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Remember: Even though 89% of Computers today are infected with malware and 99% are insecure and outdated, the most valuable and expensive part of any Computer setup is still yourself- the fallible human operator!

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!

The Parasite fight

Conduct an automated series of tests now to see how your Computer measures up to today's demands.

Check your Software security

Get your Computer audited by the Belarc advisor

Windows XP Windows Vista or Windows 7. 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!

I use the Superantispyware portable scanner to destroy spyware as it requires no install on a pc.

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. Because most modern browsers now include an integrated one, remember to disable it if you are running a full security suite that might duplicate its function.

SpywareBlaster: Another must-have free tool (not needed if you already have real-time spyware protection enabled). 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.

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. Remember that there is no such thing as 'total security'. You cannot make your PC impregnable with security software.

The first step to a safer Web experience is to adopt safe computing practices, and use complementary security software that balances effectiveness against cost and inconvenience. The idea of perfect computer security is a myth. As modern browsers now include certain advanced security features, be careful that any additional third party product you add to your machine does not duplicate original features and cause a slow down of your computer!

YOU NEED A FIREWALL- install ONE only (you can use the one already in XP, Vista or Windows 7). Note that if you are using a wireless router, then you already have a 'hardware' firewall. You can still use the 'software' one in your computer too.
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 (already built in to Windows Vista & Windows 7 - should be turned off if you already have real time protection in another product)

I use MalwareBytes to disinfect rouge antimalware and those nasty botnetting clients!

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 worthwhile. EasyCleaner or wisecleaner are superb free registry cleaning applications. (May not be needed if you use cCleaner above as it already has a built in registry tool).

Although Windows Vista & Windows 7 are feature packed, Windows XP has some limited functions, so you may need to install other programs but you can still stay free by installing free utilities or open source programs like the ones below 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 CDBurnerXP or AShampoo Burning Studio or Deep burner . For free audio dubbing and editing to mp3's use Audacity . For the playback of obscure media formats like .3gp or .vlc files or to play DVD's (if you do not have the premium codec required within Windows XP) use VLC portable . For free unzipping and compression use IZArc or Rarzilla . 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 . Make sure you never use insecure passwords. Generate them using a password card instead. 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, meaning that you could stop Spam Emails today.

Remember that your computer is just a tool, and like any other tool (spanner, toothbrush etc), it can be either used correctly, or abused at your discretion. Furthermore, even though the most valuable and expensive part of your computer set up is in fact, you, yourself - the human operator.

It has been estimated that up to one quarter of all personal computers connected to the internet may be part of a botnet. Always remember that Computers are the most intelligent idiots known to man!

There are only two kinds of computer users: those who have lost data or wrecked a setup, and those who will. Computer users who are religious about making backups fall into the first group. Welcome to the club.

Back up basics: Back ups protect against three possible problems:

1) A small hard drive fault 2) Complete hard drive failure 3) Loss of computer (theft, fire, flood etc) Partitioning of a hard drive ONLY protects against 1) above.

IT experts suggest you keep a back up the distance of a 747's wingspan away from your main computer in case the worst happens to your house. That's about 60 meters away!

Some IT professionals say that unless your data exists in THREE different places then it DOESN't EXIST AT ALL!

Q.What should we back up? A.Everything that we would miss if we completely lost our computer!

Q. How do we back up? A. Simply make another copy manually of your files (e.g. pictures, music, videos, word documents) that you want to keep to another seperate drive or disc or use a dedicated back-up utility like the one built into Windows Vista or Windows 7 or a free third party tool like GFI back up