Whether you are buying online or offline, getting a great deal is a
top priority for many people who are looking to invest in a solid state
HDD or a SCSI drive. These pieces of equipment can come with a
considerable price tag depending on their features and specifications,
so shaving a little money off the total bill here and there can make a
big difference.
The first thing to know if you are looking to save
a little money is that the best way to do this is by shopping around
extensively before making your purchase. It is possible to find a
bargain - even when shopping for a high quality solid state HDD that
seems universally expensive - but this will require a higher investment
of time and effort.
The best way to do this is by getting really
clear on the product that you want, and then systematically beginning
your search for prices at various different online and offline stores.
Check auctions sites like eBay, look at online specialist SCSI and SAS
stores, and then try your local computer hardware shops, ringing them up
and asking for a quote.
Make sure that whilst you are collecting
information on the range of prices available hat you are thorough in
investigating shipping costs and any importation duties if they apply.
These can lead to your costs sky-rocketing, or at the very least mean
that that "great deal" turns out to be the equivalent of all the others
that you were looking at.
In addition to this, remember to check
up on the reputability of the company that you are buying from, even
though they have the best price and low shipping costs. Looking through
real customer reviews of the company will give you insight in this
department, or you may alternatively wish to have an email or telephone
exchange with the company before buying.
Although this is a
lengthy and effort-intense way of getting the best deal on your solid
state HDD purchases, there are some other tips to bear in mind that can
help you make savings. The first of these is to look out for special
offers that take place throughout the year.
If you find a good
retailer, the best thing that you can do is ask them if they have
regular promotions, and if so, how these work. Although many people buy
their solid state HDD equipment after the device they are currently
using fails, buying a back-up in advance whilst the item is on sale is a
great idea - not only will you have a spare on hand, but you can make
great savings too.
This works best when you know exactly what you
need and are not planning on changing your make or model of device very
soon. Keep an eye out throughout the year for special offers on the
products you like, and then snap them up as soon as you can.
You
may also want to look for a vendor that offers some kind of loyalty
scheme for their customers that allows them to make savings on repeat or
bulk purchases. Not all stores have this, so if you find a seller that
seems good, it is worth enquiring as you may be able to accumulate some
loyalty points over time with the company, which can pay off
significantly long-term.
lundi 16 novembre 2015
jeudi 12 novembre 2015
Tips to Fix PC Registry Problems
Spending a lot of time on your computer means your computer must be
very valuable to you. That's why you will want to fix PC registry
problems with a registry cleaner.
Taking a chance on making a mistake in the registry is a real gamble. It doesn't take much to throw everything off and have a computer that no longer works. When you use your computer for work, you will want to play it safe so you can keep it running at maximum performance. The only other option would be to reformat the hard drive, or have a technical person solve these issues for you.
Follow These Strict Guidelines To Fix PC Registry Problems
Either use a professional or registry cleaner software.
It's always fun to learn something new, but this isn't one of them unless your going to be trained in the art to fix PC registry problems.
If you spend a lot of time on the computer, making sure it runs at peak performance, will ensure you experience many hours of enjoyable surfing. Fixing computer registry problems is simply done quicker, better, and more efficient by using a registry cleaner.
Knowing what to do when you have registry problems is half the battle. There are many different kinds of registry problems that could affect your computer. Figuring out what sort of problem you are dealing with would be step one.
The Process
To fix PC registry problems, you are going to have to learn the function of your registry. Basically, this is what holds all of the information on your computer together.
This includes updates, installs, uninstalls, programs, device drivers, and documents. It is the most important part of your computer system! The registry is the brain of the computer. It controls everything! Sometimes the registry gets overloaded and you will need to clean and optimize it. One of the programs that is free and built into your computer system is to go to start, accessories, select system tools, and run disk cleanup and disk defragmenter. These are two excellent programs you can run that will help speed up your computer. If your registry is corrupted, a good registry cleaner, will eliminate all errors and problems in the computer. This will have a dramatic affect on the performance by replacing the corrupted files with good clean files. This in turn will allow the organization of all your computer programs.
Best Way To Fix The PC Registry
It is a good idea to learn what the registry is and how it functions in order to fix PC registry problems. Remember, if you are having computer problems, the best and quickest way to solve all your registry problems would be to invest in an effective registry cleaner. A registry cleaner will scan, identify errors, remove them, fix and optimize your computer in about 3 minutes. Using a registry cleaner will guarantee it will be done right the first time! You can stop worrying about causing more damage to you computer system! Isn't it worth your peace of mind to have your computer running at optimum speed instead of having to worry about a corrupted registry? Fix PC Registry Problems now and give your brain a rest.
Taking a chance on making a mistake in the registry is a real gamble. It doesn't take much to throw everything off and have a computer that no longer works. When you use your computer for work, you will want to play it safe so you can keep it running at maximum performance. The only other option would be to reformat the hard drive, or have a technical person solve these issues for you.
Follow These Strict Guidelines To Fix PC Registry Problems
Either use a professional or registry cleaner software.
It's always fun to learn something new, but this isn't one of them unless your going to be trained in the art to fix PC registry problems.
If you spend a lot of time on the computer, making sure it runs at peak performance, will ensure you experience many hours of enjoyable surfing. Fixing computer registry problems is simply done quicker, better, and more efficient by using a registry cleaner.
Knowing what to do when you have registry problems is half the battle. There are many different kinds of registry problems that could affect your computer. Figuring out what sort of problem you are dealing with would be step one.
The Process
To fix PC registry problems, you are going to have to learn the function of your registry. Basically, this is what holds all of the information on your computer together.
This includes updates, installs, uninstalls, programs, device drivers, and documents. It is the most important part of your computer system! The registry is the brain of the computer. It controls everything! Sometimes the registry gets overloaded and you will need to clean and optimize it. One of the programs that is free and built into your computer system is to go to start, accessories, select system tools, and run disk cleanup and disk defragmenter. These are two excellent programs you can run that will help speed up your computer. If your registry is corrupted, a good registry cleaner, will eliminate all errors and problems in the computer. This will have a dramatic affect on the performance by replacing the corrupted files with good clean files. This in turn will allow the organization of all your computer programs.
Best Way To Fix The PC Registry
It is a good idea to learn what the registry is and how it functions in order to fix PC registry problems. Remember, if you are having computer problems, the best and quickest way to solve all your registry problems would be to invest in an effective registry cleaner. A registry cleaner will scan, identify errors, remove them, fix and optimize your computer in about 3 minutes. Using a registry cleaner will guarantee it will be done right the first time! You can stop worrying about causing more damage to you computer system! Isn't it worth your peace of mind to have your computer running at optimum speed instead of having to worry about a corrupted registry? Fix PC Registry Problems now and give your brain a rest.
dimanche 8 novembre 2015
Contact Professional Computer Repair Experts for Laptop Virus Removal
If you have found a problem with your computer there is no need
to panic as most of the repairs is minor and can be deftly handled by
professional computer repair experts. It is common that over a period of
time you may encounter any software or hardware problems in the system
and it doesn't mean that you have to think about a replacement as they
can be handled by the computer repair technicians. In case you have a
laptop cracked screen repair or a cracked computer screen repair you can
immediately contact the computer repair experts who can fix the problem
within no time. As the screen cracks due to an accidental fall or slip
you should immediately turn off the power and wait for the technician.
The repair expert depending on the damage shall either try to fix it or
carefully remove the cracked screen for replacement. They follow a
systematic procedure in removing and installing the new screen so that
your laptop or computer functions normally without any errors.
The computer repair technicians also handle all kinds of repairs whether hardware or software issues and you can schedule their appointment either for an on-site repair or take your system to their workshop. In case you encounter a computer virus attack it is necessary that you avail their services as virus attack may cause irreversible loss of your data. As you bring the system to them, they shall perform an extensive scan to detect all viruses, worms, Trojans, spyware and malware to successfully remove from the system and install the system with new antivirus software that guards your computer from any more virus attacks. The laptop virus removal enhances the functionality and speed of your system.
Similarly, you can contact the computer repair experts for network troubleshooting services as they can help you connect to the routers, network and wireless printers, switches, transfer of files and documents to other systems etc. either for home or professional work place systems. The technicians also offer their remote services through phone so that any minor repairs can be handled by you on the spot. For any other major repairs they ensure that the job is done within 24 hours' time as they know your productivity is affected if the computer is down for repair. You can fix an appointment online for the computer repair services or maintenance to enjoy uninterrupted services on your computer.
The computer repair technicians also handle all kinds of repairs whether hardware or software issues and you can schedule their appointment either for an on-site repair or take your system to their workshop. In case you encounter a computer virus attack it is necessary that you avail their services as virus attack may cause irreversible loss of your data. As you bring the system to them, they shall perform an extensive scan to detect all viruses, worms, Trojans, spyware and malware to successfully remove from the system and install the system with new antivirus software that guards your computer from any more virus attacks. The laptop virus removal enhances the functionality and speed of your system.
Similarly, you can contact the computer repair experts for network troubleshooting services as they can help you connect to the routers, network and wireless printers, switches, transfer of files and documents to other systems etc. either for home or professional work place systems. The technicians also offer their remote services through phone so that any minor repairs can be handled by you on the spot. For any other major repairs they ensure that the job is done within 24 hours' time as they know your productivity is affected if the computer is down for repair. You can fix an appointment online for the computer repair services or maintenance to enjoy uninterrupted services on your computer.
mardi 3 novembre 2015
Get a Good Tablet Without the High Prices
When shopping for a good tablet we see many excellent choices with an almost countless list of features.
It can be difficult to buy the right tablet when the goal of the
manufacturer is to convince us to buy the most expensive one we can
afford. And many of us are convinced that we cannot live without a
popular brand tablet. But there are a few good points that should be
considered. The main one is price. For that wonderful portable computer
we will most likely pay a wonderful price to go with it. The cheapest of
these is in the $500 range and it scales up from there to $1,000 or
more. Maybe we see our friends or neighbors or someone at Starbucks with
one which just seems to make us want one all the more.
Besides paying out for features we will never use, we should consider how long we will actually own our tablet. Most of these devices already are obsolete the moment we hand over the money for them. In about six months after purchase (give or take) there will be an improved version of it on the market. And about that same time it may be discovered that the one we bought has a serious security problem or something else that somehow escaped notice. There will be other reasons brought to our attention why we have to spend lots of our money on a new and improved tablet.
For the purpose most of us use tablets, fortunately, there are better choices we can make if we don't want to have several hundred dollars added to the price tag.
What has made the tablet so attractive is its compact size, in addition to the ease of working with a touchscreen interface. More than anything, users have tablets to surf the web, check email, and to use media.
For someone in the market for a tablet, it is important to know what to look for, including which options are essential and which ones a person can live without.
The Operating System
Probably the most important consideration when looking for a tablet is the operating system (OS). There are four basic operating systems in use.
Apple
Although the Apple OS has become popular over the years, it is used exclusively on Apple products. The upgrades have become more restrictive in customization.
Google Android
This is the same OS used on many smartphones. While similar in feel to Apple's OS, it is not quite the same. Android can be easier to use and offers greater customization than Apple.
Microsoft Windows
Although only holding a small share of the tablet market, the Windows OS has the advantage of being fully compatible with the Windows OS used on desktop and laptop computers. This provides easy file transfer for people who use tablets as portable computers.
Blackberry
RIM, the manufacturer of BlackBerry smartphones, has developed its own OS for its tablet computer: the BlackBerry Tablet OS. This tablet is fully compatible with the BlackBerry cell phone, making it the perfect complementary tablet for BlackBerry phone users.
Memory
Tablets come with internal memory ranging anywhere from 1 GB to 500 GB. Although more memory is preferable, if you're working from a budget and probably don't need extra memory anyway, Tablets expandable with a memory card to 32 GB is sufficient for most needs.
Screen Size & Resolution
Tablets come in sizes ranging from 5 inches to 12 inches. The smaller tablets are essentially large smartphones. Larger tablets provide more screen size, at the cost of being too big for a pocket or purse. Midsized tablets (7 to 8 inches) are intended to provide a compromise between being portable and still having a screen large enough to show an entire page of a book. The higher the resolution, the sharper the images appear.
Wireless Connectivity
Virtually all tablets have some wireless capability, which usually means being Wi-Fi capable. However, there are two versions of Wi-Fi. Some tablets only support the 802.11b/g specification. For streaming a lot of video and downloading large items, this may not be adequate. If those activities are part of the intended use, it is best to buy a tablet that is compatible with the 0802.11n specification. A tablet that supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz radio bands provides the most complete Wi-Fi connectivity.
Camera
Most tablets come with one or two cameras. With two, one is to use the tablet as a camera and the other is the webcam, or front-facing camera. However, when looking at a tablet with only one camera, know where the camera is located, whether on the back or front of the device.
With camera resolution, essentially, tablets have the same types of digital cameras as smartphones. As a general rule, 4 MP is the minimum specification for printing an 8x10 image, without cropping or distortion.
Speakers
While most tablet owners use headphones, there are times when it is necessary to use the internal tablet speakers. These speakers are tiny, so they are not going to produce a big speaker sound.
Inputs and Outputs
Tablet computers are not intended to provide a lot of connectivity to the outside world, except through wireless connections. Nevertheless, many come with a 3.5mm headphone jack and a USB port making it possible to transfer files with a flash drive or cable. In addition, some manufacturers provide a docking port for connection to keyboards and docking stations.
Battery Life
As tablets are portable units, tablet battery life is extremely important. Three things affect tablet battery life: size of the battery, brightness of the screen backlight, and amount of time the tablet is on. Most users leave their tablets on when not using them and merely put them in "sleep" mode. Therefore, there are two different battery life metrics to take into consideration: amount of time the battery powers the unit in sleep mode and amount of time the battery powers the unit while in use.
Protecting your Tablet
When considering which tablet best fits your needs, it is a good idea to consider one that comes with its own tablet case. These tablets tend to be a little more costly than those that don't come with one, but will be worth it if you plan on taking your tablet with you when you travel.
Buying a Tablet You Can Afford
With so many tablets out there to choose from, We can become overloaded with information about which one to buy, and if you are on a budget or just don't want to spend a small fortune on a tablet, it can be helpful to narrow down the choices by considering what is really important when purchasing.
You can find tablets that are hundreds of dollars cheaper than the leading brand and can do all of the things that a tablet is essentially used for.
Some come with a long list of features including capacitive multi-touch display, excellent screen resolution, front and back facing cameras, Windows or Android OS and some come with their own case and keyboard. Most have a built-in Bluetooth connection so you can connect them without wires to a headset, speaker, keyboard or any other Bluetooth enabled device. They are self-intuitive and very easy to learn how to navigate. They work well for both children and adults. Most are expandable to 32 GB so there is enough room to store all your pictures, music and videos. It's perfect for home, office, or travel.
Besides paying out for features we will never use, we should consider how long we will actually own our tablet. Most of these devices already are obsolete the moment we hand over the money for them. In about six months after purchase (give or take) there will be an improved version of it on the market. And about that same time it may be discovered that the one we bought has a serious security problem or something else that somehow escaped notice. There will be other reasons brought to our attention why we have to spend lots of our money on a new and improved tablet.
For the purpose most of us use tablets, fortunately, there are better choices we can make if we don't want to have several hundred dollars added to the price tag.
What has made the tablet so attractive is its compact size, in addition to the ease of working with a touchscreen interface. More than anything, users have tablets to surf the web, check email, and to use media.
For someone in the market for a tablet, it is important to know what to look for, including which options are essential and which ones a person can live without.
The Operating System
Probably the most important consideration when looking for a tablet is the operating system (OS). There are four basic operating systems in use.
Apple
Although the Apple OS has become popular over the years, it is used exclusively on Apple products. The upgrades have become more restrictive in customization.
Google Android
This is the same OS used on many smartphones. While similar in feel to Apple's OS, it is not quite the same. Android can be easier to use and offers greater customization than Apple.
Microsoft Windows
Although only holding a small share of the tablet market, the Windows OS has the advantage of being fully compatible with the Windows OS used on desktop and laptop computers. This provides easy file transfer for people who use tablets as portable computers.
Blackberry
RIM, the manufacturer of BlackBerry smartphones, has developed its own OS for its tablet computer: the BlackBerry Tablet OS. This tablet is fully compatible with the BlackBerry cell phone, making it the perfect complementary tablet for BlackBerry phone users.
Memory
Tablets come with internal memory ranging anywhere from 1 GB to 500 GB. Although more memory is preferable, if you're working from a budget and probably don't need extra memory anyway, Tablets expandable with a memory card to 32 GB is sufficient for most needs.
Screen Size & Resolution
Tablets come in sizes ranging from 5 inches to 12 inches. The smaller tablets are essentially large smartphones. Larger tablets provide more screen size, at the cost of being too big for a pocket or purse. Midsized tablets (7 to 8 inches) are intended to provide a compromise between being portable and still having a screen large enough to show an entire page of a book. The higher the resolution, the sharper the images appear.
Wireless Connectivity
Virtually all tablets have some wireless capability, which usually means being Wi-Fi capable. However, there are two versions of Wi-Fi. Some tablets only support the 802.11b/g specification. For streaming a lot of video and downloading large items, this may not be adequate. If those activities are part of the intended use, it is best to buy a tablet that is compatible with the 0802.11n specification. A tablet that supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz radio bands provides the most complete Wi-Fi connectivity.
Camera
Most tablets come with one or two cameras. With two, one is to use the tablet as a camera and the other is the webcam, or front-facing camera. However, when looking at a tablet with only one camera, know where the camera is located, whether on the back or front of the device.
With camera resolution, essentially, tablets have the same types of digital cameras as smartphones. As a general rule, 4 MP is the minimum specification for printing an 8x10 image, without cropping or distortion.
Speakers
While most tablet owners use headphones, there are times when it is necessary to use the internal tablet speakers. These speakers are tiny, so they are not going to produce a big speaker sound.
Inputs and Outputs
Tablet computers are not intended to provide a lot of connectivity to the outside world, except through wireless connections. Nevertheless, many come with a 3.5mm headphone jack and a USB port making it possible to transfer files with a flash drive or cable. In addition, some manufacturers provide a docking port for connection to keyboards and docking stations.
Battery Life
As tablets are portable units, tablet battery life is extremely important. Three things affect tablet battery life: size of the battery, brightness of the screen backlight, and amount of time the tablet is on. Most users leave their tablets on when not using them and merely put them in "sleep" mode. Therefore, there are two different battery life metrics to take into consideration: amount of time the battery powers the unit in sleep mode and amount of time the battery powers the unit while in use.
Protecting your Tablet
When considering which tablet best fits your needs, it is a good idea to consider one that comes with its own tablet case. These tablets tend to be a little more costly than those that don't come with one, but will be worth it if you plan on taking your tablet with you when you travel.
Buying a Tablet You Can Afford
With so many tablets out there to choose from, We can become overloaded with information about which one to buy, and if you are on a budget or just don't want to spend a small fortune on a tablet, it can be helpful to narrow down the choices by considering what is really important when purchasing.
You can find tablets that are hundreds of dollars cheaper than the leading brand and can do all of the things that a tablet is essentially used for.
Some come with a long list of features including capacitive multi-touch display, excellent screen resolution, front and back facing cameras, Windows or Android OS and some come with their own case and keyboard. Most have a built-in Bluetooth connection so you can connect them without wires to a headset, speaker, keyboard or any other Bluetooth enabled device. They are self-intuitive and very easy to learn how to navigate. They work well for both children and adults. Most are expandable to 32 GB so there is enough room to store all your pictures, music and videos. It's perfect for home, office, or travel.
dimanche 1 novembre 2015
How To Keep Your Computer Clean With CCleaner
How can I keep my computer clean and tidy?
When we are asked by friends and family how can they keep their computer clean, the one tool we always recommend is CCleaner. CCleaner differs from antivirus tools as it designed to keep your computer tidy - think Jacques from Finding Nemo!
CCleaner will search through your computer and clear out all of the files that have been created when you surf the internet or install software. The majority of these files are benign and pose no threat to you, but they do take up space on your computer so let CCleaner remove them for you. CCleaner will not delete documents and photos from your desktop of the common document folders.
CCleaner will work on Windows; IOS (Apple) and Android mobiles.
Tell me more about CCleaner and what it can do for me!
When you open CCleaner, you will immediately see an 'Analyse' button which when pressed, CCleaner will calculate how much space can be recovered from deleting temporary system files. Once you are happy, press the 'Run Cleaner' button and all will be removed from your system. NOTE - if you have an internet browser such as Internet Explorer or Chrome open while you run the CCleaner tool, you will be asked to close the browser to allow the files to be removed.
Under the 'Tools' button (the spanner icon), you will find some very useful tools that you may, depending on your technical knowledge or confidence,
Uninstall - Click on Uninstall and CCleaner will show you all the different programs that have been installed on your machine and when this was installed. Some of the very common names you may wish to look for and remove include:
Delta Search
MyWebSearch Toolbar
If you do stumble across a program name that you would like to remove, click on the program name and select the 'Uninstall' button on the top right of the CCleaner screen.
Startup - This is a great feature, but you will need to understand what it is you are doing before pressing any buttons in here. Startup, as the name suggests, will list all the software that will start when your computer starts; web browser(s) and Scheduled Tasks. It is very likely that when you click on the Windows tab you will see a substantial list of names of software that starts each time your Windows computer starts. You can disable software by selecting it and pressing the 'Disable' button. We will not be advising which you should or shouldn't disable as each computer is very different.
When you click on the 'Scheduled Tasks' within Startup, this is where you will get a good feel as to whether or not your computer is running malicious software. The individuals or organisations that produce malicious software often use your computer to schedule the infection to run at certain times, and CCleaner will help you see this. Again we cannot advise you which to disable as each computer will have different tasks running depending on the software you have running. One to look out for though will be listed as just "At1" although the numerical digit may differ from one; if you have this please backup all your precious documents and photos then run antivirus.
When we are asked by friends and family how can they keep their computer clean, the one tool we always recommend is CCleaner. CCleaner differs from antivirus tools as it designed to keep your computer tidy - think Jacques from Finding Nemo!
CCleaner will search through your computer and clear out all of the files that have been created when you surf the internet or install software. The majority of these files are benign and pose no threat to you, but they do take up space on your computer so let CCleaner remove them for you. CCleaner will not delete documents and photos from your desktop of the common document folders.
CCleaner will work on Windows; IOS (Apple) and Android mobiles.
Tell me more about CCleaner and what it can do for me!
When you open CCleaner, you will immediately see an 'Analyse' button which when pressed, CCleaner will calculate how much space can be recovered from deleting temporary system files. Once you are happy, press the 'Run Cleaner' button and all will be removed from your system. NOTE - if you have an internet browser such as Internet Explorer or Chrome open while you run the CCleaner tool, you will be asked to close the browser to allow the files to be removed.
Under the 'Tools' button (the spanner icon), you will find some very useful tools that you may, depending on your technical knowledge or confidence,
Uninstall - Click on Uninstall and CCleaner will show you all the different programs that have been installed on your machine and when this was installed. Some of the very common names you may wish to look for and remove include:
Delta Search
MyWebSearch Toolbar
If you do stumble across a program name that you would like to remove, click on the program name and select the 'Uninstall' button on the top right of the CCleaner screen.
Startup - This is a great feature, but you will need to understand what it is you are doing before pressing any buttons in here. Startup, as the name suggests, will list all the software that will start when your computer starts; web browser(s) and Scheduled Tasks. It is very likely that when you click on the Windows tab you will see a substantial list of names of software that starts each time your Windows computer starts. You can disable software by selecting it and pressing the 'Disable' button. We will not be advising which you should or shouldn't disable as each computer is very different.
When you click on the 'Scheduled Tasks' within Startup, this is where you will get a good feel as to whether or not your computer is running malicious software. The individuals or organisations that produce malicious software often use your computer to schedule the infection to run at certain times, and CCleaner will help you see this. Again we cannot advise you which to disable as each computer will have different tasks running depending on the software you have running. One to look out for though will be listed as just "At1" although the numerical digit may differ from one; if you have this please backup all your precious documents and photos then run antivirus.
vendredi 30 octobre 2015
How Do I Remove A Virus From My Computer?
How do I remove a virus from my computer for free?
Firstly - What is a computer virus and how do I get rid of it?
If I had a pound for every time I have been asked "How do I get rid of a computer virus?" I would be living on a small desert island sipping a cold one!
I will tell you what you need to know and what you need to do to ensure you and your family are better protected from viruses. If your computer is already infected, the best tools to remove them.
If there are any technical words that you are unclear on, I have a created a small glossary at the bottom of this article to help you out.
What is a computer virus?
A computer virus is a piece of software installed on your machine without your consent and can possess a variety of behaviours from slowing your machines performance to potentially destroying all your data, including those treasured family photos. While the world has an infatuation with the word 'virus' other names you may hear include Trojans; Bots; Adware; Browser Hijackers and more frequently now, Ransomware. Viruses and the names I just listed are all members of the same nasty software family called 'Malware'. Confused? Check the glossary at the bottom of this post for a summary on each of the terms.
There are many software tools on the internet specially produced to detect and neutralise viruses and restore your system back to its pre-infection performance level - and the best bit is some of the good ones are FREE! You do not need to pay that £60 a year subscription for the software that comes preinstalled on many computers and expires after a year!
The companies that write these tools have a monumental task trying to produce a 'fix' for every virus. There is something like 85,000 new viruses released to the world each day, so there is no way they can keep up, and some tools can detect a virus that others may not identify. I always have two antivirus tools installed and up this to three if I am removing a virus for a friend or relative.
How do I know if my computer is infected?
Some clear signs that your computer is infected include:
Your system running much slower than usual
Lots of annoying pop-ups
Or the most likely - random websites opening
But sometimes there are no symptoms at all - these are the sneaky ones!
It is always recommended that you install a good antivirus tool and ensure it's 'signatures' are kept up to date. If you opt for the paid version of an antivirus tool you can set scheduled and allow the scans to run at your preferred times.
How did my computer become infected?
This can be very difficult to diagnose, but the common forms of infection are:
Clicking on a malicious 'advert' while browsing the internet
Opening a malicious email attachment
An infected USB stick - this is now so common.
Downloading music or films from dodgy sources
The best tips to keep yourself protected are:
Always keep your operating system i.e. Windows, up-to-date. The companies that developed the OS - short for the operating system spend a vast amount of time writing 'patches' to close vulnerabilities in their software. Always ensure you keep your system updated!
Always keep your wits about you when you are online and never click on an advert or pop-up if it is not from a trusted source. If in doubt - ignore it. Here are some examples of malicious adverts that if pressed, are a sure way to pick up an infection!
Unless you know the sender of an e-mail, never open the attachment! Many of the big email companies provide a certain level of protection but with an estimated 92% of all global mail being either Spam or virus-related, the companies have an uphill challenge. If in doubt - delete it!
Infected USB sticks are a nightmare. You carry them with you from machine to machine and happily plug them into a printer in the supermarket and then the computer at the internet café - they transfer viruses as quickly as head lice in a classroom! Always run a full scan of a USB stick when you have used this on another machine. Que? Not sure what I mean? Read my article here on how to do this.
Downloading music and films from the internet is in short, asking for trouble unless it is from one of the major players that charge a premium. Free films from a Torrent site may seem like a great idea, but you do run the risk of paying a quite hefty emotional price if you lose your files as a result.
How can I remove a virus?
To delete a virus, you are going to need some software. There are many antivirus tools out there, but some are quite frankly hopeless. I have spent many years trialing and testing a variety of products and return to a few time and time again - and they are free!
1) Malwarebytes - Free!
The best free product is Malwarebytes. The people behind Malwarebytes also offer a premium product that is chargeable but for now we will concentrate on the free version.
2) SuperAntiSpyware - Free!
This product is another lifesaver and has some excellent functionality and little extra features that make this product as a must. The team behind this software do have a premium version that is available for about £30.
3) FreeAVG - Free!
This is a fantastic product that offers so much more than just a tool to remove an infection. I recommend to my friends and family they keep this running as it also scans websites as you browse them to detect viruses embedded on the site.
A warning though before you go and run ANY antivirus tool...
Sometimes Malware, including viruses, can be so deeply rooted within your computer files that when the infections are cleaned, your computer may suffer adverse effects and data may be lost. I strongly suggest you backup and critical files you can access on a clean USB stick before you run any virus removal tool. I have used these tools many times but cannot be held responsible for any loss of files as a result of running them. You can purchase a good sized USB external drive to backup all your precious documents from online resellers like Amazon. Western Digital are an excellent brand that I recommend. Oh, and when you next plug this USB drive into a computer, make sure you scan it for viruses!
Useful Glossary (These may even impress your friends and family when you drop them in a conversation!)
Adware - Short for advertising-supported software. Adware in the context we are discussing here is pop-up advertisements that appear on your computer screen trying to sell you products. When you close one, you are usually greeted with many more!
Antivirus - A piece of software that scans your computer files to detect and remove infected files.
Bot - Derives from the word robot. A bot is a computer that has been infected and can be remotely controlled by the hacker to perform tasks on their behalf.
Browser - This is the program you use to browse the internet. The most common browsers are Safari if you are an Apple MAC user or Chrome, Firefox and even Internet Explorer if you are a Windows user. Read my article on browsers here - especially if you are using Internet Explorer!
Browser hijacking - So you now know what a browser is. A very common form of malware is Browser Hijackers. Hijackers change your internet search settings and redirect you to the pages they want you to see.
Embedded - Some websites have viruses hid within them which are copied or 'downloaded' to your computer while browsing - this is known as embedding. An excellent malware tool can detect these for you and prevent the infection from occurring.
Fix - A piece of software the remediates or neutralises an infection.
Full Scan - Within most antivirus tools, you have options to scan your entire files contents for infected files not just the most common locations.
Malware - Short for malicious software. Malware is a piece of software designed to disrupt the operation of a computer device. Malware comes in the forms of viruses; Trojans; worms; spyware; adware and ransomware.
Pop-ups - Small windows or adverts that appear 'on top' of your web browser.
Phishing - Pronounced fishing, is an illegal attempt to try and obtain sensitive data such as credit card details or passwords via emails and sites masquerading as legitimate companies. The fraudster then reuses the details captured for their gain.
Firstly - What is a computer virus and how do I get rid of it?
If I had a pound for every time I have been asked "How do I get rid of a computer virus?" I would be living on a small desert island sipping a cold one!
I will tell you what you need to know and what you need to do to ensure you and your family are better protected from viruses. If your computer is already infected, the best tools to remove them.
If there are any technical words that you are unclear on, I have a created a small glossary at the bottom of this article to help you out.
What is a computer virus?
A computer virus is a piece of software installed on your machine without your consent and can possess a variety of behaviours from slowing your machines performance to potentially destroying all your data, including those treasured family photos. While the world has an infatuation with the word 'virus' other names you may hear include Trojans; Bots; Adware; Browser Hijackers and more frequently now, Ransomware. Viruses and the names I just listed are all members of the same nasty software family called 'Malware'. Confused? Check the glossary at the bottom of this post for a summary on each of the terms.
There are many software tools on the internet specially produced to detect and neutralise viruses and restore your system back to its pre-infection performance level - and the best bit is some of the good ones are FREE! You do not need to pay that £60 a year subscription for the software that comes preinstalled on many computers and expires after a year!
The companies that write these tools have a monumental task trying to produce a 'fix' for every virus. There is something like 85,000 new viruses released to the world each day, so there is no way they can keep up, and some tools can detect a virus that others may not identify. I always have two antivirus tools installed and up this to three if I am removing a virus for a friend or relative.
How do I know if my computer is infected?
Some clear signs that your computer is infected include:
Your system running much slower than usual
Lots of annoying pop-ups
Or the most likely - random websites opening
But sometimes there are no symptoms at all - these are the sneaky ones!
It is always recommended that you install a good antivirus tool and ensure it's 'signatures' are kept up to date. If you opt for the paid version of an antivirus tool you can set scheduled and allow the scans to run at your preferred times.
How did my computer become infected?
This can be very difficult to diagnose, but the common forms of infection are:
Clicking on a malicious 'advert' while browsing the internet
Opening a malicious email attachment
An infected USB stick - this is now so common.
Downloading music or films from dodgy sources
The best tips to keep yourself protected are:
Always keep your operating system i.e. Windows, up-to-date. The companies that developed the OS - short for the operating system spend a vast amount of time writing 'patches' to close vulnerabilities in their software. Always ensure you keep your system updated!
Always keep your wits about you when you are online and never click on an advert or pop-up if it is not from a trusted source. If in doubt - ignore it. Here are some examples of malicious adverts that if pressed, are a sure way to pick up an infection!
Unless you know the sender of an e-mail, never open the attachment! Many of the big email companies provide a certain level of protection but with an estimated 92% of all global mail being either Spam or virus-related, the companies have an uphill challenge. If in doubt - delete it!
Infected USB sticks are a nightmare. You carry them with you from machine to machine and happily plug them into a printer in the supermarket and then the computer at the internet café - they transfer viruses as quickly as head lice in a classroom! Always run a full scan of a USB stick when you have used this on another machine. Que? Not sure what I mean? Read my article here on how to do this.
Downloading music and films from the internet is in short, asking for trouble unless it is from one of the major players that charge a premium. Free films from a Torrent site may seem like a great idea, but you do run the risk of paying a quite hefty emotional price if you lose your files as a result.
How can I remove a virus?
To delete a virus, you are going to need some software. There are many antivirus tools out there, but some are quite frankly hopeless. I have spent many years trialing and testing a variety of products and return to a few time and time again - and they are free!
1) Malwarebytes - Free!
The best free product is Malwarebytes. The people behind Malwarebytes also offer a premium product that is chargeable but for now we will concentrate on the free version.
2) SuperAntiSpyware - Free!
This product is another lifesaver and has some excellent functionality and little extra features that make this product as a must. The team behind this software do have a premium version that is available for about £30.
3) FreeAVG - Free!
This is a fantastic product that offers so much more than just a tool to remove an infection. I recommend to my friends and family they keep this running as it also scans websites as you browse them to detect viruses embedded on the site.
A warning though before you go and run ANY antivirus tool...
Sometimes Malware, including viruses, can be so deeply rooted within your computer files that when the infections are cleaned, your computer may suffer adverse effects and data may be lost. I strongly suggest you backup and critical files you can access on a clean USB stick before you run any virus removal tool. I have used these tools many times but cannot be held responsible for any loss of files as a result of running them. You can purchase a good sized USB external drive to backup all your precious documents from online resellers like Amazon. Western Digital are an excellent brand that I recommend. Oh, and when you next plug this USB drive into a computer, make sure you scan it for viruses!
Useful Glossary (These may even impress your friends and family when you drop them in a conversation!)
Adware - Short for advertising-supported software. Adware in the context we are discussing here is pop-up advertisements that appear on your computer screen trying to sell you products. When you close one, you are usually greeted with many more!
Antivirus - A piece of software that scans your computer files to detect and remove infected files.
Bot - Derives from the word robot. A bot is a computer that has been infected and can be remotely controlled by the hacker to perform tasks on their behalf.
Browser - This is the program you use to browse the internet. The most common browsers are Safari if you are an Apple MAC user or Chrome, Firefox and even Internet Explorer if you are a Windows user. Read my article on browsers here - especially if you are using Internet Explorer!
Browser hijacking - So you now know what a browser is. A very common form of malware is Browser Hijackers. Hijackers change your internet search settings and redirect you to the pages they want you to see.
Embedded - Some websites have viruses hid within them which are copied or 'downloaded' to your computer while browsing - this is known as embedding. An excellent malware tool can detect these for you and prevent the infection from occurring.
Fix - A piece of software the remediates or neutralises an infection.
Full Scan - Within most antivirus tools, you have options to scan your entire files contents for infected files not just the most common locations.
Malware - Short for malicious software. Malware is a piece of software designed to disrupt the operation of a computer device. Malware comes in the forms of viruses; Trojans; worms; spyware; adware and ransomware.
Pop-ups - Small windows or adverts that appear 'on top' of your web browser.
Phishing - Pronounced fishing, is an illegal attempt to try and obtain sensitive data such as credit card details or passwords via emails and sites masquerading as legitimate companies. The fraudster then reuses the details captured for their gain.
Playing Online Games Pro-Style Even if you don't know what you're doing.
Playing Online Games Pro-Style
Even if you don't know what you're doing...
One of the most intimidating parts of getting started with online gaming is getting over the fear of screwing things up for other players. It's one thing to play a game and make mistakes at home, but it's an entirely different thing to play a game and make mistakes that can cause failure in the game plays of others. But there's no reason to let this fear stop you or another gaming newbie from having fun. This article will give you the in's and out's of online gaming so that you can start with the confidence you need to continue on.
The first step anyone new to online gaming should take is to first, learn how to play offline. You can read the game's manual and save yourself from seeing the infamous acronym, "RTFM" scroll across your screen. Know what that acronym stands for? It stands for "Read The Fu**ing Manual" and its spewed by serious gamers to vulnerable newbies who interrupt a game with questions like, "What is this place?" or "What am I supposed to do?"
You could search the web for game related discussion groups, FAQ's, and walkthroughs. And you could learn more from game specific Usenet newsgroups. In other words, you could do your "homework." Some of the kind of information you want to learn includes how to play, how to create characters, how to gather equipment, and how to implement some smart strategies. Trust us when we say your gaming comrades will appreciate it!
In addition to reading how to play an online game, you can familiarize yourself with the game's interface. Just as you searched the net for a game's textual instruction, you can additionally search the net for a game's screenshot (or series of screenshots). Having a graphical representation (.gif or .jpg image) of a game on your screen gives you a chance to memorize where all the game's controls are. Knowing where everything is on a game before you play will speed things up not only for yourself, but also for everyone else. No one wants to wait for you to search for an inventory panel or message screen in a game when the location of these items is obvious to everyone else.
Once you start with a game, don't let the pressure of staying in the game prevent you from doing the unthinkable: dying. A character dying in a game is inevitable at certain points, and unless you willingly let go of a lose-lose situation, you'll run the risk of holding the game up for everyone else. It's like a game of chess. If it's checkmate - it's checkmate. Call it a day and start anew. Whatever you do, don't hang around waiting for some magical fairy to come to your rescue. Please let your character die with dignity.
On the same token, you don't want to take dying personally. Remember that online gaming is still just a game. A character that dies in a game is not representative of your character as a person. Turn a death into learning experience. At the very least, you'll learn your way around an online game by learning all the things that you aren't supposed to do!
Above all else, ensure that your computer has what it takes to maintain the current pace of an online game. Don't try to play an online game with a slow computer or slow Internet connection. In fact, if you're still using dial up, find another hobby. A slow processor and connection will ensure instant death because other players aren't going to politely wait for their own defeat. They're going to squash you like a bug.
Hunt around for a computer that was built for online gaming and get a DSL or ISDN Internet connection. You'll need a fast processor, a high quality graphics card, and a sound machine to match.
By following these simple suggestions, you will have passed the "newbie" test and earned respect as a serious gamer much more quickly than if you stumbled your way through what others pride as "the ultimate hobby."
Even if you don't know what you're doing...
One of the most intimidating parts of getting started with online gaming is getting over the fear of screwing things up for other players. It's one thing to play a game and make mistakes at home, but it's an entirely different thing to play a game and make mistakes that can cause failure in the game plays of others. But there's no reason to let this fear stop you or another gaming newbie from having fun. This article will give you the in's and out's of online gaming so that you can start with the confidence you need to continue on.
The first step anyone new to online gaming should take is to first, learn how to play offline. You can read the game's manual and save yourself from seeing the infamous acronym, "RTFM" scroll across your screen. Know what that acronym stands for? It stands for "Read The Fu**ing Manual" and its spewed by serious gamers to vulnerable newbies who interrupt a game with questions like, "What is this place?" or "What am I supposed to do?"
You could search the web for game related discussion groups, FAQ's, and walkthroughs. And you could learn more from game specific Usenet newsgroups. In other words, you could do your "homework." Some of the kind of information you want to learn includes how to play, how to create characters, how to gather equipment, and how to implement some smart strategies. Trust us when we say your gaming comrades will appreciate it!
In addition to reading how to play an online game, you can familiarize yourself with the game's interface. Just as you searched the net for a game's textual instruction, you can additionally search the net for a game's screenshot (or series of screenshots). Having a graphical representation (.gif or .jpg image) of a game on your screen gives you a chance to memorize where all the game's controls are. Knowing where everything is on a game before you play will speed things up not only for yourself, but also for everyone else. No one wants to wait for you to search for an inventory panel or message screen in a game when the location of these items is obvious to everyone else.
Once you start with a game, don't let the pressure of staying in the game prevent you from doing the unthinkable: dying. A character dying in a game is inevitable at certain points, and unless you willingly let go of a lose-lose situation, you'll run the risk of holding the game up for everyone else. It's like a game of chess. If it's checkmate - it's checkmate. Call it a day and start anew. Whatever you do, don't hang around waiting for some magical fairy to come to your rescue. Please let your character die with dignity.
On the same token, you don't want to take dying personally. Remember that online gaming is still just a game. A character that dies in a game is not representative of your character as a person. Turn a death into learning experience. At the very least, you'll learn your way around an online game by learning all the things that you aren't supposed to do!
Above all else, ensure that your computer has what it takes to maintain the current pace of an online game. Don't try to play an online game with a slow computer or slow Internet connection. In fact, if you're still using dial up, find another hobby. A slow processor and connection will ensure instant death because other players aren't going to politely wait for their own defeat. They're going to squash you like a bug.
Hunt around for a computer that was built for online gaming and get a DSL or ISDN Internet connection. You'll need a fast processor, a high quality graphics card, and a sound machine to match.
By following these simple suggestions, you will have passed the "newbie" test and earned respect as a serious gamer much more quickly than if you stumbled your way through what others pride as "the ultimate hobby."
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