1.  Error When Trying to Watch YouTube Videos

 

Sunbelt Personal Firewall for Windows 2000, XP and Vista Two-way firewall to control inbound and outbound communications. For Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Vista 32-bit. Free 30-day Full-function Trial. Discounts for multiple computers & multiple years! Unlimited Home Site License Available for ALL Your Home PCs SPF is my choice for my computers and my family's Windows XP computers

Subscriber Rebekah wrote to ask:

How do I watch videos on youtube it just says my firewall is turned off or get flashplayer

Having your firewall turned off would not (1) be wise or (2) prevent YouTube videos from working.

I think the error message Rebekah saw is the one about JavaScript, which reads almost like the message she indicated. When you have JavaScript (called ActiveScript in IE) turned off, the error message is:

"You either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player. Get the latest Flash player."

You can turn on Javascript easily with a few mouse clicks, although the procedure is slightly different for the different web browsers:

• Internet Explorer: HowTo Turn On ActiveScript (JavaScript) in Internet Explorer
• Firefox: HowTo Turn on JavaScript in Firefox
• Opera: HowTo Turn on JavaScript in Opera

If you want to update your Flash player to the latest version, you can do that by downloading the latest version at Adobe Flash Support Center — Downloads.

2.  The Lighter Side of Technology

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This week's technology cartoon at Terry's Computer Tips!

3.  Computer Won't Go To Sleep

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Subscriber Dottie Cox wrote recently about her computer — it stayed running all the time and would not go to sleep:

Terry, my computer in the past couple of days will not go into a sleep mode (stays on constantly). Isn't this harmful? How can I correct this? Thanks for all the good news and tips you give us each week. I look forward to receiving it. Dottie

First, I wrote back to Dottie with the number one problem-solving solution for windows — Reboot! It solves all sorts of problems with Windows. Better yet, shutdown (power off) and then start it up again. That may solve the sleep issue.

With regard to the computer running all the time, that is not harmful. I have three Windows PC's that stay running 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. One is my home theater PC. It gets rebooted every month or two when Windows Updates require a reboot, or more often if Dixie Electric is feeling frisky and has power blips or power outages. My desktop gets rebooted every couple weeks, as does my wife's computer — usally because Windows Updates require a reboot.

None of these computers are set to go to sleep, although we usually turn off the monitors to save the life of he fluorescent tubes that do the backlighting in the LCD monitors. Otherwise, we have the Windows power-management settings set to blank the screen after 20 minutes of inactivity.

You can control Windows XP's power management settings via the Control Panel ( Start > Control Panel ). Then, select Power Options from the dialog box shown below.

(click on the image for a larger version)

The Power Options Properties dialog box (below) gives you a number of different power options for your computer, including allowingn you to select power schemes from the Power Schemes option pull-down. You can also create your own custom settings and save them to those default scheme names or to your choice of names.

Not only can you set the power options for those times when you're running on battery power (that's notebook batteries, not UPS batteries, though), you can set different power-savings option for when your computer is plugged into the power mains.

Afterr the period of inactivity that you select for each action, you can have Windows XP turn off your monitor, turn off your hard drives, have the system go into Standby Mode (Sleep Mode) or Hibernate (in which it saves the system state to the hard drive).

(click on the image for a larger version)

4.  Problem Using Online Antivirus Scanners

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Reader Scott wrote me recently to ask:

I agree with you about free on-line scanners. I used to use Trend Micro's about every 2-3 weeks — just in case. But, now I can't get it working at all! I tried both ways to run it and it won't. Any ideas? I'll appreciate any insight you might provide. Scott

You're probably blocking it with your firewall settings, or your IE7 settings. IE7 has a "reset" button to set all its internal settings back to the default. Find it at Tools > Internet Options > Advanced Tab

Thanks for the reply. I use XP SP2 and IE6, XP firewall only — I'll have to look around at the settings, but not sure which ones to check out — any suggestions? Don't understand why it worked before, but not now! Thanks Scott

I wrote back to Scott to say that I +++STRONGLY+++ recommend that he use a better firewall than the XP firewall. I recommend that all computer users use a two-way firewall — one that controls inbound communication attempts (they all are designed to do this) and that are also designed to control outbound communications. If you don't control outbound communications, you won't know when programs "call home." Two-way firewalls will also help flag to you if your computer gets infected with a worm or other malware — before you spread the infection to others.

Whether you use the Sunbelt Personal Firewall, which I recommend, or another two-way firewall, you should use a better firewall than the XP one!

If you use Windows Vista, I would still use a different firewall than the one provided as part of Vista. While Microsoft did make the Vista firewall a two-way firewall, I suspect that it gives automatic access to Microsoft's programs. I prefer to know and control which programs can "call home."

You've probably got something messed up in your Windows Internet Security options - that's where the IE7 button comes in handy.

5.  Problem Solved: One Computer Will Talk to the Router But Other Two Computers Won't Talk to the Router

 

Sunbelt Personal Firewall for Windows 2000, XP and Vista Two-way firewall to control inbound and outbound communications. For Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Vista 32-bit. Free 30-day Full-function Trial. Discounts for multiple computers & multiple years! Unlimited Home Site License Available for ALL Your Home PCs SPF is my choice for my computers and my family's Windows XP computers

In my One Computer Will Talk to the Router But Other Two Computers Won't Talk to the Router article two weeks ago, I wrote about a strange problem that reader James Biddle was having.

Last week's article Followup — One Computer Will Talk to the Router But Other Two Computers Won't Talk to the Router had several suggestions from other readers to help James solve the problmem.

This week, James wrote to say that he solved it.

Last week I told you about two computers won't work on my router or hub. I used a friend of mines netgear router and bingo. All works. I gave him my dlink and hub--they work just fine.
Go figure?

I've been into computers since the VIC 20 of the late 70's and this was the first problem I couldn't get resolved.

In other words, something about the particular models of router and hub that James was using — or perhaps the settings he had changed in the router — was causing the problem.

Although I didn't think about it at the time (and it wasn't the problem since the Dlink router and hub worked for his friend), he might have turned on MAC Address Filtering in the router.

Of course, if his friend had used the router's reset button to return to factory configuration, that would have fixed the issue.

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, I don' think that this type of package is 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! . This sale price is scheduled to end in late March.

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..."

From 2003 through mid-2008, my personal choice was 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 — and it continues to get recognition andn awards. Unlike some of its competitors, ESET offers multiple-year licenses also, and includes program updates in the multiple-year license.

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

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.
Tip: Be sure to read my review of SPF for the settings I recommend.

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?
• My 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 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 — and there's an even newer version about to be released. Nicely, Sunbelt 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:

• Fighting Against Spyware & Malware
• My CounterSpy Review
• My VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware 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 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:

• 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, which I also use. 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

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