Apple Safari Beta Runs on Windows PCs »

Apple is creating the new Safari Web Browser to run on Windows PCs. One can download it directly from Apple’s web site, which I did, with mixed results. I then uninstalled it after hearing about the security holes.

Click here to read more »

New Firefox Vulnerability Reported »

There has been a vulnerability found in the Firefox web browser that could allow a phishing web site [define Phishing] to appear authentic.

This but was posted by Michal Zalewski on Full Disclosure, a security mailing list . A phisher could potentially manipulate authentication cookies and that could cause a malicious web site to appear authentic to Firefox.

Since phishing attacks are so malicious, this is a pretty but vulnerability. Window Snyder is Mozilla’s security chief and says they will be addressing this flaw in Firefox version 2.0.0.2.

Snyder said that Mozilla has not heard of any exploits but they are working a quickly as possible to fix it. Until they do, if you are a user of Firefox, be careful of where you surf and make sure that you have Firefox automatic updates turned on so you will be patched as soon as a fix is released.

Alternatively, you could use Opera for your web browser or Internet Explorer.

Microsoft Patches Six Critical Flaws »

When you are the world’s largest maker of software and your software runs on about 95 percent of the world’s computers, you are going to have to fix things on a regular basis. This month’s edition of Patch Tuesday brings us patches for 6 critical flaws in Microsoft software.

The patches fixed holes in Windows XP, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Works, Microsoft’s Malware Protection and Internet Explorer 7. Make sure that you are up to date with your patches. These fixed “critical” flaws in the software.

Microsoft defines “critical” this way:

…when the vulnerability could allow a damaging Internet worm to replicate without the user doing anything to the machine.

Meaning, you could lose control of your computer through just regular use (yikes).

If you are not setup for automatic updates, you can download the patches at Microsoft’s web site.

Clear Your Web Browser Cache »

This is a very basic tip about clearing your browser cache and so most readers already know how to do this. But, there are still some that do not know how to manually clear out the web browser cache so, here is a little how-to.

First, your web browser cache stores information about all of the websites that you have visited, how long you stayed on each site, what pages of that web site that you visited, etc. Some people do not want to have that information stored on their computer. Now, there are literally dozens of programs out there that will clear out your browser cache at specific intervals for you automatically, but there are times when you may want to clear your cache immediately. For example, right after you have visited your online banking web site. If that is the case, here is what you can do:

Internet Explorer 6

1. Select Tools
2. Select Internet Options
3. Your Internet Options box should open to the General tab
4. In the Temporary Internet Files section, click the Delete Files button
5. Click OK and then click OK again
6. Now, all of the files stored in your browser cache are deleted .

From Microsoft’s Web Site

Firefox Web Browser

1. Select Tools
2. Select Options
3. Select Privacy tab
4. In the Private Data section, select Clear Now…
5. In the Clear Private Data box, make sure that Cache is selected
6. Click the Clear Private Data Now button
7. Click OK
8. Your cache is cleared now

I was going to post a screenshot showing these steps, but since the look of theFirefox web browser can be customized from person to person, I wanted to avoid any confusion that might arise when one sees that their boxes and buttons appear differently from mine. I hope the written steps provide enough information.

You should try to remember to manually clear your browser cache if you have visited a secure site like an online banking site or an e-commerce site. That is a good way to keep you private data private .

Mozilla Teams Up with Kodak »

Mozilla has teamed up with Kodak to create a photo sharing service. It is called “Firefox Companion for KODAK Gallery” (wow that is a long name). This new service will allow users to upload and share photos with other users online. They can also create photo books and calendars.

It is a nice drag and drop interface for use when creating a new photo gallery and, of course, you can add captions and text as well.

If you are a photo sharing junkie and you love Firefox, check out this tool for free.

You can go to this link and read the entire Mozilla press release.