FREE Anti-Virus Program from AVG. Click here. (You can not download this program using a "dial-up connection."

This new version of AVG is for both 32 and 64 bit Windows.

1. Open AVG. On the left side, click on “scan options.”Left click on the bottom option “manage scheduled scans.”Highlight the scheduled scan file and then left click on the “edit scan” button on the bottom. On the bottom under “Advanced scheduled” uncheck the “run on computer start-up” if it’s checked. (This is where you can set when to scan your system if you don’t want it to scan the default setting of everyday at noon).  Check the box that says to "Enable this task." On top, click on the “how to scan” tab. Check each box that you can. Click on the "Additional scan setting link in blue.  Select "All file types."  Click the "Ok button" and then  click on the “save button” on the bottom.
   Again click on the "Scan options" buttons on the left.  “Whole computer scan” Click “Change scan settings…”, Left click and check each of the boxes Left click on additional scan settings… and under define file types for scanning:, chose “All file types” Also put a check mark in “Scan files without extensions.” Then click OK. Left click on “Save the current settings.
   Leave the two sliders set to "User Sensitive."
   Whenever you're on line, open AVG and check for updates. If there are some, download and install them.
   We recommend scanning your system everyday but definitely set it to scan at least twice a week.
   If AVG opens a window that says you have a virus and there is a checkbox that says "Remove as a power user" then check that box and then click the button that says "Move to virus vault."
   At least once a week, while on line, open AVG and check for any updates and download if there are some. Don't rely on any "automatic update program" for any brand of anti virus software to keep up to date. Always double check it; it only takes a minute or two.

2. Allot of the new viruses that are coming out lately are being installed in places that are not normally scanned by anti virus programs. And the virus creators know this and they exploit it. So by making these changes to AVG, it will look at all files and folder on your hard drive to find them. Each time you're on the internet, open AVG and check for updates. These tell AVG where to look and what to look for that can be viruses and spyware-malware. If you are using Spybot, Adaware or Malwarebytes typeof programs, AVG also delete those so I find they are no longer needed.
3. Lately in the news, “Rootkits” or “key loggers” are making a big come back so check to make sure you’re AVG is doing a full scan for those. Open AVG, double left click on “Anti Rootkit” to open it. In the bottom section, Make sure all the boxes are checked and it’s set to do a full scan not a quick one.

If you receive an email EVEN FROM SOMEONE YOU KNOW! That has a website link ending with “PHP” DO NOT OPEN IT, this is a link to a web page with one or more  viruses!! Please pass this onto others. If you have an Yahoo, Hotmail or MSN account, change your login password (and secret question that proves it’s you) several times a year. The new “hackers” and using spyware programs to find your info so they can do this new way of passing  viruses. Also FACEBOOK and MYSPACE  DON’T SCAN THEIR SERVERS for viruses! Beware of viewing their pages!

The creators of viruses and spyware-malware, write their programs to hide in folders that most anti-virus and anti-malware programs don't scan. ALWAYS perform a FULL SCAN.

Chrome and Opera targeted by new versions of Trojans

If you use the Chrome or Opera web browser on your Windows 7 machine, be aware that a new version of a Trojan called SpyEye is now specifically targeting you, according to security blogger Brian Krebs. This is a dangerous one, as it collects data entered into online forms, such as credit card information or online banking account data, before it is encrypted. This was already a threat for Firefox and IE users, but now it's been extended to the other two popular browsers. Find out more here:  http://www.h-online.com/security/news/item/Online-banking-trojans-target-Chrome-and-Opera-1233757.html

Also use this free malware removal program: MALEWAREBYTES. This free version requires you to run it each week. As alawys, run it in FULL SCAN MODE. Click here to download it. NOT ARO 2011! If you are using Internet Explorer, then after clicking on the green "download now button" IE should ask you if you want to download the file. Click yes.

Check out this virus info video: http://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2010/10/29/video-cross-platform-malware-runs-on-windows-mac-and-linux/

Eight threats your anti virus program can't stop. Click here.

For those of you using Windows Defender-(part of Vista and Windows 7), Last night I ran "Windows Defender (full scan mode) and it found a "keystroke" type logger program, AVG didn't find it. It was called Adware:Win32/OpenCandy I noticed, on the bottom left corner of Internet Explorer and Firefox, as the webpage was trying to open, it showed "www.google-analytics.com" and the webpage was very slow to open. I googled that and found out  it is a key-logger program-one that keeps track of what you type and where. You can get Windows Defender free from Microsoft here: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/defender/default.mspx  NOTE: For Vista and Windows 7 users, if you have a 64bit system then download that version.

So I suggest you run your program at least once a month in full scan mode. Make sure you download the updates first. If it can't, then you have to allow it to through the firewall. In windows firewall, do this:
(This is from a windows 7 system but Vista and XP should be about the same). I found my windows defender in the control panel using small icon view instead of category view).

1. Open the control panel
2. If you are in Category View, click on "System and Security" then in Windows Firewall, click on "Allow a program through..."
3. Click on the bottom button that says "Allow another program........."
4. Click on Windows Defender if you see it in the box and then click on the Add button.
5. If it's not in the box, then click on the "Browse button"
6. On the left side click on "Local Disc C"
7.In the right box, click on "Program Files
8. Then click on the Windows Defender yellow folder to open it
9. Then left double left click on "MSASCui"
10. Click on the add button.

Next time you start your system, you should be able to get the updates. You can set Windows Defender to run automatically at a time you set it to. If you it do this:

1. Open Windows Defender
2. Click on the tools button on top
3. Click on the Options button.
4. Set the time to scan, how often and FULL SCAN MODE and check the box to make it load automatically as well and check for updates and scan when idle.
5. Click on the save button.

Use System Mechanic for Windows. Free program. Download using the green box download now link. http://download.cnet.com/System-Mechanic-Free/3000-18512_4-10030183.html?tag=contentMain;contentBody;1d

 

Recover product keys for installed programs

Need to find out the product key for the Microsoft applications, third-party software, games and even Windows? There are a number of utilities that will recover these keys for you quickly and easily - and for no cost. One such freeware tool is SoftKey Revealer. You can download it here:

http://sites.google.com/site/cakirbey/softkeyrevealer

Use Driver Verifier to identify issues with Windows drivers

Driver Verifier is a tool that’s included with Windows 7 (and other Windows operating systems) for troubleshooting issues with drivers, which can cause system corruption or failure if improperly written. To find out how to use this tool to identify the driver that’s causing the problem and resolve it, see KB article 244317:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/244617

Would you like to remotely control your computer from another one for free over a high speed internet connection? Download this free program, Team Viewer. Install it for personal use and create a password and make it's connect permanent as you set up this program and give it full control access. Click here. (You have to have an active internet connection and team viewer must be on-open, you can set it to load with windows at start up).

Download a free hard disc defragmenter that is better than the windows version. Click here.

Are you receiving email attachments with the new word and excel 2007 files that you can't open? Download the free Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack here: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/confirmation.aspx?familyId=941b3470-3ae9-4aee-8f43-c6bb74cd1466&displayLang=en

Is that email message you just received, true or false? Check-out these three websites: Truth or Fiction or Urban Legends and Folklore or Quack watch

Help save the world with your screen saver for free! Use your screen saver to help fight diseases! The power of your computer and others around the world can and will make a difference. Check out: http://www.worldcommunitygrid.org and http://www.boinc.berkeley.edu/download.php. Would you like to join the Planetary Society in looking for Extraterrestrial Intelligence and help analyze their data as a screen-saver program? SETI@home is a scientific experiment that uses Internet-connected computers in the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI). You can participate by running a free program that downloads and analyzes radio telescope data. Did you see the movie "Contact"? Click here.

Run System restore from a command prompt in safe mode: %systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe enter this after the C:\ command prompt.

Download a free power point viewer program from Microsoft. Click here.

For those of you with a high speed internet access, check out these free movies and tv shows on line:  www.hulu.com

Receive a free email advisory from the US Homeland Security Office reporting on new viruses. Click here.

Are you tired of all of the security problems with Internet Explorer and Outlook Express? Try this free browser and email programs from Mozilla called Thunderbird and Firefox. Click here.

Here's a free Internet Explorer plug in called "Easy Go Back". It makes switching web pages easier using your mouse instead on the "forward" and "back" buttons. Click here.

Download a free weather station program from The Weather Channel. It's very accurate and it updates the info when you log onto the internet. Also has allot of useful links for traveling, airlines, severe weather alerts, health info for your area, etc. You can also check-out the weather where you're traveling to. Click here.


Free downloads from PC World Magazine. Click here.

Free downloads from Cnet.com. Click here.

Free utilities programs from PC Magazine. Click here.

Want to know what's going on in your city or some other one? Check out citysearch.com.

Free windows utilities programs from Gibson Research.com. Click here.

Do you use Adobe Photoshop and you want to know some tips and tricks for it? Click here.

Need some help using Microsoft Office? Click here.

Need software drivers? Check out DriversGuide.com. Click here.

If your looking for "Official US Navy and Japanese photos of Pearl Harbor, before during and after the attack on 12/7/41, Check here.

Do you have a high speed internet connection and you're interested in space? Experience Microsoft's WorldWide Telescope. Immerse yourself in a seamless beautiful environment. WorldWide Telescope (WWT) enables your computer to function as a virtual telescope, bringing together imagery from the best ground and space-based telescopes in the world. Experience narrated guided tours from astronomers and educators featuring interesting places in the sky. A web-based version of WorldWide Telescope is also now available for preview. This version enables seamless, guided explorations of the universe from within a web browser on PC by using the power of Microsoft Silverlight 2.0. Get it free! Click here. Want to find out when the Space Shuttle or the International Space Station will be flying over your house? Check here!

Do you want to watch live TV from the John F. Kennedy Space Center in Florida? Check here!

Here's another great site for NASA at the JFK Space Center. Click here.

Interested in NASA Space Flight? Check them out here.

Official US Navy Ship photograph web site. Click here.

Here's a great web site for the Hubble Space Telescope. Click here.

More free photos, wallpaper and screensavers from Space.com. Click here.

What more space? Check this web site out: Distant Suns.com. Click here.

Want some great 3D wallpaper? Click here.

Download this free Belarc Advisor program to get all of the info on your system. Click here.

Get free wallpaper and a screensaver from Webshots.com. Click here.

Here's more wild 3D screensavers. Click here.

A great place for information from ExtremeTech.com, a division of PC Magazine. Click here.

Would you like to check-out live camera feeds 24 hours a day from around the world? Check-out Earth Cam.

Here's the online home of the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration web site. Click here.

Here's the National Geographic website. Click here.

Here's a really cool website called "Windows to the Universe". Click here.

Would you like to resize your JPG photos? Get the free Virtual Zone Resiser here. For all Windows Versions. Click here.

For those of you, who live here in the Verde Valley; check out the Verde Valley Computer Club's web site. Click here.

Would you like to know what the FAA has to say about your favorite airline? Check here.

Do you use Microsoft's PowerPoint version 2002 and you would like some free software to pizzazz it up? Click here for a free copy of Microsoft's Producer Program.

Would you want a Microsoft Office alternative program for free? It's called "Open Office" Click here.Are you looking for some "Clipart" photos and animation? Click here.

Do you need free help with your Outlook Express program? Click here. Get the free email transfer program.

Does your Internet connection seem sluggish lately? CableNut optimizes your Windows TCP/IP stack, enabling you to tweak your Internet connection, whether you connect via cable, DSL, dialup or satellite. The program provides custom setting files that tweak your TCP registry entries, or lets you define your own settings. Why buy "optimizer programs" when you can get it here for free from PC World Magazine! Click here.

Are you a "gamer" that would like to turn off all "unnecessary services" that are running in the background while you're gamming? Download this free program from here.

Protect your kids while their on-line with the internet. Download a free trial version of their software here.

Check out Google's Windows Desktop Satellite Maps. Click here. NOTE: This program might not run on all computers. Check out the system requirements before your download and install it. The file is over 10MB to download.

If you're traveling with a laptop and you need to locate "wi-fi or hotspots" for high speed access, check out this web site. Click here. Make Windows XP look like Vista, click here. Do you need to get info on what kind of CPU and RAM (memory) your system has? Download this free program. Click here.