Preventing Windows problems may be the best thing that you can do for your computer. With the economy doing crazy things, now is not the time to have problems with your PC. Getting your computer fixed at the local PC shop is expensive and not even guaranteed to solve its problems. Luckily, there are many things you can do to recession-proof your computer and eliminate Windows problems.
Keeping a Windows computer in top shape is about using common sense and know-how to avoid problems. Often, trouble is brewing long before the user notices a problem.
Consider this analogy: You fill a pot with water, put it on the stove and walk away. After about 20 minutes the pot is so hot that the top rises up and water boils over the side. Why did that happen? Because you were not paying attention to it before it boiled over: The pot is the computer; the water is your Windows Operating System.
The easiest way to fix a Windows computer is to prevent it from having a problem in the first place. It is always better to know the condition of your computer and operating system - it will save you tons of frustration, work and time.
The following is a list of what you can do to recession-proof your computer:
1. Don’t Buy a New Computer; Speed Up the One You Have
It may seem an attractive option to buy that shiny new computer on sale – especially as many companies are almost giving them away. Often, however,you can inexpensively upgrade your current one to make it faster. The single best and cheapest thing you can do to make Windows run faster is to have enough operating memory and hard drive space.
2. Protect Your Computer
Power - Every computer should have some type of power protection. Preferable a power strip with a small battery backup, so you can close Windows safely if there is a power outage.
Firewall and Antivirus Software – Every computer needs Firewall and Antivirus software to keep out hackers and stop viruses before they turn a computer into toast.
3. Use Common Sense
Internet Browsing – be careful what you look at and click on while browsing on the Internet. Here is an extreme scenario: You are happily surfing along, when something automatically starts downloading or opening tons of windows on your computer that you cannot stop it. Think that sounds crazy?It is more common than you would imagine.
Downloading Programs – Don’t download programs to your computer, from sites that are anything other than mainstream vendors like Amazon.com,Tucows.com and other reputable stores. Anyone can throw up a web site; not just anyone deserves your trust.
Passwords – Don’t use the same ID and password for every web site you use. Create a standard ID and different password for each web site you visit.That way if you sign up on some site that doesn’t have ethical standards, you will not have to worry about someone taking that ID and password and trying to use them all over the web. Also, keep your passwords in a safe place: Write them down on a piece of paper and put the paper in a locked desk drawer.
Pay Attention - Paying attention to the little things will pay you back ten times in less downtime and problems with your Windows computer. If your computer is operating slowly, ask yourself why. Read up on a possible cause.
Fully Read Error Messages - When you encounter an error message in Windows, don’t just click through it. Read it completely. If it is something serious, you might even want to make a screenshot of it and save it for further consideration.
Shutdown Your Computer Safely – don’t just shutoff the power switch on your computer during normal operation. Use Windows to perform a safe shutdown. Only in extreme conditions (like those mentioned in Internet Browsing above), should you do anything other than an orderly shutdown of Windows.
Backup Your Work Often – Your hard drive is going to crash – it is just a question of when. There are steps you can take to safely and easily secure your information. Backing up your data will save you hours of frustration and worry.
4. Perform Quarterly Maintenance
You do maintenance on your car – why not your computer? Every three months or so do some preventative maintenance. You don’t have to be manic about maintenance to do just enough to keep it healthy.
Clean Your Desktop – a desktop without files on it (other than shortcuts), will always run faster than one with many.
Scan Windows System Files – check and fix any conditions in your operating system
Scan Your Hard Drive - Check and fix hard drive problems using the Chkdsk command.
Scan Your Computer for Viruses – if you don’t have your Antivirus program set up to automatically download the latest virus definition and scan your computer weekly, you are wrong. You should set that up. But, if you still don’t want to do that, at least do it 4 times a year.
Thursday, 24 March 2011
Saturday, 5 March 2011
How to Determine my Computer's Mac Address
How to find your computer's network MAC address.
MAC stands for "Media Access Control" and is a permanent ID number associated with a computer's physical Ethernet or wireless (Wife) network card built into the computer. This number is used to identify computers on a network in addition to the computer's IP address. The MAC address is often used to identify computers that are part of a large network such as an office building or college computer lab network. No two network cards have the same MAC address.
On Windows based computers
- Click on the "Start" menu and click on the "Run" prompt.
- Type in "cmd" in the "Run" text box and press "Enter." A DOS command prompt window appears.
- Type in "ipconfig /all" in the command prompt and press "Enter." Note the space between "ipconfig" and the "/." A list of items appears within the DOS command prompt. Look for "Physical Address" and view the number next to this item. This is your network card's MAC address.
- Depending on whether you are on a wired or wireless connection at the time of checking this information the MAC address shown will be for whichever network device is in use (Ethernet or WiFi).
On Mac OS based systems
- Click on the "Apple" logo in the upper left of the screen. Select the "System Preferences" menu item. Select the "Network" option under "System Preferences." If you are using a wired connection through an Ethernet cable proceed to Step 2, if you are using a wireless connection proceed to Step 4.
- Click on the "Ethernet" tab within the "Network" window. If you do not see this tab look for an item labeled "Advanced" and click on this item and click the "Ethernet" tab when it appears.
- Look for an item labeled "Ethernet ID" under the "Ethernet" tab. The number next to this item is your computer's MAC address.
Click on the "Airport" tab under the "Network" options. Look for "Airport ID" underneath the list of available networks. The number next to "Airport ID" is your MAC address.
References:
Knowledge Base, What is a MAC address: http://kb.iu.edu/data/alfq.html
Coffer.com, How to determine MAC address: http://www.coffer.com/mac_info/
Wednesday, 2 March 2011
Caught A Virus?
Caught A Virus?
If you've let your guard down--or even if you haven't--it can be hard to tell if your PC is infected. Here's what to do if you suspect the worst.
Heard this one before? You must run antivirus software and keep it up to date or else your PC will get infected, you'll lose all your data, and you'll incur the wrath of every e-mail buddy you unknowingly infect because of your carelessness.
You know they're right. Yet for one reason or another, you're not running antivirus software, or you are but it's not up to date. Maybe you turned off your virus scanner because it conflicted with another program. Maybe you got tired of upgrading after you bought Norton Antivirus 2001, 2002, and 2003. Or maybe your annual subscription of virus definitions recently expired, and you've put off renewing.
It happens. It's nothing to be ashamed of. But chances are, either you're infected right now, as we speak, or you will be very soon.
For a few days in late January, the Netsky.p worm was infecting about 2,500 PCs a day. Meanwhile the MySQL bot infected approximately 100 systems a minute (albeit not necessarily desktop PCs). As David Perry, global director of education for security software provider Trend Micro, puts it, "an unprotected [Windows] computer will become owned by a bot within 14 minutes."
Today's viruses, worms, and so-called bots--which turn your PC into a zombie that does the hacker's bidding (such as mass-mailing spam)--aren't going to announce their presence. Real viruses aren't like the ones in Hollywood movies that melt down whole networks in seconds and destroy alien spacecraft. They operate in the background, quietly altering data, stealing private operations, or using your PC for their own illegal ends. This makes them hard to spot if you're not well protected.
If you've let your guard down--or even if you haven't--it can be hard to tell if your PC is infected. Here's what to do if you suspect the worst.
Heard this one before? You must run antivirus software and keep it up to date or else your PC will get infected, you'll lose all your data, and you'll incur the wrath of every e-mail buddy you unknowingly infect because of your carelessness.
You know they're right. Yet for one reason or another, you're not running antivirus software, or you are but it's not up to date. Maybe you turned off your virus scanner because it conflicted with another program. Maybe you got tired of upgrading after you bought Norton Antivirus 2001, 2002, and 2003. Or maybe your annual subscription of virus definitions recently expired, and you've put off renewing.
It happens. It's nothing to be ashamed of. But chances are, either you're infected right now, as we speak, or you will be very soon.
For a few days in late January, the Netsky.p worm was infecting about 2,500 PCs a day. Meanwhile the MySQL bot infected approximately 100 systems a minute (albeit not necessarily desktop PCs). As David Perry, global director of education for security software provider Trend Micro, puts it, "an unprotected [Windows] computer will become owned by a bot within 14 minutes."
Today's viruses, worms, and so-called bots--which turn your PC into a zombie that does the hacker's bidding (such as mass-mailing spam)--aren't going to announce their presence. Real viruses aren't like the ones in Hollywood movies that melt down whole networks in seconds and destroy alien spacecraft. They operate in the background, quietly altering data, stealing private operations, or using your PC for their own illegal ends. This makes them hard to spot if you're not well protected.
5 safety tips for using a public computer
5 safety tips for using a public computer
Public computers in libraries, Internet cafes, airports, and copy shops can be safe if you follow a few simple rules when you use them.
Read these tips to help keep your work, personal, or financial information private.
1. Don't save your logon information
Always log out of Web sites by clicking "log out" on the site. It's not enough to simply close the browser window or type in another address.
Many programs (especially social networking Web sites, Web mail, and instant messenger programs) include automatic login features that will save your user name and password. Disable this option so no one can log in as you.
2. Don't leave the computer unattended with sensitive information on the screen
If you have to leave the public computer, log out of all programs and close all windows that might display sensitive information.
3. Erase your tracks
Internet Explorer 8 offers InPrivate browsing that leaves no trace of specific Web activity. For more information, see Browse privately.
Internet Explorer also keeps a record of your passwords and every page you visit, even after you've closed them and logged out.
Disable the feature that stores passwords
Before you go to the Web, turn off the Internet Explorer feature that "remembers" your passwords.
1.In Internet Explorer, click Tools, and then click Internet Options.
2.Click the Content tab, and then click Settings, next to AutoComplete.
3.Click to clear both check boxes having to do with passwords.
Delete your temporary Internet files and your history
When you finish your use of a public computer, you can help protect your private information by deleting your temporary Internet files. For information on how to delete temporary Internet files on Internet Explorer 7 and Internet Explorer 8, see Delete temporary Internet files.
4. Watch for over-the-shoulder snoops
When you use a public computer, be on the look out for thieves who look over your shoulder or watch as you enter sensitive passwords to collect your information.
5. Don't enter sensitive information into a public computer
These measures provide some protection against casual hackers who use a public computer after you have.
But keep in mind that an industrious thief might have installed sophisticated software on the public computer that records every keystroke and then e-mails that information back to the thief.
Then it doesn't matter if you haven't saved your information or if you've erased your tracks. They still have access to this information.
If you really want to be safe, avoid typing your credit card number or any other financial or otherwise sensitive information into any public computer.
Public computers in libraries, Internet cafes, airports, and copy shops can be safe if you follow a few simple rules when you use them.
Read these tips to help keep your work, personal, or financial information private.
1. Don't save your logon information
Always log out of Web sites by clicking "log out" on the site. It's not enough to simply close the browser window or type in another address.
Many programs (especially social networking Web sites, Web mail, and instant messenger programs) include automatic login features that will save your user name and password. Disable this option so no one can log in as you.
2. Don't leave the computer unattended with sensitive information on the screen
If you have to leave the public computer, log out of all programs and close all windows that might display sensitive information.
3. Erase your tracks
Internet Explorer 8 offers InPrivate browsing that leaves no trace of specific Web activity. For more information, see Browse privately.
Internet Explorer also keeps a record of your passwords and every page you visit, even after you've closed them and logged out.
Disable the feature that stores passwords
Before you go to the Web, turn off the Internet Explorer feature that "remembers" your passwords.
1.In Internet Explorer, click Tools, and then click Internet Options.
2.Click the Content tab, and then click Settings, next to AutoComplete.
3.Click to clear both check boxes having to do with passwords.
Delete your temporary Internet files and your history
When you finish your use of a public computer, you can help protect your private information by deleting your temporary Internet files. For information on how to delete temporary Internet files on Internet Explorer 7 and Internet Explorer 8, see Delete temporary Internet files.
4. Watch for over-the-shoulder snoops
When you use a public computer, be on the look out for thieves who look over your shoulder or watch as you enter sensitive passwords to collect your information.
5. Don't enter sensitive information into a public computer
These measures provide some protection against casual hackers who use a public computer after you have.
But keep in mind that an industrious thief might have installed sophisticated software on the public computer that records every keystroke and then e-mails that information back to the thief.
Then it doesn't matter if you haven't saved your information or if you've erased your tracks. They still have access to this information.
If you really want to be safe, avoid typing your credit card number or any other financial or otherwise sensitive information into any public computer.
Computer Security
Computer Security
In order to better secure your home computer or home network it helps if you have some basic knowledge of how it all works so you can understand what exactly you are securing and why. This will be the first in a 10-part series to help provide an overview of the terms and technology used and some of the tips, tricks, tools and techniques you can use to make sure your computer is secure.
To begin with, I want to provide some understanding of what these terms are so that when you read about the latest malicious code spreading through the Internet and how it gets into and infects your computer you will be able to decipher the techie terms and determine if this affects you or your computer and what steps you can or should take to prevent it. For Part 1 of this series we will cover Hosts, DNS, ISP’s and Backbone.
The term “host” can be confusing because it has multiple meanings in the computer world. It is used to describe a computer or server that provides web pages. In this context it is said that the computer is “hosting” the web site. Host is also used to describe the companies that allow people to share their server hardware and Internet connection to share these as a service rather than every company or individual having to buy all their own equipment.
A “host” in the context of computers on the Internet is defined as any computer that has a live connection with the Internet. All computers on the Internet are peers to one another. They can all act as servers or as clients. You can run a web site on your computer just as easily as you can use your computer to view web sites from other computers. The Internet is nothing more than a global network of hosts communicating back and forth. Looked at in this way, all computers, or hosts, on the Internet are equal.
On the Internet, this is called your IP (Internet protocol) address. The IP address is made up of four blocks of three numbers between 0 and 255.Different ranges of IP addresses are owned by different companies or ISP’s (Internet service providers). By deciphering the IP address it can be funneled to the right host. First it goes to the owner of that range of addresses and can then be filtered down to the specific address its intended for.
I might name my computer “My Computer”, but there is no way for me to know how many other people named their computer “My Computer” so it would not work to try to send communications to “My Computer” any more than addressing a letter simply to “Joe Smith” would get delivered properly.With millions of hosts on the Internet it is virtually impossible for users to remember the addresses of each web site or host they want to communicate with though, so a system was created to let users access sites using names that are easier to recall.
In order to better secure your home computer or home network it helps if you have some basic knowledge of how it all works so you can understand what exactly you are securing and why. This will be the first in a 10-part series to help provide an overview of the terms and technology used and some of the tips, tricks, tools and techniques you can use to make sure your computer is secure.
To begin with, I want to provide some understanding of what these terms are so that when you read about the latest malicious code spreading through the Internet and how it gets into and infects your computer you will be able to decipher the techie terms and determine if this affects you or your computer and what steps you can or should take to prevent it. For Part 1 of this series we will cover Hosts, DNS, ISP’s and Backbone.
The term “host” can be confusing because it has multiple meanings in the computer world. It is used to describe a computer or server that provides web pages. In this context it is said that the computer is “hosting” the web site. Host is also used to describe the companies that allow people to share their server hardware and Internet connection to share these as a service rather than every company or individual having to buy all their own equipment.
A “host” in the context of computers on the Internet is defined as any computer that has a live connection with the Internet. All computers on the Internet are peers to one another. They can all act as servers or as clients. You can run a web site on your computer just as easily as you can use your computer to view web sites from other computers. The Internet is nothing more than a global network of hosts communicating back and forth. Looked at in this way, all computers, or hosts, on the Internet are equal.
On the Internet, this is called your IP (Internet protocol) address. The IP address is made up of four blocks of three numbers between 0 and 255.Different ranges of IP addresses are owned by different companies or ISP’s (Internet service providers). By deciphering the IP address it can be funneled to the right host. First it goes to the owner of that range of addresses and can then be filtered down to the specific address its intended for.
I might name my computer “My Computer”, but there is no way for me to know how many other people named their computer “My Computer” so it would not work to try to send communications to “My Computer” any more than addressing a letter simply to “Joe Smith” would get delivered properly.With millions of hosts on the Internet it is virtually impossible for users to remember the addresses of each web site or host they want to communicate with though, so a system was created to let users access sites using names that are easier to recall.
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
10 Fast and Free Security Enhancements
10 Fast and Free Security Enhancements
Before you spend a dime on security, there are many precautions you can take that will protect you against the most common threats.
1. Check Windows Update and Office Update regularly (_http://office.microsoft.com/productupdates); have your Office CD ready. Windows Me, 2000, and XP users can configure automatic updates. Click on the Automatic Updates tab in the System control panel and choose the appropriate options.
2. Install a personal firewall. Both SyGate (_www.sygate.com) and ZoneAlarm (_www.zonelabs.com) offer free versions.
3. Install a free spyware blocker. Our Editors' Choice ("Spyware," April 22) was SpyBot Search & Destroy (_http://security.kolla.de). SpyBot is also paranoid and ruthless in hunting out tracking cookies.
4. Block pop-up spam messages in Windows NT, 2000, or XP by disabling the Windows Messenger service (this is unrelated to the instant messaging program). Open Control Panel | Administrative Tools | Services and you'll see Messenger. Right-click and go to Properties. Set Start-up Type to Disabled and press the Stop button. Bye-bye, spam pop-ups! Any good firewall will also stop them.
5. Use strong passwords and change them periodically. Passwords should have at least seven characters; use letters and numbers and have at least one symbol. A decent example would be f8izKro@l. This will make it much harder for anyone to gain access to your accounts.
6. If you're using Outlook or Outlook Express, use the current version or one with the Outlook Security Update installed. The update and current versions patch numerous vulnerabilities.
7. Buy antivirus software and keep it up to date. If you're not willing to pay, try avast free antivirus (http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download) .
8. If you have a wireless network, turn on the security features: Use MAC filtering, turn off SSID broadcast, and even use WEP with the biggest key you can get. For more, check out our wireless section or see the expanded coverage in Your Unwired World in our next issue.
9. Join a respectable e-mail security list, such as the one found at our own Security Supersite at _http://security.ziffdavis.com, so that you learn about emerging threats quickly and can take proper precautions.
10. Be skeptical of things on the Internet. Don't assume that e-mail "From:" a particular person is actually from that person until you have further reason to believe it's that person. Don't assume that an attachment is what it says it is. Don't give out your password to anyone, even if that person claims to be from "support."
Before you spend a dime on security, there are many precautions you can take that will protect you against the most common threats.
1. Check Windows Update and Office Update regularly (_http://office.microsoft.com/productupdates); have your Office CD ready. Windows Me, 2000, and XP users can configure automatic updates. Click on the Automatic Updates tab in the System control panel and choose the appropriate options.
2. Install a personal firewall. Both SyGate (_www.sygate.com) and ZoneAlarm (_www.zonelabs.com) offer free versions.
3. Install a free spyware blocker. Our Editors' Choice ("Spyware," April 22) was SpyBot Search & Destroy (_http://security.kolla.de). SpyBot is also paranoid and ruthless in hunting out tracking cookies.
4. Block pop-up spam messages in Windows NT, 2000, or XP by disabling the Windows Messenger service (this is unrelated to the instant messaging program). Open Control Panel | Administrative Tools | Services and you'll see Messenger. Right-click and go to Properties. Set Start-up Type to Disabled and press the Stop button. Bye-bye, spam pop-ups! Any good firewall will also stop them.
5. Use strong passwords and change them periodically. Passwords should have at least seven characters; use letters and numbers and have at least one symbol. A decent example would be f8izKro@l. This will make it much harder for anyone to gain access to your accounts.
6. If you're using Outlook or Outlook Express, use the current version or one with the Outlook Security Update installed. The update and current versions patch numerous vulnerabilities.
7. Buy antivirus software and keep it up to date. If you're not willing to pay, try avast free antivirus (http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download) .
8. If you have a wireless network, turn on the security features: Use MAC filtering, turn off SSID broadcast, and even use WEP with the biggest key you can get. For more, check out our wireless section or see the expanded coverage in Your Unwired World in our next issue.
9. Join a respectable e-mail security list, such as the one found at our own Security Supersite at _http://security.ziffdavis.com, so that you learn about emerging threats quickly and can take proper precautions.
10. Be skeptical of things on the Internet. Don't assume that e-mail "From:" a particular person is actually from that person until you have further reason to believe it's that person. Don't assume that an attachment is what it says it is. Don't give out your password to anyone, even if that person claims to be from "support."
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