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Security

It’s 11:13pm, do you know if your computer is protected properly?

In the last two weeks, I have seen way too many computers with viruses and spyware. The computer industry just isn't doing their job as a whole stressing how important computer security is. So, I pose the question again: Do you know if your computer's security is adequate and up to date?

If you are a regular Castellini on Computers/HelpMeRick.com listener/visitor, I hope you  know the answer. But it is a valid question to ask your friends and family.

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.

7 ways to save money

  1. Do not use AOL.
  2. IF you use AOL, make sure you are paying the lowest price you can. Currently that is $9.95 for dial-up service and ZERO if you use AOL with a high speed connection. If you aren't getting these rates, call 1-888-265-8008 to get the rate. 
  3. Do not use Norton AntiVirus or McAfee products. Instead use the security software packages you can find by searching our site for "security". You will thank me later for this.
  4. Do not pay for two phone lines. It will be cheaper to get a high speed connection than pay for two phone lines and an Internet provider. For rural folks, look into Wild Blue satellite Internet or a local microwave wireless provider.
  5. Do not let your kids fix your computer…it will cost you MUCH more later.
  6. Get a second computer for the kids and keep it in plain view (like a living room or kitchen).
  7. Visit HelpMeRick.com daily to get the latest news and tips about computers that applies to the average computer user.

 

Does anyone remember easy printer installs?

One trend happening in technology over the past three years or so is bloated printer software. By bloated, I mean printer installations that require nearly one gigabyte (yes almost 1000 megabytes) of hard drive space! Call me old or nostalgic, but I miss the days where printers could be installed from a floppy disk and took less than three minutes ton install. The worst offender today seems to be HP. Their popular all-in-one printers can take up to thirty minutes to install on a NEW computer and even longer on old computers. And after spending all that time, it may still not work correctly! 

How to detect keyloggers

Keyloggers are viruses (or can be hardware in an office situation) that log everything you enter into your computer…including passwords, user names, and account numbers. Don't take this problem lightly as it can lead to identity theft. Keyloggers are rare and if you run proper security software (search security on our site), you are not at risk. However, if you suspect a keylogger, use one of these tools to detect them:

SpyBot Search and Destroy

Keylogger Killer

A Confession: I don’t understand computers

I know how to fix computers, but I will freely admit that I don't understand them.

Today I saw two clients with very strange problems. One person had a problem that prevented their CD burner from writing and their computer from recognizing the sound card. However, the sound card and CD writer had just been replaced because of the same problem.

What was really strange was that the system sounds worked and the CD would record files just fine as long as you didn't use Nero.

After they had the CD drive and sound card replaced, everything had worked fine for about two weeks.

Setup ZoneAlarm Firewall to not interfere with your home network

We had a call a couple of weeks ago about configuring ZoneAlarm , a software firewall, to allow for a home network to be setup. Often times, after setting up ZoneAlarm, network communication like sharing printers and files is blocked unless ZoneAlarm is shutdown…defeating the purpose of the firewall. Here's how to add your home network to the "Trusted Zone" in ZoneAlarm so that file and printer sharing will work with ZoneAlarm enabled:

  1. Double-click the ZoneAlarm icon by the clock in the system tray
  2. Click the Firewall optionZone Alarm Settings (see #1 in the illustration)
  3. Click the Zones tab (see #2 in the illustration)
  4. Click Add (see #3 in the illustration)
  5. Click IP Range
  6. Make sure the Zone says "Trusted"
  7. Type in the lowest IP address on your network (like 192.168.0.100). You can find this out by RIGHT Clicking on your Wireless or LAN connection in the Network Connections found in the Control Panel)
  8. Type in the highest IP address on your network. Make this number about 15-20 points higher than the fourth digit of the previous number. If our example as above, then use 192.168.0.120 for this number.
  9. Type "Home Network" or something similar in the Description box
  10. Click OK
  11. Click Apply on the Zones screen
  12. Close ZoneAlarm

How much computer can $40,000 get you?

Over the past few weeks, I have been working with a local business (that I will not name) to help them change their computer setup. The business is of the type that they need to worry about security, privacy and large-scale record keeping.

When I help out with this sort of job, I have no problem admitting where my limits of expertise are and I help the client find another business that has the book learning to do the job they need. I am grateful for the real geeks who can do this type of job because I prefer to work with the people rather than the machines.

The business client has kept me on board for the job though because I will be there to setup the individual computers and help the employees through the process.

A Fourth Utility?

Water, gas and/or electricity, and telephone service have been widely available for years and present in almost every household in America. In the past few years, I have noticed that households with Internet connections now panic almost as much with an Internet outage as they would with a power outage or water leak. The Internet has truly become the a 'fourth utility'.

We all use the Internet now as a communication medium and the ultimate reference device. When it slows down, act erratic, or fails, we tend to worry about it almost as much our other three utilities. You can keep your fourth utility humming along problem free by following the advice we have laid out for you on this site regarding Internet security and troubleshooting.