Intego, makers of VirusBarrier and other Mac OS X security software, on Wednesday issued an alert regarding a flaw in the way that the Mac OS X v10.5 “Leopard” handles files that have been downloaded from the Internet. This affects Mail attachments, according to Intego. The problem was identified on Tuesday by U.K.-based Heise Security, which says it’s identical to a security flaw that first came to light in Tiger Mail back in March, 2006 — a security flaw that Apple actually patched in Tiger, but has apparently reappeared in Leopard (causing Heise to refer to it as “the same old error”).

Heise says that a file downloaded from the Internet can contain a resource fork that will cause the Mac to open the file (if it’s double-clicked by a user) in Terminal, automatically executing a shell command sequence. The file is “disguised” as another type of enclosure; in Heise’s example, a JPEG image. Apple has not yet released a security update for this issue, according to Intego. Intego has updated the virus definitions file used by its VirusBarrier X4 software to work around the issue. The definitions file is dated Nov. 21, 2007. A popular argument of almost every Apple fan saying that Mac considers no security risk is becoming a history…

Mozilla Corp. late Monday released the first beta of Firefox 3.0, but continued to warn most users to stick with production Version 2.0. “We do not recommend that anyone other than developers and testers download the Firefox 3 Beta 1 milestone release,” Mike Beltzner, Mozilla’s interface designer, said in a note posted to the company’s development center. “It is intended for testing purposes only.” But while the official word was for users to stand clear, Beltzner’s personal recommendation was a lot less intimidating. “It’s a preview release, so use with caution and don’t expect your add-ons to work without some magic; but between you and me, I’ve been running on this ‘developer preview’ for at least three months, and have never looked back,” he said in a post to his own blog.

Beltzner also touted several of the improvements in Firefox 3.0, including new security features and tools, a redesign of the bookmarking and browser history and numerous back-end platform enhancements, but he said they all require more testing and user feedback. The company has posted a more complete list of new features in the release notes it added to its Web site Monday. On the security side, Firefox 3.0 adds malware check, a phishing filter-like feature that warns users attempting to reach a URL blacklisted for suspected malicious code hosting; one-click site information that displays site ownership; fixes for vulnerabilities in plug-in updating; and integration with antivirus software and Windows Vista’s parental control settings.

Mozilla also claimed that it has fixed more than 300 individual memory leaks and added a new cycle collector to eliminate other memory issues. Firefox has a reputation for leaking memory consuming large quantities the longer it’s left running, and ultimate slowing down its host computer although some of its developers have contested the claims, and even pegged the problem as one of perception. Most current Firefox plug-ins Mozilla calls them extensions will not work with Firefox 3.0, a stumbling block for some who might otherwise want to test the preview. “Users of the latest released version of Firefox should not expect their add-ons to work properly with this beta,” the beta’s release notes read. Firefox 3.0 Beta 1 can be downloaded for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux in 21 language versions from Mozilla’s site.

Glary Utilities offers numerous powerful and easy-to-use system tools and utilities to fix, speed up, maintain and protect your PC.It allows you to clean common system junk files, as well as invalid registry entries and Internet traces. You can manage and delete browser add-ons, analyze disk space usage and find duplicate files. You can also view and manage installed shell extensions, encrypt your files from unauthorized access and use, split large files into smaller manageable files and then rejoin them. Furthermore, Glary Utilities includes the options to optimize memory, find, fix, or remove broken Windows shortcuts, manage the programs that start at Windows startup and uninstall software. Other features include secure file deletion, an Empty Folder finder and more.

All Glary Utilities tools can be accessed through an eye-pleasing and totally simplistic interface.

Features:

* Optimize, clean and boost the speed of your Windows.
* Protect your privacy and security.
* Block spyware, trojans, adware, etc.
* Fix certain application errors.
* Simple, fast and User friendly interface
* For only private use

-Download Here.

Most of us don’t make a real difference between worm, virus and Trajan Horse or refer to a worm or Trajan Horse as a virus.

All of us know all are malicious programs that can cause very serious damage to PC. Exist differences among the three, and knowing those differences can help you to better protect your computer from their often damaging effects.

A computer virus is a program or piece of code that is loaded onto your computer without your knowledge and runs against your wishes. Some viruses cause only mildly annoying effects while others can damage your hardware, software or files. Almost all viruses are attached to an executable file, which means the virus may exist on your computer but it cannot infect your computer unless you run or open the malicious program. A virus cannot be spread without a human action, (such as running an infected program) to keep it going. People continue the spread of a computer virus, mostly unknowingly, by sharing infecting files or sending e-mails with viruses as attachments in the e-mail.

A worm is a program or algorithm that replicates itself. A worm has the capability to travel without any help from a person from PC to PC and have ability to replicate itself on your system, so rather than your computer sending out a single worm, it could send out hundreds or thousands of copies of itself, creating a huge devastating effect.

A Trojan Horse is a destructive program that “working” as a benign application ( (like changing your desktop, adding silly active desktop icons) or can cause serious damage by deleting files and destroying information on your system. Trojans are also known to create a back door on your computer that gives malicious users access to your system, possibly allowing confidential or personal information to be compromised. Trojans do not reproduce by infecting other files nor do they self-replicate.

Added into the mix, we also have what is called a blended threat. Blended threats combine the characteristics of viruses, worms, Trojan Horses, and malicious code with server and Internet vulnerabilities. By using multiple methods and techniques, blended threats can rapidly spread and cause widespread damage. Characteristics of blended threats include: causes harm, propagates by multiple methods, attacks from multiple points, and exploits vulnerabilities. This combination of method and techniques means blended threats can spread quickly and cause widespread damage. Characteristics of blended threats include: causes harm, propagates by multiple methods, attacks from multiple points and exploits vulnerabilities. They are considered to be the worst risk to security since the inception of viruses, as most blended threats require no human intervention to propagate.

Therefore is very important to protect your PC with a good anti-virus software installed on your system with the latest fixes for new viruses, worms, and Trojan horses.

Additionally, you want to make sure your anti-virus program has the ability to scan e-mail and files as they are downloaded from the Internet. This will help prevent malicious programs from even reaching your computer. You should also install a a system that prevents unauthorized use and access to your computer (firewall as well). A good software firewall will protect your computer from outside attempts to control or gain access your computer, and usually provides additional protection against the most common Trojan programs or e-mail worms.

Increased security risk entails being careful while choosing among various web hosting services. A good choice for a webhosting domain is the one with high uptime, adequate storage space especially for the best image hosting and at least a minimal level of security tools for the commonly occurring maliciousness. Keeping in view the same factors, sometimes cheap hosting site is not the choice for many business users and make the standard service providers like dot5hosting or the one that combines the quality with economy such as bluehost a prime selection. One the most affordable yet features-rich names, anhosting, is already standing out among its competitors.

Sometimes if your windows crashes, or if you modify the display resolution settings, you will find that the icon positions on your desktop will change and maybe even your wallpaper, and you will lose the setup you had going. but now you can avoid that easily with IconRestorer.

IconRestorer has been designed to remember the icon setup to avoid the boring job of manually restoring the right icon positions on your desktop.

IconRestorer can be used to place the icons back to their original location on the Windows screen when needed, or even to manage two profiles of icon position.

Features:

* Manage icons position separately for all screen resolutions
* Multiple backups for each resolution
* Backups management: rename, delete, export and import
* New: option to Save and Restore Desktop Wallpaper with Icon Positions
* New: option to move files with unsaved position to special folder on Desktop
* Start with Windows and start minimized to tray options
* Contexual quick help
* Windows Vista compatible
* Check for program updates feature
* Multilanguage: English, Italian , Spanish and Valencian, with support for non latin languages translations
* Free support forum for bugs report or requests

You can download it here.

In this video showing many of the cool Android platform applications, Sergey Brin, Co-Founder of Google, announces that Google will be setting aside a $10 Million award for the best application developed for the Android Platform. Amazing!

Nothing beats holding an actual book in your hand, but sometimes it’s nice to be able to download it and take it with you. Especially if it’s completely legal. Here’s a list of 20+ sources for e-books for your use.

Downloadable

AskSam.com/ebooks/ - A small selection of classic texts like Shakespeare, and assorted legal & governmental texts.

Baen Free Library - A small library of downloadable science fiction novels, mostly the first in an ongoing series to get you hungry for more.

BookRags.com - Small selection of free choices, and thousands more for premium members. Can be downloaded as PDF or Word documents.

Gutenberg.org - The first project for converting public domain works into a digital format; their selection now numbers over 5,000.

ManyBooks.net - A large selection of books to be read on your PDA, cellphone, iPod, iPhone and more.

Mary Jo’s E-Texts - Hasn’t been updated in several years, but links still work. The books are formatted for a doc reader on Palm. Includes classic literature, the Oz books, and even some fan fiction.

Mslit.com - Over 1,500 texts provided by Microsoft for their MS Reader.

NetLibrary.net - Only a small selection for free; however, annual membership, and access to over 500,000 works, is only $8.95 a year.

Oxford Text Archive - Over 2,000classical texts you can download as ASCII or DOC files, some do require permission of the original uploader.

PlanetPDF eBooks - A decent sized collection of classic novels all in PDF format.

PocketPCbooks.net - Over 40 classic books specifically for your Windows Mobile Device. Come on, every one needs to carry Sun Tzu’s The Art Of War on their PDA.

The PDA Librarian - Run by an actual high school librarian, this site is specifically for Palm PDAs and features classic literature as well as books for teens and college bound individuals.

HTML Only

Bartleby.com - Harvard Classics and encyclopedias are included here in this easy to browse, HTML only site.

Berkeley Sunsite Classics - A small selection of true classics such as Jane Austen and Thoreau.

Bibliomania.com - Over 2,000 classic texts, study guides, biographies, and more.

Grtbooks.com - A large collection of free-to-read online texts dating back as far as 200 B.C.

Infomotions.com - A collection of over 14,000 documents from full novels to Western philosophy.

Internet Public Library - A large directory of online texts hosted at other sites.

The Perseus Digital Library - A large collection of classical texts broken down by the time period they were written in.

ReadEasily.com - A site with e-books specifically with the elderly and somewhat visually impaired in mind that allows you to change colors, fonts, and size to make it more legible.

The Online Books Page - A gigantic directory of e-books from all over the web.

[via:Mashable]