Terry's Computer Tips - Newsletter
July 19, 2009
Terry's Computer Tips Newsletter
http://www.terryscomputertips.com
A computer tips newsletter for users of PC's.
Volume 5, Number 6 — Sunday, July 19, 2009
IN THIS ON-LINE ISSUE:
1. Small, Neat Freeware Utilities
2. The Lighter Side of Technology
3. Devices and Printers in Windows 7
4. A Look at the Windows XP Security Center
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. Small, Neat Freeware Utilities
Reader James Biddle wrote about last week's article on controlling auto-starting programs:
Mike Lin has a neat program called Start Up 2.8. I use Win Patrol Plus and have for years and it's fantastic. But I also use Start Up. It sometimes has different info that is useful. Plus, it's free. it works from your control panel.
It took me a little bit to find the right program, as the name wasn't quite right. It's actually StartUp Control Panel 2.8 and can be found at the author's web site http://www.mlin.net .
It's available as a Control Panel applet (a small add-in program that you'd access via the Windows Control Panel) and as a stand-alone .EXE file.
Startup Control Panel 2.8 works with "all modern versions of Windows through Windows XP." It doesn't work with Vista — the author points out that Microsoft put an effective startup manager into Vista.
I spotted several other freeware utilities there, too, that I'm going to try.
Mike LIn offers a program with the not-very-descriptive name of MCL, which is a hot-key opening version of a Windows command line.
Clipomatic looks very interesting. It keeps a history of the items you copy into the Windows Clipboard — and, when you want to paste, it gives you the list so you can choose which item to paste.
CrossHair draws intersecting horizontal and vertical lines on the screen. These can help if you are trying to read a graph, or follow cells in a spreadsheet back to the headings.
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2. The Lighter Side of Technology
This week's technology cartoon at Terry's Computer Tips!
3. Devices and Printers in Windows 7
One of the things that I like about Windows 7 is that the dialog boxes are larger and filled with more options — make that, more understandable options.
Instead of burying functions behind cryptic one-or-two word headers, the Windows 7 Control Panel tries to make our choices obvious to us.
(click on the image for a larger version)
The Control Panel gives us a direct route to the Devices and Printers dialog box, as well as several logical tasks, under it's Hardware and Sound subsection. We can select view devices and printers, add a device, connect to a projector, and Adjust commonly used mobility settings.
Oh, yeah, the Hardware and Sound header is also a link...
When we select it, we get the Hardware and Sound dialog box that's shown below.
There's another chance for us to get to the Devices and Printers dialog box.
Alternatively, if we know we want to add a decvice, a printer, or change settings on the mouse, we can go to those functions right from the Hardware and Sound menu.
We can also open the Device Manager, the same one that's been available to us in recent versions of Windows.
(click on the image for a larger version)
If we selct the Devices and Printers link from the Hardware and Sound dialog box, we get the Devices and Printers dialog box, shown below.
As you can see in the dialog box, Windows 7 uses icons for each device that clearly identify what the device is.
Since I'm using a notebook computer whose name is Dragon7 (at least when it's dual-booted into Windows 7), we see it as the first device.
The other two devices shown are the built-in DVD player/burner in the Dell Inspiron 8600's MediaBay and the receiver for my wireless USB mouse (a Logitech V450 Nano
Below that, we see:
- Click2PDF Printer (a printer driver that creates PDF files),
- a Fax (interestingly, this is the fax portion of my fax modem),
- my HP LaserJet printer (note the "on DADSTOY" — this printer is hooked to the computer named Dadstoy, which is across my home network),
- the Microsoft XPS document writer that came in Office 2007, and
- PDFCreator (a free printer driver that creates PDF files).
(click on the image for a larger version)
As we select the individual devices, the menu bar choices change. Notice that, when I select the HP LaserJet 1200 printer that's across my home network, I have new options to See what's printing and to Manage default printers. (I guess that's a typo — default printers — plural???)
(click on the image for a larger version)
When I select the DVD drive, I get context-appropriate options that allow me to browse the files on the DVD and to eject the DVD tray.
(click on the image for a larger version)
Now, let's select the icon for my notebook computer. Notice that it has the standard Windows warning icon inserted into the icon — the small yellow triangle with the exclamation mark.
Selecting the notebook computer icon gives us additional options on the menu bar that allow us to set AutoPlay settings, browse files and to Troubleshoot.
Note also that, at the bottom of the dialog box, Windows 7 shows information about the notebook computer and a Status of "Needs troubleshooting."
Wonder why that is?
(click on the image for a larger version)
If we double-click on the notebook computer icon, the Properties dialog box opens. Clicking on the Hardware tab, we see that there's a warning symbol beside the PCI Modem.
I've clicked on the PCI Modem entry in the list to select it. Notice that the Device status shows that the drivers for this device are not installed.
(click on the image for a larger version)
The Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor advised me that Windows 7 did not have drivers for my internal modem in my notebook and advised me to go to the manufacturer's site to get them.
Unfortunately, Dell doesn't provide updated drivers for this modem nor does BCM, the manufacturer of the chip.
Strangely, remember the Fax that Windows 7 found? That's part of the same internal fax modem.
The Ethernet networking and 802.11g wireless both work just fine.
What do I do if I need a dialup modem? I can buy an external usb data/fax modem for as little as $24. Not a problem...
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4. A Look at the Windows XP Security Center
It's been a long time since I looked at the Security Center in Windows XP, so I decided to take a stroll through it today.
How do you get to the Security Center? Take a click on Start, then onto Control Panel, then the first click on the right (bottom of the category view) is Security Center. If you're showing the Classic View, the icons should be sorted in alphabetical order.
The first thing I noticed was that Windows XP was happy with my Firewall and my Virus Protection. Both are labeled with a green "ON" status.
Windows wasn't quite as happy with my Automatic Updates. It rated it a yellow (warning) and wanted me to check the settings.
The other option, which none of these showed me, was red. Red would mean that the function or protection was turned off or not installed.
First, let's take a look at the Firewall...
(click on the image for a larger version)
A simple click anywhere on the Firewall line will open the Firewall section to tell us more. It shows that I'm using Sunbelt Personal Firewall and that it is turned on. It also briefly explains the function of a firewall. There's also a link for even more explanation.
(click on the image for a larger version)
Let's come back to Automatic Updates in a few seconds...
If we click anywhere on the Virus Protection line, Windows XP will expand that section to tell us more. The Security Center shows that I'm using Sunbelt VIPRE and that VIPRE reports that it is up to date and virus scanning is turned on. It also briefly explains the function of an antivirus program. There's also a link for even more explanation.
(click on the image for a larger version)
Now, let's see what Automatic Updates was complaining about. Clicking on the Automatic Updates line causes Security Center to show us more information. Ah hah! Security Center wants me to turn on Automatic Updates. There's no other choice in that section. Notice that Security Center does not tell me what the current setting is. I need to click on the Automatic Updates link at the bottom of the dialog box to get the Automatic Updates dialog box to open.
(click on the image for a larger version)
So, I opened the Automatic Updates dialog box (below).
Windows XP's Security Center was complaining because I did not have Automatic Updates turned on completely. I have it set to download the updates, but to alert me so that I can install them when I want to install them.
Normally, I want to install them promptly. However, I want to install them at a time that is under my control and my choice, rather than to automatically install them whenever they're available. Sometimes the update process forces a reboot, which can interfere with some tasks I may have running overnight.
(click on the image for a larger version)
I confirmed to myself that I had selected the choice I wanted. Then, I clicked OK to close the Automatic Updates dialog box.
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 still consider NOD32 to be one of the best in anti-virus protection — and it continues to get recognition and 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 choices NOD32 (antivirus) and Sunbelt's 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. Sunbelt Software offers multi-year licenses and home site licenses on its software, both of which include program updates as well as signature updates.
I'm often asked for alternatives to the programs that I recommend, especially by people who want to buy one package to do everything.
I tried a couple security suites in the last few months to pick a suite to recommend. ESET Smart Security 4 is my recommended suite alternative. Smart Security 4 has gotten great ratings and includes antivirus and antispyware, both from their current NOD32 v4 version, and antispam and firewall. I no longer use it and have returned to Sunbelt's VIPRE, but for a suite choice, that's what I would use.
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. Both NOD32 and VIPRE purchases include both program updates/upgrades AND antivirus signature updates.
Vendors routinely improve the capabilities and speed of the programs, too. If you update only the signatures, you miss any program improvements.
Related articles:
- VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware Review
- A Look at ESET Smart Security 4
- 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.
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:
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 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:
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. IEEE is currently working on Draft 9 of the standard. The final standard is expected to be approved in January 2010.
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, or recognizing and accepting that you're purchasing a model based on a work-in-progress, and that your router and computer's wireless card may not meet the final standard.
See these related articles:
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Volume 5, Number 6 — Sunday, July 19, 2009
Copyright © 2009 Terry A. Stockdale. All rights reserved.
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