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

Antivirus for Gamers

VIPRE   

VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware
Tired of old antivirus software that makes your PC slow down to a crawl?
Try High-Performance VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware

Multi-computer and multi-year discounts
Unlimited Home Site License available, too.

When I began my evaluation period of Sunbelt Software’s new VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware program, I was promptly shocked.

I had read several reviews about VIPRE and had read phrases like "high performance" and "low resources." I had even read comments that where the writer said that VIPRE was virtually unnoticeable on their computer and that their computer suddenly had more speed that it had in a long time.

Naturally, I discounted those comments and claims, thinking that they were advertising exaggeration and hyperbole. They usually compare the computer’s performance to when it had been running one of the big-name suites, so that wasn’t too surprising any way.

I was shocked when I installed VIPRE on my notebook computer. I saw for myself that VIPRE didn’t interfere with my activities. My computer really was faster with VIPRE, even faster than the speedy combination of CounterSpy and NOD32.

One evening I even ran a deep scan of my whole hard drive while I continued to do other things on my computer — like web browsing, email, Excel, web page editing, Usenet news reading, and other of my typical evening computer activities. I had no desire to stop VIPRE and let it run later — and that’s amazing!

Why does this mean this is the best antivirus for gamers?

The combination of antispyware and antivirus in VIPRE is fast and unobtrusive!

What does every gamer want for their computer? Speed — faster. Memory — less memory consumed by system-critical apps — so the gaming is faster. Small footprint — low resources — so better gaming speed.

VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware has a free, fully-functional 15-day trial. Download it and see for yourself…

VIPRE   

VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware
Tired of old antivirus software that makes your PC slow down to a crawl?
Try High-Performance VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware

Multi-computer and multi-year discounts
Unlimited Home Site License available, too.

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

NOD32 Antivirus Version 3.0 Review

I recently updated from NOD32 version 2.7 to the latest v3.0. I found that Eset has dramatically simplified the structure of the NOD32 controls. They had been criticized in the past as creating a great product for advanced PC users.

The new version has a simplified “Standard Mode” that is much easier to use.

The Advanced Mode is still there — a simple click on the “Display: Standard mode” in the bottom left-hand corner will let you toggle into Advanced mode to enable control of many more options.

Upgrading from a previous version was easy. I uninstalled the older version, rebooted, and installed the new version. Many anti-virus programs work this way, since some of their components are installed during early parts of the Windows boot process — and not changeable without a reboot.

Then, installing was straight forward.

Once NOD32 is running, the first screen displayed is the Protection Status screen. If all is well, you see a display with a green monitor labelled Maximum Protection. If any features have been turned off or disabled…

Continue reading NOD32 Antivirus Version 3.0 Review

NOD32 offers discounts for multiple computers and/or multiple years.
Try NOD32 free for 30 days

Speeding Up the Windows Boot Process

I recently made some boot changes to a notebook computer that resulted in a remarkable increase in the boot speed. The notebook was running Windows XP Home.

It was a small, light Sony — one of the 12-inch monitor models.

Tech Humor
With notebooks, you can get small, light, fast and cheap.
Pick any two…

In this particular case, the notebook took 4.5 minutes to boot, and it’s owner wanted it to be much faster.

I referred to my favorite tool to get his boot process under control …

Continue reading Speeding Up the Windows Boot Process

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

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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.