Flu Season and Viruses

I hope you've gotten your flu vaccinations, but if not, remember that hand washing in any event is a great way to reduce the likelihood of passing along (and receiving) viruses.

I say that to say this: Computers, as we all too-well know, are prone to virus infestations without a degree of maintenance and updating.

This week I went into a mobile lab. Just two of the 25 laptops I examined were HEAVILY infected. Preventative,  periodic maintenance takes only minutes, versus hours spent trying to sanitize infected systems!

My multi-pronged approach to system integrity and the prevention of the nasties includes:

1. Norton AntiVirus (NOT Norton Securities)
2. Hard Drive Powerwash
3. SUPERAntispyware
4. Malwarebyte's "Antimalware"

The last two require periodic (weekly for me) updating. Items 2 - 4 are free. Norton Antivirus isn't free. Download these free programs. Install, and update items #3 and #4.

Learn how to disable "System Restore" before conducting full-system scans and deleting suspicious files. Once scanned and deleted, "System Restore" can be re-enabled.Don't forget to defragment the hard drive after all has been cleaned.

To defragment the hard drive, I use one or both of the following free programs, because they are faster and more efficient than that which is included with windows:
1. UltraDefrag
2. Smart Defrag

I run checkdisk (Windows XP) to find and correct hard drive errors.  Click here to learn how. Basically you click "Run", type chkdsk /f, then press enter.  Enter Y at the prompt, then restart the computer.

Because of regular maintenance, my home computer (now 10 years old) runs faster than many I see that are 3 or 4 years old.

Stay safe and healthy!!!

Why Buy?

I just downloaded and tried the most recent release of OpenOffice (Version 3.2.0). Great balls of fire! This version is FAST! It loads so much faster than its predecessor.

I sometimes wonder: With productivity suites such as OpenOffice, Google Apps, and ZOHO, why is it even necessary for cash-strapped customers to buy software of this genre?

As a side-note: I read recently that in 2009 alone, 25 million malware strains were released. I can't say this often enough: Back up your data (documents, presentations,pictures, etc.)!

An antivirus program alone isn't enough to protect you. Neither is the same used in conjunction with a firewall. Seriously consider adding two more layers of protection

1. Antimalware from Malwarebytes.org
2. SUPERAntispyware

Update your antivirus program, update Windows, and update these latter two free applications regularly and conduct full system scans.

Lock & Trace Your Other Laptop(s)

Our district has installed software that traces stolen laptops, and has successfully proven itself.

You, too, can install similar software on your own laptops for FREE. You can also control it remotely once you realize that it's been stolen, as long as it's been connecting to the Internet. Best of all, you can delete or encrypt files and even track the location right down to the state, city, and street location!

Did I mention that the cost is zero, zip, zilch? I've tried it. It works!!! Go to http://www.thelaptoplock.com and learn more. You can register as many laptops as you want. For free. All you need is an email account.

Now: Couple that service with another FREE program that serves as a motion sensor and, if your laptop has a built-in web camera, will take a picture of the suspected thief, upload it to an FTP server of your choice, and record the IP address from which it connected to the Internet. Couple this information with that provided by LaptopLock, and you've got a powerful security suite that increases the chances of recovering your laptop and securing or even deleting sensitive data. The name of this additional program? Yaw-cam. Get it from http://www.yawcam.com.

Next: Where to get a free FTP server? Try http://www.drivehq.com/ftp. You can get 1 GB of free storage; more than enough for this setup.

Enjoy the feeling of added security!