Wireless Network Troubleshoot Applications

• inSSIDer2
• Xirrus Wi-Fi Inspector
• Technitium MAC Address Changer
• TofuSoft LAN Speed Test (v.1.1.5)

Anti Spyware Applications

• Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware
• Super Anti Spyware

Note Taking Applications

• Evernote
• Springpad
• Diigo

SPF (Sender Policy Framework) Deployment

After testing the outgoing email server, I find my outgoing server is missing the SPF record.  By looking at the Sender Policy Framework site, the deployment is fairly simple if you can edit your DNS records.  The web site provides the wizard to create the SPF record.  Once the SPF record is created, just add it to your domain’s TXT record.  And rerun the outgoing email test to verify the deployment.

Test Outgoing Email Server with Some of the “Best Practices”

While searching the greylisting topic about email delivery problem, I find the “All About Spam” web site offers an outgoing email server test page.  It’s a useful tool to learn about your email server compliance; and its report also provides the information on what you can do to make your email not been blocked by the recipient email server.

All About Spam Email Server Test Page can test your outgoing email server with the following technologies/RFC compliance:

1. HELO Greeting
2. Reverse DNS
3. DNSBL (RBL)
4. SPF
5. Domain Keys
6. SPAMAssassin Content Checks
7. BATV (Bounce Address Tag Validation)
8. Greylisting
9. URIBL

Testing Process

1. Send an Email to test@allaboutspam.com
2. That email will bounce with a URL in the bounce message.
3. Either click on the URL or Copy/paste the URL in a browser.
4. You will see report on your Email Server.

Greylisting – Use Against E-mail Spam

Definition: In name, as well as operation, greylisting is related to whitelisting and blacklisting. What happen is that each time a given mailbox receives an email from an unknown contact (ip), that mail is rejected with a "try again later"-message (This happens at the SMTP layer and is transparent to the end user). This, in the short run, means that all mail gets delayed at least until the sender tries again - but this is where spam loses out! Most spam is not sent out using RFC compliant MTAs; the spamming software will not try again later.

Source: http://www.greylisting.org/

DNS Lookup Tool - DIG

A windows version of dig can be downloaded at http://www.isc.org/downloads.

Example commands:

• dig abc.com
• dig abc.com any
• dig abc.com ns
• dig abc.com mx
• dig abc.com any @dns-server

Remove IT Policy from a BlackBerry Smartphone

There are many methods to remove an IT policy from a BlackBerry smartphone.  See this KB for more details.  Here is the easiest method (I think) – using loader.exe.

1. Connect the smartphone to the computer.
   From the Start menu, click Programs > Accessories > Command Prompt.
   Note: When a computer running Windows Vista™ or Windows 7 is used, the user might need to right-click the Command Prompt application and choose Run as administrator.
2. Find the Apploader folder by typing cd C:\Program Files\Common Files\Research In Motion\Apploader and then pressing ENTER.
   Note: For computers using a 64-bit version of Windows, navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Research In Motion\Apploader.
3. Type loader.exe /resettofactory.
4. Type the BlackBerry smartphone password if prompted.

Free CD, DVD, Blu-ray Disc Burner–True Burner

http://www.glorylogic.com/trueburner.html

Picture Resizer–TinyPic

http://www.efpage.de/eTinypic.html

Free Disk Defragmentation Tool

• UltraDefrag: can defragment any system files including registry hives and paging file.
• Smart Defrag: has Auto Defrag feature – works automatically and quietly in the background.
• MyDefrag: see differences between Ultra Defrag and MyDefrag
• Defraggler: can specify to defrag one or more files.

Free All-in-One Music Converter - Easy CD-DA Extractor

www.poikosoft.com

• Rips Audio CDs
• Converts audio files format
• Edits metadata
• Burns Audio CDs, MP3 CD/DVDs, and Data CD/DVDs

Windows Context Menu Shell Extension – FileMenu Tools

http://www.lopesoft.com/en/fmtools/info.html

This freeware is better than Open++, and supports Windows 7 x86 and x64.

Delete File In Use - FileASSASSIN

http://www.malwarebytes.org/fileassassin.php

Windows Context Menu Shell Extension - Open++ (Copy Path)

http://dengdun.webs.com/en/openxx.htm

Use Open++ for x64 for Windows 7 x64.

08/07/2010 update: Open++ appends the “Enter” key when Copy Path. This makes not useful when pasting the Command Prompt. Use FileMenu Tools instead http://eddielublog.blogspot.com/2010/08/windows-context-menu-shell-extension.html

Data Recovery Tools – TestDisk and PhotoRec

http://www.cgsecurity.org/

Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection Manager (RDCMan)

http://msexchangeteam.com/archive/2010/06/11/455115.aspx

or Remote Desktop Manager: http://remotedesktopmanager.com/

Koala – Create bootable OS installation USB flash drive

http://www.freemodding.it/index.php?topic=10388.msg236638#msg236638

Virtual Desktop Environment in Windows Systems

http://www.dexpot.de/

Blue Screen View

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/blue_screen_view.html