Another great anti-malware tool

You can (hopefully) download this one, PrevX, even if you’re already infected!  Go here, http://info.prevx.com/downloadcsi.asp and click on their link to "Download a randomized filename."

And here's a great article that made me aware of that program:
http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en/vistasecurity/thread/0587ba31-0027-4642-b4df-50e0097043ae

While on the subject, I've often wondered why I almost never (maybe once every five years) get infected with these things, while others do.  Sure, I work on PCs for a living, so I know my way around a computer, but I'm not really doing anything particularly clever.  Here's how I've always been setup and what I've always done while browing the internet:
  • I've always had a router.  Not just the cable/DSL router provided by the ISP, but another router, a wired/wireless router (Linksys, DLink, Netgear, whatever) because I've always had multiple computers at home.  That alone helps with security because a router is, almost by definition, a hardware firewall, not allowing anything in other than whatever the program I'm running at the time might let in.
  • I've always had an anti-virus and one or two anti-malware/spyware programs.  Here's another key:  I make sure they're staying up to date so that they know how to combat the latest threats.
  • Speaking of staying up to date, I always keep an eye out for that little yellow shield (Vista's icon is light blue) in the bottom right, telling me that there are Windows Updates available.  Of course, this latest thing going around pretends to be that shield, telling you that you are out of date and that you should click on it to get updated.  It's easy to fall for.
  • That brings up another point, I might pay closer attention to the wording of such pop-ups than other people do.  For instance, that recent false infection warning is very generic.  It doesn't mention any brand of antivirus, it just says "your antivirus" is out of date.  An authentic warning would almost surely mention the antivirus program maker's name.
  • Another point about wording:  these hackers are almost always ESL (English as a second language) speakers who regularly use bad grammar and spelling.
I'll add more here as I think of it.

If the above helped you in any way, please click the PayPal DONATE link here. It's safe. Thanks!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For in-home/on-site computer repair service in and around Nashville (remove viruses, connect to the Internet, setup new systems, fix a myriad of problems), call Bill at (615) 479-4981.
0 comments

Another great anti-malware tool

You can (hopefully) download this one, PrevX, even if you’re already infected!  Go here, http://info.prevx.com/downloadcsi.asp and click on their link to "Download a randomized filename."

And here's a great article that made me aware of that program:
http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en/vistasecurity/thread/0587ba31-0027-4642-b4df-50e0097043ae

While on the subject, I've often wondered why I almost never (maybe once every five years) get infected with these things, while others do.  Sure, I work on PCs for a living, so I know my way around a computer, but I'm not really doing anything particularly clever.  Here's how I've always been setup and what I've always done while browing the internet:
  • I've always had a router.  Not just the cable/DSL router provided by the ISP, but another router, a wired/wireless router (Linksys, DLink, Netgear, whatever) because I've always had multiple computers at home.  That alone helps with security because a router is, almost by definition, a hardware firewall, not allowing anything in other than whatever the program I'm running at the time might let in.
  • I've always had an anti-virus and one or two anti-malware/spyware programs.  Here's another key:  I make sure they're staying up to date so that they know how to combat the latest threats.
  • Speaking of staying up to date, I always keep an eye out for that little yellow shield (Vista's icon is light blue) in the bottom right, telling me that there are Windows Updates available.  Of course, this latest thing going around pretends to be that shield, telling you that you are out of date and that you should click on it to get updated.  It's easy to fall for.
  • That brings up another point, I might pay closer attention to the wording of such pop-ups than other people do.  For instance, that recent false infection warning is very generic.  It doesn't mention any brand of antivirus, it just says "your antivirus" is out of date.  An authentic warning would almost surely mention the antivirus program maker's name.
  • Another point about wording:  these hackers are almost always ESL (English as a second language) speakers who regularly use bad grammar and spelling.
I'll add more here as I think of it.

If the above helped you in any way, please click the PayPal DONATE link here. It's safe. Thanks!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For in-home/on-site computer repair service in and around Nashville (remove viruses, connect to the Internet, setup new systems, fix a myriad of problems), call Bill at (615) 479-4981.
0 comments

How to automatically set a new System Restore Point

Copy and save the following as NewRestorePoint.vbs:

' begin code
CONST DEVICE_DRIVER_INSTALL = 10
CONST BEGIN_SYSTEM_CHANGE = 100
strComputer = "."
Set objWMIService = GetObject("winmgmts:\\" & strComputer & "\root\default")
Set objItem = objWMIService.Get("SystemRestore")
Set objShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
set objEnv = objShell.Environment("PROCESS")
objEnv("SEE_MASK_NOZONECHECKS") = 1
errResults = objItem.CreateRestorePoint _
    ("hepya.com restore point", DEVICE_DRIVER_INSTALL, BEGIN_SYSTEM_CHANGE)
objEnv.Remove("SEE_MASK_NOZONECHECKS")
' end of code

  • Now edit your Startup group (right click Start, choose Open All Users, double click Programs then Startup)
  • Copy or move the NewRestorePoint.vbs file above into that Startup folder

Voila!  From now on, every time your computer starts up, you'll have a new System Restore Point, which is VERY useful if your computer starts acting up at any point after that!
If the above helped you in any way, please click the PayPal DONATE link here. It's safe. Thanks!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For in-home/on-site computer repair service in and around Nashville (remove viruses, connect to the Internet, setup new systems, fix a myriad of problems), call Bill at (615) 479-4981.
0 comments

How to automatically set a new System Restore Point

Copy and save the following as NewRestorePoint.vbs:

' begin code
CONST DEVICE_DRIVER_INSTALL = 10
CONST BEGIN_SYSTEM_CHANGE = 100
strComputer = "."
Set objWMIService = GetObject("winmgmts:\\" & strComputer & "\root\default")
Set objItem = objWMIService.Get("SystemRestore")
Set objShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
set objEnv = objShell.Environment("PROCESS")
objEnv("SEE_MASK_NOZONECHECKS") = 1
errResults = objItem.CreateRestorePoint _
    ("hepya.com restore point", DEVICE_DRIVER_INSTALL, BEGIN_SYSTEM_CHANGE)
objEnv.Remove("SEE_MASK_NOZONECHECKS")
' end of code

  • Now edit your Startup group (right click Start, choose Open All Users, double click Programs then Startup)
  • Copy or move the NewRestorePoint.vbs file above into that Startup folder

Voila!  From now on, every time your computer starts up, you'll have a new System Restore Point, which is VERY useful if your computer starts acting up at any point after that!
If the above helped you in any way, please click the PayPal DONATE link here. It's safe. Thanks!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For in-home/on-site computer repair service in and around Nashville (remove viruses, connect to the Internet, setup new systems, fix a myriad of problems), call Bill at (615) 479-4981.
0 comments

Keeping your PC safe

That bogus "your pc is infected" warning seems to be going around again. BEFORE you get it, do the following:
If it's too late and you already have this problem, get a friend to download Malwarebytes and put it on a flash drive for you, then install and run it on your computer.  You might have to be in Safe Mode before you can run it.
     Here's another good article on the same subject.  And, finally, click here for a good explanation of "cookies."

If the above helped you in any way, please click the PayPal DONATE link here. It's safe. Thanks!
For in-home/on-site computer repair service in and around Nashville (remove viruses, connect to the Internet, setup new systems, fix a myriad of problems), call Bill at (615) 479-4981.
2 comments

Keeping your PC safe

That bogus "your pc is infected" warning seems to be going around again. BEFORE you get it, do the following:

If it's too late and you already have this problem, get a friend to download Malwarebytes and put it on a flash drive for you, then install and run it on your computer.  You might have to be in Safe Mode before you can run it.
     Here's another good article on the same subject.  And, finally, click here for a good explanation of "cookies."




If the above helped you in any way, please click the PayPal DONATE link here. It's safe. Thanks!
For in-home/on-site computer repair service in and around Nashville (remove viruses, connect to the Internet, setup new systems, fix a myriad of problems), call Bill at (615) 479-4981.


0 comments

Keyboard shortcuts

Some fairly universal keyboard shortcuts that work in many programs that quite a few otherwise computer-savvy people might still be unaware of are as follows:
  • Ctrl A (holding down the Ctrl key at the bottom left or right of most keyboards, then tapping the letter A) = highlight all
  • Ctrl B = bold
  • Ctrl C = copy whatever text you might have highlighted
  • double-click on a word to highlight it (usually)
  • triple-click to highlight an entire paragraph
  • Ctrl F = find/search
  • Ctrl G = go to a specific line or cell
  • Ctrl H = search and replace
  • Ctrl I = italicize
  • Ctrl K = create hyperlink
  • Ctrl N = new document/message
  • Ctrl O = open document
  • Ctrl P = print
  • Ctrl Q = quit/exit (not as universal)
  • Ctrl S = save
  • Ctrl T = new tab (in tabbed browsers)
  • Ctrl V = paste (whatever's been copied)
  • Ctrl W = close window
  • Ctrl X = cut (as opposed to copy)
  • Ctrl Z = undo
More here and here.

If the above helped you in any way, please click the PayPal DONATE link here. It's safe. Thanks!
For in-home/on-site computer repair service in and around Nashville (remove viruses, connect to the Internet, setup new systems, fix a myriad of problems), call Bill at (615) 479-4981.
0 comments

Keyboard shortcuts

Some fairly universal keyboard shortcuts that work in many programs that quite a few otherwise computer-savvy people might still be unaware of are as follows:

  • Ctrl A (holding down the Ctrl key at the bottom left or right of most keyboards, then tapping the letter A) = highlight all

  • Ctrl B = bold

  • Ctrl C = copy whatever text you might have highlighted

  • double-click on a word to highlight it (usually)

  • triple-click to highlight an entire paragraph

  • Ctrl F = find/search

  • Ctrl G = go to a specific line or cell

  • Ctrl H = search and replace

  • Ctrl I = italicize

  • Ctrl K = create hyperlink

  • Ctrl N = new document/message

  • Ctrl O = open document

  • Ctrl P = print

  • Ctrl Q = quit/exit (not as universal)

  • Ctrl S = save

  • Ctrl T = new tab (in tabbed browsers)

  • Ctrl V = paste (whatever's been copied)

  • Ctrl W = close window

  • Ctrl X = cut (as opposed to copy)

  • Ctrl Z = undo


More here and here.

 





If the above helped you in any way, please click the PayPal DONATE link here. It's safe. Thanks!
For in-home/on-site computer repair service in and around Nashville (remove viruses, connect to the Internet, setup new systems, fix a myriad of problems), call Bill at (615) 479-4981.


0 comments

Saving Word documents

In Word 2003 (and possibly older versions), go to Tools, Options, Save and check (if not already) the following settings:
  • Always create backup copy
  • Allow background saves
  • Make local copy of files stored on network...
  • Save AutoRecover info ...
  • Save smart tags as XML
In Word 2007, go to Word Options (under that office icon at top left), Save, and check Save AutoRecover ...

If the above helped you in any way, please click the PayPal DONATE link here. It's safe. Thanks!
For in-home/on-site computer repair service in the greater Nashville area (remove viruses, connect to the Internet, fix a myriad of computer-related problems), call Bill at (615) 479-4981.
0 comments

Saving Word documents

In Word 2003 (and possibly older versions), go to Tools, Options, Save and check (if not already) the following settings:
  • Always create backup copy
  • Allow background saves
  • Make local copy of files stored on network...
  • Save AutoRecover info ...
  • Save smart tags as XML
In Word 2007, go to Word Options (under that office icon at top left), Save, and check Save AutoRecover ...

If the above helped you in any way, please click the PayPal DONATE link here. It's safe. Thanks!
For in-home/on-site computer repair service in the greater Nashville area (remove viruses, connect to the Internet, fix a myriad of computer-related problems), call Bill at (615) 479-4981.
0 comments
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