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Wednesday 11 July 2007

Firefox - Windows Media Player Plug-in

If you want to see embedded videos that use Windows Media Player, and you use Firefox, go to the Firefox Plug-ins page and install this plug-in. You might need to restart Firefox after to get it to work.

Updates

Zone Alarm free basic firewall
Watch for Zone Alarm to pop-up asking you to upgrade to the paid version. If you are happy with the basic free version, click No Thanks.

If you are looking to download the Zone Alarm free firewall fresh or for the first time, click on this link, download and run this file. It will ask whether you want to download the version for Vista or XP. Choose and then choose Download Only and browse to where you want to save it. Now you will have a copy of the full free version to install.

The latest version is 7.0.362.00


Windows Update
There are some new security updates. Download and install them and enjoy continued security.

Adobe Flash Player
There is an update for this as well. If you use another browser besides IE, like Firefox, make sure to go to the Adobe site, in Firefox, as well as in IE (even if you don't use IE, or don't use it very often) and update Flash for all your browsers. And, in IE, make sure to UNcheck the Google Toolbar download (as it is something that helps to slow down your browsing and it is semi-spyware).


Running these updates helps to keep your computer more secure. Old versions of browser plug-ins (like Flash, Java, Quicktime and Real Player), and media programs (Windows Media Player, WinAmp, etc) become security risks that allow viruses and such to activate on your computer. By updating these programs, you make it harder for viruses and such to mess up your computer.

Monday 2 July 2007

Facebook Applications and Privacy

By default, when you add an application in Facebook, the privacy mode for the application is wide open so anyone can use it to contact you, Xme you, etc. This can result in strangers contacting you through your applications.

To fix this so the applications are more private - just for you and your friends - click on Privacy, Profile, scroll down to Applications In Your Profile, and change the settings for your applications to Only my Friends.

If you are advertising something in Marketplace, you will probably want to keep the privacy mode for this application set at All My Networks and All My Friends.