You are here: Home / Archives for Microsoft Windows

Download Difficulties: Common Problems

January 6, 2011 by Leave a Comment

A press of a button brings a gleeful grin: the downloading process is beginning and you are able to claim a wanted program. No dollars were demanded. No contracts were required. You just chose what you needed and wait now for it to respond. It should be simple.

It’s not, however. Because the program won’t install. It’s stumbling along, its progress stilted. You try again, but the results are the same. The connection can’t be made.

And now the reason must be discovered.

The need to download can often be undone by simple problems. If you are using a program like xvid, then you might need to consult the XviD FAQ to find the answer.  These must be understood by users so they can be combated quickly — and without concern:

  • One: Licensing. Downloads, you assume, should be free. They should not demand fees. This is not a truth you can rely on, however. Many programs available online were purchased first from manufacturers, licensed to specific computers. When these are uploaded onto forums, they’ve already been registered and cannot be used again. Be certain the applications you choose aren’t already registered for use.
  • Two: Incompatibility. Software is not a magnanimous thing, willing to offer itself to all users and systems. Instead it’s limited by rules and age. Certain programs can’t be installed if they contradict a platform — whether through their editions, hard-drive requirements or inability to work with already established applications. Research every download carefully to see if it can be used.
  • Three: Connection. The purpose of downloading is to spare yourself the horrors of high prices and tedious crowds. The Internet is meant to be a haven, allowing you to choose what you wish without delay. This process is defined by connections, however, and these can often be slow. During peak times users may find even singular downloads impossible, with installations failing. Try to schedule attempts during less common hours to avoid sputtering signals.

Note these complications so they can be properly addressed in the future.

Filed Under: Common Problems, Internet Tagged With: , , ,

Extra Computer Security Tips

December 22, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Above and beyond the absolutely essential requirement to have a strong security program that includes anti-virus protection that includes email, a two-way firewall, backup capability and spyware protection installed on a computer, there are several other steps and practices that can further protect a computer.

Windows is the most popular and commonly used computer operating system. Consequently, Windows based computers are most often targeted by viruses. One solution to preventing virus attacks is to replace Windows with a different operating system such as UNIX because it is less common on PCs and therefore a less likely virus target.

Avoid downloading programs from unfamiliar sources on the Internet. Better yet, buy well known and reliable computer programs from reputable outlets. With a receipt in hand it’s much easier to resolve problems with the seller if they arise.

If a computer has Microsoft Word installed as its word processing program, make sure that Microsoft’s Macro Virus Protection is enabled in Word. Also, do not ever run macros in a received document.

Look at the extension on every email attachment before opening it and do not double-click on attachment with an executable extension such as .com, .exe or .vbs. Once opened, an executable file has the potential and freedom to do anything to a computer.

Emails in general need to be scrutinized carefully before opening them. If the message is coming from an unknown or unfamiliar source, delete it. When forwarding an email recognize that some people will not open forwarded messages to avoid viruses. Emails received from a reliable source can be sent on to others by copying and pasting the contents to a new email page.

Finally, use common sense. If something doesn’t feel right about a program or an email, trust instinct and don’t open it. Most of the time gut reactions are accurate

Filed Under: Anti-Virus, Protection Tagged With: , ,

Phishing Awareness Tips

December 17, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Online phishing is a subtle crime. These scams are designed to excite or alarm the recipients and put them in a position where they feel like they have to act on the email message immediately. Therein lays the reason why many of these scams are successful.

There are techniques that can be used to avoid being taken in by phishing scams. The first step to avoid being taken in by one of these emails is to stop and think rather than react. Scammers rely on overreacting. Once composed, look at the email carefully and do not click on or open anything in the message. Also, do not open any attachments. Part of the scam may be malware that is activated when the message is acted on.

Official looking scam emails often have a generic greeting rather than addressing the intended victim by name. This should raise a red flag in the recipient’s mind.

Look at the design of the email carefully. While a scammer’s email may look official, there is usually something subtly wrong with the design. Look at the sender’s address by resting the arrow – without clicking – on the address. Typically the actual scammer’s email address revealed is masked and is different from the address in the “from” line.

If the sender’s address looks familiar and legitimate at first, read it letter by letter. A phishing scam email will typically have a one or two letter difference or an extra add-on in the address – enough to indicate that it is a completely different address.

One of the newer defenses against phishing scams is Microsoft Windows 8′s Smart Screen Filter. This addition to Windows helps detect unsafe sites.

Also, avoid making any payments using a wireless Internet device. Cyberspace is much less secure than a computer with security software and all home computers should have strong security software installed to protect users.

Filed Under: Common Problems, Protection, Software Tagged With: , ,