Identifying Common Computer Problems

By Leave a Comment
Computer Hardware

Image by Cyberslayer via Flickr

We’ve all had that feeling of dread when you suspect that your computer is failing or broken. Your heart starts to beat faster and you get a bit nauseous. The first thing you worry about is losing information that is on your computer. All that information including access to email, passwords, logins, favorites, histories, pictures and so much more could be lost or damaged.

Most computer issues can be separated into two areas: hardware and software. It’s not hard to learn which area is causing the problem and you may even be able to repair the problem.

Hardware
Listen for problematic or strange noises. These types of noise can precede major failures. For instance if the start-up winding sound which is normal gets louder, this could indicate the first stages of hard drive failure.

If you computer unexpectedly shuts down, but you can turn it back on; this is a symptom of a possible overheating issue. Check to ensure that your vents and fans are not dirty or blocked. Clean them if necessary, and if the problem continues, it’s time to call a professional.

Software
If your computer is experience software problems, you may notice that its start-up time is getting slower, the computer is slower in general and odd things are happening. You may have an operating system problem or a virus. You should run your antivirus program immediately.

After running the antivirus program, make sure your operating system is up-to-date. Install any updates that you need to and then reboot your computer. If this does not fix the problem, perform the System Restore function.

Filed Under: Protection, Technology, Warnings Tagged With: , ,

Viruses Can Lurk on Legitimate Websites, Too

By Leave a Comment

There’s a myth that viruses only hang out on porn sites, shopping surveys, and other spammy places on the Internet. What you may not realize is that a virus can attack your computer from what appears to be the safest site you could visit. Here are a few reasons to keep your anti-virus up-to-date.

A Virus Disguised In Email

Of course, this seems like a no-brainer, but sometimes we get emails with legitimate titles. They’re not always some Viagra discount pitch. They very often have titles that actually pertain to things we’re interested in. Naturally, we open them up and discover we’ve been duped. Look closely at anything that doesn’t come from a legitimate friend or associate, and don’t click a link if you’re the least bit uncertain. Make sure you’re running the latest version of your anti-virus, too. If it happened to you, chances are it happened to many people, and your anti-virus either already has or will very quickly create a solution.

But That’s My Favorite Online Newspaper!

Sometimes, it’s not our favorite, safe and legitimate websites that get us, but the advertisers who are there. It may be the ads or pop-ups that contain the virus. Be super careful with this. Again, make sure your anti-virus is current. Unfortunately, there is no safe place on the Internet. The viruses will find you if you’re online enough.

How Does This Happen?

Viruses are malicious scripts or code, so they’ll be slipped into the legitimate code to hopefully fool you and websites into passing them on. The bottom line is that you have to be careful and pro-active with you anti-virus.

Filed Under: Warnings Tagged With: , ,

The Online Advantage: Anti-Virus Scanning

By Leave a Comment

The hours aren’t always kind. The minutes aren’t always easy. There is too much to do and too little time to accomplish all of it — and sparing the necessary moments for a comprehensive anti-virus scan seems to be impractical. You don’t have an afternoon to devote to computer safety. You barely even have seconds.

Such seconds are — fortunately — all you need, however.

Anti-virus programs often demand lengthy searches through hard-drives, wanting to dissect every single code and every single file. While this is understood as vital by many, it can also be understood as tedious. Few have the ability to wait for the checks to be completed. They instead require immediacy — and can find it online.

Virtual anti-virus scans are available. Provided by reputable vendors, these scans allow individuals to check their local disc drives, document folders and other critical areas: ensuring that any potential malware is discovered. They’re free, easy and — most importantly — fast. This allows them to offer protection without demanding time.

It must be noted, however, that such scans (while helpful) should not replace their more involved counterparts. They should be used to check for any obvious problems; but more comprehensive searches are still needed. Be certain to perform those — at least — once a week. This will ensure no complications will occur.

The online world has forever been recognized as convenient. Now that convenience can be applied to virus detection. Offer your system an in-browser experience and reap the reward of speed. Security has never been so simple — or so quick.

Filed Under: Protection Tagged With: , ,

The Firewall Difference

By Leave a Comment

It’s an assumption of protection: anti-virus programs are thought to be the same, believed identical in their methods and their intents. There are no distinctions to consider. There are no exceptions to note. All software is without difference… unless it’s not software at all.

A network firewall is among the most common forms of protection. Too often, however, are these thought to be the same as their program counterparts. They’re not — and this must be understood.

Explained simply: a network firewall is an in-browser defense. It identifies any unknown intruders and keeps them from entering an online session. It works to free the hard-drive from any possible problems by denying permission to any file it doesn’t recognize.

This does not brand it an anti-virus program, however.

Firewalls don’t identify specific forms of malware or Trojan codes; they don’t report them to directories; and they don’t even try to combat them. They simply register any unfamiliar sources and keep them at bay. This makes them vital — but it doesn’t make them anti-virus software.

And that distinction should be noted by all users. Those seeking complete protection too often assume that their firewalls will provide it. This assumption can be disastrous, however — causing wanted files to be turned away or securing only the IP ports. This is too limiting and too imprecise.

It is imperative then that all individuals use firewalls as a secondary defense. Don’t rely on it completely. Purchase true anti-virus software instead to guarantee the safety of all systems. This method must complement precautions — not dominate them.

Filed Under: Protection Tagged With: , ,

The False Positive Possibility

By Leave a Comment

It’s a sudden warning, a promise of invasion — your computer is under attack. A virus has appeared; a code is trying to force its way into the system. All defenses must be used. All protections must be given. And you begin to panic, thinking your files will be lost and your information will be deleted. You try to do all you can, enabling software to battle this Trojan concern. But, when the name of the problem is finally revealed, you… pause, recognizing it as the document you just created mere minutes ago. It’s being identified as an intruder and you’re baffled.

You shouldn’t be.

An all too common concern with anti-virus programs is the appearance of the false positive. As its name implies: the false positive is when a safe file, document or link is somehow identified as malware. It’s misread by software and is attacked — with the result often being the elimination of the source and the user’s inability to access it again. Systems can stall. Commands can become ineffective. And the process can lag.

It is important therefore to choose anti-virus software that is less likely to have this problem. False positives occur most often in lazily crafted programs (especially ones that have not been approved by established manufacturers and are instead independent). It’s necessary to select items that have stellar reputations and have been proven to be secure. Be certain also to avoid too quick updates of your current protections. Read customer testimonials before installing new versions to ensure that they do indeed work — and that they don’t suffer from this flaw.

The false positive can be devastating for users. It’s imperative then to counter it as best as possible. Choose reliable anti-virus software and be aware of any potential problems.

Filed Under: Guidance & Advice Tagged With: , ,

The Essential Updates: Anti-Virus

By Leave a Comment

Computers are confusing: this is the truth you cling to, the philosophy that can’t be denied. There are far too many programs to consider; there are far too many problems to decode. You spend more time trying to decipher technology than actually using it — and it’s easier to simply ignore the need for change, to let a system remain the same. All demands for updates are refused. Every manufacturer suggestion is ignored. You don’t want to spend the hours cluttering your hard-drive with unnecessary items (which is precisely what you believe all new programs to be). It’s better to let your platform be stagnant and familiar.

That familiarity quickly shatters when a virus appears, however.

Individuals who are uncomfortable with computers (lacking the necessary knowledge to manipulate their operations) often deny all attempts of updating. Softwares are thought to be useless. Applications are assumed to be weak. And even new anti-virus programs are passed over, believed to offer nothing but a loss of memory space.

The truth doesn’t reflect this, though — it instead demands progress.

Malware, Trojan attacks, spy codes and more: the online world is filled to worries. And, without the necessary precautions, users may find themselves being targeted by those worries. Anti-virus software is therefore needed. Believing that a standard program is enough, however, will only end in disaster. Technology is forever being redefined; and hackers are all too clever. Without embracing the latest protections, individuals can leave themselves open to attack.

It’s imperative therefore to update regularly. Heed all industry warnings. Find all new programs. Don’t refuse to improve your computer (thinking that it would be best to simply leave it as it was offered to you). You must instead make every effort possible to defend against viruses — and this requires adding new applications and participating in change.

Filed Under: Guidance & Advice Tagged With: , ,

The Malware Potential: Anti-Virus

By Leave a Comment

Time is elusive — there are too few seconds in the day; there are too few hours to claim; and wasting them on treks to the store, searching through shelves for anti-virus software, is not what you deem worthy. You want speed. You want convenience. Downloading therefore seems to be the easiest of solutions. All products can be found quickly. All efforts can be reduced. It’s a simple thing to click a link, let a product launch itself into your hard-drive (this spares you the horrors of shopping, of clerks interested only in sales and not offering information). There is nothing but comfort to gain…. and malware.

The need for anti-virus protection is paramount. Such protection is too often considered costly, however — and individuals search through the virtual world, try to find downloads that will save them time and money. While this is an understandable process, it can come with a far greater price than expected: malware can be hidden inside the codes and can be welcomed into a hard-drive.

A common worry with downloading is that it provides no assurance. Users are forced to rely on anonymous creators, must place their trust in sources they can’t see. And this can lead to danger — with some programs corrupted, allowing hackers to gain access to any system they choose. All information can be stolen. All files can be erased. An entire computer can be rendered useless within mere minutes.

And it is because of this that downloading anti-virus software is not recommended — unless extreme precautions have been taken. Always research the program, looking for any reported failures or concerns. Discover the reputation of the creator (seek out testimonials about his work and what others have experienced from it). Make sure any host site can guarantee a lack of malware. And never download items that demand personal information (such as name, credit card numbers and more).

Choosing to upload applications into your computer can be done. It simply demands vigilance — and an understanding that the anti-virus name is not always true.

Filed Under: Warnings Tagged With: , ,

The Software Conflict: Anti-Virus

By Leave a Comment

There are — you know — few ideas worthy of being named brilliant. The word is meant to be offered to the occasional revelations, the sudden inspirations. It’s not to be given casually, considered common. You, however, are anything but common; and your latest notion surely proves that.

You’re seeking anti-virus protection, wish to secure your computer against the evils of the online world. The recommended program has been purchased, is sworn to be capable. That’s not enough for you, though. You want more than mere efficiency. Instead you want a complete defense; and so you find other software, force them onto your hard-drive. The intention is to shield your system from every single concern.

That intention fails — utterly.

No anti-virus program is created the same as its brethren. Each is unique, defined by platform requirements, memory capabilities and design. Such designs are not typically compatible with others, however. Functions are not meant to meet. Scans are not to collide. Software is instead to be singular, allowed to perform (instead of combating others for space).

Your desire to protect yourself was a noble one. Nobility often doesn’t succeed within computers, though. Most anti-virus programs are not able to exist within the same system. They will conflict with each other — with their purposes often being rendered useless because of it. Malware can appear because the defenses are too busy struggling; and this can lead to lost data, corrupted files and identity theft.

It is essential then that you choose only one form of anti-virus software. Manufacturers are unique; their programs therefore are the same. Only select components that are from the same brand and can work together. Secondary items will (usually) only cause concern — and this can be dangerous for all computers.

The need for an anti-virus application is absolute. None could ever deny this and none would even try. The attempt of flooding a hard-drive with endless software, however, will be counter-productive. Limit yourself to one type of programming and don’t succumb to the notion of excess. It will not work.

Filed Under: Technology Tagged With: , ,

Preventing Hacking When Downloading Software

By Leave a Comment
Range Software package. Screenshot of the two ...
Image via Wikipedia

Computer hacking is something that almost every person has experienced at least once in their lives. If they haven’t experienced it, good for them because it is a hassle and an inconvenience to deal with. If they have experienced it, they know the frustration and angst that come when their computer system, hardware, and software are under potential threat because of the damaging actions of another party.

Through spam that takes you to a dangerous website and other methods, criminals can hack a person’s computer at any time without warning and can completely take over your system, rendering your computer useless to you. It’s not a good feeling, which is why many computer retailers and consultants will advise you to install software programs on your system to prevent hacking and unlawful entry of any kind into your computer. Many programs are free but others have a price tag. The value of investing in a program is a personal judgment call, but it’s definitely worth considering.

On many computer systems, when you are downloading software, you have to disable your firewall to allow the program to download to your hard drive. When you do this, your system is vulnerable and attempts to hack into your computer increase. To offset this, you can install other programs to protect your computer, or let a professional install your computer software programs.

Since many computer professionals have more software than the average person, they can install software on your computer system to prevent hacking, even under the worst of conditions. They will advise you on what works best, what does not work, and what you need to address your computer needs. Your concerns don’t always have to be at the forefront of your mind if you engage the services of knowledgeable people. Let them do their jobs so that you can do yours with your computer.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Protection Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Protecting Your Computer Network Against All Attacks!

By Leave a Comment
Kaspersky Anti-Virus
Image via Wikipedia
Most people have heard of network computer security. It sounds very intense, like there is a force of men standing outside your computer keeping it guarded and safe. In truth, your network computer security is designed to defend against potential threats and prowlers that can attack your computer. Most of our personal networks as well as our business networks hold valuable information that should only be shared amongst privileged users. It is essential that this information be protected.

There are many ways that computer burglars will access your network and gain all of your information. One of the biggest hazards in computers right now is malware. Malware is software that is malicious in its attempts to destroy a computer’s operating system. Hence, the “mal” in malware. It is usually intended to enter a specific type of computer security system. They search for systems that do not require passwords or special access codes to get in to the network. It also searches for those with certain types of anti-virus ware that it knows it can bypass without getting caught. It’s created so that it won’t be detectable to many anti-virus software programs. It does this by constantly generating new codes that allow it to stay hidden within the system. Frightening, isn’t it? It seems the better we are at creating anti-spam, and anti-virus programs, the smarter these viruses get. It’s like an antibiotic.

Your computer network security is being checked every day for access. Hackers and intruders are out on the prowl everyday for pertinent information. It’s unfortunate, but the detection of the methods they use, is becoming more and more difficult. If you can be more aware of your business and personal computer networks as best you can, then you can at least have the upper hand and make changes that will help to deter them.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Protection Tagged With: , ,
«Older Posts

To the Top