AMD Files Another Lawsuit Against Intel
AMD (American Micro Devices) has filed an anti-trust lawsuit against Intel claiming the chip manufacturer has used coercion and scare tactics to monopolize the market. AMD claims that Intel had approached over 38 computer system companies with stories and accusations regarding AMD computer processors in an attempt to gain more market share. Intel-based PCs account for about 80 percent of existing systems. Even Apple has decided to start using the Intel x86 based processors in their computers starting in 2006. I still have a problem with AMD’s method of naming their processors with deceptive numbering schemes. Most consumers would expect a processor with a 2400 model number to actually be a 2.4Ghz CPU, not a 2.0GHz version.
Spyware Infections are Getting Worse and Worse
Unwanted software intrusions have reached to an almost epidemic level. I’ve got to the point where I run at least one spyware removal program on every computer that I work on. Most seriously “infected” computers need to have a variety of spyware programs run both in “safe mode” and “regular” operating conditions. Unfortunately, most spyware removal software does a good job, but not a complete one. Many of the latest spyware programs are “hiding” files in the system directory and create random file names that are more difficult to detect. You can try the following programs if you think you might have spyware installed on your system. If you don’t think you do have any spyware, then run them anyway, you’ll be surprised with the results.
Microsoft Anti-Spyware (Beta) (WinXP/2000): http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/
Lavasoft’s Ad-aware (Win98/ME/XP/2000): http://www.lavasoftusa.com
SpyBot Search & Destroy (Win98/ME/XP/2000): http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html
Switching to FireFox Doesn’t Remove Spyware
Because of spyware generated pop-up ads, many users are downloading the latest Mozilla-based browser called “FireFox”, and using it as a replacement for Microsoft’s Internet Explorer. What they might not realize is the spyware that infected their computer in the first place is still loading at startup and running in the background. That spyware will download more spyware and soon their computer will have a noticeable decrease in performance. FireFox is not susceptible to programs using ActiveX controls to gain access to your computer, but the browser can still download and allow the installation of spyware. You should run a variety of spyware removal software on a regular basis. The three programs listed above will remove most known spyware software.
You can perform a variety of on-line security checks by going to the One on One Computer Consultants Home page at: ( http://www.1on1cc.com ) and clicking on the link to Symantec Security Check. You can perform a Virus Check, Security Check, and/or Trace a Potential Attack on your computer system.
"Free" Software Downloads
Free On-Line Security Checks
Many of the major anti-virus and anti-spyware companies are offering free, “on-line” scans of your computer system. Some even offer a “security” check to make you aware of any security updates that are available. You must have a high speed internet connection to run these checks. Even with a cable or DSL connection, some scans can take over an hour, depending on the number of files on your computer. Try these:
Trend-Micro: http://housecall.trendmicro.com
Panda Active Scan: http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/activescan/com/activescan_principal.htm
Computer Associates eTrust Virus Scan (requires ActiveX): http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx
Symantec (Norton) On-Line scan: http://security.symantec.com/ssc/
For links to other free software downloads, go to: ( http://www.1on1cc.com/downloads.htm ).
Make your Scans Run Faster
There are a few tricks you can do to help your computer scan through your files or run diagnostic programs. The first thing to do is delete some unneeded files. If you go to the Start, Run command and type “%temp%” (without quotation marks) it will display all the files in the TEMP folder. You can select them all and delete them. Now, open you Internet Properties and delete your Temporary Internet Files and Cookies. Now, empty the Recycle Bin, restart your computer in “safe mode”, and you’re ready to go.
For more computer Tips & Tricks go to the One on One Computer Consultants Tips Page at: