Bits from Bill

BillP’s WinPatrol Toolkit

2015-03-12T11:37:00.001-04:00

Over the years I added a lot of features to WinPatrol and many were unnoticed or forgotten. It was actually at the request of one of our blind users I added the ability to assign unique sound files to each WinPatrol notification type.

Reviewers were often critical of WinPatrol’s use of old style windows and buttons. While many considered the interface boring I kept it this way to support popular screen readers and other accessibility tools. Even Robin, popular researcher for BillP Studios and college professor is legally blind.

A program wanting to have custom sounds can use the Windows Sounds Applet in the Control Panel as a user interface. Few programs actually take advantage of this feature but WinPatrol has always supported this enhancement.

I've created a FREE easy to use app that will allow you to customize your WinPatrol with your favorite .wav files. I've included some .wav examples but they're pretty boring.
BillP's WinPatrol Toolkit can be downloaded from BillP.com or click the image below.

BONUS: For those wanting a different system tray icon, the toolkit will also trick Scotty into using one of the choices currently available.

This is a first pass so I expect improvements based on your feedback. The program is Free as-is. While I’ve had permission from WinPatrol’s owner, Bret Lowry to release this app, there is no guarantee future versions will be supported.

WinPatrol & Task Catcher Both Golden

2015-03-03T00:06:00.001-05:00

Last week I was happy to be a part of a new release of
WinPatrol (v33) from “WinPatrol (Formerly Ruiware, LLC). This is the first major release since WinPatrol ownership was transferred to former lead at Sunbelt Software, Bret Lowry. The introduction of Bret’s WinPrivacy program has received a lot of attention.

WinPrivacy

At the same time, I was happy with the release of Task Catcher 2 from BillP Studios. This program has been around for many years but remained in the shadow of WinPatrol. A small number of fans have used Task Catcher for its feature of restarting programs that fail or are closed by other programs.

Task Catcher 2 is a complete rewrite but continues use the C programming language so it can run in the background without impacting performance. It continues to support older versions of Windows while taking advantage of the newest technology from Microsoft. Windows Phone and Surface RT users will be pleased when Task Catcher Universal is available.

Task Catcher Program Tracking

One new feature in Task Catcher is its ability to track usage of your favorite or even unwanted programs. The screen above shows it’s initial data which will be expanded based on user feedback and needs.

Previous features have been renamed and enhanced. Watch List is now appropriately called “Restart List” and the Black List is now called “Blocked” programs.

Task Catcher 2 has expanded the flexibility and control over blocking a program and preventing it from running. Using text which is part of a filename can be entered to block programs.

Using a small part of a filename allows Task Catcher to block all related programs. For example, using text segments like “avg”, “conduit” or “ask” will block a range of programs related to the undesirable text.

BillP Studios has also recognized the need to block programs used for online extortion. Expanding quickly are ransomware apps that encrypt a users data and require a payment to restore their files. Task Catcher checks for suspicious apps that encrypt data and offers users a chance to block program that may not be familiar.

WinPatrol (v33)

I was happy to have a chance to work on changes for the new WinPatrol. I’ve enjoyed the break but I still know how the software works inside and out. The user interface includes some new columns that provide consistency. Startup programs and Delayed Start both include a Status column letting users know if a program is running.

One of the major enhancements comes with the updated History screen. It’s obvious that more changes to this screen are on the way.

Unlike Task Catcher 2, WinPatrol will continue using the Tab Dialog UI and standard Windows buttons. I’ve stayed with Common Dialog buttons to support users with screen readers.

As part of our affiliation agreement WinPatrol PLUS members who use Task Catcher have access to the WinPatrol PLUS Info database. WinPatrol PLUS members will have one-click access to my BitsFromBill Blog.

Task Catcher 2.0 Surprising New Features

2015-02-24T17:18:00.001-05:00

For many years I made a name for myself as the developer of the unique WinPatrol program. To protect running programs I created an App designed to restart failed tasks called Task Catcher. Until now, I never put the same attention into other programs like I did WinPatrol.

I started with cosmetic changes but the more time I had, the more improvements were added. I discovered I wanted more features that weren’t available in other software. The result is now a program I can be proud. All our long time users will be confident recommending this program to family and friends.

Features include:

Block Programs with wildcard text
In previous versions you could specify a particular program based on its full path name. TC2 allows you to block programs that have any bits of suspicious text in their filename. This allows you to specify text like “conduit”, “Ask” or “avg”. When a program or Windows Service is detected with this text in its name, Task Catcher can automatically block it or let’s you decide if it can run.

Detect and Block Crypto-Ransom programs
Using newly discovered algorithm to decrypt what appears to be a randomly created filename Task Catcher detects possible Ransomware programs. These programs encrypt files and use extortion requiring a payment to decrypt valuable files. These programs can cause a disaster if it happens to a business or an individual losing their tax data or family photos. Our algorithm won’t retrieve encrypted files but it can help detect possible threats and continues to improve.

Track Program Usage
Microsoft Windows has been evolving and like many new mobile operating systems may keep programs running in the background even when you exit. While this trend shouldn’t hurt your overall performance many of us want to know which programs are running. You’ll be able to pick those apps you’re most interested in and Task Catcher will keep track of how often it runs. This feature is one I expect will be expanded to create more elaborate reports

Restart Programs that Fail or are Closed
One of the most popular features of the previous Task Catcher launching a program meant to always run is an important function. Malware often shuts down popular Anti-Virus software but Task Catcher will re-launch your protection and/or will let you know what’s going on. Sometimes, you may have a program that is just buggy and shutdown when you don’t expect it.

Windows Services
Most of you reading this, like me, want to know what programs automatically run when you start your computer. Traditional registry startup locations no longer tell the whole story. Many programs running in the background at Windows Services. This kind of program can register to launch immediately, may be delayed or will start based on a particular trigger event. Task Catcher helps you keep track of Services that are running allowing you to start and stop them as you would normal applications.

Today is the release of the final beta both to public and to our long time Task Catcher users.
http://www.taskcatcher.com/beta2.html

CEO’s Expose Their Personal Data

2015-02-06T23:42:00.001-05:00

You'll be hearing more about the exposure of 80 million customers and employees of Anthem Inc. This time the blame was quickly directed towards mainland China although the exact method of attack is unknown.

Our friend Brian Krebs has details on the China connection and a recent FBI alert.

I raised a lot of eyebrows when I disclosed that Target was successfully compromised using social engineering based on personal information published for former CEO Gregg Steinhafel. The information found in his company biography was enough to create a complete false identify.

I couldn't help but see parallels with information published about Anthem CEO, Joseph R. Swedish.

He’s proud of his accomplishments and his company bio includes a lifetime of his work, education and personal history.

Chairman of the Public Education and Business Coalition he's also on the board of the Metro Denver Boy Scouts. You’ll find him supporting his alma mater, Duke University where he obtained a masters in Health Administration. He received his bachelor's from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Mr. Swedish didn’t need 30 days to notify the public which is currently the industry proposed timeline. His apology can be found at http://www.anthemfacts.com/

Ironically, Mr. Swedish is an advisor for the China Health Care Corporation. This unique company helps VIPs in China find premium maternity and gynecological services. I’m no expert on China’s population control laws and their family planning policy but this is obviously a big deal.

Like most health care companies Anthem Inc, (formerly WellPoint), donates large sums to members of both political parties in the U.S.. In 2013, they gave $10,000 to New York’s Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo. In Texas, $15,000 went to Republican candidate, Attorney General Greg Abbott.

Click for

WELLPAC 2013 donations

Based on current details, the danger from the Anthem exposure may be insignificant for most of us. If you're an officer in a large company, a government employee, contractor or elected official it's time to reduce your online foot print. It’s time to review your online BIO so it only has information needed for public disclosure.

I expect this attack will generate more press than previous data exposures. I’m already reading details of the attack which are complete fabrications meant to match dramatic headlines. The only winners will be credit monitoring sites when companies should be investing in services like our BlueHat research.

BillP Studios Sample BlueHat Report Page

Grateful & Motivated by Donations

2015-02-05T20:48:00.001-05:00

I recently posted an unusual plea with what some compared to a KickStarter request for donations. I shared some of the difficulties experienced by independent developers especially when faced with increasing health and interruptions.

I want to express my thanks and share some of the results that helped cover the cost of life saving medications.

Thirty individuals responded to my January 2015 plea for help. Many expressed gratitude for my policy never include toolbars and other unwanted software. Some had similar events in their life and wanted to pay forward. Quite a few understood that it must have been serious for me to share such desperation publically.

The donations ranged from $5 to a generous $250. Most were in the $10-$20 range although the average for all thirty donations calculated to $27.67 USD.
Over 20% of the donations were from supporters outside the United States.

As I mentioned, the gift of donations has been very motivating. During a recent fever caused by a case of pneumonia I may have come up with a way to protect users from variations of Crypto-Ransomware. This trend in malware has been very destructive and I’d love to announce a solution soon.

Thanks again,
BillP

Toolbars & Unwanted Programs Very Popular

2015-01-03T20:05:00.001-05:00

Recently, a few people asked me about the “Donation” boxes that I have on my web pages. I’m also questioned about how much money I’ve made from WinPatrol and other projects. There were good times and I never forget the folks who occasionally give $5 – $50 to show their appreciation.

In 2008-2009, I wrote about offers I received from companies wanting me to include their toolbars in the free WinPatrol. It became clear I could retire early if I had decided to include what is now called a PUPs or “Potentially Unwanted Programs.” It still amazes me how many large companies use tricky check boxes to treat their customers as personal bank accounts.

I made the decision to keep WinPatrol clean. I was glad that some of the folks knew something about me but they still used WinPatrol because it protected them. I’ve also been asked about the decision so I agreed to share some more personal details which aren’t likely to make it into any book.

WinPatrol was holding its own thanks to great reviews by magazines but soon the rules changed and everyone moved to an Internet economy. It was also the time when family health problems would take my attention away from full time developing and promoting software. No one expects a rare disease to take over your life.

Behcet's Disease is an autoinflammatory disease resulting in damage to blood vessels throughout the body, particularly veins. It is a form of vasculitis (an inflammation of the blood vessels). Inflammation is a characteristic reaction of the body to injury or disease and is marked by four signs: swelling, redness, heat, and pain.

Unfortunately, independent programmers don’t usually have pension plans or company

retirement programs. When serious health issues attack both heads of the household the savings go quickly and income can dry up as well. While the government argued over health plans medical expenses took everything we had.

I’ve been lucky and had the opportunity to live a good life, in a dream house with income that allowed me to share the benefits with family and friends. I’ve had some amazing opportunities and experiences. I can’t complain even though having nothing may be harder if you once had everything

I’m now taking as many steps as possible to continue on. Last year we put our house up for sale and to meet our responsibilities I sold the rights to WinPatrol. While I didn’t receive what you might think I found a buyer who would continue to support current users and agreed never to include toolbars or other unwanted software.

When possible, I have been working hard on other programs I believe are valuable. A few friends online have suggested it couldn’t hurt to explain the Donation links. They insist my policy on taskbars and work I’ve done with WinPatrol has generated enough good will to make it worthwhile. Donations could give me a chance to continue the creation of new safe programs.

So, the Donation boxes are there in case they can help allow me to worry about customers instead of medical bills.. It was a little hard when I sold my car but it doesn’t compare to when a spouse asks about selling her engagement ring. That’s when anyone wishes they had included Toolbars or PUPs with their software.

Toolbar Features

2013-02-27 Death of the Personal Computer Due to Greed

2010-06-28 Legal Software More Annoying than Most Viruses

2010-04-27 Where Can I Find an Alternate PDF Viewer?

2009-04-26 Sun Java Promoting Microsoft Toolbar

2009-03-31 No, I Don't Want Your #^$% Toolbar

2008-08-25 What's Wrong with Toolbars?

2008-01-16 Would you like Toolbar with your Software Order?

2006-11-08 Intermix Media settles with California

2006-10-17 What is Zwinky?

2006-09-11 Response from MyWebSearch & FunWebProducts

Your BillP & WinPatrol News in 2014

2014-12-26T15:01:00.001-05:00

One mistake I made when WinPatrol became a popular and serious product was not providing an Opt-In email list. SPAM is such a dirty word I didn’t realize how many would want to keep in contact for more than just software updates. This was a big year for changes so I’ve taken the risk to send out an Email with important news. I’ve also provided an Opt-In.

Opt-In for BillP News

For Email Marketing you can trust.

If you weren’t on our mailing list what went out looked like the image below.
Click for PDF version

Your Feedback Creates Special Offer

2014-12-03T02:41:00.001-05:00

One price (under $10), for an established app, available on multiple devices. This limited offer is available with one requirement. Users are asked to provide feedback on their experience. It doesn’t have to be a bug report, it could just be a request for a feature you can’t find in other programs.

Task Catcher 1.x

For many years our Task Catcher program has been available to meet the needs of a specific audience. Even though I have neglected new development for Task Catcher it continued to attract an large audience. Many of our most vocal fans have waited patiently for a new version.

Watch List

Task Catcher is most often used for its specific restart function. Many depend on Task Catcher to make sure an important program continues to run even if it crashes or the system reboots. Many others use it to protect a their favorite security program. One long time customer actually runs a radio station and Task Catcher prevents any dead air during the night and early morning recorded sets.

If you’ve ever wondered why a program is no longer running Task Catcher can help. Like many new Windows programs Task Catcher 2 has been redesigned to work with mobile devices, Tablets as well as traditional Windows desktops.

Very Special Offer

Our newest version is available as a Sneak Peek Preview and currently runs as a Windows Desktop app. Mobile and Tablet versions are being developed and I look forward your feedback.

Many people may have heard of the term “beta test” before the release of new software.

At one time, this was a useful process but those days are gone.

When you consider the number of machines running Microsoft Windows world-wide it’s easy to see there are more variations and unique combinations than there are snowflakes.

Good user feedback isn’t what it used to be so I’m offering Sneak Peekers a very special offer. I’m confident anyone trying Task Catcher 2 will have a suggestion or two. When you share your opinion with support@TaskCatcher.com your under $10 purchase will activate full participation for our desktop and mobile versions.

Task Catcher providers a clean interface that will work the same on all your devices. The program ‘Watch List” will continue to be a primary feature but we’ve also added the ability to track which programs are used often. The decision of which program “metrics” are important and how your data is presented is the kind of feedback we need you to tell us.

When a program fails you can decide the action Task Catcher will take. In most cases, you may want to automatically restart your program. You’ll also have the option to keep an event log of any failures.
In some cases, you’ll want to be notified immediately. At that time you can chose to restart but even more important Task Catcher can help you diagnose if a program conflict exists. The choice is always up to you.

The trend for new systems is that “internally” programs don’t exit or close. They are always running in the background but claim not to be using any resources on your phone or tablet. Task Catcher’s program tracker will let you know the truth.

Visit http://www.taskcatcher.com and order your special activation code. Download Task Catcher 1.4 and explore how your favorite new program used to work. After you’ve seen Task Catcher in action download Task Catcher 2 Sneak Peek and you’ll be a part of our newest project Team.

All files from BillP Studios are signed with a class 3 digital security certificate.

Your Email Password is a Target

2014-10-06T02:49:00.001-04:00

Interested in hacking into the Email account of Charlie Sheen, Rob Lowe, Sean Penn or Carson Daly? You’ll want to know they attended Santa Monica High School. Want access to the CEO of a large retail corporation? Keep reading.

Simple question used by Yahoo to verify your identity.
Truth is we’re all screwed but having good password habits will keep out the amateurs. It may save you from emailing people on your contact list to say, “I’ve been hacked, if you received email from me don’t click on the link.”
My security expert friends will advise you to use…

1) Strong Passwords
2) Unique passwords for each of your password protected websites
3) Two-step verification

Important Advice to Share From BillP
My most important tip to family and friends is “Use fake information when asked for answers to security questions.”

Example of making up your own unique answers to security questions.

I had plenty of time this summer to research malware and identify the first step in the infection process. The most common way to get hacked is someone using the small amount of public information needed too reset your email password. Once they have one of your email addresses it’s not hard to receive a new password on other services.

I recommend creating easy to remember jokes to use when asked for answers to security questions. Some examples may be “What high school did you attend?” Pick something like Jefferson High School (Happy Days) or Rydell High(Grease). I won’t tell you what it is but people often laugh out loud when they see what I use for my mothers maiden name. Yes, some company’s still use it.

Target’s Easy Target

Using real data is dangerous. In less than 15 minutes I was able to find information about “former” Target CEO Gregg Steinhafel. His mother’s maiden name was Schreindl. He graduated from Homestead High School.
His first job was at Steinhafel's Furniture and he attends Wayzata Community Church. Born in Milwaukee, Steinhafel graduated from Carroll University in 1977 and earned an MBA from Northwestern University two years later. I could say more but for the safety of his wife and three children I’ll stop here.

If Target had requested a BlueHat Hacker Report, they would have been warned.

When a high school kid gained access to Sarah Palin’s email he wasn’t a computer genius. He just looked up the answers to the security questions used by Yahoo. Even though that was way back in 2008 this method has continued to grow as the number one way to steal personal data.

I’ve also noticed a set of quizzes common on Facebook specifically designed to collect personal data used in security questions. I am currently investigating the background of the companies who spread these quizzes. Most created their domain within the last 30 days. I will share any information in the future.

Some Security Advice May Be Outdated
Complicated passwords:
Some may recommend a complicated password like “hfY4df$dhEW_!cvrh3H7D&d.” It’s safer than 123456 but isn’t very easy to remember. A complicated password may be useful to beat programs which try every possible combination but most systems will lock you out after a handful of incorrect attempts.

Unique passwords:
Using different passwords on different services is good advice but unless you’re using a program that remembers your passwords it’s too easy to forget unique passwords. If you’re like me you’ll just end up resetting your password using security questions.

Two-Step Verification

The two step verification process is a step in the right direction For banking or any service where real harm could be done it’s worth the extra step. If someone gains access to your cell phone or one of your email accounts the benefit is lost. Unfortunately, you’re trusting that the company is not going to take advantage of having more of your personal data like your cell phone number or alternate email address.

Some Advice Will Never Change

As far as recent failures by Home Depot, Lowes and other large companies the advice hasn’t changed much in 20 years. When your bill comes, check all your charges and make sure they’re legitimate. Most likely you can access your credit card online and see charges as they come in. If you haven’t already, register an account connected to your credit card and review charges regularly.

Reviewing your bills doesn’t just apply to credit or bank cards. Keep an eye on any charges like your cable or phone bill. Legitimate companies have been known to add bogus charges. Verizon wireless added a monthly charge for ring tones on Cindi’s phone. They claimed she agreed to the monthly charge by not responding to a text message. They removed the charge when I explained her cell phone at the time didn’t support test messaging.

Task Catcher Universal

2014-08-17T02:55:00.001-04:00

The recent sale of my WinPatrol™ program has generated many questions from a large, loyal user base. One common query has been about the future of WinPatrol’s sister program Task Catcher. This program has a smaller fan base because the popularity and needs of WinPatrol has required my full attention.

Task Catcher is a completely separate program with different goals. While it currently has familiar interface, WinPatrol is now a product of Ruiware LLC and Task Catcher is still owned by BillP Studios. Some shared feature may continue while others will be phased out.

Watch List
Task Catcher currently has two main functions. You can create a "Watch List" of programs that you want to remain active at all times. For instance, I've added WinPatrol.exe to my watch list. If for some reason WinPatrol.exe crashes or is shut down by malware, Task Catcher will automatically restart it. I can tell Task Catcher to automatically restart it or to let me know it has stopped so I have the option of restarting it.

One of our customers runs a radio station. They have a number of sources from pre-recorded commercials and content from live streams. They use Task Catcher to make sure a program doesn't crash during the night causing dead air.

Black List
The other function is "Black List". This function allows you to create a list of programs you never want to run on your computer. The most common use may be with parents of teenagers but it's also used by companies to prevent employees from using restricted programs.

Unlike WinPatrol there isn't a FREE and PLUS version of Task Catcher. You can download the version available online to see what it looks like but none of the features work in real-time until an activation code is applied.

What you download today may look a little different than the screen shots above.

The sample screens you see are only the first step towards a new user interface. If you’ve used a newest Windows Phone you’ll be familiar with the interface. If not, you’ll find an easy to understand interface with plenty of room for as much data as possible. Stay tuned for more surprises ahead.

Great 50% Educational Discount

2014-08-10T16:47:00.001-04:00

Most years I’ve offered some kind of discount for students or a back to school time sale but this year our schools really need help. Bill and Melinda Gates aren’t the old tech professionals who have a sincere interest in our nations educational system. I can’t change our education system but nobody can object to having WinPatrol PLUS available for half its regular price.

Most of you have probably heard of changes to our school known as “Common Core”. Unless you’re an educational professional you probably won’t have an accurate understanding of how common core will affect your school and children. You may not understand how teachers are now evaluated or how refusing to take a test could raise your taxes.

I’ve started my fourth year on the Scotia-Glenville School Board and learn something new every month. I don’t claim to be an expert on education but I have experience at hiring the best people for a job.

In our school district, the school board is an elected position with no salary or benefits. I have the added role of serving on the Audit Committee and I’m our Legislative Liaison. I have chosen the most challenging years to serve but thankfully we have built an excellent team of administrators, teachers and other staff.

We also have a community that considers education as critical and they’ve supported the hard decisions we’ve had to make. While billions of dollars are being spent to demonize Common Core no one is paying attention to state lawmakers balancing their budgets by taking money away from funds previously allocated for traditional education programs.

Given my interest in education I’m very happy to offer WinPatrol PLUS for just $14.98 USD. A Family Pack license is even half price for $24.98 USD. The sale will continue until the end of August but the sooner you upgrade the quicker you’ll have more protection.

If you’ve ever been infected you know the horrible feeling of being violated and the cost of repairing your computer. Even if you can recover critical programs and data the time you spend is lost forever. For the $14.98 you spend today upgrading to WinPatrol PLUS you’ll have valuable protection that won’t slow you down. WinPatrol’s squeaky clean reputation means you won’t end up with unwanted toolbars or page hijackers.

Take advantage of this special offer and upgrade to WinPatrol PLUS today. It’s a one time payment good for all future versions.

WinPatrol’s Future Remains Bright

2014-08-02T22:55:00.001-04:00

I recently announced a new trainer for Scotty the Windows Watch Dog. I knew the decision would be scrutinized but the former lead developer with Sunbelt Software, Bret Lowrey received a warm welcome. I promised long time WinPatrol fans I would do everything possible to keep our software something they could still recommend. Bret is proving to be just the guy to make it happen.

The proof came with the introduction of the newest WinPatrol version 32. Bret’s ability to understand bug reports and feature requests provided the kind of communication we’ve needed. His intervention has helped find solutions to problems which never seemed to go away but have now been fixed.

I’ve been pleased and honored by many of the comments from WinPatrol fans. I’ve included some of the comments in this post. The announcement has generated more comments than any post since I began Bits From Bill in 2005. I haven’t experience this much WinPatrol luvin’ since it was distributed as Birthdayware.

I never expected WinPatrol to become my life but the exponential growth of mystery startup programs made it a must have program. Over the last couple years I’ve had some personal challenges but I’ve still worked hard to keep WinPatrol alive.

The role of designer, developer, and customer support rep while maintaining our web services was mission I accepted but it was obviously time for someone with fresh ideas and energy to take over.

Bret and I will continue working closely together for a few months to make sure the transition is smooth. His ability to understand WinPatrol and make sense of many years of my changes is a good sign for friends of Scotty. He has taken on the tough jobs allowing me time to prepare for my future.

I’ve had time to learn more of the secrets behind Windows 8.x, Windows 9 and have started to master some of the new development tools from Microsoft like the popular C# language. I’ve been told I should develop for Android but I believe if I can create an app that *I* want, it could be just as popular with others.

I’ve become a fan of Windows Phone but like the Windows RT operating system I see a need for some killer universal apps. WinPatrol was originally created because I wanted it for my own use. I’ve been using my Windows Surface RT and Nokia Icon phone since they were released and have plenty of ideas for unique ways to improve the Windows 8+ experience.

Some have asked me about the future of my Task Catcher program. BillP Studios will continue to support the current version online but I have noticed some features are missing that I’d like myself.

I expect a new Task Catcher in the future. It may not look like the current program and could be a complete rewrite using some of the newer tools from Microsoft.

Download WinPatrol 32.0.2014.5

Note: Yes, the DroidPatrol screen above represents a first pass at a Droid security program. Unfortunately, trying to keep up with vulnerabilities in Android did not meet the quality that our WinPatrol users have come to expect. This product is on hold at this time.

WinPatrol™ Generation II

2014-06-30T14:58:00.001-04:00

As an independent developer I’ve had the benefit of many personal relationships with folks who use WinPatrol. I created a program to monitor changes because I wanted it but never expected WinPatrol to become so popular. The development, marketing, research, documentation, support and everything in between has been a challenge, even overwhelming at times.

It hasn’t been a secret that a long term family illness encouraged my search for someone who not only understood WinPatrol but would love and care for Scotty . I had some tempting offers but they included a future without our pledge of a lifetime PLUS membership. Even worse, many respected companies thought WinPatrol would be an easy way to install unwanted toolbars and search hijackers. Most of you know how I feel about toolbars.

Ta-Da
I couldn’t be happier to introduce you to the founder of Ruiware, LLC and Scotty’s new best friend, Bret Lowry. He’s younger with more energy but still has almost 30 years experience developing software.

Bret found his niche in security spending eight years as architect and program lead for CounterSpy / Vipre Enterprise when it was published by Sunbelt Software. As lead developer Bret helped Sunbelt reach the top of many Anti-Virus reviews and benchmark metrics. His experience and vision will launch WinPatrol into a whole new class of software.

Bret has already influenced the newest version of WinPatrol available later today and has been planning improvements future versions.

“Version 32.0.2014.0 will be the first version of WinPatrol released by Ruiware (pronounced Rayware). My name is Bret Lowry, I am a founder of Ruiware and the developer who will be working on WinPatrol moving forward. I worked closely with Bill Pytlovany for this release and will continue working with him during the transition period. My commitment to WinPatrol customers is as follows:

One, your lifetime PLUS licenses are just that, lifetime licenses. That was the easiest topic in our negotiation and is written into the contract.

Two, WinPatrol will not have toolbars or other “add-ins” added to it or its installer. Installers that do that drive me crazy because I’m the guy people call to “fix” their computer after the installer completes its hijacking. I am not going to do that to my customers.

Three, I will be responsible for answering support questions, even more incentive to play nicely and stand-by item two above. And

Four, I use WinPatrol myself and therefore am committed to the continued improvement of WinPatrol. I am honored to have earned Bill’s trust and confidence in his allowing me to purchase WinPatrol. Bill has run WinPatrol with integrity since its inception, as a founder of Ruiware (along with my wife Phoebe), I promise we will carry on that tradition.”

While I’ve gotten to know Bret this year, I had a long relationship with Sunbelt and their popular CEO Alex Eckelberry. I wrote to Alex this morning and he had plenty to say including… “This is also a guy who really takes the customer needs to heart. He listens, he learns and he executes based on customer feedback. WinPatrol will only blossom under his leadership.”

Alex Eckelberry and friends
at CNet’s Anti-Spyware Workshop
May 3rd 2005

Over the next three months I’ll be sharing all my WinPatrol performance tricks while Bret shares his vision of an improved interface and more powerful protection. I’m confident any current fans of WinPatrol will be pleased with the results.

Computer Security Will Never Be the Same

2014-04-29T00:41:00.001-04:00

This has been a remarkable month and the impact on how I view computer security will never be the same. The last time anything like this occurred was in the 90’s when I was infected with a complex worm looking to steal AOL passwords. When customer support told me to format my hard drive it encouraged me to create WinPatrol. The concept used in WinPatrol had never been done before but since my programming skills were busy on other projects it remained just a side project.

I started April 2014 making it clear what Microsoft’s lack of support for Windows XP would really mean. By the end of the month the worse case prediction appears to be coming true. Microsoft received details of an active zero-Day vulnerability from security platform developer, FireEye. Not only does this threat affect nearly all versions of Internet Explorer and Windows, attacks using this vulnerability are currently being reported.

The software already “in the wild” uses a Flash(.swf) file to call JavaScript in Internet Explorer eventually accessing protected memory that had been randomized as a form of protection. The entry method has been a known flaw since last October but until now wasn’t found to trigger this kind of attack. Microsoft has posted a new security advisory at https://technet.microsoft.com/en-US/library/security/2963983. The Microsoft Security Response Center has been working through the weekend testing a solution they hope to release soon. Even though the flaw is in Internet Explorer if you’re using Windows XP you won’t receive an update. No matter how much you’re tempted to view a video you hear about on Facebook, Twitter or in your Email, don’t do it.

The other major concern in April was called Heartbleed. While the media coverage was over the top, few really understood what this software failure meant. You may have heard that 66% of the worlds web servers were affected. In fact, less than 7% were actually running a version of the program OpenSSL that allowed access to 64kb chucks of data belonging to others. Even with this seemingly low number, Heartbleed opens up a couple of troubling issues. Problem #1: Data exposed by this flaw was raw and unencrypted. It was available to anyone no matter how secure you made your computer or how sophisticated the attack. The attacker didn’t need to know you to access your data. Problem #2: This event demonstrated how defenseless we all are any time we use the Internet. This was the result of a programmer and reviewers missing a simple error. I can only imagine how much of the Internet uses software with existing backdoors created by design.

This year I’ve done a lot to make WinPatrol easier and useful to a wider audience. Given these serious threats my motivation hasn’t diminished. The basic concept of WinPatrol detecting changes continues to be a model that make sense. While some attacks may require the PLUS version we have one advantage. Ironically, WinPatrol isn’t always taken seriously so it continues to notify users while many popular Anti-Virus programs are disabled.

UPDATE 5/2/2014
Microsoft has released a security update on May 1st. This update will repair the failure found in Microsoft Internet Explorer.
Security Garden: Out of Band Security Update for IE Zero-Day Vulnerability
The patch is available as a Windows Auto Update. Microsoft surprised many by making this available on machines running Windows XP.
WinBeta: I’m sorry Windows XP users, but Microsoft shouldn’t have patched your OS

April Security News is Serious

2014-04-10T00:27:00.001-04:00

Many of my friends have been asking for my opinion of a couple security issues which have been in the news.

The first is Windows XP which was launched in September of 2001. Microsoft announced last year that after April 8th, 2014 it would no longer provide support for Windows XP and Office 2003.

The second concern is for something known as HeartBleed. This could be dangerous to anyone who visits a website no matter what kind of device you use.

Microsoft Windows XP
I realize that many of you can not or will not upgrade your computer currently running Windows XP. It may not happen today or even next month but it’s only a matter of time before your computer is infiltrated and is useless. Start putting aside some money, backup your data regularly and look for alternates to programs you can’t do without. I’m sorry but it’s only a matter of time.

If someone on your home or business network is using Windows XP, turn off their access. When their machine is attacked it will compromise your entire network.

If they really need Internet access consider getting them a separate connection perhaps through their phone or with a separate hotspot.

Many of you asked about using WinPatrol which is a great idea but doesn’t address the big picture. The security guru’s at Microsoft spend a lot of attention on flaws or vulnerabilities in software. When they find a hole that lets hackers in, they create a patch. After a great deal of testing they release fixes on what we called “Patch Tuesday."

WinPatrol will continue to notify you of regular changes to your computer but the ability to patch vulnerabilities isn’t its specialty. What I will be doing is paying attention to what I hear from hackers. When possible, we will notify WinPatrol users if a particular file or ActiveX component is found to have a vulnerability. WinPatrol PLUS will allow you to disable ActiveX components by setting their Kill Bit. This is the most we can do and will require quick action.

OpenSSL - Heartbleed
On Monday researchers disclosed a serious flaw in a open source program used by almost half the web servers around the globe. A version of the program called OpenSSL allowed hackers to grab a chuck of recently active protected memory. This memory could contain anything from names and passwords to someone’s grocery list to decoded government or industrial secrets. Any kind of data that is communicated could be snatched. After collecting unlimited chucks of data a hacker could make a game out of figuring out what segments could be valuable. Each chunk was 64K like the total addressable memory of the Commodore 64.

Some media outlets like the BBC have repeated the advise to change every password you have. There is no trustworthy list of up-to-date/time safe computers but a list created yesterday claims to have tested 10,000 popular sites. Most have been updated by now but you’ll want to be sure before changing any password or even signing on. An updated list should be available soon.

A number of tools for consumers have sprang up allowing you to verify in real-time if a website is currently safe. I found the following to run my own tests.

Click image to test your favorite site

My web sites have been hosted by the company, Verio and I was pleased to see my information was safe It doesn’t mean it was always safe but if not, at least Verio was quick to apply a fix. I can confirm no personal or financial customer data is stored on our web servers.

I wouldn’t necessarily advise you to change all your passwords. Before you do, you’ll certainly want to be sure the company is aware of Heartbleed and has updated their security. Over 56.8% of the companies on the list of 10,000 are listed as safe because they don’t even use OpenSSL. Another 36.9% tested safe yesterday. That leaves only 6.3% were vulnerable when the news was announced.

I have changed some of my more important passwords but I regularly changes passwords anyway. I did change my Yahoo passwords since they were mentioned in many news reports and acknowledged using OpenSSL. Considering Google was involved in disclosing this bug it’s interesting that Yahoo was used as an example. Many friends of Google were notified so they could update their version of OpenSSL before the information was made public.

While you may notice my tone is not meant to create panic, I personally consider this failure as devastating. I started developing online services for consumers 30+ years ago and this is the “utmost cock-up”. I don’t fear the damage caused by this threat as much as I worry about what this general lack of oversight represents.

You can find more details online from our favorite security investigator, Brian KrebsonSecurity and official reports sponsored by Homeland Security on the Carnegie Mellon CERT database. The list of 10,000 is located at
https://github.com/musalbas/heartbleed-masstest/blob/master/top10000.txt

Give a Gift of WinPatrol PLUS

2014-04-06T00:59:00.001-04:00

I often receive email from long time WinPatrol users asking how they can give a lifetime PLUS upgrade to one of their friends. I feel a special bond with our loyal PLUS members. They send me kind messages saying that WinPatrol is their must-have program and the first they install on new or rebuilt computers.

Giving the gift of WinPatrol PLUS is easy and even recommended by USA TODAY when tech writer Byron Acohido suggested that “WinPatrol may be one of the best kept secrets in computer security.”

Click on the image above for the full article or click the image below to learn how to give WinPatrol PLUS to someone who could benefit from our PLUS features.

Click to go to
http://www.winpatrol.com/gift.html

If your friend isn’t worth $29.95 you can also recommend our free version of WinPatrol. Installing WinPatrol is fast and easy but our free license does include one restriction. If you install WinPatrol to protect your friend they must be informed and educated on how WinPatrol works. I have received Emails and threats from folks who had WinPatrol installed by well intended friends without their knowledge.

Safe Updates & Discounts For Windows XP

2014-03-17T02:03:00.001-04:00

There are a variety of services that help keep your important software updated. We've added a "Check for Safe Updates" button to integrate a new version checking feature directly into WinPatrol. It won’t be the most powerful but in the WinPatrol spirit our goal is to make sure updates are safe and folks are educated to all possible risks.

Previously this button checked for new versions of WinPatrol but it has been expanded to include version checks for popular software packages. When you click this button we'll compare your version against the newest safe version available. If updating is recommended you'll see a safe link that goes to the official download page for the software.

This is critical because bogus sites are showing up on the top results page with Google, Bing and other search engines. It's easy to find yourself on web page that tries to trick you into downloading software wrapped with a setup program that installs additional unwanted software.

Even a legitimate company like Oracle has partnered with toolbar and anti-virus companies. The revenue they get when anyone installs the parasitic software is significant. Considering the installed base of Java users and now often they need security updates it’s a very lucrative market. The WinPatrol PLUS Safe Update Engine will also warn you about these threats and show you sample screen shots of what you might expect.

Every time a new version of Java is available Oracle will try to push other software unrelated to Java. In some cases they’ll receive over a dollar for each customer lead.

Restore Deleted Files

Our second big feature came after feedback from radio host and America’s Digital Goddess, Kim Komando. In a recent article, Kim recommended WinPatrol but cautioned her readers about the dangers of deleting files that may be required. WinPatrol has always provided a History button that allows you to Restore any Startup Programs but she had a point when it comes to the removal of hidden files.

The files will now quarantined in a WinPatrol vault. We will also include a command line scripts that can be used to restore any files that had been hidden. The command-line scripts are created for a worse-case scenario when someone deletes a file that is required for Windows to run. The script or .bat file can be run in safe mode or a command-line mode.

PLUS Discount for Windows XP

The new Safe Update Engine will also detect which version of Windows you're running. If appropriate we will advise you to any potential problems. For instance, if someone is still using Windows XP we will offer timely protection tips. It’s clear not everyone can or will be upgrading immediately. Some businesses have software or hardware that still requires Windows XP. Unfortunately, an XP machine could be infiltrated and turned into a "bot" that could be used to send SPAM or deploy viruses.

If our Safe Update Engine detects you're using Windows XP you'll see a link to a special Windows XP purchase page. The name of this page will routinely change but it will have a PayPal button that allows you to upgrade to WinPatrol PLUS for only $2.00 USD. If you can’t afford a Windows upgrade we’ll make sure WinPatrol PLUS is affordable.

This is section of the results provided by the WinPatrol PLUS Safe Update Engine. In this example, the special offer is provided when the Safe Update feature detects Windows XP is running.

Tell Microsoft to Rethink Windows XP Guidance

2014-03-13T15:55:00.000-04:00

On the surface(no pun intended) it’s not unreasonable for Microsoft to drop support for Window XP. At least that’s what I used to think. Richard Hay of WindowsObserver.com shares a common opinion, “XP is 13 years old - hardware and OS's have changed so much since then.” He’s right of course but I realized my car is even older. It doesn’t have built-in GPS, backup cam or even an iPod connection but I’ll keep it. The impact of Windows XP on our planet & me is still much bigger than my ‘95 Camaro Z-28.

In the fall of 2001 Bill Gates stood on a stage in New York City and proudly introduced us to Windows XP. It was the largest launch event I had attended complete with a concert in the park by Sting.

As Microsoft prepared for the launch they were encouraged by then Mayor Rudy Giuliani to hold the event in NYC. After the trauma of 9/11 a large event was needed to show the world the city was safe and open for business. Microsoft did the right thing.

On April 8th, 2014 Microsoft will cease support for Windows XP inviting hackers around the world to have their way with any system still using XP. While it may seem reasonable Microsoft has provided limited guidance. Their advice; upgrade to Windows 8.x or even Windows 7.

Windows is not like any other product.
You can’t compare Windows to any other tool in or outside the computer industry. The courts may have ruled Microsoft did not hold a monopoly but the impact of Windows world-wide is beyond a normal product life cycle. The justice system did acknowledge a substantial cost would be occurred choosing an alternative to Windows on an Intel based system.

Click for updated count down info

Microsoft making an effort to encourage upgrading and is providing help to business customers who need to make the transition. The site makes it clear what will change in support and security risks. “you will no longer receive security updates, fixes or online technical support for PCs still running Windows XP SP3 and Office 2003.”

While Microsoft is trying to point to their actions as being reasonable their examples show the world isn’t ready to change. If 1 out of 6 computers in Malaysia are still using Windows XP it’s clear Microsoft is not providing a reasonable choice. Even if a cost was attached to continued support the option should exist. There must be a path available besides a completely new OS that may not support all the existing hardware or software.

Microsoft has sponsored a white paper which demonstrates the costs connected with continuing to use Windows XP. All data and costs predictions are based on a world with no alternate support from Microsoft. No where in the paper are cost estimates if Microsoft was still involved in minor ways.

By not providing some kind of extended support Microsoft will fail to attract a new generation of users of microprocessor based devices. Many of us remember the quote, “Nobody ever got fired for buying IBM”. By ignoring history Microsoft is damaging its brand at a critical time in the market place. Modern customers want to hear the quote, “We’ve got your back.”

Ironically, Microsoft’s decision will increase sales of my own WinPatrol^™ PLUS product which does support Windows XP. WinPatrol has been in the market for over 16 years and while I will take advantage of many new Windows 8 features I’m still able to protect Windows XP users.

Let me be clear!
If you’re using Windows XP I strongly recommend you find a cost effective way to upgrade your computers. I’m happy if you upgrade to WinPatrol PLUS but to really be safe you need to a different version of Windows. After you upgrade, continue to use WinPatrol along with other security programs. Millions of Windows XP machines will soon become malware infected “bots” sending out spam and attacking computers across the world with software vulnerabilities as soon as they’re found.

Even if you aren’t running Windows XP let Microsoft know how you feel. Use hashtag #april8th

Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries.

March Madness for Windows XP

2014-03-07T22:45:00.001-05:00

Note: This sale is now over. Thank you for your support.

About once a year I have a special sale that most people think is crazy and I swear I’ll never do it again. This month I have a good reason to try to have more people protected by WinPatrol.

For long weekend I’m making a one system lifetime upgrade license to WinPatrol PLUS available for $2.00. Our full family pack lifetime license normally $49.95 can also be purchased for $10.00. Sale ends Monday night at midnight EST.

This month our stats show that 17% of visitors to WinPatrol.com are still using Windows XP. I’ve heard from many people who will not or can not upgrade at this time. Even this summer I suspect our XP visitors will still exceed 10%.

On April 8th, 2014 Microsoft will end their full support for Windows XP. Many people may say, “I never contact Microsoft for support”, they don’t realize how many security holes are discovered every week and how quickly they get patched by Microsoft via their auto updates. If not for this behind-the-scenes support you’d be vulnerable to attack just by being connected to a network.

Let me be clear, WinPatrol is not a complete solution to the security dangers coming to Windows XP. It’s an inexpensive, safe way to know if you have been attacked and will help fight off most attacks. I still recommend upgrading to a newer version of Windows but I realize it’s not an option for everyone.

The graph below shows activity on the WinPatrol web site by Windows XP users. Even with warnings from Microsoft there hasn’t been a significant change since January 1st.

Over the last month we’ve seen an increase in adoption of Windows 8.x but it’s not coming from Windows XP users.

If you want more information about upgrading from Microsoft or what it means to you: Click Here. If you can’t upgrade by April 8th you’ll want a little more protection by upgrading to WinPatrol PLUS now at http://www.winpatrol.com.

We’re committed to our XP users and while WinPatrol will take advantage of new Windows 8 features, we’ll still provide our traditional quality programming for Windows XP users.
I’ve been a fan of Windows XP since attending the New York City launch in 2001.

Windows XP Launch Badge
September 24, 2001

New WinPatrolToGo Adds Safety Feature.

2014-03-02T23:03:00.001-05:00

WinPatrolToGo 2014 Introduces
Version Update Engine.

New this weekend is the release of a little known accessory for fans of WinPatrol. Unless you’ve been paying attention to new developments from BillP Studios you may not have known about the portable version of WinPatrol.

WinPatrolToGo is a single executable file that you can copy to a any folder on your hard drive, on an external driver or a flash/USB drive. It’s a small file that will fit on small portable drives so you can bring it with you where ever you go.

WinPatrolToGo allows you to explore a computer without installing WinPatrol. If you’re the one who gets called when someone has a computer problem you’ll want this program.

Based on our WinPatrol technology this program is free but has some additional features available to our supporters who have upgraded to WinPatrol PLUS.

This version introduces the new WinPatrol PLUS Version Update Engine for verifying you have the current versions of programs which are popular and have a history of vulnerabilities. Our goal is to make updating a one step process so you and your friends have programs which are safe to use.

WinPatrol PLUS Version Update Engine

Click for large image

To check out WinPatrolToGo and our new Version Update Engine just go to

http://www.winpatroltogo.com

Are You Ready for SuperPatrol Sunday?

2014-02-01T22:40:00.001-05:00

UPDATE: This offer is no longer available. Good Luck and Thank you!

I keep hearing how people only watch the game for the commercials. This Sunday I decided to make the game a little more exciting by offering WinPatrol PLUS for FREE.

The only catch is your team has to win. You have until kick off Sunday evening to upgrade to WinPatrol PLUS. Our regular lifetime PLUS membership is a great deal but on SuperPatrol Sunday we’ll make it extra fun.

When you upgrade to our WinPatrol PLUS, Personal License or Family Pack you’ll complete your order by creating your PLUS Activation code. In addition to your name, include the name Seahawks or Broncos to participate.

You must upgrade before the game kicks off. You can also enter the city name as long as it’s clear. If you enter Seattle Broncos it won’t be accepted.

We accept secure credit card payments via or PayPal. Once the game is over we’ll start processing full refunds to anyone who picked the new champions.

If you’ve been thinking of upgrading to WinPatrol PLUS don’t put it off.
Upgrade now and have some fun.

The SeaGals tried to influence my pick.

Update: If you’re using an illegal WinPatrol PLUS code you may find that it disappears this weekend since we found a bug in our activation system. We’d love to include you with our regular members and you won’t ever have to worry about losing PLUS features when you need them. It’s still a one time fee and not a subscription so you’ll never have to pay again.
Use the “Repair & Reset Tools…” button under the Options tab to clear any unwanted names and codes.

WinPatrol 2014 CPU: Can You See Me Now

2014-01-30T19:07:00.001-05:00

Towards the end of last year I heard from a number of fans who were concerned about CPU usage by WinPatrol. While many were older systems I have always been committed to providing a great tool for any system able to run Windows XP and beyond. I also consider it unacceptable to impact any performance. It doesn’t hurt that I use WinPatrol on all my computers too.

Even with reports coming from a small number of people this became a high priority for WinPatrol 2014. Each report was well documented and most used a popular program, Process Explorer from Microsoft Fellow Mark Russinovich. Sometimes, a program like Process Explorer will trigger our real-time method of detecting changes causing deceptive measurements. I’m still confident even with other programs running users will be happy with the results and many could notice the difference. (A new version of Process Explorer was released yesterday, January 29th)

Click image to download Process Explorer
Always download from official website

I recently volunteered to help a friends church clean up their computer which they claim has become so slow it can’t be used. Before using WinPatrol to clean things up I decided it might make a good test machine. After a 5 minute boot up I installed WinPatrol and Process Explorer. The graph above shows the CPU usage of WinPatrol 2014 under some of the worse conditions.

Between the internal workings of Process Explorer and some unwelcome programs I experienced some spikes but nothing that would interfere with normal operation..

I’ll save the topic of upgrading Windows XP for another day but as you can see our test machine wasn’t a high-end machine. It was probably top of the line in 2002.

In addition to having one GB of memory I made sure a number of other programs continued to run providing a realistic test. This screen shot of our Active Task list show some of the other programs fighting for memory and CPU usage.

At 420kb, the tiny WinPatrol.exe component sits quietly in the background only waking when Windows indicates some kind of change has occurred. WinPatrol quickly checks the type of change and when indicated uses a layered approach to decide the minimum areas to test for changes. WinPatrol is written with Microsoft C so it’s about the closest any programmer can get to the machine language of the CPU. Using tools provided in Microsoft’s Visual Studio, Windows Sysinternals and by manually reviewing each line of code WinPatrol 2014 is in a unique class.

Yes, I really do pay attention. You may get tired of hearing it but the future of WinPatrol really depends on your support and sharing your experience with others. As long as newsletters, and technical experts continue to share WinPatrol recommendations I’ll be able to share new features with our Free & lifetime PLUS members.

Warm Welcome for WinPatrol 2014 Preview

2014-01-25T18:02:00.001-05:00

It took a few more days than expected but this years first version of WinPatrol went live January 24th just after midnight EST. It’s been a day and a half and I’ve had a great response to what technically is version 30.0. So far we’ve had over 10,000 download and installs with 99% of our Email are requests for misplaced PLUS codes.

I have managed to confuse some people with the term Preview and attempts to improve the wording of some options.

Preview is often used by software companies when they release software which hasn’t been sufficiently tested. Beta testing is nearly impossible with so many Windows configurations. A typical Preview release is required to have the critical mass needed. WinPatrol 2014 Preview is more like a movie preview. It’s meant to show you what we’ve created and let you know better things are still coming. It demonstrates the commitment on our part to keep working on new features without tricking users into downloading unwanted software.

We depend on user satisfaction to cover the cost of development. I have a Google Alert set for “WinPatrol” and was pleased to see that WinPatrol 2014 news is already starting to spread starting with the following sites.

Neowin:
WinPatrol 2014 30.0.2014.0
”WinPatrol was the pioneer in using a heuristic behavioral approach to detecting attacks and violations of your computing environment.”

Security Garden: WinPatrol 2014 30.0
”If, like me, you always want WinPatrol to start with Windows, don't worry, that feature hasn't been removed.”

TechCentral.ie: WinPatrol 30.0.2014 Rating 5
”Get an alert whenever spyware, adware or any intrusive applications try to change your settings.”

ghacks.net: WinPatrol 2014 notifies you about (unwanted) system changes
”WinPatrol 2014 is a useful program for Windows, and especially for Windows users who want to be informed when changes happen on their systems.”

BetaNews:WinPatrol 2014 debuts tweaked user interface, better performance
”BillP Studios has unveiled the 30th major version of its snapshot-based security tool…”

Raymond.cc: WinPatrol 30.0.2014
”You'll be removing dangerous new programs while others prepare to update their definition/signature data files. “

Thanks to folks who help manage the forums talking about WinPatrol.

http://www.wilderssecurity.com
http://www.dslreports.com
http://en.community.dell.com
http://eridesktop.com/
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/
http://www.computerbild.de/
http://www.landzdown.com/

Visit our update page to read what’s coming. Some features may be in next month’s release.

WinPatrol 2014 Preview on Monday

2014-01-19T17:03:00.001-05:00

It's a new year starting with an exciting new version of WinPatrol and a priority list letting folks know our plans for the year.

Thanks to amazing feedback you can expect many changes for WinPatrol 2014. Instead of waiting until all our new ideas have been implemented we’ll be launching a preview of WinPatrol 2014 on Monday evening, January 20th. It’s been two months since our last release so upgrading will be recommended.

What you see is not the RT or Windows 8 Modern/Store version of WinPatrol. It's a user experience that runs on the desktop of Windows 8.x and even Windows XP. We’ve used some of the best of the new Windows 8 style. For some it will be a way to ease into Windows 8 while totally confusing your friends.
As always, our goal is to continue making WinPatrol easy to use which will be obvious in other enhancements.

Optimizing WinPatrol is always a priority and its clear that not everyone has a new computer with 8 GB’s of memory. Our new release (v30) has major improvements even while running along side other internal programs like memory or CPU monitors.

I’ve listed some of the priorities for 2014 below but other suggestions are welcome and should be sent to support@WinPatrol.com.

WinPatrol 2014 To Do List.

I expect some of our interface enhancements will affect our non-English versions until we find all the quirks. I hope to make it up by providing dates and times so they conform with regional formats. While proud of being made in the U.S. our friends around the world have always been supportive and deserve a globally friendly WinPatrol.

Improving our help files and documentation will be a priority so new users understand how and why WinPatrol works. Our software was the first of its kind and is still unique in its operation. Folks who discover WinPatrol often ask about conflicts with their favorite Anti-Virus software. I'm always happy to let everyone know that Scotty works and plays well with others.

Tooltip functionality is high on the list for 2014. Like other programs putting your mouse over an action item will explain its purpose using standard Windows tips.

Coming up this year will be additional support for Scheduled Tasks 2.0 which has so much potential which isn’t used. The new Scheduled Task has a variety of behaviors that are controlled by a wide range of triggers or events. WinPatrol was the first program to alert users to newly installed tasks. Programs could be scheduled to run with a simple .job text file added to the right folder. There was no security to prevent tasks from being added. I didn’t rush to add support Scheduled Task 2.0 because it requires a high level of access. Unfortunately, I’ve found users are agreeing to programs that allow Conduit browser hijacks as new scheduled task.

WinPatrol 2014 has special handling for various monitor resolutions and DPI(dots per inch) but you may occasionally notice 2014 will need some tweaks to the position of some our controls.
Different versions of Windows handle resolution and DPI differently and Microsoft requires this remain a priority.

Time management has been challenging without a full-time staff. I will soon be announcing the WinPatrol Associate Program for longtime fans and WinPatrol insiders. The goal of this program is to assist development through crowd source type funding and offers of time and experience. Depending on the level, WinPatrol Associates will receive promotion of their own personal projects, recognition of their support, have access to create PLUS codes, access to statistics and have a say in the direction we take.

Update: WinPatrol 2014 Preview is still expected to be released this week but our launch party is being delayed so testing of all current features have been fully completed. Thank you for your interest and sharing our excitement

What Could Make Me Feel Sorry for IAC

2013-12-22T14:54:00.001-05:00

After observing how our society behaved online for over 30 years I often share a simple bit of advice. Before you post ask yourself, “What good will come from this?”. Former IAC PR executive Justine Sacco didn’t know about my advise before sending her last tweet on her way to South Africa.

What made this particular remark exceptional was that Ms. Sacco was soon in the air on a 12 hour flight with no Wi-Fi access. Her tweet generated a social network atomic bomb. She had no way of knowing the firestorm she had created and had no way do to damage control.

By the time Justine landed in the country of her birth, her employer had disavowed her comment and removed her from their website.

This was IAC’s Media Kit web page before Ms. Sacco left on her flight. Before landing IAC had already updated their PR contact info.(see on right)

Photos taken at the South African airport show her on a cell phone. The offending tweet was soon removed and her account was deleted.

I’m no friend of the company IAC even though they once offered to make me a millionaire. For a while I started to feel bad for IAC. I soon recalled all the Email from frustrated customers wanting help removing the invasive Ask.com toolbars. As of today, a total of 166,948 WinPatrol users have removed its Mindspark toolbar not counting the same toolbar with different names.

IAC owns a variety of Internet companies but the #1 method of promoting their properties is based on taking over a computers’ search using a variety of toolbars and hijackers. They’re the folks behind Ask.com and the distribution of different toolbar brands like Mindspark. My major complaint with IAC is their ability to look the other way while affiliates create malware preventing the removal of Ask toolbars and search hijackers. They also have been slow to address complaints about perverts using Internet services like Zwinky marketed exclusively to children.

The first time I reviewed the company Board of Directors I was surprised to see the likes of General Norman Schwarzkopf and William H. Berkman as in the “Berkman Center For Internet & Society at Harvard Law School.” The board has changed but now includes future presidential candidate Chelsea Clinton. Ms. Clinton did her part representing IAC by retweeting a published response prior to Ms. Sacco’s plane landing.

Technorati Tags: Ask.com,toolbars,iac,mindspark,twitter

I felt this story was an important lesson and regret posting it the day after IAC suffered from a second more personal lose. The father of IAC Board Director, Edgar Bronfman, Jr. died on Saturday. The senior Bronfman was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1999. I’ve followed the family since having a brief connection when Samuel Bronfman was kidnapped in 1975.

After taking some time to gather her thoughts Justine Sacco did publish an apology today. She addressed her apology correctly to the people of South Africa and not the audience on social media. I hope everyone who felt they were a part of this disaster will use this as a learning experience. Many of the comments I read weren’t the most sensitive I’ve seen.

I’ll say it again, before you press Enter or click “Tweet” or “Post” ask yourself, “What good will come of this?” I just need to get this off my chest is not a good answer.