Terry's Computer Tips - Newsletter
June 14, 2009
Terry's Computer Tips Newsletter
http://www.terryscomputertips.com
A computer tips newsletter for users of PC's.
Volume 5, Number 1 — Sunday, June 14, 2009
IN THIS ON-LINE ISSUE:
1. User Questions about Java
2. The Lighter Side of Technology
3. A Look at the ESET Smart Security 4 Security Suite
4. Converting Old Record Albums to Music CD's
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. User Questions about Java
Reader Edwin Bailey recently wrote me to ask:
Hello Terry, What is Java? I know it is required in order to open and use certain types of programs, but there are so many versions and variations of it that it becomes confusing. Of all the options available, what would be recommended for just day to day computering? I have "Java Runtime Environment 5.0 Update 11" and " Java(TM) 6 update 13". What do these versions do for me? Are there any of the multitude of versions that I should have? As an update becomes available and installed, should I delete the older version?
Edwin was asking about Sun Microsystem's Java, which is not the same thing as JavaScript (see Java, Javascript, ActiveScript, VBScript and JScript).
For a quick answer: You would probably be OK to delete the earlier versions. However, you may have a program that uses Java and is tied to the earlier version that was on your computer when you installed that program. You might have to reinstall that program after deleting the earlier version of Java. I had that problem with early versions of the home theater PC software I use called SageTV (i.e. v1 and v2, while v6 is the current major release).
You can check to see what version you have by going to www.java.com . Click on the Free Java Download button and then the Test your Java VIrtual Machine (JVM) link. For Windows XP, Version 6 Update 13 is the latest/current one.
If you need to download Java, click on Downloads and then the "all Java downloads here" link. Save the file to your computer - and then install it. That's my recommendation for any program that you download - save to the hard drive and then install. That way, if you need to reinstall, you've got the installationn program available.
Ultimately, you should only need one versions of Java installed — they're not different software packages. They're really the current version (assuming you've installed the current) and older versions. Like any software upgrade, things that used the earlier version might break when you upgrade to a later version.
Java is one of those rare programs that will install the new version into its own version folder, rather than replace the older version. That's the nature of Edwin's question. The user has to remove the previous versions, if they want to — and they should, as upgrades are often include both functional and security fixes. If you don't remove the older version, you have not fixed the security problem.
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2. The Lighter Side of Technology
This week's technology cartoon at Terry's Computer Tips!
It's nice to have an understanding wife...
3. A Look at the ESET Smart Security 4 Security Suite
A number of my subscribers have asked me which security suite I would recommend. As I discuss in my "My Computer Security Software Recommendations" article in each newsletter, my own preference is to use the individual security products (antivirus/antispyware, firewall, antispam) that I think serve me best. However, I know that a number of people prefer the Suite approach, which is often cheaper.
As a result, I've tried a couple suites recently. I was pleasantly surprised that I like ESET Smart Security 4. Well, I guess it wasn't so surprising — I used ESET's NOD32 Antivirusfor about five years, later with Sunbelt Software's CounterSpy added for anti-spyware protection, and was very happy with that combination. When Sunbelt came out with its VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware, I switched to VIPRE last year.
The three weeks I ran a trial of ESET Smart Security 4 showed me a well-designed, fast suite that did not bog down my notebook computer. Of course, this is what I expected from using NOD32 for so long.
ESET Smart Security 4 is now my recommendation for a security suite, even though I expect to switch back to my usual Sunbelt VIPRE + Sunbelt Personal Firewall.
In the image below left, you see the main control window of ESET Smart Security 4 in the Standard Mode. As you can see, I'm running the free trial (get it here).
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The image below right is the similar main control window for the Advanced Mode. Notice that the link in the bottom left corner can be used to switch between the modes.
Notice that, in both images, the Protection Status is colored Orange. This is a warning that I'm within 15 days of the trial's expiration. Prior to that, the color was green. Presumbly, if I were to let the trial continue until it expired, it would show the status in red. Although I don't show it, Smart Security 4 has an icon in the Windows Status Bar that is similarly colored based on status.
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The next screen on the left is the Computer Scan page. As usual with antivirus programs, you can choose to scan all hard drives connected to the computer, or you can choose a custom scan in which you can pick drives, folders or individual files to be scanned.
The screen on the right is the Update screen. Here's wherre you can update the virus signature database, as well as see which version you have an dwhen it was updated. It's also the place where you enter your username and password. These are used by ESET Smart Security when it checks for updates. They're keyed to the license, not your identity — when you renew, you get a new username and password.
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The next screen on the left is the Standard mode Setup screen. There are a few options here, but not many. Of course, you can switch to Advanced mode from this screen.
The image on the right is the Advanced mode Setup screen. If you click on any of the three main headings on the right, it will open the corresponding dialog. Let's click on the Antivirus and antispyware protection header, which is a link.
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The result was the a user-friendly screen that provides some basic controls for each of these categories: real-time file system protection, document protection, email client protection and web access protection.
If you click on the Advanced Antivirus and antispyware protection setup in this screen or the previous screen, you'll get the extreme detail of the right image. Notice that it covers all three major modules (antivirus and antispyware, personal firewall, and antispam), so no matter how you reach this point, you can make changes to all.
Note the "Default" button — you might need it some time.
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ESET Smart Security 4 knows about a number of programs that are expected to contact the Internet, and automatically allows them. For the beginning user or the user just starting with ESET's programs, this is probably a good choice. However, you can switch to Advanced mode and have much finer control of its actions.
One of the best, keep-me-out-of-trouble features is that the Advanced screens have a "Reset" button, which resets all the detailed options to their default values. If you manage to mess up your Smart Security options such that you can't even get to the Internet, just click the Reset.
When a program tries to connect, ESET Smart Security checks to see if it thinks the program should be allowed. If not, it asks the user.
Finally, let's look at one of the typical warnings from ESET Smart Security 4. As you can see, the message is very clear: a program PhotoImpact (the graphics editing program I use most often) tried to "call home" when I started it. ESET SS4 stopped it, and asked me what I wanted to do. I could allow or deny, I could have SS4 remember that action so it could take it automatically next time, or I could allow those connections temporarily for a while, which can be useful some times. Notice in the lower left-hand corner — there are even more advanced options available.
The messages from ESET Smart Security 4 that I have seen with regard to malware arriving by email have been equally user-friendly — clearly telling what it found, did and couldn't do, and asking for a user decision if appropriate.
4. Converting Old Record Albums to Music CD'sSubsciber Janet Walker wrote to me recently to ask: Bought some old long playing record albums at a yard sale and would like to put them on a CD to save space and then get rid of the old records. What program do I need that would plug into my old record player and into my computer so I could download them and write them to disk? I wrote back to Janet to point her to an article I had already written about Converting Vinyl LP Records to Digital, and to give her some more information Although this article was focused on converting to .mp3 files, that's not the format you'd need for burning to a music CD, assuming a music CD is your goal. To do that, first, you would need to convert the LP record into WAV format (which is usually a step in getting to MP3 format). You will also need CD burning software that is capable of burninng "Red Book audio" — which is the format of information on the music CD. It's not just a matter of writing a WAV file to the CD, because the PC-readable data CD format is not the same as the format of a music CD. Your PC would be able tot read either format, but not in the same way. You've heard of "ripping a CD" into .mp3 format. This is the opposite direction — putting digital music files into the special format of music CDs. Having said that, I think even the freebie CD-burning software that comes with separately purchased CD drives, such as Nero Lite, can burn music CD's. I think Windows Media Player can, too, but I don't use it often and never have for that function. Janet wrote back to say Thanks, I have the free Net Zero, and windows media player. What kind of wires do I need from the stereo to the computer? I'm not sure what she thinks her free dialup internet connection (which is free for 10 hours per month) has to do with this conversion. Perhaps she was thinking about streaming audio, which is not what we were discussing. The real answers to her questions depend upon her stereo and her computer. It depends on what kind of connectors are on the stereo for output and on the computer for input. Probably you will need RCA plugs on for the stereo and stereo miniplug for the plug-in on the computer's sound card, assuming you have a line-in on the sound card and a stereo RCA plug line out on the stereo.. If your stereo's output is for a pre-amp, an some are, you'll need an actual preamp. The number 1 problem that I had when I converted some old LP records to digital was a phenomenon called ground hum. This is a loud 60 cycle-per-second (in the US) hum that is caused by voltage diffences in the power to the different pieces of equipment connected.
You might want to consider one of the Ion turntables The software that I use to record and edit audio is not free, but is not very expensive. The program I use is called Goldwave (www.goldwave.com).
5. My Computer Security Software RecommendationsI 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. I'm often asked for alternatives to the programs that I recommend, especially by people who want to buy one package to do everything. My choice of antivirus before I switched to Sunbelt VIPRE was ESET's NOD32, which I used for a number of years. I'm trying ESET Smart Security 4 as such an alternative on my notebook computer (my main computer). Smart Security 4 has gotten great ratings and includes antivirus and antispyware, both from their current NOD32 v4 version, and antispam and firewall. So far, I'm very impressed. Anti-VirusI'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. Tech Tip 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:
Firewall SoftwareWhile 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 — 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: Anti-spam SoftwareIn 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: Cable/DSL RouterIf 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 See these related articles: 6. Recommend my Terry's Computer Tips Newsletter to Your FriendsIf 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.
Of course, if you do not get my free email newsletter, I invite you to subscribe now!! If you are a subscriber to my free Terry's Computer Tips email newsletter, please feel free to forward your copy of the newsletter to a friend that you think would be interested. Be sure to forward the entire newsletter, including my copyright notices and any advertising. However, you are not authorized to publish, post or otherwise distribute my articles or newsletters on web sites, blogs, forums, email newsletters, paper newsletters, magazines or in any other form.
Volume 5, Number 1 — Sunday, June 14, 2009 Copyright © 2009 Terry A. Stockdale. All rights reserved.
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which are designed to connect directly to your computer via USB input and come with some free software.
wireless router. I'm using the relatively new version 6 of this router.