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Vantage Newsletter: April 2006 Welcome to the first issue of the Vantage newsletter. This newsletter needs a name and, rather than use ‘Newsletter’, we felt you should have the opportunity of naming it! So, if you have a great title for this selection of points of interest in the IT world, tips and the odd laugh, then please let us know and if we use it, you'll win a prize.
Also, if you have any thoughts about what you would like to see, then please do
contact us. We want this to be relevant and interesting, so the more input we get from you, the better it will be. 
Microsoft Warns of Internet Explorer Problems (Again)Microsoft has asked users to be cautious, as three newly discovered loopholes in Internet Explorer are potential security risks. The first of the problems is minor as it will simply make Internet Explorer crash if it is used to visit certain websites. The other two vulnerabilities are potentially more serious because they can be used to take control of a computer. Microsoft has released a statement saying any attacks are limited for now, but it is due to release a patch within the next fortnight. If you follow normal practices of internet and email usage, such as only visiting sites you trust and avoiding suspicious looking emails or ones from dubious-looking sources, you should be okay. Also, not opening email attachments and not clicking on web links in emails unless you are sure they are safe, are two other practices that greatly reduce your chances of falling victim to such problems. If you have any concerns about using Internet Explorer, please contact us at Vantage IT. Google Desktop - Good or Bad? You may have come across the Google Desktop, which offers a few useful features, including a file search facility and news ticker. The latest version tries too hard to be helpful and can send information about your browsing habits as well as copies of all your documents to Google’s servers! Google claims this is purely to help you, but would you be happy knowing there are copies of your documents held on servers over which your business has no control? Some of these options may not be enabled by default, but we always recommend avoiding any programs that ‘phone home’ (who knows whether it may inadvertently enable the feature without your knowledge in the future?). If you want to remove it, click on Start, All Programs, Google Desktop then Uninstall Google Desktop and follow the prompts. They’ve Been Watching Too Much James Bond! A Chinese computer manufacturer has negotiated a contract to supply 15,000 computers to the US State Department. Great news for the company and its employees, but it has prompted the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC) to express fears that the PCs could be fitted with bugging devices to spy on the US government. A member of the USCC has pointed out that it is a great opportunity for a foreign intelligence agency to spy on the US. The company, Lenovo, bought IBM’s PC manufacturing arm last year and has said it has nothing to hide and would welcome an investigation. The computers would actually be assembled in the US and Mexico, but the fact that a Chinese company owns the factories has created the concern. The Entertaining Bit Hopefully you haven't seen this before. We found it rather funny. Please click here for a chuckle (best with sound)! |
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