Category: Windows Vista tips

Updater.exe can’t be found Troubleshooting

Paul

So you wroke up with this problem, of can’t find the program called updater.exe or it tries to access the internet.  Here are some things you should check out to make sure it isn’t a virus:

  • [ad#cricket-right-ez][intlink id=”1802″ type=”post”]Hijackthis[/intlink] —  This will help determine if a virus changed the program.   You would need to check to see where this so called Updater is by search for it.

  • [intlink id=”2205″ type=”page”]Firewall and Anti-virus Software[/intlink] —  You should check to see if you have the updates for that or if you don’t you should have them installed.

  • [intlink id=”2205″ type=”page”]Do an online scan[/intlink] — This might also reveal if there is a virus or not.

It is most likely a Windows function but you should be cautious when things like this happen and you should check to make sure it is what it says it is.  Some people from WOW have had this problem in the past.  So it could just be a program that didn’t update the right way or a Trojan or Virus.  You should use [intlink id=”2883″ type=”post”]Autopatcher[/intlink] to patch your system to  be sure it is up to date.  Remember if the system isn’t patched that gives the Virus people a chance to install malware into your system and you know you don’t want that.

Fake Scareware Sites Popup after the Pifts.EXE Conspiracy

Paul

There Seems to Be a Fake site that are popping up today right after what happened with PIFTS.EXE. I just happen to Google it to see what people are talking about and this appears on the front page.

Not a real site!!

As you can see this leads to a server in Poland and once you go to it you see:

Not a real virus scanner

I will be reporting this to Phishtank. This is scareware which means  there is no real VIRUS because and you
Should never believe the screens when you see something like this. According to Wikipedia:

[ad#ad2-right]Some websites display pop-up advertisement windows or banners with text such as: “Your computer may be infected with harmful spyware programs. Immediate removal may be required. To scan, click ‘Yes’ below.” These websites go as far as saying that a user’s job, career, or marriage would be at risk. Products using advertisements such as these are often considered scareware. serious scareware applications qualify as Rogue software.
[Via Wikipedia]

So if you are worried you have a virus or think you have a virus I would advise you to download one of the free Many anti-virus software and firewall. This is nothing new with the companies who are doing this but don’t buy anything because people are trying to scare you into thinking you have a virus. That rarely is a valid software and you should use the ones that you trust. If you find a site like that please report them to Phishtank and other sites that way we can protect everyone who goes there.

Reviewing the 3G A600 Cricket Modem

Paul6 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.)

a600cricketspeed

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

A600Connection

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]

I hate Snopes Spam

Paul

As you know Snopes is used to find out about urban Legend and Rumors:

I received a Virus alert from my RSS feed about Email virus warning.  It even adds a Snope URL.  The Author just copies and pasted the virus warning into the blog without even going to Snopes.
[ad#ad2-right]

According to Snopes and I’ll quote:
Although the Postcard virus is real, it isn’t a “BIG VIRUS COMING” (it’s already been around in multiple forms for a long time now), it will not “burn the whole hard disc” of your computer, CNN didn’t classify it as the “worst virus” ever, and it doesn’t arrive in messages bearing a subject line of ‘Invitation.’

[Via Snopes]

Now as you can tell the link described in the blog post was “http://www.snopes.com/computer/virus/postcard.asp”. If you went there, you’d have seen this as a not really true and some parts of this might be but that part about burning your Hard drive or even consider the Worst virus isn’t true.

Some things you need to consider before forwarding anything is:

  • Is it completely True?

  • Is it Legitimate?  (True blown warning about something like a product recall  or something important like that)

  • Does it Say to Forward? (if so it is probably not wise)

  • is it from a Friend (If so you might want to remind the friend nicely that it isn’t nice to send spam)

If you follow some of these suggestions you’ll be making the Internet a far better place for everyone.  Remember if you don’t know, it’s time to learn.  if you do know, it is time to teach.  These are the fundamental aspects of using the internet the right way.  Also if it is a fake virus warning you should tell them to get a Free Anti-virus and Firewall to better protect them.  Also  remind them that if they keep their system updated then they shouldn’t be too worried.  Remember only you can prevent a Computer Virus and it’s up to you keep your system up to date.

Facebook Goes Phishing again

Paul

In one of my Previous articles about the Koobface Worm, I talked about the way they were infecting the systems and what you need not do.

It seems that Trend Micro has seen an even more rise in people downloading the WORM_KOOBFACE.AZ and Seems to be on the RISE. This is all done with a Social engineering and Has had some attempts before with this little worm on Facebook.

[ad#ad2-right]After your Infected with this new Variant, it searches for cookies and Sends out a message to people from:
* facebook.com
* hi5.com
* friendster.com
* myyearbook.com
* myspace.com
* bebo.com
* tagged.com
* netlog.com
* fubar.com
* livejournal.com

This seems to be a social engineering Nightmare for these websites and as yet are unsure what else it does but it says the same thing it did before by saying “This is a Video of You on the Street.” Which is bogus but none the less people click and think they have to download a codec or update their Flash. Social Engineering is on the rise and will be taken seriously. You should read the full report from Trend on what it does but you also should have an anti-virus and Firewall installed to prevent this from happening in the first place. The only true way of preventing this is not to be fooled, you should NEVER Download from a site you don’t know or trust. See all the Facebook articles for more information.