There is an email currently making the rounds that has a Valentines Day-themed romantic message. The email has only one or two lines of text and a link to a web page.
Surely, I dont need to remind you NOT to click on any links in mysterious or spam emails, do I?
But, if you do need the reminder, and you DID click the link, it takes you to a web-page full of cute little hearts and a message that says "Guess which one is for you?" If you click anywhere on or near the heart pictures, you will be asked to run a program. This program is a virus, and it will 'zombify' your computer(allow someone from the Internet to take remote control).
The virus doesnt happen automatically; the email contains no virus, visiting the website will not automatically virus your computer(as can sometimes happen), YOU must download and run the virus. You will even be asked 'are you sure?' If you are using the Firefox browser, you will be asked twice.
So why the concern? Because in the month the email has been circulating, the amount of infected computers has been steadily rising.
So dont click the link! If you do, dont click on the webpage! If you do, dont run the program!
If, after all of this, you do run the program, save up some money for the sooner-rather-than-later repair you will need.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
What you might not know about the Digital Transition
With all of this talk about the transition to digital over-the-air broadcasting, some things have gotten lost. There is some confusion about what needs to be replaced, or added, or whatnot.
First, you do not need to replace your TV; your TV will work just as well as it ever has, but unless it can receive the new TV signal you wont be able to watch any programs.
With current over the air broadcasts, which are called analog (because they're simple radio waves), if you receive a weak signal it shows up as static, and you can try to tune in a better signal.
With digital broadcast signals, there is no 'weak' signal, it is either strong and bright or not there at all. If you live in a place where your current TV signal is weak, you will receive no signal at all after the changeover.
Consumer Reports suggests that if you receive the error message from a digital tuner(the add-on box you will need to receive the new TV signal) that says "weak signal" that you get a bigger antenna, move your current antenna near to a window, or to a higher point in your house, such as an attic, or buy a signal booster (which you can attach to the TV).
If you live in a Comcast service area, they are required to sell over the air channels at low cost (sometimes as low $11/mo); however, they are not required to tell customers that this service is available; you will have to ask for it.
First, you do not need to replace your TV; your TV will work just as well as it ever has, but unless it can receive the new TV signal you wont be able to watch any programs.
With current over the air broadcasts, which are called analog (because they're simple radio waves), if you receive a weak signal it shows up as static, and you can try to tune in a better signal.
With digital broadcast signals, there is no 'weak' signal, it is either strong and bright or not there at all. If you live in a place where your current TV signal is weak, you will receive no signal at all after the changeover.
Consumer Reports suggests that if you receive the error message from a digital tuner(the add-on box you will need to receive the new TV signal) that says "weak signal" that you get a bigger antenna, move your current antenna near to a window, or to a higher point in your house, such as an attic, or buy a signal booster (which you can attach to the TV).
If you live in a Comcast service area, they are required to sell over the air channels at low cost (sometimes as low $11/mo); however, they are not required to tell customers that this service is available; you will have to ask for it.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Credit Card Fraud
A recent Wired magazine article made me think about credit cards and the possibility of theft and abuse.
Your credit (or debit/"check guarantee") card is an amazing thing; it allows you to buy things without using money. However, most people look at their credit cards as if they were pieces of plastic instead of being as good as cash.
It is possible these days for a waiter/waitress to pass your card through a miniature card reader, called a "skimmer," before they pass it through the point of sale machine. Skimming can happen anywhere; anyone you hand your card to can pass it through a reader in only a second or two.
The best way to avoid having your card "skimmed" is to not hand it to anyone, or, at the very least, watch the person you hand it to until they hand it back.
While is not possible everywhere, you should do it whenever possible.
The reason you should treat your credit/debit card as if it were cash is because criminals can make an exact copy of your card, and max it out, in less than a day.
It is always good policy to closely watch your statements when they come, because most credit card companies will forgive charges made with a stolen card IF you report them as soon as they are noticed.
Debit cards, however, do not have this same protection. Debit cards are hooked up to your bank account and if they are stolen, your bank account can be emptied in hours. This is why you should treat your cards, especially debit cards, as if they were cash.
Your credit (or debit/"check guarantee") card is an amazing thing; it allows you to buy things without using money. However, most people look at their credit cards as if they were pieces of plastic instead of being as good as cash.
It is possible these days for a waiter/waitress to pass your card through a miniature card reader, called a "skimmer," before they pass it through the point of sale machine. Skimming can happen anywhere; anyone you hand your card to can pass it through a reader in only a second or two.
The best way to avoid having your card "skimmed" is to not hand it to anyone, or, at the very least, watch the person you hand it to until they hand it back.
While is not possible everywhere, you should do it whenever possible.
The reason you should treat your credit/debit card as if it were cash is because criminals can make an exact copy of your card, and max it out, in less than a day.
It is always good policy to closely watch your statements when they come, because most credit card companies will forgive charges made with a stolen card IF you report them as soon as they are noticed.
Debit cards, however, do not have this same protection. Debit cards are hooked up to your bank account and if they are stolen, your bank account can be emptied in hours. This is why you should treat your cards, especially debit cards, as if they were cash.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Netbooks and Error Messages
Recently, a customer had a netbook that would not boot up; when he tried to re-install from restore disks, his netbook gave him a series of unusual error messages.
Because it looked like a problem with the restore disc, I tried several other discs that I knew were good, but I got the same results. After some more testing, I got a Blue Screen (of Death) whose error message, IRQ_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL, I knew to be indicative of bad RAM. So, I replaced the RAM in the socket on the bottom of the netbook.
No change. Same error messages. I searched for a resolution on Google (the researchers friend) and all the results said 'RAM issue'. But I had changed the RAM. So what was going on?
As it turns out, most netbook computers have a secondary RAM socket underneath the keyboard.
I pried up the bezel above the keyboard where the power switch usually is, lifted up the keyboard, and opened up this secondary RAM socket and replaced that RAM with the RAM originally taken from the primary socket.
Problem solved. (Once I placed the cover back on the socket.) No more error messages!
Except for the one preventing Windows from booting. Which was taken care of in short order.
Because it looked like a problem with the restore disc, I tried several other discs that I knew were good, but I got the same results. After some more testing, I got a Blue Screen (of Death) whose error message, IRQ_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL, I knew to be indicative of bad RAM. So, I replaced the RAM in the socket on the bottom of the netbook.
No change. Same error messages. I searched for a resolution on Google (the researchers friend) and all the results said 'RAM issue'. But I had changed the RAM. So what was going on?
As it turns out, most netbook computers have a secondary RAM socket underneath the keyboard.
I pried up the bezel above the keyboard where the power switch usually is, lifted up the keyboard, and opened up this secondary RAM socket and replaced that RAM with the RAM originally taken from the primary socket.
Problem solved. (Once I placed the cover back on the socket.) No more error messages!
Except for the one preventing Windows from booting. Which was taken care of in short order.
Friday, January 16, 2009
On Modems and Routers
Sometimes technology just doesnt work.
Most people in large cities and towns have some form of connection to the Internet. Quite a few of these have "broadband", which is a generic term for a fast connection to the Internet; accomplished by a DSL or cable modem.
Alot of people also have more than one computer, thus needing a way to connect all of them to the Internet easily; hence, the router.
Normally, once hooked up, the router and modem work just fine. But, when they dont, the usual fix is to unplug one or both of them and wait.
As it happens, if you have a non-standard or older modem, you have to wait longer. As was the case last night, a lot longer.
Then you plug the modem in first, and wait. A few minutes (or an hour) later, you plug in the router. A few minutes after that, you turn on the computer(s) that you had turned off previously when you unplugged everything else.
Then you wait a few more minutes for everything to load and settle down and decide whether it wants to work properly.
Then you either celebrate your good fortune, or you curse and reach for the phone to call a guy to come out and do the same thing.
Most people in large cities and towns have some form of connection to the Internet. Quite a few of these have "broadband", which is a generic term for a fast connection to the Internet; accomplished by a DSL or cable modem.
Alot of people also have more than one computer, thus needing a way to connect all of them to the Internet easily; hence, the router.
Normally, once hooked up, the router and modem work just fine. But, when they dont, the usual fix is to unplug one or both of them and wait.
As it happens, if you have a non-standard or older modem, you have to wait longer. As was the case last night, a lot longer.
Then you plug the modem in first, and wait. A few minutes (or an hour) later, you plug in the router. A few minutes after that, you turn on the computer(s) that you had turned off previously when you unplugged everything else.
Then you wait a few more minutes for everything to load and settle down and decide whether it wants to work properly.
Then you either celebrate your good fortune, or you curse and reach for the phone to call a guy to come out and do the same thing.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Network cables
You've heard the term "network cable" or "ethernet cable" before, but do you know what they are?
First off, the terms "Ethernet cable" and "network cable" are interchangeable. So if someone says to you "just go to the store and get an Ethernet cable" and everything is labeled "network cable", you'll know it is the same thing.
Secondly, there are two types and three varieties of Ethernet cables: Patch(also called "Internet") cables and crossover cables. Patch/Internet cables connect your computer to the high-speed modem; crossover cables connect one computer to another. These two type are NOT interchangeable.
With patch/Internet cables the three varieties are Category 5 (usually labeled as "cat5"), Cat 5e and Cat6. These labels refer to the type of wiring inside the cable itself.
Normally, you want Cat5e patch ("Internet") cable. If you need higher speed cable, look for Cat6 "Gigabit" cable.
Finally, a word about speed. Ethernet cables are rated for three levels of speed:
The oldest and slowest is 10Base-T, this isnt usually sold any more.
The next-newest is 10/100, which you can still buy.
The newest and fastest is Gigabit Ethernet, or 10/1000. Gigabit Ethernet is new enough that budget computers and pre-built computers more than 3 years old usually dont have it built in.
First off, the terms "Ethernet cable" and "network cable" are interchangeable. So if someone says to you "just go to the store and get an Ethernet cable" and everything is labeled "network cable", you'll know it is the same thing.
Secondly, there are two types and three varieties of Ethernet cables: Patch(also called "Internet") cables and crossover cables. Patch/Internet cables connect your computer to the high-speed modem; crossover cables connect one computer to another. These two type are NOT interchangeable.
With patch/Internet cables the three varieties are Category 5 (usually labeled as "cat5"), Cat 5e and Cat6. These labels refer to the type of wiring inside the cable itself.
Normally, you want Cat5e patch ("Internet") cable. If you need higher speed cable, look for Cat6 "Gigabit" cable.
Finally, a word about speed. Ethernet cables are rated for three levels of speed:
The oldest and slowest is 10Base-T, this isnt usually sold any more.
The next-newest is 10/100, which you can still buy.
The newest and fastest is Gigabit Ethernet, or 10/1000. Gigabit Ethernet is new enough that budget computers and pre-built computers more than 3 years old usually dont have it built in.
Monday, January 12, 2009
What is Windows 7?
Unless you are a computer geek, you probably have not heard about the newest version of Windows that is in development. This newest version is called Windows 7 (because it is the seventh actual version of Windows).
Since Vista has, relatively, just come out, a person might be excused for thinking 'Gee, isnt this new version coming out awfully quickly?' to which the answer is "no, not really."
Coming out relatively soon after Vista, you should know that Apple routinely puts out new versions of it OS 10 software for the Macintosh every 12 to 18 months; so the unusual part is that Microsoft waits 3 to 5 years between releases, and then expects everyone (businesses and households alike) to buy something entirely new.
Windows 7 looks alot like Vista, and, according to early tests, works alot like Vista but without the problems that plagued Vista when it first came out.
Does this new version of Windows matter? Do you need it, Will you need it?
Answers: Sort of, No and Maybe.
Windows 7 only matters in that it advances technology without forcing a hardware upgrade cycle like Vista did.
Needing it? If XP works for you now, and all you do is email, web surfing and Youtube, then you dont need it now(now meaning the beginning of next year, when it is scheduled for release).
Will you need it in the future? Yes, almost certainly. In the future when all things are possible, you will need the features Windows is promising. They will help you manage your photos, videos, all of the stuff you will be creating and storing.
In the somewhat more realistic future, Windows 7 will look prettier, be easier to manage and help you find all of your stuff faster... if Microsoft can do the one thing they've always promised but never done-
Deliver on their promises.
Since Vista has, relatively, just come out, a person might be excused for thinking 'Gee, isnt this new version coming out awfully quickly?' to which the answer is "no, not really."
Coming out relatively soon after Vista, you should know that Apple routinely puts out new versions of it OS 10 software for the Macintosh every 12 to 18 months; so the unusual part is that Microsoft waits 3 to 5 years between releases, and then expects everyone (businesses and households alike) to buy something entirely new.
Windows 7 looks alot like Vista, and, according to early tests, works alot like Vista but without the problems that plagued Vista when it first came out.
Does this new version of Windows matter? Do you need it, Will you need it?
Answers: Sort of, No and Maybe.
Windows 7 only matters in that it advances technology without forcing a hardware upgrade cycle like Vista did.
Needing it? If XP works for you now, and all you do is email, web surfing and Youtube, then you dont need it now(now meaning the beginning of next year, when it is scheduled for release).
Will you need it in the future? Yes, almost certainly. In the future when all things are possible, you will need the features Windows is promising. They will help you manage your photos, videos, all of the stuff you will be creating and storing.
In the somewhat more realistic future, Windows 7 will look prettier, be easier to manage and help you find all of your stuff faster... if Microsoft can do the one thing they've always promised but never done-
Deliver on their promises.
Friday, January 09, 2009
What Security Programs Should I Get?
It seems like every client I have asks this question. The answer depends on a couples of things:
What kind of Internet connection you have, and how often are you on the Internet/what do you do when you get there?
If you you have Dial-up, then any antivirus program you come across (except Windows Defender) will be enough security; I'd recommend AVG Free(http://free.avg.com).
If you have DSL or a Cable connection you need two types of programs all the time, and occasionally a third one for a couple of hours once a week(or once a month if you hardly use the Internet). The two types of programs you need all the time are antivirus and firewall. The third type is anti-spyware. If you arent using a firewall, then you will need the anti-spyware all the time.
So, which security program is the best? Does it have to be separate programs?
The answer to the second question is 'somtimes' and 'depends on the program you are using'.
If you are using a 'suite' (which is a combination of separate programs which are sold bundled together, like Microsoft Office) then no, all the security programs are installed and run as one program. If you are not using a 'suite', then yes, it has to be separate programs.
Which security program is the best? Currently, the 2 best are Norton 2009, which is available in standalone antivirus and as an Internet Security Suite, and Eset Nod32 antivirus; which is also available as standalone and suite. What is the difference between the two? Only price; Norton is the more expensive and Nod32 is only available from the Internet.
What would I recommend? Norton.
For anti-spyware, I'd recommend Webroot's Spy Sweeper.
What kind of Internet connection you have, and how often are you on the Internet/what do you do when you get there?
If you you have Dial-up, then any antivirus program you come across (except Windows Defender) will be enough security; I'd recommend AVG Free(http://free.avg.com).
If you have DSL or a Cable connection you need two types of programs all the time, and occasionally a third one for a couple of hours once a week(or once a month if you hardly use the Internet). The two types of programs you need all the time are antivirus and firewall. The third type is anti-spyware. If you arent using a firewall, then you will need the anti-spyware all the time.
So, which security program is the best? Does it have to be separate programs?
The answer to the second question is 'somtimes' and 'depends on the program you are using'.
If you are using a 'suite' (which is a combination of separate programs which are sold bundled together, like Microsoft Office) then no, all the security programs are installed and run as one program. If you are not using a 'suite', then yes, it has to be separate programs.
Which security program is the best? Currently, the 2 best are Norton 2009, which is available in standalone antivirus and as an Internet Security Suite, and Eset Nod32 antivirus; which is also available as standalone and suite. What is the difference between the two? Only price; Norton is the more expensive and Nod32 is only available from the Internet.
What would I recommend? Norton.
For anti-spyware, I'd recommend Webroot's Spy Sweeper.
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Its a New Year
And I'm already falling down on my resolution to blog more this year.
So, let's get started.
The two biggest threats to your computer in 2009 I believe will be "WinAntivirus 2008/2009" and "Spyware Guard".
WinAntivirus has a shield icon that has the four Windows colors on it and pops up onto your desktop as soon as you turn on Windows. It will then look like it is scanning your hard drive and it will tell you that you have some number of dozens of infections and the only way to get rid of them is to buy WinAntivirus. If you do this, the makers of the virus will then charge your credit card account to its maximum limit.
WinAntivirus can be gotten rid of using anti-malware programs, but the best option is to have an effective anti-virus program already installed (and updated!).
Spyware Guard is relatively new, and harder to get rid of. It has a shield icon that is silver with a diagonal stripe. It does not pop up as you load the desktop; it waits until the user starts doing something and then pops up and says 'you are not protected; do you want to scan now?'. It will then scan and tell you to buy the program online, just like WinAntivirus, with the same end result.
I have found that Norton 2009 is the only program that successfully disninfects Spyware Guard from an infected computer.
So, let's get started.
The two biggest threats to your computer in 2009 I believe will be "WinAntivirus 2008/2009" and "Spyware Guard".
WinAntivirus has a shield icon that has the four Windows colors on it and pops up onto your desktop as soon as you turn on Windows. It will then look like it is scanning your hard drive and it will tell you that you have some number of dozens of infections and the only way to get rid of them is to buy WinAntivirus. If you do this, the makers of the virus will then charge your credit card account to its maximum limit.
WinAntivirus can be gotten rid of using anti-malware programs, but the best option is to have an effective anti-virus program already installed (and updated!).
Spyware Guard is relatively new, and harder to get rid of. It has a shield icon that is silver with a diagonal stripe. It does not pop up as you load the desktop; it waits until the user starts doing something and then pops up and says 'you are not protected; do you want to scan now?'. It will then scan and tell you to buy the program online, just like WinAntivirus, with the same end result.
I have found that Norton 2009 is the only program that successfully disninfects Spyware Guard from an infected computer.
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