Tech Tips for November 2010 (Anything usefull will be added during that month)

Tech Tip 95 - How to Get Rid of ADWARE and SPYWARE Infections from Your Computer
By Jack M. Germain
Previously, we discussed viruses and how to protect your computer from the damage they can do. A virus is just one type of intrusion that computer users must guard against today. "Malware" also takes the form of "spyware" and "adware". Does your computer run much slower than when it was new? Does your computer's monitor fill up with pop-up windows containing advertisements for diet pills, sex aids and lots of other junk? How about changes to your browser settings so your home page changes and will not change back? If you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, then your computer has probably been infected with malware. If your computer has a super-fast processor, then you might not notice the slow down. However, if you have been using your computer without protection, rest assured it has very likely been compromised with spyware and adware. Malware is a term computer security experts use to refer to all forms of malicious software. Just like viruses, you do not intentionally download spyware and adware programs to your computer and you do not deliberately open them. They install when you visit websites or when you download and install other software products. Malware programs can also be introduced to your computer when you install shareware [software that you try for free before buying] and freeware [software that is free].   One of the newest forms of malware is a "root kit". This is a special program that can install on your computer's hard drive and remain hidden from detection because it runs secretly underneath the computer's operating system. Antivirus programs, anti-spyware, and anti-adware detection programs cannot find root kits. Computer security firms are beginning to develop root-kit detection software, but these new detection systems are not yet very reliable, so even Microsoft's own security engineers recently warned corporate security specialists that the only sure cure for a root-kit infection in the foreseeable future is to totally erase the hard drive and start over again. What About Removing Malware?   Spyware and adware programs are less difficult to remove. Unlike legitimate programs, these malware programs do not appear in the list of installed programs in the Windows Add/Remove Programs section of the Control Panel. You need special help in removing these malware infections and will find out more about how to remove spyware and adware infections in the paragraphs to follow. Spyware is software that performs certain tasks on your computer without your consent. For example, a spyware program can watch what you do on your computer and save the keystrokes you type to enter your bank account, credit card numbers and passwords. This is known as keylogging. Another "secret" task performed by spyware is tracking the types of websites you visit and sending this information to an advertisement agency. Adware is any software that automatically displays advertising material stored on your hard drive or uses your Internet connection to download advertising materials to your computer. Adware is different from advertising-supported software, which displays ads within its own program's windows while the program is being used. Advertising-supported software is not malicious, and you can choose to use it or uninstall it. The main difference here is that advertising-supported software is up-front about what it's doing, while adware operates in the background, without your knowledge or consent. How to Protect Against Spyware and Adware Finding and removing adware and spyware infections requires special programs. Only recently have traditional antivirus vendors begun to offer their own products to deal with these other types of malware. Check your current antivirus software to see if it includes features for finding and removing spyware and adware. If it does not, you can apply other solutions besides buying a replacement product from that vendor or buying stand-alone commercial products. Instead, download and install one of the safe products mentioned below. You can use more than one. Unlike antivirus software, running more than one anti-spyware or anti-adware solution is not likely to cause conflicts on your computer. Be extra careful with software (especially banner ads) that tell you your system is infected and you need to install "XYZ" to fix the problem - while "diagnose for free, cure for a fee" is the model used by some perfectly legitimate (and well-reviewed) anti-spyware software publishers, it can also be a ploy to get you to install spyware on your system.   As always, use extreme caution when downloading any software you are not familiar with or that does not come recommended by a trusted source (Computer Geeks, for example or PCI Computers Free Safe Solutions One excellent source of spyware detection and removal is a toolbar provided by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or an Internet Web portal such as Yahoo.com. These providers offer toolbars, a special web browser add-on that adds more search options and other features. Some of these toolbars now include a web-based detection and removal program. You must be connected to the Internet to use this malware detection solution. Depending on whether you are using Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser or the popular alternative Mozilla browser, Firefox, the tool bar will include a link to McAfee or Norton where you can run a scan of your computer. Searching the Internet for "toolbars" will locate other web-based solutions from reputable vendors. Be sure to research them to make sure they offer the solution you are looking for. Two excellent spyware and adware detection programs are available for free from the Internet. Both of these programs are updated regularly so they can find and remove the latest threats to your computer. Ad-Aware SE Personal is well-known for performing comprehension checks for malware components and is very successful in removing them. It has several options for configuring how you use it. Spybot-S&D performs very comprehensive search and destroy scans of your computer. It is very user friendly. You can select the types of files that you want to leave on your computer, such as cookies, which are often identified as "spyware components", even though they are how your personalization settings are remembered for your favorite websites, among other things. Spybot S&D also can be set to immunize areas of the hard drive that are prone to infection from malware. For best results, run both of these programs on alternating days. Run the web-based scans from the browser's tool bar during computing sessions. In Conclusion Acquiring malware protection is not the only thing you can do to remain safe from having your identity stolen on the Internet. Criminals abound on the Internet, just as they do in the physical world. However, they can reach many more potential victims through computers. No single anti-spyware and anti-adware program will find every instance of a malware infection. The combined effect of running multiple solutions, however, will result in trouble-free computing. Remember, the single best defense remains to compute safely and smartly by not installing every "cool, free application" you come across.  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ “GeekBusters” - Tech Myths Debunked! By Mark Tiongco - November 7, 2010 In this tech tip, we expose the myth and reality surrounding some of the biggest trends in our technology-oriented world. Hopefully, this will shed some light which can help you better understand how these crazy gadgets work! 1. Why a cable Internet service provider's (ISP) advertised speeds are not actually reality While it's attractive to see that ISPs advertise 10-15 megabits per second download speed, the reality is that you share the same network node as your neighbor (and neighborhood) when it comes to network logistics. So if you and 15 of your neighbors who have the same cable Internet provider are all online, that 10-15 mbps is split between each of you. What's worse is that if one of your neighbors is downloading 24/7, then you'll see reduced speed all the time. The highest chance of your network's peak performance is late in the evening when everyone else is asleep. 2. True or False - Your CD burner's 52X speed is truly 52X speed False-ish - The fine print here is that first, in order to achieve 52X speed, you would need a 52X compact disc. Second, when the cd burner starts, it begins at the inside of the disc and works its way out. That's why some burning programs that show real-time speed will say it's burning at 2.5X speed after 1-2 minutes. The 52X speed is achieved as the burner gets closer and closer to the outer edge of the disc. This is the same for burning DVDs. 3. True or False - Megabits and Megabytes are the same thing False - Keep in mind that MEGABITS (Mb) is a unit of measurement for network transfer speed. Megabytes (MB) is a unit of storage such as hard drives. That's why when Internet service providers pitch their fast speeds, they always reference megabits. Therefore, a 1 megabit transfer speed does not mean being able to move 1 megabyte across a network. 1 megabit is about .125 megabytes. 4. Why your 500GB hard drive only shows 465GB of space when you look under MY COMPUTER Your computer reads information in different ways. So for example: BASE 2 1 Megabyte (MB) = 1024 Kilobytes (KB) - BASE 2 (2 ^ 20 = 1,048,576 bytes) 1 Gigabyte (GB) - 1024 Megabytes (MB) - BASe 2 (2 ^ 30 = 1,073,741,824 bytes) BASE 10 1 Megabyte (MB) = 1024 Kilobytes (KB) - BASE 10 (10 ^ 6 = 1,000,000 bytes) 1 Gigabyte (GB) = 1024 Megabytes (MB) - Base 10 (10 ^ 9 = 1,000,000,000 bytes) Because we know that 1024 Megabytes (MB) => 1 Gigabyte (GB) => BASE 2 (2 ^ 30 = 1,073,741,824), 500 GB equals 500 x 1,073,741,824 bytes or 536,870,912,000 bytes. We also know that in BASE 10, 1 GB = 1,000,000,000 bytes So let's look at what we have: 536,870,912,000 (500GB IN BASE 2) --------------------- = 1.073741824 (500 x 1,000,000,000) (500GB IN BASE 10) And if we multiply 1.073741824 x 465, we get 499.28994816, which, if rounded up equals 500 GB Hard Drive Manufacturers use the binary method when manufacturing their drives but Windows reads the information in the decimal format to show the size. However, which would be more attractive? Buying a hard drive advertised as a 536,870,912,200 byte drive or having it say a simple 500 GB? 5. True or False - The 750 watt power supply you just purchased for $22 is really putting out 750 watts False-ish - Similar to how a car with 236 lb-ft of torque provides 100% of it at a certain engine rpm speed, PSU manufacturers know that power supplies hit their max wattage at certain points in time. For example, 750 watts might be attained with 1 hard drive and 1 optical drive while the computer is idling. Also, it's a dead give-away if you paid only $22 for a high-powered PSU. Look for a PSU that certifies their wattage. So if you see an Antec TRUE 550W power supply, it's Antec's way of saying that the PSU provides 550 watts of power at any given time. Another way to tell that a PSU is reliable is if it’s heavy. Quality-made PSUs are engineered with heavy-duty and longer-lasting capacitors. 6. True or False - Buying a larger-screen size notebook automatically equals more viewing space False - Between 15.5" and 16" screen sizes, most entry-level notebooks have a resolution of 1366 x 768 which is fine but doesn't offer more space. Most 17" notebooks have 1440 x 900 resolution. If you're looking for more viewing space, opt for a higher resolution. In other words: 15" - 1680 x 1050 or 1920 x 1080 17" - 1600 x 900, 1680 x 1050 or 1920 x 1080 The images, icons and text appear crisper and you can fit browsers side-by-side along with being able to simultaneously view all folders without having to press Alt-Tab to switch windows/folders. 7. Buying a computer with more cores (more than dual-core) equals much faster performance False - Mathematically-speaking, more cores would theoretically yield better performance but the issue is that many simple, everyday programs like Microsoft Word, FireFox and Excel won't know to use the extra cores to run the program faster. However, gamers and graphic designers whose programs will see (and utilize) the additional cores will benefit from it. If you want more performance, focus on optimizing the hard drive such as defragmentation, reducing programs that run on start-up (which slow the system down), adding more RAM and cleaning the Windows registry. So ultimately, you really won't see much of a speed difference between a dual-core cpu computer and a hexacore (6-core) computer both running FireFox and Microsoft Word simultaneously. In Conclusion The common denominator for these tech myths is that their “validity” is usually exaggerated marketing hype and manufacturer/retailer buzz words in order to entice customers to buy their products, thus adding confusion to the reality. So the next time you’re in the market for a new cheap laptop, digital camera, phone, discount mp3 player, etc., don’t automatically digest the excessive marketing that salespeople throw to close the sale." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Must-Have Tech Gear To Maximize Productivity Outside The Office By Mark Tiongco - October 24, 2010 Let’s face reality, virtually everyone has a laptop computer and if you’re like most college students and mobile professionals, you like to get work done outside of the classroom and the office. Luckily, most retail locations like Starbucks, Barnes & Noble and even McDonald’s offer free Wi-Fi for all their customers. We have several tips below that can help you get your mobile telecommute on! 1.) Laptop Upgrade – If you’re in the market for a new multimedia or workhorse notebook between 15-17”, you should opt for one with an LCD monitor with either WSXGA (1680 x 1050) or WUXGA (1920 x 1080) resolution. These resolutions offer excellent real estate space so you can literally view 2 browser windows side-by-side. Being able to view 2 windows simultaneously is perfect for school or work research and analysis. 2.) USB Wireless N Wi-Fi Network Adapter – While most laptops do come with wireless network adapters, picking up a newer USB Wi-Fi network adapter is an excellent upgrade. A high-powered external network adapter can help if you have high-bandwidth needs such as multiple downloads and offers a more consistent signal connection if you require maximum uptime. 3.) Larger Sized USB 2.0 Flash Drives – Yes, flash drives have been around for a while. Because of this, you can score a flash drive with generous space relatively cheap. One can be used for school and another work. By not keeping all your eggs in one basket, you minimize data disasters such as not being able to access/print your important documents because your notebook crashed or was stolen. 4.) Outlet Power Strip – While most notebook now are engineered for at least 5 hours of battery life, many consumers are still more comfortable plugging it in. Have you ever walked into a coffee shop and noticed the only power outlet is already being hogged by 2 people? Having a solid power strip can come in handy for not only charging your notebook or cheap netbook, but also helps your other mobile commuters. 5.) Notebook Cooling Fan – These neat little coolers are fantastic for several reasons. First, if you’re spending 3-4 hours on your laptop, it will get hot and heat is a huge enemy of notebooks failing. (excessive heat = excessive wear & tear) Not only do these fans keep your notebook cool but most models elevate your notebook to make viewing and typing more comfortable. 6.) USB Hub – The average notebook comes with 3-4 USB ports. However, tack on a USB mouse, flash drive and an iPhone charging/sync cable and you run out quickly. A cheap 4-6 port USB port is handy for having to plug in multiple USB devices. 7.) An External Mouse – Yes, everyone knows (who usually hate notebook touchpads) to bring a USB external mouse. However, what would increase productivity is either a new USB mouse that offers convenience or lets you do more. For example, if you pick a mouse with a NANO receiver, you plug in the tiny-sized nano-receiver and never have to worry about unplugging/plugging it again because it hardly protrudes outside the USBport. Another example is a 4-6 button mouse by Logitech or Microsoft. These mice are engineered to take a beating (i.e. gaming) and the programmable buttons help make browser navigation easier. 8.) Headphones with Microphone – With the advent of enhanced communication such as GMAIL chat and Skype, you can not only listen to iTunes but can also communicate with your clients, classmates, friends and family while hanging out at your local Starbucks. Ultimate Tip: Utility! Regardless of your profession or college major, one fundamental aspect of productivity is making sure you have the right gear for the right occasion. That being said, having the appropriate gear offers several advantages. For example, if you know you only spend 1-2 hours at a coffee shop after work and do mostly blogging and/or checking email, you can pack light by just putting your notebook in a sleeve pouch, thus cutting down the need for a bulkier laptop bag, power adapter and accessories. Or, if you do graphic design or CAD while on the go, the crucial accessories to bring would be a power strip, external mouse and an external hard drive. The big picture is to analyze your mobile computing needs and bring what’s important to get the job done! If you have a tip or trick that you’d like to share, post in on the Geeks Tech –Tips blog! ------------------------------------------ By Courtenay Escoffery– I was fortunate enough to get my hands on the Samsung Fascinate and had a few weeks to play around with this beautiful phone. Does the phone live up to the hype, or does it falter? Check out my thoughts below. Hardware: The first thing I noticed about the phone was how stunning it was visually. Make no mistake about it, this phone has a beautiful form factor. It’s large and sleek with chrome trim around its borders. I like the touch buttons rather than physical buttons which i feel are a follow-through with the slick design. The phone is quite light in the hand. I definitely expected the phone to be a bit heavier, but was pleasantly surprised with its heaviness – or lack thereof. It weighs around 4.5 ounces compared to the iPhone’s 4.8 ounces.  I had to take a double-take at the specs because the Fascinate seems to be a lot lighter than the iPhone. Seriously, a few times I felt like the Fascinate would fly out of my hand if I made too many sudden movements! I think the weight might have been spread out over the wider surface area of the Fascinate. The micro USB port and 3.5 mm headphone jack are located at the top of the phone, while the power button/lock button is located on the right side of the phone. The volume rocker is on the left side. Sadly, no dedicated camera button in site. The display is a 4.0 inch WVGA capacitive touch screen display. It has a 5.0 megapixel camera with 4x digital zoom. It also has a 1Ghz processor which makes things nice and speedy. Read more at The Manly Man RELATED: Samsung Galaxy Tablet Review