How to Get Rid of Malware

Chances are before the first time your computer was infected by some kind of virus or ad ware you never thought it would happen. However, even some of the most scrupulous website surfers find themselves learning how to get rid of malware before their vital personal information is lost or stolen.

Prevention of course is always the best strategy against malicious computer hacks that spread harmful adware, Trojan horses, spy ware, and viruses. However, not all attacks of these harmful software add-ons can be stopped. You need to learn the steps to get rid of malware before it destroys your whole computer.

Instructions

1. Back up all your computer files and data. You should make this regular practice just in case the worst happens. That is, if you have extra copies of all your documents, pictures, programs, and data stored on an external drive or online backup system you can retrieve it later. It especially helps to have more than one backup source just in case one backup source (i.e. external drive) fails.

2. Scan your computer regularly. You can do this using a reputable spy ware, virus, and ad ware scanning software. Some programs such as AVG will even alert you of a web page that has a virus on it.

Another recommended name in the malware protection business is Norton. Microsoft Security Essentials is also another one that is recommended. As far as free ones, two of the best are the AVG Free and the SpyBot Search and Destroy.

3. Always run a complete scan on all drives, including removable ones. It is not enough to just scan your main drive of your computer every day. You also need to check every removable device you own (memory cards, cell phone hard drives, USB flash drives, etc.) for problems. This will prevent your computer and your devices from being repeatedly infected by the same viruses and spy ware.

4. Beware of false virus and spy ware protection programs! If you have become the victim of a fake virus scanner you would understand this. Basically, the intend of the distributor of this supposed malware catching software is actually downloaded a harmful virus onto your computer. In other words, NEVER agree to have viruses or other malware removed if you do not know the maker of the so-called virus removal software.

For example, if you ever spot a notice popping up (i.e. “your computer is filled with Trojan horses”) that leads to a virus or spy ware scanning program you do not recognize, beware. Close the window immediately to the program if you can. Then restart, your computer and see if the program is still there. If you can, remove it immediately using your computer’s authentic spy ware or virus protection program if you can.

5. Keep your anti-virus, and anti-spy ware software updated. In doing so you should be careful that the updates are coming from the real and verified source. Failing to update your computer via an authentic anti-malware service could cause your program to becoming outdated and ineffective.

If you want the best of protection update your computer protection software at least once a day, or every time you log on to the internet. This is the best way for you to be able to remove the latest threats as quickly as possible before they wipe out your entire hard drive.

How To Get Rid of Internet Explorer

In the industrial age, not many had a close contact experience with computers; leave alone the internet which came alongside the computers, as most of the work was done manually even the recording and entry of information in offices. Then came the Information Age, where a lot of people lost their manual jobs as computers made work easier and substituted a significant amount of manpower. In today’s world, almost every individual is computer literate especially among the young generation and so the internet experience has become widespread. A competent internet user will confess to have browsed the web using Internet Explorer (IE) which is the leading browser in terms of being used by the most people with a market share of about (70-80)%. It normally comes permanently installed in the windows operating system which also happens to be the most widely used operating system (OS).

However, the more something is open to public use the more open it also gets to abuse and misuse by the same public. Having a market share of around 80%, the Internet Explorer has also been the main target of continued internet crime.
Disadvantages of using the internet explorer your default browser

• Slow browsing. The big population making use of this IE browser contributes too much internet traffic and slowed browsing speed making it inconvenient and unreliable.
• Escalated crime levels. Many internet hackers and scammers target Internet Explorer as they can access most internet users there. Online accounts are getting hacked every now and then by hackers who have taken advantage of populous browsers like IE to track their victims.
• Less features. IE is not a flexible and customizable browser compared to other smart browsers like Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome which offer more features like download managers, pop-up blockers and tabbed browsing.
• Internet explorer is very delicate and open to spyware, obscene online adverts in the form of pop ups and banners as well as harmful drive-by downloads and malware like trojans and viruses

Getting Rid of Internet Explorer Browser

One big challenge when trying to remove Internet Explorer completely from your computer, is the fact that it is tightly integrated into the Windows Operating System, and can therefore cripple your system or make it highly unstable. Other applications and services by Windows such as the Windows Update Service must use the IE’s engine to access and download relevant updates from the Microsoft home website.

It is therefore impossible to remove the IE web browser permanently from your computer but a person seeking a new browsing experience can do so by simply downloading and installing another web browser such as Mozilla Firefox and Opera Mini which are faster, convenient and easier to use. All you need to do is to research alternative web browsers and select one that you wish to install. You should then visit their website to get more information on downloading and application and you are good to go.
Just like a man loves his car and does everything to enhance its appearance and performance, so does a regular internet user in searching for the best applications and browsers to add that sensual feel to the entire browsing experience.

How To Get Rid of Unwanted Items In A Photo

Taking photographs is a great way to capture the memories of weddings, birthday parties, vacations, and other events. With digital photography taking dominance, capturing memories is even easier than ever before. Digital photography opens up new avenues for capturing memories on camera and for getting them just right.

It happens often that when you go back to look at a picture you realize there is something in there that doesn’t belong. You might wish you had moved the view finder a bit to the right or that you had come at something from a different angle. However, this is easily fixed if you have photography software.

Removing Unwanted Items

You want your pictures to be picture perfect, but it is often difficult to achieve perfection when taking photographs. That is why we need the software that allows us to take that photo and make it perfect. Most digital cameras come with basic photo editing software that will help you remove unwanted items from your pictures. Did you accidentally get your messy living room in the picture of your toddler taking their first steps? Maybe you have to get rid of that horrible red eye that often occurs in pictures. With editing software you can easily remove these unwanted items from your pictures.
Methods

Cropping is the easiest way to remove unwanted items from your photographs. It is simple and easy to do, yet works perfectly. It is essentially the same thing as cutting a photograph with scissors. You just drag the edges of the picture until the unwanted items are no longer in the photograph. Click to crop, then save your changes.

Make sure that when you crop a picture you maintain the rule of thirds and keep balance to the photograph. To avoid having to crop pictures, you should carefully examine the frame before clicking that shutter button on your camera. You should also take multiple shots at various angles for backups.

Removing red eye is even easier than cropping. This is the most common unwanted item in a picture, and it is very easy to fix with any photo editing software. The red eye effect occurs when the flash is on your camera and it flashes directly in the eyes of the person you are taking a picture of. To remove red eye, simply go into your photo editing software, zoom onto the part of the picture with red eye, and select the area that has the red eye. Then click the red eye removal button. To avoid red eye you can turn off the flash on your camera when it is not needed for lighting.

In some cases you will need to do more than crop a photo to get unwanted items out of the picture. To do this you will need advanced photo editing software that is capable of cloning, blurring, and patching. Blurring the background of a photo is a great way to hide unwanted items without having to remove them. Select the person or item in the foreground and lock it so that changes will not be made to it. Then, blur the items in the background slowly. Start with a small amount of blurring and work your way up until the unwanted item is no longer noticeable.

How To Get Rid of Internet Addiction

Long gone are the days when international communication was such a big problem with people having to use postal mails or making expensive long distance calls to reach their friends, relatives or clients. The advent of computer technology has transformed the world into a global village and nowadays even people from distant or opposite corners of the world can chat one on one using the internet. A student or anyone wishing to do some research wont have to walk into a library or go to school since the internet offers a ready well equipped library for all your research needs. The internet therefore offers a comfortable home for any interested user offering diverse services like games, social networking, music, online shopping, movies and general research.

Regardless of all these benefits of using the internet, it may also turn dangerous when it causes Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD) in an individual. Too much of anything is dangerous and so is the internet as too much of it can result to an obsession. An individual may fall addict of such internet activities like online gaming, chatting, email, blogging, surfing, watching videos, social networks like twitter and listening to music just to mention a few.

The Signs of Internet Addiction

IAD should not be taken lightly as it falls under the category of obsessive-compulsive disorders. It is a craving to indulge in some personally adopted ritual. It manifests itself through visible signs and symptoms such as:

• Depression
• Insomnia
• Increased anxiety if internet is absent
• Constant headaches
• Dry eyes
• Laziness or neglecting other tasks
• Introverted behaviour to spend time online
• Decreased productivity

Effects of Internet Addiction

• Deteriorated and damaged relationships. An individual suffering from Internet Addiction Disorder may find no time and use for friends and family. He or she will tend to sideline the loved ones so as to get ample time with the internet.
• Poor eyesight. The light a computer omits is very powerful and may destroy the eye cells if an individual spends extended periods of time in front of a computer.
• Back pains and weight issues. Work with no play made jack a dull boy. Internet surfing involves no substantial amount of rigorous physical exercise as the only major body movement is movement of the hands when typing. Lack of exercise may result in health complications such as obesity and back pains.

Getting Rid of Internet Addiction

Overcoming any form of addiction is normally a difficult process which requires high levels of personal discipline and commitment. Some steps you can follow to get rid of internet addiction include:

• Do a personal assessment of all your online activities and seek to find out exactly which one of them has addicted you. Recovering from any addiction always starts with identifying the exact problem.
• Examine your past behaviour since the addiction started and figure out the negative effects that has impacted to you.
• Identify the benefits you stand to gain by reduced internet activity which could be improved relations or improved health.
• Develop a reforming schedule. List all activities you need to do every day and allocate time for each. Always go online after accomplishing all the set tasks and don’t overspend time there as well. Always leave enough time for sleep.
• Develop self discipline and stick to the set schedule. When you fill tempted to over engage in the internet, get a quick reminder of the harmful effects of Internet Addiction Disorder and immediately switch to the set schedule.

Internet has undoubtedly brought new life to the world. Internet is the sewing fabric holding the globe together and is very crucial for any individual or organisation that wishes to be up to date with world occurrences. However, too much of it can turn fatal and so much care should be taken by all internet users to make sure one doesn’t fall addict.

How To Get Rid of Spyware

If you have been online for some time you have likely heard the term spyware. Spyware is software designed to be installed on a computer without the user’s knowledge. The software then monitors your usage and communicates this data back to the originating software company. Many forms of spyware also use all manner of tricks to get their advertising in front of you, including pop-up windows and altering search engine results pages.

How You Get Spyware

Spyware is not the same as a virus. It does not self-replicate and transmit to other computers. If you have spyware, you probably got it by downloading and installing a plug in to view a website, or installing some other software on your computer. Most spyware is bundled with useful software or tools like tool bars and other free downloads. Some very popular free software programs are paid to include spyware in their software, plaguing millions with pop up advertisements. These include Weatherbug, Real Player, Cool Web Search, Internet Optimizer, Kazaa, Download Accelerator Plus, and others.

System Performance with Spyware

If you only have one or two spyware programs you may not even notice them unless they spawn tons of pop ups. However, as the number of active spyware programs increases, system performance is affected. This is caused by a major drain on your system resources. Most spyware is poorly designed and full of bugs, which can cause other problems like system crashes.

How to Get Rid of Spyware

There are many free solutions to get rid of spyware. There is no need to spend your hard earned money on spyware removal software. In fact, most of the software you pay for does not even work to remove spyware from your computer. Instead, try one of these free solutions. You will only need to use one in most cases to take care of nearly all of your spyware problems.

There are two free easy to use spyware removal programs available. One is the Spybot Search and Destroy. Spybot is the most popular removal program, and it is constantly updated to detect the newest spyware threats. It is also very easy to use. When you open up the software for the first time it gives you step by step instructions on how to search and remove spyware.

The other program is the Ad-Aware Personal. This is another popular software program that will search out and destroy spyware on your computer. It seems to be comparable to Spybot Search and Destroy. However, you will find people who swear by one or the other.

There are also advanced spyware removal tools that are only useful for the technically knowledgeable. Do not use these tools if you are not completely certain of what you are doing because you could really mess up your computer in the process. These tools delve deep into your computer in search of spyware and other malware. Merjin.org offers many such free tools for your use. Hijack is another helpful tool that scans your registry and hard drive for unwanted code. Be very careful when using these tools because if you delete the wrong thing you could render your computer useless.

How To Get Rid of Slow Startup Time

Do you remember when you first got your computer or laptop? It booted up and started quickly, with very little wait time. However, after a few months or years of operating the same computer, startup time takes forever. You might shower, brush your teeth and get your first cup of coffee before your computer ever finishes its startup process.

What is Startup?

When you boot up your computer, it loads the operating system and the software necessary to run your computer systems. This software includes device drivers that tell the hardware how to interact with software, system services, security software and other software that is programmed to start up when your computer starts up.

Factors of Startup Time

The startup time of your computer is determined by speed, the number of startup programs, and file fragmentation. During start up, your computer is made ready to take action from you, the user. This includes running programs from the hard drive such as antivirus software, security software, and device drivers. The amount of time it takes to start up your computer is based on several factors. These factors include fragmentation, the number of startup programs, amount of free hard drive space and RAM, as well as the speed, type and condition of the hard drive.

The number one factor is the number of startup programs on your computer. You should not disable all start up programs, because security software and device drivers are needed on start up. Instead, you should manage your start up program menu by removing anything that is not necessary on start up. The only programs you should have running on startup are your antivirus software, your security software or firewall, anti-spyware and most used applications.

The other most common factor is the amount of free hard drive space. All of your start up programs is stored on your hard drive. The fuller it gets, the slower it runs. The operating system needs additional free space on your hard drive to run swap and paging files. These are files that are used as secondary storage for the RAM. Fragmentation is also a problem. When files are not stored in a contiguous manner, the disk becomes fragmented which slows down its speed.

Another common factor is low available RAM. When there is not enough RAM, more programs use swap and paging files, making the startup process slower. Every operating system has minimum requirements for RAM, but that is just the minimum. If the minimum is all you have, your system will boot up much slower.

How to Speed Startup

Since there are many factors to your slow start up time, there are several solutions you should try to speed it up. The first is to reduce the number of startup applications to those few that are actually necessary. The second is to defragment your hard drive. This should be done routinely to keep your computer running smoothly. Delete unnecessary files to free up additional hard drive space. Increase the amount of RAM your computer has to above minimum system requirements. Finally, if you don’t have enough space you can replace your hard drive.

How To Get Rid of Slow Shutdown Time

Even though they are often overlooked, shut-down problems are one of the most common computer snags that people experience. Many people will shut-down their computer only to have it stall or reboot without their request. You don’t simply turn off a computer in an instant; all the programs that load on start-up need to be closed systematically before the computer can fully shutdown. All the separate pieces of software which make up the computer’s operating system need to be shut down individually before the computer can turn off. This process takes longer than people generally think can contribute to the problem of slow shut down times.

Common Causes of Extended Shut Down Times

Busy System – If you have a lot of different software programs running all at the same time, you may find that each program will need to stop its process one by one before the computer is unable to shut down completely. Check the programs that are running in the background so that you can easily see if there is a new program you have installed that may be the problem.

Incompatible Hardware – If one of the devices you have attaches to your PC is incompatible with the others then this can cause the computer to run at a slower speed and can also cause it to stall more frequently on shut down. Generally, this type of problem can be solved by updating the software that accompanies the hardware.
The Problem with Rebooting

One of the major problems with shutting down your computer is that it will reboot instead of shut down. This is a default procedure for Windows when it locates a critical error on shut down. By going to the advanced tab in the properties section of ‘My Computer’ you can go to the settings button under start up and recovery to uncheck the automatic restart button. This will prevent the computer from starting up again instead of shutting down.

How to Speed Up The Shut Down Time

Once you have found the cause of the problem then usually it is quite simple to speed up your shutdown time. By simply removing the problem program or file you should be able to eliminate the whole problem. You can also make sure that you have all the software up to date and that you have removed any unnecessary programs that are slowing the system down. Reinstalling new software may also help with the problem if it was incorrectly installed in the first place then this may be one of the contributing factors. By going to the task manager you can see all the processes that are working on your computer which you may be able to close down if they are not being used. By clearing up some of this space the shutdown process should work more smoothly.

By spring cleaning your computer regularly and checking which processes and systems are being used and what software can be updated, you should be able to keep your computer running at its optimal speed and prevent any of the problems which can contribute to a slower shutdown time.

How To Get Rid of Email Spam

Any active email account gets bombarded by junk mail every now and then, which can be very annoying at times with one having to go through all of them to know which ones are relevant and which ones are not. This junk mail is referred to as spam and no matter how hard you try to avoid or block them, they will still find a way right into your inbox. Spammers have always existed and they will always be there but mostly junk mail comes from sites u have previously visited and subscribed or registered using your email address. It is quite impossible to totally avoid spammers but you can reduce accessibility by protecting your email address.

Top ways to get rid of spam

• Make your email address hard to find. You can make your email address inaccessible by avoiding posting it to populous websites that give free access or writing it fully in words such as “matt hardy (at) yahoo (dot) com” instead of the normal “matthardy@ yahoo.com”. Your email address will still be understood but spammers cannot get it via the automated systems they use to harvest emails.

• Create an extra email account. As most internet services require visitors to provide their email addresses either to sign in or for contact purposes, it is necessary to have an extra email address to use in such sites. Even if a website has a habit of selling email addresses to spammers, you wont have to bother checking mail as you don’t have much interest in the sites you left that address. Only have a private email address and only use it when most necessary.

Always read the policies of every site you visit carefully. You may visit a website that allows your email address to be accessed by third parties especially marketers who will constantly send you a lot of junk mail about promotions and products that you may not be interested in. Make sure you read the terms and policies carefully to ensure the website or service protects your privacy.

Common signs of a spam mail

• Mostly carries the word “Free”.
• Some have wrong spelling or poor grammar usage.
• Unrealistic job offers.
• May continue explicit material like pornographic content.
• Catchy topics.
• News of winning competitions you don’t even remember competing in.

Dangers of spam

Although spam presents itself as meaningless marketing messages, it can be quite dangerous. These junk messages may contain harmful malware like Trojans and viruses that can put your data and even your computer at great risk. Files attached to these emails normally transport viruses and spyware that can be used to access private information from your computer or monitor your online activities. There is also a modern method used by spammers called phishing where they send u seemingly genuine messages faking to be from money transfer services, banks or online shops. They trap you through such messages so that they can steal your personal details and log in information.

The information age has not only offered the best opportunities but also given rise to the smartest thieves ever. Individuals ought to be careful with how and where they give their addresses as not only can carelessness fill your account with spam but also can it expose you to great danger and fraudulent activities.

How To Get Rid Of Red Eye In Photographs

A photograph captures intimate events precisely — so that when you look back on what happened, no one can take away the pure fact of what has been recorded. So when taking a picture, why not make everything as close to perfection as can be?

Everyone knows that not every picture is a masterpiece. Bad lighting can make even the prettiest face look gaunt and horrid. Timing is also essential. Remember the times when almost everyone in the frame had the right smile, but then one person had to break it all off because of closed eyelids? There is also the case of the blurred subject and the overexposed image. And what about red eye? It’s when the subject in the photo looks as though they came straight from hell.

When someone in the frame is giving you the red eye (unintentional, of course), it means that their eyes are reflecting the overzealous flash of your camera. This light bounces back to the lens of your gadget, creating the eerie effect of pupils that are colored red.

More often than not, taking pictures of animals can also lead to this undesired effect. Don’t worry though, it is easy to prevent red eye in both humans and your pets.

Removing the Red Eye
Sad to say not all people can be professional photographers, nor do they intend to be such. The good news is amateur photos with red eye effect can easily be dealt with.

Using your computer, you can get rid of the red color simply by editing the digital copy of your photograph. How do you do this? Of course you must upload your pictures from a digital camera. However, if you are still using the good old’ film roll, you can expose your film and scan the image to your computer with the help of a scanner. Don’t forget to choose the resolution with the greatest amount of pixels so that you’ll get high-quality prints after editing.

After transferring your image files to your computer, you can use image editing software to enhance your shots and remove the unsightly red eye. Known camera brands usually have an easy-share option with photo editing software attached. These programs are ripe with basic tools you need to cover up blemishes, as well as alter the colored areas in the eyes. If your digital does not come with this software, you can always download it from the worldwide web.

Freeware such as GiMP and Irfanview don’t cost you a cent when you go online. Usually basic operating systems of desktops and laptops have picture editing tools as well.

How to Edit the Red Eye
Different photograph-editing software has different settings for taking care of the red eye effect, but there are guidelines you should know before embarking on your task.

1. Always save a copy of your original picture. Make multiple copies of the picture with the disastrous effect, and then choose one that you will begin your editing with. This is to allow for any mistakes in the process of removing the red eye, so that you won’t have to start all over again and scan/upload the photo you took. You can always press the x button when you don’t like what you’ve done. Or better yet, press the undo button in the program you are using.
2. Don’t jump into highlighting the red color of the eyes just yet. It’s safer for you to zoom in first before doing anything else. This makes sure that you don’t accidentally darken the eyelids or the rest of the eye area, and blotch the entire subject.
3. If you find the default settings unsatisfactory, you can always change the composition of your picture with the tools provided by the software. Adjust the qualities of your shot by tweaking the brightness and contrast settings. Just look around, or click the ‘Help’ option if you’re unsure of what to do.
4. Since you are already involved in enhancing your subject’s attributes, why not complete the job and remove scars and pimples while you’re at it? Take out blemishes and even out skin tone. Crop out the portions you don’t want to include in the final work.

Preventing the Red Eye Effect

• You can spare yourself the minutes of editing simply by taking extra precautions of avoiding red eye. For that you must follow certain rules.
• Don’t point the flash directly at your human and animal subjects. Create a diversion by reflecting it off a surface such as the wall or the floor.
• Be prepared to make do with ambient lighting. Flash isn’t always the best option — not only does it give a “red eye” effect. It tends to make people look like ghosts in their whiteness.
• Use the “red eye” button of your digital camera, if it has one. The irises of the eyes are the culprits when it comes to reflecting light. What the “red eye” feature does flash your camera’s light numerous times prior to the actual shot, minimizing the irises’ effect.
• Try a different angle other than a head-on shot. This reduces the chances of the light from your flash bouncing back.
• Flash filters do a good job of diffusing the light from a flash camera, avoiding red eye. A DIY way of filtering the flash is by covering this light source with a white handkerchief.
• ook out for places where you won’t need to use a flash. This makes preventing red eye simpler with just using normal settings for your camera.

Don’t let red eye get in the way of your album enjoyment! Want more photography tips? Then you would like this article on how to use a photo light meter.

How To Get Rid of Disk Fragmentation

Disk fragmentation is a common problem that is very serious. It plagues every computer at some point, yet many people fail to address the issue. Disk fragmentation effects your computer in many ways, including the speed and reliability of the computer. If you notice your computer is slower than usual, it is likely that this is the reason.

What Disk Fragmentation Is

To understand disk fragmentation, think of your hard drive like a filing cabinet where things are filed in an orderly fashion, such as alphabetically. When the filing cabinet is orderly you can easily find files. However, as you add and take away files from the cabinet it becomes disarrayed. Finding files in a filing cabinet that is not orderly takes quite a bit longer. Your hard disk works the same way. As you add programs, files and games and delete files and programs over time, the hard disk becomes fragmented and files are no longer stored contiguously. The files are still there, but it is harder for the computer to find them, so it takes longer. The more files you move, change, delete or add over time, the more fragmented the hard drive becomes.

Signs of Fragmentation

There are several signs that your disk if fragmented. The most common sign is that it slows down your computer. However, there are a few other signs that your drive is fragmented. The first thing you will notice is that it takes longer to boot up or shut down your computer. The second thing you will notice is that software takes longer to load. This is especially true of web browsers and word processing software. Finally, if your computer is really fragmented you will notice that your software crashes frequently or becomes unresponsive. As the computer tries to find files on the hard disk, resources are taken away from the software keeping it from running properly.
Another sign of disk fragmentation is difficulty in burning CDs or DVDs. The process of burning the disc requires a steady stream of data from the hard drive. This is not possible with a severely fragmented drive. When this is the case, the burning of the disc will fail and the disc will not be able to be reused.

Getting Rid of Fragmentation

The best and easiest way to get rid of disk fragmentation is to use defragmentation software, or a defragger. This will make sure there is little fragmentation and your computer will speed up tremendously. This should be done routinely to keep your computer running at its best.

The software works by arranging files contiguously, in an orderly manner. In other words, it fixes your file cabinet. The software will first scan the disk to see which files are fragmented. It will then make use of available free space on the disk to copy files and put them back together. The software then deletes the fragmented files. This process works best if you have a good deal of free space on your computer. You should have at least twenty percent of your disk as free space. Some software continuously monitors the disk for fragmentation and fixes it automatically.

Operating systems like Windows have built in defragmenting software. However, these are limited in features. There are a lot of alternatives available that are faster and offer more features. Look for ease of use, speed of defragmenting, and the ability to schedule defragmenting in your defragger.

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