Fix IT Newsletter Alert April 2009 Issue 0018 News New pages added since last newsletter... Increased Security For Your Computer Upgrade or Buy a New Computer? Articles Hello If you follow the national news or read computer blogs you will have heard about a virus that was 'supposed' to come to life on April 1, 2009 and wreak havoc on the computing world. Alas it was all hype, the Doom and Gloom crowd worked over time to scare every one. That is one of the reasons I wrote the article above 'Increased Security for Your Computer'. The Conifer virus has been around since the 1990's. And on April 1 it normally activates. And those that went through the clean up of past years know how to keep it from activating or causing any damage. You can keep these viruses from doing their dirty work with a few precautions. Keep your Anit-Virus, Anti-Trojan, Anti-Spyware programs up to date If you don't have a firewall between your computer and the internet install one (a router works best) Keep you Operating System updated, even the Mac would be vulnerable to the Conifer virus, it is not destructive it is a control type virus. Scan every file you download, it would be easier if you only downloaded to one folder instead of the desktop or where ever the program you are using wants to place the file. As I always say it is your data and if you want to keep it yours you have to protect it! I wrote an article about upgrade or buy a new computer for the web site. There are a few more facts that I would like to give you when making your decision. 1) How much time do you have to develop your plan to do the upgrade. (If you are leaving for a vacation and your laptop dies is it less expensive to buy a new one or rent one while yours is being fixed and take the rental on the vacation?) 2) How much you have to spend. (Unless you find a Super Bargain) building your own will be cheaper and have higher quality than a pre manufactured computer - with the exception of a laptop) 3) Your skill level (Do you think you would be able to do the job? It would be very costly to start the build and not complete it because you don't have the knowledge to complete it). My little Q and A section has grown quite a bit in the last month, stop by and have a look. Someone may have already had a problem you are facing and the answer may save you some time and frustration. And if you do have a question please ask! :) And coming soon a tutorial for upgrading your laptop. I have done two of the three upgrades and so far I am satisfied and have decided to pass on my experience to you! Stay tuned! Other news: Microsoft has released it's latest and greatest browser, I think it has the potential to be one of the better browsers to be released in a long time, it has the features of Fire Fox and Opera plus the normal Internet Explore features. And a couple of new features. The main feature is the ability to turn on 'Privacy' that is stop websites and directories from tracking your movements on the internet. For those concerned with the new Google policy of tracking your browsing habits then displaying ads targeted at you this will stop that practice. I have been using it off and on for the last two weeks and have not found any 'Bugs', I recommend you give it a try. You can down load it here - IE 8 If  you visit my site on a regular basis you will have noticed that I no longer have Google AdSense ads on my web site. This is due to the change in Google's policy of tracking my readers habits and then displaying targeted ads based on the readers past browsing not on the content of the page. Before if you noticed when you were on a page say about hard drives that the ads would have different companies that sold hard drives. With the change at Google the ad displayed on a web site page could range from Baby Clothes to Beer or beyond. So instead of assisting you the reader they are assisting the themselves. Q and A This site contains a lot of information. As with any publication not all information is available due to space, time, or subject constraints. If you have a question that you did not find the answer on this web site  you a can ask your question here and we will endeavor to get you the most up to date answer possible! Comments? Ideas? Feedback? I'd love to hear from you. Just reply to this newsletter and tell me what you think! Yes, you may forward this email to anyone you want! If you don't have a subscription, and would like one, just go to our Fix It! newsletter signup (and get free sample pages at the same time) Here are some web sites that may be of interest to you: Need help with basic system functions: Computer help - Learn how to use your computer www.pcmech.com Highly Recommends... "This is the "kitchen sink" e-book for computer maintenance and repair. A jam-packed 346 pages. As Monte Russell (the author) says in his book, "Computers have always been complex, but if a guy that grew up out in the boonies in Wyoming can fix 'em, you can also!" Monte is a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force. Afterwards, he served a long career as a computer repair tech and network administrator (PC Mech)". A must have book, spiral bound. Learn more here... All the best, Monte Russell Webmaster www.diy-computer-repair.com Return to top