Free Updated AntiSpywares

LavaSoft Ad-Aware has released a new free version of their anti-spyware tool Ad-Aware 2007 Free.

 

The Ad-aware 2007 free detects and removes worms, Trojans, spywares, malicious items from your system. This new version removes the older version if you have it installed. The version is Microsoft Windows Vista compatible. This new version adds the program as a service for better protection from new threats.

 

Another good free anti-spyware tool is Spybot Search & Destroy. Their newer version sits in the system tray and actively monitors system for suspicious system behavior.

Technet Trial Software Center

Technet Trial Software Center offers a single place to use trial versions of MS software. Check the link for details.

 

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/bb736012.aspx

 

LUA Least Privilege to User Accounts

Few years back, I was working in development center. Every developer wanted to have full system rights to install everything they want. End result was lots of system failures, viruses, Trojans & what not on the network.

 

Giving users limited access to system by making sure all application functionality work was a difficult task. At that time I read few articles on the topic. (Read my comments & input on the topic at the bottom of these articles)

 

1.       Keys to the Kingdom

2.       Local Admin Rights, Right or Wrong

 

Since then Microsoft has done a lot of development in making sure applications work with limited-user access. Least-Privilege to User Accounts (LUA) has benefits of increased security, manageability, productivity, reduced cost & reduced privacy.

 

Check these articles for more details on the topic.

 

1.       Applying the Principle of Least Privilege to User Accounts on Windows XP (Downloadable white paper)

2.       Using a Least-Privileged User Account

3.       Browsing the Web and Reading E-mail Safely as an Administrator

4.       Running with Special Privileges

5.       Aaron Margosis' Non-Admin Blog

6.       Elevating privileges for an administrator

 

VisualStudio2005 SP1

Service Pack 1 for Visual Studio 2005 has been released by Microsoft in mid of December. For details on improvements in VS SP1, check the link below.

 

Download VS2005 SP1

 

MS Office Accounting 2007

Redmond giant also released Office Accounting 2007, a tool to manage your business finances. The express version of the product is available as free download from their IdeaWins website for the product.

 

The salient features of the product are:

 

·         Off course free (Express version only)

·         Look & Feel of Microsoft Office

·         Customer & Financial Information in one place

·         Have tools to sell online through eBay and get paid faster

·         Startup Wizard helps you setup company quickly

·         Import from Intuit Quickbooks, MS Money, MS Excel

·         Customized Estimates, invoices & Pay orders

·         Manage payroll & taxes with ADP’s integrated payroll service

·         Use integrated PayPal to get paid faster

·         more

 

The product is targeted at small or home-business users.