Alert: Fraudulent Email Is Not From Intuit

A number of fraudulent emails have gone out recently purporting to be from Intuit. The latest one claims to be from the QuickBooks Update Center and contains the subject line "Intuit Secure Update. This email is not legitimate. Ignore it and delete it.

For reference, the text of the fraudulent email is as follows:

From: QuickBooks Update Center [mailto:software@quickbooks.intuit.com]

Subject: Intuit Secure Update

As is the case with many companies that maintain large databases of information, Intuit is the target of fraudulent attempts to get access and extract information from its database. We recently watch our database was illegally accessed and certain contact and account information were taken, including QuickBooks email addresses, names, phone numbers. The data accessed does not include banking information.

Immediately upon learning about this, Intuit started an investigation and took corrective steps. It is important to know the company continually monitors for any illicit use of information in our database, and so far, we have not detected the misuse of this information.

In order to help assure the security of your information, we have developed a special plug-in for browser and Windows® - QuickBooks Update. This software will protect yours private information from any kinds of spyware or malware.

System requirements :

* Windows XP, Vista, 2000, 2003

* Internet Explorer 6.x, 7.x, 8.x

ATTENTION: You will not be able to use our service without update from 17 of November 2009

Download :

* Windows® QuickBooks Update

* Internet Explorer plug-in

If you are not Microsoft Windows® user you can use our services as usual

Intuit has confirmed that this is a fraudulent email (for more details, see the Intuit security blog at http://security.intuit.com/alerts/alert.php?a=8). But even without their confirmation, it's pretty easy to tell. Here's how:

1. You can often spot a phishing attempt because it contains misspellings or poor grammar. In the above example, a phrase like "We recently watch our database was illegally accessed" is a big red flag that the email was probably written by a scammer whose first language isn't English.

2. Any email that requests personal information or asks you to download something is probably a phishing attempt. Legitimate companies do not ask their clients to re-supply information the company already possesses. Nor do they ask their clients to download plug-ins by clicking on an email link.

If you receive a phishing email, do not click on any of the links or consent to download anything. Forward a copy of the email to your IT administrator so that they're aware of the problem and can alert other users. Then delete the email from your inbox and trash bin.

Give Your Documents a Uniform Look with Themes

A nice feature of Office 2007 is that you can make documents from several different programs Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook all have the same look and feel. Whereas in the past you'd have to alter the color and style of every table, chart, and shape in every document separately, you can now just select a theme that takes care of all those details automatically.

For example, here's a simple chart using the theme called Office:

Here’s that same chart using the theme called Perspective:

As you can see, the theme affects the font, color, shading, and shadow effects. And because it's available in Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, your chart will look the same no matter what program it appears in and all the other charts you use will have a similar look.

The Themes gallery is accessible from the Formatting Palette. To create your own custom theme, you can open up a given theme and then alter the font, colors, and effects, and then save as a new theme. Just use the customization settings to the right of the thumbnailed themes, visible in the screen shot below.

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What's a Netbook ... And Why Would You Need One?

In the hardware world, there's a pretty lively discussion going on about the difference between laptops, notebooks, and netbooks.

Opinion seems to be converging around the idea that laptops and notebooks are virtually the same: small, portable, but powerful computers that can function as a more travel-worthy substitute for a stationary desktop model.

Netbooks, on the other hand, are a relatively new innovation just a couple of years old, which might make them ancient in some technology circles, but it means that some folks are still figuring out what the term means.

Way back in the beginning of netbooks, these ultra-small, ultra-light computers offered pared-down capabilities that could satisfy most of the needs of a user on the go. You could access a Web browser and email, and if you used cloud-based applications like Google Docs you could even do some word processing and basic spreadsheet operations. But your average netbook, lacking an optical drive and equipped with a slower processer, wasn't going to be terribly fast or powerful or great at running really resource-intensive applications. And the tiny keyboard made prolonged use a bit of a pain.

But then a funny thing happened: the year 2008. And as the economy took a dive, more and more users started looking at netbooks and deciding they made a very good, affordable alternative to regular laptops. By Q1 of 2009, netbook sales were seven times larger than they were in the first quarter of 2008. (http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/tech/0EF7F828A4FAC9A9CC2575AB007165B4)

Not surprisingly, manufacturers noticed a huge new market that was growing like gangbusters in the middle of a downturn. New entrants joined the game, and in order to differentiate themselves, started adding features and enhancements to the stripped-down netbook. Screen sizes and keyboards are now getting larger. Graphics are getting better. Some folks argue that, at least among certain brands, there's virtually no difference at all between a netbook and an ultralight laptop. (http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10312430-1.html)

Still, as a general rule of thumb, if you're looking for a very cheap and light machine that you wouldn't be heartbroken to lose or see destroyed in other words, if you're a student who needs a note-taking device, or a frequent traveler who has robust offsite storage and just needs an on-the-road Internet access device a netbook could be the perfect thing.

Your "Instant" Messages May Be Forever

Despite the name, instant messages can stick around for a long, long time. Your conversations may live on, long after you've shut down your IM client depending on what service you're using and what controls you or your employer may have in place.

For example, Google saves every chat session conducted in Gmail automatically and makes those chats fully searchable. Trillian, a standalone client that supports AIM, Yahoo, and Microsoft Live, also automatically logs all conversations. On the other hand, the basic messaging clients for AIM, Yahoo and Microsoft do not automatically store conversations but can be configured to do so.

More IM services are coming out with enhanced versions for corporate use. AIM Pro, a free version for individuals and businesses, offers better security, voice and video conferencing, and integration with Microsoft Outlook. And Microsoft's Live Communications server allows corporate IT departments to log and search employee conversations, including those on IM services like Yahoo and AOL.

So what's the take-home?
When you're at work, be aware that your employer's policy toward email may extend to instant messages and don't write anything you wouldn't want your boss to read. And look on the bright side: just as email provides you with a digital paper trail for work-based communications, saved instant messages can serve much the same function. As instant messenger enhancements continue to develop, this tool will only become more valuable.

Master Microsoft Keyboard Shortcuts

A lot of folks can go for years without ever using or figuring out how to use that funny-looking key in the lower left-hand corner of their Microsoft keyboard. But the Windows logo key can help you switch between applications, clear open windows off your desktop, and a whole lot more. The chart below shows you how.

Key Combination
Result
Windows logo key
Open or close the Start menu
Windows logo key +PAUSE
Display the System Properties dialog box
Windows logo key +D
Display the desktop
Windows logo key +M
Minimize all windows
Windows logo key +SHIFT+M
Restore minimized windows to the desktop
Windows logo key +E
Open Windows Explorer
Windows logo key +F
Search for a file or folder
CTRL+Windows logo key +F
Search for computers (if you are on a network)
Windows logo key +L
Lock your computer or switch users
Windows logo key +R
Open the Run dialog box
Windows logo key +T
Cycle through programs on the taskbar
Windows logo key +TAB
Cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Windows Flip 3-D
CTRL+Windows logo key +TAB
Use the arrow keys to cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Windows Flip 3-D
Windows logo key +SPACEBAR
Bring all gadgets to the front and select Windows Sidebar
Windows logo key +G
Cycle through Sidebar gadgets
Windows logo key +U
Open Ease of Access Center
Windows logo key +X
Open Windows Mobility Center
Windows logo key with any number key
Open the Quick Launch shortcut that is in the position that corresponds to the number. For example, Windows logo key +1 to launch the first shortcut in the Quick Launch menu.

Use Twitter To Raise Your Company's Online Visibility

A lot of companies are jumping on the Twitter bandwagon, but before you make your move, make sure you know what you're getting into.

Twitter is what's called a microblogging application. It provides a convenient Web-based platform that lets you send and read updates, called "tweets." Tweets run no more than 140 characters in length, and can be sent to subscribers, called "followers." You can update by going to your Twitter page, sending a message by phone, or via a Web plug-in.

Many companies use Twitter in conjunction with Facebook and other social media applications. It provides a means of periodically reaching out to people interested in your company with brief, minor updates or even big news.

In the best situations, Twitter acts as a clearinghouse of first-hand news, informative Web links, and insights into the activities of prominent leaders in everything from retail to Congress.

For example, Whole Foods keeps a lively and useful Twitter account here. (http://twitter.com/wholefoods) The Zappos CEO keeps his own Twitter account; so does Senator John McCain. (http://twitter.com/zappos, http://twitter.com/senjohnmccain )

But, as many Twitter users discover firsthand, this hobby can quickly turn into an all-consuming obsession. If you're not careful, you can end up Twittering about, say, the chorizo breakfast burrito you'd like to have, http://twitter.com/diiskrej/status/1577310161

or the symbolism behind cleaning your cat's litterbox.

http://twitter.com/reidstott/status/1578187119

As a small business owner, you want to project a professional, knowledgeable image to your universe of current and potential customers. In order to do that, here are some tips:

1. If you keep a corporate blog, you can have it automatically send an update to Twitter every time you post something new. That will encourage your Twitter followers to check out your blog, where they'll find useful information (you are posting useful information on your blog, right?).
2. Link to books, blogs, or items in the news that are relevant to your business.
3. Write about upcoming events, if you're hosting a lunchtime seminar or giving a presentation to your local Rotary Club, let people know.
4. If there's information you want to share with a customer, think about whether it might interest other people, too. Let's say you're a veterinarian treating a dog that just came in with heatstroke, you might tweet a few helpful tips for keeping your pets cool in the heat.
5. Sign up to follow Twitter users who are authorities on topics that interest you.
6. Don't overload readers with too many updates in a day.

Twitter can be a fun, easy way to reach out to customers and show people another side of your business. Just make sure it's the right side, and leave more personal musings to your personal Twitter account.

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