You may remember that we recently warned about an infection that comes through an email supposedly from Facebook. The email claims that your Facebook password must be reset, and you should run the attached password reset utility. In fact, you wind up installing a Trojan infection on your computer. If you don't use Facebook, you likely ignored the warning and figured anybody who uses Facebook deserves what they get!

Just about everyone uses UPS, though, so it's a lot easier to get fooled by an email supposedly from them. This email claims that a package you recently sent couldn't be delivered and you should print out the attached invoice and pick it up at the package department. The attached file is zipped, and if you open and run the file inside, you install a Trojan on your computer. In a rush it's easy to get taken in by this type of deception.

Please watch for this infection attempt and recognize it for what it is. More importantly, though, pay attention to all emails that purport to be from someone you would normally trust, and that wants you to open an attachment. Pay attention to what you open, whether it's in an email or on a website.

Did you just get an email with this in the subject line? Don't believe it and don't click on the attachment! It will infect your PC. Click here for more info: http://www.snopes.com/computer/virus/facebook.asp.

We often recommend Sam's Club and Best Buy as two good places for clients to purchase computers if they need them quickly, but watch out for this "gotcha" from Best Buy - The Consumerist: Best Buy Optimization is a Waste of Money

Is iTunes taking FOREVER to update you library after the latest update? Check out this link for a fix (well, sort of a fix).

This seems to be an issue for a number of people. Time Machine is great and easy to use, so instead of finding another backup app, look here for an easy fix.

This one drove me crazy with a client's computer. It would be nice if Apple would mention that they changed the way that Mail behaves. Read more

This is an old problem that was fixed, but has returned! Click here to see the fix

Look here first for a list of applications and how they work with the new OS. If you see an app that you can't live without in the list that does not work, check the developers website to see if there is an update. And please don't be that person that complains that a 10 year old application suddenly doesn't work with the latest and greatest from Apple. If you can't live without the app, don't upgrade until an update to the app is available or you find a replacement for the app. As always, if you have any questions, please email me: MacRob@TwoRobs.com.

Free Download of OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard? Not so fast.
Before you try to save a few bucks, do your research!

Here is an update process that does not guarantee that you won't have problems, but it will greatly reduce you chances of it.
Steps for updating to 10.5.8:

1. Do your maintenance.
2. Download the Combo updater (http://support.apple.com/downloads/Mac_OS_X_10_5_8_Combo_Update), and save it to your desktop. I know, I know, it's 759 megs, but trust me, it is worth it.
3. Boot into Safe Boot.
4. Run the updater.
5. When it reboots, again go into Safe Boot.
6. Run the updater again.
7. Reboot normally, and Repair Disk Permissions.

If you don't understand any of the above instructions, let me know (MacRob@TwoRobs.com) and we can decide if you want to do it, or if you want one of us to do it for you.

If you have already installed 10.5.8 and are not having Wireless connection issues, or permission issues, GREAT! If you are having those issues, then you should be able to follow the instructions above and they may be solved.

The newest email scam has the subject "Domain Dispute and Resolution", and claims to be from an Asian company looking out for your best interests. Read here for more information on this scam.

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4-6-09: Hey Mac users! If you want to hear a daily run down of the Mac/Apple news with just a bit of attitude (OK, some days more than just a bit), check out http://www.macosken.com. Ken Ray puts out a free podcast 5 days a week that always brings a smile and give you great info.

If you’ve heard warnings and rumbling about the Confiker worm and what it may or may not do on April 1st (nobody seems to know exactly what will happen), you may be asking yourself “Am I safe?” If your computer is set to download and install critical Microsoft updates, or if you’ve installed the updates manually since October, you should be safe from infection. If you use a Mac, quit laughing.

It looks like there is a problem with a recent Quicktime update that has caused the Finder to relaunch every 30 seconds or so. What this means is that the folders and desktop icons will disappear and then reappear for no apparent reason. This can be very frustrating since the Finder becomes the active program when it relaunches. So, your typing an email, and you look up and realize that you haven't been typing in the message for the last 45 seconds. Thankfully, it is an easy fix if you have Stuffit installed. Go to Apple Menu>System Preferences>Stuffit and click on the box that turns off AVR. AVR is an addition to Stuffit that lets you rename files and folders in the Finder and have stuffit automatically compress them. Since most people don't even know that they have this feature, they will not miss it. For those of you that do actually use this feature, you will want to contact Stuffit support (http://my.smithmicro.com/support/index.html) and ask them when there will be an update to keep this from happening.

If the Finder is relaunching and you don't have Stuffit installed, maybe it's time you called or emailed your favorite Mac Tech.

Click here for details or here is a pdf of the story if the link doesn't work. It looks like ebay will become our best friend for parts for theses machines.

We are working with Brian Wilson at PatchX, a wonderful organization that takes computers that are no longer adequate for business use and finds good homes for them. The intention is to make sure children under the age of 14 who don't already have a computer can get one. Take a look at Brian's website, and if you have old computers that you'd rather not send to the landfill, drop us a line.