eWeek.com is reporting that a rootkit has targeted and is being spread by AOL’s Instant Messenger Service (Read the Article Here). According to eWeek:

Bundled within the previously identified W32/Sdbot-ADD worm, the lockx.exe rootkit file is installed when users click on the file link within the IM window. Though neither the worm nor the rootkit file are new, it appears to be the worm’s first foray into the AIM (AOL’s Instant Messenger) network. What’s more troubling is that rootkits haven’t previously been spread via IM.

“This is the first instance of a rootkit coming through the IM vector,” said Tyler Wells, senior director of engineering for FaceTime Communications.

The concern is that this can give a bad guy access to your computer including remote control. However, the potential threats are even greater:

Attackers can automatically pass the worm along to users on the Buddy List. Additionally, the rootkit can shut down anti-virus software, alter the users’ search page, run CPU usage to 100 percent and automatically download unwanted programs such as 180Solutions, Zango, MaxSearch and others.

Rootkits provide an attacker with the ability to hide the malicious operations from the user, making it even more insidious since it is actively covering its tracks. As with any file or attachment from an unknown or trusted source, you shouldn’t download it without being absolutely sure that it is a legitimate item.

Jim Calloway posted about Bookmarklets recently in his blawg . Bookmarklets are simple java scripts that expand the inherent capabilities of a web browser. These are really geared towards users of Internet Explorer as Firefox has fulfilled this need with Extensions that expand and enhance the capabilities of the FireFox browser.

Like, Jim, I love TinyURL. Jeremy Gillick has created TinyURL Creator as a FireFox extension that lets you easily create a TinyURL from a current webpage. This tool can be accessed from the Tools menu in FireFox or added as an Icon on the Toolbar. Jeremy has also created extensions for generating Secure Passwords with his SecurePassword Generator 0.5 as well as others. Even more Extensions can be found at the mozilla organization update site for FireFox.

The FireFox update site is loaded with hundreds of Extensions so you have to search for what you are looking for, but they provide catagories including it’s Most Popular and Newest FireFox Extensions lists. Several of my favorites include IE View which allows you to open incompatible web sites in Internet Explorer from within FireFox and Print It! which allows you to use Print Preview and Print from the context menu.
When you’re using a web browser and wish that it would work a certain way, it may already exist, you just need to find the right add-on to accomplish it.

The Wyndham Milwaukee Center will be the location for the 7th Annual Wisconsin Law & Technology Conference & Expo on November 8th, 2005. With a terrific line-up of speakers and vendors, the event will once again deliver timely and practical advice to lawyers and their staff in plain-English without the “geek-speak” that many lawyers fear.

With 4 simultaneous session tracks, attendees will be able to attend session on everything from portabilizing their practice, blogs and podcasting to trial technology and techniques. Craig Ball will once again be speaking on Trial presentaitons using PowerPoint and past sessions have been standing room only.

I’m happy to be a panelist for 2 sessions:
Take Your Office on the Road: Portabilizing Your Practice (with my freind Sheryn Bruehl)
At home, at Starbucks or a client’s reception area . . . work your cases, bill your time, work as if you were behind your desk. Portabilize your practice: the gear, software, and techniques for taking it on the road. Improve your life, satisfy your clients with a smart approach to practicing anywhere, any time.

and

The 100% Practice Management Solution: Time Matters and ProLaw in Detail ( with my freind Ross Kodner and Judy Bergquist)
Twenty-five power-packed minutes about each of two of the top practice management systems. Both ProLaw and Time Matters provide calendaring, matter management, the mother of all Rolodexes, top-flight conflicts searching, document and e-mail management and complete billing and accounting systems. See the screens, see them in action - you asked for it, you’ve got it!

This will also be an oportunity for me to meet many of those I will be serving as the incoming Law Practice Management Adviser for the State Bar of Wisconsin, starting in January 2006. So if you are one of my readers, stop by and say hello!

Research In Motion, Ltd. (RIM), makers of the popular BlackBerry series of handheld devices, is anticipated to shortly announce that its push e-mail technology will be available on the Treo 650 early in 2006.

There has been an ongoing debate over which is better: Treo 650 or a BlackBerry. Each device has its strengths and weaknesses, but there is no doubt that the push e-mail feature is loved by BlackBerry users and many Treo users covet this capability. Now it appears that you can have BlackBerry with your Treo!

According to a recent Macworld article

Palm will implement the BlackBerry software alongside its Versamail e-mail client in order to keep a familiar look-and-feel in place for Palm OS users, said Joe Fabris, director of wireless marketing for Palm. Treo 650s with the BlackBerry software will be able to access e-mail delivered by Microsoft Corp.’s Exchange or IBM Corp.’s Lotus Domino e-mail servers.

Personally, I’ve been very happy with my Treo 650 and SnapperMail for email usage, but I use pop based email accounts. I also prefer the phone functions of the Treo to the BlackBerry models I’ve considered. It will also be interesting to see how this shapes up as Palm already has an agreement with BlackBerry competitor Good Technology, Inc. and its Goodlink software.

In the long run, this will probably be a win for both Palm and BlackBerry, giving users the best of both worlds.

Well, after 15 years of solo practice, I’m leaving private practice to accept the position of Practice Management Adviser to the State Bar of Wisconsin. Private practice has been a challenge and I’ve had some terrific clients over the years. I find myself at a point that I never thought I would be - leaving my practice, but I’m finding out that change can be a good thing. I am also maintaining my Illinois license in addition to obtaining my Wisconsin law license.

As this is a brand new position, I have the opportunity to mold it into a creature of my own making which will be interesting and present new challenges that I am ready to meet. I look forward to working with Jim Calloway, Reid Trautz and the other PMA’s over the next few years to make the Wisconsin Law Office Management Assistance Program truly outstanding in providing services to Wisconsin lawyers. It will also allow me to spend more time focusing on the needs of lawyers and to work on my blog.

Part of my new position requires me to maintain and improve my various technology certifications so that I can deliver assistance in the latest legal technology to Wisconsin lawyers.

Anyways, I’m only going to be moving by about 70 miles from where my office is currently located and I refuse to wear foam cheese on my head. Go Bears!