Thursday, September 13, 2012
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Security Baseline Revisited
This was last posted in April of this year. There are no changes. This package had helped me keep my PCs trouble-free.
I think every few months or so I should publish this post, especially for those of you who may be new viewers. For those of you who are familiar with my security baseline, I continue to use the same portfolio of free products I used months ago. There are no changes.
I hope you are using these programs. Keep them updated before running!
From time to time I refer to my security baseline. My security baseline is merely a list of programs I use (all free) and recommend for anyone to use to keep their systems secure. This applies to YOU if you use Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 7.
Remember, all of these products are FREE, but will do as good a job as any fee products you may use. I make that statement and stand by it based on 44 years of experience with computers.
1. Microsoft Security Essentials. This is a very impressive anti-virus program and can replace any you have now. DOWNLOAD HERE
2. Windows Firewall (Standard part of your operating system. Check the Security Center to be sure it is on.)
3. MVPS HOSTS File - download the current month's version and update monthly DOWNLOAD HERE
4. CCleaner - check for newer version than you may already have. Run weekly. DOWNLOAD HERE by clicking on Download Latest Version in the upper right hand corner of the page.
5. Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware - run bi-weekly. DOWNLOAD HERE
6. SuperAntiSpyware Free Edition - run bi-weekly in the off week after #5. DOWNLOAD HERE
7. Spybot Search & Destroy - run monthly just before downloading new HOSTS file. I recommend, for now, downloading Version 1.6.2 under "old versions". DOWNLOAD HERE
I will be happy to assist you with any or all of the above installations. This can be done remotely.
Questions? Comment below or write me, pcdoc at brpcdoc dot com
I think every few months or so I should publish this post, especially for those of you who may be new viewers. For those of you who are familiar with my security baseline, I continue to use the same portfolio of free products I used months ago. There are no changes.
I hope you are using these programs. Keep them updated before running!
From time to time I refer to my security baseline. My security baseline is merely a list of programs I use (all free) and recommend for anyone to use to keep their systems secure. This applies to YOU if you use Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 7.
Remember, all of these products are FREE, but will do as good a job as any fee products you may use. I make that statement and stand by it based on 44 years of experience with computers.
1. Microsoft Security Essentials. This is a very impressive anti-virus program and can replace any you have now. DOWNLOAD HERE
2. Windows Firewall (Standard part of your operating system. Check the Security Center to be sure it is on.)
3. MVPS HOSTS File - download the current month's version and update monthly DOWNLOAD HERE
4. CCleaner - check for newer version than you may already have. Run weekly. DOWNLOAD HERE by clicking on Download Latest Version in the upper right hand corner of the page.
5. Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware - run bi-weekly. DOWNLOAD HERE
6. SuperAntiSpyware Free Edition - run bi-weekly in the off week after #5. DOWNLOAD HERE
7. Spybot Search & Destroy - run monthly just before downloading new HOSTS file. I recommend, for now, downloading Version 1.6.2 under "old versions". DOWNLOAD HERE
I will be happy to assist you with any or all of the above installations. This can be done remotely.
Questions? Comment below or write me, pcdoc at brpcdoc dot com
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Nice feedback
I received this e-mail yesterday. It is always nice to receive good, positive feedback like this from a blog reader.
"Thank you, thank you, for your very clear instructions! After too many frustrating attempts, I found your instructions on the web and was done in minutes. I, too, like Outlook Express; have bought a new computer and will install the new Outlook program -- any problems changing from Outlook Express to Outlook?"
"Thank you, thank you, for your very clear instructions! After too many frustrating attempts, I found your instructions on the web and was done in minutes. I, too, like Outlook Express; have bought a new computer and will install the new Outlook program -- any problems changing from Outlook Express to Outlook?"
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Rogue Microsoft Services Agreement emails lead to latest Java exploit
As always, be careful, be very careful out there!
"IDG News Service - Hackers are distributing rogue email notifications about changes in Microsoft's Services Agreement to trick people into visiting malicious pages that use a recently circulated Java exploit to infect their computers with malware."
"IDG News Service - Hackers are distributing rogue email notifications about changes in Microsoft's Services Agreement to trick people into visiting malicious pages that use a recently circulated Java exploit to infect their computers with malware."
Friday, August 24, 2012
"Are you ready for Windows 8? I’m not and here’s why…"
I am eminently unqualified to even comment on Windows 8, so I am happy to post another item from the Call That Girl Blog that covers the topic of Windows 8. It's early yet, but those of you who are buying a new computer this summer are being given coupons that will allow you to obtain a copy of Windows 8 for $14.99 or some low price like that when it becomes generally available. Before you jump into something new, I urge you to read the latest here or elsewhere on Windows 8.
Here is how the post starts:
"For those of you that are just now finally getting out of Windows Vista and moving to Windows 7, you are probably very happy consumers. Windows Vista (the operating system that was a problem for many folks) is done with, finished..over! We are all happy! Right? Well, you could see Vista’s annoying little brother coming up soon, aka…Windows 8. The technical people in my circles have all been doing previews and giving Windows 8 only bad reviews. What they are saying is that the “next” version after Windows 8 will be the best, like Windows 7 (ok, what year? 2013? haha!)"
Here is how the post starts:
"For those of you that are just now finally getting out of Windows Vista and moving to Windows 7, you are probably very happy consumers. Windows Vista (the operating system that was a problem for many folks) is done with, finished..over! We are all happy! Right? Well, you could see Vista’s annoying little brother coming up soon, aka…Windows 8. The technical people in my circles have all been doing previews and giving Windows 8 only bad reviews. What they are saying is that the “next” version after Windows 8 will be the best, like Windows 7 (ok, what year? 2013? haha!)"
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Why you should wait for the iPad Mini
Interesting. From cnet.com.
"Amazon and Google have opened the market to a whole new class of tablet customer with their 7-inch tablets priced affordably at $200. But the attractive price tag is only one reason to like these mini-tablets.
In this edition of Ask Maggie, I explain why I like smaller tablets
and why I think readers interested in buying a tablet should wait to see
if Apple also introduces a tiny, affordable
iPad.
I also explain the ins and outs of buying a new iPhone directly from Apple or from your wireless carrier."
"Amazon and Google have opened the market to a whole new class of tablet customer with their 7-inch tablets priced affordably at $200. But the attractive price tag is only one reason to like these mini-tablets.
I also explain the ins and outs of buying a new iPhone directly from Apple or from your wireless carrier."
Saturday, August 18, 2012
August MVPS HOSTS file available today
Hope you are doing this every month!
Download: hosts.zip (144 kb)
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.zip
Download: hosts.zip (144 kb)
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.zip
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Windows 8 Release to Manufacturing review
So here it comes - the future as Microsoft sees it. Everything looks good but the learning curve! This is from cnet.com.
"The good: Windows 8 embraces the future wholeheartedly. Log-in and boot times are fast, the apps look gorgeous, and the Sync feature brings seamless transition between devices.
"The good: Windows 8 embraces the future wholeheartedly. Log-in and boot times are fast, the apps look gorgeous, and the Sync feature brings seamless transition between devices.
The bad: The learning curve is steep and in-app navigation isn't obvious. There are just too many known unknowns here.
The bottom line: Microsoft
makes an aggressive, forward-thinking and bold statement statement for
the future of PCs with Windows 8, and vast security and speed
improvements more than justify the $40 upgrade price."
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Browser Wars: Chrome vs. IE9 vs. Firefox
I usually look forward to this kind of annual review, but this time I don't see much new. I post this for those of you who may have trouble deciding which to make your default browser. I still do not like IE9 and I still do not like Chrome because they, for whatever crazy reason, will not include a left sidebar for bookmarks.This review is from PCMAG.com.
Browser Wars: Chrome vs. IE9 vs. Firefox
Thursday, August 9, 2012
7 hidden costs of a new computer
This is good! It comes from Call That Girl Blog.
Let’s say you bought your computer a few years ago and it’s not playing nice right now. So many things are going wrong that you decide it’s not worth fixing and just buy new. For some people, it’s an easy choice. Pay $150 or more to try to fix the old clunker or invest a few hundred bucks and get a brand spanking new computer! Seems like a logical choice? New is just a few bucks more so why not? For the average home user, all they need to do is just plug it in and go. Or not? Not so much lately. With all the technology advances, getting a new computer can cost you a few bucks if you need us to help you after new software purchases. Here is a list I have outlined. I have started with home users, but most businesses will need all of the items in the list done. Our costs are listed in parenthesis. Of course, when we help you we just knock out each issue and it’s billed per hour. The average new computer set up is approximately 2 hours for a home user at $198 or a business at $297.
Home users
Let’s say you bought your computer a few years ago and it’s not playing nice right now. So many things are going wrong that you decide it’s not worth fixing and just buy new. For some people, it’s an easy choice. Pay $150 or more to try to fix the old clunker or invest a few hundred bucks and get a brand spanking new computer! Seems like a logical choice? New is just a few bucks more so why not? For the average home user, all they need to do is just plug it in and go. Or not? Not so much lately. With all the technology advances, getting a new computer can cost you a few bucks if you need us to help you after new software purchases. Here is a list I have outlined. I have started with home users, but most businesses will need all of the items in the list done. Our costs are listed in parenthesis. Of course, when we help you we just knock out each issue and it’s billed per hour. The average new computer set up is approximately 2 hours for a home user at $198 or a business at $297.
Home users
- Printers, if your old one is so old…the regular software may not work on a new Windows 7 computer. You may need to buy a new printer or have us help find the right software for you ($39 to $79)
- Itunes (special help with getting your iPhone/iPod set up $39-79)
- Transferring your data (documents, music, internet favorites and pictures) from old to new computer ($39-$59)
- Antivirus. If you already are paying a service from a Big Box company, you should be able to call them and get it reinstalled on your new computer. You may need to buy a new license.
- Software for word, spreadsheets, etc. Find those old installations disks!
- Replacing any software that you “borrowed” from a friend, usually cannot be replaced at this point. You will need to borrow that CD again to install it and it may not be compatable. You may need to buy a version that works with Windows. Many old software programs just do not work at all with newer computers.
- Getting your computer on the network and sharing with other computers in the home/office
- Quickbooks/Peachtree/ACT set up
- Outlook PST file set up and email configuration
- Online back up solutions or external hard drive computer back up configuration
- File sharing solutions (such as Dropbox)
- Smartphone synchronizing wth Outlook and computer
Monday, July 16, 2012
Symantec antivirus software update crashes some PCs
"A recent update to Symantec's antivirus software rendered some
Windows-based PCs inoperable, the security software maker disclosed
Friday.
An update earlier this week to Symantec Endpoint Protection 12.1 antivirus software for businesses caused some Windows XP-based computers to crash repeatedly with a "blue screen of death," the company revealed on its Web site.
"On July 11th, 2012 Symantec Security Response started receiving reports of customers experiencing blue screens after applying the July 11th revision 18 definitions," Orla Cox, of Symantec Security Response, wrote in the post. "Machines may continue to blue screen after they reboot. This problem only appears to occur on Windows XP machines.""
An update earlier this week to Symantec Endpoint Protection 12.1 antivirus software for businesses caused some Windows XP-based computers to crash repeatedly with a "blue screen of death," the company revealed on its Web site.
"On July 11th, 2012 Symantec Security Response started receiving reports of customers experiencing blue screens after applying the July 11th revision 18 definitions," Orla Cox, of Symantec Security Response, wrote in the post. "Machines may continue to blue screen after they reboot. This problem only appears to occur on Windows XP machines.""
Friday, July 6, 2012
Will your internet work on Monday? Take the test to find out if you have malware
The following text has been copied from the Call That Girl blog.
"Although the FBI has been urging consumers for months to check if their systems have been affected by DNSChanger, about 275,000 computers are still at risk of not having Internet access on Monday, July 9.
The good news is that it’s easy to see if your system has been infected and fix it if needed. The DNS Changer Working Group (DCWG) launched a check tool (Click on the link below to test your internet)
http://www.dns-ok.us/
— if you click on the link and the box is green, your computer is clean (If the box is red, your Internet will be dead)."
"Although the FBI has been urging consumers for months to check if their systems have been affected by DNSChanger, about 275,000 computers are still at risk of not having Internet access on Monday, July 9.
The good news is that it’s easy to see if your system has been infected and fix it if needed. The DNS Changer Working Group (DCWG) launched a check tool (Click on the link below to test your internet)
http://www.dns-ok.us/
— if you click on the link and the box is green, your computer is clean (If the box is red, your Internet will be dead)."
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
New MVPS HOSTS File Available
MVPS HOSTS File Update July-03-2012
The MVPS HOSTS file was recently updated [July-03-2012]
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.htm
Download: hosts.zip (145 kb)
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.zip
How To: Download and Extract the HOSTS filehttp://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts2.htm
HOSTS File - Frequently Asked Questionshttp://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hostsfaq.htm
Note: the "text" version makes a great resource for determining possible unwanted connections ...
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.txt (588 kb)
Get notified when the MVPS HOSTS file is updatedhttp://winhelp2002.mvps.org/updates.htm
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Monday, July 2, 2012
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Fraud Ring In Hacking Attack On 60 Banks
All I can say is I m glad I am not a high-roller!
"The fraudsters' objective in these attacks is to siphon large amounts from high balance accounts, hence the name chosen for this research - Operation High Roller," the report said.
"If all of the attempted fraud campaigns were as successful as the Netherlands example we describe in this report, the total attempted fraud could be as high as 2bn euro (£1.6bn).""
"Sixty million euro has been stolen from bank accounts
in a massive cyber bank raid after fraudsters raided dozens of financial
institutions around the world.
According to a joint report by software security firm McAfee and
Guardian Analytics, more than 60 firms have suffered from what it has
called an "insider level of understanding"."The fraudsters' objective in these attacks is to siphon large amounts from high balance accounts, hence the name chosen for this research - Operation High Roller," the report said.
"If all of the attempted fraud campaigns were as successful as the Netherlands example we describe in this report, the total attempted fraud could be as high as 2bn euro (£1.6bn).""
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Microsoft Surface tablet hands-on
Microsoft’s mystery event is finally over and considering the flurry of leaks that piled up ahead of this evening’s press conference, we can’t say were entirely surprised by the announcement of the company’s first own-brand tablet. BGR was on hand reporting live as Microsoft took the wraps off the Surface tablet, a 9.3 millimeter-thick magnesium slate intended to set the stage for Windows 8 and Windows RT. We managed to fight our way through the crowd for a quick hands-on look, and Microsoft’s new tablet shows some serious promise. Hit the jump for more and be sure to check out our hands-on photo gallery linked below.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
MSRT for June 2012 available now
This is a repost of last month's MSRT availability.
Microsoft's Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT) became available with this week's Microsoft Automatic Updates. If you received this week's updates and installed them all you have MSRT. Microsoft updates this tool every month, and we have all just installed the May version.
I encourage you all to do as I do. Once installed, run a full scan on your computer. It'll take a while, but I view this as free insurance. The MSRT tool has never found a problem on any of my machines, and I am glad of that!
Be sure you have installed this week's updates and then do the following: Click on START then RUN and then key in MRT and click on OK. On the second screen click on FULL SCAN and let it run.
Note: in the above paragraph, MRT is not a typo. I don't know why Microsoft didn't set this up so we would run MSRT, but they chose to name the program simply MRT!
Microsoft's Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT) became available with this week's Microsoft Automatic Updates. If you received this week's updates and installed them all you have MSRT. Microsoft updates this tool every month, and we have all just installed the May version.
I encourage you all to do as I do. Once installed, run a full scan on your computer. It'll take a while, but I view this as free insurance. The MSRT tool has never found a problem on any of my machines, and I am glad of that!
Be sure you have installed this week's updates and then do the following: Click on START then RUN and then key in MRT and click on OK. On the second screen click on FULL SCAN and let it run.
Note: in the above paragraph, MRT is not a typo. I don't know why Microsoft didn't set this up so we would run MSRT, but they chose to name the program simply MRT!
Monday, June 11, 2012
Time Out
Summer, and I realize it is not even here yet, has already gotten the best of me. I need some time off. I am not sure how long. I hope you understand.
I will, from time to time, post items of general interest here.
Tom
I will, from time to time, post items of general interest here.
Tom
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Seniors connecting with Internet technology
Hooray for us! And Seniors don't forget if you need help you can get it right here from your PC Doc, whether an in-house call or over the internet, the chances are pretty good I can help you out.
This article comes from the Washington Times.
"It’s the ultimate challenge in Internet dating - getting senior citizens hooked up with the Web. Connected Living is one company trying to teach seniors, many with limited Internet experience, how to log on, use social media and connect to families and the outside world.
The Massachusetts-based firm is going into senior group homes across the country to teach residents how to surf the Internet, send emails, share photos and videos, and play games online.
These basic computer tasks - second nature for many who have grown up with smartphones - can be life-altering for senior citizens who have never used a mouse or even logged on to a computer."
This article comes from the Washington Times.
"It’s the ultimate challenge in Internet dating - getting senior citizens hooked up with the Web. Connected Living is one company trying to teach seniors, many with limited Internet experience, how to log on, use social media and connect to families and the outside world.
The Massachusetts-based firm is going into senior group homes across the country to teach residents how to surf the Internet, send emails, share photos and videos, and play games online.
These basic computer tasks - second nature for many who have grown up with smartphones - can be life-altering for senior citizens who have never used a mouse or even logged on to a computer."
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