| Copyright 07-2004 by Gina Novelle | | | | value on my machine attitude again." |
| Most people refuse to believe they need | | | | Okay, with every security patch, |
| it. After all, their computer is in | | | | Microsoft has issued the following |
| their office or home and only turned on | | | | information: |
| by them. They no longer use diskettes | | | | "An issue has been identified that could |
| and their e-mail is checked with the | | | | allow an attackerto compromise a |
| latest and greatest virus checker. | | | | computer running Windows and |
| Just try to advise your Boss, Mom, Dad, | | | | gaincomplete control over it. You can |
| brother or sister that someone could | | | | help protect yourcomputer by installing |
| hack into their home or office computer | | | | this update from Microsoft." |
| and look at their files. Watch their | | | | Still don't believe? Then see for |
| reaction. Most of them will say: "Well | | | | yourself, and go to and view the |
| if someone really wants to take the time | | | | updates you haven't installed. But wait, |
| to view my files, let them. I have | | | | there's more! You can order the CD for |
| nothing of value on that computer | | | | FREE, totally free; no shipping charges. |
| anyway." This is the same reaction | | | | Where? Go to this website: |
| consultants receive from clients. | | | | I still didn't fully answer why |
| So nothing of value is on your computer? | | | | consultants don't tell their customers |
| What about Turbo Tax? If you did your | | | | these updates exist. With each update, a |
| taxes last year, then your social | | | | client may experience a change or |
| security number is on your computer. If | | | | problem. For example, when we installed |
| you do online banking, then your bank | | | | the Security Update CD a few weeks ago, |
| account is on your computer. What about | | | | we could no longer open e-mail |
| your financial statement, your | | | | attachments. On the web we discovered |
| genealogy, your passwords? Oh, you have | | | | that when the update installed, it also |
| passwords on your Accounting Files! Ha! | | | | changed a setting in Outlook Express |
| Check out | | | | under Tools, Options, Security. The |
| So now let's talk about the real world. | | | | update put a checkmark on "Do not allow |
| Okay, a phone line, or DSL or Cable line | | | | attachments to be saved or opened that |
| is a TWO WAY FLOW. There's a key word | | | | could potentially be a virus." This |
| here, a TWO WAY FLOW! Now you think in a | | | | little checkmark rendered several |
| skeptic way, that this article is going | | | | clients unable to work, because they |
| to give you scare tactics so it can sell | | | | could no longer open any attachments, On |
| you on the latest and greatest virus | | | | Microsoft's website, this article |
| checker. Nope, to plug the security | | | | appeared: |
| leaks in your computer is absolutely | | | | On another client's machine, she could |
| free. You don't even have to pay for | | | | no longer open the database in Versa |
| shipping, keep reading. | | | | Check Software. That company also had a |
| If it's free, then why didn't my | | | | patch to fix it. However, our clients |
| computer consultant tell me about it? | | | | had to pay for our research to find and |
| You wouldn't believe how many updates | | | | fix the problems the updates created. |
| will need to be installed. My Toshiba | | | | Then it appears to a client, that their |
| Windows XP system is barely 2 years old, | | | | consultant has found a way to "once |
| and Windows had 49 + 18 + 2 updates. Why | | | | again" hit their pocketbook. We are no |
| do I list them in that manner? First you | | | | longer heroes in this industry. We have |
| must install the first 49, then another | | | | now become the villains in league with |
| 18 are found, then an additional 2 more. | | | | Microsoft. This has led many consultants |
| These are not just software updates, | | | | to a policy of "if they don't ask, don't |
| these are Security Updates. Now you | | | | tell." But the real truth is: If you do |
| think there is no way; my machine would | | | | not do the updates, then you become a |
| need all these updates. Besides how bad | | | | bigger victim, via a virus, or an |
| could this security stuff be anyway? | | | | identity theft victim! It's your choice! |
| There's that "I don't have stuff of | | | | |