By: The Bug Doctor
How much did it cost you the last time you had to call one of
those computer tech help lines? What about the time you actually
had to have a PC service technician come to your home? That
expensive, huh? The truth is, PC tech help is expensive, and
often the problems that cost you the most could have been
avoided for a fraction of the cost with just an ounce of
prevention.
There are many computer errors that send us scrambling for tech
help. Sometimes, they can be annoying problems like glitches and
error pop-up warnings. Other times, they can be fatal and result
in the loss of data and/or system crash. All of these errors, no
matter how varied they may be, have one thing in common: They
are caused by things you unknowingly bring or take out of your
system's hard drive, and you can fix them instantaneously before
they start to cause problems with the right software.
You see, your computer is just a machine that does exactly what
it is programmed to do or what you tell it to do. To help it do
this, it has thousands of files and programs filed neatly away
in the hard drive. Most of the time, these files are accessed by
your computer easily, but sometimes the filing system can be a
little off, which makes it hard for your PC to access certain
files and applications quickly or at all. Anytime that your PC
has to search for these files or fails to find them an error
occurs.
In most cases, errors can occur without you even realizing it.
You may not get a warning or program shutdown. Often, the only
evidence that you have that errors are occurring is a computer
that does not perform as quickly as it used to. While this in
itself is annoying and frustrating, hidden errors can multiply
and result in PC problems that leave you shelling out big bucks
to tech professionals.
To avoid errors from multiplying and eating away at your wallet,
you need to fix the little errors as they occur. This can be
done easily with the right software. The right software consists
of programs that watch out for hidden errors and help fix them
before they cause problems. In many cases, you can get all of
the protection from hidden errors that you need in one software
suite or download. In some cases, you can even get an error scan
for free.
Even if you don't think your PC has hidden errors on it, it may
be a good idea to have it scanned for free just to make sure.
Statistics show that it is not uncommon for most computers in
operation to have more than 200 errors. In fact, 94% of all PCs
that have been used for one month or longer have hidden errors.
As mentioned before, hidden errors occur during the daily
operation of your PC, and they especially occur when you
download new programs or install and uninstall software. This is
because each time you download a new program or
install/uninstall software, you change the filing order of your
hard drive. New files are added, old files are deleted, and some
files that should have been deleted remain behind. In some
cases, you may inadvertently delete a file that is needed for
another computer application. All of these changes leave holes
in your PC's operation and make it more and more difficult for
it to perform accurately and quickly.
Instead of letting these problems add up until they become
annoying, unbearable or result in a system crash, doctor
software helps to eliminate any trouble that you may experience
from hidden errors. This software fixes errors that cause
problems, fixes corrupt files, prevents hidden files from
causing harm, and helps you avoid formatting and rebooting
errors without you having to think about it.
And you can use this software for a fraction of the cost that
you would shell out to tech professionals. Unlimited access to
repairs costs as little as $20 per month, $60 per year and $130
for life. Now, that's a big difference than what you pay for
in-house technical service. In fact, you could pay for your
doctor software for a lifetime just by avoiding one in-home
technical call. All of those technical fees avoided equal more
money in your pocket and a smooth-running, error-free personal
computer for you and your whole family to enjoy.
About the author:
Written by The Bug Doctor
- The Bug Doctor will fix
hidden bugs and errors on your PC and restore lost
performance and speed that is lost over time. http://www.bugdoctor.com
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Antispyware Or Spyware?
By: Kwan Lo
Spyware has become the most prominent computer security problem.
How do you choose a good spyware removal tool? Beware of
antispyware software which installs spyware/adware to your
computer.
Spyware is a hidden software program. It is often used to
monitor the browsing and shopping habits of computer users.
Spyware can also be a remote control program that steals
confidential banking and personal information.
Spyware has quickly become the most prominent internet security
problem. According to the National Cyber Security Alliance,
spyware infects more than 90% of home PCs. Recent survey shows
that spyware is also sneaking into the network of corporate
computers.
Spyware is often coupled with free downloads, such as free
music, game and software downloads. Spyware may slow down
computer, hijack homepage and create uncontrolled pop-up
advertisements. Some spyware programs can remain unnoticed,
secretly gathering information from the computer. Once
installed, spyware is difficult to remove without the help of
dedicated antispyware software.
Due to the rise of spyware activity, antispyware programs are in
great demand these days. But are these spyware removal tools the
same? Do they provide the security consumers need?
There are many reports that some antispyware programs installed
their own spyware and adware to the computer. One consumer was
quoted saying: "It's a rip-off. I downloaded the free trial of
an antispyware program, only to find out that it added its own
adware to my computer." Other consumers have complained that the
antispyware program they use cannot detect all spyware programs.
Some even slow down the computer and create pop-up
advertisements.
There are a few good antispyware programs in the market today.
On the other hand, dozens of spyware removal programs are
blacklisted by consumers. Beware of spyware removal tools that
are heavily promoted by e-mail campaigns. Never run any free
downloads and free scans from unknown software publishers. Their
programs may as well be spyware programs themselves. Read
independent product reviews from renowned computer magazines or
reputable sources. Spending some extra time in research can save
you a lot of hassles in the long run.
About the author:
Kwan Lo is the owner of http://software.4reviews.net, an online
review site promoting top-rated, award-winning security and
utility software.
Spyware has become the most prominent computer security problem.
How do you choose a good spyware removal tool? Beware of
antispyware software which installs spyware/adware to your
computer.
Spyware is a hidden software program. It is often used to
monitor the browsing and shopping habits of computer users.
Spyware can also be a remote control program that steals
confidential banking and personal information.
Spyware has quickly become the most prominent internet security
problem. According to the National Cyber Security Alliance,
spyware infects more than 90% of home PCs. Recent survey shows
that spyware is also sneaking into the network of corporate
computers.
Spyware is often coupled with free downloads, such as free
music, game and software downloads. Spyware may slow down
computer, hijack homepage and create uncontrolled pop-up
advertisements. Some spyware programs can remain unnoticed,
secretly gathering information from the computer. Once
installed, spyware is difficult to remove without the help of
dedicated antispyware software.
Due to the rise of spyware activity, antispyware programs are in
great demand these days. But are these spyware removal tools the
same? Do they provide the security consumers need?
There are many reports that some antispyware programs installed
their own spyware and adware to the computer. One consumer was
quoted saying: "It's a rip-off. I downloaded the free trial of
an antispyware program, only to find out that it added its own
adware to my computer." Other consumers have complained that the
antispyware program they use cannot detect all spyware programs.
Some even slow down the computer and create pop-up
advertisements.
There are a few good antispyware programs in the market today.
On the other hand, dozens of spyware removal programs are
blacklisted by consumers. Beware of spyware removal tools that
are heavily promoted by e-mail campaigns. Never run any free
downloads and free scans from unknown software publishers. Their
programs may as well be spyware programs themselves. Read
independent product reviews from renowned computer magazines or
reputable sources. Spending some extra time in research can save
you a lot of hassles in the long run.
About the author:
Kwan Lo is the owner of http://software.4reviews.net, an online
review site promoting top-rated, award-winning security and
utility software.
Friday, November 25, 2005
How To Prevent Unwanted Windows Programs From Loading At System
By: Balraj Dhaliwal
We all have them in our system tray, programs that load up and
use precious memory resources and take up valuable space on your
taskbar. Some of them you need, but most you can do without.
Take charge and clean them out.
Some of the kinder and well written programs are configurable
and allow you to change the settings that starts them up. If
this option is available, then this is the best approach.
There are, however, many programs that do not give you the
choice and no matter how many times you remove them, they
return. Two that I find really annoying are the "Windows
Messenger" and the "Quicktime Task". Both sit in the system tray
and I don't need or want them there. I'll show you how to get
rid of them forever if you have Windows XP Pro or Windows 2000.
For those with Windows XP Home, this solution will not work.
First and foremost, however, I'd like to discuss a little gem of
a program called Startup Control Panel, written by a young chap
called Mike Lin from Boston. The program is available as
freeware from www.mlin.net and Mike takes donations from those
who want to contribute to his efforts.
This program works under all versions of Windows and is a vital
part of any Windows installation. It's a program that will allow
you to control exactly what programs load at system startup.
This is one of the first things I install after setting up a
computer with Windows. The program can either be loaded as a
standalone program or incorporated into your Control Panel. I
prefer the latter, but both work equally well.
When you invoke the program, there are a series of tabs across
the top. The 4 that you should be concerned about are labelled,
"Startup (user)", "Startup (common)", "HKLM/Run" and "HKCU/Run".
These represent 4 different methods by which your computer can
run programs when the system first starts. There are 3 other
tab, which are not as important and are self-explanatory anyway.
Note that the tabs may be on 2 levels depending on the windows
size. I usually drag the window and make it wider so that all
the tabs fit natly across on the page in a line.
Going through each of the 4 tabs, look at the checked items that
will run. To stop them from running, uncheck the box. If you are
unsure about a program, uncheck it and see what the effects are.
You can awlays revise this later if something stops working. As
an exercise, run the Windows Task Manager (by hitting the Ctrl,
Alt and Del keys simultaneously) and note down how much memory
is taken up by your system on a fresh start. The figure is
listed on the status bar of the Task Manager under "Mem Usage".
After unchecking all the unwanted programs, restart your system
and compare the number and see how much less memory is being
used. This is the amount you have saved and all things going
well, you'll notice that your system is snappier and definitely
less cluttered.
You will soon find that some programs do not like being
unchecked. Yes, you guessed it, the two that I mentioned above,
"Windows Messenger" and "Quicktime Task". They will reappear
everytime you delete them. Worry not for there is another way
for those running Windows 2000 or Windows XP Pro on the NTFS
File System.
The NTFS File system comes with security built-in meaning that
access to files, folders and programs can be limited. This is
precisely the method which we will use to stop these pesky
programs from loading.
Open up a Windows Explorer window and navigate to where these
programs reside. For "Windows Messenger", it should be in your
"C:\Program Files\Messenger" folder and is called "msmsgs.exe".
Right click on the file and click on the "Security Tab". The
security settings will show. Basically you want to apply the
"Deny" access for all users and administrators. Do this by
selecting each group and then clicking on the "Deny" checkboxes.
When finished, click on the OK and you're done. The next time
you restart the system, this program will be denied access to
run. There are many who will rightly point out to me that there
is an easier way to do this and that is to run Windows
Messenger, navigate to the Tools menu and turn off the startup
option. I have done this in the past but find that when a
service pack or patch is loaded, that this program sometimes
notoriously starts up again, so the Deny option works
permanntly. Windows Messenger is a useless program and is
superseeded by the MSN Messenger program.
Repeat the same for the Quicktim Task program which you can find
by doing a search for "qttask.exe". You should find it in the
"C:\Program Files\Quicktime" folder.
You can deny access to any program that you don't want to run.
This is a powerful method of controlling your environment. It
can be reverted by unchecking the Deny boxes at any time.
For those running Windows XP Pro, by default the Security system
is disabled. This is easily fixed by opening up "My Computer"
and selecting "Tools, Folder Options, View". The item either
last on the list or close to last on the list will read
something like "Use Simple File Sharing (Recommended)". Uncheck
the box and click OK and your system will now have full security
settings on all file or folders. The properties window of any
file will then have the "Security" tab.
There is also the possibility that you have a Windows XP Pro
system running the FAT32 file system instead of NTFS. The FAT32
file system does not have the in-built security of NTFS and will
not allow you to allocate Deny permissions on files, folders or
programs. You can however, easily convert the FAT32 file system
to NTFS though using tools in XP. To find out how, do a Google
search for "convert FAT32 to NTFS".
I wish you all the best with your computing experiences.
About the author:
Balraj Dhaliwal is an Internet Consultant for BSD Domain
Registry, a well respected and liked domain and hosting provider
because of its no nonsense simple approach to getting things
done. Visit BSD Register at http://www.BSDRegister.com
We all have them in our system tray, programs that load up and
use precious memory resources and take up valuable space on your
taskbar. Some of them you need, but most you can do without.
Take charge and clean them out.
Some of the kinder and well written programs are configurable
and allow you to change the settings that starts them up. If
this option is available, then this is the best approach.
There are, however, many programs that do not give you the
choice and no matter how many times you remove them, they
return. Two that I find really annoying are the "Windows
Messenger" and the "Quicktime Task". Both sit in the system tray
and I don't need or want them there. I'll show you how to get
rid of them forever if you have Windows XP Pro or Windows 2000.
For those with Windows XP Home, this solution will not work.
First and foremost, however, I'd like to discuss a little gem of
a program called Startup Control Panel, written by a young chap
called Mike Lin from Boston. The program is available as
freeware from www.mlin.net and Mike takes donations from those
who want to contribute to his efforts.
This program works under all versions of Windows and is a vital
part of any Windows installation. It's a program that will allow
you to control exactly what programs load at system startup.
This is one of the first things I install after setting up a
computer with Windows. The program can either be loaded as a
standalone program or incorporated into your Control Panel. I
prefer the latter, but both work equally well.
When you invoke the program, there are a series of tabs across
the top. The 4 that you should be concerned about are labelled,
"Startup (user)", "Startup (common)", "HKLM/Run" and "HKCU/Run".
These represent 4 different methods by which your computer can
run programs when the system first starts. There are 3 other
tab, which are not as important and are self-explanatory anyway.
Note that the tabs may be on 2 levels depending on the windows
size. I usually drag the window and make it wider so that all
the tabs fit natly across on the page in a line.
Going through each of the 4 tabs, look at the checked items that
will run. To stop them from running, uncheck the box. If you are
unsure about a program, uncheck it and see what the effects are.
You can awlays revise this later if something stops working. As
an exercise, run the Windows Task Manager (by hitting the Ctrl,
Alt and Del keys simultaneously) and note down how much memory
is taken up by your system on a fresh start. The figure is
listed on the status bar of the Task Manager under "Mem Usage".
After unchecking all the unwanted programs, restart your system
and compare the number and see how much less memory is being
used. This is the amount you have saved and all things going
well, you'll notice that your system is snappier and definitely
less cluttered.
You will soon find that some programs do not like being
unchecked. Yes, you guessed it, the two that I mentioned above,
"Windows Messenger" and "Quicktime Task". They will reappear
everytime you delete them. Worry not for there is another way
for those running Windows 2000 or Windows XP Pro on the NTFS
File System.
The NTFS File system comes with security built-in meaning that
access to files, folders and programs can be limited. This is
precisely the method which we will use to stop these pesky
programs from loading.
Open up a Windows Explorer window and navigate to where these
programs reside. For "Windows Messenger", it should be in your
"C:\Program Files\Messenger" folder and is called "msmsgs.exe".
Right click on the file and click on the "Security Tab". The
security settings will show. Basically you want to apply the
"Deny" access for all users and administrators. Do this by
selecting each group and then clicking on the "Deny" checkboxes.
When finished, click on the OK and you're done. The next time
you restart the system, this program will be denied access to
run. There are many who will rightly point out to me that there
is an easier way to do this and that is to run Windows
Messenger, navigate to the Tools menu and turn off the startup
option. I have done this in the past but find that when a
service pack or patch is loaded, that this program sometimes
notoriously starts up again, so the Deny option works
permanntly. Windows Messenger is a useless program and is
superseeded by the MSN Messenger program.
Repeat the same for the Quicktim Task program which you can find
by doing a search for "qttask.exe". You should find it in the
"C:\Program Files\Quicktime" folder.
You can deny access to any program that you don't want to run.
This is a powerful method of controlling your environment. It
can be reverted by unchecking the Deny boxes at any time.
For those running Windows XP Pro, by default the Security system
is disabled. This is easily fixed by opening up "My Computer"
and selecting "Tools, Folder Options, View". The item either
last on the list or close to last on the list will read
something like "Use Simple File Sharing (Recommended)". Uncheck
the box and click OK and your system will now have full security
settings on all file or folders. The properties window of any
file will then have the "Security" tab.
There is also the possibility that you have a Windows XP Pro
system running the FAT32 file system instead of NTFS. The FAT32
file system does not have the in-built security of NTFS and will
not allow you to allocate Deny permissions on files, folders or
programs. You can however, easily convert the FAT32 file system
to NTFS though using tools in XP. To find out how, do a Google
search for "convert FAT32 to NTFS".
I wish you all the best with your computing experiences.
About the author:
Balraj Dhaliwal is an Internet Consultant for BSD Domain
Registry, a well respected and liked domain and hosting provider
because of its no nonsense simple approach to getting things
done. Visit BSD Register at http://www.BSDRegister.com
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Tips for Getting the Most Life Out of Your Laptop Battery
By: Eve Larson
As more and more people are becoming part of the mobile
workforce and using laptop or tablet PC's battery life is often
a primary concern. Today's portable computers use lithium-ion
batteries instead of older style nickel-cadmium power sources.
In addition to being able to hold a greater charge, lithium is
also very light weight, another important concern for portable
computers.
When you are purchasing your computer investigate if a long-life
battery is available. While it will add to the cost it can give
up to double the usage of a normal battery. To get the most
usage out of your battery you'll need to understand a little bit
about how batteries work. Each battery has a limited number of
charge cycles. If your battery lasts for 4 hours and on the
first day you use it for 2 hours and then recharge it fully and
the next day you use it for 2 hours again and then fully
recharge it again, you will have completed one charge cycle.
Each battery has a limited number of charge cycles before it
starts losing it's the charge it can hold.
If you aren't using your wireless connection to connect to the
internet or network turn off the wireless connection it will
extend the life of your battery. The same holds true for
Bluetooth connections. Another way to extend your battery life
is to lower the brightness of your monitor. Lastly bear in mind
that using your portable computer to play a DVD movie uses more
power than using a spreadsheet.
If you find that you are often using the computer with the
battery at full charge while connected to the main power supply
you may want to remove the battery. Keeping the battery fully
charged while it's at a high temperature, which is typical of
conditions of a laptop that is always plugged into the main
power supply, will dramatically shorten its lifespan.
Discharging the battery regularly is also conducive to long
battery life. Under optimal conditions laptop batteries will
last 24 to 36 months, under less than optimal conditions you may
shorten the lifespan down to 12 to 18 months.
To help keep your battery operating at optimal conditions try to
fully discharge it once a month. Many people find it helpful to
set a calendar reminder so they don't forget. If you find your
battery lasts less than 60 minutes, try fully discharging it
several days in a row. Just leave your computer on overnight
with no applications running. Be sure to turn off any alarm or
lower power warnings that are associated with your power
settings. If this fails to work you will need to replace the
battery.
© Copyright TabletPC.6LN.com, All Rights Reserved.
About the author:
Eve Larson is the senior author for Tablet PC News and Reviews
(http://tabletpc.6ln.com) where she provides information that
help you get the most out mobile computing platforms.
As more and more people are becoming part of the mobile
workforce and using laptop or tablet PC's battery life is often
a primary concern. Today's portable computers use lithium-ion
batteries instead of older style nickel-cadmium power sources.
In addition to being able to hold a greater charge, lithium is
also very light weight, another important concern for portable
computers.
When you are purchasing your computer investigate if a long-life
battery is available. While it will add to the cost it can give
up to double the usage of a normal battery. To get the most
usage out of your battery you'll need to understand a little bit
about how batteries work. Each battery has a limited number of
charge cycles. If your battery lasts for 4 hours and on the
first day you use it for 2 hours and then recharge it fully and
the next day you use it for 2 hours again and then fully
recharge it again, you will have completed one charge cycle.
Each battery has a limited number of charge cycles before it
starts losing it's the charge it can hold.
If you aren't using your wireless connection to connect to the
internet or network turn off the wireless connection it will
extend the life of your battery. The same holds true for
Bluetooth connections. Another way to extend your battery life
is to lower the brightness of your monitor. Lastly bear in mind
that using your portable computer to play a DVD movie uses more
power than using a spreadsheet.
If you find that you are often using the computer with the
battery at full charge while connected to the main power supply
you may want to remove the battery. Keeping the battery fully
charged while it's at a high temperature, which is typical of
conditions of a laptop that is always plugged into the main
power supply, will dramatically shorten its lifespan.
Discharging the battery regularly is also conducive to long
battery life. Under optimal conditions laptop batteries will
last 24 to 36 months, under less than optimal conditions you may
shorten the lifespan down to 12 to 18 months.
To help keep your battery operating at optimal conditions try to
fully discharge it once a month. Many people find it helpful to
set a calendar reminder so they don't forget. If you find your
battery lasts less than 60 minutes, try fully discharging it
several days in a row. Just leave your computer on overnight
with no applications running. Be sure to turn off any alarm or
lower power warnings that are associated with your power
settings. If this fails to work you will need to replace the
battery.
© Copyright TabletPC.6LN.com, All Rights Reserved.
About the author:
Eve Larson is the senior author for Tablet PC News and Reviews
(http://tabletpc.6ln.com) where she provides information that
help you get the most out mobile computing platforms.
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Building a Computer From the Bottom Up
By: Frank Hardy
Before you even think about building your own computer make sure
that you go for the best technology possible. This is an
important task and you want it to turn out as close to perfect
as possible. When your PC is complete you want it to have the
best hardware available.
One of the biggest benefits of building your own computer is
that you can customize it. You know what is most important to
you. Maybe you are a graphics user. MP3's might be the closest
thing you have to a best friend. Perhaps you are writing the
great American novel and you are mainly interested in text. If
you are building your own machine, you can concentrate on what
you want but if you're building it for a third party, you
obviously need to consult them first.
Collecting the hardware for your new computer is the most time
consuming part of the process. You want to make sure that you
get high standard equipment that works well with your needs.
Take your time and don't try to skimp on your hardware. If you
don't heed both of these suggestions, your computer could bite
back later.
If you are building your own PC, you probably know that the
Motherboard is the most important part of your computer.
Everything that you plug into your computer will meet here. Be
especially choosy when buying a motherboard. And make sure that
there is an instruction manual. Some cheapies will not have one.
Be aware that the Motherboard will control the future of your
computer. All upgrades will have to be compatible with your
Motherboard. The chipset in the Motherboard deserves careful
investigation. What will it support? Find out before you buy.
Take your time. There are a ton of chipsets out there.
Pay close attention to how many PCL slots the Mother board has.
The more, PLC slots the better because they fill up quickly. How
is the board laid out? Check for any problems such as something
blocking your long PCI slots.
When selecting a case, be aware of the form factor. You want an
ATX form factor because that is what almost all new systems are
operating on. Try to go with a screw free form factor because it
will be easier to work with. One equipped with fans would be
optimal.
Three are three groups of processors; low end, average and high
end. The low end processor is okay for simple tasks. Letters,
invoices and other noncomplex applications can be performed on a
low end processor. If you do choose to go with a low end
processor, realize that these are fast becoming outdated.
Average processors are faster and they are just a bit more
expensive. For a few extra dollars you will be able to access
higher level applications without hassle. This will provide more
speed as well satisfying the average computer user.
High end processors are the cream of the crop. They are
expensive and usually reserved for those on the high end of the
pay scale. You will have high memory and no problem accessing
complex CPU programs.
Memory is a vital element of your computer. Spend the money and
purchase the best you can afford. If you don't, more than likely
you will need to go out and repurchase a better processor later.
Also you will want to make sure you get memory that works with
your system.
Get a video card that suits your purposes. If you are a small
business owner, go with a cheaper, jack of all trades card. If
you are building this computer for home use you might as well
reward yourself with some perks. Now don't go and spend five
hundred dollars on a video card that a top financial institution
might buy. Purchase a card that provides just slightly more than
you need, but not so high end that it cost as much as the rest
of your hardware.
You have your mouse and keyboard, right? Get a good hard drive.
Buy a new one, opposed to used, to make sure you are getting the
best quality.
CD-ROM drivers are cheap. Spend a little extra cash and get a
really good one. If you want a more advanced unit, buy a DVD
player. A DVD player will play CD-ROM's and DVD's. It will serve
multiple purposes.
About the author:
Frank Hardy is a computer engineer based in the UK. He is also a
specialist in fingerprint technology and CCTV systems at
http://www.adeleurope.co.uk.
Before you even think about building your own computer make sure
that you go for the best technology possible. This is an
important task and you want it to turn out as close to perfect
as possible. When your PC is complete you want it to have the
best hardware available.
One of the biggest benefits of building your own computer is
that you can customize it. You know what is most important to
you. Maybe you are a graphics user. MP3's might be the closest
thing you have to a best friend. Perhaps you are writing the
great American novel and you are mainly interested in text. If
you are building your own machine, you can concentrate on what
you want but if you're building it for a third party, you
obviously need to consult them first.
Collecting the hardware for your new computer is the most time
consuming part of the process. You want to make sure that you
get high standard equipment that works well with your needs.
Take your time and don't try to skimp on your hardware. If you
don't heed both of these suggestions, your computer could bite
back later.
If you are building your own PC, you probably know that the
Motherboard is the most important part of your computer.
Everything that you plug into your computer will meet here. Be
especially choosy when buying a motherboard. And make sure that
there is an instruction manual. Some cheapies will not have one.
Be aware that the Motherboard will control the future of your
computer. All upgrades will have to be compatible with your
Motherboard. The chipset in the Motherboard deserves careful
investigation. What will it support? Find out before you buy.
Take your time. There are a ton of chipsets out there.
Pay close attention to how many PCL slots the Mother board has.
The more, PLC slots the better because they fill up quickly. How
is the board laid out? Check for any problems such as something
blocking your long PCI slots.
When selecting a case, be aware of the form factor. You want an
ATX form factor because that is what almost all new systems are
operating on. Try to go with a screw free form factor because it
will be easier to work with. One equipped with fans would be
optimal.
Three are three groups of processors; low end, average and high
end. The low end processor is okay for simple tasks. Letters,
invoices and other noncomplex applications can be performed on a
low end processor. If you do choose to go with a low end
processor, realize that these are fast becoming outdated.
Average processors are faster and they are just a bit more
expensive. For a few extra dollars you will be able to access
higher level applications without hassle. This will provide more
speed as well satisfying the average computer user.
High end processors are the cream of the crop. They are
expensive and usually reserved for those on the high end of the
pay scale. You will have high memory and no problem accessing
complex CPU programs.
Memory is a vital element of your computer. Spend the money and
purchase the best you can afford. If you don't, more than likely
you will need to go out and repurchase a better processor later.
Also you will want to make sure you get memory that works with
your system.
Get a video card that suits your purposes. If you are a small
business owner, go with a cheaper, jack of all trades card. If
you are building this computer for home use you might as well
reward yourself with some perks. Now don't go and spend five
hundred dollars on a video card that a top financial institution
might buy. Purchase a card that provides just slightly more than
you need, but not so high end that it cost as much as the rest
of your hardware.
You have your mouse and keyboard, right? Get a good hard drive.
Buy a new one, opposed to used, to make sure you are getting the
best quality.
CD-ROM drivers are cheap. Spend a little extra cash and get a
really good one. If you want a more advanced unit, buy a DVD
player. A DVD player will play CD-ROM's and DVD's. It will serve
multiple purposes.
About the author:
Frank Hardy is a computer engineer based in the UK. He is also a
specialist in fingerprint technology and CCTV systems at
http://www.adeleurope.co.uk.
Monday, November 21, 2005
Essential Tools You Need to Have When Working on a PC
By: Gary Hendricks
Whenever you start working on a PC, you need to ensure you have
the correct set of tools. I really hate it when I'm in the
middle of installing a card or upgrading the motherboard and
there's a missing screwdriver or cable tie.
So here's a short list of essential tools you need to have when
working on a PC. Remember to bring them along so that you have
an easier time.
Philips Screwdriver
Gosh, this is the most important tool for me as a computer
hardware enthusiast. All computer parts are connected by screws
- from add-on card slots to drive bays and PC casings. Remember
to get a screwdriver that does not have a magnetic tip -
magnetized objects inside your PC may damage some circuits.
Cable Ties
If you're like me, you'll hate the sight of untidy cables.
Whenever I open up an old PC, I just roll my eyes at the mess of
wires inside. Here's where the humble cable tie (also known as
zip ties) came in really handy. Organize those untidy cables
into bundles, route them through specific paths and tie them up.
Not only does this improve the look of your computer's insides,
it also helps airflow.
Tweezers
I always remember these. How are tweezers useful when working
with a computer? Well, when you accidentally drop a screw into
the deep, dark regions of the motherboard! Use those tweezers to
reach into tight spots or for retrieving that lost screw. I also
tend to use tweezers for removing or changing jumpers on hard
drives, optical drives and the motherboard.
Lint Free Cloth
If you have an old computer, you can be sure dust is accumulated
inside that PC. This can cause lots of problems - in particular,
it can clog up fans and air slots, raising the PC's temperature.
Using a lint free cloth to wipe off that dust from your case or
components.
Grounding Strap
If you've read my guide on maintaining a PC, you'll be well
aware that static electricity can cause severe damage to
electrical components in your computer. Prevent this by using a
grounding strap. This is usually a Velcro strap with a metal
contact to help discharge any static charge built up on your PC.
Windows Installation CD and Boot Disk
Many people forget that the original Windows installation CD and
its accompanying boot disk is a very important toolkit for a
computer enthusiast. The Windows installation CD is very useful
whenever the operation system asks for a Windows driver. The
boot disk, on the other hand, is very useful if the computer
fails to boot up. If you don't have a boot disk, check out this
link which offers free boot disk images for download.
Toolkits
I like to have a big tool kit to store all of the above things.
It also makes me feel like a handy computer guy too . A tool kit
helps to keep all your important tools in a central place so you
never forget anything.
Conclusion
Well, you now know what tools to bring along when next working
with your PC. Remembering to bring these tools will help your
maintenance or setup job that much easier. Good luck!
About the author:
Gary Hendricks runs a hobby site on building computers. Visit
his website at Build-Your-Own-
Computers.com for tips and tricks on assembling a PC, as
well as buying good computer components.
Whenever you start working on a PC, you need to ensure you have
the correct set of tools. I really hate it when I'm in the
middle of installing a card or upgrading the motherboard and
there's a missing screwdriver or cable tie.
So here's a short list of essential tools you need to have when
working on a PC. Remember to bring them along so that you have
an easier time.
Philips Screwdriver
Gosh, this is the most important tool for me as a computer
hardware enthusiast. All computer parts are connected by screws
- from add-on card slots to drive bays and PC casings. Remember
to get a screwdriver that does not have a magnetic tip -
magnetized objects inside your PC may damage some circuits.
Cable Ties
If you're like me, you'll hate the sight of untidy cables.
Whenever I open up an old PC, I just roll my eyes at the mess of
wires inside. Here's where the humble cable tie (also known as
zip ties) came in really handy. Organize those untidy cables
into bundles, route them through specific paths and tie them up.
Not only does this improve the look of your computer's insides,
it also helps airflow.
Tweezers
I always remember these. How are tweezers useful when working
with a computer? Well, when you accidentally drop a screw into
the deep, dark regions of the motherboard! Use those tweezers to
reach into tight spots or for retrieving that lost screw. I also
tend to use tweezers for removing or changing jumpers on hard
drives, optical drives and the motherboard.
Lint Free Cloth
If you have an old computer, you can be sure dust is accumulated
inside that PC. This can cause lots of problems - in particular,
it can clog up fans and air slots, raising the PC's temperature.
Using a lint free cloth to wipe off that dust from your case or
components.
Grounding Strap
If you've read my guide on maintaining a PC, you'll be well
aware that static electricity can cause severe damage to
electrical components in your computer. Prevent this by using a
grounding strap. This is usually a Velcro strap with a metal
contact to help discharge any static charge built up on your PC.
Windows Installation CD and Boot Disk
Many people forget that the original Windows installation CD and
its accompanying boot disk is a very important toolkit for a
computer enthusiast. The Windows installation CD is very useful
whenever the operation system asks for a Windows driver. The
boot disk, on the other hand, is very useful if the computer
fails to boot up. If you don't have a boot disk, check out this
link which offers free boot disk images for download.
Toolkits
I like to have a big tool kit to store all of the above things.
It also makes me feel like a handy computer guy too . A tool kit
helps to keep all your important tools in a central place so you
never forget anything.
Conclusion
Well, you now know what tools to bring along when next working
with your PC. Remembering to bring these tools will help your
maintenance or setup job that much easier. Good luck!
About the author:
Gary Hendricks runs a hobby site on building computers. Visit
his website at Build-Your-Own-
Computers.com for tips and tricks on assembling a PC, as
well as buying good computer components.
Saturday, November 19, 2005
Computer Motherboard Guide
By: Peter Stewart
The heart of any computer is the motherboard. It is that big
board inside the computer that everything is connected to. It
performs the role of traffic lights and policemen, directing
flows of information to where they are needed, when they are
needed.
Choosing the right motherboard does not have to be a huge issue,
even though there is a lot to consider. I will start off with
the most major parts and move onto the the things that are less
important or non-essential.
Firstly is the socket type.
The socket is the place where the processor (CPU) connects to
the motherboard. There is no compatiblility between sockets, so
it has to be the right one. The socket connection needs to match
the connection of the processor you have or the one you intend
to buy for the computer.
Most older Intel Pentium 4s utilise socket 478. Newer ones use
socket 775. AMD chips utilised socket A for a long time, but now
the AMD Athlon 64 series and Semprons use socket 939. Just check
with someone as to what yours or your intended one will have.
Your choice of chip will have a lot to do with your needs, but
choosing one with an up to date socket type will ensure slightly
longer motherboard life as you can upgrade the chip for a while.
Second is the memory type
DDR is the RAM of choice for most systems, but some newer
systems, which includes all Pentiums with socket 775 use DDR2.
These two kinds are not interchangable and have a different
number of pins. Both DDR and DDR2 come in different speed
ratings measured in MHz. DDR has a usual 400MHz denoted as
DDR400 or PC3200, while DDR2 can go a little higher and comes in
slightly faster speeds. Just make it match what the board needs.
Third is expansion slots
The expansion slots are the places where you put extra cards
onto the motherboard, like graphics cards, extra sound card or a
wireless internet card. The old standard is a PCI slot and these
are appropriate for most expansion cards, excepts new graphics
cards.
The most simple of graphics cards are sometimes available for
PCI slots, but not too many. More common are AGP cards and the
newer PCI express (PCIe) cards. AGP slots come in speed variants
up to 8x, make sure the slot matches your card. PCI and PCIe are
incompatible, so don't be confused by that. The PCIe slots are
much longer and have a securing latch. If you want an SLI
graphics card setup with two PCIe cards with SLI attached
together, make sure the motherboard specifically states that it
supports SLI.
Fourth is hard drive and optical drive connections
Two kinds are available, IDE and SATA, IDE is older with a thick
cable and SATA is newer with a thinner cable. SATA capability is
usually an add-on, you can see a dedicated chip on the
motherboard. IDE is being phased out, but is still used for many
drives and all optical devices like DVD and CD drives. IDE has
speeds of ATA66, ATA100 and ATA133, SATA has speeds of 150Mbps
and 300Mbps the latter sometimes referred to as SATA2. Make sure
your board supports as much or more than you intend to install.
Fifth is the extras
The number of extras available on motherboard has increased
greatly and so has the quality of the extras. Things to be
expected are USB 2.0, a sound card and network slot. Other
things which it may or may not have are firewire and extra USB
slots.
So with all that in mind you should be in good stead to make a
good decision on your purchase. Happy shopping.
Roundup
Socket type - A, 478, 775, 939
Memory (RAM) - DDR, DDR2
Expansion slots - PCI and one of AGP or PCIe
ATA - ATA66, 100 or 133. SATA or SATA2
Extras - USB, network and sound card (expected), firewire, extra
USB, extra SATA slots (optional but becoming more common)
About the author:
Peter Stewart is a computer enthusiast, his interest in
computers and focus on practical down to earth advice inspired
his two websites.
http://computer-buying-gu
ide.com - Practical buying tips
http://computer-reviews.net - Fair and honest reviews and opinions
The heart of any computer is the motherboard. It is that big
board inside the computer that everything is connected to. It
performs the role of traffic lights and policemen, directing
flows of information to where they are needed, when they are
needed.
Choosing the right motherboard does not have to be a huge issue,
even though there is a lot to consider. I will start off with
the most major parts and move onto the the things that are less
important or non-essential.
Firstly is the socket type.
The socket is the place where the processor (CPU) connects to
the motherboard. There is no compatiblility between sockets, so
it has to be the right one. The socket connection needs to match
the connection of the processor you have or the one you intend
to buy for the computer.
Most older Intel Pentium 4s utilise socket 478. Newer ones use
socket 775. AMD chips utilised socket A for a long time, but now
the AMD Athlon 64 series and Semprons use socket 939. Just check
with someone as to what yours or your intended one will have.
Your choice of chip will have a lot to do with your needs, but
choosing one with an up to date socket type will ensure slightly
longer motherboard life as you can upgrade the chip for a while.
Second is the memory type
DDR is the RAM of choice for most systems, but some newer
systems, which includes all Pentiums with socket 775 use DDR2.
These two kinds are not interchangable and have a different
number of pins. Both DDR and DDR2 come in different speed
ratings measured in MHz. DDR has a usual 400MHz denoted as
DDR400 or PC3200, while DDR2 can go a little higher and comes in
slightly faster speeds. Just make it match what the board needs.
Third is expansion slots
The expansion slots are the places where you put extra cards
onto the motherboard, like graphics cards, extra sound card or a
wireless internet card. The old standard is a PCI slot and these
are appropriate for most expansion cards, excepts new graphics
cards.
The most simple of graphics cards are sometimes available for
PCI slots, but not too many. More common are AGP cards and the
newer PCI express (PCIe) cards. AGP slots come in speed variants
up to 8x, make sure the slot matches your card. PCI and PCIe are
incompatible, so don't be confused by that. The PCIe slots are
much longer and have a securing latch. If you want an SLI
graphics card setup with two PCIe cards with SLI attached
together, make sure the motherboard specifically states that it
supports SLI.
Fourth is hard drive and optical drive connections
Two kinds are available, IDE and SATA, IDE is older with a thick
cable and SATA is newer with a thinner cable. SATA capability is
usually an add-on, you can see a dedicated chip on the
motherboard. IDE is being phased out, but is still used for many
drives and all optical devices like DVD and CD drives. IDE has
speeds of ATA66, ATA100 and ATA133, SATA has speeds of 150Mbps
and 300Mbps the latter sometimes referred to as SATA2. Make sure
your board supports as much or more than you intend to install.
Fifth is the extras
The number of extras available on motherboard has increased
greatly and so has the quality of the extras. Things to be
expected are USB 2.0, a sound card and network slot. Other
things which it may or may not have are firewire and extra USB
slots.
So with all that in mind you should be in good stead to make a
good decision on your purchase. Happy shopping.
Roundup
Socket type - A, 478, 775, 939
Memory (RAM) - DDR, DDR2
Expansion slots - PCI and one of AGP or PCIe
ATA - ATA66, 100 or 133. SATA or SATA2
Extras - USB, network and sound card (expected), firewire, extra
USB, extra SATA slots (optional but becoming more common)
About the author:
Peter Stewart is a computer enthusiast, his interest in
computers and focus on practical down to earth advice inspired
his two websites.
http://computer-buying-gu
ide.com - Practical buying tips
http://computer-reviews.net - Fair and honest reviews and opinions
Friday, November 18, 2005
Security Measures for your PC
By: Paul Wilson
Data on a PC needs vigilance. With Internet access, data is at
considerable risk from spy ware and other browsers. Eliminate
risks by securing your PC. Anonymity of the net is not enough
protection. Many can gain access and steal data, implant data,
or dangerous viruses as well as Trojan horses.
Simple steps ensure good system protection and peace of mind.
* Set effective passwords for all users. It should be of minimum
seven characters and contain upper case, lower case, as well as
be alpha-numeric. Uncrackable passwords are the key: uppercase
in the middle not just at the beginning as well as interspaced
numbers. Change user passwords by logging in using administrator
privileges. Disable or remove XP's file encryption before
changing passwords, otherwise you will loose files. Major
accounts that need protection are: administrator and any others
created during installation of Windows.
* Prevent break in or use of security scanners by installing a
firewall. This is just a software or hardware device that is
configured to detect and prevent unauthorized or remote access
to the computer. A firewall notes the address from which an
access request is received and then permits or denies access.
Generally all home Internet sharing systems have an inbuilt
firewall as also Windows XP alternately, software firewalls are
available like Zone alarm.
* Install antivirus software like Symantec or Macfee which will
scan the system automatically once a week and check any e-mails
that seem suspicious. Be sure to periodically update the
program, computer viruses proliferate each day. Many antivirus
programs update themselves automatically.
* Be vigilant about spyware and adware. These programs collect
data and advertise products. They are installed without
permission and collect data from computer for use in marketing.
To curtail such practices use a reputable spyware finding tool.
Many spyware finding tools are available free such as Ad-Aware.
* Block all security lapses or holes in Windows as this is used
by malicious users to infect computer systems shutting them down
and spreading to other associated systems. Use tools like
security patches provided by the manufacturer of your operating
system to remove dangers.
* Change the user name of the administrative account. This has
full control to the files and system settings and becomes a
target to hackers. Renaming the account strengthens security
measures and protects your system.
* Disable 'hidden shares" if present in your operating system.
This is present in Windows 2000 as well as XP. This permits
others with the username and password with remote access to all
your files and data. Data can be deleted, copies, changed or
added. Disabling this option will reduce dangers greatly.
* Change Security settings. Often ActiveX code can be used to
infect your computer. Avoid trouble by raising the default
security level to high. Function effectively by placing oft used
web sites in the 'trusted sites' Internet zone. Doing this will
allow unrestricted viewing of most used sites.
* Secure shared files by securing and configuring the guest user
account. Password protect or disable the option.
* Stop using popular browsers like Internet Explorer or Outlook
Express. Use a new web browser and email client, Mozilla, Opera,
and Eudora are reliable options.
Be safe: back up your data regularly, be well informed of
developments in the field of security.
About the author:
Paul Wilson is the content manager for
www.1888SoftwareDownloads.com
, the premier website to
find Free Software Downloads including free anti-virus software,
free spyware detection software, free toolbars, free chat
software and more. He also manages content for
http://www.1888FreeOnlineGames.com
.
Data on a PC needs vigilance. With Internet access, data is at
considerable risk from spy ware and other browsers. Eliminate
risks by securing your PC. Anonymity of the net is not enough
protection. Many can gain access and steal data, implant data,
or dangerous viruses as well as Trojan horses.
Simple steps ensure good system protection and peace of mind.
* Set effective passwords for all users. It should be of minimum
seven characters and contain upper case, lower case, as well as
be alpha-numeric. Uncrackable passwords are the key: uppercase
in the middle not just at the beginning as well as interspaced
numbers. Change user passwords by logging in using administrator
privileges. Disable or remove XP's file encryption before
changing passwords, otherwise you will loose files. Major
accounts that need protection are: administrator and any others
created during installation of Windows.
* Prevent break in or use of security scanners by installing a
firewall. This is just a software or hardware device that is
configured to detect and prevent unauthorized or remote access
to the computer. A firewall notes the address from which an
access request is received and then permits or denies access.
Generally all home Internet sharing systems have an inbuilt
firewall as also Windows XP alternately, software firewalls are
available like Zone alarm.
* Install antivirus software like Symantec or Macfee which will
scan the system automatically once a week and check any e-mails
that seem suspicious. Be sure to periodically update the
program, computer viruses proliferate each day. Many antivirus
programs update themselves automatically.
* Be vigilant about spyware and adware. These programs collect
data and advertise products. They are installed without
permission and collect data from computer for use in marketing.
To curtail such practices use a reputable spyware finding tool.
Many spyware finding tools are available free such as Ad-Aware.
* Block all security lapses or holes in Windows as this is used
by malicious users to infect computer systems shutting them down
and spreading to other associated systems. Use tools like
security patches provided by the manufacturer of your operating
system to remove dangers.
* Change the user name of the administrative account. This has
full control to the files and system settings and becomes a
target to hackers. Renaming the account strengthens security
measures and protects your system.
* Disable 'hidden shares" if present in your operating system.
This is present in Windows 2000 as well as XP. This permits
others with the username and password with remote access to all
your files and data. Data can be deleted, copies, changed or
added. Disabling this option will reduce dangers greatly.
* Change Security settings. Often ActiveX code can be used to
infect your computer. Avoid trouble by raising the default
security level to high. Function effectively by placing oft used
web sites in the 'trusted sites' Internet zone. Doing this will
allow unrestricted viewing of most used sites.
* Secure shared files by securing and configuring the guest user
account. Password protect or disable the option.
* Stop using popular browsers like Internet Explorer or Outlook
Express. Use a new web browser and email client, Mozilla, Opera,
and Eudora are reliable options.
Be safe: back up your data regularly, be well informed of
developments in the field of security.
About the author:
Paul Wilson is the content manager for
www.1888SoftwareDownloads.com
find Free Software Downloads including free anti-virus software,
free spyware detection software, free toolbars, free chat
software and more. He also manages content for
http://www.1888FreeOnlineGames.com
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Wireless Installation Checklist
By: Lee Asher
Buyer Beware - Ignorance can be a financial waste and a lot of
hassals. Before you buy any wireless equipment, you need to be
sure about what you're doing. There's nothing worse than having
everything there and finding that it doesn't work in your house,
or with your computers, or over the distances you need. Here's a
handy checklist of the things that you really ought to do before
you go out and spend any of your hard-earned cash on wireless
networking equipment.
Interference Checks
While it won't stop a wireless network from working altogether,
interference in its frequency range can slow it down
significantly, as well as reducing its range. If something is
causing interference, the first thing you'll know about it is
when your connection stops working -- unless you know what to
look for.
There are two very common causes of wireless interference:
wireless phones and microwave ovens. 2.4Ghz, the most common
wireless networking frequency, is also a commonly-used wireless
phone frequency. It is possible, though, to find phones that use
other frequencies. Microwave ovens, on the other hand, operate
at around 2.4Ghz by definition. It should be alright to have
devices like these in your house, but certainly not in the same
room as any computer that you plan to use a wireless connection
with.
Wall Construction
Wireless can, in theory, pass through walls and other partitions
easily. In practice, though, some walls are more solid than
others, which means that they are more likely to block some of
the signal. Note that it's only your interior partitions that
matter, not the exterior ones. This does, however, include your
floors, if you want the connection to work between levels.
Wireless does well with partitions made from: drywall, plywood,
other wood (including doors), glass.
Wireless has trouble with: brick, plaster, cement, metal, stone,
double-glazed glass.
Basically, it's all to do with how porous the materials are --
ones that let more of other things through also let more of your
wireless signal through.
If you have a wall made of one of the 'bad' materials, it's not
the end of the world. It just means that your wireless
connection might have a slower speed or a shorter range. You may
want to spend more than you otherwise would to get better
equipment and overcome this problem.
Decide Your Budget.
You need to stand back, take a look at your needs, and decide
how much you're going to spend. Do you have long distances to
cover? Do you want your connection to go through stone walls?
Each factor will help you decide how much you should be looking
to spend -- remember that the more problems you have, the more
power you will need. On the other hand, if you live in a small
wooden house, you can probably just go for the cheapest thing
you can find.
Read Reviews.
It's well worth searching a site like amazon.com for wireless
equipment, and taking a look at people's reviews to see what the
different brands out there are like, and what you can get for
your money. It is always a very bad idea to buy something
without getting a second, third and fourth opinion, especially
if you're buying it online. If you can, try to get to a computer
shop and see some wireless networking equipment in action before
you commit yourself.
Install and Update Windows XP.
Finally, your wireless life will really be improved if you have
the latest version of Windows. Because wireless is such a new
technology, it wasn't really around in any significant way back
when Windows 98, ME and 2000 were released, and support for them
wasn't built in to the system. You'll have a lot more trouble
getting wireless to work on systems like these than you would on
Windows XP.
Even if you've got Windows XP, though, that doesn't solve the
problem entirely. Windows XP Service Pack 2 (an updated version
of Windows XP) contains much easier-to-use tools for configuring
and using wireless than the un-updated versions do. If you've
been using your copy of Windows for a while without updating it,
you should really make sure you've got all the latest updates
from http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com before you go any
further.
About the author:
Original Source: Articles
Galore.com
Information supplied and written by Lee Asher of Eclipse Domain
Services
Domain Names, Hosting, Traffic and Email Solutions.
Buyer Beware - Ignorance can be a financial waste and a lot of
hassals. Before you buy any wireless equipment, you need to be
sure about what you're doing. There's nothing worse than having
everything there and finding that it doesn't work in your house,
or with your computers, or over the distances you need. Here's a
handy checklist of the things that you really ought to do before
you go out and spend any of your hard-earned cash on wireless
networking equipment.
Interference Checks
While it won't stop a wireless network from working altogether,
interference in its frequency range can slow it down
significantly, as well as reducing its range. If something is
causing interference, the first thing you'll know about it is
when your connection stops working -- unless you know what to
look for.
There are two very common causes of wireless interference:
wireless phones and microwave ovens. 2.4Ghz, the most common
wireless networking frequency, is also a commonly-used wireless
phone frequency. It is possible, though, to find phones that use
other frequencies. Microwave ovens, on the other hand, operate
at around 2.4Ghz by definition. It should be alright to have
devices like these in your house, but certainly not in the same
room as any computer that you plan to use a wireless connection
with.
Wall Construction
Wireless can, in theory, pass through walls and other partitions
easily. In practice, though, some walls are more solid than
others, which means that they are more likely to block some of
the signal. Note that it's only your interior partitions that
matter, not the exterior ones. This does, however, include your
floors, if you want the connection to work between levels.
Wireless does well with partitions made from: drywall, plywood,
other wood (including doors), glass.
Wireless has trouble with: brick, plaster, cement, metal, stone,
double-glazed glass.
Basically, it's all to do with how porous the materials are --
ones that let more of other things through also let more of your
wireless signal through.
If you have a wall made of one of the 'bad' materials, it's not
the end of the world. It just means that your wireless
connection might have a slower speed or a shorter range. You may
want to spend more than you otherwise would to get better
equipment and overcome this problem.
Decide Your Budget.
You need to stand back, take a look at your needs, and decide
how much you're going to spend. Do you have long distances to
cover? Do you want your connection to go through stone walls?
Each factor will help you decide how much you should be looking
to spend -- remember that the more problems you have, the more
power you will need. On the other hand, if you live in a small
wooden house, you can probably just go for the cheapest thing
you can find.
Read Reviews.
It's well worth searching a site like amazon.com for wireless
equipment, and taking a look at people's reviews to see what the
different brands out there are like, and what you can get for
your money. It is always a very bad idea to buy something
without getting a second, third and fourth opinion, especially
if you're buying it online. If you can, try to get to a computer
shop and see some wireless networking equipment in action before
you commit yourself.
Install and Update Windows XP.
Finally, your wireless life will really be improved if you have
the latest version of Windows. Because wireless is such a new
technology, it wasn't really around in any significant way back
when Windows 98, ME and 2000 were released, and support for them
wasn't built in to the system. You'll have a lot more trouble
getting wireless to work on systems like these than you would on
Windows XP.
Even if you've got Windows XP, though, that doesn't solve the
problem entirely. Windows XP Service Pack 2 (an updated version
of Windows XP) contains much easier-to-use tools for configuring
and using wireless than the un-updated versions do. If you've
been using your copy of Windows for a while without updating it,
you should really make sure you've got all the latest updates
from http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com before you go any
further.
About the author:
Original Source: Articles
Galore.com
Information supplied and written by Lee Asher of Eclipse Domain
Services
Domain Names, Hosting, Traffic and Email Solutions.
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Reasons to Start a Wireless Network.
By: Lee Asher
As far as I'm concerned, wireless networks would have to rank as
one of the best inventions in history. They really are the best
thing since sliced bread. I mean, really, bread is easy enough
to cut yourself, but have you ever tried to wire up a network?
Its a lot of hard yakka as many would say. WiFi is the wireless
way to handle networking. It is also known as 802.11 networking
and wireless networking. The big advantage of WiFi is its
simplicity. You can connect computers anywhere in your home or
office without the need for wires. The computers connect to the
network using radio signals, and computers can be up to 100 feet
or so apart. So, in the spirit of spreading the word, I'm going
to give you some great reasons why you need a wireless network.
Sharing Internet Access.
Wireless networking gives you a cheap and easy way to share one
Internet connection between multiple computers, eliminating the
need for more than one modem. You can even add new computers to
your network simply by plugging in a wireless card and switching
them on -- they get an Internet connection straightaway! There
aren't many wired networks that can say that.
Sharing Files and Printers.
A wireless network gives you access to your files wherever you
are in your home, and makes it easy to synchronise the data on a
laptop with a home computer. It is much easier to send files
between computers with a wireless network than it is to send
them by email, or even by burning them to a CD.
Plus, with the printer connected, you can also write things
wherever you want, press print, and go and collect them from a
printer connected to another computer -- printers that are
plugged into one of the computers on the network are shared
between all the computers automatically.
Always On Connection
A big factor in the spread of broadband was that it let Internet
connections be always-on, without needing to dial in. Well,
wireless networking lets network connections be always-on,
meaning that any of your computers can connect to the Internet
whenever you want! You can take laptops from room to room, and
it doesn't matter -- they'll always have access. Plus, there's
not even any need to set up a username and password system, as
wireless networks work without logging in. It's just so
convenient!
No More Wires.
This, of course, is the biggest reason why you should switch
your network over to wireless. Wires are inconvenient,
expensive, ugly and dangerous -- you'll be delighted to see the
back of them.
The average Ethernet wire doesn't cost that much per metre, but
once you've bought enough metres to do whatever you need to do,
well, it tends to add up quickly. Not only that, but if you want
to run your wire between rooms or floors, you have to knock
holes in the walls -- which might not even be allowed if you're
renting. I know plenty of people in rented apartments who had to
keep their network confined to one room until they went
wireless. With wireless networking, well, you can even take your
computer outside, if you want to!
No more wires also means no more spaghetti all over the floor
and in the corners. Not only does this improve the safety of
your home, as it's all too easy to trip over exposed wires, but
it also means that you don't have to go to all the trouble of
packing all the wires up and re-connecting them at the other end
when you move. It also means that you don't have to examine
every wire for damage if your Internet connection breaks down.
Play LAN and Internet Games.
You might have seen an option in your favourite game to play
over a LAN. Well, wireless networks are LANs, which means that
your whole family can play that game together -- without needing
the computers to be anywhere near each other. It's far more fun
to play against real people you know than to play against random
people over the Internet, not to mention that the game will work
much faster. You could even invite your friends to bring their
computers and join in -- a 'LAN party'!
An added benefit is that wireless equipment lets you easily
connect any games consoles you or your kids might have to the
Internet, and start playing online. It's far easier to play
online with a wirelessly connected Xbox or PlayStation 2 than to
have to connect it to your modem every time.
Convinced Yet?
If you're excited, then that's great -- keep reading these
articles for advice on how to set everything up. If you don't
think it's for you yet, well, don't give up on it -- I'm sure
you'll come round when you realise just how easy and cheap
wireless really is.
About the author:
Information supplied and written by Lee Asher of Eclipse Domain
Services
Domain Names, Hosting, Traffic and Email Solutions.
As far as I'm concerned, wireless networks would have to rank as
one of the best inventions in history. They really are the best
thing since sliced bread. I mean, really, bread is easy enough
to cut yourself, but have you ever tried to wire up a network?
Its a lot of hard yakka as many would say. WiFi is the wireless
way to handle networking. It is also known as 802.11 networking
and wireless networking. The big advantage of WiFi is its
simplicity. You can connect computers anywhere in your home or
office without the need for wires. The computers connect to the
network using radio signals, and computers can be up to 100 feet
or so apart. So, in the spirit of spreading the word, I'm going
to give you some great reasons why you need a wireless network.
Sharing Internet Access.
Wireless networking gives you a cheap and easy way to share one
Internet connection between multiple computers, eliminating the
need for more than one modem. You can even add new computers to
your network simply by plugging in a wireless card and switching
them on -- they get an Internet connection straightaway! There
aren't many wired networks that can say that.
Sharing Files and Printers.
A wireless network gives you access to your files wherever you
are in your home, and makes it easy to synchronise the data on a
laptop with a home computer. It is much easier to send files
between computers with a wireless network than it is to send
them by email, or even by burning them to a CD.
Plus, with the printer connected, you can also write things
wherever you want, press print, and go and collect them from a
printer connected to another computer -- printers that are
plugged into one of the computers on the network are shared
between all the computers automatically.
Always On Connection
A big factor in the spread of broadband was that it let Internet
connections be always-on, without needing to dial in. Well,
wireless networking lets network connections be always-on,
meaning that any of your computers can connect to the Internet
whenever you want! You can take laptops from room to room, and
it doesn't matter -- they'll always have access. Plus, there's
not even any need to set up a username and password system, as
wireless networks work without logging in. It's just so
convenient!
No More Wires.
This, of course, is the biggest reason why you should switch
your network over to wireless. Wires are inconvenient,
expensive, ugly and dangerous -- you'll be delighted to see the
back of them.
The average Ethernet wire doesn't cost that much per metre, but
once you've bought enough metres to do whatever you need to do,
well, it tends to add up quickly. Not only that, but if you want
to run your wire between rooms or floors, you have to knock
holes in the walls -- which might not even be allowed if you're
renting. I know plenty of people in rented apartments who had to
keep their network confined to one room until they went
wireless. With wireless networking, well, you can even take your
computer outside, if you want to!
No more wires also means no more spaghetti all over the floor
and in the corners. Not only does this improve the safety of
your home, as it's all too easy to trip over exposed wires, but
it also means that you don't have to go to all the trouble of
packing all the wires up and re-connecting them at the other end
when you move. It also means that you don't have to examine
every wire for damage if your Internet connection breaks down.
Play LAN and Internet Games.
You might have seen an option in your favourite game to play
over a LAN. Well, wireless networks are LANs, which means that
your whole family can play that game together -- without needing
the computers to be anywhere near each other. It's far more fun
to play against real people you know than to play against random
people over the Internet, not to mention that the game will work
much faster. You could even invite your friends to bring their
computers and join in -- a 'LAN party'!
An added benefit is that wireless equipment lets you easily
connect any games consoles you or your kids might have to the
Internet, and start playing online. It's far easier to play
online with a wirelessly connected Xbox or PlayStation 2 than to
have to connect it to your modem every time.
Convinced Yet?
If you're excited, then that's great -- keep reading these
articles for advice on how to set everything up. If you don't
think it's for you yet, well, don't give up on it -- I'm sure
you'll come round when you realise just how easy and cheap
wireless really is.
About the author:
Information supplied and written by Lee Asher of Eclipse Domain
Services
Domain Names, Hosting, Traffic and Email Solutions.
Sunday, November 13, 2005
How to Increase Your Computer Speed Fast
By: Gio Mangano
I'm sure you've come across tons of articles and even
suggestions from some of your friends on how to get your
computer to work faster. Its really not that hard to increase
your internet speed. I'm going to make it real simple for you
and you don't need to be a computer geek to make this work. The
first thing you need to remember is to never, and I mean
absolutely never download programs especially free software
without reading the fine print. Most free computer software will
bombard your computer with spyware which will eventually bring
your internet speed to a screeching halt! If your computer is
already infected with spyware you can download the leading
spyware remover called ad-aware which will scan your computer
and remove spyware and tracking cookies from your computer.
Another way of making your computer and internet connection
faster is by clicking on start, then run and typing in msconfig.
Go to start tab and remove any program except your antivirus
software and any other program which you must have start when
windows starts. This tip will increase your computer start up
time dramatically!
Step number 3, and I do this almost on a daily basis is to clean
up your internet cache. Go to your control panel which you can
access from your start button and click on internet options. Go
to temporary internet files and clear your history. I would
recommend that you also set internet history to a maximum of 2
days. Next step is to delete your temporary internet files
including offline content. Last step is to delete cookies. Be
careful though because deleting your cookies will also delete
useful information from your computer. You can read a how to on
cookies here www.howstuffworks.com/cookie.htm.
These steps are the basics you can take which will speed up your
internet connection immediately. I would also recommend doing a
virus check on your computer on a weekly basis. If you don't
have antivirus software, get it! You'll be happy you did. Just
one virus can wreak havoc on your computer! Make sure you test
your internet speed whether its broadband or dial-up, before and
after you take these simple steps so you can compare if these
steps you've taken have worked. Taking these basic steps will
make you a happy surfer and will restore your faith in the World
wide web!
About the author:
Gio Mangano is the owner of http://www.bandwidtht1.com which
offers Instant quotes on T1 Line and business DSL. Gio Mangano
also publishes a blog on computer tips and tricks and improving
your internet speed at http://bandwidthspeedtest.blogspot.com
I'm sure you've come across tons of articles and even
suggestions from some of your friends on how to get your
computer to work faster. Its really not that hard to increase
your internet speed. I'm going to make it real simple for you
and you don't need to be a computer geek to make this work. The
first thing you need to remember is to never, and I mean
absolutely never download programs especially free software
without reading the fine print. Most free computer software will
bombard your computer with spyware which will eventually bring
your internet speed to a screeching halt! If your computer is
already infected with spyware you can download the leading
spyware remover called ad-aware which will scan your computer
and remove spyware and tracking cookies from your computer.
Another way of making your computer and internet connection
faster is by clicking on start, then run and typing in msconfig.
Go to start tab and remove any program except your antivirus
software and any other program which you must have start when
windows starts. This tip will increase your computer start up
time dramatically!
Step number 3, and I do this almost on a daily basis is to clean
up your internet cache. Go to your control panel which you can
access from your start button and click on internet options. Go
to temporary internet files and clear your history. I would
recommend that you also set internet history to a maximum of 2
days. Next step is to delete your temporary internet files
including offline content. Last step is to delete cookies. Be
careful though because deleting your cookies will also delete
useful information from your computer. You can read a how to on
cookies here www.howstuffworks.com/cookie.htm.
These steps are the basics you can take which will speed up your
internet connection immediately. I would also recommend doing a
virus check on your computer on a weekly basis. If you don't
have antivirus software, get it! You'll be happy you did. Just
one virus can wreak havoc on your computer! Make sure you test
your internet speed whether its broadband or dial-up, before and
after you take these simple steps so you can compare if these
steps you've taken have worked. Taking these basic steps will
make you a happy surfer and will restore your faith in the World
wide web!
About the author:
Gio Mangano is the owner of http://www.bandwidtht1.com which
offers Instant quotes on T1 Line and business DSL. Gio Mangano
also publishes a blog on computer tips and tricks and improving
your internet speed at http://bandwidthspeedtest.blogspot.com
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Gaming Computers - Should You Build It or Buy It?
By: Nicholas Spriggs
Gaming computers come in all shapes, sizes, and prices. The
gaming industry is growing every year and has become big
business, so the need for gaming computers has grown along with
it. As computer games become increasingly detailed and graphics
oriented, the demand for faster and more powerful hardware has
become more of a necessity than an option.
With the increased demand comes a higher price tag. That being
said, if you are in the market for a gaming computer, read on as
we take a look at your options for buying the perfect gaming
computer for you and how you can save yourself some cash.
When buying a gaming computer or any computer for that matter it
is important to determine how much you are willing to spend and
how good of performance you want.
Gaming computers can range in price from $600 to $7,000+ and
come with a variety of options. But whether you buy a low-end
gaming computer or a high-end gaming computer there are ways to
save yourself some money.
You basically have three options when it comes to buying a
gaming computer. You can buy a pre-built computer right of the
shelf, or internet. You can have someone build your gaming
computer to your liking, with the hardware that you choose. Or
you can build it yourself. All three of these are viable
options, and of course each have their upside and downside.
Buying a pre-built, of the shelf computer is by far the the
fastest and easiest route to take. When buying a gaming computer
this way you will have access to tech support in case you run
into problems with your system. Your computer should also be
covered by the warranty for a certain amount of time if
something was to break. There are however a few downsides to
buying a pre-built computer. You will almost certainly pay more
for less. Also you will be extremely limited in choices on the
hardware that you want.
You can save yourself some money by having someone build your
gaming computer for you. Going this route will provide for
greater flexibility in your choices on hardware and can have
your gaming computer customized to your specifications. Having a
computer built for you will take longer than buying a pre-built
one and all though it will be cheaper than buying a pre-built
computer, will still be more expensive than your third option,
building your own.
Most people think that building their own computer is far to
difficult and complicated, and in reality it is a lot easier
than they think. All though it does require a little knowledge
on how to do this, this information can easily be obtained
online. This option will take you the longest time to complete
but can be very rewarding. Buying your hardware and assembling
your own gaming computer can save you a lot of money and you can
build it with whatever hardware you like. Of course there is
some downsides to this option as well. You will not have any
tech support or warranty, except through the individual hardware
companies. Even with this downside, having built your computer
from scratch, should help in solving most of your tech problems
on your own.
Which ever option that you choose, make sure you do your
research and are not overpaying for a gaming computer that you
could have for a lot less.
About the author:
Nicholas Spriggs at desktop-computer-guide.com< /a> is deticated to providing up to date and accurate
information in the computer and technology field. For more
information on building your computer check us out at build your own computer
Gaming computers come in all shapes, sizes, and prices. The
gaming industry is growing every year and has become big
business, so the need for gaming computers has grown along with
it. As computer games become increasingly detailed and graphics
oriented, the demand for faster and more powerful hardware has
become more of a necessity than an option.
With the increased demand comes a higher price tag. That being
said, if you are in the market for a gaming computer, read on as
we take a look at your options for buying the perfect gaming
computer for you and how you can save yourself some cash.
When buying a gaming computer or any computer for that matter it
is important to determine how much you are willing to spend and
how good of performance you want.
Gaming computers can range in price from $600 to $7,000+ and
come with a variety of options. But whether you buy a low-end
gaming computer or a high-end gaming computer there are ways to
save yourself some money.
You basically have three options when it comes to buying a
gaming computer. You can buy a pre-built computer right of the
shelf, or internet. You can have someone build your gaming
computer to your liking, with the hardware that you choose. Or
you can build it yourself. All three of these are viable
options, and of course each have their upside and downside.
Buying a pre-built, of the shelf computer is by far the the
fastest and easiest route to take. When buying a gaming computer
this way you will have access to tech support in case you run
into problems with your system. Your computer should also be
covered by the warranty for a certain amount of time if
something was to break. There are however a few downsides to
buying a pre-built computer. You will almost certainly pay more
for less. Also you will be extremely limited in choices on the
hardware that you want.
You can save yourself some money by having someone build your
gaming computer for you. Going this route will provide for
greater flexibility in your choices on hardware and can have
your gaming computer customized to your specifications. Having a
computer built for you will take longer than buying a pre-built
one and all though it will be cheaper than buying a pre-built
computer, will still be more expensive than your third option,
building your own.
Most people think that building their own computer is far to
difficult and complicated, and in reality it is a lot easier
than they think. All though it does require a little knowledge
on how to do this, this information can easily be obtained
online. This option will take you the longest time to complete
but can be very rewarding. Buying your hardware and assembling
your own gaming computer can save you a lot of money and you can
build it with whatever hardware you like. Of course there is
some downsides to this option as well. You will not have any
tech support or warranty, except through the individual hardware
companies. Even with this downside, having built your computer
from scratch, should help in solving most of your tech problems
on your own.
Which ever option that you choose, make sure you do your
research and are not overpaying for a gaming computer that you
could have for a lot less.
About the author:
Nicholas Spriggs at desktop-computer-guide.com< /a> is deticated to providing up to date and accurate
information in the computer and technology field. For more
information on building your computer check us out at build your own computer
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Easy Computer Tips
By: Benjamin Hargis
Things you can do to keep your computer running smoothly.
1. Empty your recycle bin, delete the deleted files from
Outlook, you can also delete files in your sent folder that are
no longer needed.
2. Get rid of those cookies, they can take up alot of space.
Marketers also use this information to track your buying
patterns.
3. You can delete your Temp files these end with *.tmp you can
use F3 in Windows to search for that extension.
4. Run Microsoft ScanDisk at least once a month.
5. Run Microsoft Defrag as well to keep your files in order on
your harddrive.
6. Dust, dust is horrible for your system. If you smoke, dust
more often, you can purchase canned air from Radio Shack to blow
out your case, do it outside.
7. Purchase system utilities software such as Noton System Works
or Registry Mechanic to keep your system running optimal.
8. Consider upgrading your RAM if your system is running
sluggish.
9. Upgrading your video card can improve your gaming experience.
10. A new processor can do wonders to application performance.
11. Make sure Windows is done shutting down before you power off.
12. Use Anti-Virus Software and update your Anti Virus
signatures.
13. If your using DSL or Cable use a firewall.
14. Install the latest drivers for your hadrware.
Benjamin Hargis CEO
Phuture Networks
http://www.phuturenetworks.com
About the author:
I'm a computer secuity consultant for home and small businesses.
I started a company called Phuture Networks to help home users
and small business owners about computer and network security.
During the day I consult Realtors on website design, hosting and
search engine optimization for a big company. My interest are
computing, UNIX, Linux, Firewalls, programming, embedded systems
programming, hardware hacking, learning, reading, playing chess
and
Things you can do to keep your computer running smoothly.
1. Empty your recycle bin, delete the deleted files from
Outlook, you can also delete files in your sent folder that are
no longer needed.
2. Get rid of those cookies, they can take up alot of space.
Marketers also use this information to track your buying
patterns.
3. You can delete your Temp files these end with *.tmp you can
use F3 in Windows to search for that extension.
4. Run Microsoft ScanDisk at least once a month.
5. Run Microsoft Defrag as well to keep your files in order on
your harddrive.
6. Dust, dust is horrible for your system. If you smoke, dust
more often, you can purchase canned air from Radio Shack to blow
out your case, do it outside.
7. Purchase system utilities software such as Noton System Works
or Registry Mechanic to keep your system running optimal.
8. Consider upgrading your RAM if your system is running
sluggish.
9. Upgrading your video card can improve your gaming experience.
10. A new processor can do wonders to application performance.
11. Make sure Windows is done shutting down before you power off.
12. Use Anti-Virus Software and update your Anti Virus
signatures.
13. If your using DSL or Cable use a firewall.
14. Install the latest drivers for your hadrware.
Benjamin Hargis CEO
Phuture Networks
http://www.phuturenetworks.com
About the author:
I'm a computer secuity consultant for home and small businesses.
I started a company called Phuture Networks to help home users
and small business owners about computer and network security.
During the day I consult Realtors on website design, hosting and
search engine optimization for a big company. My interest are
computing, UNIX, Linux, Firewalls, programming, embedded systems
programming, hardware hacking, learning, reading, playing chess
and
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
What is a Firewall ?
By: Benjamin Hargis
Simply put it acts as a barrier between your computer and the
internet. To protect you from crackers, hackers and malware.
If your running DSL or a cable modem you should employ a
firewall, as having a direct connection to the Internet can make
you a target to attack.
Firewalls can be hardware or software based. With firewalls you
set up ACL's or Access Control lists to allow or deny traffic.
There are three different ways a firewall can block traffic.
1. Packet Filtering- Packets are analyzed against filters in the
firewall rulesets. Firewalls will drop packets that are not
allowed in the firewall rulesets.
2. Proxy Service- Information from the Internet is grabbed by
the firewall and delivered to the requesting service thru the
proxy.
3. Statefull packet inspection- looks up criteria against a
database of trusted information. To see if the packet contains
anything that would allow
or deny it into the network.
Firewalls are customizable allowing you to create your own
rulesets you can block IP addresses, specific protocols such as
Telnet, FTP, ICMP, UDP, SMTP and many others.
Firewalls can be customized to block specific ports, or even
keywords.
There are many software firewalls availiable such as Tiny
Firewall http://www.tinysoftware.com/home/tiny2?la=EN That is
designed to keep hackers out of your network and block Spyware.
Zone Labs makes ZoneAlarm I like it bcause it has a simple
interface allowing home users to configure it easily.
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/home.jsp
For hardware firewalls there is:
Cisco www.cisco.com There brand is called PIX firewall.
From home users I like D-Link DI-604 this is a inexpensive
firewall that works well. Best of all it fits into almost any
budget.
Linksys (now part of Cisco) offers a router/firewall that
supports VPN and DMZ. www.linksys.com
There are many hardware solutions including setting up a
firewall on a *nix box. I like this the best as it gives you the
firewall administrator the most control. I personally like
OpenBSD for any security applications I would run with Unix, as
it is secure. There have been very few exploits against this
platform.
I will be writing more articles about firewalls shortly.
Benjamin Hargis CEO
Phuture Networks
http://www.phuturenetworks.com blog
http://phuturegenius.blogspot.com
email: ceo@phuturenetworks.com
About the author:
I'm a computer secuity consultant for home and small businesses.
I started a company called Phuture Networks to help home users
and small business owners about computer and network security.
During the day I consult Realtors on website design, hosting and
search engine optimization for a big company
Simply put it acts as a barrier between your computer and the
internet. To protect you from crackers, hackers and malware.
If your running DSL or a cable modem you should employ a
firewall, as having a direct connection to the Internet can make
you a target to attack.
Firewalls can be hardware or software based. With firewalls you
set up ACL's or Access Control lists to allow or deny traffic.
There are three different ways a firewall can block traffic.
1. Packet Filtering- Packets are analyzed against filters in the
firewall rulesets. Firewalls will drop packets that are not
allowed in the firewall rulesets.
2. Proxy Service- Information from the Internet is grabbed by
the firewall and delivered to the requesting service thru the
proxy.
3. Statefull packet inspection- looks up criteria against a
database of trusted information. To see if the packet contains
anything that would allow
or deny it into the network.
Firewalls are customizable allowing you to create your own
rulesets you can block IP addresses, specific protocols such as
Telnet, FTP, ICMP, UDP, SMTP and many others.
Firewalls can be customized to block specific ports, or even
keywords.
There are many software firewalls availiable such as Tiny
Firewall http://www.tinysoftware.com/home/tiny2?la=EN That is
designed to keep hackers out of your network and block Spyware.
Zone Labs makes ZoneAlarm I like it bcause it has a simple
interface allowing home users to configure it easily.
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/home.jsp
For hardware firewalls there is:
Cisco www.cisco.com There brand is called PIX firewall.
From home users I like D-Link DI-604 this is a inexpensive
firewall that works well. Best of all it fits into almost any
budget.
Linksys (now part of Cisco) offers a router/firewall that
supports VPN and DMZ. www.linksys.com
There are many hardware solutions including setting up a
firewall on a *nix box. I like this the best as it gives you the
firewall administrator the most control. I personally like
OpenBSD for any security applications I would run with Unix, as
it is secure. There have been very few exploits against this
platform.
I will be writing more articles about firewalls shortly.
Benjamin Hargis CEO
Phuture Networks
http://www.phuturenetworks.com blog
http://phuturegenius.blogspot.com
email: ceo@phuturenetworks.com
About the author:
I'm a computer secuity consultant for home and small businesses.
I started a company called Phuture Networks to help home users
and small business owners about computer and network security.
During the day I consult Realtors on website design, hosting and
search engine optimization for a big company
Monday, November 07, 2005
Stopping Spyware From Stopping You
By: Adrian Zhu
Spyware can be a real time waster. It makes its way onto your
machine, usually without you knowing it, and eventually becomes
a problem which causes you stress, costs you time and money and
possibly leads to even worse consequences if not dealt with
quickly. Learning how to eliminate spyware before it becomes a
problem is critical for every computer user today.
Spyware is written with the intent to intercept or take partial
control of your computer without your informed consent or
knowledge. While the name suggests it is created to simply spy
on you, spyware also refers to software that subverts the
operation of your computer for the benefit of someone else.
While the motivations of those who write software like this is
beyond the scope of this article, it is important to at least
understand that spyware certainly does not exist for your
benefit and you should take regular steps to remove it.
By using a simple spyware scanning program, detection and
removal of spyware is generally a quick and painless process.
Instead of waiting for the results of spyware on your computer
to become a problem, run a spyware scanner at a regular schedule
to find and eliminate spyware software that has found its way on
your computer. It typically is something you can start and leave
running on your computer without any intervention on your part.
If you look at it this way, keeping your computer safe, and
operating at its best shouldn't take more than 5 minutes of your
time a week!
New spyware is created constantly and your spyware scanning
software should have a simple way to check for updated
information to detect the latest threats. Again, this process is
usually automatic and should require very little intervention on
your part. Be sure to choose the option to check for updates in
your spyware scanner before you scan your computer. This simple
two step process will help ensure that you are always free from
the latest threats.
It is unfortunate that it is necessary to deal with threats like
spyware, adware, viruses and Trojan horses, but it is a simple
reality. Fortunately there are excellent programs out there that
will work to protect you from these threats and allow you to
focus on the fun, enjoyment and utility your computer should
offer you. By taking a few, regular steps to maintain your
computer you will keep it running better longer. Just like a
well-maintained car.
About the author:
Ardian Zhu writes about spyware at http://www.preventspyware.net
Spyware can be a real time waster. It makes its way onto your
machine, usually without you knowing it, and eventually becomes
a problem which causes you stress, costs you time and money and
possibly leads to even worse consequences if not dealt with
quickly. Learning how to eliminate spyware before it becomes a
problem is critical for every computer user today.
Spyware is written with the intent to intercept or take partial
control of your computer without your informed consent or
knowledge. While the name suggests it is created to simply spy
on you, spyware also refers to software that subverts the
operation of your computer for the benefit of someone else.
While the motivations of those who write software like this is
beyond the scope of this article, it is important to at least
understand that spyware certainly does not exist for your
benefit and you should take regular steps to remove it.
By using a simple spyware scanning program, detection and
removal of spyware is generally a quick and painless process.
Instead of waiting for the results of spyware on your computer
to become a problem, run a spyware scanner at a regular schedule
to find and eliminate spyware software that has found its way on
your computer. It typically is something you can start and leave
running on your computer without any intervention on your part.
If you look at it this way, keeping your computer safe, and
operating at its best shouldn't take more than 5 minutes of your
time a week!
New spyware is created constantly and your spyware scanning
software should have a simple way to check for updated
information to detect the latest threats. Again, this process is
usually automatic and should require very little intervention on
your part. Be sure to choose the option to check for updates in
your spyware scanner before you scan your computer. This simple
two step process will help ensure that you are always free from
the latest threats.
It is unfortunate that it is necessary to deal with threats like
spyware, adware, viruses and Trojan horses, but it is a simple
reality. Fortunately there are excellent programs out there that
will work to protect you from these threats and allow you to
focus on the fun, enjoyment and utility your computer should
offer you. By taking a few, regular steps to maintain your
computer you will keep it running better longer. Just like a
well-maintained car.
About the author:
Ardian Zhu writes about spyware at http://www.preventspyware.net
Friday, November 04, 2005
Secure Your Data - Windows Data Backup Computer Software
By: Joe Light
In nowadays computers have entered almost every imaginable
domain in our lives - from our homes to space shuttles. As they
hold more and more precious data - in material or merely
sentimental way - securing that data is not only option, but a
must. Data backup computer software is in the spotlight. With
the increased need for data backuping the different backup
computer programs out there are quite a few. But the large
quantity can be not only asset but a liability, too. With so
many data backup utilities out there it becomes more and more
hard to find a good, stable and easy to use one that will suits
you best.
To aid you in the process of finding a good data backup program
here are listed the more notable ones which you can download and
try right away.
Handy Backup Pro
Handy Backup ProT is an easy-to-use program designed for
an automatic backup of your critical data virtually to any type
of storage media including CD-RW devices and remote FTP servers.
You can use Handy Backup Pro to make a reserve copy of any
valuable data on your system. Special addons are provided to
facilitate the backup of MS Outlook, system
registry and ICQ files. Restoring is as easy as
clicking a button, but you can also use a number of advanced
options. The program can be also used to synchronize files
between two computers on a network.
Handy Backup Pro is designed for MS Windows
9x/NT/2000/ME/XP. Strong file encryption and multi-choice zip
compression on the fly, as well as many other useful
features, will protect your valuable data. All backup
activities are recorded in a log file. Detailed online help is
available.
If you are looking for a simple yet powerful backup solution for
your business or for your personal needs in a networking
environment or on a single machine, you have just found it.
Download the 30-day trial version and see for yourself.
You may purchase Handy Backup Pro from our e-commerce provider
RegSoft.
Scott Swedorski, founder of TUCOWS:
"This is a far superior product to anything I have seen out
there. I could find no faults with it and I enjoyed using it
quite a bit. I am actually going to consider using this
application now for some of my own personal needs. Your Website
is very well laid out and you provide an exhaustive amount of
information for the user to read. Definitely a good value for
the price."
CompuApps Renaissance 2006 SE
Renaissance is a simple yet powerful Backup application that
provides user the peace of mind by its ease of use, comfort and
security, with optional verification. Renaissance enables
selection of data with a quick and easy to use wizards.
Comprehensive scheduling options allow the user to do backups at
idle time, thus making the backup a painless and interference
free process.
Protects servers, business-critical applications, desktops, and
notebooks
Easy to set up and manage
Fast, reliable, secure backups
Smart restores with unparalleled accuracy Backup to hard disks
and removable disks
Simplifies media management
Major Functions
Dual Backup & Protection
Zero-Touch Backup
Value Pick
Find Files
BootMaster Partition Recovery
BootMaster Partition Recovery is a powerful and easy to use
rescue diskette for Windows systems. Recovers deleted FAT and
NTFS partitions with a few keystrokes. Recovers & undeletes
files on FAT & NTFS volumes. Features include "Advanced
Diagnostics and Repair", guided by timely and aggressive
technical support from a data recovery professional, safe master
boot record backup/restore, extensive context-sensitive help
system, partition table and boot sector editing, BootMaster
Diagnostics - a powerful partition diagnostics utility, and more.
For More Information:
Data
Backup Computer Software
CompuApps Renaissance 2006 SE
In nowadays computers have entered almost every imaginable
domain in our lives - from our homes to space shuttles. As they
hold more and more precious data - in material or merely
sentimental way - securing that data is not only option, but a
must. Data backup computer software is in the spotlight. With
the increased need for data backuping the different backup
computer programs out there are quite a few. But the large
quantity can be not only asset but a liability, too. With so
many data backup utilities out there it becomes more and more
hard to find a good, stable and easy to use one that will suits
you best.
To aid you in the process of finding a good data backup program
here are listed the more notable ones which you can download and
try right away.
Handy Backup Pro
Handy Backup ProT is an easy-to-use program designed for
an automatic backup of your critical data virtually to any type
of storage media including CD-RW devices and remote FTP servers.
You can use Handy Backup Pro to make a reserve copy of any
valuable data on your system. Special addons are provided to
facilitate the backup of MS Outlook, system
registry and ICQ files. Restoring is as easy as
clicking a button, but you can also use a number of advanced
options. The program can be also used to synchronize files
between two computers on a network.
Handy Backup Pro is designed for MS Windows
9x/NT/2000/ME/XP. Strong file encryption and multi-choice zip
compression on the fly, as well as many other useful
features, will protect your valuable data. All backup
activities are recorded in a log file. Detailed online help is
available.
If you are looking for a simple yet powerful backup solution for
your business or for your personal needs in a networking
environment or on a single machine, you have just found it.
Download the 30-day trial version and see for yourself.
You may purchase Handy Backup Pro from our e-commerce provider
RegSoft.
Scott Swedorski, founder of TUCOWS:
"This is a far superior product to anything I have seen out
there. I could find no faults with it and I enjoyed using it
quite a bit. I am actually going to consider using this
application now for some of my own personal needs. Your Website
is very well laid out and you provide an exhaustive amount of
information for the user to read. Definitely a good value for
the price."
CompuApps Renaissance 2006 SE
Renaissance is a simple yet powerful Backup application that
provides user the peace of mind by its ease of use, comfort and
security, with optional verification. Renaissance enables
selection of data with a quick and easy to use wizards.
Comprehensive scheduling options allow the user to do backups at
idle time, thus making the backup a painless and interference
free process.
Protects servers, business-critical applications, desktops, and
notebooks
Easy to set up and manage
Fast, reliable, secure backups
Smart restores with unparalleled accuracy Backup to hard disks
and removable disks
Simplifies media management
Major Functions
Dual Backup & Protection
Zero-Touch Backup
Value Pick
Find Files
BootMaster Partition Recovery
BootMaster Partition Recovery is a powerful and easy to use
rescue diskette for Windows systems. Recovers deleted FAT and
NTFS partitions with a few keystrokes. Recovers & undeletes
files on FAT & NTFS volumes. Features include "Advanced
Diagnostics and Repair", guided by timely and aggressive
technical support from a data recovery professional, safe master
boot record backup/restore, extensive context-sensitive help
system, partition table and boot sector editing, BootMaster
Diagnostics - a powerful partition diagnostics utility, and more.
For More Information:
Data
Backup Computer Software
CompuApps Renaissance 2006 SE
Thursday, November 03, 2005
Computer Monitor Buying Guide
By: Peter Stewart
Although a monitor makes some of the least difference in terms
of your computer's speed, it can make some of the biggest
differences in terms of comfort and productivity. This guide
aims to give you the details you need to know to choose the best
monitor for what you need it for.
LCD flap panel monitors have become all the rage, in a matter of
just a few years, the old CRT monitors have nearly become
obsolete, expecially on new computers. The old monitors are not
bad. There is much to be liked, especially in terms of value for
money, and in terms of performance. But you can't fight the
change. We will focus on the LCD flat panel monitors as there is
often more to be considered.
Firstly there is the connection to the computer. Older monitors
utilised a VGA cable that carried the signal from the computer
to the monitor. The signal that goes along there is an analogue
signal and it can become slightly degraded, and is just an old
technology. Many flat panel monitors support this old style, but
that is usually just for backwards compatibility. The newer
cable type is a digital kind which is designed to be used for
LCD monitors. The performance from this newer kind is better,
but if you are upgrading an old computer, make sure your
computer can run that monitor.
Secondly is the screen resolution. This is how many pixels can
be displayed on the monitor. The higher the resolution, the more
can be fit on the screen. This means clearer images with much
smoother textures, but it also means that things appear smaller
as an increase in resolution does not increase the physical
dimensions of the monitor. Usual nowadays is 1024 x 768 or even
1280 x 960. Computers used to have 800 x 600, but that has all
but disappeared, except on very old computers or those that are
not maintained properly. I run 1280 x 960 as it gives room for a
lot of working space on the monitor, but with less than a 19
inch monitor, 1024 x 768 would be more suitable.
Screen refresh rate is another factor that comes into play. CRT
monitors used a process of changing the pixels on the screen to
show the new images, updating from top to bottom in lines, at a
certain rate per second. With that old style 60MHz (60 refreshes
per second) would be the minimum before the screen started to
flicker. LCD monitors do not have this problem and will look
fine at 60MHz.When running games a refresh rate higher than that
is required, often up to 85MHz or more. Make sure the monitor
you plan to use supports at least 60MHz at your desired
resolution for normal use and 85MHz if you want to play games.
A specification that is new for flat panel monitors that didn't
effect CRT monitors is latency. Although the refresh rate may be
high, the table of little dots that make up the LCD panel take a
small time to change, that change is the latency. Obviously if
this latency is too high it is possible that you get shot in
games before you even know it, which is no good. Latencies have
improved, but only monitors claimed with 8ms latency have been
really good for games. Latencies tend to be exagerated and a
latency of 8ms actually averages out to 12ms. With most ratings
multiply by 1.5 to get an average rating.
The actual brightness of the screen can vary from spot to spot
on the screen. Certain monitors have obvious bright parts and
dull parts while others are more consistent. Most have some
variation, but the less, the better. Name branded monitors tend
to give better results than cheaper no name brand versions.
Extras like little speakers are not worth talking about much.
They have limited use and I would rather have seperate speakers
and keep the monitor simple.
After considering these, you should have enough to make a good
purchase decision. Remember that a little extra money spent on a
monitor is a good investment, and unlike many other computer
parts, upgrades are not needed that often.
About the author:
Peter Stewart is a computer enthusiast, his interest in
computers and focus on practical down to earth advice inspired
his two websites.
http://computer-buying-gu
ide.com - Practical buying tips
http://computer-reviews.net - Fair and honest reviews and opinions
Although a monitor makes some of the least difference in terms
of your computer's speed, it can make some of the biggest
differences in terms of comfort and productivity. This guide
aims to give you the details you need to know to choose the best
monitor for what you need it for.
LCD flap panel monitors have become all the rage, in a matter of
just a few years, the old CRT monitors have nearly become
obsolete, expecially on new computers. The old monitors are not
bad. There is much to be liked, especially in terms of value for
money, and in terms of performance. But you can't fight the
change. We will focus on the LCD flat panel monitors as there is
often more to be considered.
Firstly there is the connection to the computer. Older monitors
utilised a VGA cable that carried the signal from the computer
to the monitor. The signal that goes along there is an analogue
signal and it can become slightly degraded, and is just an old
technology. Many flat panel monitors support this old style, but
that is usually just for backwards compatibility. The newer
cable type is a digital kind which is designed to be used for
LCD monitors. The performance from this newer kind is better,
but if you are upgrading an old computer, make sure your
computer can run that monitor.
Secondly is the screen resolution. This is how many pixels can
be displayed on the monitor. The higher the resolution, the more
can be fit on the screen. This means clearer images with much
smoother textures, but it also means that things appear smaller
as an increase in resolution does not increase the physical
dimensions of the monitor. Usual nowadays is 1024 x 768 or even
1280 x 960. Computers used to have 800 x 600, but that has all
but disappeared, except on very old computers or those that are
not maintained properly. I run 1280 x 960 as it gives room for a
lot of working space on the monitor, but with less than a 19
inch monitor, 1024 x 768 would be more suitable.
Screen refresh rate is another factor that comes into play. CRT
monitors used a process of changing the pixels on the screen to
show the new images, updating from top to bottom in lines, at a
certain rate per second. With that old style 60MHz (60 refreshes
per second) would be the minimum before the screen started to
flicker. LCD monitors do not have this problem and will look
fine at 60MHz.When running games a refresh rate higher than that
is required, often up to 85MHz or more. Make sure the monitor
you plan to use supports at least 60MHz at your desired
resolution for normal use and 85MHz if you want to play games.
A specification that is new for flat panel monitors that didn't
effect CRT monitors is latency. Although the refresh rate may be
high, the table of little dots that make up the LCD panel take a
small time to change, that change is the latency. Obviously if
this latency is too high it is possible that you get shot in
games before you even know it, which is no good. Latencies have
improved, but only monitors claimed with 8ms latency have been
really good for games. Latencies tend to be exagerated and a
latency of 8ms actually averages out to 12ms. With most ratings
multiply by 1.5 to get an average rating.
The actual brightness of the screen can vary from spot to spot
on the screen. Certain monitors have obvious bright parts and
dull parts while others are more consistent. Most have some
variation, but the less, the better. Name branded monitors tend
to give better results than cheaper no name brand versions.
Extras like little speakers are not worth talking about much.
They have limited use and I would rather have seperate speakers
and keep the monitor simple.
After considering these, you should have enough to make a good
purchase decision. Remember that a little extra money spent on a
monitor is a good investment, and unlike many other computer
parts, upgrades are not needed that often.
About the author:
Peter Stewart is a computer enthusiast, his interest in
computers and focus on practical down to earth advice inspired
his two websites.
http://computer-buying-gu
ide.com - Practical buying tips
http://computer-reviews.net - Fair and honest reviews and opinions
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Wiping a Hard Drive - How to Ensure Your Data is Gone
By: Keith Park
The time has come, you have put up with that clunky old PC long
enough. You finally bite the bullet and go out and buy yourself
a new computer. Being the Good Samaritan that you are, you plan
to donate your old PC to a local charity to be given out to
those less fortunate.
STOP!!!!
While your intentions are well and good, there is something you
need to consider before you hand over the old hardware.
If not erased properly, all the information and data on the old
PC will be available to anyone who wants to see it. There are
free and inexpensive applications that will allow anyone to
access data that was supposed to be deleted.
That tax return you did last year. It's there!
Your wife's resume. Right where she left it!
A common misconception made by many is that by formatting a
drive this is erasing any trace of the old data. The truth is
the only way to truly erase data is to write over it. Formatting
a drive only resets the allocation table to receive new entries;
it doesn't do anything with the data on the drive.
There are two ways to completely wipe a hard drive. One way is
physically altering the hard drive and the other is using free
or inexpensive software to wipe the drive.
Physically altering the hard drive will render the drive
unusable when you are done, but you can be sure that your data
is gone and no one will be able to access it. This procedure is
recommended when you are disposing your old equipment through
electronic recyclers or bringing it to the landfill. The easiest
way to do this is to drill a few holes right through the hard
drive resulting in penetrating the platters where the data is
stored. The drive is now physically damaged and will no longer
work. An alternative would be to use a sledge hammer or some
other means of destroying the drive but these seem a little
excessive.
The second method is to use readily available software designed
to write over the entire drive. The Department of Defense (DoD)
has a standard for wiping disks, 5220.22-M. According to this
specification, overwriting the drive sectors three times with
specific, different characters constitutes one pass. The
recommendation is seven such passes to render the data
completely unrecoverable however, reading data that has been
overwritten even once requires expensive equipment so this
probably isn't necessary. There are free and inexpensive
software solutions out there that will do a good job of wiping a
PC. Check out http://www.killdisk.com/downloadfree.htm and Active@ KillDisk
Pro version (DoD 5220.22-M compatible version).
Wiping the hard drive is the recommended solution when donating
your old computer to a charity or business that reuses computer
equipment. Don't assume that the recycler or the charity you
donated to will ensure the data is gone. A lot of these places
take your PC, turn around and hand it right back out without
doing much more than checking if it powers on.
Don't just be content to erase only sensitive data areas; write
over the entire hard drive. Data may have been copied to the
operating system swap file or other unused portions of your
drive that you may not be aware of. Wiping does take time; it
can take anywhere from hours to days to write over a drive
depending on how big the hard drive is and how many passes you
configure the software to perform.
Donating or recycling your old PC equipment is a great idea, it
helps protect the environment by keeping our landfills clean.
But be cautious when giving away that old PC. A few preventative
steps to ensure your data is truly erased could save you a lot
of headaches later on.
About the author:
Keith Park has been in the IT industry for the last 7 years and
is the author of the website TechCorner PC Resource Zone. Go there for
more articles and resources.
Additional resources @ http://mgrcentral.com/computers/default.aspx?stud
entid=1575219
The time has come, you have put up with that clunky old PC long
enough. You finally bite the bullet and go out and buy yourself
a new computer. Being the Good Samaritan that you are, you plan
to donate your old PC to a local charity to be given out to
those less fortunate.
STOP!!!!
While your intentions are well and good, there is something you
need to consider before you hand over the old hardware.
If not erased properly, all the information and data on the old
PC will be available to anyone who wants to see it. There are
free and inexpensive applications that will allow anyone to
access data that was supposed to be deleted.
That tax return you did last year. It's there!
Your wife's resume. Right where she left it!
A common misconception made by many is that by formatting a
drive this is erasing any trace of the old data. The truth is
the only way to truly erase data is to write over it. Formatting
a drive only resets the allocation table to receive new entries;
it doesn't do anything with the data on the drive.
There are two ways to completely wipe a hard drive. One way is
physically altering the hard drive and the other is using free
or inexpensive software to wipe the drive.
Physically altering the hard drive will render the drive
unusable when you are done, but you can be sure that your data
is gone and no one will be able to access it. This procedure is
recommended when you are disposing your old equipment through
electronic recyclers or bringing it to the landfill. The easiest
way to do this is to drill a few holes right through the hard
drive resulting in penetrating the platters where the data is
stored. The drive is now physically damaged and will no longer
work. An alternative would be to use a sledge hammer or some
other means of destroying the drive but these seem a little
excessive.
The second method is to use readily available software designed
to write over the entire drive. The Department of Defense (DoD)
has a standard for wiping disks, 5220.22-M. According to this
specification, overwriting the drive sectors three times with
specific, different characters constitutes one pass. The
recommendation is seven such passes to render the data
completely unrecoverable however, reading data that has been
overwritten even once requires expensive equipment so this
probably isn't necessary. There are free and inexpensive
software solutions out there that will do a good job of wiping a
PC. Check out http://www.killdisk.com/downloadfree.htm and Active@ KillDisk
Pro version (DoD 5220.22-M compatible version).
Wiping the hard drive is the recommended solution when donating
your old computer to a charity or business that reuses computer
equipment. Don't assume that the recycler or the charity you
donated to will ensure the data is gone. A lot of these places
take your PC, turn around and hand it right back out without
doing much more than checking if it powers on.
Don't just be content to erase only sensitive data areas; write
over the entire hard drive. Data may have been copied to the
operating system swap file or other unused portions of your
drive that you may not be aware of. Wiping does take time; it
can take anywhere from hours to days to write over a drive
depending on how big the hard drive is and how many passes you
configure the software to perform.
Donating or recycling your old PC equipment is a great idea, it
helps protect the environment by keeping our landfills clean.
But be cautious when giving away that old PC. A few preventative
steps to ensure your data is truly erased could save you a lot
of headaches later on.
About the author:
Keith Park has been in the IT industry for the last 7 years and
is the author of the website TechCorner PC Resource Zone. Go there for
more articles and resources.
Additional resources @ http://mgrcentral.com/computers/default.aspx?stud
entid=1575219
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Top 10 Ways To Protect Yourself From Computer Viruses
By: Jim Faller
As more and more people are becoming comfortable using their
computers at school, home or in the office it's only a matter of
time before they encounter a computer virus. Here are our top 10
steps to protect you from computer viruses.
Use a high quality anti-virus program. There are many different
anti-virus computers programs on the market some of them are
better than others. Look to reputable computer magazines or
websites for ratings to help you find the one that matches your
needs.
Always use your anti-virus software. Make sure your anti-virus
software is always turned on and scanning, incoming and outgoing
email messages, and any software programs you run.
Keep your antivirus programs up to date. Most programs come with
a yearly subscription make sure you take advantage of the
updates. More advanced programs allow you to schedule updates or
full system scans for "off hours" like 2AM when you aren't
likely to be using your computer.
Keep your computer up to date. From time to time operating
systems fall victim to security holes or issue updates. Make
sure you check periodically to make sure you are running stable
up to date versions of your software.
Backup your data regularly. Most windows computer users keep
their documents in the "My documents" folder. This makes it easy
to back up all of your important documents. Make weekly or
monthly copies to CD or USB drives.
If you use floppy disks or USB drives on public computers like
your school computer lab, Kinko's, or even digital photo
printing store make sure you scan them for viruses. Public
computers are notorious for not being up to date and properly
protected.
Be wary of email attachments. Treat any email attachment as
potentially dangerous. Never open attachments from people you
weren't expecting. Also be careful of attachments from people
you know but weren't expecting. Many computer viruses replicate
themselves by reading the contacts from an infected computer.
Use text email if possible. While HTML email is prettier and
allows you more control over formatting it also can carry
computer viruses. If you use text based email the only way to
get a virus is by opening an attachment.
Use downloaded freeware and shareware files or software with
caution. Try to download them from popular reputable sources
that scan the programs before they are uploaded. To make sure
you are safe scan the program before you install it on your
computer.
Be wary of links in IM or instant messaging software. Don't
accept invitations from people you don't know and never click a
link from someone you don't trust, they can easily redirect you
to another website that will try to install a virus on your
computer system.
© Computers.6ln.com, All Rights Reserved.
About the author:
This article was written by Jim Faller of
http://computers.6ln.com a website with information about
viruses, spyware, adware, backups, data recovery and computer
security.
As more and more people are becoming comfortable using their
computers at school, home or in the office it's only a matter of
time before they encounter a computer virus. Here are our top 10
steps to protect you from computer viruses.
Use a high quality anti-virus program. There are many different
anti-virus computers programs on the market some of them are
better than others. Look to reputable computer magazines or
websites for ratings to help you find the one that matches your
needs.
Always use your anti-virus software. Make sure your anti-virus
software is always turned on and scanning, incoming and outgoing
email messages, and any software programs you run.
Keep your antivirus programs up to date. Most programs come with
a yearly subscription make sure you take advantage of the
updates. More advanced programs allow you to schedule updates or
full system scans for "off hours" like 2AM when you aren't
likely to be using your computer.
Keep your computer up to date. From time to time operating
systems fall victim to security holes or issue updates. Make
sure you check periodically to make sure you are running stable
up to date versions of your software.
Backup your data regularly. Most windows computer users keep
their documents in the "My documents" folder. This makes it easy
to back up all of your important documents. Make weekly or
monthly copies to CD or USB drives.
If you use floppy disks or USB drives on public computers like
your school computer lab, Kinko's, or even digital photo
printing store make sure you scan them for viruses. Public
computers are notorious for not being up to date and properly
protected.
Be wary of email attachments. Treat any email attachment as
potentially dangerous. Never open attachments from people you
weren't expecting. Also be careful of attachments from people
you know but weren't expecting. Many computer viruses replicate
themselves by reading the contacts from an infected computer.
Use text email if possible. While HTML email is prettier and
allows you more control over formatting it also can carry
computer viruses. If you use text based email the only way to
get a virus is by opening an attachment.
Use downloaded freeware and shareware files or software with
caution. Try to download them from popular reputable sources
that scan the programs before they are uploaded. To make sure
you are safe scan the program before you install it on your
computer.
Be wary of links in IM or instant messaging software. Don't
accept invitations from people you don't know and never click a
link from someone you don't trust, they can easily redirect you
to another website that will try to install a virus on your
computer system.
© Computers.6ln.com, All Rights Reserved.
About the author:
This article was written by Jim Faller of
http://computers.6ln.com a website with information about
viruses, spyware, adware, backups, data recovery and computer
security.
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