Tech Help

Sort of a success

I noticed that there were many hits to this page right after I put it up. There were also a lot of hits to the links and review section. To make this endeavor a bit more Web 2.0 friendly I will continue to post things I think will be helpful and useful HERE. For any teacher interested in doing something like this, pleas let me know and I can help you create your account and link you calendar there if you choose. Enjoy

Tech Help - March 2, 2008

Spyware and more...

You know some people can tell spring is approaching by the weather and the birds and grandma's trick knee. I can always tell because for some reason I get more requests for help with computers. I think it is because so many people are cooped all winter long using their computer and suddenly there are problems. I will use this section to help you get out of some of the most common problems.

Spybot and Ad-Aware

Search the internet for help with problems like spyware, a slow computer and similar problems and two answers show up more than most, Spybot's Search and Destroy and Lavasoft's Ad-Aware. These are two free programs that (when used in tandem) will solve most of your problems. Each program is fairly self explanatory and easy to use. One thing I noticed is there are few recommendations from people to DISCONNECT your computer from the internet while running these programs. You see, spyware needs an active connection to, well, spy on you.

STOP Downloading software you don't need

I had to make this a headline because far too many people get themselves into trouble by downloading cute animated cursors, weather bug software or worse Limewire. There is a ton of software out these designed with one purpose in mind...to spy on you while you surf the internet. When you see a popup for a speed boost, a free system scan or, well virtually ALL POPUPS, you are being hit with someone trying to get you to download spyware. Here is how it works, companies sell your on-line information to other companies to target ads you see when you surf the internet. It is kind of like the way amazon.com knows all about you when you log into your account, except these companies can highjack your browser and make you go somewhere you did not expect.

Let me guess you already downloaded a ton of stuff and you need to clean up your computer because I made you nervous. Good. Here is a program I recommend to help you clean up your computer - CCleaner. This program will help you clean out unnecessary files and you will recover a ton of room on your hard drive. There is an option to clean out the registry. Do it. You will feel better about yourself in the morning.

Firefox

So here something more and more people are learning...you DO NOT need to surf the web with Internet Explorer. Most people do because Microsoft forces users to use this program every chance it gets, and I guess I can't blame them. They made the software. But there is a better alternative named Firefox. Most spyware and virus attacks are aimed at Explorer because most people use it. Firefox is an open-source product created by people who wanted an alternative to anything made by Microsoft. Not only is it more secure, but there are a ton of ways to make it your own from themes to add-ons. Look around the mozilla site for a ton of ideas. You could spend a day tinkering with all the possibilities.

Virus Protection

When you buy a computer you get a 90 day trial for McCafee or Norton then they sink their hooks into you for $$$ now, and more unscrupulously, money later by automatic renewal. There is a better and cheaper alternative. It is called AVG Free. I have use this for years on all my computer and have stayed trouble free. Of course I NEVER open attachments from people I do not know, and I NEVER even read a message if I even suspect there could be trouble. Did you catch the big letters there? NEVER. It pays to be a bit pro-active when it comes to our computers.

Last Word

Well for today anyway. I will try to add to this list as time and ambition allows. I will also try to respond to questions and comments you may have and use them as ideas for additional posts. I hope this helps. If so, let me know. Nothing like a fresh baked cookie for a job well done.