Terry's Computer Tips - Newsletter
March 1, 2009
Terry's Computer Tips Newsletter
http://www.terryscomputertips.com
A computer tips newsletter for users of PC's.
Volume 4, Number 38 — Sunday, March 1, 2009
IN THIS ON-LINE ISSUE:
1. .NET Framework is Partly Uninstalled
2. The Lighter Side of Technology
3. Followup — One Computer Will Talk to the Router But Other Two Computers Won't Talk to the Router
4. A Look Inside Microsoft's Tweak UI for XP
5. Using Tweak UI to Control AutoPlay of CD's, DVD's, External Drives and Flash Drives
6. My Computer Security Software Recommendations
7. Recommend my Terry's Computer Tips Newsletter to Your Friends
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Welcome to the on-line edition of my Terry's Computer Tips newsletter. Its articles are not in the email issue — and the email articles aren't in the online issue — subscribe to my email newsletter so you can read both.
1. .NET Framework is Partly Uninstalled
Reader Frank Entwistle wrote from the U.K. to ask:
I run Windows XP SP3. Do I need .NET Frameworks 1.1? It is partly uninstalled following poor tech support advice from hp. I can give more detail if you wish.
Fortunately for Frank, Microsoft's .NET Framework is one of those great creations by Microsoft that is seldomly needed. Some programs use it. Others don't.
You only need Microsoft's .NET Framework if you have a program that requires it.
Even better, most programs that require the .NET Frameworks will use the latest version that you have available on your computer — and v1.1 has long been superceded by later versions.
The .NET Framework is nothing more than a large group of pre-written program code that have a well-defined method to invoke those routines in order to specific tasks. It's designed to make the programmer's life easier (theoretically, by not making him write the routines to do every common thing).
It also has the "side benefit" (for Microsoft) of making the task of porting (that is, translating) the programs to other operating systems much more difficult — because now the programmer has to write those routines for the other operating system.
2. The Lighter Side of Technology
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This week's computer/technology cartoon at Terry's Computer Tips!
The spam epidemic is getting out of hand... Not only do I get spam emails, I also get lots of spam comments in my blog, too. The Akismet spam trapper (a free antispam plugin for WordPress blogs) grabs them, so they aren't visible, but I still have to delete them occasionally.
3. Followup — One Computer Will Talk to the Router But Other Two Computers Won't Talk to the Router
In last week's online newsletter, I wrote about James Biddle's problem where one of his computers will talk to his router, but his other two computers won't talk to the router.
I also invited other readers to offer suggestions by emailing me or by posting their suggestions on my blog, and a number of them did...
Reader Carver Smith suggested:
I have seen certain types of router all of a sudden take a dislike to pulling an address from the ISP modem, although probably not a problem here as one is working, but maybe try to set the ethernet card in the computer to 10 megabits instead of 100 or full. A lot of negotiation goes on when starting up.
Reader Jimmy Towner suggested
With regards to the router. I had similar problems with my network and after a lot of trial and error, i dug into the router settings and turned off DHCP. Assigned addresses for each computer to use in the router. then manually assigned each computer an address to connect to the internet. Worked for me as there are no conflicts between computers as they each have their own address.
Reader Tim suggested
In regards to James Biddle and his router issue. I would try these steps:
1) One by one connect the computers to the same port on the router that the XP machine that can connect uses.
2) Uninstall reinstall the network drivers on the 2 machines not working.
3) Look in the various router settings, ip address table, to see if the router sees all 3 computers.
4) Look for firmware updates for the router.
Reader Marc suggested
Hey Terry,
On the James Biddle router issue; just a thought:
Assuming the “non-working” computers are getting valid IP addresses, I would look at the “working” computer as a possible cause of the trouble. It could be claiming 99% of the pipe which would “seem” like the others had no connectivity.
4. A Look Inside Microsoft's Tweak UI for XP
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VIPRE Antivirus Premium— the New Release!
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Product: Tweak UI
Publisher: Microsoft
License: Free to download and use with licensed copies of Windows XP.
Tweak UI ("tweak user interface") is one of the individual Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP that can be downloaded directly from Microsoft.com at www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/Downloads/powertoys/Xppowertoys.mspx . What about Tweak UI for Vista? Sorry, apparently Microsoft has not released a Tweak UI for Vista. A third party has released a product Tweak VI that is reported to provide some of the functionality.
First, let's look at Microsoft's description of the tool...
Tweak UI
This PowerToy gives you access to system settings that are not exposed in the Windows XP default user interface, including mouse settings, Explorer settings, taskbar settings, and more.
Version 2.10 requires Windows XP Service Pack 1 or Windows Server 2003.
While their description is short, it does not do justice to the capabilities of Tweak UI. Let's look at some of the many functions of Tweak UI.
First, in the left image below, we see the program display when first opened. In the right image below, I have expanded the menu structure (using the + signs that appeared by default) to show the list of all the control screens available — well, really just all that would show in that image. In the right-hand panel of the right image below, we see some of the settings that can be controlled via the General tab. Notice also that there is a vertical scrollbar, indicating more settings that can be controlled from there.
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For the left image below, I've scrolled down the left panel so we can see more of the types of customizations available — and I've clicked on Desktop, so we can see the control for displaying Windows' own Desktop icons.
For the left image below, I've scrolled down the left panel so we can see more of the types of customizations available — and I've clicked on Autologon. Notice that you can control automatic logon to the system upon system startup (including reboots/restarts). If you have multiple user ID's on your computer, you can specify which user ID is automatically logged on.
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The next image on the left shows the Repair options available as the last selection via the left-hand panel.
The image below on the right shows the options available under Access Control.
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Bottom Line: Tweak UI provides a great consolidated interface for controlling many options in Windows XP. Without Tweak UI, we can change some of these, but the options are scattered throughout Windows' various dialog boxes. Using Tweak UI, we have the options in one place.
5. Using Tweak UI to Control AutoPlay of CD's, DVD's, External Drives and Flash Drives
Tweak UI, a free PowerToy from Microsoft for Windows XP, gives us easy control of a lot of XP configuration options that are either scattered throughout Windows XP's standard user interface — or, even, not available in the standard Windows XP user interface.
One of the significant controls that Tweak UI can modify is Windows XP's AutoRun and its settings. Tweak UI can control the autoplay of individual drives by drive letter (assigned by Windows XP) and by type (CD/DVD or removable drive).
Why is it important to control AutoPlay?
We always thought AutoPlay was convenient — and it is for purchased CD's and DVD's. However, do you really trust a burned DVD or CD to be auto-run? What if it came from someone else who might have an infected computer — and the AutoPlay will now infect you?
In today's world of extremely cheap flash drives, or even more expensive ones, if you found a flash drive on the street or in a parking lot, what would you do with it? Say " oh, boy!" plug it in and see what's on it? With AutoPlay turned on for removable drives (which it is by default in Windows XP), this becomes a malware producer's social engineering tool.
Tech Tip
What's social engineering? It's tricking the user into taking an insecure action by presenting them with a task they will want to do.
Isn't a flash drive awfully expensive for social engineering? Against a home user, perhaps. Against a business where the bad guy thinks he can use it to get inside the network, it would be a cheap way to subvert the network's security.
So, while I have not turned off AutoRun for my CDs and DVDs, I have turned off AutoRun for Removable Drives. This will include flash drives and external hard drives.
Although Tweak UI does not let me pick between flash drives and external hard drives, I'm happy to control AutoPlay for them, too. By turning off AutoPlay, I save the time that Windows would spend scanning every diectory of the drive.
In the first image below, I've selected My Computer > Auto Play in the left panel of the Tweak UI window. At this stage, in the right panel, we see a button and instructions on how to control AutoPlay via the normal My Computer options.
In the image on the below right, you can see that I've clicked on the plus sign beside AutoPlay to open up its additional controls, and selected Types. We see the default, which is checkmarks allowing AutoPlay on CD and DVD drives and on removable drives.
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In the image below, I've unchecked the box beside Enable Autoplay for removable drives. The next step is to click on the Apply button.
In the image on the below right, you can see checkmarks for each drive letter. For a drive, including a removable drive, to be AutoPlay-able, it has to be enabled by Type andenabled by drive letter. Since most computers have multiple accessable USB ports, disabling AutoPlay for "removable drives" is easier than unchecking a bunch of drive letters.
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For the image below, I selected Handlers from the left panel of Tweak UI. This shows a few of the individual file types (notice the vertical scroll bar in the right-hand panel) for which you can change the program that will AutoPlay them.
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6. My Computer Security Software Recommendations
I review my security software recommendations and update them, for each weekly newsletter issue, if I think they need to change.
My Philosophy: Many people want to pick their most economical solution and prefer an all-in-one anti-virus, anti-spyware and firewall solution. In concept, that's a great idea. In actual practice, this type of package is not likely to be the best in all the protection categories you need. Other people want to pick the best of each type program. I'm one of the these folks.
My choice of software that I am willing to recommend is driven by my search for software for me to use. I only recommend programs that I like and that I use. I will sometimes suggest alternatives to my recommendations, but I clearly note if I no longer use them.
UPDATE: I like the thought of not "having all my eggs in one basket." I also have requests occasionally from readers and subscribers who either want an alternative, so they can make a choice themselves, or want to use a suite. I stopped using the major brands years ago for one reason or another — I've just installed Panda Internet Security 2009 on my desktop for testing. Look for a review in the near future. Meanwhile, I've found a special limited-time sale price if you use this link: Buy Panda Internet Security 2009 for $51.97. Save $27.98!
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..."
For the last five years, until very recently, my personal choice has been ESET's small, fast NOD32 anti-virus program, which offers a FREE 30-day evaluation license. I consider NOD32 one of the best in anti-virus protection. Unlike some of its competitors, ESET offers multiple-year licenses also, and includes program updates in the multiple-year license.
Tech Tip
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.
Vendors routinely improve the capabilities and speed of the programs, too. If you update only the signatures, you miss any program improvements.
Now, I've changed from my long-time programs NOD32 (antivirus) and CounterSpy (antispyware) to Sunbelt's new VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware.
I've found that VIPRE puts even less load on my computer than the speedy combination of NOD32 and CounterSpy. I've also been impressed with the way its "deep scan" has found and eliminated risks that were stored in zip files, which is one of the latest malware email tricks.
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
- VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware Review
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VIPRE Antivirus Premium— the New Release!
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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:
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 has been my personal choice for my PC's and my family's PC's.
Sunbelt's CounterSpy v2.5, 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 — the current version is v3.1. 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.
Now, I've changed from my long-time programs NOD32 (antivirus) and CounterSpy (antispyware) to Sunbelt's new VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware.
I've found that VIPRE puts even less load on my computer than the speedy combination of NOD32 and CounterSpy. My computer seems to have much more pep and power than it had previously. I've also been impressed with the way its "deep scan" has found and eliminated risks that were stored in zip files, which is one of the latest malware email tricks.
Related articles:
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 would be 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. Note: I found that PopFile generally meets my needs and stopped using Mailwasher Pro, even though PopFile works AFTER the emails have been downloaded. If I used a dialup connection, I would be more interested in Mailwasher Pro.
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:
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
If you don't want wireless, I recommend the Linksys BEFSR41
Tech Tip
By the way, if you get tempted by the new "802.11n" routers, please pay close attention. So far, the 802.11n specification has not been approved and finalized.
If you buy one, you may be locked into a specific vendor's implementation of a draft of a standard that never got approved. I recommend choosing 802.11g for now.
See these related articles:
7. Recommend my Terry's Computer Tips Newsletter to Your Friends
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Volume 4, Number 38 — Sunday, March 1, 2009
Copyright © 2009 Terry A. Stockdale. All rights reserved.
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