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Some days I seem to face recurring themes. Today's was extortionware. Extortion is when someone forces you into paying money to solve a problem that the person or institution requiring payment caused. If that doesn't make a lot of sense, ask Rick to explain how his "If you want to keep your kneecaps – go get nachos for us," program works during the show on Saturday.

We have spelled out our proven method of home computer security countless times here on HelpMeRick, but just as a reminder here it is again in brief:

1. Don't use Internet Explorer to surf the web unless you have to

Bad tech support: When in doubt, blame a virus

We talk a lot about viruses on the show and here on the site, but in reality, viruses make up a very small portion of day-to-day computer problems. In fact, many (if not most) problems that people blame on viruses are not actually viruses at all.

Many of today's computers contain at least 100,000 smaller files. These thousands of little files work together by linking and sharing jobs with each other. Viruses work by getting into that mix and confusing the files.

However, even without viruses at play, these files can get confused all on their own. In many ways a computer is like a living organism. Just as DNA, cells, the processes of life can get mixed up an mutated, the files and programs that make a computer work can also get corrupted.

Norton 360 verdict not in yet – don’t be a guinea pig

Norton has recently released a new version called Norton 360. Symantec claims that they have scrapped 80+ percent of their old code and the 360 version is a totally new program.

I have only seen it installed on one computer so far and I couldn't really see if it was any faster or slower than previous versions. Since the system I saw it on was also running Windows Vista, I couldn't tell if the sluggishness of the computer was caused by Norton or Vista.

I can say that I have Vista running on a very similar machine as the one I saw running 360 and it didn't seem any slower.

UPDATE: AVG and Windows Vista

Grisoft released an update to AVG Antivirus today that will make it work properly with Windows Vista. Grisoft does a good job of continually offering updates to fight the latest threats and correct any problems with compatibility that it finds. Current AVG users will get the updates automatically, but if you are new to AVG and Vista, then click on our link in the "Links and Resources" section at the top of any of our site pages.

A visitor asked about ZoneAlarm and Vista compatibility and after some research I found that many of the ZoneAlarm products are not fully ready for Vista yet. If you are a ZoneAlarm user, click on this link to reach ZoneAlarm's site and fill out their form that will give you notifications of updates as they become available.

Don’t confuse Updates with Scans

Many of our Castellini on Computers listeners are well versed (we hope) in the dangers of an unprotected computer. We preach constantly about the importance of keeping updated anti-virus software, anti-spyware and even firewalls on your computer. However, those not savvy to the show yet, find themselves kneed deep in computer problems often times because of one small mistake; thinking that a weekly virus scan is equivalent to computer security.

Some computer users know enough to check their anti-virus programs for a scan date (which is often very current), but overlook the date of the "last update" in their program. ALL anti-virus software must be updated via the Internet at least weekly, and preferably more often. The updates teach the software what to hunt for the next time it scans. If the software does not know what new threats exist, the subsequent scans are almost worthless.

Technology isn’t agist, sexist or racist

I had a client of mine tell me that he was 'too old' to follow some of the steps in my AVG Anti-virus upgrade tip. I always smile when anyone makes this kind of statement. "I didn't grow up with a computer like kids today." That's another one that I hear often. After more than twelve years helping computer users of all shapes, sizes, colors, and ages, I have drawn the conclusion that technology takes no prisoners and has no favorites. It is true that having some aptitude towards technology is a huge advantage, but I have seen men and women of all ages, races, and backgrounds who 'get' computers. Learning and understanding has nothing to do with our age, hair color, or where we were born. I believe it has to do with attitude and fortitude…and that goes for any kind of learning.

Things we say for our health

Today I visited a client who listens to the show regularly, or so she said.

I was there because the computer was running very slow and locked up often. On her computer were three programs (or groups of programs).

1. AOL

2. AOL Security Center (AOL's antivirus, antispyware and popup blocker)

3. Norton System Works

"I know you guys say not to use these programs but my son said I need them, he works for a big computer company in California."

As I explained that her problems were caused by AOL, AOL Security Center and Norton she said, "I knew you were going to tell me that I shouldn't be using those programs but…"

55 Minute Uninstall

Wow, it would have almost been faster to backup the data, reformat the hard drive, and reinstall everything from scratch. The long install was of the grossly over programmed Norton Internet Security Suite. Here's the breakdown of my appointment:

8:26am Arrive at customer's house. He tells me that his computer is running extremely slow.
8:32am I sit down and hit the power button on the computer.
8:36am
Still staring at the Windows XP startup logo, I ask the customer to bring in the laptop since he wants me to look at it also.
8:40am
The laptop is booted up and I'm already looking it over.
8:41am
Desktop is finally up…9 minutes!! Yikes!
8:46am
Add/Remove programs is finally up and the list populated. I find Norton Internet Security and click the Remove button.
9:41am
 55 minutes later, I can finally work on the computer. The actual uninstall procedure took about 50 minutes and then another five for it to reboot after removal of Norton.
10:07am
 		I installed and updated both AVG Anti-virus and anti-spyware, tested the Internet connect, tested MS Word (which wasn't working at all an hour earlier) and started the AVG scans all in this past half hour.

The moral of the story is that Norton products slow down even the fastest computers significantly more than any other security product. The installs are long, the updates are long, the uninstalls are long, and the protection is mediocre. Please, save yourself money, time and grief and don't buy or install Norton products on yours or other people's computers.

AVG AntiVirus Upgrade

The calls are starting to ramp up wondering about AVG's messages regarding the discontinuation of their anti-virus. The message is a little alarming, but rest assured that AVG (Grisoft) is NOT going out-of-business and for home users the product will remain free. Although Grisoft is discontinuing support and updates for their current version, they have released a new version of… Read More »AVG AntiVirus Upgrade

Good security can only do so much

One of my customers today had a problem with general computer slowness, pop-ups and couldn't hook up to their cable connection. This particular client is well known to me because I help clean up the computer on a fairly regular basis. My advice is always the same:  don't use free download services (Bear Share was loaded), online poker sites are known spyware beds (two different online poker programs were loaded), please use the proven anti-virus and anti-spyware software that I install and configure (my software was deleted in favor of the super secure AOL Security Suite).

After removing the AOL security suite and re-enabling the high speed connection, I installed AVG Anti-virus and Anti-spyware. Just doing a quick scan with the Anti-spyware program yielded more than 80 spyware problems which AVG then dispatched of quickly. Is this a slam of AOL? No, just a factual account of yet another example of what I find on computers that use sup-par security systems.  To be fair to the AOL system, the computer user engaged in practices that would tax any computer system, but the problems would not have been nearly magnified with the security setup that we recommend.