Another Reader Question And Friday Fun

My McAfee About To Expire…

Q: “Paul,
I want to thank you for all the good information on your website and I am hoping you can give me some advice. The McAfee on my new computer is due to expire and it is asking me to buy a subscription or I won’t be protected. Should I renew or should I get something else? I will be using this computer a lot and want the best protection. Thank you.
~ TB

A: TB,
In this day and age of Internet Insecurity, it is absolutely vital (IMHO) that any device that connects to the World Wide Web has antivirus: and, an “expired” antivirus is next to no antivirus. I have written much about Internet/PC security (and answered this question before). But the competition between the various vendors means that the answer to “who’s the best?” changes year to year… and I suspect you want my short answer. (And, currently, McAfee is not it.)

So, for Sept/Oct 2011 my General recommendations are:

• Paid Internet Security: Norton Internet Security 2011 (comprehensive. Any user experience level.)
• Free Antivirus: Avast! (Any user experience level.)

• For Netbooks: see, Best Antivirus For Netbooks?
• For Smartphones: Smartphone security is new to me, and I can only (at this time) say that I think that, at the very least, you want Lookout.
• For Infection Removal: MalwareBytes Anti-Malware

[You may be interested to know, PC World magazine also has those first two as their top reco’s: see, Free vs. Fee: Free and Paid Antivirus Programs Compared

“Can free antivirus software protect you? Or is it worth paying for a full-blown A/V app? We look at the benefits–and pitfalls–of free and paid antivirus products.“]

Additionally: (Internet security is much more complex than bullet point answers!)

● I prefer to fine-tune my answers to the User: everybody is different, after all. To get your own “fine-tuned” recommendation, try Gizmo’s Freeware Security Wizard.

“This Wizard has been designed to help you select the best free security software for your PC based on the version of Windows that you use, your technical computer skills and your general level of security risk (Read more…).”

Friday Fun:

Today’s quote: “If ignorance is bliss, why aren’t there more happy people?” ~ Unknown

Copyright 2007-2011 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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A New Widget

If It’s Thursday, There Must Be A New Widget

Click me

Spammers. Identity thieves. Spyware. Viruses. Online bullies; stalkers; pedophiles; and con artists of all stripes and flavors. Just to name a few… and the numbers are shocking.

Since I first started my public postings, I have been dedicated to helping people be more informed about the risks, and providing answers and How To’s for protecting yourself (and your computer) (because no one is going to do it for you). In fact, my very first article was The first Tech Paul Post: secure your web connection.

Today I would like to draw your attention to my much-ignored Bonus Section here on Tech – for Everyone, the two columns of additional resources on the right-hand side. You know, those links and buttons webmasters call “widgets”?
Please look to the right side of your screen.
(See the “Keep this website ad free” button? I think it’s invisible…)

I have added a “widget” today. A button/link to an online resource for those who either would like to learn more about cybercrime (and how to avoid being a victim), or have been a victim of cyber crime – McAfee’s Cybersafety Resource Portal. I hope you will “check it out” (as the kids say).

Today’s quote: “Before we work on artificial intelligence why don’t we do something about natural stupidity?” ~ Steve Polyak

Copyright 2007-2011 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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Does My Tablet Need Antivirus?

A Reader Writes In With A Good Question…

Q: I think I know what your answer is going to be, but I thought I would confirm. This week I bought a Galaxy Tab tablet and I am wondering if it needs antivirus like a regular computer does. Thanks.
Carol B.

A: Carol,
Congratulations on your new Android tablet computer. Let me answer your question with a question: does your Tab connect to the Internet?

I have stated here before, and will repeat; criminals (aka “hackers”) and hostile governments/orgs have made the Internet a dangerous place to visit, and I recommend that any device which connects to the web have security installed – and that means an “antivirus”.
Tablets and smart phones are not “immune” from “rogue” applications, spyware, etc.. No digital device is.

I do not yet own a tablet, but a quick look in the Galaxy Tab user’s forum suggests an equal split with folks recommending AVG Mobile (free) and Lookout Mobile (free) to their fellow Tab users. (Also, you may want to refer to 15 Mobile Security Tools.)

{note: If you have been using an Android tablet PC, and have an antivirus you’d care to recommend (or, infection story), please share it with us by leaving a Comment. Thanks!}

Something like over 10 million Americans had their identities stolen last year (and the year before) (and the year before) (and the year before). I’m glad you wrote in.

Today’s quote: “The world is in a constant conspiracy against the brave. It’s the age-old struggle: the roar of the crowd on the one side, and the voice of your conscience on the other.” ~ Douglas MacArthur

Copyright 2007-2011 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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Quick Tips and Reco’s

Windows 7′s Snap feature lets you arrange your open windows side-by-side simply by dragging them to the edge of your screen. This greatly enhances the ease of working with multiple documents. Today’s Quick Tip shows the shortcut method for those who are using XP or Vista. This window arranging (or “stacking”) is called “tiling”.

First, hold down the Ctrl key. Then click on the tabs in your Taskbar for the windows you want to arrange and work with. (In this screenshot, I have ‘select’-ed Firefox and Word.)

Click to see larger image

Now right-click on a blank area of the Taskbar, and a context menu window will open.

XP: choose “Tile Vertically“.
Vista: choose “Show Windows Side by Side“.

That’s it. When you are done, and want to return to normal, right-click a blank part of the Taskbar and choose Undo. (Or, drag and resize manually with your cursor.)

~     ~     ~

• [DID YOU KNOW?] You Can Check A Suspicious Website for Malware In Your Browser

“It is a handy and quick way to help verify your suspicions … Read more..“

• 10 obsolete technologies that are still useful

“Before you retire that camcorder and cancel your landline service, see why Brien Posey thinks some vintage tech is worth hanging onto.” Read more..

• IT jobs claim four of 10 positions in most hated jobs list

“Four out of ten most hated jobs are in IT? Can this be true?” Read more..

• Infographic: The innovations that led to the iPhone

“Take a look at a visual history of the people, products, and ideas that led to the modern iPhone, and all smartphones in general.” Read more..

Today’s quotable quote: “If a man does his best, what else is there?” ~ George S. Patton

Copyright 2007-2011 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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Lost The Password? How To Reset Your Router

If you have lost or forgotten the User name and password, and cannot get in to your router’s control panel (or wireless access point) here are the steps you should follow to regain access, and control over your network settings.

1) If you do not know it already, determine the Make and Model of your router. This will often be found on a label on the bottom.
(“Make” is the manufacturer: Belkin, Netgear, Lynksys, D-link, for example; and the “model” will the “DIR 655”, or “WRT-54G” [your letters/numbers will vary].)

2) Use your favorite search engine and look up your router’s defaults – and write them down.
In the search pane, type the make, then the model, then “defaults” (D-link DIR 655 defaults, for example). From the list of results, look for the one that is the manufacturer’s Support page. Write down the:

• IP address (this will be something like “192.168.1.1”)
• Username
• Password

[note: if all you need is the User+Pwd, you can also go to http://www.routerpasswords.com/]

3) Open your web browser (Internet Explorer/Firefox/Chrome)
Type the default IP address you just looked up into the browser’s address bar (where the http://www.website.com goes) and press “Enter”.
This will open the router Control Panel login.

4) Try the default Username/Password (Often, this is “Admin” and the password is blank [empty].)

No luck?

5) Reset the router

IMPORTANT Note: resetting the router wipes away any changes you had made — and your connection settings to your ISP. You will have to create new user names and passwords and “wireless security keys” (WEP, WPA, WPA2) and reconnect to the Internet/ISP. (Which means you will have to reconnect each of your wireless devices by entering your new “key”.)

On the back of the router, look for a small button, or hole, labeled “Reset”.

• With the unit on, use a straightend paperclip to press the reset down for about 15 seconds, and then release it.
• The unit will restart on its own.
As soon as the lights stop blinking, the unit is ready.

Now repeat Steps 3 and 4, and this time you will be in, and you will have access to the router’s settings control panel.

Related:

• How to secure your wireless network
• How To Connect a Router Without the Setup CD
• Restricting Roommates Internet Use – Continued.
• A New Wireless Router “Internet security made me decide to buy a new router...”

Today’s quote: “Fall seven times, stand up eight.” ~ Japanese Proverb

Copyright 2007-2011 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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Video Tutorial and Sunday Beauty 59

Folks, regular readers have heard me say (many times) that I use Firefox as my web browser; and that I do so mainly for the safety provided by the security “add on” NoScript. Today, I have a short video which explains the basic How To (and the “why”) of NoScript.

Fact: The Internet has become a dangerous place.

And it being Sunday, how about a pretty picture?

Click on image to see more by this artist (reco'd)

venice-19 (romantic venice at night) by Alan Light, courtesy of Flickr Commons

Enjoy the rest of your weekend everybody!

Today’s quote: “The difference between perseverance and obstinacy is that one comes from a strong will, and the other from a strong won’t.” ~ Henry Ward Beecher

Copyright 2007-2011 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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Friday Fun Part 12

Some funnies for your Friday.

[advisory note: I had to turn the volume slider down a few notches..]

Yay! The weekend is almost here!

(Let’s not spend too much time watching ‘related videos’.. shall we? Ha!)

Today’s quote: “Let us be thankful for the fools. But for them the rest of us could not succeed.” ~ Mark Twain

Copyright 2007-2011 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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