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Check list updated once again

 

Must Haves

A Anti-Virus program

No matter if it's free as is the one by AVG for example or cost at your local store you

should not be online without one, especially if your running Windows. Besure sure

to run a full scan at least twice a week if you can. Here is the link to AVG Free

Anti Virus http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1 they also have a Linux version availible.

 

I also came across a program you might of not heard about it's called Tru-Protect

by Panda Software. This program claims it can block any virus, trojan, or spyware

out there without needing to be constantly updated. As this program works a little

differently than any anti-virus program, it simply blocks file access to any program

not installed by the user directly. I heard of this through the Cyberguy and one

of his reports on the local news. I say give it a try, I heard it works from

people who have tried it. The program cost $29.95 by the way.

 

A Ultility Program

You need one of these to check out your systems registry. That's the core program

your OS is running off of, too many errors and I found it can be as little as 5

your computer will crash. You should use this program at least once a month.

 

Spyware removal tools

Cookies can be our friends, letting us in to our favorite board without logging

in each and every single time you decide to check it out. But these cookies

can sometimes also spy on your net surfing and even cause you to goto sites

you otherwise may not want to goto. These are call spyware and you need to get

them off your computer. As these can act like viruses causing parts of your

system to crash and die. The best known of these programs are:

 

Ad-aware http://www.lavasoft.de/support/download/

 

Spybot:Search and Destory http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/

 

and there is one availible from Microsoft.com many people give that one very

high marks.

 

All of them are free and you should have at least 1. Because if 1 program misses

the other will be more than likely to find it. But if your having trouble trying to

remove it, and find that you can't, your not out of luck. There is a nasty piece

of spyware going around it's called 'Spy Sheriff' its almost like a virus in the way

it tries to take over you computer. If you come across something like this the

best thing to do is google the name and look for the lastest forum update on how to

remove it. Then follow the directions to the letter.

 

A little trick with Ad-aware go in to the options menu and have it scan your host

file. This is the main file that lets you surf the sites you want to, and not

what others want you to see. You need to run this at least twice a week.

 

Of course there are ones you actually pay for, and according to those in the know

the best ones are:

Webroot Spyware Blaster

Pest Patrol

 

But did you know that if say you use Internet Explorer vs. say any alt. browser. You

are more likely to get spyware/adware. For one simple reason and it has to do with

Active X, which these nasty little things install themselves right on to your HDD.

You should also know that if say you are using say the Yahoo browser or the one

from AOL it's just an overlay running right on top of I.E.

Need a better reason to switch, just keep on reading

 

Spyware Blaster http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

This free little program, blocks all installations of what are called Active X programs.

The program is a must if you are using Internet Explorer. I know that service pack 2

for XP does the exact same thing. But there are those who are still using Win 2000

and earlier OSs who need this program bad in my opinion, all because of a little

piece of spyware called Alexia Tool Bar, I don't know what it is suppose to do,

but I do know what happens on my machine when I get it. Blue Screen of Death! and

besure to keep it updated.

 

Defragging

This just comes down to what version of Windows your running before 2000 every 2 or

3 months earlier if it crashes or runs slow. 2000 and later believe it or not once

or twice a year.. but no more than that, and use the defragging program that comes

with Windows according to a test I read about it worked better than any third party

software, especially when it comes to 2000 and XP.

 

and UPDATE, UPDATE...UPDATE!

 

Speaking of Updating when was the last time you updated your OS?

With Windows Microsoft they seem to have a new patch every other week, with Mac's

every month is best from what their owners tell me.

 

Also XP owners check out www.grc.com the makers of Spinrite which is a very

good program to keep your HD in tip top shape. I have reccomend this program

to severial people and who tell me it fixes problems they did not know they have.

But also on this site are free XP patches. It seems the site's operator once

worked for Microsoft and was plain tired of Mircosoft's unwillingness to fix

the holes in XP, which he has been quoted as saying "Which are large enough

to drive a semi through". So he offers these patches for free as a public service.

 

EMAIL

POP3 or web based these tips are for you.

 

1. Never open any strange email, especially if you do not reconize the sender

or if the subject line seems strange. A mixture of upper and lower case letters

and numbers, for example. It could be hiding a virus.

 

2. NEVER...NEVER...NEVER open a strange email attachment. IT ALWAYS HOLDS A VIRUS!

 

3. Whatever email service you use, block HTML graphics. I know that sounds strange,

and heres way. Not only can HTML graphics can hide a bug that will tell the sender

that you opened it. But it can also hide a virus.

 

4. This is especially true for POP3 users. Never preview any message as their are

viruses than can attack your computer even if your just previewing your email.

 

5. Block all addresses you suspect are either spam or hide a virus.

 

Web surfing

I rather see more people use a browser other than IE. For the reasons I listed

above. But also remember if say your using a browser that came with your ISP

software such as Yahoo Browser, or say AOL Browser, just rmember this that both

are overlays that is actually running right on top of IE. To what I personally use

I have actually used both IE and Netscape browser. I like Netscape better, for

simple this you get better control over your passwords and if you suspect

something has gotten into your cookie file, you can delete it all with just 1 click,

the same could be said of both Firefox and Mozilla. Try to do that with IE.

Also despite what most ISP commericals say, a pop up blocker is included on

every browser out there, expect older versions of of some browsers. Also besure to

go in to the advanced settings options. How to get in to your strickly depends on your

browser and what it allows you to do. Here is what even the experts reccomend

Block all thrid party cookies, and any image that has to be downloaded from

another site. The latter sometimes holds spyware, but either way it can

slow down your surfing, especially to those on dial-up.

 

Ever what to take your broswer with you, what if I could tell you this

was possible and use it on any (sorry) Windows machine out there. All

you need is one of those USB drives, and head on of course to

http://www.portableapps.com

 

While there check out the other programs they have for download, you will be surprised.

 

Browser Plug-ins

Meaning Java, Shockwave and Flash and Windows owners depending on when you

bought you PC you may not have it installed. It seems Microsoft had a problem

in paying royalties to the creators of these programs. But to the general public

they are free for download. Just check Start;Settings;Control Panel;Add Remove

programs. Too see if Java 5 and Shockwave Media Player are installed or to see if they need

updating, if they do use the links and download a copy and then install it. Some

like me have had problems using their web installer. The lastest versions are

noted below. By the way Java unless you go in to settings will automatically

update. So does flash and shockwave, these 2 the updates are automatic.

 

Java 5 http://www.java.com/en/download/windows_xpi.jsp

 

Linux java https://sdlc5c.sun.com:443/ECom/EComActionS...DE9720A0208FF6A

 

Shockwave http://sdc.shockwave.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?

 

Flash 7 http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/downlo...=ShockwaveFlash

 

But there is one last program I highly reccomend for anyone using Windows

It's called IE Privacy Keeper. And you don't have to neccessarly be using

IE to use this, it's also configured to also work with Firefox. This free

program simply can clear all those lists that Windows generates. It is also

a very handy way of clearing your Temporary Internet Folder, and as far as I

know the only program that proforms this task with one click. You can find it at

http://www.unhsolutions.net

 

 

GENERAL

1. Go in to Control panel > Folder Options then click on view there open

the option to see all file extensions(This way you can tell if

a jpeg has a hidden.exe meaning it could hold a virus).

But also open the option to see all hidden files...see sent to trick,Then deactiavte

Microsoft Virtual Machine on older OSs as this program of theirs is not used

by any website and is only used by hackers.

 

2.Firewalls use them, you'll thank me later. Both software and hardware are

needed if you do online banking, lets just say it's a must and becareful if you

get an email from your bank especially if they are requesting info that they

already have. Identity theif is on the rise and you can't be too careful.

 

3.Send to trick

Once you opened the option to see hidden files. You might have to use

file search to folder, but once you do you might be able to add any

shortcut in to it as you want. No problem with Win 98 SE but with Pro editions

it might not work, it depends if you are the administrator or not on your os.

But within 2000 or later you have move to and copy to commands within explorer.

 

4. Create a Desktop icon

This little trick I discovered on my own, just a short time ago, and it is raher

simple to do. Say if you use a program fairly regularally and you have no

Dsesktop Icon just do this. Hit Start then go into your program list. Once

you found the proram you use just right click on it, then using the right

click menu select "Create Shortcut". This will give you a duplicate listing.

Then left click on your mouse and hold, the drop and drag it right on to

your Desktop. See it could not be any simplier.

 

Strange computer problems

These are problems I actually came across and their solutions

 

Q: For some unknown reason my monitor seems to shut off all by itself for

maybe just a couple of seconds. I am sure it is connected propery and my

power strip seems fine as all the other devices I have plugged into it

such as my computer and my powered speakers work fine. I have even gone

so far as to go into settings and have set everything to keep my monitor

always on, I have even shut off my screensaver but still this problem presist.

 

A: Double check those connections once again. But if you still have the

same problem, it is more than likely your power strip. Try moving the plug

from your monitor higher up on the strip and see if the problem goes

away. If it does you need to get a new power strip. If it doesn't you will

need to buy a new mointor.

 

Q: Lately my printer seems to have this problem when I try and print up

web pages. The color is either washed out or the black print is so faint

you can hardly read it.

 

Q: When I try and use Microsoft word to print up a document my printer

is using red ink instead of black. I am sure my ink cartridge is full.

 

A: This problem is very common with Lexmark brand printers, when you

try and save a little money on ink and refill the carts beyond a certain

number of times. My guess when you print the software that comes with

your drivers don't even register any ink in that cart. Full or not it's

finally time to go out and buy a new ink cartridge.

 

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