Suggestions For the PC User

[MERZiN8]

Good Evening,

In the last couple of days, I have noticed a few computer issues here and there. I have been trying to help Mr. Pawz this best I know how, and we are getting there. Anyways, there a few details I would like to share that I feel maybe a help to anyone really. Before I start I want to say, there is not an exact science to making computers work perfectly every time, it almost never happens, and there is almost always an outside variable of some point. So the suggestions I make are just that, suggestions. They work for me and they tend to work for the people I service. When they don't I adapt.

First thing and I feel this is an important one is Internet Explorer. This is solely for PC/Microsoft operating systems (Windows of some flavor). Everytime your computer needs to talk to the Internet it uses some form of Internet Explorer. Updates for things, pulling templates for Word or Excel, a variety of things, all rely on I.E. (Internet Explorer). Now, other programs that you may use also rely on IE to talk to the Internet for updates or to just simply work. If you are using IE to browse, you are more susceptible to picking up spyware, malware, hijacks, other bad distasteful items. If you do that while using IE, you can infect IE and thus bring your computer crashing down. And picking up malware/spyware is no difficult task. You can do it without even knowing it, and then things will stop working or your computer will get slower, until you cannot use it and you are pulling your hair out or falling asleep waiting for your computer to load the Internet. A simple fix to this issue is to simply not use IE. Use it 1 time. To download a copy of Firefox or Google Chrome. Just make sure when you are downloading these, you are doing from either the Mozilla website (Firefox) or google.com.

Second thing, Anti virus. Important yes. But equally important is surfing habits. Be careful where you go and what you do. Like I said before there are a lot of places out there that will give you the bug by simply peeking in the door. Also, with this, is the type of anti virus you have. I have worked at my current place for a little over a year and then a few shops before that. In the last 17 months, 9 different cases, someone brought in their computer for it being slow and the sole problem was Norton Anti virus. I uninstall it and it alone and the computer suddenly speeds up to a normal pace. I have seen a couple of these instances with McAfee as well. So I recommend staying from it as well. I have used the FREE version of AVG for the last 10 years or more with no problems. Knock on wood. It works. No BS. Some say Avast is good, and while I do not prefer that one, AVG is what I use. Its one of those preference things. But Norton and McAfee are bad news bears for sure.

Third thing, computer maintenance. Make sure to do updates, Windows Updates, Java updates, Adobe updates, anti virus updates. They keep you safe or at least help. Your computer will need to shut down at times. Let it. If you leave it on alot, restart it every once in a while. Just things to keep in mind.

I am going to stop there for now. IF there is more interest I have more tips and tricks and things. The way I see this is, knowledge is the most powerful tool in the world, and sharing is caring. I am all about learning new things and strive to learn something every single day. One cannot be in the technology world and not have that mindset, you will get passed in no time. So like I said before these are my suggestions. What works for me, and most of the people I know. Everyone has their preferences and lots of techs and computer people share different preferences and opinions.

Anyway, I hope this helped. See ya later.

[Emperor XIX]

And for when you do eventually get infected: Malware bytes. It will remove virtually anything. I fucking love that program. Also, Windows Defender/Microsoft Security Essentials are great too for realtime defense.

[CAG CheechDogg]

Most computers and laptops start slowing down because of "Bloatware" which are programs that are pre installed on a new laptop or computer from the get go. Sometimes we ourselves download and install programs that we think are going to be useful and we never use them again, this is "Bloatware".

Check your computer often for "Bloatware" perfect examples of this are Norton Anti Virus, McAfee Anti Virus, Skype, and even some games we play on PC.

Norton and McAfee are resource hogs on your system, meaning that they run extra processes that are not even needed and use up a lot of your computer's resources make it them slow. While both Norton and McAfee claim that these extra process is what helps keep your computer or laptops safe by always scanning for virus, trojans, spyware and other stuff that might harm your computer or laptops, free antivirus programs such as AVG and my personal favorite Avast do the exact same thing with less resources being used up thus allowing your computer or laptops to run like they should.

Here is a list of programs that are considered "Bloatware" and you should all avoid as much as possible

1. Norton Anti Virus
2. McAfee Anti Virus
3. Skype
4. Hulu
5. Blio
6. Microsoft Office 2010 Starter Edition
7. Games (a.k.a., HP Games, Acer Games, or Gateway Games)
8. kobo
9. Zinio
10. Press Reader
11. Snapfish
12. AOL

These are just some and there are plenty more ...But if you don't use a program and you have it installed on your computer or laptop just remove ...

Also like Merz said, Internet Explorer is a piece of crap browser and you should stay way from it. The only reason to have it on your computer or laptop is for Windows Updates which happen automatically anyways.

Never install browser toolbars such as Google toolbar, nothing like that, they really slow down your systems.

[CAG CheechDogg]

And for when you do eventually get infected: Malware bytes. It will remove virtually anything. I fucking love that program. Also, Windows Defender/Microsoft Security Essentials are great too for realtime defense.

Malware Bytes is no longer what it used to be. It wont detect anything and what it does detect and wants you to remove or delete can be "most" of the times false positives. Just like a lot of registry cleaners which you don't need because all new computers and desktops now run their own registry cleaner by default along with defragmentation of your drives, these free programs can make you delete programs you actually need and registries you need.

Best way to avoid getting viruses is to stay away from sites that you know will give you viruses, such as porn sites and sites you don't know very well.

Also opening emails that you don't know are very quick ways of getting viruses.

Just use common sense people, you can actually have a secure and healthy computer or laptop without any anti-virus program. You don't need it at all, but it helps if you are a very active internet user.

[layserman2]

install chrome. Faster and less viruses

[SprayAim]

all good advice, advice i already follow..... i fucking swear by AVG. the small few times i have used different antivirus software i have ended up having to reinstall windows due to contracting viruses

chrome 4lyf

[MERZiN8]

And for when you do eventually get infected: Malware bytes. It will remove virtually anything. I fucking love that program. Also, Windows Defender/Microsoft Security Essentials are great too for realtime defense.

Personally, we still use Malwarebytes, but I use a couple other programs as well. ComboFix is a big one I use. Typically when I have an infection of anykind. I start with Combofix, restart, run Malwarebytes/SuperAntiSpyware Free, restart, then run CCleaner, the cleaner and especially the registry cleaner after backing it up. That is my method. There has only been a couple PCs that did not work on, and I had to reload windows.

Now As far as Windows Defender/MS Security Essentials, this is another point where preference comes in, but to be honest, I have not yet seen them stop a virus, and in some cases, they do not detect one either. And most of the time, I just shut off the firewall, because it causes more nuisance than good.

Everything else, here is great information.