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Welcome to I.G. Headquarter's "Information Station"

This page will essentially offer you information on our knowledge of computers and the internet. Offering a FAQ section in which you may troubleshoot computer problems and issues. If what you're looking for is not there, email us and we'll help you out as soon as we can. Afterwards, any new issues will then be added to another section of this site to continue to expand our ability to help you.

Did you know..... That if words are too small for you to read on a website that you can enlarge them? If you are using Internet Explorer as your browser, click on 'view' (Located at the top, left hand side of the window.) Then click 'text size' and choose which ever setting is best for your internet viewing.

Are you bothered by POP-UPs? If you have Windows XP, click on 'start', then click on the 'control panel', then click on 'Internet Options', then click on the 'Privacy' tab. At the bottom of the 'privacy section', put a check mark in the box that says "Block Pop-ups" by clicking in the box. Then click 'settings'. At the bottom of the 'settings' window, make sure both boxes at the bottom have check marks in them. For the line at the bottom that says "Filter Level" - click on the down arrow at the end of that line and choose "High: Block all Pop-ups (Ctrl to override)". Then click 'close'. Then click 'apply' & 'OK'. You're done. That should take care of many pop-ups. Ad-Aware SE Professional is capable of blocking pop-ups that get past windows pop-up blocker. You can find it at www.lavasoft.com .

PC Tips

Ever have your computer freeze and you cant do anything? of course who hasn't! Here is something that might help. when things appear to have frozen hit the CTRL-ALT-and DELETE keys all at the same time. A box will appear and say what is not responding just highlight the program and hit shutdown. That program will stop running and you should have smooth sailing. 

Hitting CTRL-ALT-and DELETE at the same time on your computer is also a good way to find out what programs are running on your computer.  There are some bad people on the internet that will install a program to try and get your information. These are called drive by downloads and they are almost never good.

These programs are called "spyware" and to get rid of them you have to run a program called spybot or adaware. If you hit CTRL-ALT-and DELETE and there is more than 7 things running odds are you have some sort of spyware. Some things that might be running on your computer is explorer and systray which is internet explorer and system tray. Others  there for you are your virus protection and maybe a firewall or a pop up blocker.

Spyware can really slow down your computer to a crawl. Most of the times getting rid of spyware and programs that run in the background that you don't use can make your computer as good as new.

Advice on using Windows

General Windows Advice
1) Read the sections which describe Windows 95 / 98 / NT / 2000 / XP because some of the sections describe desired features which are NOT in your version of Windows.

2) When you install programs do NOT use the "default" installation parameters. It may feel a little scary the first time, but try the "custom" installation option. You cannot do any damage. If you answer "OK" to all the questions (including questions which you do not understand) this should be same as the "default" installation.

However, it is best to install all programs in the "C:Program files" folder (and this option is occasionally NOT available from the "default" installation. For example, if the software you are installing is called "Graphical Igloo Design Program" and the software company's name is "Rock Solid Arctic Software" the default/suggested installation path may be "C:Rock Solid Arctic Software Graphical Igloo Design Program". Instead of accepting this path change it to "C:Program files\Igloo" or if you plan to install several programs by this company try "C:Program files\RockIgloo" (and install the other programs you use by "Rock Solid Arctic Software" in the "C:Program files\Rock" folder).

When Windows asks you if it is okay to create this new directory answer yes.

After you install any program shut down the computer completely (do NOT use the restart option), turn the computer back on. If you do not see any new messages (or error messages) you can use the computer or install more programs. If you see messages, such as "Windows is updating configuration files", allow the computer to fully start and then shut down completely again. Repeat until you do not see any messages.

3) In general, you want to keep the root directory (C:) as empty as possible (for maximum computer speed).

4) Learn what is meant by "Control-Alt-Del", "Alt-Tab", "Alt-F4", "F5", "Control-P", "Control-W" (these are just examples, but they all are useful). Keyboard combinations are faster than moving the mouse and clicking. They may take a while to learn, but they are very useful.

5) Learn to use Windows Explorer. we have met many people who cannot manage the location of their files after they are created. They may know how to use "Save as" (from within a program), but once a file is saved (and they have exited from the program used to create the file) they do not know how to move the file (which may be necessary for organizational reasons) or copied (which may be necessary for backup reasons).

6) Learn how to run more than one program at the same time (eg a word processor and your internet software) and how to rapidly switch from one program to another (on a Windows machine the switching is achieved by using the fast "Alt-Tab" shortcut or by clicking on the tabs in the "Taskbar").

7) Learn how to "cut / copy-and-paste" from one document into another (and from one application into another application).

8) Learn how to create "short-cuts" (which you can create to programs or files) and how to make them appear on the desktop and "Start button" (if you want to customize your computer).

9) Learn to use the right mouse click button. If you are using "Windows Explorer" you will get immediate access to many "File menu" functions. When you click-and-drag a file you will be asked if you want to copy (which means you will duplicate the file in the destination) or move (which simply changes the location of the file).

Why Does Windows Crash So Often? 
We are writing this section to give preventive advice. This section may get very large (Hopefully someday).

Learn how to uninstall programs. When you are upgrading a program it may be best to uninstall the program first. If possible, save your program settings before the uninstall step.

Do not install programs unless you know you will use the program. Do not install a program just because it is free. Remember the saying that free lunches do not exist.

Even after a program has been uninstalled there are often files on the computer (used by the program you are trying to install) which still affect the computer (and which cannot be deleted).

As we suggested earlier, do NOT install programs in the root directory (C:\). You cannot move most program directories after a program has been installed, but you may be able to uninstall and reinstall the program in a different location (using the "custom" installation option).

People also complain that after a few months of use Windows seems to get slower. This may be a false impression if, after a few months of use, you just become accustomed to the speed of your computer (and subconsciously you want a faster computer).

Purge / delete the files in your browser's "cache". If you are running out of hard disk space reduce the size of the browser's cache. You may experience a slower computer if your hard drive is more than 90 % full. Remember, you can never have too much hard disk space.

You can try to defragment your hard disk. I prefer utility programs which do not come with Windows (see discussions of Windows NT, below). Large files will be saved as separate pieces on different parts of your hard drive if your hard disk is almost full. Each time you read these fragmented files the computer will need more time because it had to search in more places to assemble the entire document.

For advice about "Auto protect" and "live update" see the next section which discusses virus checkers.

In the lower right corner of the Windows Task bar are several icons (your "System Tray"). You want to have as few icons as possible because each of the icons means another program is running (and each program consumes your limited amount of computer power). The only icon we have in our System Tray is for our popup blocker. Even the speaker volume need not be in the system tray. Simply create a shortcut of the volume controls from the entertainment folder in the start menus and put it on the taskbar along with icons from quick launch.

Some programs (especially multimedia "players"; notably "Real Player"), will automatically install themselves in your system tray. If you can, start the program (by double clicking on the System Tray icon) and try to find the place (usually on a submenu called "Preferences") where you are given the choice to start the program automatically (set this option so they program does not automatically start). If you cannot find this option you can usually turn off the program when the computer is first turned on by clicking the right mouse button on the System Tray icon and choosing exit / close.

If your computer is still slow the last (but perhaps the best) thing I would recommend trying is to reformat the hard drive, reinstall Windows, and reinstall all the application programs you use. Do you now understand the usefulness of a CD burner?

 

How To Find Information About Your Computer

You can find out what brand of computer, windows version you have, type of processor or how much memory your computer has by going to your desktop and right clicking on "My Computer" then left clicking on properties in windows 95,98 or 98SE.

In Windows XP, Left click on Windows Start, Right Click on "My Computer" then Left Click on Properties.

You can find out more detailed information in Windows 95,98, 98SE or XP about your computer by left clicking on Windows Start, Programs, Accessories,  System Tools then System Information. A window will appear that will tell you basic information about your computer. On the left side of the window you can click on other items to find out more information.

To find out how much memory your programs are using up on your computer at any given time in Windows XP, press Ctrl Alt Delete on your keyboard and your Windows Task Manager will be displayed. Click on processes and you can see all your programs currently running and how much memory each one is using.

A shortcut to bring up information on your computer is to click on Windows Start, Run and type in msinfo32.exe and click on Ok.

The Belarc web site has a nice little program called the Belarc Adviser that you can download free that will give you detailed information about your computer. Click Here!

To Find Programs Currently running on your computer press the Ctrl,  Alt and Delete key on your keyboard.

OH - - BY THE WAY..... The Belarc Adviser can also be accessed on the Gadgetbar!!!

 

Mouse Tricks

Cut, Copy & Paste

 

Just as shake, rattle and roll are primary elements used in early rock 'n' roll songs, so it is that cut, copy and paste are the main editing elements used in computer file creation and modification.

If you don't know about these important tools you may be doing a lot of extra typing, when creating or editing computer files!

Cut, Copy and Paste with your Mouse

Before text in a file can be cut or copied, it must first be selected. It can they be pasted into another part of the file you are working on or even into a completely different file.

Selecting Text

• To select text, place your cursor (looks like an I- beam) at the beginning or end of a section of text you wish to select.
• Then click the left mouse button and a vertical bar called the 'text selection bar' appears and blinks at the cursor location.
• Hold the left mouse button down and sweep the selection bar across text you want to select.
• The text becomes hi lighted as you sweep it which means you've successfully selected it.
• Release the mouse button when you reach the end of the text you want to select.

Copying Text

• Now that the text you want is selected, right click your mouse. Do not left click your mouse. If you do all the text becomes unselected.
• A drop down menu appears with a number of different choices. Choose copy by moving your cursor over the word copy and clicking either mouse button.
• Doing this places a copy of the selected text in an area of memory called the 'clipboard'. The selected text is left intact in source file.

Pasting Text

• The text in the clipboard can now be pasted where ever you want it.
• Left click your mouse at the place in the text where you want to paste the clipboard contents. The blinking text selection bar appears.
• Right click your mouse and a drop down menu appears as well. Choose paste by moving your mouse over it and clicking either button.
• The clipboard contents are pasted at the location of the selection bar.

That's it, you are done copying and pasting! If you like the changes you made be sure to save your work right away.

Cutting Text

• Select the text you want to work with.
• When your place your cursor over the selected text and right click the mouse, the drop down menu appears. Choose the 'cut' option by moving your cursor over it and clicking either mouse button.
• The selected is sent to the clipboard and it is cut (removed) from the source file.
• Follow the same procedure as above to paste it in the destination file.

Computer Tips & Techniques

Are you looking for a better, smarter way to run your Windows PC? Don't you hate it when it takes forever to do something that you know should be easier? Well, this is the section for you.  Computer Tips & Techniques will give you practical advice, great tips, a few tricks, and a cool web site. You'll get screenshots, easy to read content, humor, and so much more!

In addition to the "regular" advice and tips, a Computers 101 section that helps folks who are new to computing to understand and learn the basics. This section is designed so that no matter what your current skill level, beginner or advanced, you'll get something useful out of it.

Tip - Windows XP System File Checker

When you run System File Checker it looks to see if any protected files have been overwritten. If so, it grabs the correct version of the file from the Dllcache or the Windows installation source files, and then replaces the incorrect file. SFC also checks and repopulates the cache folder.

The reason System File Checker just flashed when I ran it from the Run window is that I didn't tell it what to do. The one we want is "Scannow" which will repair the contents of the Dllcache folder.

Go to Start/Run and type in...

sfc /scannow

Make sure that you put a space in front of the slash or you'll get an error message.

You should get an applet for Windows File Protection with a status bar. This may take a while, so go out and catch a few minutes of sunlight, breathe some fresh air, feed the kids, water the plants, and all those other things you usually neglect ;-)

After the scan finishes the applet just goes away unless a problem is found. A corrupt or replaced file gets replaced from the backup stored in the Dllcache folder or from the Windows CD. If Windows File Protection cannot locate the correct file, it prompts you for the location.

So, if strange things seem to be happening on your system, give SFC a try and see if anything comes up.

~ Inspector Gadget

P.S. for other SFC options ADVANCED users can find them here...
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=310747

Maintain your Computer

Tips for Good PC Maintenance

Your computer, like your car, needs proper maintenance to perform at its best. Knowing your way around your PC and conducting routine repairs will keep it in good working order.

Know your system. At a minimum, you should know what kind of processor you have, how much random access memory (RAM) is installed and how big your hard drive is. If you're aware of these vital statistics, you'll be in a better position to troubleshoot problems when programs tap your machine's capabilities.
 

Make an emergency boot disk. Before you have problems with your computer, create a startup disk using your original operating system's CD. Save this disk in a safe place for the day — which you hope will never come — when your computer has problems booting up from the hard drive. If you're using Windows, you should also create a separate floppy disk with the config.sys file, which is the driver that enables your computer to read the system disk from the CD drive. Floppy Drives & disks are NOT obsolete. Don't let anyone fool you. Floppy disks are still a necessity in the maintenance of your PC.

Use your system's built-in utilities. Your hard drive stores information by scattering it on the hard drive, and eventually this fragmentation slows down the computer. Run Disk Defragmenter (for Windows) or a similar application periodically to consolidate the data and keep your drive organized. Also, utilities like Disk First Aid for the Mac and ScanDisk for Windows can repair disk problems and make your machine more efficient.

Back up regularly. Make a habit of backing up all your important files at least once a month. You can back them up manually or with an automatic backup-and-restore program, which does the work for you.
* Don't delete programs manually. Whenever possible, use either your computer's uninstall utility or a separate uninstall program to remove software you no longer need.

Use good work habits. Shut down your machine properly, and respond to warnings and error messages promptly. You should also keep your machine as clean as possible by periodically opening its case to remove accumulated dust, cleaning your keyboard and removing dust from your mouse.

Attending to these housekeeping duties should keep your machine happy and your data safe.

Computer Set Up Tips

Admit it: The minute your new PC arrives, you tear into it like a kid on Christmas morning, plugging cables into ports, installing software and downloading files. But before you forge ahead — even if you've set up computers in the past — think about taking a more conservative approach to setting up your new computer:

Save all paperwork, especially the purchase receipts. Start a file for your PC, just like the one you keep for your car, and make sure that you keep track of everything as you open each box.
Save the box. Should you need to return the unit, many vendors require that it be shipped in the original packaging. Plan on keeping the boxes and packing material at least until your warranty or service agreement expires.

Save all the installation disks. In addition to providing a vital backup if something goes wrong, these disks often include serial numbers and other information you'll need if you call for technical support.
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Patience Makes Perfect
Resist the temptation to plug in anything right away. Sit back, relax and read the instruction manual — even if this isn't your first PC. You may be surprised by some of the features included with your new computer, so consider this a fact-finding mission that can save you time and trouble — and perhaps an expensive call to a tech support line.

Next, before you start connecting cables, make sure that you have a surge protector capable of shielding both your power cords and phone line. A surge protector is cheap (good ones usually cost less than $100), and it can prevent a power surge or lightning strike from destroying your computer. Static electricity is another danger, especially if you have to install any components inside your computer. Before you open your PC for any reason, buy an anti-static strip and learn how to use it: internal components, such as memory chips, are very sensitive to static discharges.

 

If you're installing new hardware, such as a printer or modem, on a Windows machine, the computer should detect your existing hardware. If the system doesn't find a particular component, don't panic; start with the obvious problems, such as a loose or misplaced cable. Next, if your hardware comes with an installation disk, insert it and look for a program called Setup or Install. This program can load any software Windows needs to recognize your new hardware.

Hardware using Universal Serial Bus (USB) technology is now quite popular. These devices boast true plug and play functions, which means that your computer should detect the device and install it properly without any intervention.

Unfortunately, even the most modern computers don't always deliver on this promise. If your system doesn't recognize a particular piece of hardware, delete it from the Device Manager, which you can find by clicking the System icon located in your Windows control panel. Then turn off the computer and either disconnect the device or, if it's internal, remove the device from its slot. Reboot your system without the device, then shut down again and repeat the installation process. Believe it or not, this procedure can solve many installation problems.

 

Finally, a word of caution: When something doesn't work, it's easy to get in over your head trying more extreme solutions, such as fiddling with obscure system configuration settings. Unfortunately, this can make the problem worse: if something goes wrong, "working backward" to undo a change may not put things back the way they were. Instead of turning a minor problem into a major disaster, get professional help to assist you with a setup problem.

 

 

 

Order your 'Free Computer Help & Tips Kit'

 

Explains how to make better use of computers with easy to understand tips and articles covering the basics. All done through email after you register your name and email address. If you're interested, please click or copy and paste this link: http://www.computerhelpatoz.com/free-kit.html

 

Let Error Nuker, your amazing FREE PC Diagnostics tool, identify the precise problems in your Windows registry so you can determine exactly what your PC is suffering from. Even if your PC is perfectly fine, you should try the diagnostics tool if you want to avoid serious problems before they happen. Best of all you can keep the tool and find out if your PC has problems for FREE as often as you like.

Why Does it Happen To My PC?
If you are experiencing problems with your PC, or it's no longer performing as it used to, the likelihood is your Windows registry is overloaded with redundant entries created by the Windows operating system or other software. Windows communicates with its registry dozens of times every second and broken registry keys can make that communication difficult and slow. Even moderate use of a PC running Windows could result in numerous registry keys and files spread across the Windows registry. Many of these entries are no longer needed or used by Windows and may well disrupt the smooth running of your system. After just a few days these Windows registry keys and files can begin to accumulate and, over time, will cause your PC to slow down, trigger 'missing' .exe or .dll files messages and finally stop running altogether. If you've had your system for some time then you'll be astonished at the number of unnecessary Windows registry keys and files hanging around, just waiting to strike. Deleted programs often leave a few Windows registry keys and files littered around and these are potential problems in the making. If you'd like to know just how many redundant Windows registry keys and files are lurking in your PC just download and run Error Nuker - it will scan your Windows registry and give you the report for FREE.

Can I avoid this happening to my PC?
Like most PC users who try our diagnostic check for the first time, it's likely you will find dozens (possibly hundreds) of 'time bomb' Windows registry keys and files, just waiting to create havoc with your system - usually at the most inconvenient moment! Once you see the extent of the problem you'll undoubtedly want to rid these 'time bombs' from your PC as fast as possible. Now here's the good news - Error Nuker will fix them for you, quickly and efficiently with just one powerful mouse click using our Windows Registry Repair Algorithm (WRRA).

How frequently should I run Error Nuker?
To keep your PC in tip-top condition we recommend running our diagnostic check at least once every week. If you decide not to fix the problems right now, hold on to Error Nuker, it's yours to keep and our way of thanking you for evaluating our Windows Registry Repair Algorithm (WRRA).  Just click the link below to begin.

 

IS YOUR COMPUTER GIVING YOU A HEADACHE???

HAVE YOU HAD "ENOUGH" OF YOUR PC & READY TO THROW IT OUT?

DON'T GIVE UP YET...CAUSE LIFE GETS BETTER!

WHAT? YOU DON'T THINK SO??? THEN TAKE A LOOK AT THIS POWERPOINT PRESENTATION...

IF YOU DO NOT HAVE POWERPOINT - YOU MAY DOWNLOAD THE POWERPOINT VIEWER BELOW..

IT IS FREE TO USE.

Fix Errors on Your Hard Drive

Run the Defrag Tool

1. Access this same menu (Local Disk (C:) by following the steps above.

2. This time please select the "Tools" option from the menu along the top.

3. Select "Defragment Now" and it will begin.

4. Select "Defragment." Please note that this process can take a number of hours to complete during which you cannot use your computer. For some computers, it is a good idea to run it overnight.

Run the ScanDisk Tool

1. Access the same menu below by following the steps above.

2. This time select "Error Checking" and tick the box "Automatically fix file system errors." Select "Start" and select "Yes" to carry out this check when you next restart your computer.

3. Restart your computer. This process typically takes 5-10 minutes to complete.

 

Optimize your PC's Booting Up Process

BootVis is a tool which will help speed up your computer's booting up time which was developed by the Windows development team at Microsoft. This tool invokes the built-in Windows XP boot time optimization process when you run it. You will notice immediate improvement in boot performance for this reason.

1. Download Bootvis from here and install - http://tinyurl.com/2y7my

2. Open Bootvis by selecting "Start">"All Programs">"Microsoft BootVis">"BootVis"

3. Select "File">"New">"Next Boot + Drivers trace" .

4. Select "Ok" and your computer will Restart

5. Once you computer has restarted open "BootVis" again and select "Trace">"Optimize System." Your computer will now reboot again, once restarted Bootvis will optimize your system, this may take a few minutes!

 

Speed Up the Shut Down Process

By altering a couple of registry settings it is possible to dramatically reduce how long it takes Window's to shutdown.

1. Open the Registry Editor by selecting "Start">"Run">type in the command “regedit” .

2. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER>Control Panel>Desktop.
   

3. Make the following changes to the following two files which should now appear in the right window. You edit the files by double clicking them:

• HungAppTimeout – make sure that this is set to 5000 (this should be the default)

• WaitToKillAppTimeout – set this to 4000 (see image on next page)

4. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>System>CurrentControlSet>Control .
   Make the following changes to the following file which should now appear in the right window. You edit the files by double clicking them:

• WaitToKillServiceTimeout – make sure that this is set to 4000

How to Create a System Restore Point or Back Up
 

Before you start making any of the changes listed in this section it is highly recommended you start by making a system restore point.

1. Click on "Start"

2. Select "All programs" > "Accessories" > "System Tools" > "System Restore".

3. Select "Create a restore point" and type in a description (usually the date works).

4. Select "Create"

5. If you are having problems and need to restore your system. Select "Restore my computer to an earlier time" and follow the instructions. Please be patient as restore a system can take a while!

 

Remove Programs No Longer in Use

Remove Programs from Windows XP Start up
 

Over time programs with or without your permission programs get added to the start up slowing the time it takes to boot your computer up. Keeping a small number of programs in your start up with significantly help up your PC's performance.

1. Click "Start" >"Run"> and type in the following "MSConfig" and select "Startup" .

2. Select "Disable All"

3. The next step is to scan through the list and add back key applications you need. These include your anti virus application / spyware removal tool and firewall as a minimum. For example scanning through the box above I have selected "SMC" (my firewall software) / "AutoUpdate Monitor" (my anti virus software) & "sunserver" (CounterSpy anti spyware). Enlarge the "Command" column to help identify your key programs.

Remove Programs You No Longer Use
 

It is a good idea to remove programs you no longer use. Before you start this create a system restore point in case you run into trouble and accidentally delete something you actually need.

1. Select "Start">"Control Panel">"Add or Remove Programs".

2. When you highlight a program you should see a grey box labeled "Change/Remove" or just "Remove." Click on the button to remove programs you no longer use.

Disable The Indexing Service

Through this service Windows XP keeps a record of the contents and properties of files on your computer which slows down opening and closing of programs. The service is designed to help the user run searches on your hard drive quicker. If you don't run frequent searches on your hard drive then switch it off – here is how:

1. Start>double-click on “My Computer”

2. Select your hard drives>right-click>select “properties” .
   

3. Uncheck the “Allow Indexing Service.......” option and then select “Apply.”

4. Allow Windows to carry out the changes which could take a few minutes.

Free up Hard Disk Space

There is a tool within Windows called "Disk Clean Up" which helps to free up disks space. The easiest way to access this tool is through the Windows Explorer.

1. The quickest way to open the Windows Explorer is by pointing your mouse cursor over the green "Start" button in the bottom left corner on your screen on the task bar. Then right-click and select "Explore."

2. Once in the Windows Explorer  select the "Local Drive" or drive (C:) and right-click on the icon and select properties.

3. When you select properties the following menu should appear (see screen shot on next page). In this menu you can see the "Disk Clean Up" button which you should then select.

4. Once the "Disk Cleanup" button is selected the computer will run through a process of determining how much space can be freed up as per below. This can take up to 10 minutes. Then Select "OK" to delete the files.

Free up your PC's Memory Resource

Using a memory optimization tool is one of the most effective ways to get the best performance of your memory or RAM.  Windows XP is notoriously bad at managing your computer's memory resource. We are going to use a free tool called FreeRam XP Pro.

1. Download FreeRam XP Pro. There are 2 options:

• Download from their website - http://tinyurl.com/7wnsr

• Download from CNET's Download.com - http://tinyurl.com/8rvxy

2. Open the program and you should see the following:

3. Next step is to configure some key settings. Select "Settings", then "Configure Settings" on the "Program Tab" .

4. Next go to the "Memory" tab and select the settings as follows. For the "automatically free if memory goes below" setting you need to select approx 20% of the memory in your system.
    If you aren't sure what memory is on your system then there are a couple of ways to find out:

Select "Start">on "My Computer" right-click and select "Properties." At the bottom of the “General” tab you should see the RAM amount in MB as per below. For example, the system might have 512MB RAM.

  

Phishing Scams - What they are and How to Avoid Them

Phishing scams are generally emails sent by hackers to entice you to give up key information like log in name, account passwords or credit card details. The fraudsters use genuine looking emails from well know online brands and banks like Ebay, Papal and Morgan Stanley to get you to click on a link to website which they then use to capture your sensitive information.

Here are some addresses to check for fake emails - use the emails for a closer look into if they are really from "Ebay" or really from "Paypal". Whenever you get an email from one of these two places - forward that email to the appropriate address below:

Ebay

Forward Ebay emails (To check to be certain it is truly from Ebay) to: spoof@ebay.com

PayPal

Forward Paypal emails (To check to be certain it is truly from Paypal) to: spoof@paypal.com

After review these 2 examples I think that you would agree the emails look official and if you are not wary then you may be inclined to follow the instructions.

However, a closer analysis of these messages reveals a number of things to raise suspicion.

1. Both emails are addressed to a generic person i.e. "Dear PayPal User" as opposed to you directly.

2. Any requests for password, credit card information or general account information should always be viewed with suspicion.

3. Genuine requests to verify information will require you to log into your account. If you see a long link (as in the PayPal message) beware. In the Ebay example you should hover your mouse over the "click here" link and check for the same. If you are not sure always navigate to the website using a new browser window and log in yourself and check for messages. Even better, call up the company using their customer service phone number.

4. The tone of both email is designed to cause the recipient to panic. The wording in the Ebay email in particular is aggressive - see "note" at the bottom of this particular message. It is also absurd - you can register a new Ebay account for free! Most phishing messages contain a consequence if the reader doesn't react e.g. account suspension, account termination or a fine.

Here are some key actions to take if you receive a phishing message:

• Forward the message to the organization who appear to have sent the email. Major online companies tend to have an address where you can send suspicious looking message. Once you have sent it add the sender to your spam filer or blocked addresses and delete it.

• If you have inadvertently given any information away then close the account in question or cancel the credit card. If you react quickly you can avoid any major damage. Get on the phone and call the site's customer service.

• Start using a Spam filter like Spam Arrest. Reducing the amount of Spam will help reduce the likelihood of receiving a phishing scam through email in the first place.

• There are some software tools that will help you directly with phishing threats. On free tool is called Phishguard which works in conjunction with your browser which only works with Internet Explorer. Another is a browser toolbar called Netcraft Toolbar which works with both Internet Explorer and the FireFox browser.

A phishing scam can come from anyone. If you combine the warning signs listed above with common sense you can avoid becoming a victim. If in doubt never click on the link and contact the website through their customer service department to discuss any issues an email is informing you of.

ON THE GADGETBAR - YOU CAN UPGRADE INTERNET EXPLORER TO IE7 RELEASE CANDIDATE 1 - WITH TABBED BROWSING AND A PHISHING FILTER!!!!!

 

How to fight Spam Email

Spam is the internet’s equivalent of junk mail. It often takes the form of an e-mail message sent to a large number of people without consent. Addresses of recipients are often harvested from Usenet postings or web pages, obtained from databases, or simply guessed by using common names and domains. By definition, spam is sent without the permission of the recipients.

Spam is usually sent to promote practically any product or service. However, hackers also use it to spread viruses or links to websites to gather your personal information for your credit card or passwords for sites like Ebay or PayPal. To the average user these messages appear genuine. Even the link has a genuine looking domain name. (Learn more about "Phishing").

If you are someone that frequently signs up for stuff on the internet start using a separate e-mail account just for this purpose. Accounts from providers like Yahoo!, Hotmail, and Google’s Gmail all come with generous storage as standard.

There are 2-types of popular Spam filters which you can use to start reducing the amount of Spam. One variant works as a plug-in with your e-mail program like Outlook or Outlook Express to intelligently filter e-mail message as they are downloaded to your computer. Spam Bully is a popular plug-in. The other does the same thing but instead of processing the messages on your computer, the filter processes it on a third-party server.

Personally, I prefer that any Spam sent to me doesn’t reach my computer at all. So let’s take a closer look an example of a filter which processes your email on a third-party server. I started using Spam Arrest’s service about 8 months ago. I had just recovered from opening a Spam message which contained a virus which wrecked havoc with my system. The results are impressive. When I started using Spam Arrest about 30% of all my e-mail was Spam. 8 months later that figure has now reduced to 16%!

How does Spam Arrest work? It connects to your mail server like Outlook, transferring your messages to its server for processing. You then decide who is allowed to send you email by importing your personal address book or entering your known and approved contact addresses directly into the system. Messages from senders who are not authorized are challenged. The “challenge” is easy for people, but impossible for automated systems (i.e. spambots) to complete. If the message fails the “challenge” it is sent to an “unverified” folder for your review later. Visit the following link below for more information and to watch Spam Arrest’s “challenge” in action - Spam Arrest Review.

 

How to Cover Your Online Tracks when using Internet Explorer

When you are browsing the Internet information about the sites you visit is collected and stored on your computer. Here are the key data files you want to clean regularly to help safeguard your privacy.

Most of the steps you need to take are from the Internet Options menu. To get to this menu take the following steps:

• Open Internet Explorer

• Select "Tools" from the menu along the top

• Select "Internet Options"

1. Browser History - Internet Explorer stores the URLs you visit. The default is set to 20 days (as above). In order to clear this select the "Clear History" button. You can disable this feature by reducing the number of days from 20 to 0.

2. Temporary Internet Files - Internet Explorer saves previously selected pages and images in this folder to speed up browsing. If you click the "Settings" button you can see where on your computer these files are stored. To removes these files from your PC select "Delete Files."

3. Cookies - these are small files which websites use to identify users and keep track of their preferences. Marketing companies also use these types of files to spy on your web activity. To removes these files select "Delete Cookies" button from the "Temporary Internet Files" section.

4. AutoComplete - this is a built-in Internet Explorer feature which stores previous entries include user names, passwords and web addresses depending on how it is configured which saves you time while browsing. AutoComplete can be managed through the "Content" tab on the within the Internet Options menu. Within the "Personal Information" section of the "Content" tab there is an "AutoComplete" button. Selecting this button should give you the following screen:
    

It is highly recommended that you do not select the "User Names and Passwords.." options. To clear your AutoComplete information stored by Internet Explorer select the "Clear Forms" and "Clear Passwords" buttons.

There are a number of software programs which do all these manual step detailed above including a number of free programs. PC Shield recommends a free program called ZeroTracks 2005.

<<Download ZeroTracks 2005>>

Zero Tracks is really easy to use. Simply click on the Internet Explorer and following the instructions in the 5 options listed in the menu. The program explains what actions each menu performs.

One of the advantages of using Zero Tracks is that it includes one additional step not covered above - clearing Index.dat files. Index.dat files are usually locked by Microsoft Windows and are very difficult to locate manually. However, for the user they cause a privacy issue because they store information on all the websites you visit and email sent or received using Outlook or Outlook Express.

 

How to Cover Your Online Tracks when using the Mozilla FireFox Browser

When you are browsing the Internet information about the sites you visit is collected and stored on your computer. Here are the key data files you want to clean regularly to help safeguard your privacy.

Most of the steps you need to take are from the Options menu. To get to this menu take the following steps:

• Open FireFox

• Select "Tools" from the menu along the top

• Select "Options"

1. Clear Private Data Tool - this is a handy feature which allows you to clear data FireFox collects as you surf. These are the setting options:

The tool can be configured to clear the items either every time FireFox closes or using the following keyboard short-cut - Control + Shift+ Delete.

2. History - similar to  Internet Explorer, FireFox stores the URLs you visit too. The default is set to 20 days (as above). In order to clear this select the "Clear Browsing History Now" button. You can disable this feature by reducing the number of days from 20 to 0.

3. Cache - FireFox saves previously selected pages and images in this folder to speed up browsing. To removes these files from your PC select the "Clear Cache Now" button.

4. Cookies - these are small files which websites use to identify users and keep track of their preferences. It is recommended that you keep the original FireFox settings noting that you can set up exceptions. To see the cookies which are stored on your computer select "View Cookies." To clear the cookies select "Clear Cookies Now."

5. Download Manager - this window keeps track of files which you download. It is recommended that you change the setting when files are removed from the download manager to "upon successful download."

6. Passwords - FireFox's password manager is without doubt an extremely useful feature of the browser. There is however a clear security risk with storing all you passwords under one "master password." If you decide to use this feature then you should change the "master password" frequently.

 

Testing Your Computer's Security

Do you really know how secure your computer is? There are a number of legitimate sites on the internet that simulate a hacker attack and probe for vulnerabilities on your PC (article introducing hacking). The following are recommended to have... And ALL ARE FOUND WITHIN THE GADGETBAR! 

DShield.org

This organization has been set up to collect information about hacker activity across the internet. On this website you can check whether your machine's IP address appears in their attacker database. If you IP appears in this database it is a good indication that your machine has been hacked into and is being used by hackers to attack other computers. Go to their website (link below) and click on  the "Are you cracked?" option.

http://www.dshield.org

DShield.org also post an interesting statistic which shows the time in minutes and unpatched PC is expected to survive. Look for "Survival Time" at the top of the web page. This month (Jan 2006) the survival time was 15 minutes.

Symantec Web Security Test

Symantec, the popular security software vendor behind the Norton series of products, has developed a tool to test your computer's security. Whilst there is an element of marketing gimmick behind it, it still provides a useful test.

Symantec Security Test

From the link above select "Security Scan" and let the program run. It is a good idea to read the "Learn more" before you proceed.

When I ran this test the tool failed to identify that a competing anti virus product was running on my machine. However the other 3 tests - Hacker Exposure / Windows Vulnerability Check and Trojan Horse Check all appear useful. Under each section you can also choose a detail report. For example the detailed report provided with the "Hacker Exposure" test provides analysis on which of your ports are visible on the internet.

Shields UP!

Shields UP! is a well know web-based tool run by the Gibson Research Corporation. The tool appears to be aimed at the more advanced user. Unfortunately the site does not have the most user friendly navigation. Go to www.grc.com and search for Shields UP! Alternatively do a search in Google for it.

Once you have found the tool. Follow the instructions for first time users who are suggested to check for Windows File Sharing and Common Ports vulnerabilities.

If these tests report any vulnerabilities then please follow the instruction on the PC Shield site to remedy the problem. Here are the pages which will help you the most:

Windows XP Patching / Updates

Firewall Software

Anti Virus Software

Spyware Remover

 

Stop Pop Ups Ruining Your Web Surfing Experience

Pop Up adverts are not only annoying but they are also used by hackers to entice you to download their malicious software. Pop Up can appear in a number of forms. Here are the most common:

• Standard Pop Up - these load while you are view a web page

• Exit Pop Up - load when you leave a web page

• Pop Unders - load in a separate web page usually behind the web page you are actually viewing

• Latest generation Pop Up are now know as "hover-ads" in the internet marketing community

Pop Up adverts are designed to draw you attention and encourage you to take action. Internet marketers use them to highlight special offers or get you to sign up on the newsletter or download a "free" trial. Whilst most of these activities are harmless, hackers have been know to bundle spyware and virus payloads with free software like screen savers. If you are not too careful you could be downloading a major security risk onto your computer.

The good news is that there are a number of good free tools to help. With Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer was updated with a built-in pop up blocker. Firefox also has a pop up blocker which you can configure from the Options menu. These pop blockers are easy to configure on both browsers.

Internet Explorer

To configure the pop up blocker:

• Open Internet Explorer

• Select "Tools" from the menu along the top

• Select "Internet Options"

• Select "Privacy Tab"

Switch the pop up blocker on by checking the box "Block pop-ups." The "Settings" menu gives you the following option to configure where trusted sites can be added and the level of pop up filtering can be set.

Mozilla FireFox Browser

To configure the pop up blocker:

• Open FireFox

• Select "Tools" from the menu along the top

• Select "Options"

• Select "Content Tab"

 

How to Surf the Web Anonymously

There are various tools you can download - all are found in THE GADGETBAR, or use on the web which allow you to surf the web anonymously. Wherever you surf you leave a record of a unique number called an IP address which can be traced back to you. Anonymous surfing tools allow you to disguise your IP address.

Most anonymous web surfing tools work using a "proxy server." Your web traffic is re-routed via the proxy server. The proxy server's IP address is logged rather than your own one hence hiding your own IP address from being recorded.

Web Based Tools

There are a significant number of web sites which offer anonymous surfing. The phrase "anonymous surfing" in Google currently returns over 2 million results.

Most web based tools offer a free service with a premium options. Usually the free service will suffice. Whilst surfing the web anonymously will improve your privacy, it is important to note that using these services means that you will not be able to surf at the speeds you are used to. You will also find that most of these sites do not support SSL or HTTPS and if they do you will usually have to pay for it. If you choose to use the free service then the bandwidth is limited over a certain period of time.

The Cloak is a good website to try out.

Desktop Software Tools

Another way to surf the web anonymously is to buy desktop software which redirects your web traffic through the vendor's servers. The software products generally offer more features and include extras like a secure digital file delete utility of "shredder.". All the products worth looking at retail from ~$30.

Here are some software titles worth checking out. Recommendation here is to try out the trial versions before committing to buy.

• Anonymizer Anonymous Surfing

• Steganos Internet Anonym

• Tenebril GhostSurf 2005 Standard

Extra Steps to Secure Microsoft's Internet Explorer Browser

There are a number of additional setting you can configure to make Internet Explorer (IE) more secure. Most of these steps involve making changes to the "Security Tab" of IE's "Internet Options" menu.

To get to this menu take the following steps:

• Open Internet Explorer

• Select "Tools" from the menu along the top

• Select "Internet Options"

IE allows you to define 4 different types of "zone" - internet / local intranet / trusted sites / restricted sites. It is recommended that nothing is changed in the local "intranet zone." If you are connecting to a company computer this should be managed by your IT department who should be consulted before making any changes.

Internet Zone

The settings here are for general internet use and by default most sites should end up in this zone. A setting of medium is recommended assuming a firewall, anti virus and spyware remover software has been installed. You will find selecting the setting to "high" will start to hamper normal surfing to a point where it becomes too annoying.  As always it is best to experiment but the recommendation is to set this to "medium."

Trusted Sites

Clearly you need to be very careful what sites you add to the "Trusted Zone." It is recommended you keep the number of sites in this zone to a smaller number as possible. Sites should only be added here if the setting in the "Internet" zone prevent normal usage and therefore you need to lower the security level.

To add sites click on the "Sites..." button and manually type in the URL. It is suggested that you check the box "Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone" to boost your own safety.

Restricted Zone

The idea of this zone is to add sites which are considered harmful. The issue here is coming up with a list which will actually help you. Luckily there is a tool you can use to add identified harmful sites to this zone.

IESPYAD is a free tool which automatically populates IE's restricted zones. This tool contains address of 100s of sites which are know to to use aggressive advertising and contain dangerous spyware programs which harm your PC.

Once IESPYAD's list is merged with your restricted zones and adjustments have been made to the security settings it should reduce the chance of:

1. Malware / Spyware from automatically being installed on your computer.

2. IE settings being changed without your knowledge and your home page being hi-jacked.

3. Cookies being illegally used to track your internet activities.

To learn more about IESPYAD here is the main site page:

http://www.spywarewarrior.com/uiuc/resource.htm#IESPYAD

Please follow the instructions of this page to install the program - the main page above is not particularly clear:

http://forums.windowsforum.org/index.php?showtopic=6640

Clearly keeping the "Trusted" and "Restricted Zones" is a manually task. IESPYAD helps on the "Restricted Zones" there are a number of drawbacks which reduce the tool's effectiveness:

1. It does not update automatically - the user needs to check the main site frequently for updates which do not necessarily appear regularly.

2. IESPYAD is reliant on sites being identified in forums and reference sites. New malicious sites emerge daily therefore it is difficult to see how the list can remain current.

While IE Zones give you extra protection they will will not replace the need for a Spyware remover tool with active protection, anti virus software and the installation of the latest security patches from Microsoft.

Learn the essentials here:

• XP Security Basics

• Fighting Spyware

• Virus Protection

Firewall Software - Your Shield from Hackers who want to control your PC

What is a Firewall?

High-speed internet or "always-on" internet access has made your computer more vulnerable. Your computer is continuously connected to the internet, making it only a matter of time (under 20 minutes) before it is detected by a hacker. Firewall software is an important tool to combat this threat.

A personal firewall "locks" the "doors" to your computer from hackers who either want to take control of or steal confidential information from your computer. Your computer has connections called "ports" that are usually open to the internet. The firewall software closes these "ports" so that information cannot flow through them.

There are a number of good firewall programs, varying in price. As a minimum you should at least utilize the built-in Windows XP Firewall.

The Windows XP Firewall

The Windows XP firewall was part of the security updates in the Service Pack 2 release. Whilst far from the best option on the market it is better than nothing.

The easiest way to access this feature is through the Microsoft Security Center. Here are the instructions

• Click "Start" then select "control panel"

• Select the "Security Center"

• Select  "Windows Firewall" from the "manage security settings for" menu.
  

 
Once the firewall software is switched on it will start asking you to authorize or block software accessing the internet.