With easy access to Broadband and DSL the number of people using the Internet has skyrocket in recent years. Email, instant messaging and file sharing with other Internet users has also provided a platform for faster spreading of viruses, Trojans and Spyware. Being on the Internet without proper protection is like walking in the rain with no umbrella – you’re gonna get wet no matter how fast you run.
With so many computers installed in home offices it becomes critical that home users install the latest Microsoft patches when they become available. Older operating systems like Windows 98, Windows Millennium, Windows 2000, or Windows XP prior to Service Pack require the user to initiate the process of checking for security patches. Windows XP Service Pack 2 has changed this and the default settings are now notifying the user of available updates automatically. This has increased the level of security in some areas, but there is a very large number of users and computers that do not install security patches or hot fixes provided by Microsoft.
How should home users actually handle the task of patching their computers? Like businesses home users should do some research about the patches that are being installed. Just installing them and walking away will work for a while, but sooner or later home users will run into an issue that a patch breaks something and eventually renders the system useless. So, what should home users do when new Microsoft patches become available? First of all – patches are usually released the second Tuesday of every month. Often these events are commented in the news and other media. Users should also signup for email alerts or MSN Messenger alerts at Microsoft’s security website at http://www.microsoft.com/security to be aware about updates.
Once patches are available Microsoft recommends to install them immediately. Depending on the confidence level of the user this should be done fairly soon after the patch release. If a users has several systems available it is recommended to test the patches on the least critical system first before updating all machines. Only one machine at a time is recommended to keep track of things and to be able to fix problems. In Windows XP it is also recommended to create a restore point first so that the system can revert back to the existing state before patching. Home users should closely follow the media about virus outbreaks and updates. Waiting a few days with patching a machine can make sense if some critical work is done on the computer an important deadline needs to be kept. Nothing is more annoying than having to fight computer problems with limited time at hand. Speaking of time – never install patches without having enough time at hand. Users should allocate 60 minutes of time just in case. If something goes wrong time pressure is the last thing you want to face when troubleshooting a machine that is down.
Over 92% of computers are infected with Adware and spyware. Such software is rarely accompanied by uninstall utility and even when it is it almost always leaves broken Windows Registry keys behind it. Even if you have an anti-spyware tool your Windows Registry might be broken – developers of those tools are focused on removing Adware and spyware functionality, not every trace of software itself.
Another category of software that is known to leave bits and pieces behind on uninstallation is games. There are a lot of special installation systems that creates strange files, unique entries in your registry file as well as changes system dll’s to other versions. Once you uninstall the game a lot of the special installation changes it made will be left behind, causing you problems.
You should run an advanced registry cleaner for Windows that allows you to safely scan, clean, and repair registry problems with a few simple mouse clicks on a regular basis.
Problems with the Windows Registry are a common cause of Windows crashes (blue screens) and error messages (memory as well as disk errors). By using a PC tune-up utility, your system will be more stable, your software will run quicker, and your operating system will boot faster.
Registry problems can occur for many reasons, including references left behind after uninstallation; incorrect removal of software; missing or corrupt hardware drivers; or orphaned start-up programs. With a few easy steps, a good registry cleaner will scan your entire registry for any invalid entries and provide a list of the errors found.
You then can choose to clean each item or automatically repair them all after making a backup without the need for a registry editor such as Regedit.
To help people choose a product have we created this short checklist.
A good windows registry clean and repair product should have the following options.
Automatic Scan
To facilitate your windows registry scan. This is the simplest way to clean up the registry. Automatic Scan is recommended for ‘non-technical’ users.
Custom Scans
You customize your search and scan Windows registry for particular types of errors (shared DLLs, missing fonts, invalid start-up entries, etc.).
Manual Cleanup
After the scan is complete, the program should show you a full list of errors with details, broken down by types and let you fix individual invalid entries or all invalid entries of a certain type.
Backup and Undo
Before removing an entry from your registry, should an automatic creation of a backup file be done, that can be used to undo the changes. This to avoid changes without backup.
Scheduler
To schedule the program to scan the registry whenever you start your computer.
Using software like this is not a one time fix. You must run it on a regular basis to keep your registry clean and without errors. This will help the stability and speed of windows.
We have tested a number of registry fix and clean utilities and present our top 3 list on our site for your convenience.
CyberScrub Privacy Suite is a tool intended to wipe out all traces of data from a PC hard drive and encrypt sensitive data. Used by federal agencies and the US military, CyberScrub Privacy Suite confirms to US Department of Defense 5220.22 standards for secure file erasure.
Even after deleting from the Recycle Bin, traces of files remain on the hard drive and are sometimes easily recovered. CyberScrub Privacy Suite prevents the recovery of these files, as well as protecting sensitive data which is to be kept.
The latest release of CyberScrub Privacy Suite, version 4.0, is packed full of features for keeping the most secure PC:
? Evidence of online activity destroyed, including temporary files, emails and cookies
? Evidence of P2P (file sharing) applications, including KaZaA, Morpheus, etc removed
? Newsgroup and download activity deleted
? Instant Messenger and chat logs destroyed
? Secure data encryption
? Create restore points before each action
? Various wiper levels for maximum security
? Panic button
? Stealth mode
? Inbuilt Support Ticket system
? Scheduler: set for PC startup or shutdown, browser close or set time
? Can be used with most Internet browsers, including Internet Explorer, Netscape, AOL, Mozilla, Firefox, Opera
? Also works with Microsoft Office files
? Microsoft Windows® 98/ME/NT/2000/XP compatible. Low system requirements
? Supported file systems: Fat12, FAT16, FAT32, NTFS, also floppy, ZIP and Jaz media
? Tested with Encase forensic recovery software
? VIA padlock certified
CyberScrub Privacy Suite has a simple, clean user interface, now made easier to use with drag and drop integration with the Windows filesytem. Whilst installed to run on any user account on the PC, CyberScrub can be configured for a logged in user to only be capable of removing traces of their own activity. The administrator account has the power to set functions available to user individual accounts via the Permissions Module, and to destroy any file on the hard drive.
CyberScrub Privacy Suite is tested against Encase recovery software to ensure the best deletion performance. Encase are specialists in forensic computer data recovery. Using the most powerful of the wipe levels completely eliminates all traces of password files, temporary files, cookies, documents and download information so that even this sharp tool cannot dig up any trace of the files’ existence. Restore Point creation is possible, meaning that if anything goes wrong, the PC can be sent back to it’s previous state. For sensitive data that needs to be kept, and kept securely, CyberScrub Privacy Suite uses VIA Padlock Security, military-style encryption used by government agencies around the world.
CyberScrub Privacy Suite is currently only available for Windows based PCs, but can be run on most any hardware. Its overheads are small – only 16MB RAM and 14MB free hard disk space are all that it needs. The full version of the program is available, at the time of writing, for $49.95. The “CyberScrub Lifetime Insurance Policy” is also offered during the purchase process for a further $19.95, allowing unlimited downloads of all future upgrades for no extra charge.
Adware is used as a supplemental program in some cases. Adware can be used as a part of an internet program and used as a way of letting you use a service without paying for it: rather than using a program with limited features and rather than paying the full cost of the program, you can choose an ad-supported version. The adware used will track the sites you visit and ads that are related to your interests will be shown to you during your session.
Of course, that is an example of your consent to having adware installed on your system. Another possibility is that you install software and don’t fully read the part of the user agreement that suggested that third-party software was included to see how the software was used on your computer.
This third-party software is typically adware. With it, the person who wrote the software can collect money from advertisers who will be able to know which users might be interested in their products.
For many people. However, adware quickly becomes an annoyance. In addition to feeling uncomfortable that they are being watched – associating the feeling with being spied on and the adware with spyware – they just want to be able to go about using a program or surfing the internet without a steady stream of advertising or even advertising pop-up windows slowing them down.
As a result, they start looking for ways of removing adware from their computer.
Removing adware from your computer can be done by installing ad-blocking software. Removing adware, in many cases, can also be done with the installation of anti-spyware programs.
But why settle for removing adware when you can make efforts to keep it from getting on your computer to begin with? Rather than dealing with adware and having to find ways of removing adware from your system, consider doing the following:
· Read the licensing agreements that come with software programs that you are thinking about installing. If a mention is made of third-party software that will track the way you use the program or the software is listed as ad-supported, do not agree to the terms of service and choose an alternate program. In many cases, the user agreement or licensing agreement are available to you before you download and install the software;
· Choose the free but feature limited software or pay for the program rather than using the advertising supported version to avoid installing adware on your system;
· If you think that you are getting adware or spyware on your system and you have been using Internet Explorer as your web browser, consider making the switch to another browser that contains ad-blocks;
· Make sure that the security patches for your computer’s operating system as well as your anti-spyware and firewalls are up to date.
In easer words, the best means of removing adware from your computer is to not install it in the first place. Taking control of your computer is not only the best way of preventing adware but also some of the more dangerous security threats including spyware, trogens, worms and viruses. Once you have the right software installed you can now Surf the net with more confidence, privacy and therefore with more security.
Verizon DSL is a digital subscriber link (DSL) internet service provided by Verizon communications. Internet can be accessed in many ways like cable, ISDN, dial-up, optical fiber, power line internet, satellite, wi-fi, DSL etc. The advantage of DSL is that the voice telephone and fax can be used simultaneously with the internet connection. DSL technology takes advantage of the fact that on the telephone line, voice occupies a very small bandwidth and a large bandwidth is unused. This unused bandwidth is utilized by DSL for internet. Verizon DSL can also be used to connect more than one computer to one connection.
DSL internet service is provided over the ordinary telephone. Verizon DSL is available in most places where verizon has provided telephone service. However DSL is not available on all telephone lines due to physical limitations. If the telephone is beyond 3 miles from the verizon central office (telephone exchange) the DSL service is not available. This is because the quality of the connection generally deteriorates beyond the 3 mile limit. Further if the copper wiring in the home telephone line is not as per requirements DSL service cannot be provided. Whether Verizon DSL can be provided or not to a particular Verizon telephone line can be checked easily by entering the telephone number in the URL given below.
Verizon DSL is available in two packages. The Home package and The Business Package. Home package is available in two speeds, 3 Mbps/768 Kbps and 768Kbps/128Kbps. The rates are $312.45 $ per year and $ 164.45per year respectively. The charges have to be paid in monthly installments. A $19.95 shipping and activation will be charged separately.
For business DSL the prices are, 768Kbps $24.95MO, 3Mbps/768 Kbps $39.95 MO, 7.2 Mbps $79.95 MO. $25 setup fee and equipment for all packages.
Verizon DSL supports both PC and Macintosh. The minimum PC requirements for Verizon DSL are any one of the operating systems, Windows98, Windows Me, Windows XP or Windows 2000. 233 MHz Intel Pentium processor or equivalent or higher. For Windows XP, 300 MHz Intel Pentium processor or equivalent or higher. 128 MB RAM for Windows XP or 2000. 64 MB RAM for other OS. 100 MB free disk space. CD-ROM or DVD drive. USB Port or 10Base-T Ethernet Network Interface Card.
For Macintosh computers the minimum requirements are Macintosh OS X or 10.2-10.4 .PowerPC processor with speeds 120 MHz or higher. 64 MB RAM. 100 MB free disk space. CD-ROM or DVD drive. 10-Base-T Ethernet Network Interface Card. Alternatively the computer can be assessed automatically for compatibility with Verizon DSL at this URL. http://www22.verizon.com/ForHomeDSL/channels/dsl/sysreq/pc.asp
Verizon DSL can be ordered online. Verizon DSL comes with a self installing kit. The kit is an audio visual guide on how to install the DSL modem, using DSL filters, and installing Verizon Online DSL software. In case of difficulty the 24/7 live technical support is available. There are other benefits of opting for Verizon DSL, such as 10 MB webspace, 9 e-mail accounts, 30 day money back guarantee etc. (If the individual is not satisfied with Verizon DSL he will be repaid the money he has paid.)
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