All posts by Jim Guckin

Software Update: Firefox 3.6.7 and Firefox 3.5.11

The Mozilla Foundation has released Firefox 3.6.7 and Firefox 3.5.11 for Windows, Mac and Linux to address multiple vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities may allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code, obtain sensitive information, bypass security restrictions, or conduct cross-site scripting attacks. Some of these vulnerabilities also affect Thunderbird and SeaMonkey. Some of these vulnerabilities include: MFSA…

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Security Alert: Shortcut file Vulnerability

This vulnerability is due to the failure of Microsoft Windows to properly obtain icons for LNK files. Microsoft uses LNK files, commonly referred to as “shortcuts,” as references to files or applications. By convincing a user to display a specially-crafted LNK file, an attacker may be able to execute arbitrary code that would give the…

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Software Update: iTunes 9.2.1 Released

Apple has release a new version of iTunes making the current version 9.2.1 . This update is to fix a vulnerability due to improper handling of the itpc URLs. itpc is the protocol used by iTunes for handling podcasts. An attacker may convincing a user to access a specially crafted itpc URL and they may…

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Q&A Monday: Block Sites from Computer

Question: Hey Jim hope your doing well and having a good summer! I need a little help. My daughter has autism and she loves Youtube. However, some of the things on youtube are very disturbing. Is there anyway we can totally block Youtube from our computers? Media, Pa Answer: There is a simple an easy…

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Make your Presentations less boring!

There have been many times in my IT career that I’ve had to give presentations, and if you haven’t consider yourself lucky.  My presentations have covered Network Design, Network Upgrades, and Software Implementation all the way down to weekly user training.  I’ve made many mistakes in my presentations when I started out (and sometimes still…

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Patch: iPhone IOS 4.0.1 Released

Apple has just issued the 4.0.1 iOS update, which now includes a new formula for displaying reception bars. This updates doesn’t really fix the route problem that the phone has, just displays the bars a little differently.  This new formula is supposedly the way AT&T recommends and doesn’t actually improve reception.  Apple reported that the…

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Update Tuesday: July 13th 2010

    There wasn’t a huge amount of updates this month from Microsoft, but be aware that some of the problems being patched this month, were from publically reported exploits, so you want to make sure you get your updates applied as soon as you can. Update: KB2229593 –  Type: Critical (XP) and Low (2003) What…

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What your boss doesn’t want to hear

    I’ve been on both sides of the managers desk, and recently when talking with another tech, I thought about excuses that I’ve heard and some that I may have used.  An important part of any IT department is communication and following through with projects or workload, and someone’s excuses can hurt that department.  I…

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Patch: Oracle Releases Critical Patch Update

Oracle has released a Critical Patch Update for this month to address 59 different vulnerabilities across multiple products. This update contains some of the following security fixes: * 6 for Oracle Database Server * 2 for TimesTen In-Memory Database * 5 for Oracle Secure Backup * 7 for Oracle Fusion Middleware * 1 for Oracle…

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Q&A Monday: Small Business Alternatives

Question: Hi Jim, I recently have come across your blog and have found what I understood interesting.  I am not much of a tech person, but I am currently starting my own business, and my budget doesn’t allow for a lot of money spent on software. I plan to get all the normal software (outlook,…

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