Computer
Remember: Even though 89% of Computers today are infected with malware and 99% are insecure and outdated, the most valuable and expensive part of any Computer setup is still yourself- the fallible human operator!
Criminals have already adapted to take advantage of newer social networking sites (i.e. Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, etc.) and user-contributed content (i.e blogs, twitter, etc.) which allow for rapid publishing and anonymity. Furthermore, the speed at which threats are ‘rotated’ to new locations is staggering and the internet poses a significant challenge to security vendors. Antivirus researchers estimate between 15,000 and 50,000 new malware samples per day, and because of this Computer uses should be aware of the different threats applicable today.Educate yourself now to Bank safetly online .So what do you actually do with your Computer then? I have dedicated this, my Computer page to the service, source, kit and indispensable tools that I have come to use over the years. Before I even bought my Computer I pondered on what the devil I would actually do with the darn thing, once I’d got it! Well, it has now evolved into an indispensable tool that relies entirely, (regardless of its specification or power), on the performance of the software packages below that I can wholly recommend as absolute essentials for anyone!
As needs and applications change, check back here regularly to see if I have tested and endorsed any other stuff that may prove as invaluable to you as it does to me! Don’t forget, the advice I give is FREE and anything included from here, is normally available ultimately for a similar sort of fee too!
I offer an inexpensive 24 hour 7 day home Computer repair / support service (Essex area, UK only). Simply call 07859 837785 now to arrange your PC tune-up tech session!
Conduct an automated series of tests now to see how your Computer measures up to today’s demands.
Get your Computer audited by the Belarc advisor
Windows XP or Windows Vista. Check out this free advice to configure your operating system for ultimate performance.
Remember that one of the most important single things is ones own Internet connection! Without it, I wouldn’t even bother having a Computer at all!)
Shareaza (File sharing at it’s best). Filesharing Clients by their nature are completely free. This one is 'open source'! Ignore any fraudulent scam sites that ask money for them. They should not require subscriptions of any kind: these subscriptions do not exist. Be careful you are not tricked into paying or subscribing! Go to zeropaid.com for other file sharing applications.
DVD43 Make perfect back up copies of your own DVD's!!
Nero (To burn or copy CD’s, play DVD's or make them yourself!). I use and fully endorse datawrite media for my CD and DVD recording.
Scenalyzer (For DV capturing and export). Don’t bother with complicated, power hungry video editors. This one does all.
Muveeautoproducer The world’s first automatic video editor, incredible!
Crap cleaner Does exactly what it says!
Spybot (Destroy the spyware!).
Lavasoft Ad-aware (Destroy the adware!).
You can check your browser ability to stop pop ups using the pop up blocker tester site. A pop up blocker is an absolute necessity for serious websurfers.
SpywareBlaster: Another must-have free tool. Prevents the covert installation of ActiveX-based spyware, adware, browser hijackers, dialers, and other potentially unwanted pests; blocks spyware/tracking cookies in Internet Explorer and Mozilla/Firefox; restricts the actions of potentially dangerous sites in Internet Explorer.
Microsoft Windows Defender is a superb addition to all this protection, since use of a combination of genuine anti spyware programs is recommended to enable most effective detection and removal. (Already built into Windows Vista).
Well even if I was to go out and buy the most expensive, state of the art Computer today, almost regardless of its operating system. I’m sure I would still use the very latest versions of the same software above. The moral of this little story is that it’s not what you got; it’s what you actually do with it that really matters!! Check back to see my personal endorsements on other software as I update this list. Its software that is just so useful that you can really achieve something, instead of just playing stupid games.
Click here to see my current desktop (computer screen)!
The following are considered to be MANDATORY requirements for any internet pc. Most people do not realise that these essential programs can be completely free to install and use! Some are 'open source'! Why pay when you can get high performance utilities that do not ask for money? Be careful you are not tricked into paying or subscribing! Check out the best Freeware Utilities first. Also check out free firewall and antivirus software and freebyte.com and the many freeware categories for other free utilities before you pay through the nose! All you need for safe surfing can be absolutely free and legal.
YOU NEED A FIREWALL- install ONE only (use the one already in XP or Vista). Note that if you are using a wireless router, then you already have a hardware firewall.
zonealarm
YOU NEED ANTIVIRUS - install one only..
MICROSOFT Security essentials (free antivirus)
AVIRA
Panda Cloud Antivirus
AVG
AVAST
ClamWin
YOU NEED ANTIMALWARE - choose only from recognised products for safe protection..
Windows Defender
SpywareBlaster
AdAware
Spybot S&D
if you are unlucky enough to be already infected a good source of reference for manual spyware removal techniques is
Spywareremove.com
A registry cleaner is also needed. I use EasyCleaner it is a superb free registry cleaning application.
Because Windows XP has some limited functions, you need to install other programs but you can still stay free by installing free utilities or open source programs that enable full capabilities. Many open source programs have been tested and rated by experts with the conclusion that just because you pay for a program, it is not necessarily better!
For free burning use AShampoo Burning Studio or Deep burner . For free audio dubbing and editing to mp3’s use Audacity . For free unzipping and compression use IZArc or UltimateZip . To enable easy access to your computer completely remotely whilst you’re away, use logmein.com . To remember all your passwords and pin numbers use passwordsafe.com . To fight against spam and report spam emails use SpamCop .
If you really don't want any spam, try opening a free gmail account (go to google and click on mail) use it just to import and filter your existing mail accounts. It has sophisticated and automated server based anti-spam algorithms that REALLY work!
