HOW TO STOP PROGRAMS FROM RUNNING AUTOMATICALLY WHEN WINDOWS STARTS

HOW TO STOP PROGRAMS FROM RUNNING AUTOMATICALLY WHEN WINDOWS STARTS

Sometimes your System PC/Laptop become extremely slow Loading up Programs when you Put it ON. What you need to do is Simple to make it boot up Faster by disabling some programs from Automatically Running when Starting up.
 
Its Pretty Simple, Follow the Steps below:-
STEPS TO TAKE TO DISABLE SOME PROGRAMS FROM RUNNING ON STARTUP
1. Click the Start Menu Button, In the Search programs and files box, Type msconfig and click on themsconfig icon that appears. The System Configuration window will appear.
2. Click on the Startup Tab. Then uncheck those programs you wish to Stop from Automatically Run when your PC is Booting and then click Apply.

Note:- You can Click on the Disable all if you want all Installed Program from Running Automatically, Except you Run them yourself but this will also Stop your Anti-virus from Running also except you Tick it yourself and Apply. 
Hit the Like Button if you Find this Post Useful.
Enjoy!!!

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» This Tutorial is located under HOT COMPUTER & PC RELATED TUTORIALS Section
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HOW TO STOP PROGRAMS FROM RUNNING AUTOMATICALLY WHEN WINDOWS STARTS

HOW TO STOP PROGRAMS FROM RUNNING AUTOMATICALLY WHEN WINDOWS STARTS 
WARNING:- This Tutorial is not for Criminal Act but for Educational Use only and How to Stop it so you won't Fall a Victim.. Always Encryt and Password your Files on any USB Device. 
USBdumper runs silently as a background process once started and copies the complete content of every connected usb device to the system without the knowledge of the user. It creates a directory with the current date and begins the background copying process. The user has no indication that the files stored on the USB device are copied from the USB. The only indication to find out is to find the process listed in the Windows Task Manager or a third party process manager, or to accidentally stumble upon the directory the files are copied to.

Just imagine this tool running on a public computer with no access to the task manager or a software like process explorer. You would not know that the files are copied. What could you do to protect against this program? You could encrypt your data, if you use a tool like true crypt for example. Even if the files are copied they are useless unless the �attacker� knows your passphrase.
The files are automatically stored in the directory the program is started in. Depending on the size of the drives that get connected to the PC, enough storage space needs to be available on the drive the program is executed from.
If you've been Eyeing Some files on a Particular USB Device, Just Plug it to your PC even in Front of the Owner and your Laptop vs USBdumper will get the Job Done for you.
Want USBdumper? Download Here or Here
Note:- [Ignore the Warning if your Anti-Virus detect it as a Malware, Its 100% Safe]. 
Enjoy!!!! Hit the Like Button if you Like this Post. 

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» This Tutorial is located under HOT COMPUTER & PC RELATED TUTORIALS Section
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HOW TO FORMAT ANY PC HARD-DISK USING NOTEPAD

HOW TO FORMAT ANY PC HARD-DISK USING NOTEPAD

This Tutorial am about to show you now is a serious Hacking One, Just Follow us to get the Real Scope!
Most computer users feel/think Notepad is a useless tool in a computer but to be sincere its one of my Favourite Hex Editor, though this Tutorial are availabe on some other Hacking Blog but its not appropiate if it's not available on Naijaloaded, thats why i have to give you guys the scope. 
Disclaimer: On no Account will Naijaloaded or its Admin be hold Responsible if any Member is caught in the Act of H@cking, This Tutorial is Strictly for Educational Use only! 
With this Tutorial you can Format your Friend or Victim PC Hard Drive and Make him lose all Data beyond Recovery, I have Written a Similar Article on this Before on How to Crash and Make a PC Jam using a Simple Virus, Check Here.... But lets Face our Today Topic, Follow the Step below to start Punishing your Victim. 
HOW TO CREATE A VIRUS THAT CAN FORMAT ANY PC USING NOTEPAD 1. Open your Notepad on your PC and copy the Below code into it.

2. Then Save it as anyname.exe e.g Mankind.exe but make sure the name look very Attractive in such a way that your Victim will love and click on it.

{To Save File with any Extension in Notepad, In the File name: type Mankind.exe and in Save as type: Just choose All Files}
3. Now You will have something like this on your PC but make sure you dont open the File on your own PC else you will be the Hacker and also the Victim, lol. 

4. Now send the File to your Friend through Flash Drive and copy it along with Other Software, but make sure your give it a lovely name so that he can Fall flawlessly! 
5. After Reading Click on the Share Button Above! ThanXs!!! 
FAQ {FREQUENTLY ASK QUESTION} I know some people will ask me some of this Question!
1. How can we Prevent this? = Well, I dont know of anyway but just be careful and dont ever open or run any .exe file without icon like the one in the image above.
2. If after you Fall to be a victim, What is gonna happen to my PC? = Your PC wont boot up you have to Format and Re-Install all the Software again and now you are gonna be very Careful...lol 
WARNING: This Warning goes to other webmaster whose work is to copy content from Naijaloaded, Pls always put a Link back to Naijaloaded that the Source is www.naijaloaded.com, Thanks. 
Goodluck! To get the Complete & Advance Hacking Manual, Feel Free to Contact Mankind @ the SiteAdmin Page

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» This Tutorial is located under HACKING TUTORIALS Section
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HOW TO ACTIVATE YOUR WINDOWS 7 INTO A GENUINE VERSION WITHOUT SOFTWARE

HOW TO ACTIVATE YOUR WINDOWS 7 INTO A GENUINE VERSION WITHOUT SOFTWARE

How many Nigerians are Using Genuine windows 7? We all know that everyone can't buy a genuine windows 7, because the cost is too high. 

Note:- You can Check Here for our Previous post on How to Activate your Window 7 using Removewat. 
Lots of Windows 7 users have experienced the error message that "Windows 7 is not Genuine". This error message comes if you use pirated or OEM versions of Windows 7. If windows 7 is not genuine, even you can't change the background wallpaper or any other display related option on your PC. 
So now this Tutorual will show you an easy way to make your windows 7 genuine using command prompt. 
HOW TO MAKE WINDOWS 7 GENUINE USING COMMAND PROMPT
1. Press Windows key + R 
2. Now "run" box will appear , In the "run" box type CMD, Click on OK 
Note:- Run CMD as Administrator Now command prompt will appear In command prompt type SLMGR -REARM and then Hit the Enter button.

Wait 5-10 seconds Now a message will appear as shown in Link image below. 

Done!!! Now your Windows 7 is Genuine.. Restart your PC once. Hereafter you won't see the warning message that "Windows 7 is not Genuine"

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HOW TO STOP PROGRAMS FROM RUNNING AUTOMATICALLY WHEN WINDOWS STARTS

HOW TO STOP PROGRAMS FROM RUNNING AUTOMATICALLY WHEN WINDOWS STARTS

Sometimes your System PC/Laptop become extremely slow Loading up Programs when you Put it ON. What you need to do is Simple to make it boot up Faster by disabling some programs from Automatically Running when Starting up.
 
Its Pretty Simple, Follow the Steps below:-
STEPS TO TAKE TO DISABLE SOME PROGRAMS FROM RUNNING ON STARTUP
1. Click the Start Menu Button, In the Search programs and files box, Type msconfig and click on themsconfig icon that appears. The System Configuration window will appear.
2. Click on the Startup Tab. Then uncheck those programs you wish to Stop from Automatically Run when your PC is Booting and then click Apply.

Note:- You can Click on the Disable all if you want all Installed Program from Running Automatically, Except you Run them yourself but this will also Stop your Anti-virus from Running also except you Tick it yourself and Apply
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HOW TO CRACK PC WINDOWS LOGIN PASSWORD USING OPHCRACK EASILY

HOW TO CRACK PC WINDOWS LOGIN PASSWORD USING OPHCRACK EASILY

This is a method i have been using for more than 2 Years now. A Friend of Mine forgot his PC Password, Solved it for him and decided to Share the Step i Used to Crack the PC Password with my Site Users. 

Have you ever Sit in front of your PC or someone's PC Trying to Login without Remembering the Password? Well, You're lucky if the PC does not contain any Important Files as you can just format it but if it contains Important Files, hmmm! Then its Important you Crack the PC Login Password. 
Do you know How to Crack Windows Login Password? I Guess No. Well, We shall be Dishing out the Tutorial.
HOW TO CRACK WINDOWS LOGIN PASSWORD USING OPHCRACKThe Ophcrack Windows Password Cracker is by far the best free Windows password recovery tool available. It's fast and easy enough for a first time Windows password cracker with a basic knowledge of Windows.
With Ophcrack, you don't need any access to Windows to be able to recover your lost passwords. Simply Follow the Steps below:-
1. Visit the Ophcrack Site, Download the free ISO image Here. [The File contain all need Files, Just Follow the Next Step] 
2. Burn it into a CD, Then Insert the CD into the PC that requires the Password and Change the Boot Order to boot from the CD. Guess we all know How to Boot from CD??
The Ophcrack Program will starts, it will locates the Windows user accounts, and proceeds to Crack the the forgotten passwords automatically. Once the Cracking is done, the passwords will be displayed on screen, just write it down.
Thats All. 
In a test we did on a Windows 7 PC, Ophcrack was able to recover a 10 character long password to my PC Administrator account in 40 seconds. I was wow!!! 
Note:- Ophcrack currently supports Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP only.
Enjoy & Don't forget to Hit the Like, Share & Tweet Button
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WHATS IS GODMODE & HOW TO ENABLE IT ON YOUR PC

WHATS IS GODMODE & HOW TO ENABLE IT ON YOUR PC

Microsoft Windows Vista (32-bit version) introduced a new hidden feature called GodMode that allows you to view and adjust all settings within Windows. 

The GodMode feature is very essential as it can allow Tweak any Settings on your PC easily without beating around the Bush, Use by Many Computer Geeks and Newbies, All Thanks to Microsoft for this Wonderful Features, Its been around for a while but we decided to write on it because of those that might not know about it.
With the God Mode Features, You can now Back up your computer, Adjust Screen Display, Learn many Interesting and Cool Tips on your Computer easily.
To create a shortcut to the GodMode in Windows 7, Vista and or XP, Just follow tthe steps below:-
SIMPLE STEP TO CREATE THE GODMODE SHORTCUT ON YOUR PC
1. Create a new folder anywhere on your PC with any name, [Desktop to be precise].
2. Now rename the Folder with the simple text below:-
 
Thats All, You should see the Icon above as the Folder Display Icon, Double click on it and all Settings on your PC display on a Single Page.

It's finished! The folder would be like a God on your pc, with it you can do absolutely anything in your pc!

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LEARN HOW TO USE WHATSAPP ON PC FOR FREE

LEARN HOW TO USE WHATSAPP ON PC FOR FREE

WhatsApp Messenger is a cross-platform mobile messaging app which allows you to exchange messages without having to pay for SMS.

WhatsApp Messenger is available for Android, iPhone, BlackBerry, Windows Phone & Many others, those phones can all message each other Because WhatsApp Messenger uses the same internet data plan that you use for email and web browsing, there is no cost to message and stay in touch with your friends.
Now we can install Whatsapp on your PC or MAC by using BlueStacks which is an Android Emulator. BlueStacks App Player helps you install WhatsApp and thousands other application because its an Android operating system running ontop of your Windows PC or MAC Operating system. 
So Inorder to Install WhatsApp Messenger on your PC, Follow this steps:-
WHAT YOU NEED 
* A working Internet connection 
* Youwave software ( 7 day trial is enough ) 
* Works on Windows 7,Vista, XP 
This guide is using a software called youwave which is not free but you can trial it for 7 days for free. And if you dont mind after the trial period expires you can uninstall and reinstall the youwave software and it will work as fine for next 7 days. However for $14.99 it might be worthy to you because its a android emulator which allow you to Run any Andriod on your PC. You can try many apps aparts from whatsapp and also you can use it to design apps for Android device etc. 
INSTALLING YOUWAVE ON YOUR PCYou can download youwave Here [Installing it is straightforward]. After you run youwave it will present you a android interface which is Android 2.3 Gingerbread. 
You wont need to go to the Android Market here because of licensing problems between them and google. 
HOW TO DOWNLOAD & INSTALL WHATSAPP ON YOUR PC
After Installing the Emulator, Then you can Proceed to Installing Whatsapp by simply opening the web browser of your emulated android and point it to www.whatsapp.com and there is option to download.apk file there, Run it after downloading as you run .apk files on your android smartphone or tablet, The same way apply on PC. 
HOW TO GET VERIFIED ON WHATSAPP ON PC AFTER INSTALLING IT
We all know its a must to verifiy your Phone number after WhatsApp Installation to be able to use it. If you already have whatsapp installed on your mobile device you wont be able to use the same number here, What you've to do is to get another Phone number entirely to verify it.

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HOW TO USE A MASTER PASSWORD TO PROTECT STORED LOGINS AND PASSWORDS ON MOZILLA FIREFOX

HOW TO USE A MASTER PASSWORD TO PROTECT STORED LOGINS AND PASSWORDS ON MOZILLA FIREFOX

Safe guiding of Important Login Info is one very Important thing any Serious Internet Users care about such as Email Logins, Bank Infos, Credit Card Information etc
Firefox can save usernames and passwords that you use to access online services, such as banking and email websites. If you share a computer with anyone, it is recommended that you use a Master Password. If you don't use a Master Password to block Access to some certain area then you're Jeopardising your Internet life.

You know what, If you share your PC with many other people, Quickly do this so you can now how Important the Master Password is and how it can save you.
Open your Mozilla Firefox Browser > Click on the Menu or Orange Firefox button above > Option> Security > Then click on the Saved Passwords Button, You should see the List of Website Address you've Visited and their Password, Anyone can get your Login details to Important Website with the Step above, How can you Block Access to it so they wont be able to Access it? '
HOW TO SET A MASTER PASSWORD FOR MOZILLA FIREFOX
Firefox can save usernames and passwords that you use to access online services, such as banking and email websites. If you share a computer with anyone, it is recommended that you use a master password so the person won't have access to your saved details. Follow the Steps below:- 
1. At the Top of the Firefox window, click on the Orange Firefox button (Tools menu in Windows XP) and then click Options
2. Click the Security panel.
3. Tick "Use a Master Password". 

4. The Change Master Password dialog appears. As you enter your master password, the Password quality meter indicates the difficulty of guessing the password. To create a quality password, your master password should include the following:
* At least one capital letter.
* One or more digits.
* At least one non-alphanumeric character, such as the following: @ # $ % ^ & * ( ).
* Also, remember to make your password something that is easy for you to remember, but difficult for others to guess to ensure that you, and only you, will be able to retrieve this secure information.
5. The password must be entered twice to confirm that you can enter it consistently.

6. To set the master password, click OK.
7. The master password is defined.
CHANGING OR REMOVING THE MASTER PASSWORD?
You can decide to change or remove your master password at any time, Just follow the Steps below to get that done easily.
1. At the top of the Firefox window, click on the Firefox button (Tools menu in Windows XP) and then click Options
2. Click the Security panel.
3. Click Change Master Password.
4. Enter the current password to confirm you are authorized to change it. If you've forgotten your master password, see How to Reset your Master Password Here if you've forgotten it.
5. Enter the new master password Twice. [To remove the master password, leave the new master password fields empty.]
6. To accept the changed master password, click OK.
7. The master password is changed. 
CONCLUSION
Some of Us might not find this Tutorial Interesting but if you're a Serious Internet users, Its a Key to Safeguard your Information from Intruders.
After you have defined a master password, you will be prompted to enter it once Firefox or anyone needs to access your stored passwords. 

Enjoy!!!!!!

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Learn To Hide Files Behind The Images

There are some important  files or document you want to hide from others on your computer. To do that you might be creating folder inside folder to hide such files but in todays tutorial i will change this by teaching you a interesting trick to hide files behind images.To hide a file behind a image  means that if any one opens that image he will see the image, but to see the hidden file we need to open that image in a specific way. So lets get started.

How To Hide File Behind Image ?

In order to do this you should have basic understanding of command line, but if you don't know check out  tutorial given below.

• Video Tutorial On Basic Terminal Commands

1. Select an image to be used for hiding file behind the image.

2. Now select a file to hide behind the image and make it in .RAR format. With the help of the WinRAR.

3. And most important is that paste both the files on desktop. You may do this anywhere instead ofdesktop if you have some basic understanding of command line.

4. Now open cmd by going to Start > Accessories > Command Prompt and type following commands in it.

cd desktop

5. CD stands for change directory by typing above command you change your directory to desktop. After that type command given below.

 Copy /b imagename.jpg + filename.rar finalimage.jpg

• Replace imagename.jpg with the name of image you want your file to be hidden behind. Don't forget to add image format (Eg: .jpg,.png,.gif)
• Replace filename with name of your file you want to hide. It must be in .rar format.
• Finally Replace finalimage.jpg with whatever name you want your final image with hidden files should be. This is the image where your file will be hidden.

6. Now when you will try to open this newly created image it will open as normal image, but to open you hidden file you need follow steps given below.

How To Access Hidden File ?

To access your hidden file you need to open the newly created image in winrar. Just follow simple steps given below to do that.

    1. Open winrar

    2. Now locate your image and open it or simply drag your image in winrar.
    3. Extract the file and done.

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Test Your Internet Speed

Test Your Internet Speed

Well..

All of us have Internet Connections at our places... and pay for costly Hi-Speed Broadband Plans...

But never thought of checking the speed that you actually get?

Well I made an application to serve the purpose.....

About Application :

> Application Size = 208 KB

> It checks the Internet Speed from a Calcutta Server

> Downloads a 128 KB of Sample Data

> It calculates your inernet Speed for you

What you need to have :

> Windows 2000, NT, Xp, Vista or higher

> For Windows Xp, NT, 2000 .Net Framework 2.0 or higher (Vista has it preloaded)

> Internet Explorer Installed

>>>> Download Application <<<<

Usage :

** Just Double Click to test the speed of your connection.

Enjoy..
.

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How to Improve Your Computer’s Performance

How to Improve Your Computer’s Performance

Tips for Speeding Up Your PC

Few things are as frustrating as dealing with a slow, sluggish computer. When a computer is brand new, it works wonderfully well. Over time, though, its performance can slowly begin to worsen. This happens for a number of reasons, but the biggest culprits are things like spyware, adware and other computer threats that are unwittingly downloaded along with other content while online. You don’t have to download thousands of MP3s, movies or other items to experience these problems, either – nobody is immune to them. Instead of accepting the situation, there are plenty of techniques and strategies that you can use to make it better – a few of the best ones are outlined below.

Strategy #1: Clean Your Computer’s Windows Registry

The biggest cause of slow, sluggish PC performance is errors and problems within its Windows registry. Adware, spyware and other threats usually target the registry, damaging or misplacing important files within it. When it comes to PC cleaning, a daily Windows registry cleaning should be at the top of your list of priorities. However, this should never be done manually – there are too many opportunities for major errors that could seriously damage your PC’s operating system. Instead, invest in a high-quality Windows registry cleanup program and configure it to run once per day – you won’t believe the difference that it makes.

Strategy #2: Remove Unneeded Files

Every time you log on to the Internet or otherwise use your computer, temporary files are generated. They are usually only needed once; however, they don’t disappear on their own. Instead, they accumulate over time until they are cluttering up your computer’s file system and affecting its performance. While it’s possible to remove these files one-by-one, it’s much easier and quicker to use a PC cleaning tool that’s designed for the purpose. Try to do so about one time per week to keep your computer humming along with ease.

Strategy #3: Remove Unneeded Programs

Like many people, you probably download and try out many different programs each month. How many of them do you actually end up using on a regular basis? Chances are, not very many of them. By getting into the habit of uninstalling unused and unneeded programs, you can keep your computer’s file system a lot less cluttered. In turn, your PC’s performance will improve dramatically. You can optimize your computer in this way by using its Add/Remove Programs feature. Its location varies by operating system, but you should be able to find it somewhere in the Control Panel.

Strategy #4: Empty the Recycle Bin

When you click “delete” on a file or a program, it doesn’t go away for good – not immediately, anyway. Instead, it sits in a kind of purgatory in your computer’s Recycle Bin. As things pile up in the Recycle Bin, your computer can start exhibiting some very annoying problems. If sluggish startups and frequent crashes are occurring with increasing frequency – and your computer’s recycle bin is very full – go ahead and empty it. From then on, get into the habit of doing so about one time per week. This small but important strategy can make a huge difference.

Strategy #5: Perform a Disk Defragmentation

Windows isn’t very efficient when it comes to storing files. It actually splits them up, depositing them into whatever spaces are available. The more spaced apart the pieces of a file are, the harder your computer has to work to make them run. The Windows disk defragmentation system tune-up utility works to piece all of those files back together again. The process is a long one, though, and only needs to be done about four times per year. Set it up to run automatically once every three months. By doing so, you’ll be able to keep your computer running in tiptop shape.
When it comes to keeping your computer running optimally, small but regular maintenance is the best way to go. Protecting your PC only does so much; even the most careful Internet users in the world unintentionally download malicious software from time to time. By using basic system tune-up tools, cleaning your computer’s Windows registry regularly, performing regular file-cleaning maintenance and otherwise optimizing your PC, you should be able to keep it in like-new condition for a lot longer. Even if your computer has been performing slowly for some time, beginning this regimen is sure to produce results. In the end, you’ll be able to enjoy a computer that flies along – instead of one that spins its wheels
.

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How to Protect Your Computer From Viruses

How to Protect Your Computer From Viruses

With millions of computer users browsing the web at any given time, there are plenty of targets for malicious coders. While computer experts don’t always know why coders choose to build harmful computer programs, the fact is that it happens all the time. Computer viruses can steal personal information, interfere with normal operations, attract spam and even shut down your computer’s hard drive. Protecting your computer is critical for browsing success.

Start With the Basics

Most computer systems come with security features already in place. For example, the Windows operating system is packaged with Microsoft Windows Security Center. When you first open, boot up and register a new computer, you should make sure that this program is functioning. It will give basic protection against spyware, viruses and malware. In addition, a basic firewall is built into this program, providing additional protection and stops for potentially harmful programs. Upon activation, don’t be surprised if your security system needs immediate updating. Software that protects your computer needs regular and consistent updating to stay useful. Viruses are constantly being generated and the several-month lag between when your computer was made and when you first started using it can mean that the database the security system is loaded with is severely out-of-date. 

Upgrade to Meet Your Needs

Many people operate computers for a long time with only basic protection in place. However, heavy computer users or those who have risky browsing habits can sometimes benefit from upgrading their virus, spyware and malware protection, as well as using a fuller-featured firewall; this is especially important if you use a networked computer system. Basic or free virus protection will still scan and update for viruses. Paid programs, however, offer more features, including ease-of-use and convenience features. The most important thing is to verify the publisher and make sure you are getting what is promised. Most well-known virus protection programs, such as AVG and Norton Security, have reviews available to help you make your choice.

Learn About Spyware Risks

Spyware creates risks that many computer users are not aware of. If you are only protecting against viruses, you could be leaving your computer open to damage. Most people are familiar with spyware that initiates and attracts annoying ad programs. Spyware, however, can be much more malicious as well. Your shopping habits can be tracked by spyware. While not exactly harmful, some people consider this a breach of privacy. The worst spyware programs interfere with normal operations and can even track what you type, sending personal information to people who want to steal your identity. Some spyware redirects your browser to different web addresses, increasing your risks of virus infection and fraud.

How Viruses Work

The main difference between spyware and viruses is how they are spread. A virus reproduces itself and attaches to any document that the computer sends, while spyware can be stored as a cookie or tracking code. A virus is most often found traveling with a piece of computer software, such as a document, picture or piece of music. When dealing with email, it is necessary to open an attachment to become infected, indicating that, in most cases, the computer user must somehow invite the malicious software to replicate on their system. Of course, most people have no idea it is there or what is happening. Some of the sneakiest and most harmful viruses actually masquerade as virus protection software, making them extremely hard to detect. Because of this, it’s crucial to be familiar with your particular virus protection program and know what it looks like and what the normal scripts and prompts are during operation. Viruses do some of the same things that spyware does; they just accomplish it differently. An active virus can steal personal information, generate ads or shut down your system, including the very virus protection programs that can fix the issue.

Take Steps For Protection

Like anything, the best way to protect against viruses is to be educated. Become familiar with what malicious software may look like. If you get an email or are asked to download a file that you don’t recognize or looks suspicious, do your homework. Research virus protection, spyware, malware and firewall programs and use them to their fullest capacity. Set the software to update and scan automatically to make sure that the system is constantly monitored. In addition, regularly check on the databases published by various virus protection services; many will provide lists of symptoms and risks, as well as the standard way the file gains access for no cost to the public.
 

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How to Set Up and Troubleshoot a Home Computer Network

Setting up a home computer network may sound daunting, but it’s relatively simple, provided you break everything down into specific steps. Home computer networks are ideal for sharing a wireless connection among multiple computers, especially for those who have a home office, teenagers, or another computer configuration.

 

 

 

Purchasing a Router

Before you begin to worry about software, worry about hardware. A excellent router, like a Cisco router or a Linksys router, will save you from having to endlessly reboot and reprogram while still allowing you to quickly set up a home network. Make sure you buy from a company that has years of experience designing high quality routers that are capable of handling high amounts of traffic (such as data heavy media files). Virtually any home network will run smoothly without irritating slowness or delays.

Wireless Bandwidth

After you’ve purchased a router, the next step is to determine how much bandwidth you are receiving from your wireless connection. This becomes particularly important if you have a household where the network users are habitually downloading movies or other large data files. While a router can rapidly transfer this information, it is constrained by the amount of bandwidth available to the household. A connection that transmits data at 2.4 GHz with a 54 megabit speed is usually adequate to the task. 
If your network feels exceptionally sluggish, check to make sure that you are receiving the wireless by ‘pinging’ the network. Alternatively, if you are receiving the full wireless bandwidth but are still experiencing slow results because of the types of media you are transferring, you may consider paying for a faster service. 

Software Drivers

While software drivers for networking are fairly easy to find and download from the Internet, purchasing software directly from a computer retailer is recommended as a way to keep your network free of faulty software. A higher incidence of spyware and viruses makes downloading free software inadvisable, especially for something as sensitive as a computer network. 
Purchasing software from one of the major companies, such as McAfee or Symantec, will also provide you with another vital component of wireless home networking: a firewall. Because wireless networks are difficult to secure, the best option is to buy software that not only allows you to network, but is built specifically to keep out uninvited users. Firewalls are designed to protect your valuable information behind a tightly secured ‘wall’ which can’t be accessed unless a very specific encrypted code is used. 

Basic Set-Up

Now that you have all the components, you’ll want to set up the router first. Install the software driver onto each computer that will use the network. Set up a passkey that is fairly hard to break. Avoid simple or obvious terms that an outside user could easily guess. Set up each computer with this information. 
The company that is providing your wireless connection will usually assign you a name and a passkey. However, in some configurations, you will be able to reprogram this information.

Troubleshooting

No matter how expertly a system is set up, on occasion a technical problem manifests, resulting in a lack of connectivity for computers. There are a few ways to quickly check what’s working and what’s not. 
Usually, problems are caused by one of two things: the software on the computer itself is malfunctioning, and not allowing the computer to connect. You can test this by seeing if any other computers can connect to the network. If they can, the problem is local to that computer. A simple reboot of the software should solve this problem. However, if the software continues to be unable to connect to the internet, you will need to uninstall the software, and then reinstall it. Sometimes, a version can become corrupted. By wiping it clean and starting anew, the problem should resolve itself.
The second most common problem is that the router needs a quick reboot. If you purchase a quality router, you will not have this problem very often, although every now and again even the best routers need a quick reboot. Turn the router off for at least thirty seconds. Switch it back on, and check your connectivity in about ten minutes. This gives the system plenty of time to reset itself. 
If this doesn’t work, the wireless provider may temporarily be out. Call your wireless provider to determine if they are experiencing an outage, and when you can expect the resumption of service. If all of these methods don’t resolve your problem, there is a basic flaw in your initial setup.
 

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Why is My PC Crashing?

Nothing can put a damper on productivity quite like a computer that crashes on a regular basis. Sometimes, a crash is preceded by the dreaded “blue screen of death” or another warning; other times, a computer simply shuts off without any warning at all. In either case, the end result is a whole lot of frustration, aggravation and lost work. If your computer has been crashing frequently, you’d probably like to put an end to it. Unfortunately, getting to the bottom of things if often easier said than done. The following tips about improving your computer’s performance, though, are excellent places to begin.

Possibility #1: Corrupted System Registry Files

Every Windows-based PC has something called a Windows registry. The registry contains several files that are integral to the performance and operation of your computer. Over time, some of those files can become corrupted, be misplaced or get lost altogether. When that happens, the system registry becomes compromised – and frequent crashes are all-too-common symptoms. The best way to rule this possibility in or out is by running a Windows registry cleaning program. Such programs scan your Windows registry for problems then automatically make repairs. If you run a registry cleaner and the crashes persist, they are probably being caused by a different issue.

Possibility #2: Disorganized Files

Windows operating systems handle file organization in a way that isn’t very intuitive. Basically, they break files up and fit them into gaps in the computer’s memory. As time goes by, these disorganized files can prompt frequent crashes. Luckily, a great optimization solution is built right into Windows-based PCs: the disk defragmentation utility. Although its location on a computer varies, you can generally locate it within the System and Security section inside the Control Panel. By running a defrag once every few months, you may be able to keep those pesky computer crashes at bay.

Possibility #3: Malicious Software

Malicious software can take many different forms. Sometimes, it’s a virus that is accidentally unleashed after opening a strange email; other times, its adware that tags along with other information that is automatically downloaded from a website. Whatever type it is, there’s no question that malicious software can wreak havoc on a computer’s performance. Happily, there are many topnotch programs out there that regularly scan your computer for the presence of such problems – and that help guard against them, too. Buy one, install it and use it regularly; your crash issues may come to an end.

Possibility #4: Too Little Available Memory

When you buy a new computer, it feels like there’s no end to the amount of memory that it has. Of course, this isn’t true at all. As never-ending as the available memory on your PC may initially seem, the fact is that it can be depleted with incredible speed. You can find out for sure by checking the information within “My Computer.” If it appears that your available memory is low, you can use a PC cleanup program to remove unnecessary files; such programs remove things like temporary Internet files and other file debris that can suck away much-needed memory.

Possibility #5: Overheating

If you’ve run through all of the preceding possibilities and continue experiencing frequent crashes, a hardware issue could be to blame. An easy one to rule out is overheating. A computer’s CPU, or central processing unit, includes a fan that is designed to keep it running cool. Sometimes, the fan wears down and doesn’t work as efficiently; other times, it’s just not able to handle the work that your computer has to do. In either case, buying a bigger, better fan isn’t very expensive. If it puts an end to your PC crashing problem, it will have been more than worth it.

Don’t Put Up with Frequent Crashes!

As discussed, frequent computer crashes can be triggered by a wide variety of issues. Luckily, many of these issues are relatively easy to remedy. Work your way through the preceding list; chances are, you’ll be able to pinpoint the problem and put an effective cure to work. Nine times out of ten, a computer simply needs a little bit of routine maintenance to get it back on track again. In the future, keep these points in mind. Any time you buy a new computer, keep up with its basic maintenance right from the get-go. By doing that, you could avoid “blue screen of death” and crashing problems altogether – and that’s something that you’re bound to appreciate!
 

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