Terry's Computer Tips - Newsletter
May 10, 2009

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

Volume 4, Number 48 — Sunday, May 10, 2009

IN THIS ON-LINE ISSUE:

   1.   What Does Acronis True Image Really Do?
   2.   The Lighter Side of Technology
   3.   Mysterious "Good Properties"
   4.   My New Dell Mini-10 Netbook
   5.   My Computer Security Software Recommendations
   6.   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.  What Does Acronis True Image Really Do?

Subscriber Scott wrote to ask me to explain more about the function of Acronis True Image Home 2009 — just what does it do to make it worthwhile?

Terry - I've read ads for Acronis (15% off now!) in your's and other newsletters. I even looked at their web site. The problem is that I really don't understand what I'm reading! I DO back up all my created files (docs, picts etc) on an exteranl drive, and I'm not worried about them as I back up weekly, or when necessary-whichever comes first. What I am worried about is my main drive C backup. Does Acronis backup the "essence" or all system settings and tweaks that have been done to the system? If I even have to reinstall WinXP will Acronis "redo" everything as it was without my going through everything manually? Can I put it on an exteranl drive and/or a bootable CD (I haven't gotten a DVD drive yet). Will I be "safe" is the basic question? Thanks Scott

I wrote back to Scott to explain more clearly...

Acronis makes an image of one or more of your your hard drive partitions. I'm using the word "partition" because some people divide physical hard drives into multiple "drives" that Windows or other operating systems will see as if they were independent.

Think of the Acronis image as a Restore CD or Restore DVD, except instead of putting you back to the factory settings without your programs and data, it copies everything - and can restore an entire partition or any files and folders out of the image backup.

Acronis doesn't back up the details - it backs up everything INCLUDING the details. All your Windows settings, all the system tweaks, all the programs you've added, all the data you have.

Can you restore Windows settings without the rest of the stuff? I don't think so.

Can you restore a program directory? yes

Can you use it to add a program to a different computer? Probably not, as programs usually write critical configuration data into the Windows Registry - that's how they make sure you can only install from their program installation CD's or installation files.

Can you restore multiple data files and/or folders at the same time? Yes. Acronis True Image will "mount" an image as if it is a separate drive and get Windows to assign it a drive letter. Then, you can use Windows Explorer to copy from the image "drive" to your regular drive - even into a different folder on the regular drive than the information was originally.

Yes, you can put it on an external drive. You can also put it on DVD's, but remember that youl'll have to stay there swapping the DVD's as each gets full. The DVD route would make the process of restoring _part_ of the image (files and/or folders) much more difficult. I would strongly recommend the use of an external drive.

Will you be safe? Depends on what you call safe, how often you make the full image backups and how often you make incremental backups of the changes (which have to be stored to the same place - another reason the external hard drive is a better choice). And, it depends on how many backups you keep... if you delete your only one to make a new one, and something goes wrong, you lose.

But, if you use Acronis to make recovery images, you'll be much better off than if you don't. Restoring from an image on an external drive might take an hour or so - compare that with the time spent just in reinstalling Windows.

If you ever choose to reinstall Windows, be sure to make a system backup with Acronis while it is clean of all the other stuff you'll add.

Thank you Terry - I'll be putting in my order through your newsletter this week. I'll have a little time to try to figure it out.

Thanks again - I appreciate the help and insight
Scott

Acronis True Image Home 2009 Make Your Own Restore DVD's and Restore Image files to another hard drive, to an external hard drive, to another computer across your home network, or directly to DVD's. Restore entire drives or specific files and folders. SPECIAL 15% Off Discount Code "GDH-6C7-BB9" Don't wait - these discount codes expire June 2 Or, get a 15% Discount on Acronis Disk Director Suite 10.0 "1ZK-C4M-XK2" Or, a 15% Discount on Acronis Migrate Easy 7.0 "BNZ-FPS-Q3P"

With a little work, you can get an even better deal on multiple copies of Acronis True Image Home 2009 — Once you're at the ATIH2009 web page, look down the right side of the page, and
click on "Special Offers - Save Up to $70 Off!"
Buy two copies for $69.99 (save $30) or
three copies for $79.99 (save $70!)

2.  The Lighter Side of Technology

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

3.  Mysterious "Good Properties"

Last week, long time subscriber Peter Dunkelmann wrote about a strange error he was receiving:

Hi Terry
In recent times a strange box appears on my monitor (attached image), have you any explanation for it? I am using an ASUS laptop with Vista Ultimate.

Thanking you in advance.

Regards
Peter Dunckelmann

Peter provided the following image, too:

(click on the image for a larger version)

I responded to Peter that I did a quick Google search for the long string of numbers. Based on the pages resulting from my search, he may have a trojan on his system.

I also provided him with the corresponding Google search link http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&hs=7p7&q=H-6-1-53-0976546321-090909032-8763-1337&btnG=Search.

Peter wrote back to say:

Hi Terry

Thank you very much for your help.

Peter

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4.  My New Dell Mini-10 Netbook

I wrote in my email newsletter last week that I had finally made a decision on whether to buy a new Vista notebook or wait for Windows 7. The problem was that I needed a backup for my 4+ year old Dell Inspiron 8600.

When I ordered my Mini-10, the scheduled ship date was May 7th and the estimated delivery (at the 3-5 business days $10 shippig charge I chose) was May 12th.

Needless to say, I was looking forward to receiving the netbook, especially since I sold my Asus Eee PC netbook last weekend.

It was a shock when I received a delay notice on the day that the netbook was scheduled to ship. Now, it wasn't going to arrive until May 16th!

The even bigger surprise was when it shipped on May 8th. Not only did it ship one day after the original shipping date, Dell upgraded the shipping to Saturday delivery, at no extra charge to me — so it arrived even before the original expected delivery dates.

I know that some people, including ones whose judgement I respect, have had problems with Dell. However, I've always been impressed with their quality and service.

While I could have picked up a basic Mini-10 at Sam's Club for $368, I chose to buy a more-capable model directly from Dell for a number of reasons. Interestingly, in the two weeks since I ordered my Mini-10, the options I picked to upgrade my Mini-10 are now standard items on the Mini-10. Dell still offers a more price-conscious model, but the options I picked are currently standards on their Best Value offer.

The upgrades I picked, which were not available in the models at Sam's Club were:

• upgrade to 1366x768 display from 1024x576 (78% higher resolution!)
• upgrade to 802.11n wireless networking vs 802.11g
• upgrade to 6-cell 56 watt-hour Lithium-Ion battery from 3-cell 24WHr
• upgrade to 2-year in-home service after "remote diagnosis" instead of the standard 1-year from Dell's web site or 1-year mail-in service with Sam's Club's repair service, if I bought from Sam's.

Of all the upgrades, the most significant one to me was the display. I like to have multiple windows on the display at the same time, and in a size in which I can work. The 78% higher resolution means that I can have a lot more on the screen at one time.

Since the Mini-10 arrived yesterday, I haven't had much chance to work with it. Look for a more extensive review soon.

 

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5.  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.

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.

However, 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

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

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