10 Steps To A Safe, Smooth Running PC

10 Steps To A Safe, Smooth Running PC By Michael A Silva

These ten steps will help you increase your computer's security. From discovering viruses to learning how to avoid them, this article is a must read!

Windows password This is the easiest way to make sure you know who is using your PC. Choose a lengthy password that contains capital and lower case letters. Including a number or two will greatly increase your security. Having a Window password means that the only people that can log onto a Window session are people that you have granted access to.

Password manager You should never write your passwords down. Using the same password that all the time will also make it very easy for hackers to reach your personal information. So if you can't write it down and you're not
supposed to use the same one ? how are you supposed to keep track of all your passwords? The easiest way to do this is to use a password manager. We prefer to use Roboform. Roboform is an easy to use password and profile manager that dock neatly into your Internet Explorer toolbar and keeps track of all your passwords for you. Roboform also uses a master password system. You will have one password that access all the passwords in the program. This way you can keep all your information safe and secure. You can download Roboform for free by http://www.roboform.com.

Spyware Remover Next to spam, spyware is the Internet's biggest annoyance. By definition, spyware is any software that covertly gather user information through the user's Internet connection without his or her knowledge, usually for advertising purposes. Once installed, the spyware monitors user activity on the Internet and transmits that information in the background to someone else. Spyware can also gather information about e-mail addresses and even passwords and credit card numbers. The amount of spyware that exists on your pc depends on the amount of internet surfing you do. A good rule of thumb here is to scan for spyware once per week or, whenever poor system performance surfaces. If you don't have a spyware scanner, we recommend http://www.webroot.com.

Antivirus This should go without saying, but if your computer is connected to the internet you need antivirus software. With weekly scans and program updates you should be protected from most threats. For added protection, we
recommend using more than one anvtivirus scanner.

Firewall A firewall will keep unwanted visitors out of your computer. You can obtain a firewall either by using software application like ZoneAlarm or Black Ice Defender, or by using a router with your internet connection. For more information on routers plese visit http://www.Linksys.com.

File sharing Basically, file sharing programs are the single biggest security risk you will come across. This is because the only facts you have about the files you are downloading are the file name and the file size. It is quite simple to change a filename to dupe someone into downloading a virus or other malware like keystroke recorders. Our advice stays away from file sharing at all costs. If you need to use it, make sure you have updated antivirus software installed and running.

Research In a sentence ? know what's out there. http://www.Symantec.com  has a section on their website  that will serve you well. Knowing what types of viruses exist  and how to avoid them will make you much smarter internet user.

Email protection Most of the antivirus applications available offer email scanning. If yours does not, you will want to get one that does. Email scanning will make sure all your incoming and outgoing emails are safe for both you and the recipient. Email viruses spread very quickly by using your address book to propagate. Never read email from people you don't know and always make sure your email scanner is active.

Network security Another way that virus spread is through computer networks. We have a few quick tips to keep your network safe. Always scan any files that come in from other computers. Even if it's a file you have brought from home. Never allow a file to be placed on your network until it
has been scanned. The main server should be the only computer with file sharing enabled. By not allowing computer users to transmit files, you can quickly neutralize a threat.

Maintenance Performing weekly virus and spyware scans will go a long way to keeping your computer safe. Defragmenting weekly will also greatly improve performance. If you put in the effort, you will be rewarded with a safe and smooth running pc. Not to mention  less headaches!

By following these ten guide lines, you will greatly improve the performance of your computer. You will also generate peace of mind as you gain a new sense of security.

------------------

For more information on affordable hosting packages, website builder software, dedicated and shared server packages, website design and promotion services and specialized fund raising and campaign websites please visit us at http://www.ipowereurope.com

read more “10 Steps To A Safe, Smooth Running PC”

Technology For Travel Trip

If you're a tech head like me then choosing the right bits if kit to take with you traveling is a very important decision. I like to be wired into the world and well entertained when I am sitting on a 12 hour train ride or some hotel room on a stopover ? it makes the time pass much faster and I can actually get some stuff have done. However what should you consider packing for your trek and how can you possibly fit it all in?

As with any type of packing for travel, selecting which pieces of technology to take with you should be determined by weight, size and utility. Less is more! That means taking the smallest and lightest of everything you need.

If you want some computing power on your travels, then a laptop would be the obvious choice. However do you need all the computing power that a laptop can give you or could you escape with just using a tablet or a PDA? When you are lugging around 6 pounds of laptop for miles and miles, the thought of nice little 200 gram PDA become mighty attractive. If word processing the main reason for taking a computer then consider a PDA with a fold out keyboard. You will be thankful for the weight and space it saves. Alternatively some tablets are more powerful than many laptops and offer the same software options so that might be one other consideration.

Your camera is another consideration. Do you need the 35mm SLR with 4 spare lenses? Unless you are going somewhere that justifies the weight of that, then you might be better off with any of the myriad small digital cameras available on the market. Many of the newer models are up around the 6 megapixel and above mark meaning the quality of shots is getting very good.

If you desperately need music, then consider any type of MP3 player that can double as a digital photo storage device. iPods are a good choice and nice and light and the fact that you can store any data such as digital photos on them means you can cut down on packing other storage devices.

The big thing that you are really going to need for all your gadgets is insurance. Aside from the fact that a person with a lot of gadgets has a lot more to lose when they get robbed, stuff also gets knocked around a lot when you travel. Make sure you get insurance that cover you for the cost of a new replacement of anything that is lost, damaged or stolen.

A few minor considerations at the time of purchase can save a traveler a lot of heartache with gadgets. If you can describe your gear as small, light, useful and insured then you should have a pleasant trip!

read more “Technology For Travel Trip”

Sharp Galapagos Tablet

Sharp launch E-book Tablet services December this year to cut in Sony big rivals

Sharp announced prepared ahead eBook and Tablet market in Japan, with the launch of the new products that use the name "GALAPAGOS" the end of this year. Ready to do battle with heat flows tablet by Apple. And ahead Sony big competitor that preparing to send products to market the end of this year as well.

The latest product of Sharp plans to release within this December in Japan. Which in the first to open the electronic books with more than 30,000 books, which is both newspapers and magazines. In addition, the company also revealed that there was a plan to expand the service content, an increase in both movies music and games in the next year. Sharp to expect that within 2011 the company would be sold Tablet only Wi-Fi model up to 1 million units by the Company the company has chosen to use platform Google Android operating system that is extremely needing to increase in market with a screen size 5.5 or 10.8 inches available for purchase, which is now has not yet disclosed pricing released.

Mr. Masami Obatake Director responsible for business communications company. Tell reporters that The company also plans to send this Tablet to make the foreign market. Which is now in the process of negotiations with Verizon. The Communications business in the United States. Sony the big level of competition, there is news that preparing to launch e-book readers and services within Japan by the end of this year. As well. Which is working with telecommunications carriers KDDI Corp, Asahi Shinbun newspaper and printing company Toppan Printing.

read more “Sharp Galapagos Tablet”

First LAN Party

How To Throw Your First Lan Party - Trust Us: Networking Will Never Be This Fun Again by: Joshua LaTendresse





LAN parties are the perfect way to spend a rainy weekend with friends,all it takes is a little planning to make sure that things go smoothly.

Whether you are planning a PC or console oriented LAN party, getting the right mix of gear together is the first and most crucial step. Console players have it a little easier, since the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 are much more portable than their full sized PC counterparts. However, don't forget that you'll need extra monitors, game titles, LAN cables, and a hub or switch big enough to handle as many consoles that you need to connect everyone. Having a buddy with a 16 or 24 port switch is always handy,but an older 10 or 100 switch is all you need. Spending hundreds on a Gigabit grade switch is overkill.

When you tell your buddies what to bring to a console LAN party, don't forget to tell them to haul along their monitor, correct video cables, game titles, wired controller, and networking cable. The A40 Audio System is the ideal solution for a console LAN, so don't forget your audio gear, even if your friends don't have ASTRO equipment yet. If your buddies have an extra network cable and wired controller, have them bring those too after they've marked them with initials. Someone is bound to forget theirs. Remember that a wired controller is required more than four wireless controllers are going to interfere with one other unless you are a fair distance away, which takes away from the fun.

The same advice for a PC LAN applies,with the addition of needing a place to put computers,monitors,and mouse pads in addition to a spot for everyone's butt. Beg and borrow every card table,picnic table and folding chair that you can scrounge from relatives, neighbors and friends.

Lastly, whether you go the PC or console route, don't forget to sort out the power situation well beforehand using industrial grade extension cords to draw power from multiple circuits in your house is a smart way to go. Nothing is a bigger drag than blowing a fuse or tripping a circuit breaker mid match. Having your buddies bring their own power strips with surge protectors is also a smart idea.

What to play? This is the all important question, and one that will make or break your party. Start with your friends what games do you usually play? This game whatever it may be will be the game that gets the most mileage during your party. Being all together will certainly open up new strategies and new wrinkles to whatever you are playing if only the 'in yer face!' factor of in person versus play, in addition to the tactical advantages of having a 'Lag-free' connection that is only possible when you are on a LAN.

If you have another game that people might enjoy, but haven't necessarily played yet or perhaps not for a long time, this can be a welcome break from the main attraction. Mix and match your genres as well if everyone got together to play an intense first person PC shooter like Counter strike or Battlefield, be sure to take it down a notch by starting a friendly pickup game of an RTS classic like WarCraft III or Dawn of War. If you've got newer gear and newer game collections, Dawn of War II and Supreme Commander are incredibly fun. Most RTS titles have 2v2 or even 3v3! modes that enable you to put noobies with more experienced players, and advanced controls that enable you to balance things to a fine degree guaranteeing that everyone is enjoying fun and challenging games.

If you are gearing your LAN toward PC play, take a break by firing up a fun, tried and true console game. Sure, everybody knows Halo can be a great way to blow off some steam, but after playing PC shooters, a console FPS will seem like it is in "slow motion". It's better to fire up Mario Kart, Bomberman, or Boom Blox try it, seriously! if you have a GameCube or Wii. If you have an Xbox 360 handy, the Xbox Live Arcade selection should have something for everyone old school multiplayer titles like Gauntlet and Joust are a riot, while new school faves like Geometry Wars are extremely entertaining just to watch. And of course, fighting games like Super Smash Brothers, Street Fighter, and Soul Caliber are perfect for a quick player versus player fix.

For console centric LAN parties, taking a break from the controller is the way to go. Try loading up the universal LAN party standard Unreal Tournament 2004. 2k4 is a stellar run and gun action title that is 10lbs of fun in a 5lb bag even if you are playing for the very first time. It's also an older title that even low spec laptops will be able to handle nicely, and available dirt cheap in most stores' bargain bins, or downloadable from Steam.

Once you've attended or held a few LAN parties, you'll start noticing games in the bargain bin that will be ideally suited to a LAN, especially those "forgotten" shooters. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. has an amazing deathmatch mode that is wildly popular in places like Russia, but if you live in the West, you'll need to create a local server and a LAN party is the perfect opportunity. Likewise, Prey is an ideal PC LAN game if your group is on the small side this console centric shooter fared poorly since it was too claustrophobic for 16 to 32 player servers, but is ideal for 4 to 8 friends at a LAN.

One last thing unless you are getting your Guild together for some in person raid action, it would be wise to ban World of Warcraft during the weekend. WoW has a tendency to divide your group into ever-smaller chunks, and really takes away from the mano a mano spirit of a LAN.

Good luck and save us a slice of pizza!

read more “First LAN Party”