Do you check what you're agreeing to when you install Apps on mobile phones.

A handy app I installed on my iPhone is a Flashlight. The app is very simple. You open the app and then press the torch/flashlight and the screen goes white providing enough light to be handy in a dark situation.

I decided to install a similar app in my wife's Android based mobile, but then when I saw everything I was agreeing to I decided that some of the permissions the app required made no sense, and if something doesn't make sense, to me that it is a warning. For example one of the apps wanted access to the location using the GPS and another setting was the phone state and identity. If you install a number of apps and each apps requests a small amount of information, if that information is collated a lot of information can be gathered. For example if each night you used the flashlight app when you came home in effect you're letting people know where you're located and what time you come home. For a single person living alone that can be information you don't want to share with others. In fact it is a real security risk.

I decided it doesn't take much to write a simple web page app that when opened would display a white screen. To pay for the app I'd added Google advertising. I can then install the app on the Home Screen of a mobile phone and a single press and I'd have a torch/flashlight and others can also use the web app.

In terms of information provided to a third party the torch web app I created is passed the same information as would be provided if you visit any web site with Google advertising. It is out of the scope of this post, but unfortunately it may be possible for you to be personally identified (to your device) by any site depending on your past internet activities, or by the authorities. The torch app however does not request any permission.

The torch/flashlight web app can be found at www.OnlineConnections.com.au/torch. 

Next time you install an app on your mobile device make sure you're happy with the information you're giving away. When an app is free the developer has to make money somehow and if you knew what they were collecting and how they are using it, you may not be so quick to install a free app.

Kelvin Eldridge
Online Connections
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for computer support.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Apple removes iPod Touch 4 from Apple store and introduces lower cost iPod Touch 5.

Apple have dropped the iPod Touch 4 from the Apple store and introduced a lower cost iPod Touch 5. The new model iPod Touch 5 no longer has a rear facing camera, has 16GB of storage and is priced at $249.

What I find interesting is in the past a new unit may have been announced as part of the World Wide Developer conference in a couple of weeks, but instead the model has been introduced discreetly according to the press.

 

Kelvin Eldridge

Online Connections

www.OnlineConnections.com.au

Call 0415 910 703 for computer advice and support.

 

MyAnswers: Acer Aspire 5315 wireless doesn't connect to internet. Displays local only.

The following MyAnswers solution 2359 is now available:

Acer Aspire 5315 running Vista connects to network but not the internet. The wireless connection displays local only.

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Kelvin Eldridge
www.MyAnswers.biz
(An Online Connections service.)

MyAnswers: Windows Vista password recovery for lost password

The following MyAnswers solution 2358 is now available:

Windows Vista password recovery was required recently. A client gave me a machine to clean up but didn't provide the password. Here's how I recovered the password.

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Kelvin Eldridge
www.MyAnswers.biz
(An Online Connections service.)

Alert: Appliances Online Receipt Order #92032737

I've received four emails with the subject 'Appliances Online  Receipt  Order#' sent to different email address. The body of the message is designed to trick people they've received a receipt from Appliances Online.

The email is a fake and contains an attachment with the filename 'Appliances Online – Receipt.zip' which contains the program with the filename 'Appliances Online - Receipt .pdf.exe'. Since the default for Windows is not to display the filename extension it is easy for people to think this is a PDF and not a program. I recommend that people turn on the option to display filename extensions which makes these malware emails easier to detect.

You should delete these emails.

Kelvin Eldridge
Online Connections
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for computer support.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

MyAnswers: How to uninstall Norton Internet Security when the uninstall appears to freeze.

The following MyAnswers solution 2357 is now available:

When removing Norton Internet Security from a Windows Vista machine the uninstall went for a long time and didn't finish. The uninstall appeared to have frozen.

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Kelvin Eldridge
www.MyAnswers.biz
(An Online Connections service.)

Alert: Microsoft to unveil free Windows 8.1 update on 26 June.

Tonight I read a news article on International Business Times headlined as ‘Microsoft to unveil free Windows 8.1 update on 26 June’. I would suggest that Windows users not get too excited as the release is a preview release and I would recommend that people stick with their current version until the final release is made public. Unfortunately for the public and Microsoft I suspect that will be closer to the end of the year.

Microsoft really have had a bad run in terms of timing and Windows 8.1 is another example. When Windows 8 was released the low power Haswell processor from Intel was reportedly still a few months away and expected around January 2013, according to the press reports I was reading in early 2012. That would have been just in time for Microsoft’s Windows Surface Pro tablet. Haswell didn’t make it in time and thus the low power chip which is desirable for tablets is now due mid 2013. Microsoft’s updated operating system Windows 8.1 won’t reach the general public until closer to the end of the year.

Now is not a good time to purchase a new computer but once the Haswell processor and Windows 8.1 are both available at the end of the year, at last Microsoft’s platform will come together. Will that be too late for Microsoft. I don’t think so. In the past I’ve watched the market and a 2-3 year window of opportunity by other players hasn’t seemed to make much difference. In fact Microsoft has had the advantage that everyone is purchasing a portable device at the moment and extending the life of their PC. Those ageing PCs however will need to be replaced and that plays to Microsoft’s advantage. Haswell plus Windows 8.1, plus smaller form factors for tablets all coming together at the end of the year, is good for Microsoft and Windows users.

 

Kelvin Eldridge

Online Connections

www.OnlineConnections.com.au

Call 0415 910 703 for computer advice and support.

 

MyAnswers: Adobe Reader displays a green bar with the words 'signature field/s detected'.

The following MyAnswers solution 2356 is now available:

Adobe Reader displays a green bar with the words ‘signature field/s detected’. How can this green bar be suppressed? (A full solution has not yet been determined.)

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Kelvin Eldridge
www.MyAnswers.biz
(An Online Connections service.)

MyAnswers: Opening PDF document now displays section at right with Export PDF, Create PDF and Send Files. How to close.

The following MyAnswers solution 2355 is now available:

When I open a PDF document there is now a large section at the right which has Export PDF, Create PDF, Send Files. This just appeared. How to I get rid of it?

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Kelvin Eldridge
www.MyAnswers.biz
(An Online Connections service.)

The Reg reports sole traders will now have to pay PAYG monthly but may be incorrect.

I read the following article and thought, gee, the budget is certainly going to increase admin and/or admin costs for small businesses.

Sole traders may have to pay tax monthly, not quarterly... Read More

On further investigation the journalist appears not to have connected the reference to ‘all large entities’ which appears in the same section of the referenced document. The following article makes it clearer the turnover needs to be $20 million or more and that would exclude a considerable number of IT consultants The Reg article was referring too.

All PAYG entities with turnover of $20 million or more will have to pay tax monthly rather than quarterly from January 2017.... Read More

At the time of the budget if you see something that affects you that is written in the media it is a good idea to double check the information. Sometimes wait a while before searching as the articles may take a while before being picked up by the various search engines.

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Disclaimer. This article is not to be considered tax advice. Only certain professionals are legally allowed to provide tax advice. You should confirm tax related information with the respective government department or a suitable professional adviser.

BlackBerry Messenger expands to Anroid and iOS.

I thought the news about BlackBerry Messenger expanding to Android and iOS was interesting at first. Then I started to think to be really useful a messenger app needs to also be available as a web app and available across all platforms including desktops, notebooks. Even though Microsoft’s operating system on mobile phones commands a tiny slice of the market the app needs to be universally available and then it may have a chance to compete. The closed off island approach to providing messaging services will disappear very quickly when someone makes the right move.

BlackBerry Messenger expands to Android, iOS... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

MyAnswers: YouTube video played from link in Outlook 2007 crashes and restarts computer.

The following MyAnswers solution 2354 is now available:

When playing back a YouTube video from a link in Outlook 2007 my computer crashes and restarts. Using Windows XP and Internet Explorer 8.

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Kelvin Eldridge
www.MyAnswers.biz
(An Online Connections service.)

MyAnswers: When does support for Internet Explorer 8 end when run on Windows XP? Is it the same time as Windows XP?

The following MyAnswers solution 2352 is now available:

When does support for Internet Explorer 8 end? We all know that Windows XP support ends in April 2014, but what about Internet Explorer 8. The major exposure to users using Windows XP is when connected to the internet and that is when using email or their browser. If IE8 is not end-of-life and support continues then end-of-life for Windows XP may be much less of an exposure. Microsoft’s massive scare campaign to force people to upgrade may need additional information for people to make good decisions.

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Kelvin Eldridge
www.MyAnswers.biz
(An Online Connections service.)

Search Australia new features including searching using your choice of Google, Bing or Yahoo, quick access to a JustLocal postcode page and check if you're using the preferred Australian English spelling.

Search Australia was added to JustLocal to give those who wish to search a search engine which focuses on Australian sites and removes many of the directories which have now taken over the internet. I’m pretty happy that if I search for ‘fish and chips’ in a local suburb, if the business has a web presence I can now see their page. Of course many small businesses don’t have a web presence which doesn’t help them or their customers. I’ve shown a number of local businesses how a site I’ve put on the internet for them can generate hundreds of leads a month but in the end they don’t seem to care.

The worst example of not providing up-to-date information is when I went into a fish and chip shop in Doncaster Road. After placing the order via telephone the order was some 15% dearer. Every customer was complaining because like me they were ordering from an out-of-date menu and the business decided to increase their prices without letting them know. Had the business put their menu on the internet I would have known before I ordered and so potentially could everyone else. I’ve never used the business again so an out-of-date menu can and does lose businesses customers. A single page site assists hundreds of customers a year and is easily paid for by a single repeat customer. Small business can’t see if they don’t provide the tools people need they’ll go elsewhere and the bigger companies ARE providing online menus.

But I digress. The real purpose of this post is to let users of JustLocal know of three new features I’ve added to Search Australia, the search engine available on every JustLocal page and also available as an Add-in to Internet Explorer. If you add a single letter at the start of the search phrase you can select your preferred search engine, go to a JustLocal postcode page, or find out if you’re using the preferred Australian English spelling for a word.

1. Type in g, b, or y and go directly to Google, Bing or Yahoo. If you add a space and then your search query (such as ‘g fish and chips templestowe’) you’ll get search results for local fish and chips shops without all the directories. That is hopefully if they have a site you’ll get the actual business’ site.

2. Type in j and you’ll go to JustLocal. Type in j followed by a space and a postcode (such as ‘j 3106’) and you’ll go to the JustLocal postcode page. That’s a pretty convenient method to go direct to your local JustLocal postcode page. Keep in mind if your area isn’t covered you’ll get a place holder page with generic ads. As soon as a business or person in your area takes up the mantle to promote JustLocal in your area the generic page will be replaced with local information.

3. Type in w followed by a word and you’ll go direct to the Word Check page to check if you are using the preferred Australian English spelling for a word. You do need a password to see the answer. All clients of mine are provided with the password. In fact if you use Search Australia from JustLocal and type in ‘dictionary’, you’ll have access to Word Check for a while. A thank you for trying out Search Australia.

On top of removing dozens of directories now cluttering search results when using Google (not Bing or Yahoo) and the ability to enter a single word or couple of words to go to the top searched for sites by millions of users, these new features should make Search Australian even more useful. Clients are welcome to request the list of top site search terms. I don’t currently publish the terms on the internet because of the work involved collating the list so please feel free to ask for a copy to assist you in your searches.

Don’t forget, the most convenient way to use Search Australia is to use the link to add Search Australia as your default search engine in Internet Explorer. Then you can perform a search direct from the address bar in Internet Explorer. If everyone in Australia used Search Australia (heaven forbid as my server wouldn’t hold up to it) if could potentially save many hundreds of millions of searches when people are looking for major Australian companies, a TV guide and even the weather. Search engines want you to end up on their page to make money from advertising. I want you to get quickly to the site you want to get to.

For me the real test of whether or not something I’ve developed is worthwhile is whether I use it myself or not. Search Australia is my preferred search tool. It doesn’t stop me from using Google, and in fact if I want to use Google I simply enter the letter ‘g’ and I go direct to Google. I can quickly decide which search engine I’d prefer and not be stuck with just one. With one or two words I access most of the popular sites such as ANZ, eBay, Gumtree, Freeview (TV guide) etc., so it makes sense to use Search Australia rather than end up hunting through Google results that have become so cluttered. I hope you find Search Australia useful too.

 

 

Kelvin Eldridge

Online Connections

www.OnlineConnections.com.au

Call 0415 910 703 for computer advice and support.

 

MyAnswers: Google cache option is missing and seems to have been removed.

The following MyAnswers solution 2351 is now available:

Google cache option is something I've used to considerable benefit over the years. I was just reviewing the search results and have been wondering where has Google cache gone. I've read people are switching to Firefox and scripts with bugs but there isn't any need for that. The cache option is available to Internet Explorer users and in fact I suspect any browser without any changes required.

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Kelvin Eldridge
www.MyAnswers.biz
(An Online Connections service.)

MyAnswers: Using Outlook 2010 to access Gmail set up with own domain.

The following MyAnswers solution 2349 is now available:

Today I set up Gmail to work with Outlook 2010 where the user was using their own domain with Gmail.

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Kelvin Eldridge
www.MyAnswers.biz
(An Online Connections service.)

Exposure when Windows XP support ends begs the question will Chrome, Firefox and Opera browsers be supported.

A vulnerability appeared on US Dept of Labor site where the exploit was installing the Poison Ivy backdoor Trojan.

Redmond probes new IE 8 vulnerability... Read More

When I read this article it reinforces the exposure users will face come April 2014 when Microsoft ends support for Windows XP. At that time I can only guess they will also end supporting their anti-virus program and Internet Explorer 8. In effect users will be left exposed and this is a concrete example of how users can end up with infected computers if they continue to use Internet Explorer 8.

When a computer operating system reaches end of support it doesn’t mean it stops and in fact the computer will continue to serve a useful purpose for some time into the future. The problem is this can mean users may be exposing themselves as malware writers take advantage of unpatched computers. As we move towards April 2014 we need to make sure we’ve moved away from areas where there is potential risk.

The problem is we don’t know what other vendors will do. We’ve seen Google with Gmail decide to stop supporting Internet Explorer 8 (which I felt was a deliberate strategy to move people to Google Chrome when Microsoft stopped looking after their users) with the reason given Google only support the current plus previous browser version. What will happen with Chrome when Windows XP reaches end-of-life support? I certainly don’t know and probably won’t know until we come closer to April 2014 or even after that date.

At this point all we really know is at April 2014 Windows XP will reach end of support. Then we’ll see which companies continue to provide support and which don’t. For those who wish to continue to use their computer and not buy a new computer, you could use a secure boot disk (I can provide these to clients) for use when on the internet and use local applications when using Windows XP. A good idea is to remove the ability for Windows XP to connect to the internet which would minimise exposure. Overall however you need to decide whether or not this is worth the effort or should you just move with the times.   

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Alert: Please log off Google services such as Gmail and YouTube when using my sites.

Disturbingly I’m now seeing up to 50 per cent of people reaching my sites who may be logged on to a Google service and so could be tracked at the individual level.

I use Google’s blogger, Analytics and sometimes Google advertising on my sites. If you are logged on to a Google service your activities can be linked to you as an individual. What you are doing on the internet can thus potentially be tracked to you as an individual.

What people don’t know is when you visit a site which has advertising on it, that advertising is often provided by Google. Many sites use Google’s Analytics software to record statistics for their sites. As you move from site to site your activities can potentially be recorded as an individual.

As you read the major daily news sites, as you search for information, when you go to many sites on the internet your activities can be tracked to you as an individual. In addition it is also possible your location is being tracked without your knowledge because often the internet address you use to access the internet is known to be in a certain area.

It is up to each person to decide whether this matters to them or not. If it does matter to you then consider logging out of all Google services (and potentially other services). When you are logged on to services you can be tracked individually and a profile of you and your activities can be created. Some of this information can potentially end up in the wrong hands. The most obvious outcome is you’ll be directly marketed to and could end up paying more for products and services.

We can’t stop the government and companies collecting information, but most people aren’t aware that their activities on the internet can be tracked to them individually. Because more than 90% of Australians use Google for searching, if they are logged on to Google services (my logs are indicating up to 50% of people may be logged onto a Google service when they reach my sites) then your activities across the internet may be being recorded.

Log off online services as soon as you are finished with them. Don’t keep services such as Gmail and YouTube logged on and running in the background. This doesn’t just apply to Google. Any service that you are logged in and has software they’ve created installed on another site could be doing the same. The type of services that come to mind are social networking services. Where a site you visit displays a button from a social networking service you don’t know what that code does and neither do I. The code could be tracking you. By logging off you reduce some of your online activities being tracked.

 

Kelvin Eldridge

Online Connections

www.OnlineConnections.com.au

Call 0415 910 703 for computer advice and support.

 

MyAnswers: Windows Live 2012 mail issues when used as an alternative to Outlook.

The following MyAnswers solution 2348 is now available:

Windows Live Mail 2012 issues when used as a free alternative to Outlook on Windows.

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Kelvin Eldridge
www.MyAnswers.biz
(An Online Connections service.)

MyAnswers: In Microsoft Word 2013 there are circles that appear at the top right and they are quite distracting

The following MyAnswers solution 2347 is now available:

In Microsoft Word 2013 there are circles that appear at the top right and they are quite distracting. How can I remove the circles?

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Kelvin Eldridge
www.MyAnswers.biz
(An Online Connections service.)

MyAnswers: Outlook 2013 doesn't allow me to select the Deleted or Sent folder when I use IMAP.

The following MyAnswers solution 2346 is now available:

Outlook 2013 doesn't allow me to select the Deleted or Sent folder when I use IMAP. Now deleted emails go to Deleted Items and not Trash as I want. How can I fix this?

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Kelvin Eldridge
www.MyAnswers.biz
(An Online Connections service.)

HP Slate 7 Australian release date and price.

The HP Slate 7 was launched in February with a release date as yet unknown in Australia. You can go to the HP site and register your interest and I believe they'll let you know. The good thing is you can opt out of other email contact by HP and I tend to trust HP will do what they say.

The HP Slate 7 according to the site starts at $199. The US price was $169 and US prices don't include tax, so the price isn't too bad and it raises the bar (or lowers) in terms of price expectation.

The HP Slate 7 has a lower price so you should check the specs. The front camera is VGA resolution and the rear 3 megapixel. Low certainly but that really depends on your needs. The 7 stands for 7" diagonal screen size. What surprised me with Google's Nexus was how much smaller the screen was compared to Apple's Mini iPad which is 7.9". The size difference is because quite an amount of space is taken up with the on-screen Home button whereas with the Mini iPad the home button is hardware based and located in the bezel area.

I have an Acer 10" Android 4.1 tablet and really I have to say I'm disappointed with Google's software. It is flaky and even if I use Google's Chrome browser it doesn't work properly with Google's own sites. I use IMAP for email and the email client won't configure correctly for me. Overall I'd find it hard to recommend a Google Android device.

Personally I prefer the full experience I get with a Windows based notebook. There are many sites which simply don't work with Apple and Google tablets, so when people ask me if they should get a tablet to replace their ageing PC, I say the tablet can't replace their PC, but they can use the tablet for much of their usage. In the same way we now use our mobile phones for many things we'd have previously done using a desktop computer. I look forward to the day when Microsoft releases a tablet which is 7", runs full Windows (not Windows RT), is a decent price, giving me portability and long battery life. For any reasonable amount of typing I'd still need a decent keyboard, which I have waiting for when the right device is released. Not really sure Microsoft will ever deliver the product I want, so in the meantime I'll continue to migrate as much as I can away from being dependant on Microsoft applications.

Kelvin Eldridge
Online Connections
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for computer support.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Adobe Flash Player Internet Explorer Security message 'This program will open outside of Protected mode'.

Today every time I open a website I get a pop-up Internet Explorer Security message about Adobe Flash Player. I'm using Internet Explorer 10 under Windows 8. I expect millions of users will be in the same boat. They've done nothing unusual and then all of sudden they get a rather disconcerting error message.

This one falls completely into Microsoft's corner. The Adobe Flash Player is built into Windows 8 by Microsoft and not Adobe. You would think Microsoft could get this right with their own software. I can't help thinking no wonder it is so hard for other companies who don't have the inside knowledge.

In MyAnswers solution 2345 I provide the approach I used to fix the problem for myself. Clients can find the solution in the Microsoft section under Internet Explorer or the Recent Solutions page.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for computer support.
Servicing Doncaster, Templestowe, Eltham and the surrounding area.