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Front Range PC Users Group Newsletter k-Byte |
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| v. 23, n. 5/6 May/June 2006 | Users Helping Users |
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Contents 1 From the Editor 2 About k-Byte 3 Five Behaviors On Which Spyware Companies Prey - Robert P. Lipschutz 4 Antivirus Software Comparison 14 Calendar of Events 16 June/July Calendars 18 Membership Application 21 Norton SystemWorks 2006: A Review - Jack Linder 24 Free Stuff, Good Stuff, Part 1 - Mike Morris 30 Killing A Window 30 Trading Post 31 FRPCUG Contacts Helen Keller From the Editor: This issue marks a departure from our standard newsletter format. This entire issue is dedicated to computer security. The trend in new security products is to include protection from more than just viruses and related problems. Selected new products now include protection from adware, spyware and other malicious software. A comparison, provided by Symantec, of five products that advertise these capabilities is provided in this issue. One review of a Symantec product by a Front Range PC Users Group member is also included. There are also reviews of two freeware computer security programs that have been used successfully by Front Range PC Users Group members, and others. Reviews of additional freeware security programs will appear in subsequent issues. In support of an objective analysis, readers should note that the software comparison also includes the evaluation criteria used by Symantec. Examine those criteria carefully. They are provided so that you may formulate your own conclusions about the comparison. Whether you agree with the criteria and the comparison or not, these documents provide a substantial amount of useful information about these products. For example, one conclusion that can be drawn from the criteria created by Symantec is that the higher the degree of automation or conversely, the lower the need for user intervention the better the product. That may be true for many perhaps even a majority of consumers, provided they have computers with sufficient processor speed and RAM. Those users willing to spend the time on a few extra mouse clicks may find the freeware sufficient. Two websites that are excellent sources of additional information are: Free Firewall and Security Software: http://www.firewallguide.com ConsumerSearch.com: http://www.consumersearch.com/www/software/firewalls/index.html One important consideration that is not included in these reviews is the quality of technical support. Tech support is often a contentious issue. The Front Range PC Users Group has no survey information on this issue. Recommended sources for such information are other Front Range PC Users Group individual members and the print or online versions of such magazines as PC Magazine or PC World, to name only two of the many available magazines. Published bi-monthly, k-Byte is the official newsletter of the Front Range Personal Computer Users Group (FRPCUG): our mailing address is PMB 152, 305 W. Magnolia, Fort Collins, Colorado 80521. Opinions expressed in k-Byte are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the group or its members. Publication of information in k-Byte constitutes no guarantee of accuracy. Use of any information found in this publication is at the sole risk of the user. Neither k-Byte, nor its officers, nor k-Byte, nor its editors or contributors assume any liability for damages resulting from use of information in this publication. Submissions Articles, letters and short items of interest on computer-related topics are welcome and encouraged. All items submitted for publication are subject to editing. Send your contribution to the editor via e-mail attachment or submit on disk. If you have questions about a submission, please contact the editor for information. Copyright k-Byte is copyrighted ©2006 by the Front Range Personal Computer Users Group. Unless otherwise noted, other nonprofit users groups may reprint or quote from any articles appearing in k-Byte without prior permission, provided that proper author and publication credits are given and that a copy of the publication in which the article appears is sent at no cost to k-Byte at the above mailing address. User groups wishing to exchange newsletters with FRPCUG are invited to send a copy of their newsletter together with an exchange request. IBM PC, OS/2, Compaq, MS-DOS, UNIX, Windows and other trademarks occasionally mentioned in k-Byte are registered trademarks of International Business Machines, Inc., Compaq Corporation, Microsoft, Digital Research, AT&T or their owners respectively. Neither FRPCUG nor its newsletter k-Byte are connected in any way with any manufacturer or seller. We, however, gratefully acknowledge sponsorship of our group by Data Service Center, Jim Becker, owner. Advertising Classified advertising is free to members for non-business ads. See "Trading Post" for pricing for camera-ready display ads. Charges for ad makeup from sketches, etc., are available on request. Deadline for camera-ready and classified ads is listed in the Calendar of Upcoming Events. Deadline for ad-makeup is the same as for articles. About FRPCUG FRPCUG is an independent nonprofit computer society, so incorporated with the State of Colorado and open to anyone interested in MS-DOS, Windows, or UNIX/LINUX microcomputers. Its purpose is to provide an educational and scientific forum of mutual benefit for members of the micro-computer community. FRPCUG holds a monthly meeting and conducts various special interest groups (SIGS) and seminars. Members have voting privileges, subscription to k-Byte newsletter, SIGs and selected seminars. Annual dues are $25 for individual/family membership and $50 for corporate/group membership. by Robert P. Lipschutz [Ed. Note: This article is copyrighted by the website http://www.pcpitstop.com, which has granted permission to k-Byte to reprint the article.] Adware vendors, in their quest to infiltrate computers everywhere, benefit from confusion, a lack of user knowledge, and the realities of human nature. However, by using a combination of defensive strategies, you can lower the impact of adware on your computer. If you wish to enjoy the benefits of "free" Internet software, the primary carrier of adware, diligence is key. Adware is sneaky and elusive. It is typically bundled or hidden within other software, its full presence buried deep within lengthy license agreements. Once installed, adware goes about changing your settings without asking and working behind the scenes to fulfill its mission, which is to deliver offers, deals, and advertisements to your eyeballs. This article will help you from becoming another adware victim by discussing four steps you can take to prevent and remove this software scourge. 1. Users Don't Read EULA's.  The best way to avoid adware is to stop downloading free software from the Internet, software that often contains adware [or visit known adware-free sites. Ed.]. If you are unwilling to do that then you must read about what you are installing. Adware vendors know that most people won't, so they pack end user license agreements (EULAs) full of language that gives them extensive rights. For example, EULAs might give adware vendors the right to track your browsing and searching behavior, display advertisements whenever they choose, install toolbars in your browser, and, quite often, ongoing permission to install any additional programs they desire. That equates to a huge imposition on your browsing experience at the very least and, in the worst case, a complete surrender of your computer. But it's all stated right there in the EULA, and you've agreed to it. If adware companies really wanted you to read the EULA, they would make it easier. You'll find EULAs within Web pages, in windows that pop up during the install, and as links shown in the Microsoft Windows Service Pack 2 ActiveX security warning dialog boxes. While most people won't read a EULA no matter how it's presented, adware vendors intentionally make them more difficult to wade through by displaying them in small windows that can't be increased in size and by providing no print or search options. The text in the title bar says one thing-"Please read the Save! License agreement carefully"- but the interface makes it hard to comply. Some vendors like Grokster go even further by inundating you with multiple license agreements, all of which make their own claims on your machine. To protect yourself, you must scan and read EULAs. Often called license agreements, terms of use, or even privacy agreements, these lengthy tomes can be full of venomous language. Look for terms like third-party software, partners, ads, advertisements, and install to find the bad stuff. Beware of software that claims "No spyware" as adware vendors don't consider themselves spyware. 2. Users don't use "Add/Remove Programs" in Control Panel. Use Add/Remove Programs in Control Panel to get rid of many common spyware and adware programs.  So what can you do if adware has already made its way onto your computer? Historically, adware vendors have neglected to provide an uninstall option for their software. This made them an easy target for industry detractors who called out their non-standard behavior as an illegal lock-in. To get around this, adware vendors increasingly include entries in the Add or Remove Programs Control Panel. They are banking on the fact that users won't know how to uninstall programs. So you won't be one of those users, here's what you do: 1. Open the Control Panel from the Windows Start Menu. 2. Choose the "Add or Remove Programs" Control Panel. Find the installed programs you wish to remove, click on the Change/Remove button and follow the uninstall directions. In general, removing a program is easy. The difficult part is determining which program or programs to remove given that useful applications are interspersed with the adware. Unfortunately, although you can sort by name, size, frequency of use, and date last used, Microsoft has neglected to allow sorting by "date of install". This should change with the new Microsoft Vista operating system, but for now the onus is on you to slog through the typically long list of programs to find the offenders. Not surprisingly, adware vendors use some basics as well as a few sneaky tricks to complicate the removal process. First, they install a large amount of adware, which can overwhelm the consumer attempting to uninstall these programs. Grokster and Kazaa both include more than five different adware programs that get spread throughout the Add or Remove Programs control panel. So just a few "free" programs can generate volumes of adware. Also, adware vendors rig the uninstall game in their favor in terms of how the host software and adware software uninstalls work. Of course, you can't uninstall the adware and expect the "free" software to work. For example, if you uninstall the Zango adware, you can no longer play the Zango games. That's expected. But if you uninstall the "free" host software, wouldn't you expect the adware to be uninstalled also? It doesn't always work like that. If you install the Zango game, Zango Muncher, the Zango adware remains and must be uninstalled separately. Grokster plays the same game and, in this case, uninstalling all the adware will not return your machine to its original state. Your computer has been irreversibly altered. When using Add or Remove Programs, you are relying on the adware and host software vendors to do the right thing and some of them just don't. Gain uses a different tactic. It takes responsibility for uninstalling the adware after you uninstall the host applications but most people won't know which host software is associated with the GAIN adware. Gain provides a tool on its Web site that discovers GAIN-supported software, or you can browse the Add or Remove Programs panel for these GAINware applications: ScreenScenes, DashBar, Weatherscope, Precision Time, Date Manager, WebSecureAlert, Gator eWallet, OfferCompanion, and SearchScout Toolbar. Many third-party publishers also include GAIN adware. 3. Users don't know how to reset their Home Page.  If a spyware resets your home page, set it back using Tools Options in Internet Explorer. Many adware packages muck with your browser settings as well. They will, for example, change your home page or add toolbars. Adware vendors know that most users can't or won't undo these changes. In some cases, you can simply switch your home page back or deselect the toolbar. Toolbars can be hidden by right-clicking on the toolbar area in your browser and deselecting unwanted toolbars. Your home page can be set in the browser options. In Internet Explorer, go to the Tools menu and select Internet Options.In Mozilla Firefox, go to the Tools menu and select Options. Unfortunately, some adware vendors monitor your home page setting and change it back as quickly as you've reset it. In those tougher situations, you'll need to get rid of the adware as discussed below. 4. Users think they are are protected because they have antivirus software. Anti Virus and Anti Spyware are not the same thing. Get an effective anti spyware package! Adware vendors benefit greatly from the confusion in the marketplace around viruses, spyware, and adware. Most people lump them all together and assume they can be handled the same way. Many have trusted anti-virus software like Norton AntiVirus and McAfee VirusScan to protect them from the latest Internet threats. By and large, neither of these products will protect you from adware. McAfee has a separate product aimed at spyware/adware protection and only recently has Norton announced that spyware protection will be included in Norton Antivirus 2006. While the anti-virus products don't make a peep when adware from Gain, 180Solutions, or WhenU is installed, anti-spyware products tell you loud and clear what is going on. 5. Parents don't teach their children As we've said in previous articles, spyware vendors target children and teenagers. So everything that you learn about spyware, you must pass along to your children. Don't get smart on your own. Teach your children about EULAs. Explain to them that each EULA they see might contain a number of computer risks that mom and dad aren't going to be pleased to take. With some education for your kids, you'll need to remove far fewer programs from your computer. Your computer is only as protected as your most careless family member. So remember to read EULAs, uninstall any existing adware not tied to free software you use, and consistently check and maintain browser settings. And, perhaps most importantly, you must understand that traditional anti-virus products will not safeguard your computer against adware and its threats. For that level of protection, you must turn to anti-spyware products like Pest Patrol, which provide the extra insurance necessary to make sure your computer remains your own instead of the unwitting victim of an adware hijacking.  Criteria Does the product deliver a "set it and forget it" solution What is it? The product should be installed by default at an appropriate level of security for the majority of consumers and should automatically secure the system from attacks without requiring any adjustments by the customer. Default product installation (or factory pre-installed settings should: Turn on automatic updating systems to ensure protection against new viruses. Update the set of virus definitions on the disk with the most recent set of definitions. Activate all heuristic detection to proactively protect the user against new threats. Automatically enable real-time scanning and detection for all threats. Ensure all files are scanned on a regular basis. Always load all scanners (real time, email, instant messaging...} by default. Scan all files on the system by default. Products with default settings that only scan a subset of files will fail to detect new viruses in files with extensions not on the default list. Common tasks should be automated and performed in the background. Scan all files on the system by default. Products with default settings that only scan a subset of files will fail to detect new viruses in files with extensions not on the default list. Common tasks should be automated and performed in the background. Customer Benefits Allows users of all levels to quickly and easily install the antivirus solution with the peace of mind that they are receiving adequate protection against toda's complex threat environment. Antivirus Software Comparison, Part 1.
Antivirus Software Evaluation Criteria, Part 2 Criteria How effective is the product at providing ongoing protection? What is it? Antivirus software should provide layered protection with both definition-based and heuristic scanners. In addition to viruses, it should include protection from network-based worms, spyware, and likely unwanted programs such as adware and dialers. Antivirus solutions should: Have the capability to prescan a system prior to product installation to remove threats that may compromise the success of its installation. Provide consumers with automatic definition updates on a regular basis. Seamlessly equip consumers with the latest available technology to defend against the newest threats. Have a well integrated solution to remediate a range of threats and security risks from viruses to spyware. Run a scan upon receipt of the most recent set of definitions. Achieve a balance of security at all risk levels with a minimal false positive rate. Employ network traffic scanning, real-time and file scanning technologies as part of a multi-layered approach for continuous protection. Ensure 100% detection of "in the wild" viruses through independent engine certification. An independent authority (ICSA, West Coast Labs, Virus Bulletin) should certify detection and cleaning engines. Customer Benefits Consumers need to utilize a multi-layered approach for continuous protection against all types of threats with a reliable level of accuracy. Consumers also need an antivirus solution that provides automatic protection against the highest level of threats. Antivirus Software Comparison, Part 2.
Antivirus Software Evaluation Criteria, Part 3 Criteria If a potential threat is detected, what is the user experience and how effective is the product at removing the threat? What is it? Given the high incidence of infections, it is critical to remove high risk threats effectively from a system when an infection has occurred with little or no user interaction. Products should also provide guidance to users to allow them to tailor their computing , controlling applications that run on their PC. In all cases, there should be a recommended action by the user or the product should have automatically made the decision for the customer. High-risk infections should be automatically repaired or deleted without requiring any user action and with complete safety for their data. The product should neutralize and remove unwanted programs without adversely impacting the user's system. The product should provide useful guidance for low risk programs so that consumers can make informed decisions where dependencies may occur, and in all cases, a recommendation. Detailed information regarding spyware should be included so that consumers have the ability to understand the risk assessment made by the product. Malicious software such as worms and Trojans should be classified separately from security risks (possibly unwanted applications) as they may be tied to programs the user desires/needs. The product should clearly separate out cookie detection from malware and security risks in order to avoid unnecessarily alarming the user stating that hundreds of items were detected when only a handful were high risk dilutes focus on the critical issues while heightening user concern without merit. If a threat is found on the system, active links to detailed online write-ups are essential for more up-to-the-minute information. In addition to external tests, to ensure 100% detection of "in the wild" viruses, reviewers should also look at independent test results to ensure 100% virus cleaning rates. Customer Benefits Consumers need to know that even if a high-risk threat is detected the removal process will be as automated, complete and easy as possible. In addition, consumers must be provided with recommended actions for handling all levels of threats that have been detected to alleviate the need to make constant and uninformed choices. Antivirus Software Comparison, Part 3.
Antivirus Software Evaluation Criteria, Part 4 Criteria Does the product provide system, data, and user security feedback in a single interface/ What is it? Security solutions can be complex and confusing to end-users. Consumers may not thoroughly understand all of the threats and risks associated with their specific computing activities, however it is important for consumers to have a single destination point on their PCs that will answer the question, "Am I safe?" The destination point should aggregate and summarize the most important information that users need to know in order to maintain optimal levels of security. A product should be as transparent as possible, require minimum user intervention and minimum maintenance, but also be adaptable for users who wish to make informed decisions. Consumers need to easily know at any given time that their protection is working, removing viruses and providing them with an optimal level of security. Consumers should have the ability to obtain a collective snapshot of their overall security status at any given time. Products should notify consumers if security is not at an adequate level. Customer Benefits Consumers should be able to easily ascertain their level of protection and be appropriately notified if there are any changes in their security status. Antivirus Software Comparison, Part 4.
Notes: 1. Norton AntiVirus 2006 2. McAfee VirusScan 2006 3. PC-Cillan Internet Security 2005 4. CA eTrust EZ Antivirus 2005 5. Titanium Antivirus 2006 Beta IMPORTANT NOTICE FRPCUG meetings are held at the Fort Collins Senior Center. Check below for directions to the Senior Center. June General Forum Meeting We will meet at the Fort Collins Senior Center on Tuesday, June 6 at 7:00 pm. Meeting Agenda 7:00 - 7:15 Announcements 7:15 - 8:00 Open Forum 8:00 - 8:15 Break 8:15 - 9:00 SnagIt, by Techsmith, a graphic screen capture and editing utility. Limited supply of demo software available. July General Forum Meeting We will meet at the Fort Collins Senior Center on Tuesday, July 11 at 7:00 pm. Meeting Agenda 7:00 - 7:15 Announcements 7:15 - 8:00 Open Forum 8:00 - 8:15 Break 8:15 - 9:00 Firewalls: Setting them up and understanding the rules. See you at the meetings! Directions The Fort Collins Senior Center is located at 1200 Raintree Drive. This site is situated at the northwest corner of the Shields and West Drake intersection, on the north side of the Raintree Shopping Center. Check the marquee at the main entrance for directions to the specific meeting room. Up-Coming SIG's, Seminars and Meetings Board Meeting FRPCUG's executive board meets on Wednesday of the week following the General Forum Meeting at 7:00 p.m. All members are welcome and are encouraged to attend. These meetings are held in the Staff Board Room of the Fort Collins Senior Center. New Technology SIG The LINUX SIG and the Telecommunications SIG have been combined to form the new Advanced Systems Support SIG. This SIG provides advanced support for all PC-related operating system and telecommunication issues. The meetings are held at 7:00 PM on the third Thursday of each month at Bluebird Manufacturing Inc., 1421 Webster Avenue, in Fort Collins. For more information contact Chuck McJilton at 493-2987 or email telecomsig@jymis.com. Rocky Mountain Internet Users Group Meets on the second Tuesday of odd months at NCAR in Boulder. Meetings start at 7:00 pm, but members are encouraged to arrive at 6:30 pm for informal networking and refreshments. NCAR is located in Boulder at 1850 Table Mesa Drive. For more information see the RMIUG Web site at: http://www.rmiug.org/. Upcoming FRPCUG Meetings Along with presentations of new hardware and software, we will certainly continue to present tips, hints, solutions, as well as what is new with Public Domain and Shareware offerings. If you have ideas for presentations which you would like to see at future General Forum meetings or seminars, please let us know. We would appreciate the input and opportunity to improve your meetings. Know of a another computer-related meeting in our area? Please let us know so we can post it here. 6 FRPCUG General Forum Meeting 7:00 PM 14 FRPCUG Board Meeting 7:00 PM 15 New Technology SIG 7:00 PM July 2006 4 Holiday 11 FRPCUG General Forum Meeting 7:00 PM >>>>>SPECIAL DATE<<<<< 19 FRPCUG Board Meeting 7:00 PM 20 New Technology SIG 7:00 PM by Jack Linder Front Range PC Users Group Company: Symantec Corporation, Cupertino CA 95014. http://www.symantec.com Cost: $69.99 for Standard or $99.99 for Premier which includes Norton Ghost backup and recovery utility, Symantec Recovery Disk and Performance Test for benchmarking and diagnostic. Current Symantec users as well as users of competitive products may upgrade with a $20 rebate. Check http://www.symantec.com/home_homeoffice/rebates/index.html for more details and forms. Requirements: Windows XP: 300-MHz or faster processor 256 MB of RAM 170 MB of available hard disk space Windows 2000 Professional: Service Pack 4 or later 166-MHz or faster processor 128 MB of RAM 200 MB of available hard disk space Windows Me or Windows 98: Norton SystemWorks 2005 is included for installation on these two operating systems. For all versions: Internet connection for activation (activation by phone is also available) & Internet Explorer version 5.5 or higher. Super VGA (800 x 600) Test system: SystemWorks Standard with Norton AntiVirus, Norton Utilities & Norton Cleanup Suites installed on a computer with a 2.4 GHz Pentium 4 processor, 1 GB RAM and Windows XP Pro SP 2 Summary: SystemWorks is a collection of utilities that blend protection from virus, spyware and worms with maintenance and problem solving. While not quite the all-in-one product that the name might imply, it's a good system utilities collection. Installation: Installation should be pretty straightforward if you don't already have a Symantec product on your system. You should uninstall competitive products first but the SystemWorks installer will remove prior versions of Norton components. At least that's what the install tips said but it didn't work like that on my system. I received the message that I should exit the install and use Control Panel's Add/Remove Programs to uninstall the Norton Antivirus that it found. OK, no big deal. So I uninstalled Norton Antivirus 2003 and rebooted. Ran the SystemWorks install again with the same results a message saying it found a previous Norton Antivirus that needed uninstalling. Well, maybe I missed something. Looked in the Add/Remove Program list again. No luck. Well, maybe another reboot would help. Nope, the installer still saw a prior version of Norton Antivirus although it didn't say which version was detected. Then I remembered seeing a program for removing files and registry entries on Symantec's web site - RNAV2003.EXE - short for Remove Norton AntiVirus for versions 2003 and earlier. I also saw RnisUPG.exe, a removal utility for use with Norton Internet Security or Personal Firewall as well as SymNRT, an ActiveX control for removing 2004-2006 Norton products. You're beginning to see a pattern, right? Does anyone else think Symantec has a problem with their install/uninstall routines? So I ran the RNAV2003 utility and took a guess at the version to uninstall (1 in 4 chance of being right) and then completed the SystemWorks install. What I had thought would be a 5 to 10 minute install, turned out to be over an hour with at least 5 reboots. The Programs: Norton Antivirus has long been my antivirus program of choice and the 2006 version now detects and removes high-risk spyware too. SystemWorks includes a 1 year subscription to Symantec's antivirus definition files. The antivirus program itself still works seamlessly in the background (unless it spots a problem) and now receives daily definition file updates. If you have never been there, the Symantec Antivirus Research Center, http://www.sarc.com, is a great source of information on the latest virus threats and has a good collection of virus removal tools for the peskier bugs. Norton Utilities: Speed Disk is Symantec's disk defragmenter. As you may already know, over time the files on your hard drive get scattered, and your hard drive ends up spending more time fetching files than it would if they were in one nice neat block. Of course Microsoft has Defrag included with its operating system, so you're probably asking yourself "Do I need another defragger?" I decided to check out Speed Disk on a 10 gigabyte partition and started it one night just before retiring. It was still cranking away in the morning but I decided to let it run. I ended up stopping the process at 93% completion after 16 hours. My advice stick with Windows Defrag. Disk Doctor is for diagnosing and repairing problems with the hard drive or removable media. In the past, the Disk Doctor has been one of the strengths of Norton Utilities and fortunately it did not find any problems on my current system. This is the one tool that you hope you will never need but sure hope you have it when you need it. I say "when" because all hard drives fail. It's just a matter of time. System Doctor continuously monitors your system for problems. With a number of sensors, 25 in my setup, in categories such as memory, performance, internet/network, this becomes a highly configurable tool with lots of information. Some of the sensors have associated alarms with adjustable trigger points. Most also have selectable styles so, you can create your own special set of gauges. WinDoctor is designed to locate and repair Windows specific problems such as registry errors and missing dlls. While not the registry optimizer and defragmenter I'm seen advertised in other packages, it does a good job at spotting and fixing errors. Unerase Wizard is an enhanced file recovery utility that lets you search by filename as well as words contained in the file. It may also let you retrieve earlier versions of files overwritten by newer files. If you have ever found the Windows Recycle Bin lacking in features, check out the Unerase Wizard. Wipe Info For erasing files when you really mean it. As an option you can select the seven step procedure as specified in the DoD document 5220.22-M making your files unrecoverable by any means. Norton Cleanup Disk and internet cleanup for keeping your system clear of unwanted cookies, cache and temporary files. This is a must for anyone that browses the internet but is also important for all Windows users as well. One Button Checkup Scans your system for registry errors, virus definition problems, shortcut errors and more. I have this scheduled to run once a week just to keep things tidy and to confirm that my virus definitions are current. Extra Features: System Optimizer Allows you to customize the Windows environment with access to mouse, Explorer, taskbar settings and much more that you normally don't have access to other than through direct editing of the registry. Ever since Windows 95, Microsoft has offered Tweak UI as part of its Power Toys collection. System Optimizer is an enhanced Tweak tool that allows you to personalize hundreds of Windows settings all from one place. Process Viewer This is what Windows Task Manager should have been with the full path and version listed for all loaded modules. In addition, lists of memory, threads and DLL usage for every process simplifies troubleshooting. A handy startup manager is included as well so making changes is quick and easy. Checkit Diagnostics A fine addition to SystemWorks from Smith Micro is a comprehensive group of PC hardware tests and tools. This would be especially useful for checking out a new computer or confirming suspect hardware on your current system. Help and Support In addition to the context-based help contained in Syustem Works, there's an extensive knowledge base that can be accessed at Symantec.com. Also available as free support options are online chat and email. A paid priority phone support can be had for $29.95 per incident. Conclusion: Even though the minimum requirements have a 300 MHz processor listed, anything less than 800 MHz will really show what kind of resource hog SystemWorks can be. I would not recommend the continuously monitoring program Norton System Doctor on anything less than a 800 MHz machine unless you increase the sensor interval accordingly. Symantec does offer a "Sixty Day Money Back Guarantee" and normally I would say it's worth taking a look at. However, if you already own a Norton product, there may be install/uninstall issues that you'll have to deal with. Even if you don't qualify for the upgrade rebate, some of the stars in this utility package like Norton Antivirus and Checkit Diagnostics may yet offset some of SystemWorks other shortcomings. Just make sure you have all the Symantec support options lined up before you jump. by Mike Morris Front Range PC Users Group For those readers who choose not to spend money on computer security products, you can protect your computer with high quality freeware. I report here on my experience with AVG Free Antivirus, and Ad-Aware SE Personal. Please note that I am reporting my experience with these products, not the results of comparative testing of multiple competing products. I do not claim that these reviews exhaustively cover all features. There are a number of websites you can connect to in order to test the security of your computer. I have not used any of those websites. My evaluation criteria are much more modest than those listed elsewhere in this newsletter: Ease of installation Ease of use Effectiveness Compatibility with other installed software Here is the hardware and software baseline of the computer on which these products are installed: eMachines Model T1090 Tower Intel Celeron 900 Mhz processor 256 MB RAM 20 GB hard drive with (currently) approximately 12.5 GB free space 56 kB internal modem Windows XP/Home Service Pack 2 Dial-up internet connection using a local ISP Single computer, single user  The easiest way to find the free edition of the AVG Antivirus program is to use Google:  Click on "GRISOFT Free Advisor." That connects you to http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1, which looks like this: Note the "Get AVG Free" button. Before you click on that button, note that there is on that page an answer to the usual question "what is the difference between the free version and the paid version?"  Although the free version does not include 24/7 tech support, Grisoft does provide a free technical forum. To use the forum, you need to register, but there is no charge for using the forum. Since I have had no problems with the program, I have not needed any tech support. I have been using AVG Free for over a year. Please note the usage restrictions for the free version: "AVG Free Edition is for private, non-commercial, single-home computer use only. Use of AVG Free Edition within any organization or for commercial purposes is strictly prohibited."  When you click on the "Get AVG Free" button, you are connected to:  On this page is a list of the features that are included with the free version, and the link to download the program: which is at the bottom of the web page. Downloading and installation is easy. One click on that link, and several more mouse clicks, and the file will be downloaded to your computer. For those readers unfamiliar with the process, do not uninstall or remove the existing virus protection program until you have downloaded AVG Free. The program will download to either your desktop, or to the "My Received Files" folder under "My Computer" if you are using Windows XP. Once the download is complete, either temporarily disable your internet connection (using Internet Options under the Control Panel), or turn off the modem or router. In my case, with dial-up service, I simply disconnect from the internet. The point is to remain off the internet while the computer is unprotected. Use the "Add/Remove Programs" feature under the Control Panel (if no uninstall capability is provided with the existing virus protection program). Then double click on the downloaded file to start the installation.  Once you open the program after it is installed, you are presented with the "Test Center" window. I have seen other reviews of the AVG Free edition that have criticized this window as insufficient. I do not find it so. I find the program extremely easy to use. It runs, as you would expect, in the background. The program found a number of problems when I first installed it as a replacement for another paid program (no, that other program was not a Symantec product). Since then, I have had no problems, and have concluded that the program is very effective. When you open the program for the first time after installing it, click on the "Check for Updates" button to retrieve the latest virus database definitions. I usually run the manual scan each time I update the definitions file to verify that no new viruses have infected the computer. The manual scan takes about 45 minutes. I can verify that there are no problems by clicking on the "Test Results" button. 
If I click on the "Control Center" button, a window is displayed that provides both status information and program control. Note that the "Internal Virus Database" display is telling me that the database is out of date. On screen, that heading is displayed with a red background instead of the normal blue background. I can click on the "Check for Updates" button on the left side of the display, or right click in the "Update Manager" display (among other options) to start the virus database update process. Note also that the database updates can be automatically scheduled using the "Scheduler" feature. I have chosen not to use this feature. From the "Test" menu item, you can enable many different combinations of scans: There is also a feature available from the "Service" menu item that allows you to create a "Rescue Disk," which I recommend to you. During the time I have used this program, I have had no compatibility problems with the operating system, with programs installed prior to its installation or with programs installed after its installation. I found it easy to install. I find it easy to use. Because I have had no problems, I consider it effective. This website has (so far) proven itself to be virus, spyware, and adware free. Some readers may consider this report incomplete because I use a dial-up internet connection. Those readers need to know that I have installed this program on a family member's computer with Windows 2000 and a broadband internet connection. I have also found it effective on that computer. It clearly does not offer all the features of the paid programs. Yet the features included I find effective and sufficient.  To find the Ad-Aware program use Google once again:  Then click on Ad-Aware SE Personal. That connects you to http://www.lavasoft.de/software/adaware/, which looks like this: Then click on "DOWNLOAD NOW." This website has (so far) proven itself to be virus, spyware, and adware free. Once the download is complete, double click on the file to install it. I suggest you read the product description offered on this page. The problems this program will find (or prevent) are different from those a virus protection program will find. As described elsewhere in this newsletter, the trend in newer computer security products is to include protection from multiple problems. However, this free program, together with others described in this and future articles, can provide protection from a wide variety of security threats. So, if you choose the freeware approach to computer security, then install AVG Free, Ad-Aware, and the other programs discussed in subsequent newsletters. You need all of them.  After installation, the first task is to check for updates. Click on the "Check for updates now" text in the lower right corner of the display. The primary difference between the free version and the paid version of Ad-Aware can be identified from the main window. Note that under "Initialization Status" there is a red X next to "Ad-Watch status", together with the text phrase "Not available." Ad-Watch provides real time monitoring in the background. Therefore, the free version requires you to initiate a scan manually. I initiate a scan after I visit unfamiliar websites, or at least once a week. I also initiate a scan after each time I update the definitions file to verify that no new problems have infected the computer. So if you have a broadband internet connection, and you leave it on 24/7, the free version of Ad-Aware may not be your best choice, although I know of users who use it in this way. The free version does not include 24/7 tech support, but I have found the program to be reliable and have not needed tech support. There are forums available on-line, as well as the usual Help file.  The program is extremely easy to use. From the main window, click on "Start." That takes you to a window that allows you to select the scanning parameters. Make your choices and click on next. That is all it takes. When the scan is complete, the program reports the results of offending files. You can select those files, or all of those files, to be quarantined or deleted. Once selected, you click on "Next," and the program does the rest. As with AVG free, this program found a number of problems when I first installed it. The paid program I was using at the time did not provide protection from adware and spyware. The comments I made regarding AVG Free can be repeated for Ad-Aware SE Personal: Since installation, I have had no problems, and have concluded that the program is very effective. During the time I have used this program, I have had no compatibility problems with the operating system, with programs installed prior to its installation or with programs installed after its installation. I found it easy to install. I find it easy to use. It clearly does not offer all the features of the paid programs. Yet the features included I find effective and sufficient. (from http://www.davebytes.com) Have you ever had one of those windows that misbehave? By "misbehave," I mean you cannot get it to Maximize or Minimize. Sometimes Web programmers want to splash a screen onto your PC with no controls and will use this technique so that you can't get their junk off your screen. For some bizarre reason they think this is a good thing. Anyway, you do have some control with the standard Windows window control options. Click anywhere in the misbehaving window and hit Alt + Spacebar. On the resulting menu, you can choose Close and kill the window. k-Byte runs classified ads in Trading Post for three consecutive issues. Trading Post ads up to 10 lines (or 70 words) long are free to FRPCUG members: $5 for non-members. To place an ad in Trading Post contact Rick Mattingly at 970-613-8968 or email rmatt@jymis.com. Commercial Advertising Specifications (Monthly rate) Full Page (8 1/2" X 7") $30 Half Page (3 1/4" X 7") $20 One Third Page (3" X 4") $15 Business Card (2 3/4" X 1 1/2") $ 5 We offer a substantial discount for repeat ads and continuing contracts. For additional charge, we will design your ad for you. Contact Rick Mattingly for information on this service at 970-613-8968 or email rmatt@jymis.com. |
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