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| XP Repair Installation To Replace Corrupted System Files |
| 2008-05-28 21:19:53 |
Windows XP system files can sometimes become corrupt because of viruses, spyware or hard drive problems. Sometimes these problems can cause the computer to lock up at boot time. It is possible to only re-install the system files without deleting other files and programs. It is important to use the recovery CD that came with the computer being fixed otherwise the necessary options might not be available. It is advised that any important data is backed up before proceeding.Here are the step-by-ste...
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| Use PowerMenu To Hide PuTTY |
| 2008-05-01 16:19:10 |
PowerMenu is a free program that allows you to minimize a program into your system tray (the tray in the lower-right corner of Windows). If you need to keep a program open but do not need to use it while it is open, you can place it discreetly in the system tray using PowerMenu. It is reccommended you do this to hide PuTTY while your secure tunnel is open so that it stays out of your way while you are browsing the web, etc. Instructions: Download PowerMenu (opens in a new window) and install i...
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| Configure Pidgin To Use SSH SOCKS Proxy Tunnel |
| 2008-05-01 15:53:44 |
Pidgin is a free Instant Messaging alternative to AOL Instant Messenger (AIM). It uses the same network and you can chat with the same buddy list you use on AIM. It is just a different program to use for the same thing. Pidgin can be configured to use a secure SOCKS proxy tunnel. Before you do this, PuTTY needs to be configured to connect to your SSH account and to open the encrypted tunnel. Click here for instructions on doing this first. If you have not done so yet, download Pidgin (opens ...
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| Configure Thunderbird To Use SSH SOCKS Proxy Tunnel |
| 2008-05-01 15:49:24 |
Before you do this, PuTTY needs to be configured to connect to your SSH account and to open the encrypted tunnel. Click here for instructions on doing this first. Thunderbird is a free E-Mail program designed for security. Download Thunderbird for free if you have not done so already. Open Thunderbird. Click 'Tools' at the top to pull down the Tools Menu. Select 'Options' from the menu. This opens the Options window. Click 'Advanced'. Click the 'Network & Di...
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| Configure Firefox To Use SSH SOCKS Proxy Tunnel |
| 2008-05-01 15:42:30 |
If you have not done so already, download Firefox and install it. It is more compatible with a SOCKS proxy than other browsers in terms of security.Get FireFox The following instructions need to be done AFTER your ssh client (i.e. PuTTY) has been configured to open a secure tunnel. Connecting through the tunnel with Firefox (or any other program) only works while the tunnel is actively open. This means you must stay logged in for the entire time you are browsing. For instructions on downloadin...
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| Configure PuTTY To Create SSH SOCKS Proxy For Secure Browsing |
| 2008-05-01 15:30:08 |
You need to have a SSH (Secure SHell) account for this to work. If you have not yet done so, Download PuTTY for free. Open PuTTY. Where it says 'Host Name (or IP address)' and has a box underneath it, enter the name of your SSH host into the box. Under 'Saved Sessions' enter a name for this connection that will help you remember it later. For example, you could call it 'SSH Proxy' so you know this will be the proxy connection. In the 'Category:' menu on the le...
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| Smart Failure Imminent, Back Up Your Data |
| 2008-04-15 21:15:17 |
You may have received this error when booting up your computer along with an instruction to press the F1 key to continue. This error indicates that the hard drive is failing, which can be caused by different things. Sometimes the problem is excessive fragmentation and other times the problem is bad sectors on the hard drive. S.M.A.R.T. stands for Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology and is a bult-in diagnostics utility which detects problems with the hard drive. The solution is ...
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| Configure Kaspersky To Allow File and Print Sharing |
| 2008-04-07 18:28:17 |
File and print sharing are a convenient feature in Windows XP but have some security issues. Strong measures such as firewalls are key to the safety of a network. However, if not configured properly, such software can actually block access to file and print sharing. Most vendors provide documentation which explains the correct way to set this. Kaspersky Internet Security is a very strong application which can be configured to protect each computer but also allow access to file and print sharing ...
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| Windows XP Home Network Setup Guide |
| 2008-04-04 01:46:43 |
When several PCs are on the same local area network, also known as a LAN, it is possible for computers to share files and even a printer. Typically, they are usually all connected through a router. It is advised not to set up file and print sharing across different operating systems as it can become complicated. Be warned that a windows XP home network opens some security holes which need to be managed. Firewall software helps, but if misconfigured it can block acess to shares. Some routers also...
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| What Is Phishing? |
| 2008-03-25 19:41:00 |
Phishing is when an information thief poses as a legitimate business or person for the purpose of tricking someone into divulging personal information. The phisher asks the victim to enter their name, address, phone number and possibly their bank account or credit card number. This is often done by giving them a web form to visit where the details can be entered. The most common phishing attacks are done via email and claim to be from your bank or a service like PayPal. Most of the real companie...
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| Common Email Scams To Avoid |
| 2008-03-25 16:22:30 |
The Greeting Card Scam Any email with the words postcard or e-card in the title, from a name you do not recognize, is most likely the greeting card virus which has been circulating frequently. The victim is told that someone they know has sent them an on-line greeting card, but end up actually being from someone they have never even heard of. Anyone reading this may have already received one or several of these at some point in the past. The email instructs the person to click a link which ope...
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| How To Disable Indexing Service |
| 2008-03-20 23:46:30 |
The Indexing service periodicaly takes a "snapshot" of all the files and folders on your hard drive and stores them to a file which makes searching for files faster. Two problems with this feature are that it can cause a strain on the hard drive over time and can slow things down if it indexing begins while the computer is being used. It is generally advised that people who do not use the search feature to find files disable this to prevent performance degradation. Doing so can save fr...
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| Change The Windows XP Logon Screen To Be More Secure |
| 2008-03-20 18:15:15 |
Some Windows XP computers have multiple users, each with their own login name. When these systems boot, a list of users is displayed on the logon screen. The person logging in clicks their name and is then asked to enter their password. This would be more secure if they were forced to enter their username manually instead of clicking it from a list. This would reduce the potential risk of unauthorized entry because a hacker would not have easy access to a list of valid account names. This is onl...
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| PeerGuardian 2 History File Problem and Solution |
| 2008-03-12 18:35:07 |
While PeerGuardian 2 adequately protects peer-2-peer users from connecting to unwanted hosts, it does have one issue. PG2 keeps a history file which over time accumulates and becomes larger and larger. This can take of significant space if it has been laying around for a year. Another problem is that this file can become excessively fragmented causing a degradation in system performance. Here are the instructions to delete the PeerGuardian 2 history file which will cause a new one to be genera...
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| Disable System Restore |
| 2008-02-20 07:55:26 |
Windows XP System Restore was designed to be a useful feature which takes a "snapshot" of your current system configuration. If a program installed on your computer causes major problems, it can be used to return your system to its last known working condition. However, the flaw in System Restore is that it causes excessive hard drive fragmentation each time it creates a restore point. Using a tool to analyze your drive often shows this to be true.Here are step-by-step instructions to ...
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| Change The Amount of Time Before The Monitor Shuts Itself Off |
| 2008-02-15 23:12:06 |
Windows XP independently manages the power settings for your monitor. It is usually set to shut your screen off 15 or 20 minutes after there has been no activity. This saves electricity. It is possible to change the length of time and even to disable altogether. Right click any blank space on your desktop. This will open up a small menu.Select 'Properties' at the bottom of the menu. This opens the Display Properties window.Click the 'Screen Saver' tab.Click the 'Power......
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| How To Disable Programs That Run When Windows Starts |
| 2008-02-15 18:35:01 |
Different programs on a computer often include items which start up every time your computer starts. Some of them show up as icons in the system tray in the lower right corner of the screen. Others run silently in the background. Many of them are bundled with popular applications. While they are not malicious in nature, they can still be a strain on system resources. It is a good idea to find them and disable the ones which are not needed. Much of the software you download and buy comes packaged...
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| Change The WinXP Screen Resolution To Enhance Your View |
| 2008-02-15 18:01:50 |
Here are instructions, step-by-step for changing the monitor resolution in Windows XP to fit as much as possible on the screen at one time.Note: It is important that you find out the maximum resolution your monitor supports before you proceed.Right click an empty space on your desktop. This will open up a small menu.Click 'Properties' (at the bottom of the menu). This opens the 'Display Properties' window.Click the 'Settings' tab.Under where it says 'Screen resolution...
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| Disable Auto Restart on System Failure |
| 2008-02-01 23:30:45 |
Sometimes during a serious system failure, the computer will automatically reboot itself. When it does this, it does not give any opportunity to read the error message for trouble shooting purposes. This is how to disable auto restart step-by-step:Click 'Start'Click 'View System Information' under 'System Tasks' (If you can not see this option then click 'System Tasks' to collapse the menu). This will open the System Properies window.Click the 'Advanced' t...
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| Increase The Amount of Virtual Memory Used by XP |
| 2008-01-30 22:16:36 |
Virtual memory is a small portion of hard drive space converted to RAM. This is useful for computers which use more physical RAM than is available. Windows XP allow the user to change the amount of virual memory used. By default, the system determines the amount automatically. It is possible to change this to a set amount. It can be a good idea to do this for better performance. Here are the instructions setp by step, along with suggested settings:Click 'Start'Click 'My Computer'...
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| Windows XP Delays When Opening Folders |
| 2008-01-16 00:49:35 |
You might notice that when you open folders there is a slight delay between when you click them and when they open. This is because your computer is automatically searching for network folders and printers every time something is opened.Here are the steps to disable this:Click StartClick "My Computer"Click "Tools" to pull down the Tools menuClick "Folder Options"Click the "View" tabUncheck the box next to where it says "Automatically search for network folders and printers"Click "Apply"Click "OK"...
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| Use Windows Repair Installation When Computer Won't Boot |
| 2008-01-01 19:52:18 |
Computers that have corrupt system files will sometimes fail to boot to Windows. The load screen appears, but it just hangs there and nothing happens. Doing a Windows repair installation will re-install the core of the operating system including the files it uses at boot time. This procedure requires a Windows CD of the same version as the one already installed, otherwise it will not work. Here are the step-by-step instructions to perform a Windows repair installation Insert Windows XP CD into computer.Restart the computer.When you see the screen that says "Press any key to boot from CD..." do exactly that and press any key on your keyb...
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| How To Secure a Linksys WRT54G Router |
| 2007-12-07 17:47:42 |
Many Windows XP users have home networks which utilize a router which allows several computers to share the same Internet connection. It is important to know that perimeter security is just as important as keeping your PC locked down. Doing so will prevent successful attacks from the outside world. This article covers how to secure a Linksys WRT54G router.Here are the step-by-step instructions:Log in to your router by opening your web browser and going to http://192.168.1.1 - this is the address to acces your router. If this is your first time logging in, leave the username field blank and enter 'admin' (without the quote marks of course) as the password.The first thing to do is back up your current configuration. This way if you set something incorrectly you can always revert back...
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| Configure Wireless Security For Linksys WRT54G Router |
| 2007-12-07 17:40:48 |
Keep unwanted neighbors and nearby laptop users for stealing access to your Internet connection. You can never be certain of what wifi theives are doing under your account. Even if their activity is not questionable they are still taking up your resources without permission.Here are the step-by-step instructions to secure wifi on your Linksys WRT54G wireless access point to prevent intruders:Log in to your router by opening your web browser and going to http://192.168.1.1 - this is the address to acces your router. If this is your first time logging in, leave the username field blank and enter 'admin' (without the quote marks of course) as the password.The first thing to do is back up your current configuration. This way if you set something inco...
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| Use chkdsk To Repair Hard Drive Problems |
| 2007-11-09 14:23:22 |
Using a PC regularly also means maintaining it. Sometimes hard drive problems cause the computer to run slow or hang. In bad cases a hard drive makes cranking noises which do not sound like the normal clicks a they usually make while reading or writing data. There may be messages at boot time that give warnings. This is a common one:Smart Failure predicted on hard disk. Warning: Immediately backup all data and replace hard disk. A failure may be imminent. Press F1 to continue.If you are experiencing any of these problems, it never hurts to run a program called Check Disk which scans for errors and can automatically repair them. Just be patient because this process can take at least 15 to 20 minutes or longer if a lot o...
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| Use The Do Not Call Registry and Opt-out of Verizon CPNI |
| 2007-10-30 13:37:43 |
In today's information age many businesses want to maximize their profits by sharing their customer's personal information with advertisers, various companies and even government agencies. Telemarketers are also of concern as they make phone calls to homes at dinner time and disrupt businesses with time-wasting sales pitches. To stay clear of these annoyances, individuals and businesses must opt-out of these junk advertising programs by signing up with the Do Not Call Registry web site or calling (888) 382-1222 (for U.S. citizens). Once a phone number is registered, it remains in the database for 5 years and then needs to be added again. Verizon Wireless has an internal data-sharing program called Customer Proprietary Network Information (CPN...
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| Firewall Software Recommendations |
| 2007-10-26 18:28:07 |
Without firewall software, Windows XP is vulnerable to attacks from the outside world. Hackers and network intruders can sneak in through security holes. Even behind a firewalled router, malicious software on a computer can still make connections to the Internet. It is important to have something that only allows connections from programs which are actually used, such as a web browsers and Instant Messenger. The best configuration is to block everything first, then allow each legitimate program one at a time. Each time a program tries to access the Net, the user is prompted with a window which asks them if they want to allow or deny it. There is also an option to remember the answer to force the same rule to apply ever...
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| Configure iTunes To Be Secure And Use Less Memory |
| 2007-10-14 20:21:23 |
The most secure and memory efficient way to configure iTunes is to essentially disable all of the internal features it uses. It is safest to disable all of the following:PodcastsRadioiTunes StoreShared LibrariesiPhone Auto-syncIf you do not use any of these features, it is best to turn them off. This will prevent your computer from make connections to Apple's servers that it does not need to and also saves some memory by reducing internal activities. Here are the step-by-step instructions to do this:Open iTunesClick "Edit" in the menu at the top, this opens a listClick "Preferences" which is the last option. This opens the screen used for the main configuration.Click the "Parental Control&...
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| What Is My Ip Address? |
| 2007-10-11 22:40:36 |
QUESTION: How do I find my IP address?ANSWER: Use this page. This is your IP addres and geolocation information: ...
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| How To Disable Programs From Starting When Windows Boots |
| 2007-10-08 14:38:51 |
There is a neat program called Startup Inspector which allows you to view all of the programs that start when your computer boots and to disable any ones you do not need. Much of the software you download and buy comes packaged with useless programs that run in the computer's background whenever it is turned on. More often than not, the original applications they are bundled with work just fine without them.Startup Inspector is a free for download and shows a list of all of the programs which start when your computer boots, allowing for manual disabling of the items which are not necessary. When Startup Inspector is used to disable a program, it does not delete it, but only prevents it from running at boot time. There...
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| Explanation of How an Anonymous Proxy Protects Your Privacy |
| 2007-10-08 11:28:52 |
An anonymous proxy conceals certain information about you while you use the Internet. In this case, we will use web proxies as an example. Every time you surf to a web site your IP address is logged. This is your unique "address" on the Internet which is used for other computers and servers to identify your computer. When an anonymous proxy is used, this information is hidden. The address of the proxy is shown instead. This protects web surfers while they browse by not allowing outside threats and external attacks to obtain their real location on the network. It is a good way to surf safely and securely.Try ours at VectroProxy - All you need to do is enter the address of the site you want to visit in the bar at...
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| P2P IP Block List Using PeerGuardian 2 |
| 2007-10-02 00:00:00 |
Keep yourself safe when using Peer2Peer a.k.a. P2P programs such as Limewire or any of the various BitTorrent programs. When downloading and sharing files this way, computers are vulnerable to downloads, spyware, viruses and having your IP address collected and harvested. For those unfamiliar, an IP address is the numerical address assigned to each computer on the Internet. This is similar to every house having its very own address. It is important to use IP blocking software that keeps lists of dangerous locations and prevents any connections to or from them.A highly recommended application to use is PeerGuardian 2 which maintains a large block list of IP addresses known to contain bad downloads and other intrusions. These are updated daily. PG2 allows you...
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| 14 Ways To Prevent Identity Theft |
| 2007-09-30 01:43:09 |
Knowing the steps to take in order to prevent identity theft can greatly reduce your risk of a disaster in the future. This writer's identity was stolen a few years back. The fraud was discovered before anything harmful could happen. Many people are not as lucky and face problems which can take years or decades to recover from. This is a serious crime that can leave people penniless and in debt. Some of these criminals are put in jail without the system ever knowing their real name.Some examples of what identity thieves do:Get jobs in the victim's name to skirt tax billsForge government documents Open credit card accounts in the victim's nameAccess bank records and other financial dataCommitting crimes a...
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| What Is A Rootkit? |
| 2007-09-14 17:55:29 |
A rootkit is a sophisticated hidden program intended to cause harm to a computer system. What makes a rootkit different from a virus is the way it hides itself. It will usually place itself in what are called "alternate data streams" which were originally developed to make the Windows NTFS file system compatible with the Macintosh Hierarchical File System, or HFS. Information in alternate data streams is not visible to the user of the computer and therefore leaves a security hole that allows unethical programmers to write malicious hidden software. Many common anti-virus programs also scan for rootkits. There is also a program called Rootkit Revealer which will scan for data which is hiding from the system. There is no function to remove the data, however, as doing such a thing i...
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| Secure Chat Sessions Using Pidgin with OTR For Encryption |
| 2007-09-12 17:11:13 |
Chatting on AOL Instant Messenger (also known as AIM) is a convenient way to communicate. Many people are unaware of an interesting fact: using the AIM program from AOL is NOT required. It is possible to log on to the AIM network using alternative software such as Pidgin. Pidgin does not have annoying advertisements or excessive features. In fact, you can start with a minimal set of features and add more as you go along by using what are called plug-ins.The Pidgin OTR plug-in uses encryption to create a secure chat environment between two people. The only requirement is that both people are using OTR. Encryption essentially scrambles the text of the conversation with complicated mathematical algorithms. This prevents nos...
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| How To Clear Windows Temporary Files |
| 2007-09-12 17:02:54 |
Windows XP stores temporary files to track things it needs to "remember" for short term use in a few different temporary folders. This helps different applications have some blank space to work with when needed. Even though the files in these folders are only used once or twice, they remain on the system. The drawback is the amount of temporary files accumulate over time and can waste precious hard drive space.Here are step-by-step instructions for how to clear Windows temporary files:Click "Start"Click "Run"Where it says "Open:" type the following command: %tmp%Click "OK" When the "Temp" folder opens showing all of your temp files, hold down Ctrl+A on the keyboar...
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| How To Disable The Windows Firewall in XP SP2 |
| 2007-09-07 18:06:42 |
One of the annoyances that comes with Microsoft Windows XP is the built-in system firewall which comes with SP2. The problem is that it remains active even when firewall software from another manufacturer is installed. It may seem like it has been disabled, but still remains running in the background in most cases. Having two different ones running at the same time is pointless and wastes memory which could be saved for other important things.Here are the step-by-step instructions for disabling the Windows XP SP2 firewall if you have installed one from another company:Click "start"Click "Run..."Where it says "Open:" type "services.msc" (without the quote marks). Doing this will op...
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| How To Automatically Clear The Windows Paging File When The Computer Shuts Down |
| 2007-09-07 13:14:01 |
Windows has a nice feature called "virtual memory" which converts hard drive space into RAM. This works in addition to the RAM already installed in your PC. The file is named pagefile.sys. The purpose of this is to have more memory available for running applications. As much as the paging file is a helpful feature, there is one drawback: Data remains there even after the computer has been shut down and started back up. If the machine is infected or has been hacked into, this is one thing the intruders might look for since information such as passwords and browsing history can be stolen from it. There is a simple value that can be added to the registry to have Windows automatical...
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| How To Close Port 445 In Windows XP For Good |
| 2007-08-21 11:37:41 |
Even after you disable local file and print sharing, Windows XP still leaves port 445 open and listening for incoming connections. If you are not using local networking, this can pose a security risk. To close this port you need to make a quick change to an entry in the Windows registry.NOTE: It is very important that if you do not feel comfortable editing the registry or have never done it before that you avoid doing this right away and learn more about the Windows registry. Changing the wrong setting or changing a setting incorrectly can cause Windows to not function correctly.Please be advised that Vectro Security takes no responsibility for any damage caused to the operating system.Here are the step-by-step instructions...
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| How To Disable Background Processes In Windows XP |
| 2007-08-13 12:25:51 |
Overview Disabling background processes in Windows XP is one of the steps necessary to improve the performance of your computer. Many of the programs which run behind the scenes are important system applications. On the other hand, many of them are not needed at all but still run whenever the computer is on. They can waste memory which could be used for other things and pose security risks. This article explains how to get to your list of services and disable the ones which most people rarely use. Included are explanations of the needless Windows XP background processes and why they are probably not useful. How To Get To The List of Services 1) Click 'Start' 2) Click 'Run' 3) In the box that says 'Open:' type th...
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