FReeper Canteen ~ Technology Tuesday ~ Canteen Computer Resource Center Pt.1 ~ 20 Sep2005

El Gran Salseron;GummyIII;Canteen Crew

[MoJo2001]

Canteen Computer Resource Center
 

 

H E L P D E S K	The Idea	Welcome to the Canteen Help Desk! We hope you are ready for some serious Computer information. For the next month (or however long folks can stand this), we're going to be focusing on Computer/Technology on Tuesdays. There are so many changes that affect how you surf the web, monitor your computer's performance, and viruses that can endanger your fun. We're here to provide information, tools, tips, and hopefully a fun experience. And guess what? You don't have to travel to India to get the information. It's all right here at the click of a mouse. How convenient is that? Cost: Free
	The Experts	MoJo would like to introduce our Canteen Experts. And ignore them if they tell you they aren't experts. MoJo and Ma most certainly believe they're experts. That's all you need, right? El Gran Salseron and GummyIII have been gracious with their time, energy, resources, and knowledge. If you have any questions for our experts, please FReepmail them to MoJo2001. Without them, this wouldn't be possible!! GummyIII gives us a rundown on software that is very useful!! While El Gran answers questions that many folks would like answers to!! Oh! Have I mentioned that MoJo totally (borrowed) these tables from GummyIII? She's totally awesome! Cost: Free (although, you can send them a check if you'd like) Have I mentioned they're located in America? Makes life more convenient, huh?

 

A S K T H E E X P E R T S	El Gran Salseron (Expert on duty) Q. How can I get rid of pop up Ads running Windows 2000?	If the user has WinXP with Service Pack 2 installed then there is a built-in pop-up blocker. In Internet Explorer click on "Tools"/"Pop-Up Blocker" and click "Turn On Pop-Up Blocker" on the drop-down menu. If the user does not have WinXP with Service Pack 2 but Win2K, as indicated, installed then it may be an issue with "Messenger Service" which is separate and apart from MSN Messenger or Windows Messenger Service. Messenger Service is for sys admins on networks but low-down, dirty adware companies exploit the service by sending undesirable pop-ups. The user can right-click My Computer and click on Manage. Click the plus sign in front of Services and Applications. Click Services. Scroll down on the right-hand pane and find "Messenger." Double-click it and click the Stop button. Click the drop-arrow next to Startup Type and click on Disabled. Click Apply. Click OK. Exit the Computer Manager. Otherwise, there has to be a program installed. The best I have found is a freeware program named Pop-Up Stopper at http://www.panicware.com but you have to be sure to get the freeware version of that program and not the other stuff they sell. It is very small and doesn't take much system memory if that is the concern.
	Q. What is the difference between a Trojan and worm?	Actually, a trojan can be a worm and vice-versa but usually not. However, the distinction is that a trojan is a malicious program that is hidden in a supposedly "clean" program or file. A trojan is usually used by hackers. It is used to take control of the computer so that the hacker can "use" that computer to send viruses, or other malware to other computers/sites, etc. Hence the name trojan. A trojan will keep itself hidden because it does not want to be detected and as far as the user is concerned it doesn't exist because it causes no easily apparent ill effects. It is estimated that most unprotected computers have trojans on them and the users are unaware of their existence. When a site unexpectedly goes down it is usually because of a DoS attack or Denial of Service attack. That means that a hacker who has control of 300 computers or so tells the computers to bombard a particular site with info. When a site gets bombarded with so much info it effectively shuts down the site. A DoS attack is done with a trojan installed on hundreds of computers throughout the world, literally. Otherwise, the trojan goes to sleep until the hacker tells it to wake up. A worm is malicious and can "worm" its way throughout the computer and infect many files on the computer. It also usually has the capability to detect the network and infect all of the computers on the network. Hence the name worm. Worms make themselves known because they will cause problems and sometimes make the computer inoperable.

 

S P Y W A R E	Spybot Search and Destroy	CNET says, in it's review:  Once again, Spybot Search and Destroy is our Editors' Choice. It's free, without even an annual subscription for the periodic file updates, and it offers both basic and advanced modes and includes the widest variety of customization of the five anti-spyware products we reviewed. New in this version are automatic updates. In our informal tests, Spybot was thorough, rooting out even obscure spyware. If you're new to the spyware threat, it can't hurt to download a free (no strings attached) copy of Spybot to see whether your system is infected. Cost: Free (donations accepted)
	Spy Sweeper	CNET says, in it's review: If you want to set and forget your antispyware updates and scans, Spy Sweeper's the app for you.Effective, reliable, and swift, this anti-spyware utility stands near the top of its class....Spy Sweeper's Quarantined section will let you restore any components should certain programs cease to function properly after a system scan....Unlike some of its competitors, Spy Sweeper isn't free, but this is definitely a piece of software we consider worth the money...Unlike the free antispyware apps, almost all of Spy Sweeper's functions can be automated. It can scan your system, update spyware definitions, delete quarantined files after a set time frame, and check all incoming files without you having to lift a finger. Cost: Free 30-day trial and $29.95 to buy (This is very easy to use, making it a good choice for new users.)

A N T I V I R U S	AVG	According to Grisoft:   AVG Free Edition is the well-known antivirus protection tool [which] is available free of charge to home users for the life of the product. Rapid virus database updates are available for the lifetime of the product, thereby providing the high level of detection capability that millions of users around the world trust to protect their computers. AVG Free is easy to use and will not slow your system down (low system resource requirements). Highlights include automatic update functionality, the AVG Resident Shield, which provides real-time protection as files are opened and programs are run, free Virus Database Updates for the lifetime of the product, and AVG Virus Vault for safe handling of infected file Cost: Free
	HouseCall (Online only)	TrendMicro says:  Give your PC a health-check while you surf the Web! HouseCall is a real-life demonstration of the power of the web-based technologies that Trend Micro is developing to make deployment and management of virus protection fast and easy. An innovative tool for scanning & cleaning viruses and checking your system for other security issues, HouseCall is based on Java Technologie that allows to support almost every platform, for which Trend Micro builds Security Solutions. Cost: Free, but online use only.  These will not prevent viruses and spyware from gaining access to your computer, but they are great for cleaning those which aren't "cleanable" with other software programs.  Boot into "Safe Mode with Networking" by hitting F8 as you boot up, then surf to these sites to use them.

F I R E W A L L

Zone Alarm

ZoneAlarm is free for individual and not-for-profit charitable entity use (exluding governmental entities and educational institutions). Using this in conjunction with a good anti-virus and a good anti-spyware will give your computer maximum protection for minimum cost.  Download.com says:  ZoneAlarm is designed to protect your DSL- or cable-connected PC from hackers. This program includes four interlocking security services: a firewall, an application control, an Internet lock, and Zones. The firewall controls the door to your computer and allows only traffic you understand and initiate. The application control allows you to decide which applications can and cannot use the Internet. The Internet lock blocks Internet traffic while your computer is unattended or while you're not using the Internet, and it can be activated automatically with your computer's screensaver or after a set period of inactivity. Zones monitor all activity on your computer and alert you when a new application attempts to access the Internet. Cost: Free (For other versions, which are good and include various suites, see reviews and links.)

 

Misc Items
 

To get a complete rundown on how to fix your computer issues and external links that El Gran Salseron has provided, please click here to view it. Thank you El Gran Salseron for all the hardwork. By the way, absolutely ignore the Disclaimer section that mentions Mojo by name. Thank you!

As issues arise or interest steadily comes in, El Gran Salseron will probably update the website with further links. In order to do so, you must sign your life savings over to him. (hehe! Just kidding!)

Here's a few things to look forward to next week!

O N T A P	Computer Lingo Are you down with all the computer lingo used at FR and elsewhere? Software Check in to see what other programs GummyIII suggests!	Ask The Experts For those of you that sent in questions, we'll provide the answers if we can. Have all questions in by Friday of this week please! Best Places Online For Shopping and Deals! Everyone likes to save money! Tune in next week!
D O Y O U K N O W	Before we meet again next week, here's some assignments. We'll provide answers next week. Q. What is the difference between malware and adware? Or is there a difference? Q. The best selling software program of 2004 was?	Q. What is a binary? Q. What is a data bus? Q. Which is bigger a terrabyte or a gigabyte?

 

Disclaimer:
Do you ever wonder why companies always put disclaimers at the bottom of their pages? And then they expect you to read the *fine print* as well? Well, this is done for a reason. It allows them to make up a bunch of unecessary rules and BS that no one will read nor thinks about reading. As a matter of fact, the disclaimers are really *Dating Ads* that those anonymous computer geeks put out to the general public. It's a way to get them a date via their disclaimers. It's risk free and also a sure way to ensure that their name will appear in the ad somewhere. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, then you totally understand the ideas about disclaimers. They're useless for the most part.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Guess what I just did? It blocked my FR pinger, but after seeing it happen twice, and finally being able to read the whole message, I held the Ctrl key down and clicked on my pinger and it came back!!

The pop up, 95% of the time, is www.usmilitary.com

[El Gran Salseron]

Yeah, the ctrl key is designed to do that. :-)

I'll take a look at that site to see what's going on.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Yes, Sir!! Thank you!!!

Good night, El Gran. Thanks for the help. And thank you for your service to this great nation.

[El Gran Salseron]

Have you ever "signed up" at that site or clicked on any of the links that say.....we need you......or.....if you have prior experience click here.....or any of the stuff on that site?

Did it ever ask you if you wanted to receive info from them? Anything like that?

[Soaring Feather]

ROTFLMAO! Thorn! Gosh he is almost better than Lance as The Canteen Demon Cat. OMGLOL!!

I am doing well, thanks Du. Weather is great for sleeping, I think I am suffering from being bitten by the tetse fly!

Got to get out and about tomorrow, stuff to do. At least it will be pleasant weather to do errands.

Glad to hear things are settling in a bit.


HUGS* and take care.

[Brad’s Gramma]

Yep. Things are well here. We're having The Neatest lightening and thunder storm. Something we rarely get out here.

Our weather is (thank you LORD!) boring.

:)

[Kathy in Alaska]

No to all, at least never on purpose. I have had no pop up issues until about 3 weeks ago. And for 90 percent of that time, the usmilitary.com was the ONLY pop up. Now, a couple others have started, altho maybe not after tonight.

[Kathy in Alaska]

(((HUGS))) radu....so glad you were able to pop in. Been thinking about you alot lately. Hope you and your back are getting some rest.

[radu]

Aaaw, now Lance is a handsome kitty. A bit wild-looking, maybe......especially as a Demon Cat. LOL!

Thorn's just plain butt-ugly. hehehe! But he's so ugly, he's adorable. He looks meaner 'n a snake but he's a sweetie. He showed up wild here a couple of years ago and it took some time to tame him.

Don't talk about sleep!! I'm trying to stay awake now! LOL! Glad to hear your weather's cooled off at last. It's cooled off a little bit here, too. Still a tad toasty during the daytime but the nights are wonderful.

[BIGLOOK]

The term "Spook" is derogatory to Outstanding, Proud, Intelligent Members of the NSG, used by those barred from our spaces and aircraft and denied access to our limitless supply of San Miguel Beer.

[Brad’s Gramma]

I sure hope you can clean that up.

We had a problem one time with so many pop ups, I couldn't control them. AND, I couldn't be on the computer when Brad was in the room...they were "that" type.

Blech.

I'd like to strangle some of these people.

[El Gran Salseron]

OK, it certainly sounds as if adware has been installed without your knowledge.

We'll have to see what is going on tomorrow.

In the meantime, you could do ctrl-alt-del and when your task list comes up make a list of all processess and applications that are currently running on your computer.

Send that list to me either in FReepmail or hotmail or yahoo or whatever other email addy I have given to you.

If you have a program that will take a screen shot of your task list that would be ok, too, instead of having to type that whole list.

If you're impatient you can read the link that Mojo put up at the top of the thread. You may want to install the adware/spyware stuff and run it.

For adware that is already on your computer install Ad-Aware. To stop adware/spyware before the fact install Spyware Blaster or SpyBot Search And Destroy.

These kinds of things usually install without your knowledge when you click on something else that seems unharmful. Sometimes just visiting a site is all it takes to get something installed that you don't want. Think back to see if you remember a questionable site you visited and clicked on something at that site.

Nite and good luck! :-)

[Kathy in Alaska]

uncleshag

Thank you, Jay, (on the left) for helping keep us free. Prayers for your safety and success of mission.

YIKES, uncle.....traffic control in Baghdad is a tough job these days!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

It just popped up again. *sigh* I'll follow the instructions. Good night and sleep well.

[radu]

You've got your computer on with a thunderstorm going on?!! EEEEEEK! I turn this one off at the first rumble.

Then I go sit on the back porch to watch the "light show". LOL! Nothing like a good storm to "energize" one's self. :-)

Our weather's been right boring lately. We had a whopper of a storm Friday morning and that's the first rain we'd had since Katrina blew through. I'm ready for more storms! LOL!
We might get lucky tomorrow, according to the weather man. Fingers crossed!

[Brad’s Gramma]

I know...I SHOULD know better than to have it on. I grew up in the midwest and know all about this.....

Brad went to take a shower tonight when the worst of it came through. He came out & said No WAY was he stepping in water with lightening.

"I've taken science classes!"

We couldn't argue...the boy skipped his shower and went to bed happy. Ha!

OK. I'm outta here. I need to *gasp* get up & take him to school in the morning.

Night everyone!!

[radu]

Hiya Kathy! It's nice to be able to sit a bit again.

My back's held up fairly well, and now that my sis can get up and about by herself, I do believe I'll be able to survive this. LOL!
It'll still be a while before she can go home so I ain't outta the woods yet. egads! I'm ready for a vacation already. I told Hubby not to be surprised if he wakes up one day to find I've run away from home. hehehehehe!

[Kathy in Alaska]

LOL! I can just see you trying to carry 10 cat carriers. No way would you leave your "babies".

[radu]

LOL! We've had thunderstorms pop up while I was in the middle of a shower and I couldn't get out quickly enough. I love storms but do have a healthy respect for them.

Ok, maybe not as healthy as I should..........I do stand outside on the porch during them. Hubby won't join me. He's been struck by lightning 3 times and says that's enough. LOL!

Good night and sweet dreams.

[radu]

10 cat carriers?!! It would take a lot more than that! LOL!
No way I could leave my "kidz" behind, which is probably why Hubby just snickers when I threaten to run away.
Can't fool nobody. Drat the luck. *g*