Virus protection tips: from basic to advanced level

Computer viruses or spam ware can steal your personal information, cause destruction with normal computer operations and attract new spam ware. Even, they can shut down your computer’s hard drive. Protecting your computer from viruses is critical for browsing success and safe computing. There are some virus protection tips for you. Millions of computer programmers are developing virus programs for your computer.

Start up with firewalls
Your computer comes with security system e.g. some operating systems provide security firewalls for the protection of system. When you start to use computer for the very first time, you have to register your software from its provider. You should make sure the proper functioning of your computer software. This will ensure the basic protection of your computer.

You can’t rely on a firewall
Your computer’s basic security can’t protect it from new emerging spam ware. Some software also provides virus protection tips to you for the additional computer protection. They stop the operations of harmful programs, but, they need regular updates. So, don’t be surprised to update on daily bases. Some are downloaded daily and some have to update at regular intervals.

Up-gradation of security system
Most of computer security software needs regular updates and reviews. Most of people use only basic security systems for their computers. Basic or free software need crucial updates. However, paid software for computer security offer more security options, new features and are very easy to use. Make sure that publisher is providing you proper services for the software. Well-known protection software provides full security reviews and virus protection tips at regular intervals.
Security risks
Mostly, users are not aware of risks related to spam ware and virus databases. Spy ware can steal your personal and important information, credit card numbers, and your shopping information. They further use illegal ways of sharing information. The bad spyware programs interfere with normal computer operations. Some virus programs redirect your internet browser to different web addresses and increase risks of infection.

Virus threats require your serious attention
A virus or spyware can replicate itself and stick to any document that you send to other computers. A virus can travel through internet via e-mail attachment, and can cause harm to millions of computers. When you are opening e-mails, it is necessary to scan before opening it. Most of people have no idea about how to deal with this type of situation. Some viruses and spyware are really hard to find out from your computer, because they are hidden in the document files. They change their names and act like your documents.
If you get an e-mail from unknown source or ask to download a file from internet that you are not familiar with, then avoid it and keep your security system updated. In addition, regularly update the database. Check it and save your computer from viruses and all spyware. The best way to protect your computer from viruses is to educate yourself about computer viruses and become familiar with software, which looks like malicious software.

Computer tips to bring computer to normal state when it freezes or hangs up

Sometimes when you are in the middle of someting and suddenly your computer hangs or freezes. You are left with no other option than to restart your computer directly. But the only problem is, you have not saved your work! Don’t panic! There is a solution for that! And you can surely save your file! Here’s how:
First keep on pressing “Num Lock” key until your Operating system is back to normal state. This releases the processor from any busy process. If this doesn’t work then follow the below ten tips to bring you computer back to normal state when it is struck.

1. Click on “ctrl-alt-delete” keys. The windows task manager will then open, click on all programs that you don’t need and end the task. You will see that all programs on your taskbar will close one by one. If this will resolve the issue! – then save!

(Tip 1: if you’re working on an MS Office application, it will automatically save your file in case the programs suddenly shut down —

Tip 2: always save your file at least every 2 minutes by just simply clicking on the “diskette icon”— its just one click!)

2. If it did not resolve the issue, are there some users logged on that computer? If so, go to switch user (for XP) and log off that user, go back to your log on screen and log on again. The reason the computer hang up is because if there are many open programs and applications, these retains in the memory, if it is too much for the memory to handle, it freezes! Another reason too the computer hang up is because if you are connected to the internet via dial up, and you are running too many applications and opening many websites. So I suggest, if you are multimedia user or a heavy internet user, then you are better off with a higher memory, at least 512Mb of memory. There are simple ways to avoid computer to freeze or hang up:

3. Clean your history at least once a week >tools>internet options>clear history. I normally set my history to “0”, meaning, when I restart my computer, it doesn’t save history pages that I have visited

4. Delete all internet temporary files >tools>internet options>delete files (do the “offline” content too!)

5. Delete cookies (some do not do this, but I do delete cookies at least once a week!) >tools>internet options>delete cookies
6. Remove unnecessary programs that you no longer use they are just occupying space and memory! >control panel>add/remove programs

7. Do defragmentation at least once a week >point the mouse to “start” button, then right click “explore”>right click the mouse pointing to drive C (which is usually the main system logical drive) >properties>tools>defragment now

8. You can also check the logical drive’s volume for errors >point the mouse to “start” button, then right click “explore”>right click the mouse pointing to drive C (I repeat, is usually the main system logical drive) >properties>tools>check now

9. It is better to have only one user being logged on. Even if there are many users, make sure the user logs off after using the computer, rather than keeping it logged on and you do the switching of users. Switching users is good as long as you don’t keep all users logged on—I think that is more logical

10. Always shut down properly the computer (do NOT use the power button when turning it off!

How to Create your own Run Command ?

I talk a lot about Windows, and using the “Run” command is a large part of it. It is a simple and easy method of accessing programs quickly. If you happen to want to make a shortcut to an application your own way, guess what, you can!

Let’s do it:

Step 1: Go to “Start,” “Run,” (told you we use it a lot) and type regedit.

Step 2: Navigate to the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Apps Path

Step 3: Create a new folder/key under Apps Path. (Right-Click Apps Path and click “New,” “Key.”)

Step 4: Title the new folder/key the name of the application, e.g. firefox.exe.

Step 5: Right-Click the default string value (the thing automatically created in your new folder) and click Modify.

Step 6: Change the value to the path of the executable you are attempting to run. E.g. C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe.

Step 7: Create a new “String Value” by right-clicking under the default value (the thing we just edited) and select “New,” “String Value.” Name it Path and enter the value as the same path you previously entered.




Step 8: Done! Now, all you need to do is go to “Start,” “Run,” and type the name of your command!