Don't download that!!!!

With the new Java and Adobe exploits and the new patches that are available, most of us have been downloading programs. Understandable and necessary. I would not suggest that anyone not keep their computers up-to-date with security updates.

The problem is that most of you now have the Ask Toolbar or the McAfee Security Scan Plus.

Why?

Because when you downloaded those new versions of Java and Adobe, you also received the Ask Toolbar and McAfee Security Scan Plus. But wait? You didn't order them, right? Yes, yes you did. And you did so by just clicking through the download.

There is a lot of information on those download windows that don't make much sense to you, and sometimes even me. But we know we need them and if in doubt, let the program install it the way it wants. For the most part, that program knows the best way to be installed and I agree.

The part we need to address is the extras. On one of those windows for the Java update (about 3 or 4 clicks in), you are asked if you also want to install the Ask Toolbar.

The Ask Toolbar is not malicious (and yes some of these extras can be very close to malicious), but do you really need an extra toolbar to help you search? All of the big browsers allow you to search straight from the address bar. The Ask Toolbar is just an extra program that sits there and takes up space and resources. If you are not going to use it, do not add it.

Likewise, Adobe Reader has been asking you to add extra programs:

The problem with this extra is that is a program that can interfere with your installed anti-virus and slow your computer down.

The only way to determine if there are extras is to read those download screens. ALL OF THEM. On all downloads. Every time. Without Fail. Uncheck those check boxes by clicking on the checkmark to make it go away.

So, what do you do if you missed these? Uninstall them. Its not hard, you just have to go do it. Need instructions? No problem.....keep reading.

• Click on Start.
• Click on Control Panel
• Look for Uninstall a program. (If you have the icon list, look for Programs and Feature (or Add or remove programs for XP users.))
• Wait for the list to finish populating. 
• Find Ask Toolbar. 
• Right-click on the name and then click on Uninstall. (or click to select and choose Uninstall near the top of the window.)
• Remember that sometimes the program acts like it is installing. That is because an installer is used to both install and uninstall the program. 
• Follow all directions, reading carefully, as sometimes they word things to convince you to keep the program.
• Repeat for the McAfee Security Scan Plus if needed.

Questions? Comments? Please use that comment section down below. (Yes you will need to sign in to Google. It is not a bad thing.)

Until next time......
                                    Keep the BugOff !!!


You can also find me on Facebook, ask to be my friend, I will not turn anyone away.
Follow on Twitter, @BugOffComp

PC Cleaners- Do they really clean?

I was on a weather site this evening to see if was going to snow tomorrow and saw this ad:

Now, I have to say that I did not click on it to see what program this former employee from Intel discovered that can scan and fix all the errors in your computer. It may work, but then again, his discovery may just be what I am going to tell you.

My experience with PC cleaners, is they do more harm than good. At the very best, you are paying for something that you already have for free. At worst you have downloaded your worst nightmare. Mostly they just don't do anything or do the function of programs you already have on your computer. I, personally, do not have any PC cleaners on my computer and I remove them from all computers I work on.

All the programs that you need to keep your computer cleaned up are all on your computer. They have always been there. Not necessarily accessible and easy to get to or use, especially if no one has told you how to get there, but they have been there.

Let's talk about a few things that slow your computer down. The first is programs that you have downloaded and use. Every single program out there feels that they need to be at the ready for your instantaneous use. So they set themselves up to be running in the background while you use your computer.

There are only two programs that should be running all the time. The first is Windows, because, after all, that is your operating system (yes, yes, I know there are those of you running a Linux system. Just insert your OS whenever I mention Windows :P) and your anti-virus. When you start your computer, Windows starts, in order for you to use your computer, and your anti-virus needs to start so that it is there protecting your computer.

All other programs do not need to start when you turn your computer on. Well, let me throw something in here. There are lots of services that need to run for your computer to work. There are services that allow your computer to talk to the Internet, services that allow you to print, services that allow you to use your email. And all these start at the proper time they are supposed to. These are the programs we are talking about here.** The programs we are talking about are the programs that were added at the time you bought your computer, or that you have added to your computer since then.

Programs like Adobe Reader, iTunes, Google Talk, DropBox, Skype, Yahoo Messenger, Steam, all want to be running as soon as you turn your computer on. Which is great if you are going to Skype the very instant you turn your computer on, every time you turn your computer on, without fail. Or you want to have Yahoo Messenger on so that your friend can send you a message when they get on their computer.

But here is what is happening. You turn on your computer, it gets all the things turned on that it needs to run, and then all these other programs jump in and get themselves started and running. What are you doing at this time? Waiting, and waiting, and waiting. And you can't do anything at all until all these programs are done setting themselves up. Now I listed seven programs, but on an average computer there are probably 15-20. And every time you download, or update, a program, most put themselves back on the start up list and you wait....and wait....and wait. Each time it takes longer to start your computer.

Can we stop these programs from starting when you start your computer? Yes. Is is going to prevent you from using these programs? No. Let's look at Adobe Reader. Everyone uses Adobe Reader. We all end up needing to read a document that is in pdf format and we need Adobe Reader to access those documents. So, if Adobe Reader is not running when you start your computer, and you need to read a pdf, what can you do? Well click on the pdf and read it. Adobe Reader will open at that time and you can use it. Now, I have to be perfectly honest with you, it will take 1-10 seconds longer to open that pdf if Adobe Reader is not already running. It is the same for all the other programs too.

So how to you keep these programs from starting up the same time Windows does? It is not hard.

• Click on Start 
• Type msconfig.exe in the search box. (XP users need to click on Run.. and then type msconfig.exe in the box).
• You will open a window called System Configuration with 5 tabs: General, Boot, Services, Startup, and Tools. 
• Click on the tab that says Startup.

Please note that the other tabs have very important info in them that you should not be changing. Especially the Services tab (remember when we talked about the services your computer does use? Look for the paragraph with **). Do not change anything in any other tab. You may end up being very frustrated.

• You will see a list of all the items that start when you turn on your computer. Under the list is two buttons, one says Disable all.
• Click Disable all.

Another note here. It is okay to stop all these programs. Remember that you are not stopping the program from working, just from running in the background of your computer, taking up resources and slowing down the start up of your computer. They will all eventually be back on this list again.

• Then click OK.
• You will be asked to to restart your computer. Click Exit without restart. Do not check the box that says Don't show this message again, we want to see this dialog box every time so we can choose Exit without restart.
• The windows will close and the next time you start your computer, it will be somewhat faster.

If you are ever unsure about what you are doing, press the Escape key (Esc) on your keyboard to abort or click cancel. If you need more help, comment and I will give you more information.

Questions? Right you are. This is only one way to get your computer cleaned up. But let's talk about those later. This is a lot to take in for one sitting.

Feel free to ask any other questions you have in the comments section. Yes you will have to sign in to leave comments. Its okay, you can do it. You will not be getting a flood of email and the new surveillance drone has much more important places to check out than you and your computer!

You can also find me on Facebook, ask to be my friend, I will not turn anyone away.

Meanwhile...

Keep the BugOff!

Anti-Virus Programs

"I have an Anti-virus program, why is my computer getting viruses?"

Let's take a look at anti-virus programs. Are they needed?. There are some people who don't have AV (anti-virus) and they say they are fine. There are also people who tightrope walk across the Grand Canyon without a net. Most of these guys who walk a tight rope do not fall. But....  I, personally, have an anti-virus program on my computer.

How do viruses get on computers? There are lots of ways. Sometimes you just have to be in the wrong place at the right time. Sometimes you click on something because it looks too good to be true (and 99.99% of the time, it is not true and now you have a virus.)

The biggest reason you end up with a virus on your computer is because your AV definitions are not up to date. What are AV definitions? AV definitions are snippets of code that you find in viruses. Let's step back and see how an AV program works.

Viruses are computer programs. They are made up of code. The code could possibly look like this:
-------------------------------
Hello world()
{ scan computer;
   find interesting files;
  copy those files;
  delete everything; }
------------------------------
Ok, so maybe a bit more complicated that this. What AV programs do is look for the code in the virus. The AV program scans your computer and finds programs that match the code snippets in their definition files. When they find one, the AV program takes that program and puts it in a quarantine area and then deletes it for you. And then it tells you that it did its job. (Good AV program. pat. pat. here's your treat)

Do AV programs catch all viruses? No. There will always be some not caught. Mostly because a virus has to be known about in order to be protected against. But once it is on the radar, the AV community gets that information shared.

So, if your virus definitions are not up to date.....well, then your AV program doesn't know that there are more viruses out there. Most AV programs automatically update the definitions as soon as you are connected to the Internet. Some ask you, and if they do~~say YES please!

Here is another concern with AV programs. Go back and look at that code. What does it say the virus does? Scan your computer, look for files, and delete them. Now, look at what an AV does. Oh, right....scan your computer, look for files, and delete them. Let's say that you have two AV programs on your computer. What do you think they will do when they see the other AV program scanning your computer. Right! They freak out. And then they start having a virtual boxing match. So what are real viruses doing? Walking right on by while the AV programs are duking it out and proceed to do their damage. The other thing happening here is that both those AV programs are taking up computer time. And when they are fighting, they take up more computer time.....times two. And now your computer is slow as well as not so protected.

If you have more than one AV program on your computer, you need to pick one and uninstall the others. Even if the other AV programs are not running, you still need to get rid of them. Here is how:

• Open your Control Panel.
• Click the drop down arrow in the upper right corner and choose one of the icon options (or find the link to switch to Classic view).
• Find the Programs and Features icon (or the Add and Remove Programs icon).
• Double click it to open. Sometimes this takes a minute for all the programs to show up. Be patient.
• Find the AV program that you want to get rid of and click on it once (or you can right-click on the program).
• Up on the top of the list you will see a Uninstall option. (If you don't, you will see a Change option).
• Click on Uninstall (or Change).
• Then follow the directions to uninstall the program. A note here. the Installer is used to Uninstall. Quite often, you will be asked if you want to install the program. Say yes. If it asks if you are sure. Say yes. If it asks you why you are leaving, you can answer. I usually don't. Keep going until it is finished. 
• Find the next, and uninstall it too.
• Close the Control Panel when you are finished.

Now I know you are going to ask me which is the best AV program out there.

There are tons. There are a few great free programs. Avast! is one, so is Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE). Do you need to buy a program? No. If you want to, you can. Just make sure that whatever program you chose, is one that you understand how it works. I like to recommend MSE to people who don't want a lot of fuss when running the program. MSE runs quietly in the background and does a good job keeping your computer virus free. I will also say that TrendMicro, Panda, ESET, Sophos, and Kaspersky are all good programs. My personal onion (very personal and very vocal) is that if you have Norton 360, pick another one. I know that I make some people very angry that I said this, but, more than 80% of the computers I removed viruses from, had Norton 360. (Do you need to panic? no. Do you need to remove it before the subscription is up? probably not.)

If you need additional help. Feel free to comment. I will try to get back to you quickly. If you need even more help, I may suggest professional help (could be me, I can make some other recommendations depending on where you live) but know that you will be spending some money.

Keep the BugOff!