It’s a new year and you need to make some changes.
You’ve started back at the gym, started eating like a rabbit and quit ________________ (fill in the blank as you see fit), but you haven’t made any changes to your computer habits. The folks at Defence Intelligence have put together a simple set of resolutions that you can begin using today.
There isn’t really much need for explanation here – just read, rinse and repeat!
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AVG users beware: A recent virus database update could be to blame for your Windows 7 system failure.
According to a recent forum post on the AVG web site, “that latest virus database 271.1.1/3292 (432/3292) released 12:53 AM CET requested computer restart with inability to start the system again with error.” In other words, if your computer auto-updated the virus database (the expected behavior of any truly protected PC) and restarted, you could very well have a PC that will not boot fully into Windows 7.
AVG has already corrected the issue by removing the failing version of the database, but users who have already been affected by the update FAIL can turn to the same AVG forum for assistance on repairing their PC. A detailed How-To has been posted as well as instructions on using the AVG Rescue CD.
While problems do occur with any business or product, some users might be a bit frustrated by this mistake and looking to “jump ship” on the go-to anti-virus provider. While we at JumpstartMyPC.com don’t necessarily recommend a switch, we do realize that everyone needs choices. Feel free to visit our Software and Tools section for links to popular FREE software programs, like avast! Home Edition anti-virus.
Spyware. Malware. Viruses. Trojans. The list goes on and on. There are as many terms for harmful threats to your computer as there are computers. It’s unfortunate that we live in a time where so many people strive to tear down our advancement and entertainment. As a result, some live in fear and limit their online lives to very simplistic activities, like checking email and playing simple games. Others brave the deep waters of the unknown and simply take a chance on their computer’s safety. The smaller, more advanced crowd spends countless hours preparing and protecting their system to create a digital Fort Knox so that they can breathe easily while surfing the web. No matter which category you fall into, you will at some point encounter one of these threats. Are you prepared for that day?
The JumpstartMyPC.com Tools page has been unchanged as of late, with the exception of updates to existing applications. Although we research a great number of programs and ideas, we rarely find the gems that are easy to use, effective and FREE. When we do find something that matches these criteria, we test it before adding it to our toolbox and make sure that we would indeed use it ourselves. Today, we have updated our Portable Applications section with the introduction of a new, portable tool called SUPERAntiSpyware Portable Scanner.
Protecting your computer from security threats, like viruses and malware, has long been a necessary evil for PC users. Threats are plentiful, and so are the costs associated with anti-virus programs and updates. Unfortunately, both seem to also be on the rise.
Most new computers come with a trial version of Norton or McAfee (anti-virus programs), which expires within the first year of use. For most users, the notification that the trial period is about to expire surfaces far too quickly and forces them into some quick decision making. Uneducated and uninformed, the average user feels they should continue to use these programs after the trial ends. There are two major problems with this mode of thinking:
You’ve done it or you know someone who has. That pesky oil light came on in the car and you ignored it. You kept telling yourself that getting an oil change was high on your list of things to do, but distraction after distraction kept you from making it to the garage to get it done. There is a lot more to this story, but I think we all know where it is going and the ending is not a happy one. You now know there are consequences for putting off routine maintenance on your car. The same can be said for your computer and, just like in your car, there are warning “lights” to keep you in check.
The system tray (lower right hand corner of Windows, where the clock is) serves as a holding area for system functions such as anti-virus settings, printer, modem, sound volume, battery status, and more. For the most part, we all ignore this area, unless we are checking the time or we see some sort of pop-up or cloud with text in it. Even then, there are many people who ignore the warnings that come from this area. It’s just like that oil light. “I’ll get to it” or “I know I need to take care of that, but….” Ignoring these warnings can be dangerous to your PC and the security of your files and personal information.
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