Splash of Style...Macs, Photography, Design, and other Passions

Attaching an Image File in Gmail Message

November 20, 2008 by debbie T | Computers • Internet

Tutorial written for my Dad, but if others find it helpful, that’s a bonus!!! My Dad uses Windows XP, and that is the OS the tutorial references.

Let’s start by launching Gmail with Firefox (or with whatever browser you use to access the Internet.)

Read the Rest of the Article

Adagio Teas on Twitter

October 30, 2008 by debbie T | Internet • Ramblings

ooh cool, my favorite online tea site is on twitter.

http://twitter.com/AdagioTeas

I love their teas, and it’s easy to order online. Since I live very close to them, I receive my order by the next day. Hmm, I am running low, I think I will place an order tonight.

Adagio Teas

If anyone would like a $5 gift certificate for a future Adagio Teas order, email me and I can get one out to you. You get $5 off, and I get 10 points toward my “frequent cups” rewards.

Oh and I love their IngenuiTEA tea pot. I have been using the 32 oz pot for about a year, and I adore it. It makes a nice big cup of hot tea or I throw some ice in a glass and it makes ice tea too.

No Internet Access w/ Linksys WRT54GS Router

October 1, 2008 by debbie T | Internet • Wireless

What a day! It was a geeky day, and I’m glad that I figured out my problem (I think)

Last night, I went to bed before midnight, and the Internet (wifi) was working fine. This morning, it was extremely slow, and then non-existent. I phoned my husband who wakes up and leaves for work hours before me, and he said he was had the same problem when he tried to use the wireless connection this morning.

I tried unplugging both router (Linksys WRT54GS) and Comcast modem (the modem is on battery backup, so that was not very helpful) to restart, and I even bypassed the router, and connected directly to modem; it was the same…no connection.

I phoned Comcast, and she wouldn’t help unless my laptop was directly connected to the modem. Geez, what evah.

She told me how to reset the modem by hitting the small reset button at the back of the modem. Oh yeah, I forgot about that! I have to remember to use that button more often!

Anyway, after I restarted my laptop, voila, the internet was back….and the next part was kind of strange, but she said (paraphrasing) that my router might still be the problem, and that just because the connection worked now, it might not when I connect my router.

I disagreed and informed her that I didn’t think it had anything to do w/ the router, and I told her that I would be fine troubleshooting that on my own anyway.

And guess what, she jinxed me! Plugged in the router. What? No connection?! Oh no!

I tried everything! Unplugging router, restarting laptop, updating router firmware, resetting router to factory settings, etc. and nothing worked. I knew it couldn’t be wired cables, because I was connected to my Linksys router and could access the setup/admin through my browser, using both wired and wireless connections. And the cable running from the modem worked when plugged in directly to my laptop.

At this point, I started to blame Comcast, thinking it was some sort of conspiracy. Today, October 1st, was the first day that they began their new “bandwidth limit” so of course they messed up my router, right?

Anyway, I figured that I would just have to go out and purchase a new one. sigh. Came home w/ a new Linksys WRT54G2. Plugged that in, started it up, and nothing. No connection. What? Okay something must be wrong.

And then it dawned on me. Somewhere in my google travels today, trying to troubleshoot the problem, I read advice that each item needed to be restarted in a specific order. Modem first, router second, then computer.

Okay, let’s try one more time. I shut down the laptop, unplugged (electricity) the router, and then I reset the Comcast modem (with the little button on back). Right after that finished booting up, I plugged in the Linksys router. Then I restarted my laptop.

Oh joy!! I have internet. Both wired and wireless. Okay, so let’s find out if I can get my old router working instead. Yep, went through the whole process again, and yay, it worked.

I will return the new router, and keep my old one!

So, in summary, when troubleshooting your Comcast connection w/ a router, follow these steps:

  1. Shut down computer
  2. Unplug electric cord from the router
  3. Hit small reset button on back of Comcast modem
  4. After modem boots up, plug the router back into electricity
  5. When router boots up, restart computer

haha, New Windows PC Ads Made On Mac

September 20, 2008 by debbie T | Computers • Internet • Mac Corner

I love it! Computerworld reports that some of the new ad still photos posted to Microsoft’s own web site were created with Photoshop CS3 on a Mac.

By way of Macrumors

Firefox 3 – Edit the Personal Dictionary

August 25, 2008 by debbie T | Firefox Browser • Mac Software

Have you ever mistakenly added a misspelled word to the Firefox custom dictionary. It has happened to me a few times, and I always google to find the answer for editing the dictionary entries.

Look for the “persdict.dat” file in your Firefox profile folder on your hard drive.

Users/username/Library/Application Support/Firefox/Profiles/profilename.default/persdict.dat

Found this forum post and I wanted to blog it so I remember it for next time!

http://www.trap17.com/forums/firefox-dictionary-word-edit-t48009.html

also: Mozilla Support

Hmm, now if I can just remember that I blogged it, we will be all set!

New Setting in Gmail: Always Use https

August 14, 2008 by debbie T | Internet

Listening to the Security Now podcast today, I found out that Google has added a new setting to Gmail for always connecting securely using https.

Once logged into your Gmail web account, click the “Settings” link. On the “General” tab, at the bottom of the page, click the radio button next to “Always Use https”

I use a Flickr extension called Gmail Manager, and it always logs me in using https, but this will still be handy especially when logging in at work, or when I eventually get my iTouch or iPhone.

Automountd Trying to Connect to Backups.backupdb

August 9, 2008 by debbie T | Computers • Internet • Mac Corner • Mac Software

I just bought a new 1TB external hard drive yesterday, and my Chronosync backups were still working last night to sync all my files from various hard drives to backups on the new drive.

This morning I noticed a Little Snitch (gotta love this app!) requesting to allow “Automountd” to connect to “Backups.backupdb”

I recognized Backups.backupdb as the location of Leopard’s Time Machine backup, but I was unsure why automountd wanted to connect to the Internet; besides Time Machine is not configured to auto backup. I always click the Time Machine icon in my menu bar for manual backups AND the drive I do use for backups was definitely attached to my Mac overnight.

So I googled “automountd” and found this article.
http://installingcats.com/2008/06/01/automountd-backups-backupd/

He received the very same message from Little Snitch. In the article he explains in plain English what is going on. Even though the first time I read it, I was a bit muddled, but when I read it again, I think I understand the answer to the problem, but I still don’t know why automountd was trying to connect in the first place, especially since Time Machine is not set to auto backup.

In the article, another article was referenced. That might contain the answers to automountd, but seriously, I don’t have the time right now to read it. So, I will list the article for future reading reference:
http://rajeev.name/blog/2007/11/22/autofs-goodness-in-apples-leopard-105-part-i/

I ended up denying access (until quit) in Little Snitch, and there appears to be no impact on Time Machine’s backup ability. I manually started the backup and it did take a very long time to start the tiny backup (a few mb) but when it was finished, the files looked okay.

I will keep an eye on it.

DNS Poisoning & How To Protect Yourself

August 7, 2008 by debbie T | Computers • Internet • Mac Corner • Web Design • Web Development • Wireless • WordPress
UPDATE: I will be updating this article very shortly. I have new info on how to change the DNS settings for dialup as well as wired users. I will be adding a few screen shots and step by step instructions.

Now I am not one to panic about malware on the web. I have always prided myself on smart & safe browsing. But when I first heard about the new DNS Poisoning problem on the Nosillacast podcast a couple of weeks ago, it scared me. This could be a problem affecting everyone, no matter what safety precautions they take while surfing the Internet.

The subject is so complicated, and I won’t pretend to understand it fully, but I think I understand it enough to explain the situation to my family and friends, which is what I am trying to do with this blog article.

Okay, bottom line is there is a type of flaw that can be exploited by the bad guys, which enables them hijack vulnerable unpatched systems at your Internet Service Provider (Comcast for example) and change the path of traffic to their own web pages. So, if you are trying to go to amazon.com, your browser address bar will display “http://www.amazon.com” but you might be redirected to the hijacker’s site who has created a web site that looks very similar to Amazon. From there, it could be possible to install malware to your computer or to trick you into giving your personal info like credit cards or passwords.

This vulnerability can also affect your email, which is even scarier. A bad guy could intercept your email message(s) and insert a malware attachment or web site link. And you wouldn’t even know it was happening.

Are you vulnerable?

The Security Now podcast lists several links to sites that will “test” your site for the vulnerability:
http://www.grc.com/sn/notes-155.htm

I ran the test @ DoxPara and the following message appeared:
“Your ISP’s name server, xxxxx, has other protections above and beyond port randomization against the recently discovered DNS flaws. There is no reason to be concerned about the results seen below.”

I have heard that similar messages are appearing for other Comcast users. Since the information I am finding online concerning Comcast is vague and unclear, I am not 100% sure I trust Comcast to deal with this. So, I am taking matters into my own hands until I am sure.

I have read that other ISPs like Time Warner and AT&T have NOT patched, so there are still a lot of people out there that are in trouble!

Good News – Use Open DNS

The good news is, you can bypass your ISP’s DNS computers, and use another. Open DNS is a very secure and highly recommended DNS server that offers use of its servers for FREE! All you need to do is change a couple of settings in your router.

Not using a router? If your computer is attached directly to a high speed modem (ie DSL, Cable, satellite) then you are highly vulnerable to this flaw, as well as many other attacks.

Using a router keeps you safe behind a “hardware” firewall, and that firewall can thwart most attacks…so do yourself a favor and head to Staples, Walmart, Target, or Amazon and buy a Linksys, Netgear, or DLink router. It is an absolutely necessary tool in today’s times!

Change Your Router’s Settings

It is very easy to change your router settings to use Open DNS servers instead of your ISP’s.

Note: Don’t worry, you aren’t changing to a new Internet Service Provider, you will still be using the same ISP, it’s just the DNS computer information that you are changing.

There are detailed instructions on the Open DNS site, but I will walk through the instructions for changing a Linksys router.

First you need to access your router’s settings. Linksys router users can use this link: http://192.168.1.1/.

A password window will appear. The user name is “admin” and unless you previously changed the access password, the default password will be “admin”.

Important note: in the router settings, your password should be changed for extra security. To learn more about configuring your router for better security, please read my prior article.

Once you have logged into your router, you should be on the “Setup” page/tab.

Toward the bottom of the page, there is a setting called “Network Address
Server Settings (DHCP)”. Locate “Static DNS 1″ and “Static DNS 2″ and type in Open DNS’s server numbers, which are:

208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220

NOTE: If you have current DNS settings, then write them down just in case you need to revert back.

change dns servers on linksys router

Once the new DNS numbers have been entered, click the “Save Settings” button. And that is it!

Again, if you are not using a router, I cannot stress enough that you need to go out and buy one. They are usually about $50 and sometimes less. I recommend the Linksys WRT54G series routers, but DLink and Netgear also make good routers. Buy whichever is on sale that week; most will have detailed instructions explaining how to set security.

Okay, next, a word or two about Open DNS. Besides free use of their DNS servers, they also offer all sorts of parental controls and other security. I haven’t really delved into their offerings, but from what I gather, it’s all free. How can all this be free? Well to offset their costs, they have advertising revenues. Keep in mind, that whenever you type in a wrong address into your browser, Open DNS will take you to a custom search page, usually with your corrected web site URL on top.

For instance, if you type “ebay” instead of “ebay.com”, your browser will take you to a search page for “ebay”. Some have complained that this isn’t fair, wah wah wah…but who cares. They have to make money somehow. I don’t mind that they make a little on searches.

To learn more about Open DNS and all their offerings, check out the Typical Mac User podcast for a special 3 part series on all the details.

Personal Computer Patches

Besides your ISP computers, personal home computers, as well as business computers also need to be patched.

As far as I can tell, Microsoft issued a security patch a week or two ago, so make sure you are 100% up to date with all your Vista or XP critical patches.

As for Mac users, there was a patch issued, but it looks like it doesn’t fix everything, so when I am out from behind my router, I think I am still vulnerable if I connect to an open wifi spot. I am still a bit foggy on that issue, so more research is needed.

More Questions

Since I am still learning about this vulnerability, I still have additional questions that I haven’t found answers to.

For example, are cell phones that connect to the Internet still vulnerable? What about if you use a VPN (virtual private network)? What about web based email like gmail?

There is also a problem with routers being vulnerable too, but the issue isn’t as dire, because they would only be attacking your small network. Initially, I think routers will be okay, and the bigger networks like ISPs will be attacked first. I would like to find out more about the router issues, and whether firmware patches will be issued.

Hopefully I can find the answers online soon.

Helpful sites if you want to learn more about the DNS Flaw:

Getting Social

July 19, 2008 by debbie T | Digital Photography • Flickr • Internet • Mac Corner • Web Development

I have had accounts at all the cool social networking sites, like Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, MySpace and Zooomr to name a few.

I have never really had the time or desire to participate with any of these networks, except for Flickr. But with all the talk (and rumors) of the downfall of Flickr, I decided to mess around with Zooomr.

When I signed up with Zooomr almost a year ago, I didn’t mesh with it, but this time, I guess it stuck, because I am totally addicted.

The addiction to Zooomr, lead to another look at Twitter, and I have set up auto updates to Twitter from Zooomr.

I have never thought of myself as a chatter, but this is actually kind of fun. I like the quick moving feel of Zooomr and the community aspect is very fun.

If you are a Zooomr member, would you like to “follow” me?

More on my thoughts on Zooomr at a later date.

Moving Thunderbird Profile to New Computer

February 27, 2008 by debbie T | Firefox Browser • Mac Software • Thunderbird Email

For some reason, the last time I moved my Thunderbird profile, it didn’t work very well.

Firefox is very easy to move; I just drag the whole Firefox folder from my back up to the Library folder in Finder (Mac OS X). Thunderbird used to work that way as well.

I found this article explaining the proper way to move a profile:
Moving your profile folder

Make sure to also check out the article on how to start the profile manager too:
Accessing the Profile Manager