| This page is where you can find some useful technical information. I have links to other web sites that contain downloads, information, or both. Please let me know if any of these links do not work or if you have any other links you think belong here.
Although this might seem like an advertising page, it isn't. It is just a collection of things that I find useful. A number of them help protect your PC, which is becoming more and more a requirement of PC ownership.
All of the information here is for Windows. I don't have a Mac so I can't really say anything about how they work.
|
If you have a broadband connection, you should use a firewall. I have hardware (Linksys router) and software (Zone Alarm) firewalls installed. I use the Pro version of Zone Alarm, which you have to buy, but their free one works just fine.
There are a number of compression utilities available to compress files. Using a utility like this makes the file smaller and more space becomes available. You may expand these files as needed. The one I use is WinZip. It is a shareware product which means you can try it before you buy it. |
Spy Ware is a concern in the internet community. This software is usually hidden within other applications, like Kazaa and Cool bar. Gator is one of the main producers. Spyware sends data to its originator. The type of data varies.
A number of products exist to detect and remove spyware. Some are free, others are not. I use the free version of Ad-Aware.
Recently I've had the opportunity to rid PCs of spyware. AdAware did a fine job, but didn't completely clean the PC. I wound up trying Spy Sweeper and it worked great! You may download a 30 day version from Webroot.com
Also, Microsoft has joined the antispyware community. Have a look here. If you're bold enough, you may even download their version of AntiSpyWare software, but be forewarned that as of this update, the software is still in Beta mode.
|
| There may come a time when you want to view a file, like a Word document, but don't have that product installed. You can find some viewers for Microsoft products here. |
| Tired of seeing those annoying pop-up windows? You can download the Google toolbar for free. If you want to see the pop-up, just hold down the Ctrl key before you do whatever it is that will cause the pop-up |
You also need to have AntiVirus software running and up to date on your system. Go here to get a free version from Microsoft. |
| Ever notice an email from somewhere you've never been? It might even have a link you can click on to remove yourself from their mailing list. Don't do it! Some 'remove' links are really a ploy to find valid email addresses. If you visit there and tell them to remove your email address, they now know it is a valid address. When you go to remove yourself from the list, you might even pickup a virus or Trojan horse from their site. Just delete the email and be done with it. |
|
Download Summary:
|
| If you do not have Microsoft's Windows Update for XP called Service Pack 2 (SP2), you should really download and install it. You may also order a FREE CD containing the update. It does take a month or so for the CD to get to you. |
 |
