| Spyware &
Virus'
My system is very slow to
respond. It used to be faster than
this!
Check for virus or Spyware
infection. Get enough Spyware in a modern computer
and its will run like an old 486. Use
Antivirus
software. Update it. Antivirus is only as good as its
last update. If the reference code for new virus isn't
present its much harder to detect. Scan regularly.
Remove as much Spyware as possible via the add/remove
programs control panel. You can do this by searching
then net for reference to Spyware and the program
name. (For example in Google: hotbar
Spyware) In most cases the Spyware will make itself
hard to uninstall, sometimes crashing or just not
responding.
Install the antispyware tools from my downloads
page. Update and run them. Beware of bogus Spyware
removal software. In some cases programs that
offer to remove Spyware actually load more in.
Just be aware that if you don't know what you are
doing, you can damage Internet Explorer enough to stop
it browsing. Spyware hooks itself so deeply into windows
that it breaks code on removal. In some cases if a
system is to heavily infected, It will be necessary to
reformat & reinstall Windows.
The time involved in removing Spyware correctly is
often a false economy. It can speed up your
system, but leftovers of poorly coded Spyware
applications can leave your system unstable. Some
Spyware like Cool
Web Search act more like a Trojan and are almost
impossible to remove.
SPAM
Never reply to spam
If a spammer receives a response from you, they know
that an actual person has received it - so they know
you'll read it next time too.
Don't follow any links
Don't be tempted by the links in spam, no matter how
good the offer is. Often the links will do more than
just show you the page - they'll validate your email
address for spammers so they know they can send you more
in the future. Or even worse, you might be the target of
a phishing attempt or tricked into downloading malware.
Protect your email address
You should never give your email address out to a person
or company that you don’t know or trust. When providing
your email address, always read their privacy
information to find out how your details will be stored
and safeguarded.
Approach forums, message boards and newsgroups with
caution
Make a point of never including your real email address
in messages that you post on forums or message boards.
Your email address is an open invitation for spammers to
add it to their list.
Don’t publish your address on a website
If you have a website and you want people to be able to
email you from it, provide your email address as an
image or a button – never as text. Spammers have
programs that crawl through pages and pages searching
for email addresses to add to their lists.
Consider using a spam filter
Spam filters can help eradicate junk email before it
reaches your inbox, saving you time and helping
eliminate any breach of your security.
Maintenance
My computer is making strange noises and runs hot!
Ensure your computer case can circulate cool air. If
the fan ports are clogged use a small paintbrush to
de-dust them. Same goes for
heatsinks. I don't recommend using a compressor as
the pressure can damage sensitive components. Vacuum
cleaners can be risky as well, due to a build up of
static electricity caused by rushing air. Static
discharge can kill components instantly.
If you hear grinding or whirring noises louder than
usual, be aware that it can indicate imminent CPU fan
failure. If the CPU fan fails the "brain" of the
computer can overheat to the point of destruction. Often
an expensive item to replace, and some times hard to
find. Have your fans checked if they start to buzz or
rattle. Fans are relatively cheap.
Regular and distinct ticking noises can sometimes be
a sign of imminent Hard Drive failure. If the Hard
Drive fails mechanically the chances of data recovery
are usually nil. This is one noise you should never
ignore. What is your data worth to you?
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