Archive for the ‘Software’ Category

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Unable to connect to any antivirus site

Wednesday, August 27th, 2008

Just yesterday my computer got infected by nasty virus/spyware, the virus hijack my browser when going to any AV site or known support forum. The virus is preventing me to access those site and instead it redirected me to my localhost/127.0.0.1 . I am using windows XP Pro and was using AVG Free.

I tried to scan using AVG but it does not find anything either. I noticed that the virus definition was not updated, and keep failing to update. The virus is preventing me to access the updates, so what I did is used web proxy to visit the AVG site and luckily I got in and download the updates manually. I scan again and still no virus was found.

So then I went and tried all other free antivirus softwares out there: BitDefender, Avira Antivir, Spybot, and still no luck to find any virus/spyware.

I also tried to checked my HOSTS file and it looked normal. I keep on looking/searching on the net until I found the solution on a cnet forum.
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Tags: anti malware, antivirus, Bitdefender, free antivirus, hosts file, localhost, mbam, nasty virus, spybot, Spyware, virus definition, viruses, web proxy
Posted in Security, Software | 4 Comments »

Super Fast Shutdown and Super Fast Reboot

Monday, June 2nd, 2008

The Super Fast Shutdown and Reboot are free software you could just download easily and quickly install. Normally during system shutdown, it would take you at least 30 seconds for your computer to shutdown but with this free software, just click it and your PC will shut down in only 5 seconds! You may think waiting for 30 seconds isn’t that bad but of course having a 5 second option is just a lot better and many people have already tried to use this new free software and are impressed by it. It really shuts down your PC in just 5 seconds! Not even a second more as promised.

It’s only 270 Kb zip file so you don’t need to have an ultra-fast DSL to download it. After downloading, install it and you are done. No more sign-ups or long installation process. You get the speedy shut down or system reboot in just one click.

So, how does this software really work? There are many speculations about it and you can really decide only after you have tried it. Just a precautionary measure though make sure you exit your programs properly before you try it just to avoid any alteration or deletion of files. Some say it’s just like holding your PC’s power button which would turn off your PC in also 5 seconds. Always doing this may crash your PC and surely that’s not what you want. For just a few seconds less waiting for shut down, that doesn’t seem worth it. With this tool, it’s uncertain really how it works but you should use this simple software at your own risk. Close all your programs properly before shutting down or rebooting so then there won’t be any effects to your system files. Some had used it for years and have not experienced any problems while some are hesitant to use it. The official site where you could download this software states that regular use of this software may cause disk corruption so it’s important to keep this in mind. Use it every now and then if you like especially if you’re in a hurry but don’t shut down or reboot your PC this way all the time.

Use it at your own risk!

Download the software Download SuperFast Shutdown

Tags: XP Smoker
Posted in Software | No Comments »

Customize your Mouse Buttons!

Monday, May 26th, 2008

How can you possibly survive browsing the net or working through your files without a mouse? It may just scroll and click but we usually use the mouse more than we ever use the keyboard. From the very basic 2 buttons to the more advanced 5-button mouse, your tasks are becoming a lot easier because of this tool.


To make it a lot more useful and even more fun, you can download the X-Mouse Button Control windows application so you could alter the designated task for each button. Usually, the most useful buttons for a mouse are the first2 for the left click and right click while the rest can be altered to make them a lot more useful. Have you ever used the middle button, the button on the scroller? It’s pretty much useless unless of course you’d map the mouse button for a more useful action.

With the X-Mouse Button Control, you can map different keys for each mouse button. You can maximize your windows with just 1 mouse click or you could minimize all your running programs with just one click or maximize all of them too. You can also disable your mouse buttons if that would help you. A great suggestion is to disable the right mouse button so your kids won’t accidentally press it during game play to prevent interruptions. Or, if you’re a left-handed individual, you may want to switch the left and right click too. The possibilities are endless and it’s really up to you how you want your mouse buttons to serve you. Another great suggestion is to set the 4th button as “Copy” and the 5th button as “paste”. This makes the encoding task a breeze!

Now you can enjoy mouse clicking even more because of this small 350 Kb program. What’s even great is, it’s free!

Tags: mouse button
Posted in Computer, Software | No Comments »

Anti Keylogger and Anti-Screen Capture software

Wednesday, May 21st, 2008

The internet is filled with malicious Trojans and keyloggers that can steal your confidential information such as password and even your credit card info. This is particularly dangerous to people who have Paypal and other similar accounts because you keep your money through these online “banks”.

Finding the best software to block these privacy intrusions is not easy and there’s really no perfect software that could block all types of keyloggers and screen capture. Everyday there are new types of keylogger and Trojans being developed by these hackers who got nothing better to do with their lives. Because of these hackers, software developers are constantly updating their software to detect and block these new Trojans and keyloggers but none are really perfect.

To find the best software, here are a couple of best software that blocks most keyloggers and screen capture software.

  1. Defense Wall HIPS - It’s not a free software and it costs only $29.95. For this software you are protected against adware, spyware, rootkits and keyloggers and it blocks some (but not all) screen capture. For just $29.95, the Defense Wall HIPS is a great tool to keep those malwares out without ripping you off.
  2. Privacy Keyboard - Again, this one is not a free software either. It’s a lot more expensive than the Defense Wall HIPS but it’s a lot more effective in protecting your PC. It costs $119.95 which is kind of expensive but it’s definitely worth it. For the type of protection it offers, $119.95 is still a bargain. It blocks almost all types of keyloggers and screen capture but it’s still not a perfect tool but it’s definitely close to it. Like what is stated above, everyday new types of malwares, adwares, spywares and keyloggers are created so software developers should constantly be on the look out.
  3. Anti Keylogger - Windows only: Freeware application Anti Keylogger Shield blocks keyloggers from tracking the passwords and other personal information you type on your computer. Unlike other similar tools, Anti Keylogger Shield does not detect existing keylogger software; it just disables the mechanisms they use to record your typing.

Tags: keylogger
Posted in Computer, Security, Software | No Comments »

What are the best firewalls to use for your PC?

Tuesday, May 20th, 2008

Hackers seem to be everywhere and they cause threats to every PC owners like you. To keep yourself protected, you would need an excellent firewall to prevent those malicious hackers from wrecking havoc to your PC. If you use paypal and other internet-based banking, you have to be careful as your password and username may be copied through spywares and you’d end up losing valuable money from malicious withdrawal.

Linux and Mac users are not affected by this but the majority, the Windows users, are constantly being threatened by these spywares, identity and data theft.

There are paid and free spyware removal software available to choose from but it doesn’t really matter if you’d get a free software as long as it does its job well. Why pay more for something you can get for free anyway?

The 5 best firewalls you may want to try are the Comodo Firewall Pro 3.0.21.329, Online Armor Personal Firewall 2.1.0.119, ProSecurity 1.43, Outpost Firewall Pro 2008 6.0.2302.264.0490 and Kaspersky Internet Security 7.0.1.325. The Comodo Firewall Pro and the Online Armor Personal Firewall are free software but they are actually the best type of firewall available. Finding the best firewall for you is a debatable topic as each PC are different and people’s preference also vary. You may try both free firewall software to check for yourself which one suits you best. Only Comodo supports Windows Vista as Online Armor does not. Online Armor has an easy interface so you don’t need to be an expert to know what to do and how to go around it. The Comodo has many settings and people with the right know-how would appreciate this software more. Either way you choose, or perhaps you may choose the 3 other firewalls software stated above, you are still protected from those malicious hacking.

Just make sure that you only use 1 firewall protection software at a time. If you’re not happy with your chosen software, uninstall it and install a new one and use that.

Tags: antivirus, firewall, Kaspersky, Spyware
Posted in Computer, Security, Software | No Comments »

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