Computer Security
Showing posts with label Computer Security. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Computer Security. Show all posts

How to increase Computer Performance?

May 20, 2012 Add Comment

How to increase Computer Performance?



Do you find that your computer is suddenly running very slow, and you wished you knew the reason why?
There are some reasons through which your computer can suddenly slow some are given below:


Reason #1:Errors In The Computer Registry Files:

It is found that almost every computer will run into speed problems if the computer registry is not cleaned regularly. The registry contains files that carry instructions for your computer to run correctly. If these files are not maintained, it is almost certain that there will be errors in them if the computer is used regularly.

How To Clean The Registry Files from your computer?

To keep your computer running optimally, it is important that you maintain your registry regularly. To do that, you should download cleaner software. This was what I did to restore my computer back to its original speed again

Reason#2: Virus Infection in your computer

Your computer might be infected with a virus, causing it to run slowly. In this case, you will need to scan your entire hard disk with an anti-virus software, especially targeting the files that you have downloaded from the internet. These files can include your email attachments as well.

 Reason#3: Spyware & Adware Infection 

Spyware and adware infections are common on computers, but it will take a lot of spyware to actually slow down your computer. Spyware are programs that track what you do online, and report back to the sites that they came from. Users whose computers are infected by spyware have no idea that they are being watched.
To clean out your computer's spyware, you can download a spyware cleaner, like Spybot Search And Destroy, from the internet, and run the software.

Cloud base application security

November 12, 2011 Add Comment

Cloud base application security



There is a growing business in "Cloud-Based" Anti-Virus and security applications.  (e.g. Panda Cloud)  Are they any good?  


Reviewers mostly say that they are.  However, all the reviews I've read so far are based on the same type of useless methodologies as most "big-name" security applications.  (For more explanation on why these testing standards are useless, see my post:  "What's the best Anti-Virus?")

My quick answer:

At this time, I believe that Cloud-Based Anti-Virus and security applications have significant weaknesses and vulnerabilities.  I definitely would NOT use one now, nor in the immediate future.  

Why: 

One of the main "benefits" touted for Cloud AV's is that the virus signature database is not stored on your PC.  Instead, it's stored on The Cloud, where it is "updated more frequently" than it would be on your PC.  Counterpoints:
The frequency of the signature database updates -- in this kind of situation -- will provide little or no "real world" improvement on the security of your PC.  In fact, it benefits the "Cloud Provider" a lot more than it does you.
For a security application to be effective, it must be able to work faster than the virus itself can work.  If the signature database resides in the cloud, even under optimum conditions, accessing the Cloud signature database will be far slower than if it resided on your PC.  Delays in accessing the signature database can have dangerous repercussions.
It is very normal for access to the Internet to be unreliable and unusually slow.
If you have no access to the Internet, your security is severely impaired or non-existent.  ...Even the publishers of these applications admit this.
Another so-called benefit of Cloud-Based Security is that it requires less "System Resources" than applications installed on your PC.  Counterpoint:
For some older Windows XP systems, this might be useful.  However, any system that is well-maintained and "Vista Compatible"-- or currently running Vista or Windows 7 -- has more than enough computing "horse-power" to provide better security using a security application installed completely on your PC.

Best Antivirus list

December 14, 2008 Add Comment
To protect yourself from viruses that crop up all the time, it’s important to update your antivirus software’s data definition files. Am here posting the list of Some top Anti Virus Programs which are very useful to users.

AVG Free Edition – AVG Resident Shield provides real-time protection executions of files and programs. It features a smart e-mail scanner, virus updates and virus vault for secure handling of the files which are infected by viruses. The base version for windows is Free for private and non-commercial use.

BitDefender Online Scan System – BitDefender Scan Online scans system as memory, boot sector, all files and folders and also comes with automatic file cleaning option. Overall, it scans for over 70,000+ viruses, worms, trojans and other malicious applications. Inexpensive product received excellent scores in our performance tests, although its scan speed was sluggish.

McAfee VirusScan for Windows: This antivirus package detects all virus types, including Word and Excel macros; boot-sector infections; and file, multipartite, stealth, polymorphic, and encrypted viruses.

Kaspersky Anti-Virus Personal Pro – A commonly used virus protection solution offering full protection against macro-viruses and unknown viruses. It offers reliable data integrity control and protection of e-mails from viruses.

ESET NOD32 Antivirus – ESET NOD32 Anti-virus is available as an anti-virus for small businesses, individuals and for large networks. The trialware enables the user to try the application for a period of 30 days.

avast! Home Edition – A free antivirus solution for scanning disk, CDs, in E-mail, HTTP, NNTP, IM and P2P.

Panda Antivirus Platinum – A complete virus protection package for home and business users. It comes with an easy installation and automatic protection from latest viruses.

Norton AntiVirus – Norton AntiVirus is the most popular and secure virus scanner for checking boot sector records at startup. The live update feature automatically installs new updates for regular protection against viruses.

HandyBits – A free for personal use virus ‘scanner integrator’ with features like auto-search which scans for already installed virus scanner. It scans for files using installed virus scanners there by utilizing the strengths of installed programs.

HijackThis Software – HijackThis is a small application for scanning and cleaning spyware, malware infections in computer. It enables the user to save the scan log in a txt file which can be examined later for system security analysis.

And Here are Some Online ScannersÂ

Stinger – A stand-alone application for automatic detection and removal of viruses. It acts as more of an assistance for administrators and is not meant to be a full time anti-virus replacement. It is available as freeware for Windows.

Avast! Online Scanner – An online virus scanner from alwil software for scanning files smaller than 512KB.

Dr. Web – Dr. Web is an online scanner for curing system viruses. Users can select viruses from system and can scan selected files.

BitDefender Online Scan System – BitDefender Scan Online scans system’s memory, boot sector, all files and folders and also comes with automatic file cleaning option. Overall, it scans for over 70,000+ viruses, worms, trojans and other malicious applications.

ESET Online Scanner – ESET is a powerful user-friendly scanner for removing malware from user’s computer.

Free online Trojan Scanner – An online scanner for detection and removal of Trojan horses.

F-Secure – An online virus scanner for detecting and clearing viruses.It supports Windows XP and Windows 2000.

Kaspersky Online Scanner – A fast and effective online scanner for checking individual files, folders, drives or even files related to emails.

Mcafee Virusscan Online – A trusted VirusScan service for search and display of infected files. Once the infected files are displayed McAfee scan provides detailed information about the virus, its type and removal instructions.

Symantec Security Check – An effective online scanner for testing various types of viruses and threats on user computers.

X-Cleaner Micro Edition – An online scanner from FaceTime Security Labs for different types of adware, keyloggers, Trojans and many other forms of unwanted software.The offline version includes a trial version of X-Cleaner and a deluxe version with a wide range of cleaning solutions. 

Security tips for Windows XP

April 05, 2008 Add Comment

Security tips for Windows XP



Here are a couple of tips to speed up your Windows XP computer and help keep you protected and secure online. First you need to control which programs load on startup: Many of the programs you install on your computer automatically configure themselves to launch at startup, usually invisibly. The truly essential ones, such as anti-virus and firewall products, generally run as services and run fine in the background. Other less important software like media players don't need to be running continually.

These extra programs slow the boot process and then severely suck up resources like memory and CPU cycles. It is pretty easy to control which applications launch on startup. The System Configuration Utility lists all these applications in one place:

1) To get there: Click the ‘Start' button then choose the ‘Run' command.

2) In the text box type "msconfig". - Across the top of the dialog box select the ‘Startup' tab.

3) The Startup Tab lists all the programs that launch at start-up. To disable any of these simply un-check the box on the left. Only non-essential programs are listed here it should be safe to un-check pretty much anything. If it turns out you needed it just go back and re-check it.

4) Once you are done re-boot the machine.

5) When the Desktop returns you will be presented with a window that says you have chosen Selective Startup. Just Check "Do not show this window again" and click OK.


To keep your computer secure, turn on automatic updates. Seems like every virus writer has nothing better to do then attack Windows operating systems. Keeping the system patches and security fixes is critical. During the setup of XP Service Pack 2 with a new computer or an up-grade you are asked whether or not to turn on automatic updates, if you made the mistake of checking no you can find this option in the Windows Security Center (Start / Control Panel) and change it back. Even with all its faults, XP is a powerful operating system that has many good security features.

Here are some more tips to help you get the most out of your operating system. Remove Windows components not found in ADD / REMOVE. Many Windows components, things like Network Services or Solitaire are easy to remove through the Add or Remove programs configuration window (Start / ControlPanel / Add and Remove Programs / Windows Components). Simply un-check them, but … some things are deliberately hidden.

A good example would be MSN Messenger. To remove this from startup follow these steps:

1) In Windows Explorer (right click Start / Explore), navigate to C:WindowsInf and make a copy of Sysoc.inf.

2) Double click on Sysoc.inf and it will open in Notepad.

3) Press Ctrl H (opens Find and Replace) and replace the string ,hide, with ,, then save and replace the file. Now all the hidden components will appear.

4) Then follow the steps above for removing programs from the startup menu.


To restore a corrupted system file: If a necessary system file should become missing or corrupted by a virus you can replace it from your Windows CD.

1) Go to Start / Search and type in the file name replacing the last letter with an underscore (ex. Filename.ex_).

2) If the file is found, open a command prompt (Start / Run, type CMD in the textbox).

3) At the prompt type expand followed by the full pathname of the file and destination (expand D:Windowsfilename.ex_ C:Windowsfilename.exe) where D: is the letter of your disc drive. If either pathname contains spaces surround the entire pathname with double quotes. If the file isn't found search again using the un-modified file name, it is probably in a CAB file, Windows treats these as folders, simply drag the new folder to the destination while holding down the right mouse button then select Copy Here.

System Instability, Reboots and Crashes Trouble Shooting

February 17, 2008 Add Comment

Explanation: The system is booting up and starting to work correctly, but on occasion it either reboots without warning, or seizes hard (no mouse or keyboard response, and a reboot is necessary). These symptoms occur over a period of time.

Diagnosis: This is, unfortunately, one of the most difficult of all problems to troubleshoot on the PC. The reason is twofold: first, these problems are usually intermittent, and therefore hard to pin down to any particular cause, and second, there is a really large variety of problems that can cause this sort of behavior. It is necessary to narrow done the specific circumstances in order to have a better chance at finding the problem. See below for possible causes, which are listed with the recommendations to possibly solve them.

Recommendation: Follow the questions and suggestions below to try to identify the cause of the problem:


  • Did you remember to scan the system for viruses? Lockups and instability are "classic" virus infection behavior.
  • Make sure that you disable all power management options in the BIOS setup program. They can cause spurious behavior, particularly on some motherboards.
  • Are you getting error messages when the problem occurs? If so, try to find the error message here.
  • Are you experiencing this problem only when running a specific application program? If so, it may be the application itself that is causing the problem.
  • If the problem occurs only when you use a specific peripheral, such as a mouse or modem, there are three typical possible causes specific to this situation. First, there may be a problem with the particular peripheral you are trying to use. Second, you may have a resource conflict that is causing the system to lock up when you try to have two devices access the same resources. Finally, there may be a driver problem with the device, if it is something that uses a driver in the operating system you are using. Look in this section for specific troubleshooting information for various devices. Use the resource conflict troubleshooter.
  • If the problem occurs only when the system is warmed up (meaning not within the first few minutes that the PC is turned on, but only afterwards), or if the problem occurs only when the room where the PC is located is hot, it is likely that the problem is hardware-related and probably something to do with the motherboard, processor or another system component that is running too hot. I would suggest that you refer to this section, which describes checking for overheating components inside the box, and follow the recommendations there.
  • Are you running a VESA local bus video card on a motherboard that supports both VESA and PCI? If so, you should realize that this combination has been known in the past to cause instability. Try replacing the VESA video card with an inexpensive PCI video card and see if the problem goes away.
  • If you have just bought or assembled this PC, or performed an upgrade to it, check this list of possible candidate causes of system problems that is related to new installs.
  • If the problem occurs when you lean against the system box or when you put the monitor on top of it, try here.
  • If you are running Windows 3.x, does the problem seem to occur after using the system for a long time, or if you use a large number of applications simultaneously? If so, go to the Program Manager, click "Help", then "About Program Manager". Check the number listed for system resources. If it is below about 20-30%, that may be the cause of your problem. Try rebooting and checking the value, to see if it increases, and see if the system runs better. I recommend rebooting Windows 3.x daily if it is heavily used. Check this section for ideas on dealing with system resources under Windows 3.x.
  • If the problem is occurring under Windows 3.x or Windows 95, try using just DOS software for a while and see if the problem goes away. If it does, then you may have a problem with your installation of Windows, although it could still be a hardware problem (Windows is more sensitive to these than DOS is).
  • If you have a network card, check your network settings. Sometimes the built-in networking in Windows will spend a great deal of time "looking" for a network when one is not there, which causes the system to lock up and then unlock periodically. If you are using TCP/IP or another protocol, try disabling the protocol and see if that fixes the problem. You may need to contact your network card manufacturer or Microsoft for more assistance if this is the case.
  • If you have recently changed any BIOS settings--especially those that control system timing--and the problem has started since around that time, try changing the BIOS setting back to the previous value, or resetting the BIOS settings to low-risk defaults to see if the problem goes away. You may also want to follow this procedure to set your key BIOS settings to safe values.
  • Scan the hard disk for file system corruption and check for bad sectors as well.
  • Drivers can cause seemingly random glitches and lockups if they are poorly written, especially the video driver. Try running the system with a "slow but sure" default driver or a different version obtained from the manufacturer. Sound card drivers can also be touchy in this way. Try turning off hardware acceleration in Windows 95 by selecting System in the Control Panel, then selecting the Performance tab and clicking "Graphics".
  • Unreliable power can cause all sorts of strange system problems. A common problem is having the input voltage selection on the back of the power supply set to 220V when it should be 110V. If possible, try running the system off a UPS and see if the problem goes away. If practical, try swapping in a new power supply. If you notice the lights dim briefly at around the time that this problem occurs, this is a power problem.
  • Try using less aggressive BIOS settings for items such as memory timing and hard disk timing. For example, set the BIOS memory access settings to the slowest possible. Disable any performance-enhancing BIOS options (such as those described here) to see if the instability goes away. Try running the hard disks at a lower PIO mode to see if IDE timing might be causing the problem. 
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