Internet Security for Normal Users

Do you use the Internet every day? Do you surf the web, or just go to specific web sites that you already know? Do you check out web sites that someone’s recommended to you? Or, do you skip all the web stuff and just do emails, mainly with family and friends?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you’re at risk. That’s right — we’re all at risk when we deal with the Internet.

Most sites on the Internet are perfectly legitimate. Most emails you receive are, too — unless you’re so unlucky that you get more spam emails than you get that are really from your family, friends, business associates and companies with whom you do business. But sometimes legitimate web sites get hacked, and sometimes spam emails appear to be sent by friends and family.

Over the last few years, the dangers of the Internet have changed, mostly changing because we (you and I) are using better and better protection tools. Even Microsoft has finally woken up to Internet Security as an issue.

Contine reading Internet Security for Normal Users

Problems with Program Installs and Updates

Occasionally when I’m installing a new program, or updating an existing program, I run into a special issue. Yes, that’s probably the right term for it — when my security software does exactly what it’s supposed to do — and blocks the software installation or upgrade/update.

Such was the case this week with the surprise update from Microsoft called .NET Service Pack 1.

I tried to install it on my desktop computer and on my wife’s computer. In both cases, the installatiton failed and didn’t bother to tell me why it failed, just that it had. In both cases, I had started the update and left the room, so I didn’t get to see any warning messages that may have occurred.

Anyway, my favorite anti-spyware/anti-adware program CounterSpy v2 prevented the .NET service pack from changing all the files that it wanted to change. I had CounterSpy set for some aggresive control by setting its Active Protection function to Cautious (the choices are Paranoid, Cautious, Trusting and Custom) and putting checkmarks on all the options.

Continue reading Problems with Program Installs and Updates

New Articles at Terry’s Computer Tips

I write my weekly online and email newsletters. Then, occasionally I get around to converting some of the newsletter articles into web pages.

Google and the other search engines like web pages more than they like online newsletters — the newsletters get indexed fairly quickly, but then get dropped as "old" pretty quickly, too.

Here are the latest editions. I’ll add them to the listing on the front page in a few days…

*   Creating a Blog For Family and Friends

Blogs are one of the easiest ways to create a web site. You can do it for free, too…

*   Internet Explorer + Outlook Express Problem

Links in Outlook Express don’t work after upgrading to IE7 for some people. The fix is easy…

*   Computer Shuts Down By Itself

I’m sure you’ve never had this problem <grin> — if you haven’t, you will…

*   Turning Off System Restore

Sometimes we need to turn off System Restore — and not because we want to save disk space…

*   I’ve Reconsidered the Linksys WRT54G Wireless Router

After Linksys changed the internals on the WRT54G as of version 5, it was a totally different router. After some more changes, it’s better now…

Popups and Popup Blockers

Subscriber Russ Alor wrote me recently about popup problems:

Terry:
I have been very satisfied with my virus protections but still
struggle with pop-ups even when Google has implied
“protection” running.

Is there available a popup guard?

Russ Allor

Ads by Terry
CounterSpy v2 – Free Trial
Free Trial – 15-day Full-function trial
Blocks and removes spyware and adware

TerrysComputerTips.com/CounterSpy

4Inkjets!
High Quality Ink Refill Kits Save Up to 60%
compared to Manufacturer’s Ink Cartridges

TerrysComputerTips.com/4inkjets

I wrote back to say:

I’m assuming you mean popups from specific web sites. In that case, you need to try a different popup blocker.

On the other hand, if you’re having popups when using the Internet as a routine issue, you might have an adware problem. I suggest trying the 30-day free trial of CounterSpy — the trial is full-function, not cripple-ware.

Wait a minute — I recommend CounterSpy , period, because of its performance and its always-running control of adware and spyware. I use it on my computers. Give it a try. If you don’t like it, don’t buy a license (which is only $19.95). I also like the their firewall Sunbelt Personal Firewall which is also $19.95. I have individually licensed copies of both on my family’s Windows computers.

Continue reading Popups and Popup Blockers

Number 1 Step in Computer Troubleshooting

You’ve seen the problem. The program you use every day, or maybe one you use occasionally, isn’t doing what it should.

Perhaps the program can’t load one of its data files, so it doesn’t actually start. Perhaps it won’t do the task you told it to do – even if it worked yesterday. Perhaps the program crashes when you run it.

There is one often-forgotten cure for Windows.

In today’s world of Windows, fast computers, fast Internet connections using cable modems, DSL modems or even Ethernet connection to the ISP, many of us leave our computers turned on all the time.

We take the prudent and necessary steps of running a two-way firewall (like Sunbelt Personal Firewall), we run an anti-virus program that auto-updates, we run an anti-spyware/anti-adware program (like CounterSpy v2), and maybe even run an anti-spam program.

But, we forget to reboot our computers occasionally. We joke about calling technical support at a software company and being told to reboot.

Continue reading Number 1 Step in Computer Troubleshooting

Security Programs for Average Users

In every issue of my weekly online computer tips newsletter, I have my current security software recommendations. In that article, I write about the programs that I choose for antivirus, antispyware/antiadware, firewall and antispam. I also include a paragraph in the article on using a cable / DSL router.

But, I guess I haven’t had enough explanation in the article… Recently, I received an email from regular reader and subscriber, who asked:

Your security recommendations are all encompassing. They are an indication of what is needed. But, it would be clearer if you could state what type and brand of software you recommend for “Joe Average”.

It may be what you list or a variation of that so as not to overkill. Keep up the good info.

Continue reading Security Programs for Average Users

CounterSpy V2 Combo Special

Get the new CounterSpy V2 anti-spyware / anti-adware program. I use it on all my Windows computers.

Even better, in the April CounterSpy Special, you not only get CounterSpy V2 — you also get a 20-issue subscription to PC Magazine at no extra cost!

All for only $19.95 for one computer or $29.92 for 2 computers.

Get CounterSpy V2 and PC Magazine in the April Special.

CounterSpy 2 Released

Sunbelt released CounterSpy 2 last week. The new version features a new antispyware / antiadware engine aimed at providing much enhanced capabilities.

In addition, CounterSpy 2 has much improved memory usage and runs on XP, 2000, and Vista (32-bit only). I’ve updated my computers to CounterSpy 2.

Sunbelt has continued the 15-day free full-function trial version. At the end of 15 days, if you haven’t licensed your copy, it becomes disabled.

CounterSpy 2 is only $19.95 for one computer, with significant discounts for multiple computer licenses.

Windows Security Updates Fix Vista Issue, too

AP has a good article about yesterday’s “Patch Tuesday” updates from Microsoft. Microsoft releases almost all updates on one day each month — the 2nd Tuesday of the month.

This time, there were 6 crifical updates, including one for the “malicious software engine” that powers Windows Defender, including on Vista.

What kind of problem? The usual — a flaw that could let the attacker take over the whole computer! In the anti-malware program, no less…

If you haven’t done your Microsoft Updates, do them now. IF you’re still using Windows Updates, start Windows Updates manually, then click on the option on the right-hand side of the screen to upgrade to Microsoft Updates.

Microsoft Updates will update Windows, Word, Excel, Powerpoint and other Microsoft programs — all in one step. Windows Updates only handled Windows — you had to go to other places at microsoft.com to get the other updates.

CounterSpy, iHateSpam and Sunbelt Kerio Personal Firewall coupons

I wrote back on December 10th that Sunbelt Software had some unadvertised coupons for ComputerSpy, iHateSpam and Sunbelt Kerio Personal Firewall.

These were supposed to expire, but for some reason, the discount codes still seem to be active. I have no idea how long these discount codes will continue to be good.

Here’s the original article:

Sunbelt has an unadvertised coupon sale that runs until 12 midnight, Eastern Standard Time, December 31, 2006:

* Get $5 off a CounterSpy license with coupon code CSC5TY.

* Get $5 off a Sunbelt Kerio Personal firewall license with coupon code SPF5TY.

* Get $5 off a license for Sunbelt’s award-winning anti-spam program iHateSpam with coupon code IHS5TY. iHateSpam is for Outlook and Outlook Express only.

Sunbelt also has great discounts on multiple license purchases (of the same program). For example, 2 CounterSpy licenses are $29.92 instead of 2 times $19.95. Plus, you can use the discount code to get another $5 off your purchase.

Be sure to purchase by December 31, 2006 to get the coupon discount. Coupons have no cash value and are good only at the time of purchase. You can only use the coupon on one license per transaction and only one coupon per transaction.

CounterSpy iHateSpam Sunbelt Personal Firewall