Computer management
Device manager utility
If you want to know the status of the devices you have on your system, you can try using the Windows Device Manager. However, its output is not always the easiest thing to decipher and Nir Sofer has written one of his free little applications to help. It’s called DevManView and this is the description:
DevManView [...]
Review of anti-malware program AVG 9.0
In the past I have often recommended the free anti-malware program AVG. In version 8, it became a drag on resources and its record for catching malware was so-so. So I switched to Avira.
Now AVG has a new free version 9.0 and reviews indicate that performance is improved but not outstanding. Notably, they say [...]
Recognizing and removing scareware
The infestation of millions of computers by fake anti-malware (AKA scareware) has been a running theme in these posts because of its severity. Here’s some more information that will help you recognize and deal with this insidious and dangerous problem.
One of the most notorious Trojans called itself “Antivirus 2008″. A later version is “Antivirus [...]
Keeping software patched
One of the biggest security problems with a PC is keeping current with all the software patches. Ordinary home PC users simply cannot keep up with the never-ending flow of updates without help. You can use Microsoft update for Windows, Office, and other Microsoft products but what about all that other software that we all [...]
New version of Windows 7 upgrade advisor
Want to know if your present computer can be upgraded to Windows 7? Microsoft has just issued a revised version of the Windows 7 upgrade advisor:
Download and run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor to see if your PC is ready for Windows 7. It scans your hardware, devices, and installed programs for known compatibility issues, [...]
Outstanding free security list
“Gizmo” Richards has long been a source for excellent advice on free security software. His TechSupportAlert site has a new list of the best security software of all types, almost all of it free. The only problem with the list is that it is so comprehensive that it may be a little overwhelming. For those [...]
Truckload of Microsoft updates
Speaking of security updates, today is the monthly Microsoft patch Tuesday and it’s a big one, in fact, the biggest ever. It even includes Windows 7. Computerworld reports:
Today’s security updates from Microsoft were unprecedented, with 13 separate bulletins that quashed 34 vulnerabilities. Both were records for the company since it began delivering monthly updates six [...]
Adobe Reader updated
Adobe has released a security update for Reader and Acrobat.
Critical vulnerabilities have been identified in Adobe Reader 9.1.3 and Acrobat 9.1.3, Adobe Reader 8.1.6 and Acrobat 8.1.6 for Windows, Macintosh and UNIX, and Adobe Reader 7.1.3 and Acrobat 7.1.3 for Windows and Macintosh. These vulnerabilities could cause the application to crash and could potentially [...]
Microsoft updates on an ISO file
Unless you back up your entire system regularly, you will be missing all the Microsoft updates if your PC crashes and you have to reinstall Windows. You can keep a backup copy of the updates each month (which few people do) or you can take advantage of a Microsoft site that has an ISO file [...]
Making PCs more accessible for seniors
There’s nothing new in the suggestions but MakeUseOf has collected seven ways for making PCs easier to use for those of us who are a little older. The author says that it is aimed at young people who are called upon to help family members but the rest of us might find a useful tip [...]
Speed up Firefox
If you are a Firefox user, you might take a look at a utility called SpeedyFox that is recommended by “Gizmo” Richards:
All up, a pretty useful free utility that provides a genuine benefit to most Firefox users. The degree of benefit will depend on the age and condition of your profile. I suspect some [...]