Tech Stuff

PC Security

The FBI has estimated that over one million computers are infected with financially motivated malware that could cost you a bundle. Article link. The first line of defense lies with your behavior. If you follow these protocols, you’ll be on your way to a safer environment but if you do get infected, the only sure way to purge your computer is run the restore software supplied by the manufacturer. Warning, backup all your personal data because it will be lost forever.

1. Don’t open email attachments or click web pages in strange emails.
2. Turn on Windows automatic updates.
3. Turn on Windows firewall and buy a router.
4. Run your computer as a non-administrator account so spyware or trojans can’t install themselves onto system files. This is easier to do using Vista as XP needs administrator access to run many applications.

On The Road Tips

With all the driving I’ve been doing lately, my favorite tech guru, Leo Laporte the Tech Guy, has kept me up to date on the latest software, gadgets and websites. I know there are plenty of you who have the same interests so I’ll pass them along and if you too would like to download any of Leo’s many podcasts and expand your technical knowledge, just go to the iTunes store and search for Leo Laporte. They’re free. I’ll also post this info on my PC Stuff page for easy reference.

1. A nifty case/battery pack for iPhone users will double your power and help protect the exterior. Check out the Morphie Juice Pack.
2. This could be one of the best gadgets around. CradlePoint’s routers turn your Express Card and USB-style cellular modem into a “personal hotspot” without any additional software. They have a home version and battery powered portable.
3. Complete protection from web based malware designed to steal personal information is available with Haute Secure. It’s free.
4. If you’re purchasing a new computer and wish to avoid getting hosed by purchasing Microsoft Office Suite, two free alternatives are available. Open Office and Lotus Symphony (more polished) will fill the bill and are compatible with Microsoft Office documents.
5. Looking to buy one of those fancy HDTVs or super-duper audio systems? UltimateAVmag.com has the latest reviews to ease the confusion.
6. Have a Mac or looking to buy one? Memory upgrades (and everything else) are ridiculously expensive from Apple but dirt cheap from macsales.com. They also have plenty of other stuff like hard drives and the like for your Apple devices. They give you a few choices from different manufactures on the memory but Leo says the least expensive is fine and comes with a lifetime warranty.
7. -OpenDNS protects millions of people a day across hundreds of thousands of schools, businesses and homes. We block phishing sites, give you the power to filter out adult sites and proxies among more than 50 categories, and provide the precision to block individual domains.- At least that’s what they say on their site. It’s worth checking out and takes only seconds to tweak your system.
8. RANDOM.ORG offers true random numbers to anyone on the Internet. You may even enter lists of names to create totally random pairings (LPGA take note) if you like, along with dice rolls, coin flips, card shuffles and so on.
9. Now for all you truly adventurous or tech-savvy types. -If there’s ever been an operating system that could use some slimming down, it’s Windows Vista. Enter vLite, a donation-supported software tool by Dino Nuhagic that lets you create a Vista installation DVD that leaves out drivers and programs you don’t want, installs Vista so that it begins with settings and options that you do want, and lets you install Vista without responding to any prompts.- Read more here. For other versions of Windows, try nLite.

My Software Picks

If your hard drive has ever gone kaput you know the frustration and feeling of utter stupidity if backing up your data has not been on the top of your to-do list, why not do what I do. I use Carbonitewhich is an online backup service. For $50 a year, it’s well worth the piece of mind. If you’d like to give it a try (14 day free trial) and help me out as well, drop me a line and I’ll send you an invitation. If you sign-up, I receive three extra months. You may also do the same with your friends and extend your subscription.

Having trouble organizing the multitude of pictures amassed on your computer? Google offers Picasa2 to aide in this task and includes photo editing options to boot. You can also create online photo albums.

Windows SteadyState gives you complete control over a shared computer and the ability to return it to the exact condition before other users got their hands on it.

Like to get more inventive with those photos? You may wish to give Paint.net a go. Supposedly competes nicely with its expensive rivals.

Audacity is an open source software that will help record and edit audio files.

Are you feeling a little adventurous and have a desire to dump the IE browser? You might want to give FireFox by Mozilla a try.

An excellent addition to FireFox is their email client Thunderbird. Many updated features and puts Outlook Express to shame.

While you’re at it, backup all your FireFox and Thunderbird settings with MozBackup.

Spyware invading your computer? Bet you didn’t even know you were infected. Purge your machine with Ad-Aware and Spybot. Also, Microsoft has a free real-time application called Windows Defender.

Protect your system with free anti-virus software by AVG.

Fill out forms and passwords with one click using RoboForm.

Get a list of everything in your computer with Belarc Advisor. Print it out for a hard copy.

Ever wonder what all those programs are for when you start your computer? Find the answers here.

Check to see how secure your computer is when you’re online with Shields Up.