The Castellini Approach to Internet Security ̵...

EDITORS NOTE:   I originally posted this article in 2007. A lot has changed in 6 years, so I’ve updated the article with new information and links. Please heed the information here to save you time, money and frustration and pass along to your friends and family! This past week I saw way too many people who are not taking advantage of the free information we give out on the show and the web site. Their computers were...

WARNING! Spyware/Virus Infections Getting Nastier!

This article applies primarily to Windows users (any version) since virii and spyware infections are pretty much limited to Windows users at this time. However, Apple and Linux users should heed the advice that I will lay out here and help their Windows using friends and family as well. First and foremost, EVERY Internet user should read, study, and understand the who, what, why, and how of spyware and virus infections by...

Your friends and family CAN & DO send you mal...

Update:  This tip has been on my site for more than 5 years, but I’m editing it a little and including an email I received today that demonstrates the real world implications of my tip. Keep in mind that friends and family don’t purposely send you problems, but read on to understand exactly what I mean. Probably the biggest single misconception I hear from computer users almost daily goes like this: “I...

5 Steps to Using Online Financial Sites Safely

Every year computer users who use the Internet to check account balances, transactions, and even paying bills grows by nearly 30%. According to one Pew study, more than 50 million Americans use online banking services. 50 million sounds like a large number, but that still reflects less than 50% of online American adults. Bank web sites continue to evolve by becoming easier to use, more secure, and more helpful than ever...

Must read article for ALL computer illiterate user...

I detest the phrase computer illiterate, but unfortunately hear it almost daily in my work. I think the better way for a computer user who feels inadequate around the technology and the terminology is to refer to themselves as time challenged. Since illiteracy can be thwarted with a healthy dose of education, that leaves making the time to obtain that education the stumbling block. However, I used that too often uttered...

Rick’s guide to trouble free computing

In January, this web site and my business turned 16 years old. In that time, I have worked on thousands of computers ranging from the oldest DOS machines to the newest gaming and Mac monsters. My youngest client in that time has been 5 years old and my oldest was a 94 year old author writing a book for the first time on a PC. When your work in any field for a certain period of time, you start to spot patterns and...

How to use Malwarebytes – Video Tip

I am installing Malwarebytes more and more often these days to take care of spyware and adware problems. It isn’t 100% effective and you really should practice preventative measures (see article links at the end of this tip), but it is certainly worthwhile to add it to your security tool belt if you use any version of Microsoft Windows. Click here to download Malwarebytes Click the green button to start download Wait...

Practice smarter browsing to avoid malware –...

It seems that spyware, adware and other malware that doesn’t quite fall in the category of a virus grows by the day. Unfortunately, even the best protected computers and computer users can get hit by these sneaky destruction machines by tricking us (social engineering) to thinking we are either using, viewing or downloading something other than it is. In order to fight back, we need to be smarter Internet citizens in...

Save Money on Computer Repair Bills

It’s no secret that I am a computer consultant/trainer/troubleshooter. So, why would I potentially take food out of my own hand by writing this tip? Three reasons: I like to help people and share knowledge I dislike troubleshooting messes that could have prevented and I enjoy teaching people how to get the most out of their computers instead of being frustrated and constantly battling or worrying about the...

Extricating Spyware

Article updated: July 2010 In 2004, spyware/adware became the #1 threat to personal computers. For a definition of spyware, visit Webopedia. Getting rid of spyware has reached a point that it takes an expert, or a lot of persistence, to really get rid of it totally. Following is a list of steps that we frequently take to completely restore a compromised computer. Depending on the level of problems, we may omit some steps,...

5 Simple Rules to avoid SCD (Slow Computer Disease...

I’ve written about this before, but it bares repeating on occasion for new visitors to the site and long time visitors who haven’t learned yet. The advice is simple: Do not download free screensavers, wallpaper, email programs (Incredimail, etc), or games from the Internet. Unless you are WELL versed in the origin of these items, they can easily destroy your computer’s ability to compute. “Slow...

2 laptop suggestions for college students

Millions of high schoolers will be graduating soon and will be leaving for their respective campuses (campii?) at the end of the summer. These students will more than likely go to college with a computer…probably a laptop. I would like to suggest two possible laptops ideas for these students. Both of my ideas involve good systems that will allow college kids to word process, chat, email, listen to music, watch...

Another plea for you to use Mozilla Firefox

Over the past six months, the spyware problems infiltrating both Windows XP and Vista has become almost mythical. Spyware is the junk that gets into your computer and slows it down, prevents antivirus software from doing its job, halts Windows updates, can disable your CDROM and/or USB drives, and much more. The vast majority of it turns out to be self-induced. By self-induced, I mean that the user willingly downloaded ring...

Reunion spam makes a comeback

Social engineering strikes again. Last spring, a spam posing as a reunion invitation made its rounds around the Internet. The spam/virus gets spread by an unsuspecting and less than alert computer user opens an email supposedly from a class mate inviting them to a reunion. Once the email is opened, a root-kit (hard to detect spyware/virus hybrid) gets deployed on the person’s computer and begins to spread itself from...

Rick’s Answers his email Videocast – 0...

Questions this week ranged from anti-spyware recommendations all the to a strange singing Christmas card that played even after the computer was shut down. This week’s questions brought to you by Dave, Kristina, USSRover, AmaLia, Dave, Mary, Jessica, Bob, Mike, Gloria, and Kent. ...