Splash of Style...Macs, Photography, Design, and other Passions

Automountd Trying to Connect to Backups.backupdb

I just bought a new 1TB external hard drive yesterday, and my Chronosync backups were still working last night to sync all my files from various hard drives to backups on the new drive.

This morning I noticed a Little Snitch (gotta love this app!) requesting to allow “Automountd” to connect to “Backups.backupdb”

I recognized Backups.backupdb as the location of Leopard’s Time Machine backup, but I was unsure why automountd wanted to connect to the Internet; besides Time Machine is not configured to auto backup. I always click the Time Machine icon in my menu bar for manual backups AND the drive I do use for backups was definitely attached to my Mac overnight.

So I googled “automountd” and found this article. http://installingcats.com/2008/06/01/automountd-backups-backupd/

He received the very same message from Little Snitch. In the article he explains in plain English what is going on. Even though the first time I read it, I was a bit muddled, but when I read it again, I think I understand the answer to the problem, but I still don’t know why automountd was trying to connect in the first place, especially since Time Machine is not set to auto backup.

In the article, another article was referenced. That might contain the answers to automountd, but seriously, I don’t have the time right now to read it. So, I will list the article for future reading reference: http://rajeev.name/blog/2007/11/22/autofs-goodness-in-apples-leopard-105-part-i/

I ended up denying access (until quit) in Little Snitch, and there appears to be no impact on Time Machine’s backup ability. I manually started the backup and it did take a very long time to start the tiny backup (a few mb) but when it was finished, the files looked okay.

I will keep an eye on it.

DNS Poisoning & How To Protect Yourself

Now I am not one to panic about malware on the web. I have always prided myself on smart & safe browsing. But when I first heard about the new DNS Poisoning problem on the Nosillacast podcast a couple of weeks ago, it scared me. This could be a problem affecting everyone, no matter what safety precautions they take while surfing the Internet.

The subject is so complicated, and I won’t pretend to understand it fully, but I think I understand it enough to explain the situation to my family and friends, which is what I am trying to do with this blog article.

Are you vulnerable?

The Security Now podcast lists several links to sites that will “test” your site for the vulnerability: http://www.grc.com/sn/notes-155.htm

I ran the test @ DoxPara and the following message appeared: “Your ISP’s name server, xxxxx, has other protections above and beyond port randomization against the recently discovered DNS flaws. There is no reason to be concerned about the results seen below.”

I have heard that similar messages are appearing for other Comcast users. Since the information I am finding online concerning Comcast is vague and unclear, I am not 100% sure I trust Comcast to deal with this. So, I am taking matters into my own hands until I am sure.

I have read that other ISPs like Time Warner and AT&T have NOT patched, so there are still a lot of people out there that are in trouble!

Good News - Use Open DNS

The good news is, you can bypass your ISP’s DNS computers, and use another. Open DNS is a very secure and highly recommended DNS server that offers use of its servers for FREE! All you need to do is change a couple of settings in your router.

Not using a router? If your computer is attached directly to a high speed modem (ie DSL, Cable, satellite) then you are highly vulnerable to this flaw, as well as many other attacks.

Using a router keeps you safe behind a “hardware” firewall, and that firewall can thwart most attacks…so do yourself a favor and head to Staples, Walmart, Target, or Amazon and buy a Linksys, Netgear, or DLink router. It is an absolutely necessary tool in today’s times!

Change Your Router’s Settings

It is very easy to change your router settings to use Open DNS servers instead of your ISP’s.

Note: Don’t worry, you aren’t changing to a new Internet Service Provider, you will still be using the same ISP, it’s just the DNS computer information that you are changing.

There are detailed instructions on the Open DNS site, but I will walk through the instructions for changing a Linksys router.

First you need to access your router’s settings. Linksys router users can use this link: http://192.168.1.1/.

A password window will appear. The user name is “admin” and unless you previously changed the access password, the default password will be “admin”.

Important note: in the router settings, your password should be changed for extra security. To learn more about configuring your router for better security, please read my prior article.

Once you have logged into your router, you should be on the “Setup” page/tab.

Toward the bottom of the page, there is a setting called “Network Address Server Settings (DHCP)”. Locate “Static DNS 1″ and “Static DNS 2″ and type in Open DNS’s server numbers, which are:

208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220

NOTE: If you have current DNS settings, then write them down just in case you need to revert back.

Once the new DNS numbers have been entered, click the “Save Settings” button. And that is it!

Okay, next, a word or two about Open DNS. Besides free use of their DNS servers, they also offer all sorts of parental controls and other security. I haven’t really delved into their offerings, but from what I gather, it’s all free. How can all this be free? Well to offset their costs, they have advertising revenues. Keep in mind, that whenever you type in a wrong address into your browser, Open DNS will take you to a custom search page, usually with your corrected web site URL on top.

For instance, if you type “ebay” instead of “ebay.com”, your browser will take you to a search page for “ebay”. Some have complained that this isn’t fair, wah wah wah…but who cares. They have to make money somehow. I don’t mind that they make a little on searches.

To learn more about Open DNS and all their offerings, check out the Typical Mac User podcast for a special 3 part series on all the details.

Personal Computer Patches

Besides your ISP computers, personal home computers, as well as business computers also need to be patched.

As far as I can tell, Microsoft issued a security patch a week or two ago, so make sure you are 100% up to date with all your Vista or XP critical patches.

As for Mac users, there was a patch issued, but it looks like it doesn’t fix everything, so when I am out from behind my router, I think I am still vulnerable if I connect to an open wifi spot. I am still a bit foggy on that issue, so more research is needed.

More Questions

Since I am still learning about this vulnerability, I still have additional questions that I haven’t found answers to.

For example, are cell phones that connect to the Internet still vulnerable? What about if you use a VPN (virtual private network)? What about web based email like gmail?

There is also a problem with routers being vulnerable too, but the issue isn’t as dire, because they would only be attacking your small network. Initially, I think routers will be okay, and the bigger networks like ISPs will be attacked first. I would like to find out more about the router issues, and whether firmware patches will be issued.

Hopefully I can find the answers online soon.

Helpful sites if you want to learn more about the DNS Flaw:

• Bart Busschots blog
• Nosillacast Show #163
• Security Now Episode #155

Macbook Pro LCD Calibration Problems

Regarding my first post, I was initially very happy w/ the calibration. I had purchased an X-rite Eye-One Display LT from Adorama.

I was disappointed because the Eye-One Display came highly recommended on various sources online.

So, I tried the calibration again, same pink hue. It doesn’t look bad at first, until you really start to look at it. It really shows up when looking at a white background.

I was leaving on vacation, so I had to wait to contact anyone. On my return, I had a miserable cold, and I didn’t feel like thinking, much less speaking to anyone to try to trouble shoot the problem.

Finally, yesterday I called X-rite’s customer service department to see if they could help me. Well, the person I spoke to (Kevin) was no help at all. He didn’t seem knowledgeable about the product and his advice in the end was to make sure my Mac’s gamma was 2.2 and not 1.8. I didn’t think this would have any impact on the pink hues, but alas, I did try to calibrate one last time. Nope, the same pink hue, but it just looked “darker” w/ the 2.2 gamma set.

I was fed up.

The good news is that I spoke to Adorama this morning to ask about a return, and after I explained myself, they generously agreed to the return even though it was slightly beyond the 14 day return period. Yay for Adorama!

Getting Social

I have had accounts at all the cool social networking sites, like Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, MySpace and Zooomr to name a few.

I have never really had the time or desire to participate with any of these networks, except for Flickr. But with all the talk (and rumors) of the downfall of Flickr, I decided to mess around with Zooomr.

When I signed up with Zooomr almost a year ago, I didn’t mesh with it, but this time, I guess it stuck, because I am totally addicted.

The addiction to Zooomr, lead to another look at Twitter, and I have set up auto updates to Twitter from Zooomr.

I have never thought of myself as a chatter, but this is actually kind of fun. I like the quick moving feel of Zooomr and the community aspect is very fun.

If you are a Zooomr member, would you like to “follow” me?

More on my thoughts on Zooomr at a later date.

Macbook Pro LCD Calibration

whoo-hoo. I calibrated my Macbook Pro display for the first time! I was nervous (not sure why, it wasn’t like it was going to blow it up if I made an error).

The colors look very nice. My eyes feel like they need adjusting, and I have a tiny slight headache, so I turned my brightness down for now. I hope I get used to it.

Anyway, I purchased an “Eye-One Display LT” calibrator from x-rite. You can find them on Amazon as sold by Adorama. I have purchased from Adorama twice now, and they are very good.

The instructions that came w/ the product are a bit scarce, but if you take your time, it isn’t very difficult to accomplish the process. I guess the deal is you need to calibrate regularly, like once a week. The software will supposedly remind me.

The reason I chose the Eye-One LT is because the price was inexpensive @ $140. Yes, there were other calibrators that were less expensive, like the Spyder 2 Express, but for a little more money, I could get a “semi-pro” level tool.

Plus, the reviews for the Eye-One Display LT were very good.

The x-rite website is packed with lots of information; I am going to have to sit down and read over all their tutorials and articles soon.

Untrained Applestore Salespeople

We went into the Applestore in Salem, NH this afternoon to possibly purchase a new iPod Touch for my husband.

When we walked in the store, I asked the greeter if someone could help us with iPod Touch questions. She sent us over to what she thought was the iPod area, and I found a Touch. My husband had been previously been playing around with one, but I thought it might be nice to have someone officially show us around before we purchased.

The first salesperson (male) came over and he seemed knowledgeable enough, until I asked him about syncing photos, bookmarks, address book, etc. He didn’t know the answers, so he brought over another salesperson (female), and she started to push the new Mobile Me (dot Mac) service, telling me that I needed to use that to sync anything. I told her I have never been a fan of dot Mac, and that I was surprised that it couldn’t be done through iTunes.

She wasn’t too sure of the answer, so she went off to find someone that might know.

Another older gentleman came over. I assumed (wrongly) that he would perhaps have an answer about syncing. nope, more Mobile Me sales pitches. In fact, he took me over to a nearby iMac, and started to browse the apple.com website so he could show me more about Mobile Me. Again, I told the that I didn’t want to use dot mac or Mobile Me.

I spoke to no less than 4 sales people, and no one could tell me answers to simple questions, like syncing photos, address book, and iCal. Would you believe that no one actually knew the sales return policy either!!! That had to be figured out by asking another sales person as well.

I should have just went over to a Mac myself, and searched for the syncing answers on google (which is what I did when I got home). Truth is, you do NOT need Mobile Me or Dot Mac to sync your iPod. You can do it all through iTunes, which is what I originally thought, but no one in the store could confirm it.

Seems the Applestores have a lot of new sales staff, probably in anticipation of the iPhone release on July 11). But you would think they would go through a little bit of training. It’s almost like they were told if anyone asks about the iPhone or iPod Touch, just play stupid and push the Mobile Me sales crap.

I was really discouraged and disappointed. I expected more knowledge from the sales staff. The Applestores have always seemed to be a step above the Best Buys and Walmarts, in that they know their products. If we were an uninformed customer, we might have possibly been talked into purchasing a Mobile Me account, when it wasn’t even necessary! Very disheartening!

We left the store w/out an iTouch. My husband isn’t sure he wants one anymore. I told him that he should wait until July 11, just in case something (like a price drop) happens. Who knows, I have been eyeing an iPod Touch for awhile. I might get one after July 11!

File Recovery on Windows Bootcamp Partition

I did something stupid this morning. I have no one to blame but myself, even though I would like to blame Apple for making me have such crazy problems w/ my Macbook Pro.

My MBP has been running badly, since my upgrade to Leopard. After setting up at least two prior Applestore Genius appointments, then canceling, I needed to have my MBP looked over once and for all.

Long story short, since I had a Windows Bootcamp installation, I figured I better delete a few of my personal Microsoft Money files from the Windows partition. I emptied the trash, and as soon as I did, I realized that I hadn’t backed up from the last time I worked in Windows.

Oh no! Crap! I took at look at the backup I did have, and it was from over a month ago in May. I worked for 3 or 4 hours about a week ago updating my Microsoft Money files. Oh no! This was bad!

I rescheduled my Apple Genius appointment to tomorrow, and started googling to find a suitable Mac Data Recovery program.

I found Data Rescue II. I downloaded the free demo, and let it scan my Windows partition. Unfortunately didn’t find any .mny Microsoft money files. Data Rescue is $100.

I found another program called Boomerang, and that was priced even higher at $200. I figured that I would install the demo and let it search the partition. Lo and behold, it did find my file, located in /1 Fat32/.Trashes/501/ folder.

Well, okay, this is giving me hope.

Granted, the file wasn’t important enough to pay $100+ but if I could now just somehow restore it using a freeware app, it would save me from having to enter all that data in again.

I launch Onyx so I could change my settings to display all hidden files. Maybe just maybe it would show up as a hidden file on the partition. Nope! I did see the folders .Trashes/501/ but they were empty. Darn!

Let’s think this through. I didn’t want to just willy nilly install a freeware Windows app on the Bootcamp partition for fear that it would overwrite the file I needed to recover.

Then, I had a delightful idea of booting into my old Dell desktop, and attaching my Macbook Pro by USB to see if maybe I could “see” the Windows partition, and therefore run a free recovery program from the Dell. But alas, I didn’t have a USB to USB connector. (note to self: buy a new connector cable from Amazon soon)

Finally, I came upon my solution! Searching for “portable usb data recovery“, I found Recuva - a portable application that could be installed right on a USB key.

And guess what, it worked!

I downloaded the file, saved it on a USB key, then booted into my Windows partition. Once Windows launched, I double-clicked Recuva, and went through the installation process, making sure I installed directly on the USB key.

Then I double-clicked the program to launch, and voila! It found my file in excellent shape, and it recovered it easy as pie!

I am keeping this handy dandy app saved on a USB key just in case it’s needed in the future! whoo-hooo! I am a happy girl!

Creating an Encrypted Backup to External Drive

Note: This tutorial is for Mac OS X - I am using Leopard, but older versions of OS X would still work fine.

My photo files were getting out of hand. I had no problem backing up to my external hard drives, but I needed a better off site backup solution. I was using Amazon S3 for my original files, but there was so much meta data in iPhoto that I didn’t want to lose, like keywords, plus all the modified versions as well.

I regularly burned my photo files onto DVDs for storage at my parents’ home, but that was becoming time consuming and inefficient.

So, what to do? I decided to purchase another external hard drive to store at my husband’s office. But security was an issue. What if the drive was stolen? I needed to add a level of security to the drive in case it ended up in the wrong hands.

I searched online, and figured out that I could create an encrypted disk image (.dmg) file that could be saved on the external hard drive. I could use my syncing software Chronosync to regularly back up all my files.

First, set up the disk image on the external hard drive using Disk Utility

Choose File>New>Blank Disk Image

1. Type a “save as” name. This will be the name of the file.
2. Browse to the location of your external hard drive. Don’t worry, because this is just like any other file, it can be copied or moved to a new location later.
3. Volume name: is the name of the mounted volume. I just left the default, but you can choose a more appropriate name.
4. Volume size: choose “custom” and type a slightly lower size quantity of your external hard drive. Make sure you choose “gb” from the pull down menu. For example, if your drive is 500gb, you might want to set a volume size of 460gb. If you don’t want all your files to be encrypted, then choose a smaller size. It is very flexible.
5. Volume format: I chose Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
6. Choose either 128 or 256 for encryption. I chose 256
7. The partition is where I got a bit confused. I chose Single Partition, but there could be other choices that are more appropriate. This is a new setting in Leopard, and all the Disk Image tutorials I found were older.
8. Lastly, choose “Sparse Disk Image” - this is something very cool that I just learned. It allows your disk image to be more flexible in size. For example, if you set your volume size for 30gb, and the files saved to the volume are only 10gb, the size of the disk image will be 10gb. It grows as you add files.

IMPORTANT NOTE: It has come to my attention that there could be problems using such a large sized file if a hard drive sector becomes corrupt. I don’t know if this is true or not, but I did find another program that might be a better solution.

TrueCrypt is an open source app for Mac, Linux, and Windows. It looks very intriguing. But for now, I will use my solution, and hope for the best.

More articles found online:

• Using Chronosync to Synchronize With a Disk Image
• How to create a fully-encrypted HFS+ hard drive
• Sparse Image on Wikipedia
• Corrupted Sparse Image (forum post from 2006)
• Recover/repair a corrupt encrypted sparse image

Firefox Tabs Not Working in Mac OS X

I thought I blogged this earlier, because I have had problems with this every time I reinstall Mac OS X, or buy a new Mac.

In Firefox, there is a problem tabbing, especially through form fields in Mac OS X.

It is a very easy fix. In System Preferences>Keyboard & Mouse Preferences>Keyboard Shortcuts. Choose the the setting “All Controls”

Can’t get any easier than that! And now you will have much better tabbing control when using Firefox in Mac OS X.

Mac Leopard & Bad Ram?

Okay, one more update on my Macbook Pro and my upgrade to Leopard.

I received my new (reburbished) battery covered under my 1st year warranty and it seems to be working very well, until I switched to battery power last night.

The same issue with my screen freezing completely happened again. So, this lead me to believe that my problems were not necessarily all related to a bad battery (although my older battery capacity was very low for being less than a year old)

So, back to bad ram problem.

Today, I switched out the 2gb OWC suspicious ram stick with one of my original Apple 1gb ram sticks. I have been working on the Mac all day, and all problems seem to be gone!!! YAHOO!

Leopard appears to be running so much smoother (less spinning beach balls, which were constant before), and when I worked with battery power, nothing freezed!

Applications are launching like the speed of light! HURRAY! Now, this is how I imagined Leopard to run. With 3gb of ram, it is running like the wind. I am looking forward to getting the full 4gb back.

So, it’s obviously bad ram!!! Strange thing is I have been running ram tests, and nothing ever shows. Yes, is common for ram problems not to show up in tests, so I am assuming this pertains to me. I will call OWC on Monday to get a replacement. I have no doubt that they will help me. Their customer service is excellent!

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