security focus: IE update patch, OutPost Pro4.0, PathLock

If you’re using Internet Explorer, go to windows updates and download this critical patch now. Microsoft rushed out this patch when ‘zero day exploits’ were released to take advantage of the vulnerability in VML. Microsoft Security Advisory (925568) Vulnerability in Vector Markup Language (VML) Could Allow Remote Code Execution, September 26.
I just downloaded and installed a new improved firewall, Outpost Pro 4.0, by Agnitum Software. If you try it, be sure to customize it before you go online. I check every rule and decide whether to modify each one or not. If you’ve never installed OutPost Pro, read the installation guide first (ugh, but worth it). You’ll find documentation at Agnitum’s website.

I own Outpost Pro 3.5 and wanted to test the new firewall on my old laptop. I really like OutPost Pro and this new version adds even more features than the last one. I am a ‘control freak’ when it comes to firewalls, which means I don’t mind applying rules for every web site I plan to visit. So far, I’ve encountered few problems: I haven’t been able to install adblock lists from the OutPost forums; Since I use Firefox almost exclusively and rely on its constantly updated Adblock Plus filtersetG extension, this isn’t a problem. With the new Outpost Pro, there are more layers of complexity. But at least you can adjust that too; just decide how much annoyance you can stand: choose automatic for little annoyance and ‘advanced’ for maximum annoyance. (sorta like UAC, User Access Controls in Windows Vista.)
For those of us who like really simple stuff that’s easy to use and idiot proof, I recommend my old stand-by: PathLock, a nice little piece of hardware you snake your ethernet connection through, so you can toggle on and off a internet connection button. PathLock’s has one annoying or endearing feature, depending on your point of view: it automatically times out in exactly one hour, unless you stop it from timing out. This feature can save you from staying online, if you meant to log off, or it can annoy the heck out of you, if you wanted to stay on line. My vote: it’s worth the annoyance. The PathLock e100 NETimer is for use with DSL, cable or FiOS connections only.