System Tray Icons
On the lower right-hand corner of your Windows PC’s display, you will see many icons related to programs running in the background. This is called the system tray. You may identify these programs by hovering over the icons. What you will usually see is the volume control, the current time, your security software or antivirus software, and any messengers (Yahoo!, Windows Live) you may be using or have installed.

All of these programs are prime examples of items which may be holding you back from a faster computing experience. Your Excel worksheets may take longer to open because you are running “Skype Messenger” in the background when you start the PC up. Your e-mail may take a while to load in Outlook because “Kodak Easy Share” has set itself to always be loaded in the system tray. These and many others are examples of programs you may uninstall or configure to not load when you start up. To configure them, right click on the icons and look for any Options or Preferences you may access to find where to uncheck this option.

Internet Explorer Toolbars
The most commonly used web browser, Internet Explorer, can pick up a lot of clutter over time which can severely hamper its performance. The culprit, usually, is a toolbar for “Google”, “Yahoo”, or “MyWebSearch”, which loads each and every time you start the website browser to access something on the Internet. It is highly recommended that these be uninstalled, if not used, to increase the computer’s efficiency. Internet Explorer 8 offers an “X” on the left side of each toolbar which can assist in removing the toolbar’s presence.

The Little Things
There are a few other things to consider to ensure your computer has optimal speed. Virus Scans scheduled by your security software and computer backups run by your external hard drive or off-site backup software should be managed to run when you are not using the computer. If your computer is a laptop, many times it will run fastest if connected to a wall outlet for power, as factory settings for most laptops will cause them to implement power-saving features, slowing down computer performance.

And finally, avoid running too many programs at the same time. Having too many programs and processes open on your computer will slow it down.

Following these considerations will save you from the frustration of having to wait on your computer to get further work done. Of course, if you have any questions, call Tech Helpline to speak to one of our knowledgeable computer repair tech support analysts. We would gladly assist you with any of the steps mentioned above.

Another virus attack made headlines in this past Winter, infecting at least 75,000 computers worldwide. Even large companies and U.S. government agencies were not safe from the Kneber botnet, the name given to this virus. Experts believe it originated from an Eastern European cyber criminal group hacking their way into computers to retrieve login credentials for online financial sites, email systems, and social networking sites such as Facebook. According to NetWitness, an Internet security firm, the group is most likely selling this stolen information on the black market.

Not long before the Kneber botnet attack, another virus was earning considerable attention among the Facebook community for attempting to infect computers using a fake virus alert. This particular virus works by sending a message to one’s inbox, or posting a message on Facebook users’ walls warning them of an “unnamed app” that could be slowing down their Facebook application. The message then directs users to search for the unnamed app in their settings. While no malicious link is included in the actual message, if users decide to search the web for more information, they could wind up on a malicious website that encourages visitors to download fake antivirus software.  Sometimes these sites require payment for the software, others just use this opportunity to infect machines with viruses or retrieve personal information. Either way, users should be very cautious.

How to Avoid Rogueware

Unfortunately, there are more and more groups preying on those who don’t question enough.  Which leaves an even bigger question, how can rogue software be avoided?  Follow our top three tips to lessen your chance of encountering a malicious virus.

Tip # 1 – Don’t believe everything you see. If you’re surfing the web and suddenly get a strange pop up window or warning message explaining your computer has been infected with a virus and requires paid software to remove it, don’t take the bait. This is a clear sign of rogue software at work. Many times these sites will mimic the look of common programs to trick users into thinking this message is coming from their system, all the while gaining access to your machine or worse, your wallet.

Tip # 2 – Install and maintain good software security tools. There are plenty of free options available to help you create a perfect level of protection. First, make sure you have antivirus software to detect possible threats. View an earlier blog of some of our antivirus recommendations. Second, make sure you have an anti spyware program on your computer as well. Spyware and adware collect information about you, usually without your consent, and can cause damage to your computer. Often times, this data is transmitted through free downloads over the Internet. When you have your own antivirus and anti malware software installed, malicious activity is usually detected before they have a chance to pop up on your screen and do any real damage. Plus, knowing the look of your security software will allow you to spot and ignore any imposters.

If you wanted to further your protection, you may even consider setting up your own firewall, which blocks outside users from getting into your computer.

Tip # 3 – Stay educated. One of best ways to avoid threats is to stay connected with industry experts.  Sign up for tech newsletters, read blogs or tech forums on security issues, visit your security software provider’s website for up-to-date news or known issues, or read product reviews on trustworthy sites like www.download.com. Another great way is just talking with knowledgeable friends, family, colleagues, and clients to see what tips and products they recommend.  Or, please feel free to call you’re tech experts at the Tech Helpline. We’re here to help with your computer service needs.

Common signs of an infected computer:

• Computer runs more slowly than normal.
• Computer stops responding or locks up often.
• Computer crashes and restarts every few minutes.
• Computer restarts on its own, fails to run normally.
• Applications on your computer don’t work properly.
• Disks or disk drives are inaccessible.
• Printing problems.
• Unusual error messages.
• Distorted menus and dialog boxes.

Keep in mind that these could also be signs that you have hardware or software issues on your PC.  Without having antivirus software installed, there’s no definite way to determine this. For this reason, it’s a good idea to make sure you have an antivirus tool for protection. Our tech support team recommends the following antivirus programs. And they don’t cost a dime.

AVG

AVG 8.5 is a complimentary antivirus and antispyware protection for Windows. Currently, it’s compatible with MS Windows 2000, XP, Vista and Windows 7. AVG offers a user-friendly interface which is easy to download, install and use. It is the number one “most popular download” on CNET’s download.com.

You can purchase the paid versions of AVG for protection against identity theft, hacker attacks, infected downloads and infected instant-messaging. However, our technical support team typically recommends downloading the complimentary version to start with, especially if you don’t currently have any viruses. Download AVG software.
This is another powerful and complimentary antivirus, antispyware, and antiroot kit package. Avast Home Edition allows users to customize their installation.  

Avast

Avast Home Edition does support some of the older Operating Systems that other programs do not, such as Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, and Windows NT. Install Avast Home Edition.  Again, both AVG and Avast will help prevent viruses and spyware. However, if you have already contracted a virus on your PC, try one of the cleaning tools our tech support analysts recommend.
This is a high performance tool used to remove even the most advanced malware and spyware. It’s one of the fastest and most effective tools on the market and is nicely organized and very easy to use. Download the Malware and Spyware removal tool at no charge.

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.41

And remember, if you have any questions, call Tech Helpline to speak with one of our knowledgeable computer repair tech support analysts.