Archive for March, 2006

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27 03 2006

OK, You’re Infested with Spyware. Now What?

Posted by: admin in Self Help
 

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When you get Spyware on your computer it is time for a reality check. You’ve got to start thinking “outside the box” and ask yourself how it get there. It goes far beyond whether you have a Spyware program on your computer. It is lifestyle in most cases. ie: Where do you go on the web? Sites that can get you in deep trouble are the ADULT SITES. Do you download “free music” using programs like Kazaa or any other pier to pier program? Just remember when you use a pier to pier program you are actually connecting to the user who’s songs you are downloading. Hence if he is infected you soon will be. Are you starting to catch on?  

 

OK, So what to do:

  • Arm yourself with some good Reactive Spyware Cleaners.

Get programs like Spybot, Ad_aware, Xcleaner, Hi-Jacks can all be downloaded off the web for free and they update their pattern files often to keep up to date.

 

  • Take yourself off the web and your home network if you have one while you’re cleaning.

If you don’t take yourself off the web, or remove yourself from your network you’ll be shoveling against the tide. And if you are connected via a cable modem you are ALWAYS on the web, even if you’re not actively browsing so you must unplug it or remove the cat5 cable from your PC.

 

  • Learn how to use the Spyware Cleaners.

These tools are no good to you if you don’t take the time to thoroughly read the instruction. You will also have to update the definition files because these downloaded programs could be weeks or months old. As I have preached before “Spyware and Viruses do not take a holiday…EVER!!”

 

  • Run these programs over and over.

In order to be sure you are clean, it is necessary to run these programs more than once until finally you get a scan that produces no new problems. In what order you run your programs doesn’t matter. Since each program finds different type of problems it is always good if you have more than one tool in your arsenal. So run them all. One last thing. The program Hi-Jacks is something best left in the hands of a professional as it can really mess your computer up in the wrong hands. Be forewarned!!

If you have a PC related question that you would like to see answered in this blog click here: Ask Wayne

 

If you don’t want to search the web and download these tools yourself you can get them from me for $0.01 plus postage by clicking on this link: Fix It Yourself Yes I said one Cent!!! This special is not going to last long and will be discontinued without notice so don’t snooze. You must enter coupon code “Waynes world” (no quotes) into shopping cart to get this price.

 

Wayne

 

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26 03 2006

Steps to Prevent Spyware

Posted by: admin in Self Help
Spyware and other unwanted software can invade your privacy, bombard you with pop-up windows, slow down your computer, and even make your computer crash. Here are several ways you can help protect your computer against spyware and other unwanted software. 

 

· Use a firewall:

While most spyware and other unwanted software come bundled with other programs or originate from unscrupulous Web sites, a small amount of spyware can actually be placed on your computer remotely by hackers. 

If you are using any version of Windows XP make sure you turn the firewall on. I you are using a commercial software internet security package (like Norton Internet Security) It wants to turn off the windows fore wall in favor of its own firewall. This is OK, but take setting it up or you will block yourself out of the internet by having settings too high. I you are behind a router you have a hardware firewall built into it, but you need to set it up properly so it doesn’t block ports needed to get to the internet or make your favorite chat program from working. If you don’t understand what I just said, you probably should see some help in setting this up.

 

· Update your software

 

If you use Windows XP, one way to help prevent spyware and other unwanted software is to make sure all your software is updated. Get into the habit of not saying “remind me later” when windows alerts you that an update is ready.

 

· Adjust Internet Explorer security settings

 

You can adjust your Internet Explorer Web browser’s security settings to determine how much—or how little—information you are willing to accept from a Web site. Microsoft recommends that you set the security settings for the Internet zone to Medium or higher.

 

· Install antispyware protection

 

There are two type of spyware software. Proactive (prevents it from getting into your computer) or reactive (trys to remove it once your infested). You need proactive. Examples of proactive programs are Spy Sweeper, Trend Micro Anti-Spyware, Spyware Doctor…etc there are a lot to choose from but get one that PREVENTS spyware from getting into your computer in the first place 

  

Microsoft currently offers antispyware beta software for download; more information is available on their Windows Defender (Beta 2) site.

 

I’ll discuss what to do if you do get infected with Spyware in one of my next Blogs. If you have any PC Related questions write to me at ask_wayne@pricecomputersupport.com and I’ll try to answer as many as I can in my Blogs

 

Wayne

BTW: Not too sure what’s going on with the formating of this Blog. No matter what I do it keeps getting worse….Gremlins or maybe it’s Spyware…(Grin)

 

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25 03 2006

Adware Pioneer says it will exit the business

Posted by: wayne in Articles

With all of us trying to block Adware and Popups from getting to us it’s hard to believe that there are companies who make a living annoying us. This is one press release I’m proud to reprint.

Wayne

ask_wayne@pricecomputersupport.com

Adware pioneer says it will exit the business over persistent criticism (Canadian Press)
Canadian Press – SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – A pioneer of software that delivers pop-up ads based on websites that Internet users browse said Tuesday it will exit that business by June following persistent criticism from online publishers, consumer groups and privacy advocates.

Yahoo

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25 03 2006

Hackers Get Windows XP on Apple Computers (AP)

Posted by: wayne in Articles

I found an interesting article that I got a kick out of and thought you would too. One things comes to my mind when I read this kind of thing..”What’s the Point?)

Hackers Get Windows XP on Apple Computers (AP)
AP – As expected, hackers have found a way to run Microsoft Corp.’s Windows XP operating system on new Macintosh computers, winning an ad hoc contest and a $13,854 cash prize to boot. ]]

Google

MSN

Yahoo

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24 03 2006

What is spyware?

Posted by: admin in Articles

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Spyware is a general term used for software that performs certain behaviors such as advertising, collecting personal information, or changing the configuration of your computer, generally without appropriately obtaining your consent. You might have spyware or other unwanted software on your computer if:

  • You see pop-up advertisements even when you’re not on the Web. Some unwanted software will bombard you with pop-up ads that aren’t related to a particular Web site you’re visiting. These ads are often for adult or other Web sites you may find objectionable. If you see pop-up ads as soon as you turn on your computer or when you’re not even browsing the Web, you may have spyware or other unwanted software on your computer.
  • The page your Web browser first opens to (your home page) or your browser search settings have changed without your knowledge. Some unwanted software has the ability to change your home page or search page settings. This means that the page that opens first when you start your Internet browser or the page that appears when you select “search” may be pages that you do not recognize. Even if you know how to adjust these settings, you may find that they revert back every time you restart your computer.
  • You notice a new toolbar in your browser that you didn’t want, and find it difficult to get rid of. Spyware and other unwanted software can add additional toolbars to your Web browser that you don’t want or need. Even if you know how to remove these toolbars, they may return each time you restart your computer.
  • Your computer takes longer than usual to complete certain tasks. Spyware and other unwanted software are not necessarily designed to be efficient. The resources these programs use to track your activities and deliver advertisements can slow down your computer and errors in the software can make your computer crash. If you notice a sudden increase in the number of times a certain program crashes, or if your computer is slower than normal at performing routine tasks, you may have spyware or other unwanted software on your machine.
  • You experience a sudden rise in computer crashes. If you notice a sudden increase in the number of times a certain program crashes, or if your computer is slower than normal at performing routine tasks, you may have spyware or other unwanted software on your machine.

we’ll talk about how to prevent Spyware from getting onto your computer in one of my next blogs. Stay tuned!

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24 03 2006

Windows Vista delayed

Posted by: wayne in Articles

I don’t know about you, but I was really looking forward to the new release of Windows to replace XP. All the talk of more stability, greater security, and a more streamlined interface got my IT juices flowing. Now it looks like we won’t be able to wet our appetites until next year. The only saving grace is that Windows Explored 7 which will be in Vista when it is released in going to be released on time. Pheeeeew!! If you’d like to check it out for yourself click on the download link below:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/IE/ie7/ie7betaredirect.mspx

I’ve included a couple of news release clipping for your information:

No Windows Vista PCs until 2007
Microsoft’s OS update to miss the holiday season after all…

By Ina Fried
Published: Wednesday 22 March 2006
Microsoft on Tuesday announced a delay of Windows Vista that will mean PCs with the new operating system won’t go on sale until January.
The software maker said it will still wrap up development of the operating system this year and make it available to volume-licensing customers in November. However, Microsoft said a delay of a few weeks in Vista’s schedule meant that some PC makers would be able to launch this year and others would not. As a result, Windows chief Jim Allchin said the company is delaying the broad launch of the product until January.

Elizabeth Montalbano, IDG News Service
Friday, March 24, 2006
More delays revealed today in the release schedule for Windows Vista hint that problems with getting the new operating system out the door may be broader than Microsoft has so far allowed.

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