Terry's Computer Tips - Newsletter
July 13, 2008

Terry's Computer Tips Newsletter
http://www.terryscomputertips.com
A computer tips newsletter for users of PC's.

Volume 4, Number 5 — Sunday, July 13, 2008

IN THIS ON-LINE ISSUE:

   1.   Using Acronis True Image Home 11 to Back Up to DVD's
   2.   A Happy Ending to PDF Problems
   3.   My Computer Security Software Recommendations
   4.   Malware Silently Alters Router Settings — Change Your Router Passwords!
   5.   Recommend my Terry's Computer Tips Newsletter to Your Friends

IN THIS WEEK'S EMAIL ISSUE:

   "Article 0." JUST FOR EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS!

   0.1.   Sunbelt Personal Firewall Now Does Vista
   0.2.   Read the Articles in This Week's On-Line Issue
   0.3.   Windows XP Service Pack 3 Updates?

My emailed newsletter is sent weekly to individuals who have subscribed to the newsletter.
Click here to subscribe. It's free!

Welcome to the on-line edition of my Terry's Computer Tips newsletter.

Sponsored Advertisement

Swift...Nimble...Relentless...ESET NOD32 Anti-virus v3.0

NOD32 has consistently been rated as one of the best protections against
zero-day outbreaks and attacks. Multi-computer & multi-year discounts.

Click here to save 25% on NOD32 Anti-virus

1.  Using Acronis True Image Home 11 to Back Up to DVD's

Sponsored Advertisement You don't need a fax machine to get faxes. You don't need a fax machine to send faxes. Get a fax-to-email fax number from CallWave. Try it free.

Last week, this first article was about how I use Acronis True Image to do the real back up of my computer. By using Acronis True Image, I make an image of my C: drive (my C: partition) so that I can reinstall it in its entirety. This saves me from having to reinstall Windows, find all my device driver disks, find all my program disks and reinstall the programs, locating and installing all the add-ons that I want to use in Firefox, and many more such tedious tasks.

In a comment on my Terry's Computer Tips blog, a subscriber requested that I write about how to use Acronis True Image to back up to CDROM's or to DVD's, as many people don't have home networks.

Rather than recreate all the images that are common between the "Schedule Task Wizard" (which I used last week) and the "Create Backup Wizard" that I'm using for the DVD example, I'm just changing the images that are different. (it doesn't make sense to me to use the scheduler for DVD backups, since I wouldn't be there to change DVD's when needed.)

This week, I've rewritten the article to step through the process of backing up to DVD's instead of to another computer on the home network. The process is very similar, as are the steps to back up to an external hard drive (which I recommend that you do instead of backing up to DVD's).

I've been using image backups of my boot partition since the Windows 95 days. I remember when I could back up a clean install, with all my extra drivers, Word Perfect, Netscape and my email program — and fit it all on one CDROM. If I needed to restore, from the start of booting a floppy to the final step of the restore, it took less than 10 minutes.

Of course, in today's world, we have a lot more stuff on our computers. Sure, some of it is programs that we use regularly. Some of it is data that is critical to us. But, most of it is "stuff." Still, we don't want the pain of losing it and starting overs.

That's where Acronis True Image comes in handy. I can restore the entire partition, or I can restore individual files and directories out of the backup image.

First, let's take a look at the main screen that appears when we first start Acronis True Image.

Notice that it's warning me that I have not scheduled a routine backup. I've been running it when I want to run it, by using the Backup and Restore selection. However, in this article, I'm going to schedule a system backup.

The process is almost exactly the same as making a backup now, but also has a setting to be automatically run (one of the choices is still to only run the "scheduled backup" manually, so you can safely use this option and still run it when you want to run it.

(click on the image for a larger version)

(click on the image for a larger version)

Obviously, our first choice is to select that we want to back up the system. Notice that "Validate" is also an option. If you're going to run the backup automatically, I suggest setting up a similar session to Validate the backup a couple hours after starting the backup.

Then, you have the choice of backing up My Computer (you'll get to pick which partitions), My Data (you pick which data), My Application Settings (you pick which ones) and My E-mail (Outlook only).

(click on the image for a larger version)

(click on the image for a larger version)

Now, we can pick to back up whole disk drives or just the partitions we select. Or, we can back up only Windows' system state.

The latter will let you restore Windows and its system files and drivers, but not your programs and data files.

The next screen lets you choose which partitions to back up. Notice that I'm backing up only my C: partition, which is where Windows, my programs and my data are stored.

There's a checkbox selection at the bottom of the dialog box. By default, Acronis True Image will back up only hard drive clusters that are in use. Clusters are a logical grouping of multiple parts of the disk that is the lowest level that most programs access and which are made up of smaller units called sectors.

This checkbox allows you to tell Acronis True Image to include all sectors, whether they being used or not.

(click on the image for a larger version)

(click on the image for a larger version)

The next dialog box allows us to exclude hidden files and folders, system files and folders, and individual files or folders. Notice that I have selected the individual files and folders option.

The first two that I exclude are the Windows virtual memory file and my notebook's hibernation file. If I have to reinstall from a backup, Windows will re-create the virtual memory file and the hibernation file, if they're not one the partition.

The next screen reminds me that I have to choose between a full backup, an incremental backup and a differential backup.

(click on the image for a larger version)

(click on the image for a larger version)

The Backup Archive Location dialog box has one big, confusing design problem. The line that says Folder must end with a file name, otherwise the Next button is grayed out. In this case, I have selected to store my backup onto DVD's in my internal DVD-R/W drive, which is E:.

The next screen reminds me of the difference between the two types of partial backups, incremental backups and differential backups. It's also the place where I choose which type of backup I want — a full backup or one of backups that only pick up the changes.

(click on the image for a larger version)

(click on the image for a larger version)

The following screen lets me choose options for my backup, such as compression level.

(click on the image for a larger version)

Our final step in creating a scheduled backup is to review our settings. At that point, we can Finish, or we can go Back and change some of the settings.

The final image is the Acronis True Image program window that is displayed when you finish setting up a scheduled job.

(click on the image for a larger version)

I've been very happy with Acronis True Image Home 11. I can backup directly to a DVD (or multiple DVD's), to an external hard drive, to another partition on the same hard drive, to another hard drive in the same computer, or to another computer across my home network.

After backing up, I can verify that the backup image was a good copy. And, when I need to, I can restore entire partitions, entire hard drives, or individual files from a backup image.

If you have music collections, video collections, personal photos, business data, genealogical data, emails, web browser favorites, or just want to be able to restore your system and data easily if your hard drive dies, I think Acronis True Image Home 11 is the best solution.

Product: Acronis True Image Home 11
Publisher: Acronis Inc.
License: Commercial software.
Operating System: Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista.
Purchase Direct:
   New — $49.99; New from Amazon.com $35.49
   Upgrade from earlier version to v11 — $29.99
New from Amazon.com $35.49

Sponsored Advertisement How long will a new PC run at top speed? The more you use your new computer, the slower it will get. Run the all-new, free PC Pitstop PC Optimize 2.0 scan now and in just minutes receive a custom report showing you how to keep your PC running like new. Run the FREE scan now!

Long-time subscriber Scott Adler wrote this week that he was having problems with current Adobe programs. In particular, he had the same issue with Adobe Reader 8 that many of us have had.

Prior to Adobe Reader 8, one of our user-configurable options was to turn off the auto-update function. However, Adobe Reader 8 removed that from our control. Now, shortly after you start Adobe Reader 8, it starts the Adobe Updater program automatically.

Unfortunately, Adobe Reader 8's updater also has some compatibility or other problems. On my notebook, for example, it would cause an immediate jump to 98% CPU usage and my computer would become virtually non-responsive. The only way to stop the problem was to hold the power button until the unit shut down.

Scott had a different solution than many other users. Most people who had issues chose to uninstall Adobe Reader 8 and return to Adobe Reader 7. Scott, on the other hand, chose to find and delete the Adobe Updater program. Now, he's having trouble with that approach:

I keep having repeating problems with Adobe products. Seems about every week I have to laboriously hunt down and delete the adobe updater. If you can-what alternative should I switch to?? I know PDF 5 from Nuance is one,
Appreciate your help

Scott Adler

I wrote back to Scott to tell him that I uninstalled Adobe Reader 8 and reinstalled Adobe Reader 7, which lets you turn offf the updating. That gives me a pdf reader hooked into my web browser. I also installed Foxit Reader as my default pdf reader.

I have an earlier article on my web site about my experiennce called Adobe Reader 9 Problems and a Change to Foxit Reader.

Scott wrote back to say:

Wow!! What a refreshing change Foxit makes. Thanks a million!
[The bolding was part of Scott's message!]

3.  My Computer Security Software Recommendations

Anti-Virus

I'm often asked about several other popular anti-virus or anti-virus combination packages. Yes, I realize that they are not in my recommendation list. "Enough said..."

My personal choice is the ESET's small, fast NOD32 anti-virus program, which offers a FREE 30-day evaluation license. I consider NOD32 to be the cream of the crop in anti-virus protection. Unlike some of the others, ESET offers multiple-year licenses also, including updates to the program in the multiple-year license.

Many antivirus programs will offer you an anti-virus signature subscription renewal when your subscription renews. I strongly recommend against this option — buy the full program or make sure you get program updates with the subscription renewal (like NOD32 does). Vendors routinely improve the capabilities and speed of the programs, too.

If you update only the signatures, you miss any program improvements. Fortunately, NOD32's subscriptions include both program updates and signature updates.

Read more about anti-virus programs on my web site.

Related articles:

• Anti-Virus Programs and Online Scanners
• Free Online Antivirus Scan
• NOD32 Anti-Virus Review - A Look at NOD32

Firewall Software

While the Windows XP firewall is much better than no firewall at all, don't count on the Windows XP firewall to meet your needs. You need a two-way firewall, which the Windows XP firewall is not!. Microsoft woke up and supplied a two-way firewall with Windows Vista.

The Windows XP firewall does not control outbound communications originating from your computer — and you should want to have control if adware/trojans/spyware or even commercial products want to talk to the Internet. Whether they are calling home or spewing spam, you want to be able to control your computer.

Do you want Windows Media Player to call home every time you play something? It does! Do you use the Search function in Windows Explorer to find things on your hard drive? Did you know that every time you search, Windows Explorer talks to Microsoft?

I didn't know that when I ran ZoneAlarm, but the Sunbelt Personal Firewall flags that to me, and I can stop it or allow it to happen. Many other programs try to call home when you run them, too.

I recommend my choice for a firewall program, which is Sunbelt Personal Firewall.

You can try the full-featured "paid version" of Sunbelt Personal Firewall free for 30 days — after that, you can register it or, if you're using it on a home non-business computer, you can let it revert to the free, lesser-function license.

Sunbelt Personal Firewall is regularly $19.95 (with discounts for multiple computers and/or multiple years!) for a non-expiring license for the program and includes one year of their updates subscription.

Related articles:

• The Internet Versus You
• Do I Need a Firewall Program?
• Sunbelt Personal Firewall Review

Anti-Spyware / Anti-Adware Software

CounterSpy, from Sunbelt Software, has received many kudos from the computer press for its always-running and periodic full system scans. It is also my personal choice for my PC's and my family's PC's.

Sunbelt released their CounterSpy v2 in February 2007 and I promptly updated my computers to it. Version 2 greatly improved CounterSpy's performance and reduced its load on the computer when it was scanning.

In July, 2007, Sunbelt released v2.5 of CounterSpy, which again both improved CounterSpy's performance against malware and reduced its impact on system resources and responsiveness when its scanning.

Sunbelt continues to release updated program versions. Nicely, they do NOT install the updated programs automatically. You have to use the Update process in the program, which means that you'll know that something significant has changed!

Related articles:

• Fighting Against Spyware & Malware
• CounterSpy Review

Anti-spam Software

In today's Internet world, the question is not "if" you will get spam, but "how much will you get?"

I use and now I recommend POPFile as my first choice for handling spam. POPFile sits on your computer, between your email program and your ISP mailbox, and handles emial as it downloads.

POPFile uses a different approach to handle spam than some other programs do — it does nothing to reduce spam. It is designed as an email classification tool — you train it to recognize spam and any other type of email that you want to classify. These classifications can help you sort your emails into appropriate folders in your email program.

Sunbelt Software, who makes the anti-spyware program CounterSpy (which I use and recommend) and the firewall that I use and recommend (Sunbelt Personal Firewall) also has a well-regarded, award-winning anti-spam program called iHateSpam for Outlook and Outlook Express. Since I don't use Outlook or Outlook Express for email, I haven't tried iHateSpam.

Mailwasher Pro is my first choice to handle spam before it ever gets into your computer's Inbox. Mailwasher Pro uses on-line Realtime Black Lists mail servers sending spam recently, "training" by you of what you think is spam, and your own "friends" and "blacklist" lists.

Mailwasher Pro can even bounce spam messages, as if your email address was not valid, although the usefulness and appropriateness of this is questionable. There is a free version called "Mailwasher," but it omits the functions that I consider critical for this purpose -- such as safely previewing the emails safely before they ever get to your email inbox.

Related articles:

• Spam Filtering
• Keeping spam out of your Inbox
• Getting Control of Your Inbox
• How Can I Prevent spam?

Cable/DSL Router

If you have a cable modem or a DSL modem, you need to have another layer of inexpensive protection between you and the Internet. A cable/DSL router isolates your computer from direct connection to the Internet. Your computer can easily request your email, web pages, etc. through the router. The responses come back to the router and are smoothly routed to your computer. But, someone on the Internet side of the router can not initiate a connection to your computer — they can only respond to your request.

Even if you only have one computer to connect to your cable or DSL modem, I recommend that you purchase and use a cable/DSL router because of the protection it can give you against attempts to attack through some flaws in Windows itself.

A router isolates your local network, whether it is only one computer or several, from the Internet by actually making it a separate network. The router gets the "public" IP address and handles all your outbound communications and the responses to them. But, it blocks computers on the Internet side from being able to initiate communications with your computer! This will prevent you from falling prey to many worms that try to attack security holes in Windows itself.

For a wireless router, I recommend the Linksys WRT54G wireless router. I'm using the relatively new version 6 of this router.

If you don't want wireless, I recommend the Linksys BEFSR41 wired router. Either way, based on my experience, I recommend Linksys routers for price, reliability and Linksys' habit of releasing updated firmware for their products..

See these related articles:

• Wireless Security
• Wi-Fi Hotspots and Computer Security
• Wireless Networking Problems & Wireless Networking Security

Not your password for Windows — you may or may not change that, based on your personal preference (or if at work, based on the requirements of your employer's network).

I'm talking about changing your passwords on your wireless routers and wired routers.

Whether you use a Linksys router, a DLink router, a Belkin route, or one of the many other brands of routers, whether you use wireless or regular Ethernet connnections with your router, change the password from the default password — now!.

In my security articles on routers, I have long recommended that you change the router's password. Sure, it can't be accessed from the Internet side of the router, but if you manage to pick up some automated malware or a trojan that gives remote control of your computer to someone else, you may find your router subverted. It may run all of your requests through their system, so they can log and analyze your actions, passwords, etc.

Well, the automated malware that I've long predicted has now been found in the wild. The Washington Post's blog reports that a recent version of the Zlob trojan (also known as DNSChanger) looks for routers that still use the default router passwords. If it finds them, it routes the victim's communications through their system.

You can read the Washington Post blog entry here. Note that, although the article's title says "wireless", the article specifically says "wireless or wired" and the example Linksys BEFSR41 is a wired router.

5.  Recommend my Terry's Computer Tips Newsletter to Your Friends

If you like my  Terry's Computer Tips email newsletter or the online edition, you can help me increase the number of subscribers to my free emailed newsletter.

Tell a Friend about Terry's Computer Tips!

With my email newsletter, not only do you get notices that the newsletters are available and content that is not in the online newsletter, but subscribing is the only way to get my Special Edition Newsletters which go only to subscribers.

If you get my free Terry's Computer Tips email newsletter, please feel free to forward your copy of the newsletter to a friend or friends that you think would be interested. Be sure to forward the entire newsletter, including my copyright notices and any advertising.

Of course, if you do not get my free email newsletter, I invite you to subscribe, too!