Summertime Cleaning

My wife (a teacher) made the comment, as have other fellow educators, that summer is when we get things done around the house that are usually done in the spring. I'd have to agree with that sentiment! Summer is also a time when many educators "fill their cups" with inservice trainings, conventions, and by taking classes.

Summer is also a good time to give your computer a little TLC. A few suggestions below are offered, as well as a link to a handout that I received this week at a virtual ISTE conference in Fredericksburg, Virginia. It addresses the many features of Google Apps and how they can be employed to increase productivity and lead to more efficient learning.

First, let's give our computers a little "spring cleaning":

1. Dispose of non-essential files residing on your computer's hard drive. Two free programs do this chore very easily and quickly. One is called Hard Drive Powerwash. The other is named Disk Cleaner. Download and run both programs.  You'll be amazed at the amount of space reclaimed on your computer!
2. When you've sent all of the non-essential files to the Recycle Bin, empty it and run Smart Defrag. First run "defrag only", then run it in "Deep Optimize" mode.
3. After you've defragmented the hard drive, defragment your computer's registry using Free Registry Defrag.
4. I'd be remiss if I didn't put in a plug for checking the computer for malware, trojans, and viruses. Two excellent products to use: AntiMalware and SUPERAntispyware. Download and install both.  Update both.  Run a "full system scan" using both. Delete anything they detect.
5. It used to be that the most common way viruses were spread was via floppy disks. Times have changed and flash drives can now become carriers of viruses. To reduce the likelihood of contracting a virus using a flash drive, download and use USB Guardian.
6. Lastly, back up your files! If you suffer the misfortune of contracting a virus or other form of malware, a degree of "peace of mind" will be had by doing so. Would you like a free, quick program that makes a backup of your computer's drivers? Try  Double Driver.I've recently used it to reinstall drivers after reformatting a PC. It works very well! DriverMax is another free, easy-to-use application that backs up drivers. It's easy to learn, fast, and reliable.

When these chores have been completed, download the handout I received this week at a virtual conference. You'll be amazed at what all can be done with Google Apps! Dr. Howie DiBlasi did a superb job drafting this handout. We spent three uninterrupted hours reviewing this document and trying the various features Dr. H. prepared for us.  The time flew! Thanks, Doc!

Viruses, Facebook, yadayadayada

Mother: "Well, doctor, I took my child to you for immunizations when he was 6 months old.  So why has he caught a virus now, at age 12?"

Doctor: "Mrs. Jones, your child has to have regular immunizations to remain immunized against certain viruses. Think of it as preventative maintenance, just as you would with maintenance required of your car."

The parallel? Let's say that you've installed malware, spyware, and antivirus programs on your computer.  Think you're safe now? Think again.  All of these need updated regularly...as often as possible.  I update Anti-Malware, SUPERAntispyware, ThreatFire, and Norton Antivirus weekly.  That's not all.  I have these programs perform full system scans as well, and just as often.

This week I examined more than ten (10) computers.  EVERY SINGLE ONE was infected. One of them had over 1,200 infections. It was so damaged by all of the intrusions that the operating system had to be reinstalled.

I also backup my files regularly. I also backup my files regularly. I also backup my files regularly. I also backup my files regularly. I also backup my files regularly. I also backup my files regularly. I also backup my files regularly. I also backup my files regularly. I also backup my files regularly. I also backup my files regularly.

On another (related) note, some of my Facebook friends have (unknowingly) sent messages to me; the product of a virus.  Little did I know (said tongue-in-cheek) that they were spying on me with a web camera!  NOT!

If you've received a similar Facebook message, don't even open it. Make friends with the DELETE key and trash that bad boy!!  Read from the page at the following link for clarification:

http://ca.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100413131613AAFlCoP

Stay healthy!

Backup your files regularly. Backup your files regularly. Backup your files regularly. Backup your files regularly. Backup your files regularly. Backup your files regularly. Backup your files regularly. Backup your files regularly. Backup your files regularly. Backup your files regularly. Backup your files regularly.

Triple Whammy!!!

I'm receiving calls again from folks whose PCs have been infected with malware so intrusive that it prevents them from accomplishing anything at all. Symptoms include slow computer operation, a proliferation of pop-up windows, and a program that launches itself and scans for infections.

It may well be that the "self-installed antimalware scanner" program is the source of the problem! How did it get there? Let me count the ways...

I suggest you read this PDF document to learn what malware is and the many ways it can be installed on your computer. Additionally, read Protect Yourself from Fake Anti-Virus Software.

I've said it before: It's gotten to the point where folks have to be proactive to head off these threats. Below is my "regimen" for being proactive. I perform these steps at least once a week.

As for the details of how to perform individual steps, that's another story for another day, OR you can take the initiative and learn how to perform them.

1. Backup your documents, songs, PowerPoint, and other files BEFORE the day of reckoning arrives.
   
2. Disable System Restore
   
3. Download, install, and update Malwarebytes Antimalware (free edition) from http://www.malwarebytes.org (NOT .com).
   
4. Download, install, and update SUPERAntiSpyware (free edition) from http://downloads.superantispyware.com/downloads/SUPERAntiSpyware.exe
   
5. UPDATE your antivirus program.
   
6. If you don't have an antivirus program, say 100 "Hail Marys" for penance, then download, install, update, and run AVG Antivirus.
   
7. Delete all files that you are able to from the C:\Windows\Temp folder.
   
8. Empty your web browser's cache, offline files, and cookies.
   
9. Download and run SmartDefrag from http://www.iobit.com/iobitsmartdefrag.html?Str=download
   
10. Disconnect from the Internet (make sure that wireless is off and that no Ethernet cable is attached).
    
11. Reboot your computer to "Safe Mode".
    
12. Conduct full scans using AntiMalware, SUPERAntiSpyware, and your antivirus program.
    
13. Allow those programs to remove the threats.
    
14. Run SmartDefrag ("Deep Optimize")
    
15. Restart your computer.
    

It sounds like a lot to do, but considering the alternative.... Tips:

1. Remove any discovered infections 2 or 3 at a time. Don't allow the applications above discover and allow to accumulate more than a few at a time. Don't try to eliminate them all in one fell swoop.
   
2. Once finished with all of the above, run "Windows Update" as often as needed to install ALL of the critical updates.
   
3. Update Antimalware, SUPERSpyware, and your antivirus program regularly. I do this at least once a week.
   
4. Scan for infections any external drives (flash drives, external hard drives, SD cards, etc.)
   
5. Eat plenty of vegetables to reduce your risk of becoming infected. Momma was right after all, and she knows best! ;-)

Really Nasty Malware - AntiVirus 360

Recently several people have contacted me, reporting that their PCs have been infected with a "virus" that keeps bugging them to purchase a program called "AntiVirus 360". it reports that their computer is loaded with all kinds of viruses, malware, and trojans.

Antivirus 360 is a rogue anti-spyware program intended to fool users into purchasing a fake product. Persistent pop ups and system tray warnings pound users with fake system alerts. Often -- without knowing -- users are tricked in to thinking these fake alerts are official "Windows Alerts". AntiVirus 360 is a nasty program running silently in the background which kills PC performance.

So...the facts is that AntiVirus 360 IS malware. Really REALLY bad malware. Some have taken their computers to repair shops and had the hard drives totally reformatted to get rid of it. That doesn't have to be done, though. There's a "triple-whammy" that I've used to get rid of the pest.

First, I disable "System Restore", the screen saver, and disable Hibernation mode.

I start by keeping my LEGITIMATE antivirus program, Norton Antivirus, up-to-date. I don't use the Norton Security Suite. It's a resource hog. I just use the plain-Jane Norton AntiVirus. It's updated at least every week, then I run a full system scan.

I also use Malwarebyte's Anti-Malware. It's free. I also update it and run a scan to remove threats. Ad-Aware is also used. It, too, is free. It requires updating, scanning, and the removal of any threats found.

Using all three of these programs in concert has successfully removed AntiVirus 360 from three PCs without having to reformat the hard drives. Keep the programs up-to-date. Scan your PC regularly. Make backups of your files.

Hint: Be wary of buying a program claiming to be a tool that removes AntiVirus 360. It just might be more of the same.

Stay Ahead of Adware, Spyware, & Malware!

It used to be that Ad-Aware was the venerable tried-and-true utility of choice for removing malware from computers. Recently I've discovered and begun using a much more thorough utility called Anti-Malware from http://www.malwarebytes.org. It's free. Give it a try! You won't be disappointed!