Google Wave was launched with a lot of buzz. However it has since failed to live up to the media hype it generated. Early ads targeted RPG players and professionals, however nearly a year after its launch. The name Wave evokes confusion and silence.

Nobody really knows what to do with it. Google already has a phenomenal email product in Gmail, so why change the formula that works. Google hailed Wave as the next trend in communication. I certainly was never able to use it to any potential. If I don’t understand it, you won’t either. The world just isn’t ready to revolutionize email.

Wave isn’t totally dead, many of its technologies will doubtlessly be reused in other Google technologies. Think of it as a huge proof of concept.

Sources:

Google Axes Wave (PC World)
RIP Google Wave (Techland)

A lot of people ask me for computer security tips. I wanted to cover a little of that today, especially since there’s been a security product announcement from Microsoft. I’ve always found it silly that Microsoft would itself enter the antivirus market since viruses take advantage of security flaws in the operating system that they, Microsoft, had built. It was especially bizarre that Microsoft would charge a subscription for such an oddly self-serving purpose; almost as if making their operating system vulnerable would contribute to their income stream.

Thankfully Microsoft wasn’t totally insane and has made their Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) program free for home users. It has managed to make a name for itself and stand out amongst the other free home antivirus possibilities. It’s balance of quick scanning time, low processor utilization, and its ability to stop common malware make it an excellent choice for any home PC.

Microsoft has just released a new public Beta for the next version of MSE; which they promise includes an improved scanning engine and will integrate better with Microsoft Windows Firewall (don’t care too much about that myself).

Antivirus scanners won’t completely protect you against 100% of all security threats, but they provide a strong defense which minimizes the attack surface of your system. I suggest a four-pronged system of protection to keep you as safe as possible from malicious code.

1. Software Updates

Stay up-to-date on Windows Updates, as well as updates to frequently compromised software addons. Software in this category would include Windows, Office, Adobe Reader and Flash, Java, Firefox, and Chrome (automatically updated). Updating your software will help eliminate vulnerabilities that would open your system up to attack.

2. Use a Firewall

If you’re not a power user, at least take advantage of the Windows built-In firewall. If your router comes equipped with stateful packet inspection, this is a good idea as well. Firewalls filter the traffic you receive and send to the internet and protect your computer from being compromised remotely by a hostile attacker.

3. Run Antiviral Software

There are many free antiviral vendors out there. Don’t settle with purchasing that Symantec or McAfee product that came loaded on your new computer. These two vendors are pretty much junk, don’t pay money for something that you can do better for free.

Antivirus software helps to intercept malicious code BEFORE its run on your machine. Many of them include a web component that will help to scan webpages that you visit. Check out one of the following resources:

AVG Free
Microsoft Security Essentials
Avira (Ads, bleck)

4. Anti-Malware Software

In addition to Antiviral software, it’s a good idea to have a decent anti-malware scanner, which may have the ability to catch stuff that your antivirus would miss. These types of software are more geared toward web-based malware threats than your file system, that’s what your Antivirus is for. Here are some suggestions:

Spybot Search & Destroy
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
HiJack This

These important steps are all part of your Anti-Viral Barrier. Following these tips will help prevent your system from being compromised. If you have any questions, feel free to drop me a line via my contact page.

Happy Birthday to Gage and Gavyn. Gage’s birthday was the 13th and Gavyn’s was the 24th. They’re 4 and 2; respectively. We had a party at the house. Allie’s sister and her family were with us, as well as Bob and Rachel and Kim and Ken, and my parents and sister.

We cooked out and rented a big inflatable castle for the kids to jump around on. It was a nice afternoon; though it started storming later that night. My wife’s sister and her family stayed with us until Thursday night, when we went over to visit Allie’s brother’s house. We all went fishing at Raccoon State Park, where Allie managed to catch herself a Sun Fish.

The punches keep on coming for my favorite PC manufacturer. Dell has started warning customers this week that spyware managed to be shipped in the firmware for their PowerEdge R410 Server Series. The malicious software is installed on the hardware itself in firmware. Dell was not specific about the type or name of the spyware detected, or how to get rid of it.

What is known is that the spyware is windows-centric and will not affect other operating systems. New servers ordered through Dell will not be infected, although why you’re ordering from them, I don’t know.

If you happen to have recently bought a R410, Dell should be contacting you via phone and mail. If I were you though, I’d get on the phone right now and let them know just how unhappy you are and how this is causing a production-level disruption to your organization.

Sources:

PowerEdge R410 replacement motherboard contains malware?! (Dell Support Forums)
Dell warns on spyware infected server motherboards (The Register)

The Bennigan’s near Chapel Hill Mall closed down. There pretty much gone from this area, so I think it had something to do with Corporate miss-management. The building sat vacant for some time, until they put in a new restaurant to take its place. The new restaurant is called “The Brick House Tavern & Tap”. Not knowing anything about it, me and Allie decided to give it a try. We took the kids and looked forward to trying the place out.

When we got there, Allie sent me in ahead so that I could get us on the list while she got the kids out of the car. The waitresses were dressed in slutty little hooter-like outfits; short shorts and tops so tight and low cut that they were about to burst. Their little catch line for their buzzers are that they say “here’s your “vibrator””; and the thing says something about “This is for your hand, not for your …”.

Bottom line, The Brick House is not for your kiddies and it’s not a family restaurant. Don’t take your kids unless you feel like explaining what the girls have balloons shoved down their shirts. I feel sick for the children proudly displayed with the half-neckid girls on their Facebook page. As a resident of Cuyahoga Falls, I’m sad that they would approve an establishment like this. Especially given how much they touted being responsible for bringing O’Charlie’s to the area. I will be emailing the mayor about this one.

We ended up going to Applebee’s instead. The place was sadly bare on a Saturday night. It looks like the Brick House is taking a lot of their business.