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Computer Repair Fraud Investigations

admin — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 06:34:13 +0000

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Free Spyware Removal Softwares

admin — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 06:09:40 +0000

Spyware is a computer program that is installed on a computer with intent to gain information about the computer user. Spyware programs monitor user activity and gather personal information. How does spyware track user behavior? By installing itself on a computer, it uses a computer network to transmit an identity code to a dedicated computer that is programmed to record user activity. After transmitting user identity code, a spyware program begins to gather user information and monitors the browsing habits and Internet behavior of the user. Often, spyware programs damage sensitive parts of the operating system and links to its points of execution. Moreover, spyware programs can slow down computer performance and speed. Some of them can even lead to a system crash.

Considering the gravity of the risks associated with spyware; it is extremely important for computer users to use effective protection softwares, in order to secure themselves from these malicious spies, the spyware programs.

Windows Defender, a software product by Microsoft is used to remove and quarantine spyware in Windows operating system. It is free, in the sense that it is included in Windows Vista and is available as a freely downloadable program on Windows XP. It scans the computer and includes some real-time security agents, which monitor the operating system for undesirable changes, if any. It supports a feature whereby computer users can report their queries and complaints to Microsoft. It is cited as one of the best spyware removal programs available today.

Spybot – Search and Destroy is another spyware removal program by Microsoft. It can also remove malware and adware and is compatible with all the releases of Windows after Windows 95. It scans the hard disk and the RAM for spyware and is capable of handling problems related to Windows Registry and ActiveX objects. It can efficiently combat Trojans, cookie-trackers, keyloggers, browser or home page hijackers and many other types of malware. Spybot is released as a freeware and is absolutely free for private use.

Some of the spyware protection software can only detect malicious programs while others are capable of blocking spyware and adware from entering a computer system. Some of these programs have inbuilt capabilities of fighting against browser hijackers. They generate reports of browser add-ons and pop-ups, thus helping computer users in detecting malevolent programs. Some free spyware removal programs like XP-AntiSpy do not detect or disable spyware. However, they are services running on an operating system that is a concern to computer security.

Out of the numerous free spyware removal programs available today, some are authentic while others are sheer bluffs. Some of the Antispyware softwares can detect and remove thousands of malicious computer programs and also include support for antivirus software. Some of them also possess malware and adware protection features. There are many freely downloadable anti-spyware tools available on the Internet; but, not all of them cater to the user needs, in terms of real-time computer security.

In choosing the best free spyware removal program, it is advisable to opt for programs that are recommended by experts in the field. It is always better to go for spyware programs, which are frequently updated to include protection for different types of spyware threats.

Remove Rootkit

admin — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 06:05:33 +0000

Viruses and Spyware now have the added danger of being assisted by a rootkit installed on the infected machine. What does this all mean to the average computer user? Well the bottom line is that Anti Virus or Anti Spyware may not remove viruses or spyware because of a rootkit.

Is a rootkit a virus or a spyware?

No but they are malicious code that’s enter so deep into the operating system that they can become a part of the operating system. That is why it’s such a problem for Anti Virus etc.

There are many types of rootkits but the two main types are Kernel-Mode and User-Mode. Kernel-Mode is the scary one because it’s so deep into the systems priority files that it’s difficult to interpret them as anything but the operating system files. User-Mode rootkits are not as powerful as Kernel-Mode but none the less are difficult to weed out by Antivirus.

How do they come to be?

One reason was that legitimate companies e.g. Sony created there own rootkits to manage there digital music downloads etc. (DRM). Digital Rights Management is to stop specific music files from being shared so these companies had to manipulate the operating system to do this and it was done covertly.

Of course they did not think to realize that this would be used by virus and spyware developers and now the rest is history. Rootkits are technically a legitimate concept and to be fair to companies that did use them first, it would have just been a matter of time before the baddies understood rootkits; but they definitely did not need a helping hand.

How do you remove them?

The first line of defence is to understand that if you have a good Anti Virus and you don’t have a rootkit then it’s highly unlikely you will get one as they are difficult to get onto a system with good protection. If you have good protection and your not sure if you have one or not, then there are specific free tools that you can use to give you more protection.

How to Remove Spyware and Adware

What are Rootkits?

admin — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 05:54:04 +0000

Where are the good old days gone, when you had a virus or spyware and then you ran some Anti Virus and that was the end of the problem; for awhile anyway? Well in the IT world the good old days was ten minutes ago.

The reality of rootkits is fast becoming apparent to even the non-technical. But maybe the non-technical dont realize just how big a problem rootkits are becoming.

After running Top Anti-Virus on any system you are now not guaranteed to be rid of Malware etc. This is mainly due to the existence of rootkits and in particular Kernel-Mode Rootkits .

The bottom line is that when Anti-Virus or Anti-Spyware run on your system they depend on functions or replies from the Kernel of the system. They will treat these replies as legitimate and thats one of the main reasons for the problems.

Rootkits can access the Kernel area of the system and embed their code. The Kernel deals mainly with Security, Memory Management, Process Management and File Access. So this is it the rootkits can intercept functions, lists, files etc.

Example:

If Anti-Virus is scanning and becomes aware of a process that it does not like, it basically asks the Kernel for its opinion; this opinion intercepted by the rootkit code can give the impression to the Anti-Virus that the process is ok. You now are in the precarious position of thinking you have no problem, backed up by your Anti-Virus.

In fact Microsoft will tell you that the only safe option is to completely format your hard-disk and re-install your operating system.

There is the optimistic view to take from this though; that is if you dont have a rootkit in your system and you are security conscious e.g. good anti-virus/spyware, firewall etc, then its highly unlikely you will get one.

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Cleaning your keyboard – How to clean your computer keyboard

admin — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 04:03:25 +0000

Computer Keyboards can get dirty very easily, to clean the surface of a keyboard is very straight forward. In this guide we will show you how to clean your keyboard thoroughly, as well as how to give it a quick once over.

What you will need:

* lint free cloth.
* dry cloth or duster.
* suitable cleaning fluid (isopropyl alcohol).
* cotton buds.
* Can of compressed air or vacuum cleaner.
* Flat tip screwdriver (optional for thorough clean).

Buying Used Laptops/Notebooks

admin — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 04:01:20 +0000

Some retailers sell used (second-hand) laptops, quite often the warranty is shorter than that of a refurbished laptop. Used laptops have normally been returned or sold back to the retailer, unlike refurbished machines, they may be several months, or even years old. Buying a used laptop carries a higher risk of future problems than its refurbished counterpart, but if the warranty is acceptable then there are some bargains to be had!

What are Refurbished Laptops/Notebooks?

admin — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 04:01:03 +0000

Most refurbished laptops/notebooks have been returned by a customer (within a limited time from purchase) and then tested and resold by the retailer or manufacturer.

The machine will usually come with a limited warranty, which normally lasts for around 6 months. Although there is a small risk with purchasing a refurbished laptop/notebook, the majority of the machines are reliable and in excellent condition.

Buying Lower Specification Laptops/Notebooks

admin — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 04:00:20 +0000

If you purchase a lower spec laptop/notebook, there are cost-effective ways you can increase the performance yourself in the future.

Memory upgrades are cheaper these days, with a 2GB memory (RAM) module available for under $50. Installing the memory yourself is fairly straight forward, and can greatly improve the performance of the laptop. See our guide if you need help installing the laptop memory upgrade.

Laptop hard drives are very reasonably priced, they are also reasonably easy to install. The size of the hard drive you will need will depend on your particular requirements, if you don’t wish to upgrade the existing laptop hard drive, you can always purchase an external hard drive which can be connected via USB.

One of the most crucial components when it comes to the performance of your cheap laptop is the processor.

Laptop processors can be very tricky to upgrade and involve opening your laptop’s casing, voiding any warranty. For this reason when choosing your laptop/notebook, pay attention to the speed of the processor rather than the size of the hard drive or the amount of memory (RAM) installed (although always check the maximum amount of memory (RAM) that can be installed).

Any additional components can also be added in the future. For example, wireless connectivity (using a PCMCIA card or USB device), more USB ports (using a USB hub), DVD writers (external via USB or Internal from manufacturer (if available)), floppy disk drives (external via USB), modems (PCMCIA or USB), webcams (USB), and more can be added with ease.

What to look for in a cheap laptop or notebook.

admin — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 03:59:45 +0000

Your choice of laptop/notebook will depend on how you intend to use it. Most modern laptops are adequate for every day tasks like word processing, surfing the internet, spreadsheet applications, and more.

Buying a cheap laptop or notebook does not necessarily mean you have to cutback on performance, most machines under $500 will have sufficient memory and hard drive space. Processor speed is a factor, but again, most cheap laptops boast impressive processor speeds.

Common laptop problems

admin — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:26:18 +0000

- Notebook power connector (DC Jack fix or replacement)
– Liquid spilled on your laptop
- Broken screen (LCD)
– Chargers
– Sudden powering off
– Any upgrades you may need (hard drive, RAM memory)
– Computer too slow
– Overheating
– Laptops not starting
– Virus and Trojans (most times you don’t even know your computer is infected – you only think is weird the sudden pop-ups or the long time it takes to )
– Wireless and wired networks
– Backups
– Data transfer from your old computer into your new one

We can fix the most brand and model of laptops: Toshiba, HP, Compaq, Dell, Fujitsu, Sony (Viao), IBM…