W2Knews[tm] Electronic Newsletter
Vol. 6, #4 - January 22, 2001 - Issue #238
Published by sunbelt-software.com since 1996 - ISSN: 1527-3407
'Immediate Notification Of Important Windows NT/2000 Events'
*******************over 600,000 Readers******************************
This Issue of W2Knews contains:
1. EDITORS CORNER:
* All Kinds Of New Stuff
2. TECH BRIEFING:
* It's Now Radically Easy To Manage Internet Usage
3. NT/2000 RELATED NEWS:
* Melissa-X In The Wild
* Microsoft Does Well In Q2 - Shares Rise
* Update on Security
4. NT/2000 THIRD PARTY NEWS:
* FREE (really) Reporting tool for Windows Networks
* New System Admin Tool: Remote Task Manager
* DiskAdvisor Now Available On-Line
* NetIQ and WebTrends Merge
* New Sunbelt Community List Server: AlphaNT
5. W2Knews 'FAVE' LINKS:
* This week's Fave Links from Sunbelt.
6. BOOK OF THE WEEK:
* Free Shipping for W2K Administrator's Black Book
7. HOW TO USE THE MAILING LIST
Instructions on how to subscribe, sign off or change your address.
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**************************What Is W2Knews?***************************
Sunbelt W2Knews is the World's first and largest e-zine designed
for NT/2000 System Admins and Power Users that need to keep these
platform up & running. Every week we get you pragmatic, from-the-
trenches news regarding NT/2000 and 3-rd party System Management
Tools. W2Knews will help you to better understand NT/2000 and pass
your Certification Exams. You will get breaking news like new
tools, service packs, sites, or killer viruses via W2KNewsFlashes.
Sunbelt Software is THE NT/2000 e-business system tools site. At the
end of this e-zine: links to all indexed and searchable back issues.
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1. "EDITORS CORNER"
* All Kinds Of New Stuff
Hi Everybody!
Well, where do I start. The amount of relevant news is getting to
be so much that there is no way I can cram it in something readable
just once a week. I'll chop it up in two newsletters, the text-based
one you get on Mondays that stays the way it is now, and the new one
that will be delivered Thursdays. The latter will be in HTML format.
You can see how it will look over here, and we already have a bunch
of back issues in HTML over at http://www.w2knews.com
But, before we can do that, we need to increase our bandwidth. We're
upgrading to a fat DS3 pipe. Perhaps even wireless instead of fiber,
we're doing the math now. Should be ready in a few weeks. I'll keep
you in the loop. (One of these days you will receive a test message
from 'w2knews-html' that you can delete right away)
The especially made Sunbelt SysAdmin Browser is also practically
ready. It's an (IE-based) browser with a network performance monitor
built-in so you can manage systems via the web-interface and also
see the stuff that is going on in your domain. Kind of network-wide
taskmanager graphs of the CPU and Memory of any machine you want to
see. Ready Real Soon Now.
There are some extremely useful tools down below, especially the one
in Tech Briefing that will save you a bunch of time. Oh, and remember
to check out the Fave Links this time. It's got an unbelievable story.
But first, let's have a look at all the news!
Warm regards,
Stu.
(email me with feedback: [EMAIL PROTECTED])
******************SPONSOR: Windows 2000 Magazine ********************
Free Email Newsletters from Windows 2000 Magazine
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right to your inbox. Get breaking news, industry developments
and perspectives, plus the great how-to technical information
you've come to expect from Windows 2000 Magazine and SQL Server
Magazine. Subscribe today, and begin receiving expert advice on
Windows 2000, SQL Server, Security, Exchange, .NET, and more!
http://www.sunbelt-software.com/redir.cfm?id=012201S-w2kmag
*********************************************************************
2. TECH BRIEFING
* It's Now Radically Easy To Manage Internet Usage
SurfControl is a company known as the Global Filtering Leader.
They offer highly advanced Internet filtering technology, especially
for the corporate environment. SurfControl recently announced a
new version of their filtering software. I had a look at it and
it radically eases your challenge of managing Internet usage in
your environment.
SurfControl's SuperScout V3 automates time-consuming admin tasks,
such as generating reports on employee Internet activity -
detailing who are the hogs that compromise network bandwidth and
your precious domain resources for less than legitimate reasons.
Other features designed to make your Admin's life easier include:
* over 60 standard reports
* largest content database of URLs in the industry
* positive and negative filtering
* granular rules
* intelligent access policies
* precision bandwidth control
Additionally, SuperScout's Pass-By monitoring uses advanced
packet sniffer technology to give you a picture of network traffic
without having a negative impact upon your network performance.
With this technology you can monitor, generate reports, block and
manage all TCP/IP protocols, and SuperScout enables you to control
your network resources, without slowing down traffic.
Offload your administrative burden to SuperScout and spend your
time on more important matters like guarding against hackers and
staying current on technological advancements. SurfControl is
offering a FREE 30-Day Trial Download. This is a 'Stu's Warmly
Recommended'. I suggest you give it a try it today. You'll like it!
http://www.sunbelt-software.com/redir.cfm?id=012201A-surfctr
*********************************************************************
3. NT/2000 RELATED NEWS:
* Melissa-X In The Wild
CNET reported: Computer virus experts say a new variant of the Melissa
virus is spreading, this time in the guise of a Macintosh-formatted
Microsoft Office document. The latest variation arrives as an email
with the words "Here is that document you asked for ... don't show
anyone else ;-)" in the body, along with an attachment called
"anniv.doc.". It’s not high-risk yet, but it's a nuisance allright.
The virus, dubbed alternatively Melissa-X and Melissa 2001, was set
loose on the Net after a Macintosh Office 2001 user saved a document
infected with the virus as an Office 2001 file. The document was sent
to a Windows 97 user, who opened the infected email and started the
latest round of infection. The virus can be spread on either a PC
or a Macintosh. Like other Melissa variants, though, only Windows
PCs will send mass email copies of the infected file. Most antivirus
companies are in the process of updating their signature files to
recognize this new variation. To protect your domains, warn users
(again) to not open any suspicious email attachments. Also, make
sure you have the latest antivirus definitions running on your
servers.
------------------
* Microsoft Does Well In Q2 - Shares Rise
Despite the slowing PC sales MS posted earnings in line with the
lowered expectations. Revenues were a bit higher than expected.
The outlook for 2001 looks reasonably stable. MS Office sales
were flat, 2% less than last year. But the new version has some
new goodies that MS expects to boost sales. Biggest is the speech
recognition that is now built-in. But the biggest long-term
problem is that 'everybody's already got one'. The good news was
that NT WS and W2K Pro sales were up 39% and NT and W2K servers
up 19%. Biggest rise in sales are of course tools for the server.
Sales from Enterprise products like SQL and Exchange rose 20%+
from last year.
The new Bush administration that is coming in, also may change MS'
legal destiny but the future regarding that is still murky. The
new Attorney General Ashcroft kept himself carefully non-committed
on this topic. In general, this administration is a lot more
business-friendly so we'll see how much time might be cut off
from the years of dragging through the court system. Tech shares
were also helped by excellent results of IBM that boosted its
share price with 12% this week.
------------------
* Update on Security
- A private alliance was formed last week by some of the biggest names
in Technology, including bitter rivals Oracle and Microsoft. Pretty
much all the big IT guys are represented and they will share info
about vulnerabilities and cyber attacks. Main goal: protection from
cyber-hazards whether deliberate or accidental. It's called IT-ISAC
and sits in Atlanta, GA. other companies will be able to join for
$5,000.
- Most of you know that Egghead was cracked and a $#!+load of credit
card numbers were stolen. Quite a few were fraudulently used but
a lot of people had not used that particular card for more than a
year. Conclusion: Egghead kept card numbers on file for long times
so that they could nicely be ripped off. My suggestion if you run
an online shop: Set a routine in place to 'age off' cards of people
after 3 months.
- Getting hit by a hacker or a virus or electronic theft costs an
arm and a leg. The Computer Security Institute surveyed 273 outfits,
74% of them reported losses of a combined $266 million. And it it
only the tip of the iceberg. In contrast, a recent poll of 1,400
CIO's showed that 91% were confident their networks were secure.
What planet are these guys living on? Incredible. Nobody is really
100% safe, except perhaps for outfits like the NSA that spend hundreds
of millions on security alone. Anybody can be hacked/cracked. It's
just a matter how much time it takes, and how many resources are
thrown into the hack attempt. The more attractive the target, the more
effort will be applied. It's very much like breaking into a house.
By defending your castle you BUY TIME, but anybody can get in if
they really want to and have the resources. The upshot: Build your
layered defenses and get security trained.
*********************************************************************
4. NT/2000 THIRD PARTY NEWS:
* FREE (really) Reporting tool for Windows Networks
Quest Software announces: Domain Detective
In order to quickly assess network security and status, administrators
need a tool that : presents a 'network view' of all users and groups;
identifies potential security holes; and provides policy-based exception
reporting. Domain Detective offers an effective, field-proven solution.
Domain Detective helps network administrators to inventory users and
groups on Windows networks. There are no native tools that offer all
this information in one place. Domain Detective's view of all users and
groups, combined with its security and policy reports, gives network
administrators the information they need in order to make fast,
informed decisions.
Domain Detective efficiently queries the network and determines if data
is an exception to a defined policy or represents a security threat.
This information is gathered and displayed in concise reports, giving
administrators an overall, objective view of corporate IT and security
policy conformance.
In just minutes, install and run Domain Detective to identify security
holes and run policy-based exception reports! Domain Detective is now
available -- FREE of charge -- download today from Quest's website at:
http://www.sunbelt-software.com/redir.cfm?id=012201A-QuestSW
Domain Detective is part of Quest Software's complete solution for
managing Microsoft Windows networks. For more information on Quest's
Microsoft solutions, please visit
http://www.sunbelt-software.com/redir.cfm?id=012201A-Quest2
-----------------
* New System Admin Tool: REMOTE TASK MANAGER
Remote Task Manager (RTM) is a systems control interface that can
be run from any remote Windows 2000/NT computer. This enables you
to control most aspects of a remote environment. The simple-to-use,
tabbed interface separates applications, services, devices, processes,
events, shared resources and performance monitor, making each of
these very easy to control.
This product has had its 'trial by fire' as a shareware tool and only
now has come available commercially with support and maintenance.
Current Version is 3.5.2, so you see what I mean. Every Sunbelt
Customer that earlier purchased the Task-Xplorer tool, will get a
free single license copy of this new tool from us, as Task-Xplorer
was taken off the market by its developer. Send an email to
[EMAIL PROTECTED] for information how this
upgrade will be released.
With Remote Task Manager you can:
- Monitor all running tasks, processes, services and events on remote
computers
- Watch features of running tasks (the handle of the main window,
process ID, etc.)
- Watch features of running processes (process ID, CPU time,
privileges used, memory, priority)
- See which process is associated with a selected task
- See which process is associated with a selected service
- End a selected task correctly
- Terminate a selected process at any time
- Change priority of a selected process
- Control which CPUs the process will be allowed to execute on
- Stop, start, restart, pause/continue any selected service or device
- Change startup parameters of a service or a device (name, account,
startup - type, dependencies, etc.)
- Change service's repair parameters on Windows 2000
- Watch dependent services
- Adjust service's and device's security (permissions, auditing
and owner)
- Manage shared resources on remote computers
- Clear event logs
- Monitor a dynamic overview of the computer's performance (CPU
and memory usage)
- Shut down and reboot remote computers
- Create processes on remote computers
- Lock computers remotely
And much more...
The best news about this tool is that you can get a SITE LICENSE
for just $1095.00 usable by any number of admins. Check out:
http://www.sunbelt-software.com/product.cfm?id=380
Two remarks: When the 'registration file' is asked for, just
click cancel. After the install, go START->Programs->RTM.
You'll like what you see. Call your Sunbelt Rep or reseller for
a quote for the sitelicense. This is a very useful little tool.
http://www.sunbelt-software.com/product.cfm?id=380
------------------
* DiskAdvisor Now Available On-Line
DiskAdvisor gives you the valuable information you need to restore
disk space wasted by unnecessary files. Run DiskAdvisor today and
you’ll:
- Discover problem files that meet pre-defined criteria such as
age, duplication, size or security.
- Avoid costly storage, backup, and recovery of unwanted files.
- Manage usage by user, workgroup, share, or directory giving you
a total view of disk consumption habits.
- Determine quota levels appropriate to consumption habit trends.
- Document disk consumption trends for possible storage expansion
justification.
- Gain virtually infinite reporting capabilities with Custom Report
Writer feature.
Check the specs at: http://www.sunbelt-software.com/product.cfm?id=420
------------------
* NetIQ and WebTrends Merge
Mergers are practically always one company acquiring another. This
case is no exception. NetIQ is moving from tools to e-business and
out of just NT/W2K to multi-platform. NetIQ will combine its intrusion
detection and low-level security products with firewall management
products from WebTrends for a complete security suite.
------------------
* New Sunbelt Community List Server: AlphaNT
The AlphaNT Mailing List is for anyone who has to use or support
NT running on DEC (Compaq) Alpha hardware. It's also the unofficial
home of FX!32. Since the AlphaNT platform is no longer officially
supported, migration issues are also discussed. Subscribe at:
http://www.sunbelt-software.com/alphant-list_charter.htm
*********************************************************************
5. W2Knews 'FAVE' LINKS:
===
A wealth of Special Interest Newsletters for NT/W2K-ers. Check 'em out
over at: http://www.sunbelt-software.com/redir.cfm?id=012201S-w2kmag
===
Here is a really excellent brand new book about W2K performance tuning:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0130891053/sunbeltunivers0c/
107-4997383-6905317 [WRAPPED]
===
Always hitting the left CAPS Lock when you really want to hit Tab? This
lil' Italian tool allows you to reassign them so it won't happen again.
http://users.iol.it/falsinfab/falsinsoft/fc21.zip
===
The Dumbest Guy On Earth! This is unbelievable but true. These people
must have been on speed or crack. You gotta see this! This planet
never seems to amaze me. http://www.sunbelt-software.com/stu/
*********************************************************************
6. BOOK OF THE WEEK:
* Free Shipping for W2K Administrator's Black Book
On all US orders of the Windows NT Power Toolkit Book by the Editor
of this e-zine Stu Sjouwerman. The shipping cost is only $10.00 USD
for all orders shipped outside the US. To take advantage of this
offer and order a Windows NT Power Toolkit book visit the Sunbelt
Software web store - http://www.sunbelt-software.com/onlineshop.cfm
For orders outside the US, email [EMAIL PROTECTED]
This offer is good until the end of January or while supplies last.
*********************************************************************
7. "HOW TO USE THE MAILING LIST" Instructions on how to subscribe,
sign off or change your email address
TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE LIST (Tell your friends!)
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and unsubscribe from either the nt-list or w2knews. You can see which
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takes a week for this change to filter through so you may still get
one or two news items before the flow stops).
____________________________________________________
TO CHANGE YOUR ADDRESS
First unsubscribe and then resubscribe as per the procedure above.
*********************************************************************
FOR MORE INFORMATION
On the World Wide Web point your browser to:
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Back Issues are here, all searchable and indexed. NT-list:
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Back Issues of W2Knews are all here:
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Cannot unsubscribe? Getting it twice? Send an email to a live person:
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At the time of this newsletter's release, all links were
checked to verify their accuracy and validity. However,
due to the ever changing pages of various sites, some links
may later prove to be invalid. We regret any inconvenience
should you be unable to open any of these links.
*********************************************************************
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This document is provided for informational purposes only.
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current view of Sunbelt Software Distribution on the issues
discussed as of the date of publication. Because Sunbelt
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acknowledged. Copyright Sunbelt Software Distribution, Inc.
1996-2001.
