Online Computer Tips Monthly Newsletter - June 2007
Latest Virus/Security Alerts:
Storm worm/Snow worm
A new variant of the Storm worm is making its way into e-mail in boxes around the world as an apparent patch or fix for a recent worm attack. The Trojan part of this worm is known as Small, Downloader, Peacomm or officially by the designation CME-711 (Common Malware Enumeration).
This new variant worm includes anti security measures to hinder analysis. It sends out copies of itself inside of a password protected ZIP file to evade anti virus detection. The emails sent are random with different file names, passwords, and different binaries within the ZIP file.
April's Poll Results:
Do you print your own photographs?
84%
- 16%
Tip of the Month:
Install and run multiple versions of Internet Explorer on your PC
If you are one of those types of people that like the new features of IE7 but like the reliability and ease of use of IE6 then Multiple IE may be the tool for you.
This was done by adding IE version numbers to the title bar of the standalone browser window. Moreover, by removing the "IE" key in the registry subkey [HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Version Vector] Internet Explore defaulted to respecting conditional comments based on the version number pre-built in the program.
You can download an installer package that will allow you to install IE3 4, 5, 5.5 and 6 on the same computer along with your current IE7 version. This software is not working with Windows Vista at this time though.
Click here to read more information and download Mutiple IE.
Update for Windows Vista (KB925528) This is a reliability update. Install this update to resolve reliability issues with some USB hardware devices and controllers.
Update for Windows Vista (KB929685) Install this update to address an issue that may prevent high-definition audio devices from initializing after resuming the system from a sleep or hibernation state.
GasBuddy.com/ will tell you gas prices in your area and other areas. You can check the low and high prices and get names and addresses of the gas stations with the best prices.
Readers Question of the Month:
How to Restore PC to Original Settings
Steven writes in with a Windows question Q. My computer keeps freezing and I have to switch it off at the plug. I want to reinstall windows to the factory settings, just completely wipe it clean and start again. How do I do this please? I have searched for the answer everywhere and can't find it.Please note I do not want a restore point I want it completely fresh as it was when i bought it, I dont care about the data on it.
A. If you have a restore CD that came with your computer, all you need to do is boot the computer with the CD in the drive and follow the prompts. You may have to press a certain key like F2 or F12 to boot from the CD. Restore CDs are meant to put your computer back to the state it was when you first bought it. Any files or additional programs you installed will have to be reinstalled.
Some computers come with a restore partition rather than a restore CD. In this case the restore files are kept on the hard drive and restored from there. Its the same method where you have to press a certain key on bootup to start the process.
If you don't have a restore CD then you can boot with a Windows XP CD and do a format and clean installation. Just make sure your BIOS is set to boot from the CD before the hard drive.
If you use this method I would go into Device Manager and write down or print your hardware configuration so you know what hardware you will need to get drivers for if Windows doesn't recognize them.
Here is a brief explanation on how to reinstall Windows XP.
Search categories related to music and technology continue to be among the most dangerous, according to a new McAfee report. Music and technology related Web sites have a negative impact on computers, since they often leave spyware and other malware, which could lead to a massive increase in the amount of spam generated.
Searching porn Web sites through search engines carries an approximately 9% risk of infecting PCs with spyware, adware, and spam. The risk jumps to nearly 19% when searching digital music Web sites.
Searches related to file sharing software such as LimeWire and Kazaa posed a significant risk for computers. McAfee offers its free SiteAdvisor plugin to help you monitor the websites you visit.
