Not All Spyware Is Malicious But Must Be Removed

Writen by A Singh

Some people believe that you may not always need to remove spyware because Spyware is not always malicious. There are many kinds of Spyware that can infect your PC. Most of them are, thankfully, not uploaded with malicious intent. But why take chances. First of all let us analyze how Spyware comes to get onto the system in the first place. People who browse the Internet come across many sites that offer free download. Clicking on these downloads may bring with it some program in the background or hidden from the user. This may be in the form of ActiveX controls or components. When we download certain programs the download program flashes a message requiring the user to allow the download of an ActiveX control without which the download will not work. This ActiveX control is registered in the CLSID files of the registry. Once the download is complete the ActiveX control stored as a .OCX file begins its stealthy work. Best Spyware removal programs are especially weary of ActiveX controls and remove any malicious looking .OCX files.

Not All Spyware Cause Damage

Spyware is not always illegal. You may have inadvertently agreed to the use of the Spyware by clicking on the ‘agree’ button without reading the agreement. This kind of Spyware, however, does not carry out any malicious activity. It just collects data off all the Internet sites you visit and mails the information to the host where it came from. This does not mean that you cannot remove it when you want. You can do so with certain free Spyware Virus removal programs that search and remove adware and Spyware as well. There are malicious and downright criminal Spyware as well. This type of Spyware locates personal information such as that pertaining to your credit card or online bank information and is used for criminal activities usually causing a lot of damage to you. The system must be regularly scanned with free Spyware Adware removal utilities and then the registry cleaned with a registry cleaner to make sure the system is always secure.

Run Anti Spyware Every Time You Think Of It

Spyware can be removed from the system by using anti Spyware programs. However the anti Spyware software does not remove the entries of the ware from the registry. Special free anti Spyware removal software is required to do just that. Free anti Spyware removal software such as Microsoft Spyware removal tool, Yahoo Spyware removal utility or any of the free Spyware removal tools can scan the registry for broken links and useless entries that are no longer linked to programs. These free Spyware removal tools will then remove these entries from the registry freeing up disk space and compacting the registry for efficient use.

OS 101: Suggestions for Choosing an Operating System

Writen by Josef Delinga

An operating system (abbreviated OS) is essentially the path through which a computer accesses files, games, the Internet, and all vital stored information. The OS is the most important program on a computer because it runs all of the other programs. The major operating systems are Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and Unix. The operating system is essential to the computer, and so extreme care should be taken when choosing an operating system.

Consider Its Use

Consider what operating system will be used for. If the OS is for a business, an operating system that can handle important business data should be selected. If the OS is for a college student, one might consider an OS that is optimal for gaming, yet still has a nice word processor. Finally, if the operating system were for a new computer user, then a user-friendly, simple OS would be best. Knowing this, one must also consider what software is available for the operating system. Some software is only available on certain computers. This often leaves Macintosh OS X, Linux, and Unix in the dark because most of the computer market runs on Microsoft operating systems. Most computers come standard with a certain operating system (Apple computers have Mac OS X and most PCs have Windows XP). Therefore, it is sometimes important to consider the OS even when selecting a computer.

Security

Security is the biggest priority for many computer users, especially businesses. Some OS have stronger security than others. Macintosh has been called “the iron man of operating systems” because of its ability to keep hackers out, while Windows has been criticized for being easy to hack. Do not let security completely deter you, however. Most operating systems can be “hardened” and with constant security updates, made safer from hackers.

Pros and Cons of The Big Four

Every operating system has its positive and negative elements. There is no perfect operating system. Keeping this in mind, consider the most common operating systems (Mac OS X, Windows, Linux, and Unix). Mac OS X is great for keeping out hackers and for graphic design. However some problems are the fact that certain software is not available for Macs. If the OS is for a college student who would rather play Half-Life 2 than study, then Mac OS X is not the best choice. Windows is very good for compatibility, since most consumers use Windows. Windows also comes with applications like Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Internet Explorer. Unfortunately, Windows is weak against viruses and can get bogged down easily. Unix is good for networks, especially if for businesses. Unix has also been around for almost 30 years, so it is quite dependable. One drawback of Unix is the cost, which can sometimes be a bit expensive. Unix is also complicated, which can confuse beginners. The final OS, Linux, is free and completely customizable. However, one major drawback is the extreme scarcity of applications for Linux. Microsoft and other software developers are often very reluctant to release their products for Linux.

Conclusion

Whatever operating system one chooses, it needs to be the system that will best fit the needs of the consumer. All operating systems have good and bad elements. Understanding how each system works, and the system’s pros and cons is a must for anyone deciding on a computer and OS. An OS selection based on research and understanding will certainly yield the highest satisfaction.

Josef Delinga loves writing about computers and CEOs, especially Steve Jobs and Apple Computers.

E-Commerce Website Software

Writen by Kristy Annely

Electronic commerce is the method of doing business online that consists of buying, selling, and marketing of products and services and other commercial transactions done via the Internet. It can include, among other things, e -marketing or online marketing, online transaction processing, automated data management and collection systems, fund transfer, shopping carts, pay services, card payment centers, and other types of transactions made through the use of Internet-powered electronic communications technology.

This method of doing business has brought great success for the companies and commercial establishments involved in it. Since the introduction of the World Wide Web to the public in 1994, until its peak in 2003, businesses involved in this method of sales transactions reportedly amassed scaled profits of as high as $12.2 billion. And up to this day, the stated figures are continually rising.

Doing Your Business the E-commerce Way

If you trust the statistics that point out such trends of e-commerce businesses and want your business involved, then you need to have e-commerce website software. Basically, this software includes the components described below.

Shopping Cart System

This is the technology that lets your customers browse and choose which products to purchase, place specified product orders and quantity, plus keep track of the sales you have garnered. It must also be fully integrated to your site so as to provide a user-friendly and convenient shopping experience to your customers, let you have control of all your products and services on the site, plus keep tabs on inventory and production management.

Payment System

There are two issues you must consider when putting up a payment processing system for your e-commerce site: 1) choice or method of payment preferred by your customers; and 2) transmission of payment transactions for both parties (you and your customer). At the same time, you must properly consider the level of security you can give your customers since confidential information is primarily involved here. You must give assurance to your customers that your payment system is safe and secure so they will not hold back ordering from you.

Content Management System

It is the content of your sites that you constantly change and update; doing so can be quite difficult especially with a third party (web designer) handling your site. With the e-commerce website software , you can easily and efficiently do it just by yourself. Thus, nothing can hinder you from providing fresh and up-to-date data for your website.

Merchant Account System

With the merchant account system registered to your customers, they can easily update their records, and you can manage transactions, keep registered information about your customer, and keep records of shipping methods and payment rendered – basically the whole system support concerning your customer base.

Microsoft Word 2003 – Compare and Merge 2 Documents

Writen by Ugur Akinci

Did you know that Microsoft Word 2003 can compare two related but different documents and merge them nicely, creating a single document out of them?

What’s more, MS Word also gives you full manual control about the changes. You can accept or reject each change individually since they are all listed as red text balloons on the right margin of the new document, with the deleted items clearly linked to the exact location in the text where the change is made.

What’s important here is the ORDER in which the documents are merged and compared. MS Word will take the SECOND document as a base and will try to pour the FIRST document into the mold of the second one.

For example, let’s say we have two documents:

DOCUMENT A is a list of “10 things to do on Saturday.”

DOCUMENT B is a list of “5 things to do on Monday.”

Now, comparing and merging Doc A with Doc B will yield different results than comparing and merging Doc B with Doc A. (In the language of mathematics, the “compare and merge” operation is NOT commutative.)

If we first open Doc A and then select Tools > Compare and Merge Documents and then browse and select Doc B and click the MERGE button, the merged document will have a list of 5 items.

If we first open Doc B and then select Tools > Compare and Merge Documents and then browse and select Doc A and click the MERGE button, the merged document will have a list of 10 items.

By right-clicking on every change you can accept or reject Word’s suggestion.

This is a handy feature that can be useful in comparing two versions of the same document or two related lists with different features.

Ugur Akinci, Ph.D. is a Creative Copywriter, Editor, an experienced and award-winning Technical Communicator specializing in fundraising packages, direct sales copy, web content, press releases, movie reviews and hi-tech documentation.

He has worked as a Technical Writer for Fortune 100 companies for the last 7 years.

In addition to being an Ezine Articles Expert Author, he is also a Senior Member of the Society for Technical Communication (STC), and a Member of American Writers and Artists Institute (AWAI).

You can reach him at writer111@gmail.com for a FREE consultation on all your copywriting needs.

You are most welcomed to visit his official web site http://www.writer111.com for more information on his multidisciplinary background, writing career, and client testimonials.

While at it, you might also want to check the latest book he has edited, PRIVATE TUTOR FOR SAT MATH SUCCESS 2006:

http://www.lulu.com/content/263630

Internet Privacy

Writen by Greg Johnston

The World Wide Web, aka the Internet, consists of interconnected computer systems and networks. These systems and networks communicate via Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol, referred to as TCP/IP, in order to transfer data and process information.

The definition of privacy is the right to unauthorized intrusion. Therefore, Internet privacy is defined as the right to use the series of interconnected systems and networks without unauthorized intrusion, including and not limited to personal identifiable information being tracked or intercepted by another party.

Internet Privacy Software

You can get software to help protect your privacy. The wide variety of privacy protection software arms you with tools to battle unwanted Internet security breaches, ads, browsers hijacking, cookies, email invasion, porn and other unsafe intrusions, bugs, viruses and more.

Internet Privacy Download

Helpful Internet privacy download tools work to cover basic Internet security measures. Tops features of the tools are firewalls, ISP (Internet service provider) filters, and protection from unwanted viruses, worms, Trojans, spam and spyware.

Important Resources & Tools

Some important help for online and offline privacy follow, listed in no particular order of preference.

Offline tools that can help with online junk, too:

National Do Not Call Registry – put your number here and don’t give out info over the phone accidentally or otherwise: https://www.donotcall.gov

Free annual credit reports – get reports form the top three agencies annually at no charge and make sure no one is abusing your credit and identity: http://www.annualcreditreport.com

Stop Credit Offers – put an end to unwanted junk-mail of pre-approved credit card offers by signing up here: http://www.optoutprescreen.com

Ad-Blocking Software

AdSubtract Pro by InterMute
AntiPopUp for IE by Webknacks
PanicWare
PopUpCop
STOPzilla
xFX PopUpKiller

Preferred “Safer” Browsers to Use

Firefox
MyIE2 Browser
AVANT
Super Browser

Browser Cleaning Tools

CCleaner
IE Privacy Keeper
Tracks Eraser
Window Washer

Cookie Cleaners

CookieCop 2
Cookie Crusher
Cookie Pal

Email privacy Protection

Zixit
CipherSend
SafeIT
HushMail
Pretty Good Privacy

Protect Kids

SafeBrowse.com Safe Eyes 2006
Do You Know Where Your Kids Are Clicking?

Password Protection

Roboform
Password Agent

So arm your equipment, yourself and your family. Lock up by taking security measures both online and off. If you need help with all the online tools out there today, start by checking to see what’s available already on your computer and with your Internet service provider, email hosting account. Then check out tools packages, too, instead of piecing the remaining toolbox items together yourself, and see if perhaps one download can cover everything at once for you. Popular packages include (in no particular order):

Netkeys Ultra, Software Appliance Company
Proxomitron
Acronis Privacy Expert
PanicWare
Trace Removers
WebWasher
Web Bugs
Private Browsing

Simply ask your friends and associates for their recommendations, check at the point of purchase for your computer, your ISP, and make the best choices you can. Monitor activity and revise accordingly. And stay safe!

Time Clock Software

Writen by Steve Valentino

In most offices today, there is a one to one ratio between employees and computers. It is only logical that employee attendance be monitored through employee log in and log out from his personal computer. This lends a new meaning to the phrase “working on time.”

This type of time monitoring is facilitated by time clock software installed in each personal computer. There are two kinds of time clock software: the single time clock and the network time clock.

Single and Network Time Software

The single time clock runs on a single personal computer. To record their time in and time out, each employee accesses the computer with personal passwords. The system calculates and keeps a record for each employee. The system generates reports and prepares data for the computation of working hours and corresponding compensation. The data is easily formatted in documents and spreadsheets. A single system can handle up to five hundred employees.

The second kind is the network time clock software. Employees can access the time in and time recorder through the local network. The same features of the single time clock apply to the network time clock system. The only difference is that for a larger company, a network time clock system may work better and with more efficiency in keeping employee time records.

Advantages of Using Time Clock Software

By using this kind of payroll monitoring system, the company eliminates punch cards and swiping machines. Payroll personnel need not manually compute employee tardiness and absences, or overtime and under-time work. The time clock software enables automatic and electronic analyses and collation of data. This may significantly decrease overhead administrative costs. Constant reminders can also easily be sent to errant employees. It is also difficult to tamper with time records made through the time clock softwaremaking the reports generated by the system credible.