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| Essential Tools for Removing Spyware, Adware, and Malware |
If you have been on the Internet for any length of time, you've probably ran across the topic of spyware, adware, or malware. This is software that has been installed on your computer, many times without your permission, or accidentally by clicking on a popup ad, etc. The problem with these programs is they will slow your computer down, they can also make changes to your desktop, homepage, search pages, load programs into your taskbar tray and otherwise get in the way. In the worst cases, they will even transmit information from your computer to servers on the Internet. |
So the question becomes, if your computer is infected with these problematic programs, how do you get rid of them. In most cases, you can run a free removal program to remove these infections, in more serious cases, you may have to download a specialized removal program to free yourself of these problems. |
| Can't Open Attachments in Outlook Express 6 |
| If you receiving this error message when viewing an email in Outlook Express, here is how to fix it.
With the introduction of Outlook Express 6, Microsoft has added an additional feature to prevent customers from infecting their machines with viruses. Outlook Express uses the Internet Explorer unsafe file list and the Confirm open after download setting in Folder Options to determine if a file is safe. Any e-mail attachment with a file type that is reported as "unsafe" is not downloaded, and access to the attachment is removed. |
However there are times, you may want to view an attachment that Outlook Express has deemed as unsafe. In these cases, follow these instructions to allow Outlook Express to show the attachment.
- Start Outlook Express.
- On the Tools menu, click Options.
- Click the Security tab, click to clear the Do not allow attachments to be saved or opened that could potentially be a virus check box under Virus Protection, and then click OK.
To better protect yourself from viruses, its a good idea to leave this option checked unless you definitely want to open the attachment.
Another way to help protect yourself from email viruses infecting your computer if you use Outlook Express is to disable the Preview Pane. There are certain viruses that will infect a computer even if you just preview the message. To disable the preview pane:
- Start Outlook Express
- Click on View, Layout
- Uncheck the Show Preview Pane, and then click OK.
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Understanding Blue Screen or Stop Errors - PC Troubleshooting Help Tips
Blue Screen errors (Also known as bug checks)occur when the system encounters a condition that compromises safe operations. As a result, the system is halted and the “blue screen” with the bug check information or STOP error is displayed. These types of errors can occur for several reasons:
- Software defects in drivers or core system services cause an invalid instruction to be sent to the processor.
- Defective hardware causes unhandled messages to be sent to the operating system.
- Core system services have been terminated (e.g., Local Security Authority or Client/Server Runtime Subsystem).
Bug checks provide diagnostic information such as STOP codes and driver names that can help lead to problem resolution. Because of the volatile state of the system, this information cannot always be recorded when the event occurs. It is important that you record the information associated with the bug check and driver information sections. Many of the bug check messages have relevant information that you should read and understand if they apply to your situation. Finally, if you have enabled memory dumps, wait until the dump is complete before restarting the computer (if you do not have automatic restart enabled). Your device vendor and/or Microsoft use the memory dumps to help understand the state of the system at the time that the bug check occurred. You can change the memory dump settings through the Startup and Recovery button in the System Properties’ Advanced tab, while the STOP messages might not always indicate the root cause of the problem, in combination with other sources of data; it can help direct a trained support technician to track down the root cause of the problem.
Here are two sources of bug check information that you can use as a reference:
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To protect your computer, you need the proper updates for your operating system to protect your computer.
Any operating system must be kept up to date. Without the updates, your computer will become increasingly more vulnerable to new threats.
Some of these threats are made possible by weaknesses discovered in Windows after Windows was released. Other weaknesses became apparent as new technology creates a weakness where there was none before.
Windows has made it easy to keep up to date
You can perform Windows Update automatically, prompted or manually. |
Windows ME, 2000 & XP:
To set Windows Update on automatic (recommended for most home users)
Right click "My Computer"
Click "Properties"
Click "Automatic Updates"
Place check in "Keep my computer up to date"
Also place a bullet in "Automatically download the updates"
NOTE: Be sure your computer is powered on the day/time you set.
To set Windows Update to prompt for the updates choose one of the other two bullets on that page.
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