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The Threat Of Computer Infections Can Loom Anywhere
The Helpful Neighbor
By Ray Wilson, For The Bulletin
This is in answer to inquiries I have received regarding my alleged favoritism of one product as compared to another. It is not a matter of favoritism. What happens here is several software manufacturers have licensed their products to me for my evaluation to be passed on to you in this column. Quite naturally, these products are of the highest quality and are treated as such. Since they all have their own complexion and personality, making comparisons is counterproductive to what I am, hopefully, accomplishing with this involvement — providing you with the facts as I find them. It will be up to you to make your decision. What you read on any given product is the talk after the walk. Regardless of any association I may develop with a software producer, in your interest, my opinion will be unbiased and factual. This column is to help my readers to fully enjoy the experience of the Internet and World Wide Web in as productive and safe an environment possible. For what it’s worth, you are exposed to the experience of an old “tinker” who loves every one of you!
Question: Are the “free” programs as good as the pay for? Answer: Up until now, I have had no qualms about recommending “free” software; what with the outbreak of “rogue” or “sheep-in-wolves’-clothing” bait programs, extreme caution must be utilized. Don’t overlook the scenario of a pay-for product also being an inroad to implant some nasty stuff in your system. The implantation may not become obvious, especially if your machine is to be used as a “bot” to infect others. This is an excellent reason for you to run your anti-virus and anti-spyware programs on a regular schedule. I know! You feel it is a drag to be involved in what is thought of as extraneous activity, but without it, consider the cost to you of a loss of data and/or a full system reinstall! Once you face this experience, you will understand how little time it takes to avoid it. Doom and gloom? Nay, nay! Sensibility! Prior to each and every session — without fail —start with a System Restore Point (SRP). That way, if you do run into any unforeseen circumstance, you will only lose that session’s data as opposed to encountering problems that introduce you to the Blue Screen of Death (BSoD). Here again, an SRP will save the day and your whole system.
Don’t check here! Or, un-check here! With the rash of legitimate software companies trying to lure users through devious machinations, too many users, during a download, instead of reading the EULA (End Users License Agreement) or any other directions, just click away to get the download finished only to end up with a lot of stuff they did not bargain for. In recent weeks, I have witnessed an increase in homepage piracy by none other than MSN, Yahoo, Ask.com and others, or they will inundate you with a varied assortment of “toolbars.” Everybody has a toolbar! If you are a collector, you can end up with a page full.
Segue: Not because it is free, but for what it accomplishes is this reminder of the Revo Uninstaller program. Not only for being the best uninstaller I have used, but for another feature; it’s user friendly, and it has an informative interface. When you call up Revo, you get a screen full of icons, programs that are running on your computer, listed in alphabetic order. How convenient to scan with your eyes, and if you see a stranger that has no business of being there, just uninstall it. Very cool! Even with all of my militancy, I found the Ask.com toolbar in Revo. If you have a program running that is not listed, it may not have installed properly. Try a reinstall of that program.
How far? All the way to California! In the last couple of weeks, I have received e-mails from readers in California who read this column in The Bulletin, which proves down to earth truth and honesty does pay off! I am proud to be associated with this bulwark of the news media. One of the contacts is from a software manufacturer whose products you will read about in the near future.
The news magazine show “60 Minutes” aired a program on March 29 that I wish every PC user or laptop owner had seen. They covered the “Infected Internet” to a tee! It was fascinating to me to actually see the operations of the cyber-crooks who are raking in billions. They spoke of the Conficker Worm and traced it’s existence from the start as Downadup. I know people who did see it will never utter this phrase again: “What do they want from me?”
Services: One of the many reasons for a slow startup is the starting of services. Every MS operating system has a list of services that are, according to MS, necessary to run at startup. Not so! There are three different conditions you can apply that will decide their necessity to start: Automatic — self explanatory; Manual — will start when needed; and Disable — as it designates. This is a procedure that is well worth the time it takes to accomplish. The Black Viper, a very well accomplished software geek, has prepared lists of the services and assigned their behaviors. Go to the BV’s Web site and check it out. It is easiest if you print his lists: XP, Vista and, yes, W7. Get to the services through the run command entering “services.msc” in the run box (no quotes) not through system configuration (msconfig).
Magnificent 7. I read where the RC download will be scheduled for May. One of the things that bothers me is, at the end of the beta, any “7” material on our machines is useless. If we want “7,” it will be for sale by the “company with a heart!
XP! With all of the death threats, warnings and cut-off-dates of XP, it is still alive and well. Long of tooth? Of course! But still regarded as the only good operating system Microsoft (MS) has ever developed. Is MS going to scrap it with having five versions of Vista and now six versions of “Magnificent ‘7’” in development? Not really! In fact, they are shoring-up and tightening their control on pirated copies. When they are dealing with millions of copies all over the world, it becomes a fool-hardy venture, but that is MS. For example, MS has a deal with their vendors to charge up to $150 to downgrade to XP Professional. Now along comes www.BlueSurfSoftware
.com selling legitimate copies of XP for $94. For fear of being repetitious, Vista, sans all of the eye candy and other crap, is a damn good operating system. A lot of people agree with me, but it is apparently not politically correct, for whatever reason, to admit it and instead languor over an old system in the ICU!
Question: “What do you have against Microsoft?” Answer: I do not have anything against Microsoft except: the rhetoric, the “crapola,” the products they put out and their modus operandi. That’s all!
I thrive on change! Changes are always a challenge, even as I start my 85th year on this planet today. Life is full of changes, and without changes, life would be pretty dull. None of that same old-same old stuff for me! Here we are! We have gone from a gigantic machine with thousands of tubes and millions of welds to a small machine, with more capabilities, that you can carry in your pocket. Accepting change puts your mind to doing memory gymnastics, staying fresh, instead of being wasted. I have friends who vehemently aver they want nothing to do with computers. Why, it’s a change from their normal humdrum existence.
Question: “ I marvel at your ability to produce this column week after week and keep it so timely. What is your secret?” Answer: It is what I have previously stated: I am sharing what knowledge and expertise I have been blest with to relieve some of the roadblocks and danger zones that the in-home users will be facing. My motivation for producing this column is the people — the at-home PC or laptop user. This comprises the largest user group who are depending on their computer to keep their lives and personal information in order. Frustrating? You betcha! But I never lose sight of my raw beginnings and introduction to “data-processing” way back then. I mean w-a-y back then! Because of this experience, I know how others feel and what they are facing each time they hit the “on” switch.
My Dad was a great inspiration to me. He had to quit school in the eighth grade to go to work to help raise his six sisters and a brother. This was no deterrent to his success in life. I try to live by one of his tenets: “Do what you love to do, and do it with love!” There it is, Barbara! It took a while, and I thank you for the kindness in your inquiry.
System Information: Let’s say someone asks you a question about your system, or you have a question. Where can you go for the answer? Click start, click accessories, click system tools, click system information. With the extra headings in the left pane, you have the whole complete history of your operating system. Everything you wanted to know about your system is right there before your eyes. Remember it! There will be a test! Seriously, if you are having a problem and the tech rep asks you a question, you have the ability to supply the necessary information.
I read an article that started, “With China’s economy cooling down,... .” Yeah, right! If this is true, it will not stay that way long. China has moved into first place for income from their new business — “Malware factory to the World.” (They sell software bugs and more). A lot of their technologic capability is growing, especially with the loss of employment in Intel, Motorola and Lenovo. (New entrants into the fray!)
The prime concern of the Chinese hackers is focused on hacking software that runs on the desktop rather than on servers. The underground pays big money for client-side bugs which are used to install malicious software on millions of desktops. Here I have a question? How can LifeLock stop ID theft before it starts in China? Go ahead! Ask them! I did. One single attack infected more than four million computers over a — ready for this — one-day period. What do they want from you? Once again, they couldn’t care less who you are, where you are, or anything else about you. If your computer is not fully, and properly, protected, you are a prime target.
Just a little tip: If you are writing and using the type inflections (bold, italic, underline), you know how difficult it is to highlight certain words with your cursor. Instead of that drill, place your cursor where you want the highlight to begin, hold down the shift key and use the arrows. Cool, what? It is a lot easier, cleaner and safer than using the cursor and backspace. And so it goes, people, another column in the can! Next week, I will be reporting on products made by Iolo Technologies. Stay well! Hold good thoughts.
Ray Wilson was raised in Upper Darby and has lived in Chester County since 1973. He has over 48 years experience in computing and he has been testing virus and Spyware programs for the last five years. His “The Helpful Neighbor” column will appear once a week in The Bulletin. He can be reached at RJWhelpful4u@aol.com.
Question: Are the “free” programs as good as the pay for? Answer: Up until now, I have had no qualms about recommending “free” software; what with the outbreak of “rogue” or “sheep-in-wolves’-clothing” bait programs, extreme caution must be utilized. Don’t overlook the scenario of a pay-for product also being an inroad to implant some nasty stuff in your system. The implantation may not become obvious, especially if your machine is to be used as a “bot” to infect others. This is an excellent reason for you to run your anti-virus and anti-spyware programs on a regular schedule. I know! You feel it is a drag to be involved in what is thought of as extraneous activity, but without it, consider the cost to you of a loss of data and/or a full system reinstall! Once you face this experience, you will understand how little time it takes to avoid it. Doom and gloom? Nay, nay! Sensibility! Prior to each and every session — without fail —start with a System Restore Point (SRP). That way, if you do run into any unforeseen circumstance, you will only lose that session’s data as opposed to encountering problems that introduce you to the Blue Screen of Death (BSoD). Here again, an SRP will save the day and your whole system.
Don’t check here! Or, un-check here! With the rash of legitimate software companies trying to lure users through devious machinations, too many users, during a download, instead of reading the EULA (End Users License Agreement) or any other directions, just click away to get the download finished only to end up with a lot of stuff they did not bargain for. In recent weeks, I have witnessed an increase in homepage piracy by none other than MSN, Yahoo, Ask.com and others, or they will inundate you with a varied assortment of “toolbars.” Everybody has a toolbar! If you are a collector, you can end up with a page full.
Segue: Not because it is free, but for what it accomplishes is this reminder of the Revo Uninstaller program. Not only for being the best uninstaller I have used, but for another feature; it’s user friendly, and it has an informative interface. When you call up Revo, you get a screen full of icons, programs that are running on your computer, listed in alphabetic order. How convenient to scan with your eyes, and if you see a stranger that has no business of being there, just uninstall it. Very cool! Even with all of my militancy, I found the Ask.com toolbar in Revo. If you have a program running that is not listed, it may not have installed properly. Try a reinstall of that program.
How far? All the way to California! In the last couple of weeks, I have received e-mails from readers in California who read this column in The Bulletin, which proves down to earth truth and honesty does pay off! I am proud to be associated with this bulwark of the news media. One of the contacts is from a software manufacturer whose products you will read about in the near future.
The news magazine show “60 Minutes” aired a program on March 29 that I wish every PC user or laptop owner had seen. They covered the “Infected Internet” to a tee! It was fascinating to me to actually see the operations of the cyber-crooks who are raking in billions. They spoke of the Conficker Worm and traced it’s existence from the start as Downadup. I know people who did see it will never utter this phrase again: “What do they want from me?”
Services: One of the many reasons for a slow startup is the starting of services. Every MS operating system has a list of services that are, according to MS, necessary to run at startup. Not so! There are three different conditions you can apply that will decide their necessity to start: Automatic — self explanatory; Manual — will start when needed; and Disable — as it designates. This is a procedure that is well worth the time it takes to accomplish. The Black Viper, a very well accomplished software geek, has prepared lists of the services and assigned their behaviors. Go to the BV’s Web site and check it out. It is easiest if you print his lists: XP, Vista and, yes, W7. Get to the services through the run command entering “services.msc” in the run box (no quotes) not through system configuration (msconfig).
Magnificent 7. I read where the RC download will be scheduled for May. One of the things that bothers me is, at the end of the beta, any “7” material on our machines is useless. If we want “7,” it will be for sale by the “company with a heart!
XP! With all of the death threats, warnings and cut-off-dates of XP, it is still alive and well. Long of tooth? Of course! But still regarded as the only good operating system Microsoft (MS) has ever developed. Is MS going to scrap it with having five versions of Vista and now six versions of “Magnificent ‘7’” in development? Not really! In fact, they are shoring-up and tightening their control on pirated copies. When they are dealing with millions of copies all over the world, it becomes a fool-hardy venture, but that is MS. For example, MS has a deal with their vendors to charge up to $150 to downgrade to XP Professional. Now along comes www.BlueSurfSoftware
.com selling legitimate copies of XP for $94. For fear of being repetitious, Vista, sans all of the eye candy and other crap, is a damn good operating system. A lot of people agree with me, but it is apparently not politically correct, for whatever reason, to admit it and instead languor over an old system in the ICU!
Question: “What do you have against Microsoft?” Answer: I do not have anything against Microsoft except: the rhetoric, the “crapola,” the products they put out and their modus operandi. That’s all!
I thrive on change! Changes are always a challenge, even as I start my 85th year on this planet today. Life is full of changes, and without changes, life would be pretty dull. None of that same old-same old stuff for me! Here we are! We have gone from a gigantic machine with thousands of tubes and millions of welds to a small machine, with more capabilities, that you can carry in your pocket. Accepting change puts your mind to doing memory gymnastics, staying fresh, instead of being wasted. I have friends who vehemently aver they want nothing to do with computers. Why, it’s a change from their normal humdrum existence.
Question: “ I marvel at your ability to produce this column week after week and keep it so timely. What is your secret?” Answer: It is what I have previously stated: I am sharing what knowledge and expertise I have been blest with to relieve some of the roadblocks and danger zones that the in-home users will be facing. My motivation for producing this column is the people — the at-home PC or laptop user. This comprises the largest user group who are depending on their computer to keep their lives and personal information in order. Frustrating? You betcha! But I never lose sight of my raw beginnings and introduction to “data-processing” way back then. I mean w-a-y back then! Because of this experience, I know how others feel and what they are facing each time they hit the “on” switch.
My Dad was a great inspiration to me. He had to quit school in the eighth grade to go to work to help raise his six sisters and a brother. This was no deterrent to his success in life. I try to live by one of his tenets: “Do what you love to do, and do it with love!” There it is, Barbara! It took a while, and I thank you for the kindness in your inquiry.
System Information: Let’s say someone asks you a question about your system, or you have a question. Where can you go for the answer? Click start, click accessories, click system tools, click system information. With the extra headings in the left pane, you have the whole complete history of your operating system. Everything you wanted to know about your system is right there before your eyes. Remember it! There will be a test! Seriously, if you are having a problem and the tech rep asks you a question, you have the ability to supply the necessary information.
I read an article that started, “With China’s economy cooling down,... .” Yeah, right! If this is true, it will not stay that way long. China has moved into first place for income from their new business — “Malware factory to the World.” (They sell software bugs and more). A lot of their technologic capability is growing, especially with the loss of employment in Intel, Motorola and Lenovo. (New entrants into the fray!)
The prime concern of the Chinese hackers is focused on hacking software that runs on the desktop rather than on servers. The underground pays big money for client-side bugs which are used to install malicious software on millions of desktops. Here I have a question? How can LifeLock stop ID theft before it starts in China? Go ahead! Ask them! I did. One single attack infected more than four million computers over a — ready for this — one-day period. What do they want from you? Once again, they couldn’t care less who you are, where you are, or anything else about you. If your computer is not fully, and properly, protected, you are a prime target.
Just a little tip: If you are writing and using the type inflections (bold, italic, underline), you know how difficult it is to highlight certain words with your cursor. Instead of that drill, place your cursor where you want the highlight to begin, hold down the shift key and use the arrows. Cool, what? It is a lot easier, cleaner and safer than using the cursor and backspace. And so it goes, people, another column in the can! Next week, I will be reporting on products made by Iolo Technologies. Stay well! Hold good thoughts.
Ray Wilson was raised in Upper Darby and has lived in Chester County since 1973. He has over 48 years experience in computing and he has been testing virus and Spyware programs for the last five years. His “The Helpful Neighbor” column will appear once a week in The Bulletin. He can be reached at RJWhelpful4u@aol.com.
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