Fighting off Viruses: Advancements in Antivirus Software Suites by Carmel Whittle
Protecting your computer from a virus is getting harder and harder each day, making it very difficult to fight off viruses attacks. While it may border on the paranoid, it goes without saying that you can’t leave your guard down for one second. Even corporate giant Microsoft has found its own... However, I do NOT suggest to use free anti-virus software or off the shelf security products, as you will only be getting basic security levels met and most likely outdated by the time you get them on your computer.

Windows XP for Tablet PC: Memory Leak Fix by Nikki Saco
What is up with Microsoft? Lately? WXPNews recently reported a "new" fix for a well-known memory leak in the tablet pc edition of Windows XP. Most tablet pc users know the longer you use it, the slower it gets. Some desktop owners have probably seen similar symptoms with their systems, but this... Basically, Microsoft is prohibiting your access to a fix of their faulty programming until you take some specific action that should NOT be required from you: Last year, you were instructed to first download and use Windows Genuine Advantage and re-validate your product key before getting the...

Spyware - The PC Pest by A Singh
Spyware and adware attack every PC at one time or other and no PC can do without antispyware software, which removes spyware. Here is a quick look at what spyware is all about and how it affects your computer. What is spyware? We can define spyware as any software that steals information from... The natural consequences of this are system instability and security risks. ... Spyware Reduces Performance Not surprisingly, Spyware slows down your pc, using up system resources, CPU time, memory space, disk space and your Internet bandwidth.

MS Internet Explorer: Not the Only Game in Town by Merle Stinnett
When you buy a computer you'll notice they all come pre-loaded with Microsoft Internet Explorer as the default browser. Everyone knows Bill Gates runs the Internet, right? Wrong! When it comes to browsers for surfing the Web, there are plenty of other choices... ... If you're not happy with Internet Explorer, or maybe you're just ready to try something new, download one of these browsers and take "her for a spin." Like a new Car you just meant to take for a "test drive," you may fall in love and decide to keep it permanently.

Good Computer Maintenance - Part One by Marv Ko
Normally we think of maintenance as a chore, something we have to do to keep things running smoothly and prevent problems down the road, whether with our car, house, or computer. But with a PC, maintenance can actually be fun ... approached from the right perspective. ... Operating systems such as Microsoft Windows and Symantec's Norton Interenet Security let you automatically keep crucial parts of your computer system up to date. ... A good utility suite for this is Norton Internet Security (www.symantec.com), which combines such crucial tools as a firewall, anti-virus program,...

At Home With Windows Vista by Chin Wong
FIRST things first: unlike some bloggers in the United States, I did not get a free, high-powered notebook computer from Microsoft so I could try out and write about Windows Vista. At my request and before the brouhaha over the freebies, they did lend me a notebook so I could get a preview of... Parental controls—new in Vista--also allow you to easily set limits on what days and time the computer may be used and block certain Web sites. ... On a computer shared by many people, those with standard accounts may not install programs or gain access to certain directories without administrator...

The Butterfly Effect Part II: Inside the Chinese Firewall by Charles Spencer
This is the second part of my series on the Internet in China. I recently returned from a year teaching at a Chinese University. During my time in China, I had the pleasure of getting to know the state of the Internet in China, both directly and indirectly, through my own use of the Internet and... The most effective control methods the authorities have is the simple psychological intimidation associated with showing an ID to use a computer in a public Internet cafe. ... In my last article, The Butterfly Effect Part I: Microsoft, Security, and the Developing World , I dealt with the...

Linspire: Computing The Way It Should Be by Saquib Hussain
As the name indicates, you might have already guessed it right. Linspire is an operating system powered by Linux. There is a growing interest in using Linux on the desktop computer, and these days it's easier than ever to try. Like Microsoft Windows and Mac OS, Linux too is an operating platform... Some people want to get more power, stability and security from their desktop computer. ... Because of its speed, stability and low cost, Linux became the fastest growing operating system for servers (the computers than run big companies, the Internet, large networks, etc.) in the world.

Virtual Private Network and ISP Connection by Aaron Adams
VPN Broadband Access (Cable and DSL) What Is Broadband? Broadband technologies provide high-speed access to the Internet. These technologies are an alternative to dial-up methods that use a traditional analog modem. The major broadband technologies are: Cable Modem Service Digital... Security With a cable modem or DSL line, your PC is always connected to the Internet with a persistent IP address. ... Sometime after the phone company completes this task, the DSL provider will install and test the inside wiring and equipment.

Sunbelt CounterSpy - Anti Spyware Software Review by Debbie Jacobsen
Due to the growing number of security incidents involving spyware on the internet today, it is now considered to be “common practice” to use anti-spyware/anti-adware software on every computer that connects to the world wide web. Spyware and adware usually installs without notice just by... In order to really put this software to the test, I installed it on my work computer which is protected by an expensive Cisco firewall, Mcafee Antivirus (updated daily), and regular Windows updates. ... If you have spent any time surfing the internet at all, chances are your computer is infected with...