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How To Mess Up Your Computer
Aside from actually drop-kicking it or smashing it with a sledge hammer, it's fairly difficult to actually "break" a computer. That said, there are a number of ways to render your computer just slightly more useful than a doorstop. Certain careless acts can cause crashes, freezes, painfully slow performance, loss of data or invasion of your privacy. Here's my list of Ten Stupid Things You Can Do To Mess Up Your Computer...
Continue reading "How To Mess Up Your Computer"...Avira Free Anti-Virus
"I'm confused by all the free antivirus products. I've read in some forums that Avira is the best, others claim that AVG or Avast is definitely the way to go. Which one do you recommend?"
Continue reading "Avira Free Anti-Virus"...Avast Free Anti-Virus
"It seems there are lots of choices for a free anti-virus program. My neighbor swears by Avast! Anti-Virus and says it's better than Avira, which I currently use. Is Avast! worth looking into, or are they all pretty much the same?"
Continue reading "Avast Free Anti-Virus"...Internet Security Cameras
"I have someone in my home during the day to clean and do childcare. Can I install a wireless security camera that can be monitored over the internet? I'd like to be able to look in during the day from my office computer. If so, how expensive are internet security cameras, and what features do you recommend?"
Continue reading "Internet Security Cameras"...Malware Scanners
"There are so many malware scanners to choose from, when trying to protect against adware, spyware and other online threats. Which one(s) do you recommend?"
Continue reading "Malware Scanners"...AVG Review
Is your computer safe from viruses? Without the proper protection, your computer can catch a virus faster than you can recite your email address three times. Viruses can destroy files, compromise your privacy, and make you vulnerable to identity theft. What to do?
Continue reading "AVG Review"...What is a Botnet?
"I've read warnings about getting caught up in a botnet, but I still don't understand the danger. Can you explain in simple terms what a botnet is, and how to avoid them?"
Continue reading "What is a Botnet?"...External Hard Drive Security
"I want to backup my home computers to an external hard drive, but I'm worried about security. If the drive is lost or stolen, all my sensitive personal and financial data goes with it. Is there a way to password protect a hard drive, encrypt it, or protect it with some other security device?"
Continue reading "External Hard Drive Security"...Password Protection for Windows XP
"How can I password protect a file on my Windows XP system? I want to add a password so that nobody can open the file without knowing the password. I tried the Sharing and Security option, but there was no place to enter a password. There must be a way..."
Continue reading "Password Protection for Windows XP"...Free Anti-Virus Programs
"I've been using the free Norton antivirus package that came with my computer, but the subscription will expire in a few days. Are the free anti-virus programs any good? What do you recommend?"
Continue reading "Free Anti-Virus Programs"...Remembering Passwords
Passwords... we have a love/hate relationship with them. We love them because they are the first line of defense against fraud and identity theft. They protect the security of our email account, online banking and credit card purchases. We hate them because as we use passwords for almost every important activity on the internet, it becomes nearly impossible to remember all the usernames and the passwords that we have created. Fortunately there are tools to make the job easier...
Continue reading "Remembering Passwords"...What Is a Rootkit?
Rootkit... the name sounds innocent enough. Kinda like something your Grandma would use in her garden. Actually, rootkits are a particularly nasty form of malware, created to wreak havoc on computers.
Continue reading "What Is a Rootkit?"...Is Firefox More Secure?
Is Firefox more secure than Internet Explorer? Perhaps, for now, but they seem to be "catching up" in terms of the numbers of critical flaws discovered. And if you're running Windows Vista, the Firefox security problem gets worse...
Continue reading "Is Firefox More Secure?"...Secure Passwords
"With identify theft so common now, I'm concerned that my passwords may not be good enough. Can you give me some tips to picking good passwords that can't be easily guessed by hackers?"
Continue reading "Secure Passwords"...Phishing Scams
"I got a note from my bank about phishing scams, but I'm still not sure what it means. Can you explain in simple terms what phishing is all about?"
Continue reading "Phishing Scams"...View Private Profile
"I have my Myspace page set to private, but an ex-friend has gotten access to all of my Myspace friends that are on my page, and is emailing them. I asked him about this and he told me that he found a way to view private Myspace pages and he also said he can view my friends. How is this possible, and is there a way to prevent people from viewing a private Myspace profile?"
Continue reading "View Private Profile"...Hide Your SSID?
"I have a wireless network at home, which lets me get an internet connection on my laptop all over the house. But I'm concerned that neighbors or people driving by can hack into my computer. A friend said that hiding my SSID will solve the problem. What's a wireless SSID, how do I hide it, and will it help?"
Continue reading "Hide Your SSID?"...Remove Phone Listing
I just did a search for my phone number on Google and was shocked at the results that popped up. It showed my full name, street address and a map of my neighborhood with a big arrow pointing to my house! One more click and it showed a satellite photo of my house. I could see the car in the driveway and the dog in the back yard. How can I remove my personal information from Google and other online phone directories?
Continue reading "Remove Phone Listing"...Too Many Spyware Scanners?
"I downloaded a spyware scanner, which detected many problems. I then had to pay for the software to fix all the problems, which I did. But... since then my computer crashes often and I cannot get into some web sites. I use Windows XP/SP2, Norton AV 2006, Pest Patol, A2Square, Spyweeper, Spybot, Ad-Aware SE, and others. What should I do?"
Spyware or Virus?
"I had an anti virus program by McAfee but uninstalled because it was bogging my computer down. I now have anti spyware software, so do I still need to get an anti virus program? What is the difference between viruses and spyware? To me they seem very similar..."
Continue reading "Spyware or Virus?"...Secure Your Computer!
Cyberspace malefactors are enslaving millions of unsecured computers into zombie networks that are responsible for spewing out mountains of spam and attacking legitimate websites that oppose the spammers. Is your PC part of the problem? Find out now...
Continue reading "Secure Your Computer!"...What is LSASS?
"When I run Task Manager, I see a process named lsass.exe that is active. I'm worried that this might be a virus... should I get rid of it?"
Continue reading "What is LSASS?"...Is public wi-fi access safe?
If you use wireless Internet access in public places like Starbucks or the airport, you should take some simple precautions to make sure you're not broadcasting your passwords and other personal info to others in the vicinity...
Continue reading "Is public wi-fi access safe?"...Identity Theft
Remember that 1995 movie "The Net", starring Sandra Bullock? Okay, I didn't see it either. Somehow I couldn't imagine Sandra as a software engineer after watching her in "While You Were Sleeping". But I digress... the movie was a story about a growing problem today -- identity theft. Read on to learn how it happens, and try my 12-step program to protect yourself.
Continue reading "Identity Theft"...Should I Buy Anti-Spyware or Anti-Virus Software?
"Task Manager shows I have 50+ processes running, and I have no idea which ones are slowing down my system. Should I regularly run SpyBot, AdAware and other freeware, or should I pay for a supposedly better program? I read so much negative about every program and I am quite confused about them. If they really are worth the money, I am willing to try them. Can you give me your opinion on the best anti-virus, anti-spyware and popup blockers?
Continue reading "Should I Buy Anti-Spyware or Anti-Virus Software?"...Wireless Security
"Is it safe to use wireless Internet access in my home? I've heard that neighbors or even people driving by can tap in to my wireless signal. There must be a way to do it safely, since it's so common these days. Got any tips on wireless security?"
Continue reading "Wireless Security"...Windows XP Security Tips
"Some of my geeky friends are telling me that Windows XP is full of security holes, and that I am putting my privacy at risk by going online with a Windows PC. Can you offer some tips to help me lock down my desktop?"
Continue reading "Windows XP Security Tips"...Cannot Access Secure Sites
I have Windows XP SP2, and within the past two weeks I have not been able to get into any secure (https) sites. I can get to the web page, but when I enter my userid and password, it says "The page cannot be displayed" -- can you help?
Continue reading "Cannot Access Secure Sites"...Does IP Address Reveal my Physical Location?
"Can someone track a user (name, home address, etc.) simply by having their email or IP address? The reason I ask is my kids play some games online, and these sites sometimes have a chat area, where the players can talk to each other while playing. Can my kids be tracked down in any way?"
Continue reading "Does IP Address Reveal my Physical Location?"...Do I Need a Firewall?
"I've heard conflicting reports on whether or not I should be using a firewall. Some people say they are only needed for dialup users. Others say you MUST have a firewall if you have a highspeed DSL or cable connection. Can you give me some advice on this?"
Continue reading "Do I Need a Firewall?"...Paypal and Ebay Phishing Scams
"I keep getting warnings and alerts from Paypal, eBay, my bank, and various other banks and financial institutions that I don't even have accounts with, all telling me to log in and verify my account information. I've read about something called phishing and am wondering if that's what these messages actually are?"
Continue reading "Paypal and Ebay Phishing Scams"...Is FTP Secure?
"I got a warning that FTP was not secure any more and that I should go to WinSCP for a fix. I am not very tech-savvy, so I depend on you to keep my computer healthy. So - is this something I should do? And if you're wondering how an idiot like me can have a website to ftp to, all my younger relatives help me."
Continue reading "Is FTP Secure?"...Whois Registry Database
"I'm wondering about the possible vulnerability of having your personal information (name, address, phone, and email) visible on the Whois website registrant database. Some companies sell proxy services that shield this information from the public claiming it helps prevent identity theft. Are they just trying to scare people into a sale, or are there legitimate security concerns having your info visible in the database?"
Continue reading "Whois Registry Database"...
