What's Crapware? Software that you don't need but is installed on your PC and taking up valuable resources.Get rid of them with the Add/Remove Programs applet in the Control Panel.
And watch http://www.cnettv.com/9710-1_53-28721.html for a nice video.
Sunday, 29 July 2007
Tuesday, 3 July 2007
Friday, 29 June 2007
Windows Update
Microsoft regularly releases updates to its software. They handle issues ranging from critical security issues or bug fixes to minor improvements. Generally, it is best to keep your PC up to date with security patches and critical updates. Visit WindowsUpdate.Microsoft.com or just update.microsoft.com to keep your PC upto date with the latest patches.
There are updates to cover the Windows operating system, Microsoft Office (if you have it), hardware drivers and any server software component that you may have (SQL Server, IIS etc).
Keeping your PC up to date with the patches and upgrades means that you are a little safer on the web, you computer's chances of crashing are lower and the overall performance can improve.
The website will detect the software you have on your PC and determine which components require updation. It will ask you which updates are to be installed on your PC, download them and install them one by one. You may have to reboot your PC after the installation.
Remember that for some updates, Microsoft will require you to run a Windows Genuine Advantage tool to "Validate your copy of Windows". Its purpose is to detect counterfiet or pirated operating systems. If you have a original copy of windows with your system, you need not worry about this. But if you do not have a proper licenced version, the WGA tool will detect it and nag you down to "Get Genuine" which is to buy original software. Another reason to go for genuine software :) with your new PC. For details, see this FAQ.
You can also check out non-microsoft offerings like http://windowsupdate.62nds.com/
There are updates to cover the Windows operating system, Microsoft Office (if you have it), hardware drivers and any server software component that you may have (SQL Server, IIS etc).
Keeping your PC up to date with the patches and upgrades means that you are a little safer on the web, you computer's chances of crashing are lower and the overall performance can improve.
The website will detect the software you have on your PC and determine which components require updation. It will ask you which updates are to be installed on your PC, download them and install them one by one. You may have to reboot your PC after the installation.
Remember that for some updates, Microsoft will require you to run a Windows Genuine Advantage tool to "Validate your copy of Windows". Its purpose is to detect counterfiet or pirated operating systems. If you have a original copy of windows with your system, you need not worry about this. But if you do not have a proper licenced version, the WGA tool will detect it and nag you down to "Get Genuine" which is to buy original software. Another reason to go for genuine software :) with your new PC. For details, see this FAQ.
You can also check out non-microsoft offerings like http://windowsupdate.62nds.com/
Sunday, 24 June 2007
Minimise Online Risks - Don't Use an Administrator Account
If you are using the Administrator account or an account with administrator privillages for routine work like internet browsing, email etc, then you are asking for trouble.
If a worm or a virus manages to get past your antivirus software (you have antivirus, don't you?), then the worm or virus will have all the previllages that your administrator account has - that's total control. It can install itself wherever it pleases, do whatever it wants and the total system will be at its mercy. System wide malfunction will occur. Removing the virus will be very dificult.
On the other hand, if you are using a non-administrator, limited account, the maximum rights that the virus can get is limited to your limited account's previllages. Atleast it wont be able to modify system files, install iteself everywhere etc. The infection will not be system wide and it will be relatively easier to recover from too.
To findout what your previllages you currently have, go to the Control Panel > User Accounts. If you are using an account that's labeled 'Computer Administrator', you better use another account which is a Limited account for Internet and email. If needed, create a new user with Limited privileges just for Internet and email.
Use the latest version of FireFox or Internet Explorer 7 to increase security. Go to Windows Update website to keep your software up-to-date.
If a worm or a virus manages to get past your antivirus software (you have antivirus, don't you?), then the worm or virus will have all the previllages that your administrator account has - that's total control. It can install itself wherever it pleases, do whatever it wants and the total system will be at its mercy. System wide malfunction will occur. Removing the virus will be very dificult.
On the other hand, if you are using a non-administrator, limited account, the maximum rights that the virus can get is limited to your limited account's previllages. Atleast it wont be able to modify system files, install iteself everywhere etc. The infection will not be system wide and it will be relatively easier to recover from too.
To findout what your previllages you currently have, go to the Control Panel > User Accounts. If you are using an account that's labeled 'Computer Administrator', you better use another account which is a Limited account for Internet and email. If needed, create a new user with Limited privileges just for Internet and email.
Use the latest version of FireFox or Internet Explorer 7 to increase security. Go to Windows Update website to keep your software up-to-date.
Saturday, 23 June 2007
Windows Keyboard Shortcuts
Windows has a keyboard shortcuts to quickly do things that you want to do. For a good list of keyboard shortcuts, see these pages:
http://www.seoconsultants.com/windows/key/
http://www.seoconsultants.com/windows/key/
Thursday, 21 June 2007
IE Tips: Easy Way to Scroll Through Web Pages
An easy way to scroll through web pages is with the spacebar.
Pressing the Spacebar key will scroll down a page.
Pressign Shift+Spacebar key will scroll up a page.
Yes, yes, Page Up and Page Down keys too do the same thing, but isn't it a lot easier to hit the Spacebar key than search the Page Up and Page Down keys?
See http://www.onecomputerguy.com/ie_tips.htm for more!
Pressing the Spacebar key will scroll down a page.
Pressign Shift+Spacebar key will scroll up a page.
Yes, yes, Page Up and Page Down keys too do the same thing, but isn't it a lot easier to hit the Spacebar key than search the Page Up and Page Down keys?
See http://www.onecomputerguy.com/ie_tips.htm for more!
McAfee Site Advisor - A Must Have Tool
McAfee has come out with an excellent tool to protect users from harmful websites: McAfee Site Advisor
McAfee's software robots have visited millions of websites on the Internet and have listed out sites that contain harmful content like viruses, worms, spyware, exploits etc and also sites that are known to be online scam, contain annoying popups etc. The Site Advisor software will make use of this knowledge database and advice you appropriately when you visit those websites. It will warn you about harmful sites even before you click on the harmful link!
How is it different from an Antivirus or firewall? "McAfee SiteAdvisor warns you before you interact with a dangerous Web site. Traditional security products focus on trying to clean up problems after they occur." Remember that McAfee Site Advisor is not a substitute for antivirus software and firewall software - You need them too. Site Advisor complements them in preventing malware and also covers risks that are not usually covered by antivirus and firewall.
You will need to download and install separate plugins for Internet Explorer and for FireFox. The software integrates seamlessly with the browser. It even shows which sites are bad and which are good in your search results!
A MUST HAVE tool for anyone who surfs the Internet. It costs nothing and it will save a lot of trouble for you. Visit SiteAdvisor homepage.
McAfee's software robots have visited millions of websites on the Internet and have listed out sites that contain harmful content like viruses, worms, spyware, exploits etc and also sites that are known to be online scam, contain annoying popups etc. The Site Advisor software will make use of this knowledge database and advice you appropriately when you visit those websites. It will warn you about harmful sites even before you click on the harmful link!
How is it different from an Antivirus or firewall? "McAfee SiteAdvisor warns you before you interact with a dangerous Web site. Traditional security products focus on trying to clean up problems after they occur." Remember that McAfee Site Advisor is not a substitute for antivirus software and firewall software - You need them too. Site Advisor complements them in preventing malware and also covers risks that are not usually covered by antivirus and firewall.
You will need to download and install separate plugins for Internet Explorer and for FireFox. The software integrates seamlessly with the browser. It even shows which sites are bad and which are good in your search results!
A MUST HAVE tool for anyone who surfs the Internet. It costs nothing and it will save a lot of trouble for you. Visit SiteAdvisor homepage.
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