mqtribe1
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Joined: 12 Feb 2009
Posts: 1
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# Posted: 22 Feb 2009 17:20
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A word on computer problems...
Most of you probably know most of this anyway however for those that might be experiencing some issues here is some information i hope you will find useful. As an IT professional for 14 years, I've seen a ton of unique problems that your average PC can get hit by. They range from an average implosion of any given hardware component like a hard drive crash or some Windows failure that in worst case scenario can force you to reload the operating system. If The operating system blew up and you didn't have any backup utility then your out of luck when it comes to getting your pictures, Internet Explorer favorites, personal documents such as homework, resumes, etc back again. I've found that the majority of windows issues these days are coming from spyware and Trojans which for all intents and purposes has replaced the virus as the top antagonist when crashing PC'S. If your computer after working well suddenly is slow and clunky when getting on the web there's a good chance that you have been infected with some spyware or Trojan. What are they? Spyware is merely an "advertising" piece of software that is sent to your PC when you click on some link that has been paid for by someone that makes cash every time you are routed to their site. These will usually bring pop ups and other advertisements for a product you wouldn't want to buy either. something similar is the deadly Trojan that loads onto a PC and runs as a background application masking itself as a part of Windows. It is designed to hijak base windows files to actually "cannibalize" each other and eventually destroy basic features in windows. These can range from using internet explorer at all, to simply clicking on an icon. the system will hang and drive you nuts. One lady i knew actually put her PC in the garage due to the freeze ups and threw it out later. Most eventually rebuild or reinstall their operating system from CD to base install level. Most vendors like a best buy will clean your PC for a considerable fee but this is only temporary so your best bet to save your sanity, money and that "beast" is to prevent it the best you can in the first place.
From experience, I've found that the following steps should be taken to defeat any "invasion":
1) Get a SEPARATE hardware firewall router like a linksys, netgear and/or data link. Most wireless routers contain an SPI/NAT firewall that prevents the MAC address on your network adapter from being "tunneled" as they say. This is the method used 99% of the time by hackers to dump their "scumware" i.e. spyware/trojans on your computer. Most AntiVirus applications such as Computer Associates, MacAfee and Norton have a built in firewall however it actually uses a lot of RAM to run it and overall computer performance is slower and is largely incompatible with the one that comes with XP.
2) Activate the Windows XP firewall and get at least TWO removal tool's that specializes in removing ONLY the spyware and trojans. The three best that i've come across are Adaware by Lavasoft, NoAdware by noadware.net, and Malwarebytes by malwarebytes.org. All have free versions but i would recommend coughing up the one time price. Believe me they are worth every dime especially if you are in one of those online businesses. They are in my opinion better than the Mcafee and Norton; both have anti-spyware, Trojan and virus engines but I have found that they can hang your browser when the update engine is active The three mentioned above do not hog your RAM and are really non intrusive.
3) Make sure your Windows updates are downloaded and installed regularly. They wouldn't send them out unless a vulnerability in the OS has been detected. Hackers never tire trying to make life miserable for all so Microsoft is always pumping out new patches in response. Just like an "exterminator...
Hope this helps, any questions don't hesitate to post
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Michael F. Quartullo
http://yourfreewebsitesystem.com/mqtribe1
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