaging (Free with broadband connection)

Bandwidth Monitor (Helps makes sure you don’t use to much Bandwidth, they do have a soft cap of 5 gig’s but haven’t affected me yet.)

Statistics, this is good for those who want to try to get the most out of the modem.

Logs, Also good for those who want to keep track on how much they used the modem. It however only logs activity on the system it is connected to.

Activation — Seems to help get updated tower positions when your traveling and can be done as long as you can get a signal

Pro’s to this EVDO MODEM:

[intlink id=”3174″ type=”post”]Memory Slot[/intlink] to have backups on files in case the worst case scenario happens (1 to 4 Gigbyte Capabilities)

Speed and Bandwidth (See above for speed test)

No loosing CD — I have the [intlink id=”3067″ type=”post”]program files[/intlink] online if you need them.

Independent card reader without having to install the Modem Software.

Able to take the modem with you as you go. (There is a clip slot for you to carry it anywhere you go.)

Found out there is an External antenna connector and will be looking at Antenna’s for it in the future.

Swivel USB port, You can swivel it up or down 90 degrees or side to side 180 degrees. (X and Y Axis)

Cons:

If you use it primarily internet you’ll expect some slow downs from time to time during HIGH Peak Zones.

This has a dormant signal feature that I will have to figure out how to disable but easily fixed by reconnecting to the tower. You can get out of dormant mode by web surfing, just load up your browser and the dormant mode will go away.

Twitter Comments:

@Laforge129 I sure am trying out the Cricket broadband.!I just started it last week and so far it never ceases to amaze me! (Via Twitter)

Conclusion

I and others would recommend the Cricket Broadband Modem a600 to anyone who wants an inexpensive and portable internet connection for $40 dollars and no contracts. Though with all the things you can do with this modem makes it an invaluable extra incentive in buying this modem. You should always check the Coverage area for Cricket and make sure you are able to use this modem in the first place. I’ll have another update on this later on but I’m really impressed with all the features of this modem.

Clicker here to buy it now.

Check out my Extended Review of the A600 and All the programs that I added to my 4 gig MicroSD Card.

If you want to comment on the A600 just twitter me and tell me what you think. Maybe you’ll twitter will be on my review site.

[gsom-optin]

Apple’s Not immune after all

PaulJanuary 21, 2009

In a recent post from the San Internet Storm Center:

Apple

APPLE-SA-2009-01-21 QuickTime 7.6: Multiple vulnerabilities all them referencing “arbitrary code execution”. (CVE-2009-0001, CVE-2009-0002, CVE-2009-0003, CVE-2009-0004, CVE-2009-0005,CVE-2009-0006, and CVE-2009-0007)

APPLE-SA-2009-01-21 QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component: arbitrary code execution. (CVE-2009-0008)

[ad#ad2-right]Apple has said they will not say yes or no to this report and that they will be investigating this fully. I’ve been saying Apple needs to get it’s head out of the sand. According to Apple these effect both Mac’s and Microsoft so they are a software related vulnerability. Soon or later someone will want to create a botnet and infect Macintosh’s with virus or even a worm just to show apple that they could. In a recent article from PcWorld, They talk about a Trojan called OSX.RSPlug.D. This will just increase the fact that they are going to start targeting a OSX because of the lack security. Apple, Needs to get it together and start patching just as much as Microsoft.

In Any case It is time to update the software and maybe think about installing anti-virus software also. Although the Mpeg-2 Playback Component vulnerability is for Windows Vista, XP SP2 and SP3. You can see where a hacker would use that for a windows system very easily. So you must be careful what you click on and remember that your no longer safe. You know how they will want to test out the waters for OSX just because they could so this year I predict Apple will start having even more Malware and Viruses than ever before.

More Information on the downadup Worm

PaulJanuary 20, 2009

If your working to get rid of this Downadup Worm, F-secure is giving out a free removal tool to help with that task. According to F-Secure Worm:W32/Downadup.gen description which Talks about how bad this worm is.

[ad#ad2-right]Due to companies not updating the MS 08-067 patch, it is the primary way for this worm to get onto a system.

Graham Cluely’s Blog ask a question and got quite a few answers from the users. The results of the poll are 53% believe the hackers are to blame, and 30% think the System Administrators are to blame, and 17% think Microsoft is to blame for this worm.

I have a mix feelings over who is to be blamed for this worm. I think the person who wrote this, did it for a specific reason. We can’t expect any software we use to be 100% safe, even Macintosh are not 100% safe. Microsoft isn’t to be blamed because they tried to patch this as quickly as they could. I know that companies have a hard time keeping up with Microsoft updates, and they really can’t be blamed. I think Hackers are always going to make a virus just because they can. That’s in there nature and we will never be really rid of the virus or worm writers. They are in it for the Money, to boast, to take control of, or steal sensitive information. Windows being the Alpha Dog, people are always going to test the waters because of that.

So who do you think is to be blamed? I’d like to hear your thoughts on this.

Who do you think is to blame for the Downadup Worm?

1) End Users
2) Microsoft who did patch it
3) The person who Wrote this Worm
4) Companies who didn’t implement updates
5) No one it is going to happen
6) People who pay the writers of Virus/Worms

View Results

Make your own poll

If you think someone else is to be blamed just make a comment.

Please bear in mind that this poll is not scientific and is provided for information purposes only. The comments expressed on this page are those of a subsection of poll participants, and not necessarily those of Tech-linkblog. Tech-linkblog makes no guarantees about the accuracy of the results other than that they reflect the choices of the users who participated.

Facebook Virus strikes again

PaulDecember 4, 2008

“Look you were filmed all naked!” read the subject header on one iteration of the virus-spreading message, which is being sent automatically from infected accounts to the “friend” list for that account. Clicking the link usually takes users to a page that looks like YouTube, and a pop-up message advises the user to download a Flash plug-in. The download contains the virus, which replicates by contacting everyone on the victim’s Facebook friend list and advancing the hoax.

[Via Boston Media]

[ad#ad2-right]This is a good social engineered attack, they seem to have you download a virus into your system. I Keep talking about how you need to be careful with emails. I also suggest that you do a complete Virus scan if you think you’ve been hit with this. There is only one way to prevent yourself from getting this little facebook virus and that is not to click it. Some other things to consider if you found out this was a virus is to contact the person who sent this to them so they to could do a virus scan on their system.

It is always going to be something to be hard, because these people are using social engineering. It seems they are trying to prove a point, even Macintoshes can be vulneble to this attack. If you get anything through you email from people saying they seen you naked or got pictures of your butt, I’d suggest, not clicking those links.

Windows 7 will sport Direct X 10 Compliance!

PaulDecember 3, 20081 Reply

The new feature is called WARP10, for “Windows Advanced Rasterization Platform,” and it’s essentially a DX10-compliant, software-only rasterizer that was written by Microsoft; it runs directly on the CPU. In a situation where a DX10 app needs to run but can’t find DX10-compliant hardware, it will run on WARP10, albeit very, very slowly. Ultimately, you can think of WARP10 as a “software DX10 GPU” that will exist as a fallback in Windows.

[via Arstechnica]

[ad#ad2-left-1]This will make Windows 7 work more smoothly with Windows XP and Vista games. This looks to be like having more compatibility with the older games. When Vista came out they were complaining about not being able to play games on Vista. Vista has been really updated with being able to play games. People are starting to play games on a Vista machine. This is also a step for Windows 7 to be one that Microsoft, being that they are trying to get the next O/s to look like an Angel probably. What I expect is Microsoft will advertise about Windows 7 will be gamer friendly. This is a move on Microsoft to get gamers on board with this release and to try to get people to forget about Vista.

[ad#ad2-right]Having said that here’s some things that will be most likely be Advertised with Windows 7 when it comes out. Microsoft will want it to be game friendly, User Account Control to be less obtrusive, and program compatibility. These the main points to get people to start buying Microsoft’s products. Microsoft should be worried because of Apples comments about how you should use an Anti-virus for Macintosh’s. This is definitely worrying Microsoft. It means Microsoft has an competitor that Hackers are trying to exploit. I would be willing to guess that Microsoft is worried people are switching to Apple products. These are just guesses but I am quite certain Microsoft is really worried. What do you think, do you think it will happen?