WinPatrol 30.1.2014 Update Released

WinPatrol 2014 has been updated to version 30.1.2014.   The update includes reported bug fixes along with requested improvements along with additional optimizations.

As outlined at WinPatrol/upgrade, the fixes and changes include the following:

International Date and Time Formats -- This version of WinPatrol handles formats as defined in the region control panel applet. 

SQLite - Cookies -- The only 3rd party software used by WinPatrol is an open-source public domain library named SQLite3.DLL. This file is used by Chrome and Mozilla to store their cookies. Files in the Hidden list that start with "etilqs_" indicate SQLite database files. WinPatrol uses this file to help you manage your cookies. To continue full cookie support this update includes the latest SQLite library. 

WinPatrol Installation -- The setup program has been improved to include more information on using WinPatrol effectively. 

Graphic Enhancements -- Graphics associated with WinPatrol lists have been updated. The graphic which represents real-time monitoring has been updated so PLUS users are provided a clear indication that monitoring is active. 

ActiveX Non-PLUS error -- There were some reports that indicate WinPatrol can get confused about being a PLUS version. The main symptom is having an update button appear in the list of ActiveX controls. 

Column Sorting -- One of the functions used by column sorting has been improved so sorting programs will be more consistent. In the process it was also found that the company was not being displayed correctly. 

Environment Variables -- This version fixes a big in the handling of the %SYSTEMROOT% environment variable. It also improves handling of 64 bit file redirection for other environment variables. 

WinPatrol runs on Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8 including x64 versions. Download WinPatrol 30.1.2014 now!

Remember - "A day without laughter is a day wasted."
May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...

OneDrive + Office Online + Outlook.com

The Microsoft Outlook.com, OneDrive and Office teams were very busy last week.  Let's take a look at what happened.

Outlook.com

First came the celebration of the world-wide roll out of Outlook.com.  Having started with MSN Hotmail in 2001, I am more than pleased with the improvements of the email service since then.

What seemed to be a haven for spam those many years ago is now a clean, efficient mail system.  The junk mail filter along with Sweep and Rules work together to keep my Inbox clean and organized.

Now, with the integration of Office Online, it is hard to envision how Outlook.com could get any better, but we'll get to Office Online in a bit.

OneDrive

Although it has been known for some time that SkyDrive was being renamed OneDrive, the roll out of the change was nothing short of spectacular, with some lucky people adding 100 G free storage to their account for one year.

Even if you weren't fortunate enough to get the added bonus, the OneDrive team has provided other opportunities to add to your free space for current users.  Log into OneDrive.com and get up to an extra 8 GB by following the steps to enable your camera roll backup and by referring your friends.

If you sign into OneDrive as a new customer from this link, in addition to the 7 GB storage when you sign up, both of us will receive an extra 0.5 GB of free storage.  You can use OneDrive to store and share photos, videos, documents, and more.  Even more, you can use OneDrive on your PC, Mac, tablet, and mobile phone.

Office Online

Office Web Apps were renamed Office Online.  Along with the name change Office Online became more easily accessible than before.  If you use Office.com email, you can choose from Word, Excel, PowerPoint or OneNote right from the drop-down in the upper left-hand corner of your Outlook.com email account.  Alternatively, you can go directly to http://www.office.com/. 

The only prerequisite to using Office Online is a Microsoft Account, which can be set up with any email address.  If you don't already have a Microsoft Account, the sign-up page is here.

Learn more about the announcements and changes in the references below.

References

• OneDrive is Now Available Worldwide: Free Cloud Storage for Microsoft, iOS, and Android Devices
• Celebrating one year with our Outlook.com customers
• Introducing Office Online at Office.com
• Use OneNote anywhere with the OneNote Web App
• What is Microsoft account

Remember - "A day without laughter is a day wasted."
May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...

Adobe Flash Player Security Update

Adobe has released security updates for Adobe Flash Player 12.0.0.44 and earlier versions for Windows and Macintosh and Adobe Flash Player 11.2.202.336 and earlier versions for Linux.

These updates address vulnerabilities that could potentially allow an attacker to take control of the affected system. Adobe is aware of reports that an exploit for CVE-2014-0502 exists in the wild.

With today's Windows Update, Internet Explorer 10 and 11 in Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 will be updated.  Windows RT must obtain the update from Windows Update.  Google Chrome will be automatically updated.

Adobe is also changing the numbering format for updates.  Beginning with this release, Flash Player will become Flash Player 12. With each new major release, roughly every 3 months, that number will increase by one.  With the Q2 2014 release, the version number for Adobe AIR will be synchronized with the Flash Player version at 13.

Update Information

The newest versions are as follows*:

Windows and Macintosh:  12.0.0.70
Linux: 11.2.202.341
Adobe AIR 4.0.0.1628 SDK

Release date: February 20, 2014
Vulnerability identifier: APSB14-07
CVE number: CVE-2014-0498, CVE-2014-0499, CVE-2014-0502
Platform: All Platforms

Flash Player Update Instructions

Warning:  Although Adobe suggests downloading the update from the Adobe Flash Player Download Center, that link includes a pre-checked option to install unnecessary extras, such as McAfee Scan Plus or Google Drive.  If you use the download center, uncheck any unnecessary extras.

It is recommended that you either use the auto-update mechanism within the product when prompted, or my preference, the direct download links.

• Non-IE (Opera, Firefox, Etc.):  http://download.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/licensing/win/install_flash_player_12_plugin.exe
   
• Windows XP, Vista and 7:
  Flash Player For Internet Explorer 7, 8, 9, 10, 11:  http://download.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/licensing/win/install_flash_player_12_active_x.exe
  
  Windows 8 and 8.1:
  Flash Player for Internet Explorer 10 and 11: Microsoft updated Security Advisory 2755801.  If you do not have Automatic Updates enabled, the Flash Player update can be downloaded from Microsoft Security Advisory: Update for Vulnerabilities in Adobe Flash Player in Internet Explorer 10: July 9, 2013.
  
  
• Flash Player Uninstaller:  http://download.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/support/uninstall_flash_player.exe

Notes:

• If you use the Adobe Flash Player Download Center, be careful to uncheck any optional downloads that you do not want.  Any pre-checked option is not needed for the Flash Player update.
• Uncheck any toolbar offered with Adobe products if not wanted.
• If you use alternate browsers, it is necessary to install the update for both Internet Explorer as well as the update for alternate browsers.
• The separate 32-bit and 64-bit uninstallers have been replaced with a single uninstaller.
• *As requested by a Security Garden reader, the update information for the "Extended Release of Flash Player 11.7" can be found here.

Adobe Flash Player for Android

The latest version for Adobe Flash Player for Android is available by downloading it from the Android Marketplace by browsing to it on a mobile phone.   

Verify Installation

To verify the Adobe Flash Player version number installed on your computer, go to the About Flash Player page, or right-click on content running in Flash Player and select "About Adobe Flash Player" from the menu. 

Do this for each browser installed on your computer.

To verify the version of Adobe Flash Player for Android, go to Settings > Applications > Manage Applications > Adobe Flash Player x.x.

References

• Adobe Priority Ratings
• AIR Download Center 
• PSIRT Blog Post
• Security Bulletin: APSB14-07
• Release Notes:  Flash Player® 12 AIR® 4

Remember - "A day without laughter is a day wasted."
May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...