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The earliest computers were huge devices with huge transistor and cylinders. Efficient cooling systems occupied a lot of space. Technicians often faced problems when flies and insects landed on the cylinders and short circuited the system. Today, we can work on computers that occupy not more than half a table and can work without any worries of flies or mosquitoes damaging the system.

However, this does not mean that the system is perfect. You may, at some point of time or the other, find that certain simple commands that worked before do not work well.

Instead of fearing that something is seriously wrong, try the following solutions before taking any further action.

Restart the computer. This may sound unscientific but restarting the computer is very much like taking a nap so that you can recharge your batteries. Nobody knows why it works but simply rebooting the operating system can sort out many minor problems.

If this does not work, one should run an anti virus scan to check whether the computer is infected with the virus. If not, one should use the system restore option to restore the registry and essential files to the earlier date. An odd function or transaction carried out by a software application may have corrected the registry. Restoring information from the automated backup system should do the trick.

If nothing else works, one may have to go in for a complete reformat. Before doing so, it is important to check whether the problem is caused by a recently installed software application. If that is the cause, reinstalling the software application may solve the problem.

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First, it is very important to protect the PC from external threats mainly from malware and hackers. This can easily done by installing a firewall in the system. Home PC can be secured with the windows firewall and if the PC is loaded with critical data, it is better to go for third party firewall protection. Then, it is very important to secure the PC with antispyware and antivirus tools. All these tools should be regularly updated with the latest patches so that it will be well-equipped to handle the new malware or virus threats.

Besides these, regular system scan should be done once in a week so that the system is updated with security patches. Next important step is to update the software in the PC regularly and the service packs should be incorporated. The service patches are released by the manufacturers and this helps the system to add new features and also remove any other old bugs.

The errors like ccapp.exe occurs if the service patches are not updated with the software. Most software updates can be done automatically and the users should enable the update feature in their software. Other than this, registry errors can be fixed with the registry tools.

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Cluster computing has become a part of our lives primarily because we demand high speed high performance from our computers. What we do with the speed is a completely different question.

There is global emphasis on improving the speed of internet and broadband internet is considered one of the parameters that decide whether a country is technologically advanced or not. However, what is the use of establishing broadband computing all over the world if it is going to be used for downloading junk?

To treat high speed internet as a holy grail and to believe that high speed computing is the right of each and every individual is going to work out very unproductive in the long run. For starters, there are certain activities which do not require high speed computing. Let us take the example of functioning of a word processor. We do not need a supercomputer to run such a software program, right?

There may come a time when computing speed and internet speed will have to be rationalized because of the immense resources that are being consumed on research and development. The fact that everything is virtual means that the huge wastage of resources is not seen. On the other hand, you would not buy a miniature rocket for your child to travel to school, right?

Yet, you do not think twice about setting up a high speed broadband internet connection at a significant cost in your house. Nobody questions the reasoning behind such a decision. High speed internet and computers are fun to use but this need not be a good enough reason to go in for such devices.

The first and most well known downloaded office suite is OpenOffice. This may be the primary free office suite used today but many more are available. Sun Microsystems has developed StarOffice, and this is also available as a free download. Other office suites are IBM Lotus Symphony, and AbiWord. Any of these software programs can be downloaded today.

Another option is the development of online office systems. Some of these documents are Zoho, Thinkfree, or Google docs. All of these do not require you to download the software to use them. All you need is access to an internet connection and a web browser such as Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox. For instance anyone can access google docs. With a google account that includes an email account you can store documents online. This also offers you the ability to share documents by giving others access to the documents. No documents need to be stored on your computer so you don’t need to worry about loosing documents. The documents can be edited or just viewed by multiple parties.

What ever you choose it is worth it to check out these programs. It may be that in the future programs such as these will take the place of Microsoft Office.

With your hands it is important to stretch them every opportunity you get. Take time every fifteen to twenty minutes to stop typing. This only takes a few seconds and doesn’t have to be an interruption but can be a necessary part of keeping you moving at a fast pace while you work. Stretch your arms from the shoulders down to the finger tips. Roll your head around on your neck and reach your hands up toward the ceiling. Nobody else is going to maintain the health of your body for you.

Your eyes are very important as well. At least every twenty minutes take time to look away from your computer screen. it is best if you have something at least twenty feet away from you, that is not another screen that you can look at for a moment. Really it is good to do it for at least twenty seconds. All of this including the stretching can be done at the same time. If you can, get up and walk around.  All of these actions can take as little as thirty seconds.

The biggest reason that many people choose online schooling is for the choices they are able to have. With sites like earnmydegree.com, there are options for many different schools to attend, with a wide selection of degrees programs, including ones out of state. Plus, online schooling means no commute time and provides the flexibility to attend class around your schedule.

Another thing that people are looking into when it comes to online schooling is the cost. Most people have limitations to what they can spend, and while a traditional university is usually quite expensive, an online school is affordable and can help save students a lot of money.

If receiving a quality of education at an online school is a concern to you, keep in mind that online learning institutions offer the same high quality level of academic excellence that traditional schools do, with qualified professors and curriculums carefully designed to give you the best knowledge in your chosen career field.

With so much flexibility and affordability, it is no wonder that so many people are taking advantage of the opportunity to further their education online and enhances their lives.

Something that is not new but is becoming more and more available as a method of payment online is an online account like PayPal. This is not an add for PayPal, but it is giving positive feedback for the service. With an account like paypal, paying for items without entering your credit card on various sites is now possible. If you want to raise money or open an online business you can use a PayPal account to let people pay you directly to your website.

A PayPal account is fairly easy to set up. You have to option of connecting your bank accounts to the online account. This depends on what you intend to use the account for and whether or not you want to retrieve cash from the account. An online account such as this could remain online, and be used only for online transactions. PayPal is an option for adding security to your online business activity. Whether you want to purchase a new birdhouse, or receive funds from clients, PayPal is an option.

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These days many people are interested in connecting dual monitors to his or her personal computer. This includes a second monitor for your desktop, one extra monitor added to your laptop, or connecting your computer to a TV. Browsing the internet on a 54 inch monitor may be just what you want to do. Dual monitors will change your desktop size allowing you to use all the area of both monitors at the same time.

First determine if your video card is set up to handle dual monitors. If it doesn’t you can still probably hook to a different monitor, such as connecting to an external larger monitor or TV instead of using your laptop monitor. This can be nice if you have a small laptop and want to look at something at a larger size. If there is no method for connecting two monitors at the same time this is a good sign that it won’t work.

Plug in the second monitor. Nothing may happen or the second monitor may start to show exactly what is on the first monitor.  Either way you will need to open the menu. To open the menu go to the desktop and right click, choosing properties. Open the settings tab and select the box, “Extend my Windows desktop onto this Monitor”. Choose which monitor will be the primary monitor. You may have to figure out the screen ratios for each monitor but you should be able to use the entire monitor area. By doing this you can do a number of things including keeping a background application like your email visible at all times.

• Play your Bingo games on sites that offer incentives such as sign-up bonuses and reduced ticket prices. Look for opportunities where you can win your money back. You might also want to look for the deposit match bonuses, which make your money go further as you play more games, increasing your odds of winning.
• Look for game rooms with fewer players. You might find that there are certain times of the day where fewer people play. Mid morning and mid afternoon are good times. Avoid playing on weekends when the rooms are the fullest.
• Purchase more cards. Bingo is a game of odds, and the more cards you have, the more likely you are to win.
• Keep a record of the numbers called in all the games you play. You might notice that some numbers are called more than others. When possible, choose cards with some of the most popular numbers on them for playing and avoid cards that have the numbers that are not frequently called.

Your hobby can become a delightfully profitable pastime. Set a target for your wins and losses to avoid negative consequences of your hobby. Remember, the hobby is most profitable when you quit while you are ahead.

If you find that your hard drive is more than two-thirds full you may need to run disk defragmenter. To see how full your hard drive is click on the desktop icon “My computer” or find a link to it in the Start menu. Once this window has opened you will see a list of drives available. Most likely your hard drive is labeled as the C: drive and may have some kind of name attached to it. Right click on the icon or list item and choose properties from that menu. The window that pops up should give you both a visual and a number stating amount of the hard drive that is full. This helps you determine if you need to run disk defragmenter. Hard drives on new computers are large but so are the files that you download.

To run disk defragmenter you click on the start menu and then roll your cursor over “all programs”. A list will appear and then you will roll your cursor over “Accessories”. In the Accessories menu you choose system tools and there you will find the link to disk defragmenter. The program will pop up and you push the button that says “Analyze”. This will give you the information about whether or not to run the utility. Next you will push, “Defragment” and that is about all you will have to do. The program will run and give you a report at the end.

The desktop is the screen that appears when you start up your computer. it may have a picture or design on it, but it almost always has a start menu in the lower left corner and a variety of icons on it. For an organized desktop there is probably ten to twenty icons on the desktop. All of these icons will lead to a program or folder that the user uses on a daily or weekly basis. If there are items that you use less than that on your desktop they don’t belong there.

Another way to determine if a icon belongs on the desktop or not is to keep only shortcuts on the desktop. If the file is the actual file and is not on the desktop in transition to its place in the directory, then it should be moved. It’s that simple. A clean desktop will allow you to find what program or file folder you are looking for quickly and with little to no frustration. Your time looking at your photos or whatever should be fun, not an exercise that ends with you not finding what you are looking for in the first place.

Follow a few simple guidelines and you will maintain a more useable personal computer:

1. Maintain a clean and clear desktop. It is best to put things into your computer in an organized manner. Only keep those items you are currently working on on your desktop and even then it is best to already have them saved in a particular space. The desktop should be reserved for shortcut to those items you use everyday and will not stop using when you move on to some other work.
2. If you no longer use a program delete it. A hard drive with tons of programs does not function at optimal speed. If you can try to maintain half of your hard drive empty. If you are using more space than this you may consider archiving some photos, videos or music on an external storage device.
3. Run utilities regularly. Make sure to run disk defragmenter, scan disc and anti virus software regularly. All of these utilities will aid in making sure the drive is clean and free of malware or possible issues that will cause problems for the computers operation.

Follow these simple organizational guidelines and your computer should continue to run at an optimal performance and you will also be able to find the files you are looking for at any given time.

First, it is important to make sure you are not just copying photos to your desktop. The terminology when speaking about computers is a bit like the real world. You wouldn’t leave every photo you ever took laying on the surface of your desk and you shouldn’t leave them all on the desktop. You must have a directory in your documents folder that will hold the photos and photos specifically.

Next, the delete button is your friend and should be used regularly. If you want to keep a set of photos in raw original form then buy an external hard drive and keep them there, but it is important to reduce the quantity of photos if you are ever going to find anything. In addition to deleting you must also name your photos. A line of numbers means nothing to most of us.

Once you have deleted and named you should use a system for categorizing photos. Possibly by date and event. If you want greater access you may choose to have a special folder where you keep the best images of the year. You also have the option of using software that may help you organize your photos.

Malware is a type of program, the long name is malicious software. This type of program that gets onto a persons computer usually without the users consent or at least with out the persons informed consent often does some activity that the user does not intend. It may pop up adds over and over again. It may make searching the internet or getting online unenjoyable. malware can include computer viruses and other types of programs that do more than annoy but actually cause damage to the personal computer.

One type of malware is spyware. This type of program often operates without the knowledge of the user. Spyware records and sends out personal information about what you are doing with your computer to another party. There are some uses of such programs, such as use within a business, that may be considered legitimate. In this example the employer may want to keep tabs on what the employees are doing with their time and therefore records the keystrokes of the employee. One can quickly see why such a program in the wrong hands can be used for criminal activity. That is what makes it malware.

There are several software applications that will deal with these types of programs that find some way into your computer system. Some of these programs cost money and some of them are free. Do your research, especially with free software. You may end up adding something else you don’t want, don’t use or doesn’t do enough to solve your problems.

Virus Protection

Your computer probably came with basic anti-virus software already installed. This is typically not enough for complete computer protection. You also want to have anti-malware software on your computer. There are many free programs available online, such as Avast, AVG, and Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware. Many computer users have three or more different virus protection programs on their computer because a virus may be missed by one program, yet picked up by another. This software must be run at least weekly to keep your computer virus free.

Choose Your Game Wisely

Not all online casino sites are equal. There are some out there that have malicious intentions. On the other hand, there are many respectable casino sites where you’ll never have to be fearful of catching a virus or hackers stealing your identity. Before you sign up for an account, make sure the site is licensed. This information is often found on the Terms and Conditions page. Also check to see if an independent auditor or other similar type of company tested or rated this online casino. Casino websites like to prominently post this information to encourage players to sign up with them instead of another site that may not have the same quality assurances.

Create an Online Identity

When you create an account, choose a screen name that is different from your real name. Do not give out your real name, address, phone number, or any other personal information. When you don’t give out all your personal information, you’re better protected from computer hackers.

The reason  for your failing PC may be out of date software. The solution to to your longer lasting PC is update, update and more updates. With ever computer there is software. Not only the software that we use such as word processors and internet browsers, but drivers for all the hardware of your computer. The first and most important updates that most people overlook is maintaining updated drivers. Nothing else will put an end to your PC faster than having a hardware component without a functioning driver. So, check, and update the drivers when the opportunity arises.

In addition to these updates it is important to keep your software programs updated. If a new version is out, update it, especially if it is free to upgrade. But here we are talking about updates, not necessarily an upgrade that may cost you money. The most important update you can make on your PC is to update the anti virus software. New viruses pop up regularly and in order to be protected it is important to stay updated. Only twenty minutes a week is all you will usually need to make sure you are updated.

A wireless network in the home should be secured. If your network allows anyone to connect you may find that you are actually giving access to your entire network to anyone who drives by your house and decides to try and get in. This can be bad for you and your family. With increased use of home networks for banking and other financial transactions it is important to be protected. So, set up your network with a password and choose to have it secure.

When you are out on the town, it is great to bring along your laptop and connect into a network at a coffee shop or other location. When you are out it is important to know what network you are connecting to with your computer. It is easy to be in a coffee shop look at the list of possible connections and just click one. This is not a good idea. Be sure to ask at the country what the name of the network is and connect only to the network being provided by the establishment you are visiting. Often there are personal networks available and this opens you up to a possibility of a security issue.

If you don’t even know how to connect to a wireless network the basic method with a PC is to look for the wireless icon in the lower right corner of your monitor. If you don’t see it there, then you can get to network connections through the start menu. right click on the icon and select “view available wireless networks”. From here you can select the appropriate network to which you would like to connect.

Well, there are several possible reasons why your computer has slowed down and most of them can be dealt with. Here we will discuss how to minimize the number of programs that are running at any given time. First of all, you may be an active internet user and any program that comes along that is required to view some type of media, you download it. It is important to realize that as you download programs from the internet, many of them are set to open when your computer starts up. Anything from Quicktime to many other programs are set to be accessible immediately if you need them. These programs are using some of your processor and slowing down how fast other programs can open and function.

One easy way to see what is running is to check the Windows Task Manager. In order to open the task manager simultaneously push CTRL + Alt + Del. Next, click on the “Processes” tab. Now don’t go shutting down operations just because you don’t know what they are. Use this list to research what is running. If it is a program that you know is not necessary all the time, change the options of the program not to open on start up. This may help.

There are a few simple steps that you can take right now, to create a warm and happy sense of protection in your mind – and your thousands of files of data.

1. A Strong Password

To start with, make sure you have a good log in password on your computer. Don’t go for anything obvious like a name that is related to your life, but create something truly obscure.

2. Install Firewall and Anti-Virus Software

Make sure you have installed the latest firewall and anti-virus software onto your computer. It’s a simple step but keeps everything protected. While you’re doing this, also update your operating system” technology changes at the speed of light these days, and systems are constantly being updated to overcome new threats.

3. File Encryption

If you have particularly sensitive files that you don’t want other people to see, you might want to think about encrypting these documents as well as using a secure software like FileZilla to transfer them.  At a mere press of a button, you could be creating a wall that prevents most amateur snoopers from going any further.

4. Back-Up Your Files

Hackers and nasty work colleagues aside, sometimes our data is lost due to the fact that life is full of surprises – and computers can be destroyed by everything from a spilled glass of water to a flood.  Even if you are using something like File Zilla to transfer files to a secure location always back up your data by keeping a copy in an external form, and make sure you do this regularly.

You never know when disaster will strike, so aim to be the one who’s smiling when it does.

There are a few simple tricks we can do to create a series of obstacles for hackers “that will normally provide enough trouble for them to not bother trying any further.

1. Get Protected

Your first port of call is to install anti-virus software. These programs will detect and remove malicious forms such as viruses, Trojans and bugs through a variety of signature-based and Heuristic-based detection methods.

2. Don’t Underestimate the Power of Updates

Make sure you install updates to your operating system and web browser. New innovations are created all the time: make good use of this new knowledge at the mere click of the mouse.

2. Build a Wall

Installing a firewall is a must in today’s virus-saturated online world “these barriers protect your computer from unwanted conversations in networks. Windows XP now includes a firewall, but there are also a whole slew of companies who sell strong firewall software, such as Symantec and Zone Alarm.

4. Block out the Spies

It’s not only criminals out there waiting to hack into your computer, in today’s business world companies will go to great lengths to bolster their consumer profiles by installing programs that are able to go into computers and extract information. Put a stop to this invasive behavior by installing anti-spy and ad ware.

5. Remain Aware

Now that you’ve done these vital steps, don’t let your guard down completely. When online it’s best to remain aware of your surroundings: don’t open attachments that look suspicious, and keep high standards and make sure that everything you open is from a trusted source.

By implementing a quick checklist every time you receive an email, you can seriously reduce the threat of bugs getting into your system.

1. Who?

First of all, double check who this email has come from. Don’t be fooled by the subject of the message “which might use the name of one of your friends, for example, “Luna Jones would like to share her photos with you!” Even though you know Luna Jones, take a look at the name of the email address, if it’s unfamiliar, don’t open it.

2. When?

Have you received an email from this address before? If yes and you completely trust the recipient, then go ahead and open it. But be very cautious with the first time you receive an email from a new address.

3. What?

Does this email make sense? Or is completely out of the blue? For example, say the email address seems to be from your brother ” does the title of the message strike you as very odd? If yes, exercise caution.

Once we implement these three easy steps into your emailing life, you’ll also want to think about how YOU send emails. Do you send emails with attachments to new people, who may have never heard of you before? Chances are, they will delete your message if they see an attachment.

If you’re emailing a new person, write to them first and ask them if you can send them an attachment. If they reply and agree, then when you send that attachment they will actual open it.

So now you have it: safe ways to email, and ensure your emails are being read!

If we live in a fairly densely populated area, it’s likely that other people are already seeing our network name. Put a few measures into place, and you will immediately reduce a lot of the risks that come from such a public presence.

Change Your Network Password

It sounds obvious, but many people forget to change the password that automatically comes with their wireless device. Hackers know the pre-configured passwords for the major brands, so make sure you create a rock-solid password from the get go.

Where Is Your Antenna?

Have a good think about where your antenna is placed. If it’s right next to a window, then be aware that the glass is not blocking the signal but letting it stream out. Move your antenna to a space in the middle of your house, and try to aim it so that the signal only covers the necessary area.

WEB

Make sure the wireless encryption protocol (WEB) on your device is switched on. It’s not a foolproof security measure, but it will certainly help in providing another barrier for curious snoopers.

SSID

Turning off the broadcasting function of the service set identifier (SSID) on your device is also recommended, although equally it is not an infallible method. Turning off the SSID will basically stop casual snoopers from seeing the presence of your wireless network – but for pro hackers, they will be still able to know about your presence.

Use Access Lists

Finally, you can set your wireless device to choose which machines are allowed to attach to an access point. This will prevent new machines from entering the equation.

These are simple measures to put into place, but they will do you the world of good when they stop a hacker from going any further.

How do we deal with such intrusions online? Here is a list of some of the major sites, and how to quickly deal with unpleasant behavior.

YouTube

If you come across a video that you find particularly offensive or inappropriate, click on the “Flag” link below the video. This is a method to quickly alert the team behind YouTube. You can explain why you find it inappropriate by selecting one of the options, and then click on “Flag This Video”. After doing this, the team will review the video. There’s also a way of limiting the extend of videos you watch online, by enacting the “YouTube Safety Mode.”

Facebook

There are many ways we can be offended on Facebook, whether it’s an ominous friend invite or an insulting video. To report offensive content, you can use the “Report”  links that appear alongside context. Like YouTube, once you click this link, the team will review the content. Alerting the Facebook team of suspicious friend requests is always a good idea.

Blogger

Bloggers can seemingly publish whatever they want these days, but when it comes to most blogging platforms there are measures to report inappropriate content. With the popular platform Blogger, you can click the”Report Abuse” link at the top of the page. After a review, the Blogger team may even remove the blog entirely.

It’s important to remember that although sometimes you just feel like closing the page when you see something nasty online, it’s a good practice to report offensive content when you see it. The World Wide Web is a vast expanse, and it takes all of us to keep it a pleasant place to be.

Never assume all “sports betting sites” are secure. There are some that would seek to steal your information, using it to deplete your accounts and deny you your winnings. Choose only select organizations that have been verified by third parties and have received praise from customers. Seek out testimonials and reviews before agreeing to any contracts. Be certain also that all security measures are displayed on the site. These should represent proof of encryption codes and firewalls that cannot be intercepted by any outside sources.

Look for a site’s ranking within the eCommerce and Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance (known as eCORGA), which monitors all activity and sets the standards for all games and safety. Also avoid giving your real name when possible. Choose a handle that doesn’t reflect your information and only offer your true identity to the site itself for account purposes. Fortify your computer by refusing to download any unknown programs or applications, making certain no viruses can be injected into your hardware. And be certain you do not casually reveal your identity in any chat sessions. The purpose is to remain unknown — and secure.

Online games are breeding grounds for potential risks, so make sure you sit down with your kid and go through some essential tips to keeping them safe.

Prior to Playing

Make sure their computers are prepared with a firewall, anti-spyware and anti-virus software. Suggest that your kid logs on with a rock-solid password” go for 14 characters, and mix in letters, numbers and symbols.

In the Game

Just as you would tell your kid to beware of strangers, they need to move with the same awareness online. Tell them to learn how to report or block another player if they are acting strangely, and not engage with this player. Also, stress that if they are encountering a problematic or suspicious person to come and tell you or another responsible adult.

Who Are They?

When gaming online, tell your child to sustain a fictional identity. They should keep their username vague, and not reveal where they live, how old they are or their gender. Equally, they should use an avatar and not a real photo. The key here is disguise.

Keep Good Judgment

Finally, urge them to keep a sense of judgment. They shouldn’t accept downloads from other players, even if it seemingly will help them cheat through a game, as these files could be hiding malicious programs. Equally, tell them to not ever agree to meet a fellow mysterious gamer in the real world.

By sustaining a strong line between their real lives and online lives, your kid will be well protected and ready to navigate the virtual world.

Virus / Spyware / Adware

The most common causes of problems with computers are due to malicious programs, such as viruses, spyware or adware. These programs have the capacity to destroy at will, so make sure they don’t get into your system in the first place by installing anti-virus/spyware and adware.

Windows Crash

If our windows program is crashing for no apparent reason, it is probably due to viruses. Another common cause is that we have installed unlicensed software. Make sure that you are using programs that are legitimate.

Hardware Failure

Sometimes we have too many programs installed on our computers, or too many programs open at one time, which can cause our hardware to slow down. Try to reduce the number of programs you are working on, and the problem will usually disappear.

Unable to Open Programs

If we keep clicking on a program but nothing is happening, this is usually due to a virus harming the program” formatting is the best cure.

Screen Freeze

It’s just like in life when we’re too busy with something – you know those moments when your head suddenly goes blank and you have no idea what you’re doing? Sometimes our computer’s processor is too busy, and so it freezes. Just reboot the PC and it’ll come back to life.

No Sound in the Speakers

Beyond checking all the obvious things, like making sure the speakers are plugged in and switched on, you might want to check the sound card which may need to be reconfigured.

But have our files really been deleted?

The way computers function is they take the files from the trash folder and rewrite over them, so the traces of your sensitive files are still there, long after you’ve emptied the recycle bin. Here is how you can be sure you have deleted the supremely sensitive stuff:

Go to the file menu and select “Secure Empty Trash”, which will give you a box asking if you are sure. Normally, when we delete files they just get stored and later are written over and used again. But if we really want to get rid of a file, is secure delete secure enough?

We can go to the Finder menu and select “Utilities”. When we open the “Disc Utilities” application, on the left are all the drives that are available. Select the drive you want to delete and select the “Erase” button in the right. You will then be given a range of ways you can delete your files, you can choose the one you feel would be most suitable. You can also erase the”Free Space” part of your computer, which covers all those files you put into the trash.

Having taken these steps, you can now rest assured that no person in the future will be able to retrieve your personal information and files. Just like we have to beware of how we throw out our personal documents in the real trash bags of our lives, we need to be equally alert with our digital trash. Now go and clean!

A computer bug is defined as a fault in a computer program that causes it to act in expected or flawed ways. There may be mistakes in the program’s source code or in it’s design. The bugs can, when serious, cause computers to crash or freeze. It may make the computer system go haywire and freak out any humans sitting at the thing.

But where did the bug come from? The truth of the matter is that bugs, more often than not, come from the actual human programmer who sat down one day and wrote the computer’s program. He or she may have left out an essential character in a program’s code. This was famously the case in 1962, when a hyphen was omitted from a Fortran program that resulted in the loss of the Mariner 1 Venus probe -a vastly expensive mistake.

There are other times when bugs arise when different programs within a computer, or different parts, interact. This happens all the time in the development of new programs. The job of the computer programmer is increasingly becoming a task of sitting there and dealing with bugs. Even if they may have created an exceptional new program that the whole world is loving, there are always endless bugs that appear down the line, which the programmer needs to patiently fix.

So, next time you hear talk of these bugs, don’t get out of the fly swat. It’s actually a case of cause and effect, and it’s not your fault.

You Mean Like the Horse?

The story comes from ancient Greece, where the Greeks invaded the city of Troy by building a wooden horse and hiding a bunch of soldiers inside. In walks the horse through the city gates, and out jump the soldiers, wrecking utter havoc upon the community.

Our computer is the city of Troy, and Trojans are malicious executable programs that, just like the horse, come along as something seemingly friendly and passive ” but are in reality a bunch of villains.

You might be emailed a song or a free game, or even a movie. Once you open this program and download it onto your computer, the horse has entered the city walls, and the Trojan will start to watch your computer from the inside ” recording details such as your credit card information. It’ll also possibly erase your files and spread out and attack all of your friends’ computers.

How to Defend Yourself

Installing anti-virus software is the first rule of thumb, but the key to successful protection against Trojans lies in your own hands: stay mindful. If you are emailed or sent a file, make sure you trust the source very well before you open it – even if it comes from a friend. If it doubt, don’t open it.

As long as you remain aware of this as you go about your daily activities online, your odds of overcoming an invasion are much higher. Think of yourself as a guard standing at Troy’s city gates: surely there was something odd about that horse made of wood?

Let’s begin at the beginning.

CIA is an important term to know and to understand in relation to computer security.
Let’s start with the C:

C stands for confidentiality. Because you don’t want your computer to be accessed by someone you don’t know, causing you frustration, or worse, you want to make sure your computers inner workings are made as private as possible.

The I stands for integrity. You don’t want any unauthorized changes, and you don’t want hackers coming in and having a field day with your system.

The A stands for availability, which means you have access to your computer and can block unauthorized parties from giving you services that you don’t want.

Various options are available to you in the protection of your computer. These protections range from ethics and privacy to anti-virus programs for adults as well as children. If your computer is also networked with other computers, there is additional information you need to know including:”Resetting your username and password, installing WPA encryption, enabling MAC filters, and decreasing your wireless signal.” All these “can…help you avoid security breaches,” states an online article entitled, “Keeping your Wireless Network Safe, “(ezinearticles.com). Instructions are given in this article to keep your computer safe from hackers and other undesirables. Other sources of information can be obtained with just a bit more Googling.

In the end, the security you give your computer is all about learning and then following through with the appropriate steps. It may take some extra time, but, in the long run, you will find that your time has been well spent.

Good news. There are specific ways we can protect our computers from unwanted viruses. Like an unwanted cold, there are steps to take to prevent the sickness from happening in the first place.

-If an e-mail attachment comes from an unknown source, don’t open it. You may be asked at some time”if you haven’t been already”to paste your information into the body of the e-mail instead of attaching your document before you send it. This is why.
- Be careful about the free software available on the Internet.   If you are not using a reliable resource like sites that allow downloading of open source software like vlc player or Ares, then it’s better to save up for the real deal tomorrow than to be stuck with computer problems today. Be cautious about what you download. Make sure you are downloading from a reputable site.
- Get your hands on some anti-virus software. Prices vary; some software is free. Use the trial period if they offer it. Update this software monthly.
- Do some regular scanning of hard drives. Especially when you share a lot of files using p2p software like Ares Galaxy.  Include everything on your system, including e-mail.
- What are the minimum system requirements? This is a”must know” when desiring to install something new that your system may not cover.
-If your computer is running slowly, complete a virus scan immediately.
-A firewall protects you from hackers whether you have a Cable or a DSL connection.
- Already have a virus? Get the latest information on the subject by typing in to your computer the specific virus name followed by the word “virus.”By scanning the hard drives you will be alerted to the virus(s) you have. After discovering what you have, put your system through a FREEWARE program to remove the virus(s).

Most problems that come because of viral attacks, like the common cold, can be avoided with a little pre-planning and pre-cautionary safety.

Here are the basics:
- Trojans don’t replicate themselves or infect other systems like viruses do.
-A virus comes from a computer programmer hoping to obtain your information, while Trojans pretend, through disguise as wonderful and captivating software; to be something they’re not. Worms are similar to Trojans in that they pretend at being a software application and then spread through computer networks.
- A Trojan has two parts: client and server. The client is the cleverly disguised software, the server is you.
- A Trojan is hidden in e-mail, programs, chat software, image files and through computers already infected with a virus.

What does a Trojan do to your computer?
- Accesses all of your personal information from files and often destroys and deletes them. Can record keystrokes, reboot your computer, and take you to unwanted sites. It finds passords,changes your desktop and can make a mess of your desktop icons.
- Creates too much Internet traffic so that you can’t visit websites or download anything.

What you can do to stop them:
- If you have a virus, get rid of it as soon as possible.
- If your computer is prompting a DLL error, you have a Trojan.
- Learn more about Trojan’s through a website specializing in Trojan removal.
- The removal site of your choosing will take you through various steps. Delete-Computer-History.com has some easy to follow steps in removing a computer Trojan from your computer.
- Protect yourself through antivirus software and firewalls.

Computer Trojans are like anything else bothersome in your life-the sooner you take care of them, the sooner you can get back to your life.

Here’s what you need to know:

Computer hackers can be anyone. They may have begun as a programmer searching security issues while maintaining a system at their place of employment. They may have been a student, or someone at home searching for something challenging to do. But whoever they are, and wherever they began, hackers of all ages and persuasions want your information.

Hackers want your bank account passwords and your pin numbers for your credit cards. Some like to see what they can do to crack codes and get inside so that they can say they did it. Others get excited about the sales game; because they can then sell the information they’ve hacked to the highest bidder.

What you can do:
-Run an antivirus program once a week.
- Use firewalls.
- If you don’t know the source of the software, don’t install it.
- Leave e-mail attachments alone unless you know the person sending the e-mail. Never send e-mail attachments to someone you don’t know or someone who hasn’t given you permission to send them an attachment.
- Check the quality of your passwords. If you’ve made is so easy that you won’t forget it, the hacker will more than likely discover it easily enough too.
-Install all the proper security patches. Security patches fix and update the supporting data of a computer program. Patches fix bugs and provide a better computer performance as well as protect the user from hackers.
- Be cautious of SPAM mail. Delete it as you see it unless you’re sure of the source.
- If your computer is running slow, check for viruses including Trojan viruses.

Keeping your computer free from hackers is no easy task, but knowing you’ve done all you can will minimize worry about being hacked in the first place.

Unlike the livable, breathable kind, computer bugs come from mistakes and errors in source code and design. You may not know you’ve even created the problem until the little buggers have found ways to wreck havoc with your system. They may not even bug you for awhile because your system still works (more or less) and you’re able to get the job done. But as the problems persist and worsen because more bugs have made their way inside, you will find yourself performing some clean up.

And then you’ll need some help.
- Reproducing a bug for process of elimination is no easy task. Get help from a professional; someone who understands the best process of bug elimination. Many such reputable businesses can be found on the Internet.
- Keep on the alert for fake security programs. Nothing really works in these programs. What happens is that the company will offer you a full ride security program for a price because the free ones offered by them prior did not take care of your computer’s problem.
- If a “bug report” pops up on your computer screen, investigate.
- Bugs can get around fire walls so update Windows regularly.
- Get some anti-virus software. Learn how to use and read the software.
- Unlike a virus, a computer bug may not affect your computer at first, so tackle the problem when the problem is small because a computer bug’s next step is to turn into a virus-and you don’t want that.

The good news about computer bugs: If you can get them before they’ve spread, then you’ve accomplished something major as well as saved yourself hours of time cleaning up an even greater mess.

The problem of your computer running slow could be caused by many factors, namely, fragmented data, a corrupted registry, the loading of unnecessary programs and too many services running at once. Malware is also a culprit to slowly riding computers. Malware includes worms, viruses, Trojans and Spyware.

Below is a list to help you with the answers.
- Disk fragmentation occurs when the computer must use the hard drive to figure out what the open file means. Run your Disk Fragmenter monthly to clean up the mess of the previous month.
- Use the Automatic Registry Cleaning Tool to clean up and repair a corrupted registry. For more information on corrupted registry and repair go to registryrepairsolutions.com.
- Free up some disk space. Use Disk Cleanup to remove temporary files, the emptying of your recycle bin, files that haven’t been used for some time, and installed programs that are no longer of any use to you. Some Windows services are never used by most of us. A good list of services you might disable can be found at masternewmedia.org.
- Disk errors occur when bad sectors develop in your hard drive. Run your Error Checking utility weekly to prevent data loss.
- Spyware takes information from you without asking for it. Spyware steals your information through your usernames and passwords. Scan monthly to remove viruses.
- Be cautious about the attachments you open up. Make sure they come from someone you know or from a reputable site.
- Install a Spyware scanner in addition to your initial spyware scanner.

By following the above helps relating to your slow running computer you will find that it will not only fun faster, but you will no longer be waiting around for your computer to catch up with the load of work on your desk.

Computers can freeze up for a variety of reasons; the unit is overheating because various hardware is trying to access Windows at the same time, your operating system or computer software has bugs, the file is not playing because of a bad download, and more.

Here are some tips to get your computer going again:

- Press the Num Lock button on the keyboard. This first step will let you know if the computer is really frozen.
- If the light doesn’t turn off try, CTRL + ALT + DELETE. A task manager box may come up which will allow you to shut down the computer.
- If the above doesn’t work, press the on/off button until the computer shuts itself off. Count to 10 and then turn the computer on again. Remember, you will lose anything that hasn’t been saved.
- If you see an error message displayed, before you attempt any of the above steps, follow what the error message tells you.
- Update your input-output system or BIOS. Download what you need from the website manufacturer of your computer.
- Clean you’re Registry by using a registry cleaner obtained on line. Make sure you’re getting a reliable cleaner by talking with others to find out what they use.
- Keep free of Malware including viruses, Trojans and Spyware by investing in some anti-virus software.
- Do you have software that you don’t need? Uninstall it.
- Delete temporary files.
- Add some Ram. Double or triple what you have now.

To keep your computer from freezing, regular housekeeping is required but so is discovering how to work through the basics of getting your computer running again.

Good news. These ideas will help you whether your computer is shutting down because of a heat related issue, a hardware or computer virus, or an operating system issue.

- If your computer is shutting down because of a heat related issue you will want to check the fan on the back of your computer to see if it is moving. For a laptop, you’ll need to check the BIOS to see if it’s reporting any errors.
- Check Device Monitors to see if there are problems with your hardware. New hardware installed recently? Check to see if this may be the cause of the problem.
- Viruses are nasty things that attack your computer causing it multiple problems, including shutting down.
-If your computer has turned itself off, try rebooting your computer. Make it a rule to save every so often so that you don’t lose pertinent information.

Often, a computer that reboots or shuts down without warning is telling you that you have a problem with Malware, software, or hardware. Malware has to do with computer viruses including Trojans and Spyware, software problems usually occur when a new software package has been installed or if you’re running Windows 95, 98 or Me. A hardware problem occurs when new hardware has just been installed or hardware components have failed, such as a failing fan or a short in the power supply. Other problems may include a failing motherboard, disk drives or video card. The options in hardware failure are unending.

Still, keeping your computer clean and repaired on a regular basis will assist you in avoiding those surprising moments of computer darkness and irreparably lost information.

Good news. Like a watch that needs adjustment to keep the correct time, computers sometimes need some extra special care in running well and working in top performance.

Here’s what you can do:

- No noise? Possibly, a fan problem. If the fan has stopped, your computer will be suddenly-quiet. Check the power supply and replace both the fan and the power supply cord if needed.
-Loud noise? More than likely a fan problem as well. But if you’re using a CD-ROM/CD-Writer expect some noise. The high speed causes it. You may also want to take out your CDs when not in use.
- It may be that you simply need to clean off the dust from your external fan. Try a soft bristled paint brush. See what happens after you clean it. If the fan spins, you’ve solved the problem.
- Peel back the sticker on the external fan. Put a drop of sewing machine oil inside the small hole located above the spindle. If that doesn’t work, replace the fan.
- Your computer may be overheating. Overheating is more than likely occurring if your computer reboots or shuts down often. Place your computer in a cooler spot where it can have good airflow.
- You may have a hardware problem. A good resource: labnol.org,”Is Your Hard Disk Making Strange Clicking Sounds?” Check the sounds here and compare them with the sound your computer is making. If you have a match, you have a hard disk issue.

As with all noises we can’t place, it’s a good idea to get an expert to assist us if we have any doubts about opening up our computer and checking for problems we have little knowledge in diagnosing.

You have a scanner and love its multiple uses; from scanning a page in your favorite book to scanning an important picture and getting the copy off in the mail. But when you have problems: When the scanner doesn’t work or it prints unevenly and erratic, you wish you knew how to take care of the problem quickly and easily.

Good news. The ideas below will get that scanner and your life back to normal.

- Check for cable connections. Make sure everything is connected properly.
- Avoid strange spots on your scanned document by dusting the scanner glass before each use. Photo wipe any photos you wish to scan.
- If your scanner says it’s jamming when it isn’t or is taking the paper part way through the scan, then there are problems between the scanner and the computer. Go over your reader’s manual and follow the steps in rectifying the problem outlined there.
- Scanning a photo? Can’t get the photo to scan the way you want it to? The problem is due to resolution and image quality, and getting the two to work well together. Some thoughts to consider:
o More pixels = more detail.
o As high resolution increases, file size increases.
o 75-100 ppi is better for e-mailing; 300 ppi is good for printing.
- Watch your alignment. Preview the scan before printing so that you can make adjustments if necessary.
- Scanner streaks? The scanning carriage may need to be reset. Some great information on re-homing the scanning carriage can be found at the HP website under HPs Customer Care: “Scans are Blank, Totally Blank, Have a Distinct Color Tint over the Entire Scanned Image, Or Display One or More Vertical Stripes.”
- Use Driver Update software that scans for defective device drivers which may be causing your scanner problems.
- A hardware problem will need to be handled by an expert.

Fall in love with your scanner all over again by doing all you can to keep it working at top performance.