Fake Microsoft Security Essentials software on the loose. Don’t be fooled by it!

Saw this on Twitter and think its important to share with all of you out there.

This fake software shows up as a hotfix.exe or as an mstsc.exe file. Additionally, after report it cannot clean the claimed malware infection, it offers to install additional antimalware rogues (with names such as AntiSpySafeguard, Major Defense Kit, Peak Protection, Pest Detector and Red Cross). Lastly, this fake program will try to scare you into purchasing a product.

This software is a fake. Do not be fooled by this scam. Microsoft Security Essentials can be downloaded and used at no cost from http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/.

- [Source: WindowsTeamBlog]

The fake alert screen.

Product purchase page.

Just a few comments on Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE).

MSE is by far the best anti-virus that I know so far.

• It uses significantly less CPU resource. My last anti-virus was AVG. My laptop fan will run at full speed after 5 minutes. But with MSE, I never had this problem.
• Its one of the few safest antivirus (that does not affected by kernel hook attack).
• Passed Virus Bulletin test - August 09 and October 09, while AntiVir, Symantec, Kingsoft... and others failed.

So, if you have genuine Windows, and haven't installed MSE. I would encourage you to install :)




References:

• http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/b/windowssecurity/archive/2010/10/25/fake-microsoft-security-essentials-software-on-the-loose-don-t-be-fooled-by-it.aspx
• http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2010/05/microsoft-mse-safe-from-windows-kernel-hook-attack.ars

Productivity in Future - Microsoft

Yeap, pretty realistic. A lot of projects similar to whats in the video, for example sixthsense - reading interactive newspaper, boarding ticket that updates on the move, drag and drop to and from desktop to mobile devices, or else from physical object to computer devices...

Just once thing I think is missing from the video, which currently is actively under research by many people - Brain Computer Interface (BCI). One of the demo is here.

Internet Explorer 9 (Beta)

Cool. But isn't it looks similar to Chrome? :) But nvm, I like the new features, especially the add-on manager. :)

Nice improvement to Internet Explorer. Read the changes at http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/internet-explorer/help/ie-9/whats-new-in-internet-explorer-9.


Download link? http://windows.microsoft.com/ie9

Microsoft Kinect for Xbox 360

Kinect for Xbox 360, or previously called Porject Natal, is the new "controller-free gaming and entertainment experience" by Microsoft.

Scheduled to release end of this year. Cool eh? ;)

I think computing experience already shifted towards controller-free devices. SixthSense (2009) for example:

and Future of UI by John Underkoffler


I think the only limitation is the lack of holographic projection technology. As a result we still need a screen for the purpose of display. This will ultimately limits the capability and the functionality of controller-free devices.

Just imagine what will the world be if we can physically interact with digital data? It would be exactly like the environment in Iron Man 2! There will be no limit to how we can pull and manipulate data!

3D Holographic display from "Iron Man 2"

But still these are the first step - gesture and voice recognition for digital data manipulation,  that will lead us to the next generation of computing world. :)

ASP.NET self-learning Websites

By Reading

• ASP.NET
• Beginner Learning Development
  Center
• DotNETSlackers
• Getting Started with Visual Studio
• Windows Mobile
• XBOX 360 Game Development

By Doing

• .toolbox
• CodePlex
• Expression Starter Kits
• SQL Server Virtual Labs
• Visual Basic Virtual Labs
• Visual Studio Virtual Labs
• XNA Creator's Club
• IT Academy Student Pass

By Watching

• ASP.NET Videos
• Channel 9
• SQL Server Videos
• Visual Basic Videos
• Visual Studio Videos

How to Set 64-Bit Windows Media Player 12 (WMP12) As Default Player

Windows 7 still uses the 32 bit version of 'Windows Media Player' even though you run a x64 build of Windows 7?
Windows 7 64-bit includes both 32bit (x86) and 64bit (x64) versions of Windows Media Player 12, (WMP 12). However, to provide maximum compatibility with existing applications and codecs, 32-bit version of Windows Media Player has been made as the default media player.

What’s the advantage of using 64-bit (x64) Windows Media Player?
Using 64-bit software allows application to run natively using x64 architecture, and potentially run faster by working with larger data sets at any time. One practical consideration is for users who use Windows Media Center, which is an 64-bit app. By switching to WMP x64, users just need to install one instance of codecs (just x64 version) to playback various media files in WMC and WMP.

How to switch and set 64-bit Windows Media Player As Default Media Player?

1. Open command prompt as administrator. (Open Start Menu, type "cmd", then press ctrl+shift+enter)
2. Type "unregmp2.exe /SwapTo:64" (without the quotes and make sure to write capital letters in capital), this command is case sensitive!
3. Open the Windows 7 registry (Windows button + r, type "regedit" and hit enter)
4. Go to HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\wmplayer.exe\
5. Double click the "Path" value.
6. Change the value “%ProgramFiles(x86)” to “%ProgramFiles%”
7. Close the Windows 7 registry and you are done.

Enjoy!

Congratulations! You have advanced to ImagineCup Round 2!

Congratulations! You have advanced to Round 2! Check back on April 1 to participate in Round 2 of the Embedded Development competition.

hehe :] Guess my plans for the coming holiday is set!

Run PPStream without changing system locale in Windows

Been trying to correct the font display for PPStream on Windows 7 for the past few days. Found a "temporary" solution, which involve changing system locale in Windows. But this method will cause come other programs to run in chinese character display also.

In the end, I found another alternative to solve the problem of running non-unicode program on Windows - using Microsoft's AppLocale.

AppLocale is a program that helps you run a non-unicode program in a different locale to what user’s windows system is currently running. For example, if you are using a version of Japanese version of Windows system, but you are trying to run a Chinese Version of particular software, AppLocale can help you on this regard.

Download AppLocale from http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=8C4E8E0D-45D1-4D9B-B7C0-8430C1AC89AB&displaylang=en

Here’s how to install AppLocale on Windows 7:

1. Place the AppLocale installer (apploc.msi) in your C: drive.
2. Go to your start menu, type cmd in the search box.
3. Hold down crtl+shift and click on cmd.exe (to run cmd.exe with administrative permission).
4. Select Yes when a dialog asks if you want the program to make chances to your computer.
5. The command prompt should show C:\Windows\System32.
6. Type cd\ and press enter to navigate to the C: drive.
7. Type apploc.msi and press enter, the installer will appear.
8. Install the application.

Then

Here’s how to run PPStream on Windows 7:
1. Go to your start menu, type "applocale" in the search box.
2. Hold down crtl+shift and click on AppLocale.exe (to run AppLocale.exe with administrative permission).
3. Next.
4. Browse for C:\Program Files (x86)\PPStream\PPStream.exe
5. Next
6. Language of the application: 中文（简体）
7. Next, then Finish.
8. ENJOY!

AppLocale

next gen of Microsoft Search: Bing!

Screenshot of Microsoft new search engine - bing. The engine will be up on 3rd June.

Live Mesh

Found another files synchronization service - Microsoft Live Mesh. More info on wiki.

Actually I'm using Dropbox now. What I find good about Dropbox so far:

• Fast, the upload & download speed is tremendous.
  
• Accurate update on files (its not accurate when I use Microsoft Office Groove, bad application, it creates many version of files instead of just update the contents).
  
• Cross-platform - can sync between Windows, Mac, Linux.

Basically the functions provided by MS Live Mesh is the same, with the following addition function:

• Sync over mobile phones!

Things to ponder:

• Will it be another Microsoft Groove? Hope not.

Windows 7 RC Build 7100 Installation - A required CD/DVD drive device driver is missing

After I've selected Time & Language, Keyboard Layout (at the first step of installation), then I got the message "No device drivers were found. Make sure that the installation media contains the correct drivers, and the click ok" at the "Select the driver to be installed" screen (which is the second step of installation).

My computer is installed with Windows 7 Beta Build 7000 currently. I'm planning to reinstall 7100 over it.

I've previously installed Windows 7 RC on another Compaq Laptop, which means the ISO and the DVD that I burn is fine.

---

Solution 1

http://www.evga.com/forums/printable.asp?m=100677004

Had same problem installing vista ultimate 64... had to use a legacy DVD drive on IDE channel... even after vista installed, it still wasn't reading both my blueray drives on SATA (They are both on the red SATA ports).

Problem is you need the JMicron drivers.

The JMicron SATA controller drivers can be found at:
ftp://driver.jmicron.com.tw/jmb36x/Win2k_xp_Vista/R1.17.48.12.zip
For eSATA control please download the following:
ftp://driver.jmicron.com.tw/jmb36x/Win2k_xp_Vista/R1.17.48.12_eSATA.zip

Windows 7 Release Candidate is out!

Windows 7 RC is avaiable for download at http://technet.microsoft.com/. The RC will expire on June 1, 2010.