Keeping up

How do you keep up with what is going on the world of computing?

I check several web sites daily and weekly. Among them:
Daily Rotation- a collection of headlines from tech web sites
Paul Thurrot's Supersite for Windows
Cranky Geeks (no more new shows)
Cnet TV
Windows Secrets Newsletter has both free and paid versions, comes to your email weekly

I also read PC World which seems to have a good balance of articles.

Malware Removal

Malware, rouge antivirus and antispyware programs, rootkits all are proliferating at an alarming rate. Every week I get one or two computers that are crippled by these programs. See my previous posts on how to set up your computer to avoid these pests.

If you find yourself plagued by the pests, go to Major Geeks Malware Forum . They guide you through cleaning up your computer and even seeking additional help.

Also, a new addition to the new Antivirus/Antimalware list. Microsoft Security Essentials has just come out and is rated pretty good, plus it replaces the functions of Windows Defender.

Happy computing!

Setting up a new computer:

As you know nothing stays the same, so after reviewing some of my old posts on tuneups and what to do before browsing the web, instead of just updating the files, I will outline what I do today to set up a new computer.


1. Be sure the firewall is turned on.

2. Set updates to automatic, and change the time to an hour when your computer is on, but not in heavy use.

3. Install a good free antivirus program. My current favorite for 32 bit systems is Panda Cloud Antivirus, for 64 bit systems is AVIRA Antivir Personal.

4. Go to network properties under each type of connection, local connection and wireless, go to the TCP/IP properties, "Use the following DNS server addresses: Preferred:208.67.222.222, and Alternate:208.67.220.220. These are the settings for Open DNS. Go to their site and read up on how they protect your browsing,and how you can even set up filtering through their dns servers.

5. Install CCleaner and use it to keep down the excess files that accumulate on your computer, clean up the registry, and even remove programs from the startup cycle.

6. Install Malwarbytes AntiMalware and use it to regularly scan your computer.

7. Subscribe to a good online backup service. Mozy and Carbonite both seem solid.

8. Uninstall all the programs that came installed by the manufacturer that you have no intention of ever using, like the setup programs for dial up internet isp's. A quick way to do this is download and run the PC Decrapifier.

These basic steps will keep you out of trouble and put you on the road to happy computing.