Microsoft has dominated the small enterprise market with its out of the box feature rich SBS (Small Business Server). Linux has always trailed behind it and although most of the technology to rival Microsoft has been in place, it has always been a mammoth task to setup a server from scratch  to do that.  ClearOS came to fill in this gap.

“ClearOS is a powerful network and gateway server designed for small organizations and distributed environments.  Though ClearOS comes with an extensive list of features  and integrated services, the solution is easy to configure thanks to the intuitive web-based interface.” (extracted from Clear Foundation website)
 
Take a look at how ClearOS’ features match the MS SBS:

Microsoft SBS Centralized Authentication (Active Directory) Mail, calendaring and instant messaging (Exchange) Webserver (IIS) Firewall (ISA) Content management system (Sharepoint) Antivirus (Forefront) Database (MS-SQL Premium version only) Remote Desktop Services Virtual Private Network (VPN)

ClearOS Linux Centralized Authentication (LDAP) Primary Domain Controller (Samba) File and Print Services (Samba and CUPS) Mail (SMTP, POP, IMAP, Webmail) Calendaring (Kolab groupware) Webserver (Apache) Firewall plus intrusion protection (iptables, Snort) Antimalware (Clam Antivirus, Antiphishing, Antispyware) Antispam (Spamassassin) Database (MySQL) Virtual Private Network (IPSec, OpenVPN, PPTP) Web Proxy (Squid)

The Linux Magazine published an in depth article comparing and explaining this “new” Linux distro. 

Technorati Tags: Active Directory, Apache, ClearOS, CUPS, File sharing, gateway server, LDAP, Linux, Microsoft, network server, Samba, SBS, Server, Small Busines Server, Snort

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Microsoft has released its latest security bulletins covering 31 security vulnerabilities. In a total of 10 bulletins 5 turned out as critical, the highest security rating by Microsoft.  See details below:

(extracted from http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms09-jun.mspx)

MS08-018 (Critical): Fixes two privately reported vulnerabilities in implementations of Active Directory on Microsoft Windows 2000 Server and Windows Server 2003, and Active Directory Application Mode (ADAM) when installed on Windows XP Professional and Windows Server 2003. The more severe vulnerability could allow remote code execution.  It is rated Critical for all supported editions of Microsoft Windows 2000 Server, and rated Important for supported versions of Windows XP Professional and Windows Server 2003.

MS09-019 (Critical): Patches seven privately reported vulnerabilities and one publicly disclosed vulnerability in Internet Explorer. The more severe of the vulnerabilities could allow remote code execution if a user views a specially crafted Web page using Internet Explorer. Affects IE 5.01, IE 6, IE 7 and IE 8 running on all supported editions of Windows.

MS09-020 (Important): Fixes one publicly disclosed vulnerability and one privately reported vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS). The vulnerabilities could allow elevation of privilege if an attacker sent a specially crafted HTTP request to a Web site that requires authentication. These vulnerabilities allow an attacker to bypass the IIS configuration that specifies which type of authentication is allowed, but not the file system-based access control list (ACL) check that verifies whether a file is accessible by a given user.  Affects all supported editions of Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003.

MS09-021(Critical): Patches seven privately reported vulnerabilities that could allow remote code execution if a user opens a specially crafted Microsoft Excel file that includes a malformed record object. An attacker who successfully exploited any of these vulnerabilities could take complete control of an affected system.  It affects Excel 2000, Excel 2002, Excel 2003, Excel 2007, Office 2004 for Mac, and Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac; Open XML File Format Converter for Mac; and all supported versions of Microsoft Office Excel Viewer and Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack.

MS09-022 (Critical): Covers three privately reported vulnerabilities in Windows Print Spooler. The most severe vulnerability could allow remote code execution if an affected server received a specially crafted RPC request.  It applies to Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008.

MS09-023 (Moderate): Patches a privately reported vulnerability in Windows Search. The vulnerability could allow information disclosure if a user performs a search that returns a specially crafted file as the first result or if the user previews a specially crafted file from the search results.

This security update is rated Moderate for Windows Search installed on all supported editions of Windows XP and Windows Server 2003.

MS09-024 (Critical): Fixes a privately reported vulnerability in the Microsoft Works converters. The vulnerability could allow remote code execution if a user opens a specially crafted Works file. Affects Word 2000, Word 2002, Word 2003 with the Microsoft Works 6–9 File Converter,  Word 2007 Service Pack 1, Microsoft Works 8.5 and Microsoft Works 9.

MS09-025 (Important): Covers two publicly disclosed and two privately reported vulnerabilities in the Windows kernel that could allow elevation of privilege. An attacker who successfully exploited any of these vulnerabilities could execute arbitrary code and take complete control of an affected system. The vulnerabilities could not be exploited remotely or by anonymous users. Affects Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, and Windows Server 2008.

MS09-026 (Important): Patches a publicly disclosed vulnerability in the Windows remote procedure call (RPC) facility where the RPC Marshalling Engine does not update its internal state appropriately. The vulnerability could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code and take complete control of an affected system.  Rated Important for all supported editions of Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, and Windows Server 2008.

MS09-027 (Critical): Covers two privately reported vulnerabilities that could allow remote code execution if a user opens a specially crafted Microsoft Word file. Rated Critical for all supported editions of Microsoft Office Word 2000. For all supported editions of Microsoft Office Word 2002, Microsoft Office Word 2003, Microsoft Office Word 2007, Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac, and Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac, and all supported versions of Open XML File Format Converter for Mac, Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack, and Microsoft Office Word Viewers, this security update is rated Important.

Technorati Tags: Internet Explorer, Microsoft, MS Office, patches, Security bulletin, Vulnerabilities, Windows 7

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The Release Candidate for Windows 7 is now available to the public. Their servers have been struggling to deal with the demand of downloads according to the ZDnet website. There has been a lot of talk about Windows 7 being the OS that will release Microsoft of the embarrassment of Vista, it’s said to look like Vista but less annoying to use. Well, now you can judge by yourself, download it from…

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/download.aspx or

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-gb/evalcenter/dd353205.aspx?ITPID=mscomsc

Technorati Tags: Microsoft, Vista, Windows 7 RC

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Microsoft plans to release today the “final” version of Internet Explorer 8. It won’t be added to Windows update yet but the curious IE user will be able to download it from the official IE website once it’s been released. Officials have said that there are only a few changes between the (RC) version and this release. 

IE 8 will be included in Windows 7 as a removable option later this year, but before then I am sure several patches will be released. 

Technorati Tags: browser, IE 8, Internet Explorer, Microsoft, Windows

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I had a problem with Firefox 3 on Vista not saving session cookies. The problems were:

• Freezing when opening iGoogle, Gmail, Facebook, bbc.co.uk

• Reseting iGoogle and bbc.co.uk to their default settings after browser restart

To fix it you need to remove the cookies.sqlite file from the user profile.

• Close Firefox

• Open Windows Explorer – on the top left select Organize / Folder and Search Options / View / Show Hidden Files and Folders

• Navigate to  C:\Users\”USERNAME”\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profile\”SESSION FOLDER” (this is a random alphanumeric name)

• Delete the file cookies.sqlite

• Start Firefox and it should work fine

Technorati Tags: BBC Home page error, Cookies, Firefox Cookie

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Microsoft officials made this public acknowledgment via the Engineering Windows 7 blog on March 6. Jack Mayo, the Group Program Manager for the Documents and Printing team, listed a set of Windows 7 features that will be able to be turned on and off by users after the initial set-up.

Together with Internet Explorer several other modules can be switched off.

• Windows Media Player
• Windows Media Center
• Windows DVD Maker
• Internet Explorer 8
• Windows Search
• Handwriting Recognition (through the Tablet PC Components option)
• Windows Gadget Platform
• Fax and Scan
• XPS Viewer and Services (including the Virtual Print Driver)

But don’t be fooled into thinking that Microsoft is actually thinking about the user, they are just covering their backs after trouble with European Lawsuits.

Technorati Tags: Internet Explorer, Microsoft Europe, Remove IE, Windows 7

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The ask.com toolbar even after being uninstalled can remain stuck as Firefox’s URL search. I found this problem on a Vista machine . To remove it follow these steps.

• from the Control Panel/IE

1. Uninstall the Ask.com toolbar using the Add/Remove Programs
2. Remove it form the Internet Options  /General Tab / Change search Defaults

• From Firefox

1. On the address bar type about:config (you will get a warning, be carefull this is the regedit equivalent on Firefox)
2. Change the setting – keyword.URL; – from ask.com  to http://www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=navclient&q=
3. Change the setting – browser.search.defaulturl – from ask.com to http://www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=navclient&q=
4. change the settings – extension.snipit.chromeURL – from ask.com to http://www.google.com/search?&q={searchTerms}
5. restart Firefox

Technorati Tags: ask.com toolbar, Firefox about:config

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When trying to start the Removable Storage Service it may hang and stop responding. You may get the following error messages:

• Backup cannot connect to the Removable Storage service. – This service is required for use of tape drives and other backup devices.
• REMOVABLE STORAGE – Server Execution failed.
• The removable storage database failed to load. Check the event log.

To fix this just follow these simple steps.

1. Copy all files located in the %SystemRoot%\System32\NtmsData folder to another location (don’t delete them for now just for safety)
2. In the Computer Management tool, double-click the Services and Applications branch to expand it, and then click Services.
3. Locate the Removable Storage service, try to start the service, or change the startup type from “Disabled” to “Automatic”, and then restart your computer. This should import the database from the export folder, build a new index file, and be consistent from when the last %Systemroot% backup was performed.
4. Done

See the Microsoft Knowledge Base:235032 in case you continue to have the same problem.

Technorati Tags: Microsoft RSM, Removable Storage Error, Server 2003

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A security issue has been identified in the Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Desktop Engine (WMSDE) that could allow an attacker to compromise your Microsoft Windows-based system and gain control over it (Bulletin MS09-004), and Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Exchange Could Allow Remote Code Execution (Bulletin MS09-003).

The vulnerability in the MS Exchange Server is the most severe, Microsoft explains:

”This vulnerability means that any cybercriminal sending a well
crafted email attachment to an enterprise could gain complete control
over the server and gaining one of the keys to the kingdom…

All kinds of highly confidential and proprietary information pass
through an Exchange server every day.  Gaining control over it and its
content would be a gold mine to any cyber criminal,”  – Extracted from ZDNet

Other applications are also being patched up, Microsoft Visio and IE being included. Microsoft released its monthly security bulletin on the 10th of February.

Technorati Tags: Exchange, Microsoft Security, MS SQL, Security

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Synergy lets you easily share a single mouse and keyboard between
multiple computers with different operating systems, each with its
own display, without special hardware. It’s intended for users
with multiple computers on their desk since each system uses its
own monitor(s). 

Redirecting the mouse and keyboard is as simple as moving the mouse
off the edge of your screen. Synergy also merges the clipboards of
all the systems into one, allowing cut-and-paste between systems.
Furthermore, it synchronizes screen savers so they all start and stop
together and, if screen locking is enabled, only one screen requires
a password to unlock them all.

You can get synergy working on computers running different Operating Systems, the sharing is done via your local network and hosts are linked via the hostname or IP address. Setup is very intuitive. To install just follow these steps.

For Windows download it from http://synergy2.sourceforge.net

For Macs you can use the SynergyOSx or QuickSynergy

For Linux you can use QuickSynergy

• OpenSUSE go to http://software.opensuse.org 
• Ubuntu $sudo apt-get install quicksynergy 
• Other distros download it from http://quicksynergy.sourceforge.net

Watch this video with an idea of what is possible with Synergy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Id3GHAruhAk

Technorati Tags: Cross-platform, Linux, Mac, QuickSynergy, Sharing periferals, Synergy, Windows

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Microsoft has released the security patch for Internet Explorer for all supported Operating Systems. This is an emergency patch as reports of a new secrity hole was found on IE 7.   Microsoft says in its official security bulletin:

“This security update resolves a publicly disclosed vulnerability. The vulnerability could allow remote code execution if a user views a specially crafted Web page using Internet Explorer. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.

This security update is rated Critical for Internet Explorer 5.01, Internet Explorer 6, Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1, and Internet Explorer 7…”

Read in full: Microsoft Secure Bulletin ms08-078

Technorati Tags: Internet Explorer, Microsoft, Security News

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A new vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer could allow remote code execution. There have been reports that several sites are infected with the malicious code to exploit IE users computers. Microsoft is investigating the problem and preparing an emergency software patch to resolve it. Microsoft said that the attack has been detected against IE 7 but versions 6 and 8 also could be vulnerable. Sophos has released further information about this threat.

Options for now are to switch to another browser until IE has been patched, some of your options are: Firefox, Chrome, Opera

Technorati Tags: Firefox, Internet Explorer, Opera, Security, Virus

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Windows VIsta has been, in my personal opinion, the worst Operating System from Microsoft ever, it makes a downgrade an upgrade. Anyway Vista is not the focus here.  Adrian Kingsley-Hughes posted previously a Benchmark comparison of Vista and the upcoming Windows 7 and wisely someone asked to have XP included in the Benchmark. Remeber that the Windows 7 is the Beta version build 6956, so the full release should have much better performance.

See the results at Adrian Kingsley-Hughes ZDNet.com’s blog.

Technorati Tags: Benchmark, Window 7 vs Vista, Windows 7

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