Microsoft Critical Windows Updates help protect your computer from hackers. DON'T APPLY A NEW CRITICAL UPDATE IMMEDIATELY! We always wait several days before applying a new Microsoft critical update. Then, prior to applying the update, we (a) surf the web using the update number to find out if the update created any problems, and (b) backup our hard drive before applying the update, just in case it DOES cause a computer disaster.

01/09/04  Beware Sneaky Spyware!, Part 2

Those nasty popup windows are getting even more nasty. Recently, we clicked on "No" (see below) and a second window opened up telling us that we MUST click on "Yes."  DON'T SAY YES!

01/09/04  Beware Sneaky Spyware!

You're surfing the web when all of the sudden a very official looking Security Warning window opens up:

You're thinking, "Gee, I better install this."  Think again, friend. IBIS is hoping that you won't bother to look at the terms and conditions, which reveal that spyware is about to be installed on your computer:

You should never install anything unless you fully understand the repercussions of doing so.

12/10/03  Fix Wireless Mouse Woes

Having trouble with your wireless mouse, even though the batteries are fresh? Try moving the receiver, laying it on its side, or turning it upside down. This should do the trick.

12/02/03  Stop AOL Instant Messenger From Launching When You Open Outlook Express

If AOL Instant Messenger is automatically launching whenever you open Outlook Express, you can do the following to stop this behavior:

• Open AOL Instant Messenger and Sign on.
• Click My AIM on the menu.
• On the drop-down menu, select Edit Options and then Edit Preferences then Sign On/Off.
• Uncheck the box "Make AIM my default instant messaging program"

By turning this option off, the option in Outlook Express to 'Automatically log onto AOL instant messenger' is no longer there, and Outlook Express will not launch AIM when starting. (The next time you start AIM, at the prompt to make it the default IM program, select the checkbox to not perform that test in the future.)

11/24/03  Set Your AOL Instant Messenger Privacy Options

When you sign on to AOL Instant Messenger, are you immediately bombarded with pornographic messages from people you don't know?  Here is how to stop it.  Go to MY Aim/Edit Options/Edit Preferences/Privacy. Under "Who can contact me", select "Allow only users on my Buddy List."

10/19/03  Don't Check Your Email Immediately!

If you are like me, the first thing you do after booting up your computer is to check your email. I recommend that you wait a few minutes before doing this. This will give your antivirus software time to check for and download the latest virus definition updates. If you check your email before your antivirus software is updated, you will be exposed to the latest computer viruses.

05/19/03 Wipe Yourself!

Working with highly confidential data? Use a disc scrubber to erase the file beyond recovery as you delete it.  Forget to erase the file? Use CyberScrub because it can scan your entire hard disc and erase all traces of previously deleted files.

05/11/03 Make Sure Your AntiVirus Software is Enabled

On more than one occasion, I have run into problems that prevented my Norton AntiVirus software from starting during boot up. In one case, a Norton update corrupted the virus definitions file.  More recently, I have discovered an incompatibility between Norton Ghost and Norton AntiVirus (see our news page) that disables Norton AntiVirus.

It pays to check your system tray to make sure your antivirus software is enabled every time you boot up your computer. If it is not enabled, your computer is exposed to viruses.  Here we see what Norton AntiVirus looks like when it is disabled. Note the "X" through the icon.

04/30/03 Use the Fast Compression Option in Norton Ghost

Norton Ghost provides three options when taking an image of your hard disk: no compression, fast compression, or higher compression. Compressed backups take longer to complete but require less media if you are backing up to CDs and less space on your hard disk if you are backing up to a second hard disk. We recommend the fast compression, rather than the high compression option. It only adds about 10% to the size of the image file and it runs almost 50% faster than high compression.

04/15/03 Can't Open Email Attachments in Outlook Express 6.0?

Well here is the solution to your problem, my friends. In my book, PC Fear Factor, I warn readers about turf wars. Turf wars is what occurs when one software vendor treads on the turf of another software vendor by encroaching on that vendor's functionality.

Turf wars always end badly because the encroaching vendor always does a terrible job.  For example, Microsoft provides an Internet Connection Firewall in Windows XP that is far inferior to a free firewall, ZoneAlarm.

Well Microsoft has done it again.

In Outlook Express 6.0, Microsoft decided to tread on the turf of antivirus software vendors, and in doing so created a major problem. Outlook Express has an option that is supposed to stop you from opening suspicious email attachments.  This option is enabled by default when you install OE 6.0.

Unfortunately, this "feature" stops you from opening ANY email attachments. Although there is a way to exclude certain types of email attachments from being blocked, the method for doing this is complicated and obscure.

In our view, this functionality is not necessary. Disable this crippling "feature" and let your antivirus software do the job of catching viruses. To disable this feature, open OE 6.0 and go to Tools / Options / Security. Uncheck the box that says "Do not allow attachments to be saved or opened that could potentially be a virus."

You will now be able to open email attachments, and your antivirus software will catch any attachments containing viruses!

04/01/03 Throw Out That Software!

Whenever you purchase a hardware peripheral, such as a scanner, printer, or uninterruptible power supply, it will come with a CD containing software used to operate the peripheral. Most of the time, the software will be out of date. Check the hardware vendor's web site and download and install the latest software.

03/10/03 Backup Your Hard Disk Prior to Making A Major Change to Your Computing Environment

Use Norton Ghost to take a complete backup of your hard disk prior to making a major change to your computing environment, such as the installation of new hardware or a new application. Such changes can sometimes precipitate computer disasters, and uninstalling the hardware or software does not always return your system to a stable state. 

You can try the System Restore feature if you have Windows Millennium or Windows XP, but the cleanest surest way to recover from this type of disaster is to restore from the hard disk backup you took just prior to making the change. 

PC Fear Factor contains detailed step-by-step instructions for using Norton Ghost to backup and restore your system.

02/22/03: MSCONFIG Help for Windows 2000 Users

Attention Windows 2000 users! As you know, Microsoft did not include the useful system configuration utility, MSCONFIG, in this version of Windows. However, you can download and install this utility from Perfectdrivers.com.  Thanks to reader Lisa LaVigne, from Michigan. (Yes, she IS related to Avril.)

  02/10/03: Watch Out for Virus Hoaxes!

Beware of e-mails from well intentioned but often misinformed friends warning you about a new computer virus, and instructing you to remove certain files from your computer. Such warnings are often virus hoaxes, designed to cause you to do harm to yourself.  The files you are instructed to remove are not indications of a computer virus, but vital files that your computer needs in order to function properly.

Before you act on such a warning and delete critical files, click on this link  to find out if the virus warning is really a virus hoax. Check out PC Fear Factor for more information on virus hoaxes.

  01/22/03: Run Norton's Intelligent Updater Daily for Maximum Virus Protection

Norton Antivirus automatically updates your virus definitions, but it doesn't automatically keep your virus definitions up to date. There is a difference, folks. Symantec normally does a weekly automatic update of your virus definitions file, usually on Wednesdays. In between updates, Symantec accumulates new virus definitions for the weekly update, unless there is a major virus outbreak. This means that you are exposed for up to a week to the latest computer viruses. An associate of mine recently had his Windows Address Book wiped out because of this - Symantec had a virus definition for this new virus, but had not distributed it yet!

Fortunately, there is a solution to this problem. Put this link on your links bar. Click on it every day to go to Symantec's Intelligent Updater web page. Download the latest virus definition file (this file is updated daily). After you download the executable file, click on it to install the latest virus definition updates. These updates have been fully tested by Symantec and are safe to install.  If you have a broadband connection, this entire process takes about a minute.

I don't understand why Symantec delays in distributing these updates. Symantec claims that it only holds back on viruses that have not been widely distributed. Small comfort if you are a victim. 

The name "Intelligent Updater" doesn't make a great deal of sense. There is nothing intelligent about it at all - you have to do all of the work to download and install the file!

01/08/03: Avoid Drive-By Downloads of Spyware

This tip is for Internet Explorer users only. IE has a "feature" that allows web sites to automatically install software on your computer without your knowledge or permission. This is how many people end up with spyware on their computer. (For more about spyware, see our Official Spyware Center.)  You should disable this feature by setting your IE security settings properly. Go to Tools / Internet Options / Security and click on Custom Level. Under ActiveX Controls and Plug-ins, set your options as follows:

12/26/02: Avoid PC Migration Tools

Get a new computer for Christmas? Wondering how to migrate all of your data from your old computer to your new computer?  Read chapter 4 of PC Fear Factor.  I also suggest that you avoid using any PC migration tools.  To learn why, read my commentary on the subject.

  12/16/02: Beware of Freeware

Some freeware applications are in reality trojan horses for Spyware. Before installing a freeware program, check out user opinions and product reviews on the web at cnet.com and epinions.com.  Spyware can steal your valuable confidential information, and even log your keystrokes and send them back to the developer, so be very careful. Within two years, Spyware may emerge to be a bigger threat than computer viruses.

12/09/02: Beware of Xupiter!

Visit our Official Xupiter Page for an expose of the most rapidly spreading piece of Spyware on the net.  Learn:

• What Xupiter is

• How Xupiter gets planted on your computer

• How to keep it off your computer

• How to find out if Xupiter is already on your computer

• How to get rid of Xupiter if it is on your computer

12/03/02: Beware lazy tech support specialists!

Sooner or later, you are going to need to call your computer's technical support line for assistance on some type of computer problem. And when you do, you may run into a lazy or incompetent tech support person who advises you to reformat your hard disk and reload your operating system, drivers, and software.

Don't do it!  The only problem this solves is the tech support specialist's problem - it gets him off the line so that he doesn't have to deal with you and your problem anymore! You should never have to resort to such drastic means to solve a computer problem. And in fact, you will create more problems than you solve if you follow this advice.

Whenever a tech support specialist asks you to make a change to your computer, ask yourself whether he is guessing, or whether he really understands what is causing your problem. Ill advised changes often create more problems than they solve.

11/25/02: Erase (Not Delete) Your Data Before You Take Your PC in for Repair!

Before you take your computer into a store for repair, you need to prepare it (assuming it is still operational!) the same way you would if you were selling your computer to somebody. Your computer probably contains a great deal of confidential data. Simply deleting these files does not erase them beyond recovery. Learn how to prevent anyone from recovering your deleted data in chapter 4 of PC Fear Factor.

11/18/02: Run Norton LiveUpdate Weekly!

Although Norton AntiVirus (version 2001 or later) automatically keeps your virus definitions up to date (provided you have it configured properly), it does not automatically keep the application program itself up to date. To keep your application up to date, you should run LiveUpdate once a week. Some application updates can make your system less vulnerable to virus infections, so be sure to do this!

11/11/02: Don't Save Your Passwords

Some applications and web pages give you the option of saving your password on your computer so that you will not have to re-enter it the next time you access that application or web page, as illustrated below. Usually the "save this password" box is checked by default.  I strongly recommend that you uncheck this box and NOT save your passwords on your computer, as this makes it easier for a hacker to steal your passwords.

11/04/02: Backup Your Hide and Seek Data!

Unbeknownst to you, some applications store important data in folders of its own choosing.  For example, if you are using the United States Postal Service's Shipping Assistant software, it automatically stores your address book in a specific folder - you do NOT get to choose the location! It is therefore very important that you find all of this "hide and seek" data and back it up along with data that you control!

10/28/02: Never Shut the Windows Task Scheduler!

The Windows Task Scheduler icon appears in the lower right hand corner of your task bar and looks like this: . Never pause the task scheduler or remove it from your list of start up items. The task scheduler is used to automatically update your antivirus software, auctomatically run periodic virus scans of your hard disk, and automatically check for critical updates from Microsoft. If you disable the task scheduler, you are at grave risk from viruses and hackers.

10/21/02: Don't Change Operating Systems!

Do you have a Windows 98 or Millennium computer? Unless you are a masochist, don't even think about upgrading your existing computer to Windows XP.  Software and hardware incompatibilities abound. The last time the risk of changing operating systems was worth the reward was when Windows 95 was released. Wait until you buy a new computer to get the latest, greatest operating system. Until then, Windows 98 or Millennium will serve you well. 

10/14/02: Read the Readme File

When you install a new application on your computer, you are usually offered the option to view the "Readme" file when the installation process is complete. The Readme file contains late breaking news about the application, including features that were added too late to make it into the product documentation. But most importantly, the Readme file often contains important information about known problems, including conflicts with other applications. Since such conflicts are often the root cause of computer disasters, it is important that you be aware of them. 

For example, I own an HP PhotoSmart P1100 printer. Buried within is an important note identifying a conflict (or "cohabitation issue", as HP refers to it), between the Windows 2000 printer driver and Roxio Easy CD Creator version 5.

Chances are, if you experience some type of disaster after installing an application, the cause will be identified in the Readme file. You will find the Readme file in the program folder for the installed application.

10/06/02: Evaluate An Application's Pedigree

A badly behaved software application can trash your computer! Many attractively packaged software applications are very poorly designed. Before you purchase and install a new software application, check it's reputation for quality and compatibility. Learn how in Appendix B of PC Fear Factor.

09/30/02: Stop Unnecessary Applications!

Does your computer crash more often than Evil Knieval? This may be caused by unnecessary applications and background processes that are automatically loading without your knowledge each time you boot up. Learn how to stop these programs and processes from automatically loading in chapter 9 of PC Fear Factor.

09/24/02

Read the new PC Fear Factor Disaster Prevention News every day to get late breaking PC disaster prevention news! 

09/11/02: Leave Your Surge Protector On!

Don't turn your PC off at the surge protector.  Doing so disables the surge protector, leaving you with no protection against power surges! 

08/05/02: Control Your Computing Environment!

Don't allow friends, relatives, or houseguests to use your computer. Careless outsiders are frequently responsible for computer disasters. An invitation to someone else to use your computer is an invitation to disaster.