The following article  was recently published on www.pcworld.com and sums up what many customers have asked Computer Umbrella in regards to computer security.  We have started a TBC campaign.  “Think Before you Click”  Want more details?  Just give us a call at 877-395-2666.

Jonathan Stewart

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How Did My Protected PC Get Infected?

Original article written by  Lincoln Spector

SUPERAntiSpyware found three Trojans on Bill Artman’s PC. Bill asked the Windows forum how this could happen when his PC is protected.

There’s no such thing as perfect protection. Even if you have the best firewall and antivirus software available, and keep it up to date, something might get through. But knowing how they’ll get through can help you block them.

First, do you really have the best security software? Windows’ own firewall, for

instance, doesn’t protect as well as a good, third-party firewall. I currently use

Comodo’s free firewall (there’s a separate x64 version). It’s an annoying product, constantly interrupting my work to ask if I should allow something or other to get through, but the security is worth it.

But just because you like a firewall doesn’t mean you should go with the same company’s antivirus software. For that job, I prefer another free program, Avira AntiVir Personal.

Of course, you shouldn’t just take my word for it. Check out PC World’s Antivirus & Security page for more information.

Whatever software you use, keep it up-to-date. It should do this itself automatically, but every so often, check it yourself. Avira pops up a notice every day when it’s done updating. You can turn that off, but I choose not to. I like that regular reassurance.

And back up more than just your security software. Other programs, especially browsers, can let malware slip by in such a way that your protection never sees it. So keep your operating system and browser up-to-date.

Be suspicious. Don’t click on a link in an email that might not be kosher. If a program you didn’t install and launch tells you your PC is infected, assume it’s about to infect your PC. Only download software from reputable sites. And every week or so, scan your hard drive with an alternative anti-malware program to get a second opinion.

You probably won’t get hit if you do everything properly, but you might. New malware appears in the wild every day, and somebody will get infected with it before their software updates itself. That someone might be you.

Finally, if a scan finds something malicious, keep in mind the possibility of a false positive. I’ve seen it, where a program that had been sitting on my PC unchanged for years suddenly turned up as containing a brand-new, quite evil Trojan. It turned out to be innocent.

CUI Note: The above mentioned security items are neither endorsed or recommended by Computer Umbrella, Inc.  We maintain no responsibilty for their use.

Have questions?  Don’t we all.  Computer Umbrella recently added a FAQ, frequently asked questions, page to our website.  You can find it by clicking on this link, http://www.computerumbrella.com/servicesupport/faq   Feel free to come take a look and if you have a question that has not been answered please let us know by sending to help@computerumbrella.com

Well it’s time to move onto the next phone.  The latest is the Droid X from Verizon wireless and I have had it about 24 hours.  Similar to EVO but really in a class by itself. 

Motorola Droid X has a huge 4.3-inch TFT display, with WVGA resolution. The phone is powered by a 1Ghz OMAP processor, and 512MB of RAM. Droid X also has 8GB of memory along with a 16GB SD card bundled with the device.  It runs on Android 2.1 but will be upgraded sometime this year.

You can record videos at 720p resolution and also watch it on TV using the mini HDMI port. Droid X also has a 1540mAh battery. Droid X also has three microphones – one for video, another one for calls, and the last one for noise cancellation.

For now I will post some pictures and follow up with a full review once I have used it for a week or more.

Thinking about a new cell phone?  Should my next phone be a Smartphone?

I found the following 2 spreadsheets published on the Internet.  Please note we are not the authors and cannot guarantee the accuracy of the data.  When in doubt check with the phone manufacturer.

I would suggest printing as the pictures are small but print in a readable format.

Sprint recently released its first 4.3 4G Smartphone named the HTC Supersonic and more commonly referred to as the HTC EVO. The world’s first 3G/4G Android handset, exclusively from Sprint, HTC EVO™ 4G, offers a rich mobile Internet experience with a fully integrated suite of services built on the Android TM 2.1 platform. HTC EVO 4G includes a blazing-fast 1GHz Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ processor, the award-winning HTC Sense TM user experience, an 8.0 megapixel auto-focus camera with HD-capable video camcorder and a forward-facing 1.3 megapixel camera. The large vibrant 4.3 inch display, built-in kickstand, 3.5 mm headset jack and HDMI output make HTC EVO 4G an unparalleled platform.

This review will be focused on the actual use of the phone and less of a review of the specification.  If you are interested in the phone and its details please click here to check out Sprint’s website.  I bought the phone under Sprint’s 30 day money back guarantee policy and used the Smartphone for a little over 2 weeks before giving it back.

The best thing I can say about this phone is the built in kick stand and its large screen.  Boosting a 4.3” Transreflective TFT screen, the EVO was a delight to use and watch videos.  It also provided considerable “real estate” for app shortcuts and for reading email.  Additionally, the screen makes web browsing easier and more like your laptop.  Sprint also includes their Sprint TV app which allows you to view full length TV shows and “snips” movies as well as Sports and News.   Don’t get me wrong; the screen is still small but it’s exponentially better than current 3.5” screens.

If you are in business for yourself you have probably found that a Smartphone can really save you time and also make you more efficient.  With that in mind, this phone needs more polishing and possible case redesign.  For starters, the phone has a plastic feel to it, which does not detract from the performance, but you may be holding it for long periods of time.  Secondly, the power button, used to wake up the phone, is too far recessed and makes it impossible to press without using great care and deliberation.  For anyone on the go this will cause considerable frustration.  Lastly, the phone’s user interface, the UI, is a little clumsy and feels more like a disjoined collection of icons and apps.  You can fix this by tweaking the settings but out of the box the phone should feel and operate like it’s ready to go.  This phone is still in the locker room waiting to be called to the field.

As far as coverage goes I had no better, and no worse, coverage then I get using my Droid from Verizon.  As much as Verizon would like to tell me that theirs is the best network, in the end it does not matter.  The reason it doesn’t is because all the places I used my Sprint phone had the same coverage as Verizon.  Maybe if I roamed more I might have a different experience but here in the Northern Virginia area Sprint and Verizon have the same coverage.  Sprint actually has some spotty 4G coverage whereas Verizon has none.

I found the device a little difficult to keep protected.  Normally I wear a belt clip to hold my phone and provide for easy access.  The EVO with it’s larger screen did not have one available at time of purchase.  So, I decided to become a pocket Smartphone user and just have a screen protector; these days that is a must for touch screens.  I found that the phone fits nicely in most business pants pockets as well as weekend shorts.

Battery life was the biggest drawback.  I needed to recharge in the middle of the day after moderate phone use and basic emailing.  This complicates the idea of having a mobile device and also makes you plan your day, i.e. do I have an extra charger?, or some other way to keep the battery going?

Overall I did like the EVO and found it to be useful.  I enjoyed watching TV on it and with the built in kickstand it was very easy to use when I was out of the office.  The user interface was a little slow but once I tweaked the home screen, the device responded quickly.  Sprint has a considerably cheaper price plan for both data and voice then my current Verizon one.  However, Sprint does charge everyone who has an EVO an additional $10 per month for access to 4G, even if it is not available in your area.  I give the EVO a B+ and move on to my next phone:  the Motorola Droid X from Verizon.  Stay tuned for the next review coming soon.  

Was driving down the road on a warm and sunny day, temperature about 90 degrees, and what do I see but Froyo.  Now I know I do not get out much but I was driving down the main road of Thu Dau Mot, Vietnam.  Froyo is Google’s codename for their next Android operating system version 2.2.  However, on this bright sunshiny day it was an oasis from the heat and a great tasting desert. 

So I am having a bit of fun here.  Froyo is also the name of a very good frozen yogurt shop in Bing Duong Province of Vietnam.  The owner Ming and I spoke briefly and she admitted that she was unaware that Google and her store shared a common name.  When you go to Thu Dau Mot next stop in and have some cold and delicious frozen yogurt.  If you found this page because you own and Android device, keep reading. 

Soon to be released and based on your device may happen sooner than later.  According to PC World here is a list of the devices that will be getting the update:

The Android 2.2 Upgrade List: Phones Definitely Getting Froyo

• Nexus One: Despite the shuttering of its online store, Google’s flagship phone is still first in line for the Froyo upgrade. In late May, a "very limited test group" received an early copy of the 2.2 software. Google has since been working on final tweaks and expects a widespread rollout to begin soon.

• Motorola Droid: The Droid that started it all is set to be second in line for the Android 2.2 upgrade. Early reports suggested the Droid could see Froyo before the end of June. We all know what happened with the Droid’s 2.1 upgrade schedule, though, so don’t mark your calendars just yet.

• HTC Droid Incredible: HTC has confirmed that its newest Droid handset will be feasting on Froyo. No specific timeframe has been released outside of sometime "in the second half of this year."

• HTC EVO 4G: The EVO 4G is the phone most frequently pitted up against Apple’s new iPhone 4 (hint: the EVO wins), so it’s no surprise that it’s on the confirmed guest list for the latest and greatest Android release. The EVO should get Froyo sometime in the next six months.

• MyTouch 3G and MyTouch 3G Slide: The entire MyTouch line of phones on T-Mobile is expected to see Froyo before the end of 2010.

• HTC Desire: It’s not yet available in the States, but this desirable HTC handset is on-tap to get the Android 2.2 upgrade sometime in the next six months as well

The Android 2.2 Upgrade List: Phones Not Expected to Get Froyo

• T-Mobile G1: The first Android phone, unfortunately, isn’t expected to get the Froyo upgrade; its hardware is said to be too limited to provide full support. It’s been nearly two years since the phone’s release, though, so the option for a handset upgrade shouldn’t be too far away for Android’s earliest adopters.
• Samsung Behold II: Samsung has indicated its Behold II won’t be upgraded beyond Android 1.6. As for a reason, the company has said only that the phone is "not upgradeable" beyond that point.

The Android 2.2 Upgrade List: The Rest of the Phones

The fate of other Android phones is less clear. The Motorola Cliq and Cliq XT, for example, were originally scheduled to be upgraded to 2.1 before the end of the summer. It’s possible Motorola might bump them directly to 2.2 instead, but no one’s saying anything for sure.

Samsung’s also staying quiet on the status on its Samsung Moment Android device. The phone just received its official 2.1 upgrade a month ago, so there’s no telling if and when the next release might arrive.

I for one am looking forward to the update. 

Mobile phone or cell phone, they mean the same thing no matter what country you are in.  So it was with great satisfaction that I can now use 3G services in Vietnam.  Here is a picture of my new mobile office.

It only took about 1.5 hours and the help of a great website, http://www.skinnybackpacker.com/home/2010/6/17/using-your-iphone-with-3g-in-vietnam.html

to get my jail-breaked and unlocked iPhone to connect using 3G.  Also thanks to Lieu from Vinaphone who worked with me tirelessly to setup my iPhone.  If you need the exact data carrier network settings I am attaching a screenshot of mine.  Should be the same for other phones. 

With that I am on my way to a more mobile future.  I started thinking that maybe it is time for a new phone, seeing as mine is only 8 months old.  Stay tuned to the next blog when I discuss the latest and greatest in mobile technologies.

Well it’s been about one month since I bought my iPad and it’s time to offer up my review.  There are numerous- (that’s an understatement) iPad reviews from the most notable techies to the grandma in Virginia who uses it to write poems.  My review is biased and non objective, so if you are looking for one man’s real world impression and use then you have come to the right place.

When I first bought the iPad, I was under the Apple "spell" and thought that my world would change and I would be living in a magical and revolutionary time.  Then reality set it.  During the first two weeks the iPad sat in my living room and was used only for reading technical websites and writing the occasional email.  I would take it with me each day to show customers and even attempted to use it in place of my laptop at some locations.  With initial limited success I used the iPad about 20% of my working time.  What I failed to change was my mindset about the device and its use.  From my vantage point of working with many customers in the computer world ,I have seen this before.  Adopting a new technology and making it work for you can be a daunting task.  Really, I am a customer just like everyone else and my tech background was not going to help me here, or so I thought.

So one day I decided that I would only use the iPad and nothing else.  The challenge was on and I was only 5 minutes into it when I felt withdrawal from my trusted and dear friend, the laptop.  But I persevered and by the end of the day I had done about 75% of my regular work on the iPad.  What I found was that it can work for what I needed to do; I just needed to think outside the box.  Buying and using new technology are 2 very different things.  Now I was using my new technology.

What I also found was that Adobe Flash or the absence of it on the iPad was and still is a huge problem for me.  Computer Umbrella’s billing system is electronic and since the website we use relies on flash for its pull down menus I was unable to create invoices properly.  There were a dozen or so websites including the Verizon page that I needed to review to complete a consultation for a customer, the hardware manufacturer’s web site that would not show up, and then there were the occasional video clips that I could not watch.  Not very helpful and certainly a real problem when it came to getting work done.

At his point I feel it is prudent to detail the setup of my iPad.  I bought the 32 GB and have loaded some music, no pictures, and have installed the following business related apps:

Atomic Web, Blog Writer, Dropbox, Skype, Y!Messenger, Last Pass Tab, Evernote, Zinio, File Browser, Logmein Ignition, RDP, Desktop Connect, and Cydia. 

For fun I have installed GalagaRemix, Kindle, Pac-Man, Pac-Sam, War Chess, Vietnamese, Speed Test, JiroBreak, Betty Crooker Cook Book, and The Weather Channel. 

All were free with the following exceptions, Atomic Web, Desktop Connect, and Logmein Ignition.  If you are wondering about Cydia, yes I did jailbreak my iPad.  I bought the folding style case so I can "prop" up the iPad and carry around my trusty Verizon MiFi 2200 for Internet access.  Beyond that I have made no other changes or additions.

So why jailbreak it?  Well, I was going to travel and felt that I needed to use a mouse.  The only way to accomplish this was to install mouse software after you jailbreak the iPad.  Jailbreaking took about 2 minutes, was very easy and will be the subject of another blog.  After I setup the mouse software I tested it using the Apple Magic Mouse and a Microsoft Bluetooth travel mouse.  Both installed and allowed me to move the mouse pointer around the screen without incident.  However, when I went to setup my Bluetooth keyboard things started to get unstable.  You read correctly I tried to install a keyboard and mouse with my iPad.  Why would I go and upset the perfect harmony of the touch screen with such rudimentary devices?  I type a lot and I also like to have more screen to see and read so the keyboard was a naturally progression in my mind.  Once you have a physical keyboard the onscreen one does not "pop" up.  The mouse was going to be solely used to control the remote desktop software when working with clients computers.  Let me cut to the chase and say the mouse was a bad idea and the keyboard was a great one.  In fact I am using the iPad and Apple Bluetooth keyboard to type this entire blog.

At this point I was leaving the laptop in the office more and more and solely using the iPad.  What did it for me was the installation of the following, Dropbox, Skype, and Logmein Ignition.  With these 3 programs I could stay connected, read files, and get access to a full desktop at the office whenever I needed.  The lack of Flash was no longer a problem.  But it was a struggle to get this far.  See, I am cheap and was only looking for the free software to help me remotely connect to my office desktop.  Let me say this right now: spend the money and buy the software and save yourself some headache.  I tried 3 different remote control applications and found that in the end the one that cost the most was developed the best.  Precision pointing, auxiliary controls, speed of access, functional settings, and keyboard replication are just a few of the reasons I went with the pay version of the Logmein app.

I can now drop files into my desktop Dropbox and read them on the go, or login to Skype and make calls to clients and family.  I can surf the web with some limitations and sync my notes with Evernote.  If you have not tried this little gem, than I suggest a trip to http://www.evernote.com. I was first turned onto them after reading some tech website but it was not until the urging of my good friend and customer Dr. Wayne Villeneuve that I gave it a real try.  Now I can sync my notes and thoughts and other "sticky note" items across all my devices.  From my office desktop to my Verizon Droid, from my iPad to my iPhone, all my gadgets have an Evernote app.  Thanks to Logmein I can remotely connect to my office desktop anytime I have an Internet connection and edit Word or Excel docs and read websites that use flash, including creating invoices for clients.

Simply put, the iPad works exactly as I need it to.  I found that it really makes a great "viewer" into my office desktop.  I still need a full desktop to work but I can now carry a device that is half the weight, half the size, and twice as easy to operate, and turns on instantly. Along with the added "cool" factor, the iPad is now my tool of choice for everyday needs.

Sent from my iPad

The iPad is coming, the iPad is coming….wait a minute- it is already here! Yes, we did go out and join the other early adopters of the latest device from Apple.

Apple claims this device to be, “A magical and revolutionary product and an unbelievable price.”  Maybe in fantasy land! Yes, that’s what we are claiming.  Realistically, the iPad is a bit overpriced more evolutionary rather than revolutionary.  What Apple did right, as they’ve done with most of their products post 1999 (the year in which the iPhone development was started), was design a simple to use, easy to operate, good looking device. 

One of my favorite lines from a movie is, “Explain this to me like I am a two year-old.”  Well Apple definitely made a product that a 2 year-old could pick up and start using.  Even 99 year-old Virginia Campbell can use the iPad, which has given her new-found freedom.  So let’s begin the review. 

In an effort of full disclosure, I love my iPad.  But don’t be misled. The iPad is not a laptop and is not a replacement for your home computer, though there are some exceptions for mobile business owners.  In fact, if you decide to run out and try to buy an iPad today, 2 things will happen. One, you will not be able to buy an iPad as most stores are sold out, and two, you will need to sync this baby to your home computer and then activate it using iTunes.  “Did I just hear you correctly? You mean I have to activate my iPad, which is a computer, to another computer in order to use it??”  Yes, that’s correct! 

If you own and iPhone then you will be familiar with this process.  If not, it might seem unusual but it’s the way Apple rolls.  Simply plug in your iPad, using the included cable, to another computer and Apple will walk you through the process.  After that, just charge it up for about 4-6 hours and you can start surfing, reading emails, or whatever else you feel the need to do- there is sure to be an app for it. 

Here is the low-down dirty truth about the iPad – its great, but again, it’s not a desktop replacement and should only be considered as a compliment to the computer system that you already have.  In other words, it is a luxury item- but a very useful one at that.  I have been using mine non-stop for the past week and have really tried to abuse it.  So far, the worst things I can say is that the position of your body that you end up in while using the iPad is very bad on your posture and, some websites do not work properly.  If you have not heard, as with other Apple products, the iPad does not support Flash.  Flash is used by over 75% of all sites on the Internet.  Sites like hulu.com, netgear.com, and fox.com all use flash to show you dynamic web content.  No flash=no fun. 

I opted to buy the 32 GB version and decided not to wait for the 3G model, which would allow the iPad to connect to the Internet, since I already have a MiFi-2200- a device that allows me to connect up to 5 computers to the Internet simultaneously to the Verizon Mobile network for Internet access.

As I begin to use it more I will post follow-ups to this blog. More to follow…..

I purchased a new MacBook recently and although it is very quick and responsive, I needed a more durable solution for the hard drive.  I am tough on my machines and don’t always have time to follow my own advice when moving them.  It’s always best to turn off your laptop when moving around or at the very least, put the computer into hibernation.

Do you toss your laptop around and not think twice about what could happen?  I see the effects of “abused” equipment all the time and it’s not pretty.  What is the answer?  Reducing the moving parts in your computer is one way.  The primary and most critical component that can be replaced is the hard drive as it is the heart of the laptop.  Regular hard drives have tiny moving parts inside, and if the laptop is writing to the hard drive, and the laptop gets jolted, it can cause errors to occur and could render your laptop inoperable

Off I go to the local computer store to purchase the best SSD – only took 1 week of research time – anyone who knows me knows that was quick.  But why am I going to the local computer store? Doesn’t CUI sell parts?  We do and I will get into why we buy local later.  So as usual I try to test the local computer sales person’s knowledge.  First question for the Apple representative at Micro Center was, can I upgrade my MacBook to an SSD?  The answer from the sales person, “No”.

I decided to purchase an Intel X15 drive from Micro Center and as I mentioned earlier the sales person told me that I could not upgrade my MacBook.  So being the average home owner wanting to buy some parts I ask, “can I change the hard drive in my MacBook to an SSD?”  The saleswomen stumbles a bit and finally tells me that Micro Center does not sell a drive that will work in my MacBook.  I asked twice to be sure and she confirmed that it cannot be done

Why an SSD?  What is an SSD?  SSD is short for solid state design and is the latest in hard drive technology.  There are no moving parts in an SSD.  It uses similar technology to the flash memory you use in your camera.  There is very little heat and best of all the response time when reading from the drive is incredible. 

Going to the local computer store has the advantage of instant gratification as well as an easier return policy.  More importantly I was headed out of the country and needed to do this quickly.  But I digress.  So I was off to the hard drive section to buy what I was told would not work.  I am always trying to buck the system and prove them wrong.  To be fair I had already read the instructions from many other users who had replaced their MacBook hard drive with an SSD.

Back at the office I begin the process.  First thing I needed to do was back up my current hard drive and make an image that I could put on the new SSD.  Seems easy enough but having never done this on a Mac before I was a little skeptical.  Jason, CUI tech extraordinaire, had already done this but for me it was the first time.  At this point I took some time to review the Apple forums and then narrow down my choices of programs to copy my data from the old drive to the new drive.  After what seemed like an eternity, actually about 5 minutes, it was clear the winner was SuperDuper! Next I downloaded and installed the program.  In no time it was ready to go.  As this was a test I did not read the manual and turns out that was not a problem.

Finally I was ready to unpack the SSD and connect it to the MacBook, allowing me to make an exact copy of my current hard drive on the new SSD.  For this I used my Cables to Go USB to SATA adapter.  Plugged in all the pieces and nothing happened.  Why?  Simple answer – no power.  So off to the Computer Umbrella tech bag and retrieve the power source for the adapter.  Once I set up the power the MacBook recognized the new SSD drive right away.  Started SuperDuper!! and selected the new hard drive as my target drive and selected back up all files.  Now the waiting.  Wow was I surprised.  A mere 15 minutes later my new SSD was ready to go and best of all SuperDuper!! made it bootable.  All I needed to do was install the new SSD in my MacBook.

Flip over the MacBook to find 8 screws that needed to be removed to get access to the current hard drive.  I then removed the current drive which was held in by 2 screws.  So of all the things I did so far the hardest part was the next step.  The original MacBook hard drive had 4 posts that screw into the side of the drive.  They needed to be removed so I could use them in the new SSD.  I have just about every tool for computers and nothing was working.  In the end I used a small pair of pliers to remove each post.  Now that I was back in business I installed the new SSD into the MacBook and closed up the bottom.  Flipped it back over, plugged in power and turned it on.  Nothing happened.  Was this failure?  No.

I just needed to wait a little for the new drive to be recognized by my Mac.  Once it did the speed was great.  Instant startup of any program.  It has been 3 weeks now and all is good.  I traveled to our office in Vietnam and back and was very rough with the MacBook.   No problems and speed is still great.  I made the right decision.