Virus: Commonwealth Bank - Account lockout.

I've received an increasing number of these emails of late.

Account Lockout 
Please note: Your Netbank account has been locked after a pre-determined number of unsuccessful attempts.

This type of email is known as a phishing email. It is most likely attempting to trick you into revealing your bank access details. You should immediately delete this type of email.

My suggestion is to seriously think about not providing your email address to your bank. Provide other means for them to contact you. My banks don't have my email address and I've not had any issue with them contacting me. I know all emails that pretend to be from one of the banks I use, is then definitely not from the bank.

- Kelvin

Dictionary: Is it whiskey, whisky, wisky or wiskey?

The words wisky and wiskey are easy. They are incorrect spelling. The two words whiskey and whisky, are more interesting. A check of the authoritative dictionaries for Australia show whisky to be the preferred spelling in Australia, with whiskey being American and Irish.

Always one to enjoy seeing the language used in the real world, a trip to the local liquor store showed American and Irish whisky used the spelling whiskey, and Scotch whisky used the spelling whisky.

In general, when referring to whisky in Australia, the spelling would be whisky. But if you specifically wanted to refer to Irish or American whisky, then you would use whiskey.

For the Kelvin version of the Australian English spellcheck dictionary and Word Check, you will only find whisky as the preferred Australian English spelling.

- Kelvin

PS. Word Check is a great way to check the preferred Australian English spelling of a word. The Kelvin version of the Australian English spellcheck dictionaries, will be available shortly for many of your favourite programs such as Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Opera 10, Firefox, OpenOffice.org, Thunderbird, SeaMonkey and many more.

Australian English Word Check

For those of you waiting for the next release of the Kelvin Australian English spellcheck dictionary, you may be interested to know the Australian English Word Check is now available as alpha. 

The Australian English Word Check allows you to check a word to see if it is the preferred spelling used in Australia. Word Check uses the word list for the next version of the Australian English spellcheck dictionary also known as the Kelvin dictionary. The next release is still some months off and requires a great deal of work. In the meantime, Word Check will enable you to check words and find the meaning of the word. 

You can find Word Check via this link - Australian English Word Check. You may have noticed I've added Word Check at the right of this blog.

You can also add Word Check as a search engine to your browser using the links on the Word Check page. This effectively turns the search field of your browser into an Australian English dictionary.

Why use Word Check? 

There are a large number of FREE dictionaries available on the Internet. The problem is they are all based overseas and this makes it difficult to determine if the spelling is for Australia. Word Check helps to confirm you are using the preferred spelling of a word in Australia. 

Remember, Word Check is currently in alpha, and requires many thousands of words to be checked and added before it reaches general release stage. Your feedback and comments as always are welcome.

Enjoy.

- Kelvin Eldridge

Virus alert: Pravda reports “Earth on the Brink of an Ice Age”

I've now received four of these emails which were sent to four different email addresses. I've called the telephone number in the email and confirmed the email is a legitimate email.

Without verbal confirmation, the links in the email, and the fact the emails were all sent from the same Australian location, would allow me to infer it was most likely not malware, had I not been able to contact someone.

The sender in this case is a political party. The spam Act as I read it, allows political parties to send spam. 

The emails however do raise a very interesting question for me. Where did the party obtain their email address list from?

Political parties have made it legal for themselves to send spam. It is however illegal for businesses to harvest email addresses and one of the addresses used, is only available via the Internet site and never given out by any other means. That begs the question, is the mailing list created internally, or purchased from a business who has harvested email addresses?

How you handle this type of email is ultimately your choice. If you don't wish to receive this type of material click on the unsubscribe link.

- Kelvin Eldridge

No more NEC in Australian retail

I read this article and thought it might be of interest to clients. It appears NEC is pulling out of the retail market in Australia. Whilst I've not previously sold NEC products, my first portable computer was an NEC and IT resellers I've known have sold NEC products.

As this applies to not just IT products, I felt clients may like to know about NEC's retail position change in the Australian market.

- Kelvin Eldridge

Virus alert: IKEA's New Planning Software

I noticed an increase in the number of emails with the subject IKEA's New Planning Software.  The email contains the following offer:

IKEA has a Fantastic new FREE tool for home decorating. Introducing our Home Planner software which allows you to plan your home in a 3D environment.  Simply follow the instructions in the attachment and start planning your dream home today.

Also attached is a zip file with the file name ikea.zip and this file contains the executable file ikea.exe.

Using OzEfilter we can see we have received emails with this subject from China, the USA and now Australia. OzEfilter enables us to delete these emails at the mail server, safely away from our computer before we receive them into our computer. The antivirus software did not detect the harmful attachment. We have found over the last few months this type of email to be an issue with most of the antivirus software packages available on the market today.

The attachment has been submitted to the antivirus company we are our clients use, so our clients will soon be protected.

We would advise to immediately delete this email should you receive it.

- Kelvin Eldridge

PS. We use OzEfilter and CA antivirus to protect our computers. We've found no antivirus software to protect 100%. This combination, plus common sense, offers us an excellent level of protection. The online service for submitting suspicious attachments, can be found in MyAnswers solution 1890.

PPS. Do you need a solution to repair an infected computer manually?

I'm interested in finding out if you would be interested in knowing how to repair an infected computer and if so, how much the solution would be worth to you. If there is sufficient interest, it may be worth the time to provide a step-by-step solution. Let me know if it would have interested you if a solution was available.

Virus alert: Limited Edition Merchandise

I noticed an increase in the number of emails with the subject Limited Edition Merchandise.  This email contains the following offer which is a bogus offer.

Have yourself a Merry Christmas with Jack Daniel's. Print the coupon and head for your local outlet for limited edition merchandise.

Also attached is a zip file which pretends to be a coupon and is mostly likely a malicious executable. As with many attachments over recent months, this attachment (jackdaniels-coupon.zip) is not detected by the antivirus software as being malicious even though it probably is.

You should immediately delete this email.

- Kelvin Eldridge

PS. We use OzEfilter and CA antivirus to protect our computers. We've found no antivirus software to protect 100%. This combination plus common sense offers us a good level of protection.

MyAnswers: Dialogue "Windows cannot find csrcs.exe." after removing virus.

After removing a virus from a clients machine the dialogue "Windows cannot find csrcs.exe." started to appear when starting the computer. It is not unusual for antivirus software not to fully remove all of the changes made by a virus.

MyAnswers solution 1921 shows how the problem was fixed. You can find this solution in the Recent section of the Virus section.

- Kelvin Eldridge

PS. MyAnswers solutions document nearly 2,000 solutions to problem found by a consultant in the field. A documented solution costs less than using a consultant because it is a solution which can be used by a number of people.

Coca Cola is proud to announce our new Christmas Promotion

I've received the email with the subject Coca Cola is proud to announce our new Christmas Promotion quite a few times. This is definitely an email with a malware attachment. OzEfilter allows me to delete the email at the email before I receive it. If I accept the email, the anti-virus program I use identifies it correctly as malware and removes the attachment.

For me there is not issue, but I've written this blog entry because I've received many of these emails, and others may not be protected in the same way.

Take care with Christmas promotions. You may end up with an unwelcome gift. 

- Kelvin Eldridge

Get the gift of search this festive season from the Google AdSense team

I just received an email with the subject Get the gift of search this festive season from the Google AdSense team.

Now here is the problem. I've never received an email from Google using this mailing address. There is actually not a single link to Google in the email.

Now this might not be unusual and this email may be bona fide. Many businesses use mailing list services.

However what I don't like about mailing list services, is they track your activities and they can apparently track the activities of others you may forward the emails on to. I really don't want to pass information on to others where they are not aware they are being tracked.

For me it doesn't matter how good this information may be, it is straight into the bin. This could easily be a phishing email and since I can't readily tell, I'd prefer to be safe than sorry.

Safe computing practices is often the only thing that will save you from malicious emails. If in doubt, hit the delete button.

Have a festive season and don't get tricked by the festive season emails.

- Kelvin

Important Security Update from Microsoft – "out of band" critical update for Internet Explorer

Thursday morning I woke to hear on the radio, Microsoft was issuing a patch for Internet Explorer. Weird I thought. We have the situation where flaws in software is a major news item. Being in IT however this information is important for my clients.

Friday night at 7:12 pm an email arrived at my mail server which I picked up later that night. It was titled Important Security Update from Microsoft – "out of band" critical update for Internet Explorer.

I checked all the links in the email and all links pointed to valid Microsoft sites. There was nothing in this email which made me feel it wasn't bona fide.

I would advise all clients to make sure their Windows update is enabled and to download and apply the latest updates. In particular the security updates.

Also take care with this type of email. Since so many people receive this email, and I suspect that would include virus writers, there is nothing to stop a virus writer creating a fake letter and circulating it. There is no need to click on any of the links in the email and you can always go to the Microsoft site if you want further information.

The main thing is you need to apply the updates available from Microsoft. If anyone clients require assistance please contact me. I will be visiting client sites on Friday to ensure computers are updated. I get a feeling it is going to be a long day.

Take care.

- Kelvin Eldridge

FREE Australian English spellcheck dictionary for Google Chrome

Want to use Google Chrome, but prefer to spell using "colour" and not "color", then download V2.2.2 of the Australian English spellcheck dictionary for Google Chrome.

Unfortunately at this stage Google Chrome does not support Australian English, but the patch we provide gets around the problem for now.

You can find the Google Chrome dictionary via any of the following:

1. The Australian English spellcheck dictionaries can always be found from the front page of JustLocal (www.JustLocal.com.au).

2. Go directly to the dictionary project via www.dictionary.JustLocal.com.au and then go to the page for Google Chrome.

3. Go directly to the page for the Google Chrome dictionary. (Please note these pages may change as we reorganise. You will always be able to find the page via options 1 and 2.) 

Please enjoy.

- Kelvin Eldridge

UPDATE: 23 July 2009
Support for Google Chrome has been withdrawn as a result of actions by the project.

FREE Australian dictionary for OpenOffice.org, Firefox and Thunderbird.

As a result of your support and feedback I've decided to release version 2.2.2 of the Australian English dictionary file free for OpenOffice.org, Firefox and Thunderbird users. I hope to make the dictionary file available for other projects shortly.

I'm doing this because both the Firefox and OpenOffice.org project are distributing hacked versions of this file. By hacked I mean they have been updated without following the proper procedure. This has resulted in spelling and other errors being introduced.

These faulty files will no doubt spread through the Internet which is a concern. The only files you can be sure which haven't been hacked, are those direct from my site.

Use the FREE files available from www.dictionary.JustLocal.com.au to replace the faulty files. They are the latest and best free files available.

Version 3 is also now available for FREE to clients and customers of JustLocal, Online Connections, and those using the products and services from Virtual Profit Sharing partners via the JustLocal site.

Again thank you for your support.

- Kelvin Eldridge

UPDATE: 23 July 2009
Support for the projects has been withdrawn as a result of actions by the projects.

Streets of Templestowe beginning with G, H or I.

Continuing with a map of the location for each street in Templestowe, the following are the pages for the streets starting with the letters G, H, or I.

Galway Close, Gardenview Court, Glen Court, Glen Orchard Close, Glendarragh Road, Glendale Avenue, Glendenning Rise, Glenmanor Close, Glenvill Court, Glenvista Place, Gloucester Court, Greenock Place, Greenridge Avenue, Hadley Court, Hailey Court, Hakea Street, Hampden Court, Hathaway Close, Hawtin Street, Helmsdale Retreat, Hemingway Avenue, Hermann Court, Heysham Way, Hillcroft Drive, Hillhouse Road, Hollywood Close, Homestead Road, Hovea Street, Hutchins Terrace, Innisfallen Avenue

Enjoy.

- Kelvin Eldridge

Streets of Templestowe beginning with D, E, or F.

Continuing with a map of the location for each street in Templestowe, the following are the pages for the streets starting with the letters D, E, or F.

Darnley Drive, Dellas Avenue, Dellwood Court, Dena Court, Denham Court, Derrane Place, Dewpond Court, Dickens Close, Donegal Court, Dora Court, Dundee Court, Dunloe Rise, Durkin Court, Duxson Drive, Eades Court, Edwin Road, Ellen Street, Elm Court, Elsa Street, Ennersdale Court, Eumeralla Avenue, Fernbrook Way, Ferndell Crescent, Fielding Way, Fitzsimons Lane, Flowerdrum Close, Foote Street, Forest Court, Fulview Court

Enjoy.

- Kelvin Eldridge

Streets of Templestowe beginning with "C".

Continuing with a map of the location for each street in Templestowe, the following are the pages for the streets starting with the letter "C".

Caminole Wynd, Caprice Court, Carlton Court, Carole Street, Castlebar Way, Castlewood Place, Chelmsford Avenue, Chippendale Court, Chiswick Court, Chivers Road, Church Road, Cipora Court, Clarke Street, Clays Court, Cliveden Court, Clontarf Crescent, Coleridge Court, Colonsay Street, Concord Rise, Cottonwood Court, Cottswold Rise, County Terrace, Cricklewood Drive

Enjoy.

- Kelvin Eldridge

Is the Big Mac index missing an important variable?

The Big Mac index which is produced by the Economist, is a light hearted way of comparing the purchasing power of currencies across the world.

In travelling I find the price of a Big Mac when converted to Australian dollars, to be a good indication as to how expensive things are in other countries. Once you convert the price of the Big Mac from the local currency to Australian dollars and then work out the ratio, you get a good idea as to how much more expensive the country is compared to Australia. Of course if the price is less, that country is less expensive than Australia.

But wait. Is there a factor missing?

On my trip to the States a number of years ago I was sure the burgers were bigger in the USA. So I've decided to post this topic and others are welcome to add their information.

The cost of a Big Mac in Melbourne Australia on Sunday 14th December 2008 was $4.25 and the Big Mac (without any packaging) weighed 212 grams.

According to a reliable source (thanks Renée) has a friend who weighed a Big Mac in Austin Texas and found it was 8 ounces exactly (227 grams).  Our gut feeling was right. Big Macs are bigger in the USA.

If you want to join the Big Mac weigh in, please weigh the Big Mac without any packaging, but don't let that extra lettuce escape. Also include the price for the Big Mac, your currency and if possible, the current price in Australian Dollars. On our Fun With Search page we show how to convert between currencies using Google.

I will keep you posted as people send me their Big Mac weigh in results.

Bon appetit.

- Kelvin

Streets of Templestowe starting with "B".

Continuing with a map of the location for each street in Templestowe, the following are the pages for the streets starting with the letter "B".

Bali Hi Boulevard, Bamfield Close, Bantry Grove, Barnacle Mews, Beale Court, Beavis Court, Bebs Court, Bedervale Drive, Beecroft Crescent, Berkefeld Court, Berwick Rise, Berwyn Crescent, Beverly Hills Drive, Bindi Close, Birchgrove Crescent, Blyton Court, Bramber Court, Bray Court, Briar Lane, Briarfield Court, Bronte Rise, Browning Drive, Burleigh Drive, Burns Court, Byron Close

Enjoy.

- Kelvin Eldridge

Heading to Surfers Paradise this summer.

Recently I had a trip to Surfers Paradise and booked everything over the Internet. You would think this would be easy, but a search for Surfers Paradise accommodation in Google returns one to two hotel sites on each page, with the rest being businesses promoting their services. With over a hundred places to stay, I would have to probably visit over two hundred pages. Even then I would have to visit each hotel's site to see what they had to offer.

I thought wouldn't it be great if I could just search the web sites of the hotels.

I couldn't, but now you can.

I created a search engine which only contains the 100 plus accommodation providers and allows you to directly search the hotel sites. If a gym is important to you, search for gym and see which hotels promote a gym. Perhaps a late stay.  Perhaps you are looking for conference facilities, just type in the word conference.

Give the Surfers Paradise search engine a go and see if it helps you find what you are looking for you next trip to Surfers Paradise.

Happy holidays.

- Kelvin Eldridge

PS. You can also find the Surfers Paradise search engine at JustLocal.

Streets of Templestowe starting with "A".

Recently I provided pages with a map of the location for each street in Lower Plenty. The following are the first pages for Templestowe which are the streets starting with the letter "A".

Adella Place, Albert Street, Aloha Gardens, Amberwood Court, Anderson Street, Angeltop Terrace, Annan Place, Anthlin Court, Apple Blossom Court, Ashcroft Avenue, Athenry Terrace, Atkinson Street, Aumann Drive, Austin Place, Azure Court

- Kelvin Eldridge