Kamis, 11 Agustus 2011

PCTechNotes

Posted: 11 Aug 2011 12:48 AM PDT

What is Thumbs.db

When you open your Windows Explorer or Open any of your images folder, I’m sure you have notice a small file inside those folders called thumbs.db. The main purpose of this file is to speed up the showing of thumbnails when you are viewing a folder in Thumbnail view. It stores thumbnails of graphics files, certain documents and also movie files. The only disadvantage of this file is it eats up disk space. Although this file is very small if you have lots of thumbs.db files on your drive removing them will help you save valuable disk space.

Some users are annoyed by those thumbs.db files cluttering their system. So if you are one of those people that don’t want those little files littering your disk then follow the steps below to turn this feature off.

How to disable Thumbs.db in Windows XP

Open My Computer or Open any folder

On the Menu bar, Click on Tools

Click on Folder Options

Click on the View Tab

Put a check in the option “Do not cache thumbnails”

Click Ok

Close My Computer

How to disable Thumbs.db in Windows 7

Open Local Group Policy Editor by typing gpedit.msc in the search text box

Expand the User Configuration found in the left-side pane of the Editor window.

Click Administrative Templates

Under Windows Components

Click on the Windows Explorer item.

Find the setting "Turn off the caching of thumbnails in hidden thumbs.db files" (see below).

To make changes, double-click on "Turn off the caching of thumbnails in hidden thumbs.db files"

Check the "Enabled" radio button and click OK

Close the Local Group Policy Editor and all those annoying those thumbs.db will disappear.

How To Disable and Remove Thumbs.db - PCTechNotes :: PC Tips, Tricks and Tweaks - PC Tips,Tricks and Tweaks

Computer Trivia #3: The Origin of the QWERTY Keyboard

Posted: 10 Aug 2011 09:00 PM PDT

Do you know that the computer keyboard you are using right now began with the invention of the typewriter? The transition of the typewriter into computer keyboard was made possible by some technological development. Computer keyboard is also known as “The QWERTY keyboard”. It was invented by American inventor , Christopher Sholes.

The early computer keyboard was either a teletype machines or keypunches, and it includes a lot of electromechanical steps to be able to transmit data between keyboard and computer that slowed the process. Around late 70′s until now, all computers already been using electronic keyboards and VDTs. But the computer keyboard owes it original layout to Christopher Sholes, the inventor of the QWERTY keyboard.

Computer Trivia #3: The Origin of the QWERTY Keyboard - PCTechNotes :: PC Tips, Tricks and Tweaks - PC Tips,Tricks and Tweaks

Rabu, 10 Agustus 2011

PCTechNotes

Computer Trivia #2: The Magic of 0 and 1 Digit

Posted: 09 Aug 2011 09:00 PM PDT

Do you know that computer only understand 2 digits? That digits are 0 and 1, and they are called Binary. When you type any letters or characters in your keyboard, computer does not understand it the way we do. The character you typed will be translated to binary code designated to it. Like for letter “M”, it has binary code of 01001101.

Complicated, isn’t it? But believe it or not, that’s the way it goes. If you are interested on knowing how it works, then try searching for Binary Numeral System. Good luck!

Computer Trivia #2: The Magic of 0 and 1 Digit - PCTechNotes :: PC Tips, Tricks and Tweaks - PC Tips,Tricks and Tweaks

Selasa, 09 Agustus 2011

PCTechNotes

Computer Trivia #1: ENIAC, The First General-Purpose Electronic Computer

Posted: 08 Aug 2011 09:00 PM PDT

The first general-purpose electronic computer was a turing-complete digital computer known as ENIAC or Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer was invented by John Presper Eckert and John Mauchly at the University of Pennsylvania. The construction of ENIAC began in 1943 and last until 1946. ENIAC measured around 8x3x100 feet had 1,500 relays, 7,200 crystal diodes, 17,468 vacuum tubes, 10,000 capacitors, 7 0,000 resistors, and 5 million hand-soldered joints, and consumed 150 KW of power. Its speed was a thousand times than other electro-mechanical machines. It was designed for the purpose of calculating artillery firing tables for the US Army’s Ballistic Research Laboratory and was programmed to solve different computing problems.

Incoming search terms:

first general computer invented

Computer Trivia #1: ENIAC, The First General-Purpose Electronic Computer - PCTechNotes :: PC Tips, Tricks and Tweaks - PC Tips,Tricks and Tweaks

How To Easily Remove Google Redirect Virus

Posted: 08 Aug 2011 06:55 PM PDT

One of the most annoying computer infection I ever encounter is Google redirect virus. If you are reading this post,either you are my regular reader or you’ve been a victim of this virus and wants to know how to remove Google redirect virus.

What is Google redirect virus?

For those who still don’t know how this virus works, let me give you a “hands on” explanation. Say you are searching Google for some research works, assignments or just random browsing. You found what you are looking for, you click the link, but to your dismay, you’ve been brought to a different site. The next link you clicked also brought you to the same site. And the site has no connection to your searches or to the site you are trying to open. In other words–you’ve been redirected! Some of your computer programs won’t run, without producing any error. Also, this google redirect virus has a capacity to block sites.

Who are usually the victim of this Google redirect virus?

Regular users like you are the usual victim of this Google redirect virus. This virus hijacks your Google searches and then redirect you to another website, that is usually a fake websites with advertisements or corrupted pages.

Where can you get Google Redirect Virus?

Don’t curse Google for this! Google has nothing to do with this virus. Blame it to the crazy head computer genius criminals who created and distributed the malware. You can usually get this annoying virus from visiting a malicious websites with unsecured browsers.

How can you get rid of Google Redirect Virus?

Of course that’s the question you want me to answer. You still don’t need to run to your computer technician or do some formatting to your computer. Follow the instruction below in removing the Google Redirect Virus.

The first thing you need to do is download tdsskiller from the following link and save it to your desktop. Click to Download TDSSKiller

If for some reason you are unable to download the file then TDSS may be blocking it. What you can do is to download TDSSKiller from a clean computer then transfer it to any external drive or USB flash drive.

Not that simple as running a regular program. The creator of the google redirect virus is smart enough to know what TDSSKiller can do. But don’t worry we’re wiser than him. First, rename TDSSKiller by right-clicking the TDSSKiller.exe icon from your desktop and select RENAME. Now you can edit the name with any name you want but do not forget that it should end with the .com extension. For example, asdfgh.com or 14344.com. Now that it is wearing a mask, you can proceed with the running of the program.

Click the Start scan button to scan your computer for TDSS infection. It will then display a result screen to find out any infection was on your computer.

If the infection is on your computer, you can get rid of google redirect virus by clicking the Continue button. The TDSSKiller will now work on attempting to clear your computer from the infection. If you do not get the message Cure, then just choose the default action Skip and press Continue. Do not attempt to change it to Delete or Quarantine as it may also delete the infected files that are needed for Windows to operate properly.

Once finished, it will give you a report stating whether the cleaning operation is successful. Reboot is required to finish the cleaning process, so click on the Reboot now button and let it finish the removal of the TDSS infection.

If you understand this, then this information may help in detecting TDSS:

Here is a list of antivirus vendors and their detection names for TDSS.

Definition Name	Anti-virus Vendor
Packed.Win32.TDSS, Rootkit.Win32.TDSS	Kaspersky Lab
Mal/TDSSPack, Mal/TDSSPk	Sophos
Trojan:Win32/Alureon	Microsoft
Packed.Win32.Tdss	Ikarus
W32.Tidserv, Backdoor.Tidserv	Symantec
Trojan.TDSS	MalwareBytes'
Backdoor:W32/TDSS	F-Secure
BKDR_TDSS	Trend Micro
Rootkit.TDss	BitDefender
Generic Rootkit.d	McAfee

How To Easily Remove Google Redirect Virus - PCTechNotes :: PC Tips, Tricks and Tweaks - PC Tips,Tricks and Tweaks

Senin, 08 Agustus 2011

PCTechNotes

How Computer Virus Spreads Like Crazy

Posted: 07 Aug 2011 08:57 PM PDT

The most common ways that viruses spread are through email attachments, boot infections and program infectors. But aside from the given, there are some more ways by which viruses spread.

Computer Virus through disks

USB, Zip, CD's, tapes, etc. are the usual sources of virus spread from one computer to another. When you use disks to copy files from an infected computer, chances are, you can also copy the virus. To clean an infected disk, you can either reformat or use an anti-virus to clean and remove viruses. With CD's, there is nothing you can do to clean it. Once infected, you just have to throw it and never use it again.

Computer Virus Infections through networks

Networks such as peer to peer, LAN, WAN, wireless network, and internet are not safe. As they all serve the purpose of sharing network and information between computers, they are also sharing viruses.

Do you know that even a simple computer (like the one you're using) can be hijacked and used in attacking major online companies like Microsoft, Ebay, banks, etc. with the purpose of disrupting their online services. These attacks are also known as DOS Attack. DOS attack usually works by hijacking thousands of computers without the knowledge of the user, and then at a specific time, launch a combined attack from all the infected computers against the company they're targeting. You can protect your computer by using up-to-date anti-virus and firewall protection.

Other possible sources of computer virus spread

Other sources of virus spreads are downloading software, pirated programs, or even mp3 song and videos. As a matter of fact, the fastest growing sources of virus infections are the files and software downloaded directly from the internet. Make sure you are downloading your files from reputable companies to lessen the risk of downloading infected files.

The alarming and fast growing spread of viruses trigger the needs for proper knowledge of all computer users to protect themselves and their accounts from possible infection of virus. If you are using email or instant messaging system that is installed automatically with your operating system, you have to use the updated and current anti-virus software and change your default settings that leaves your system open even to minor attacks.

Incoming search terms:

i want to throw a virus on the network

How Computer Virus Spreads Like Crazy - PCTechNotes :: PC Tips, Tricks and Tweaks - PC Tips,Tricks and Tweaks

Kamis, 04 Agustus 2011

PCTechNotes

What You Need To Know About Keyloggers

Posted: 03 Aug 2011 09:11 PM PDT

What is Keylogger?

Just like in any other things, to be able to detect things and to know how to prevent it, you must be aware of how it works. Keylogger is a software program that tracks your online act and keyboard stroke. This software is used by thieves in accessing your accounts.

How does keylogger works?

You wont even notice that your computer slows down. Key logger works just like a thief in the night. It records your keyboard stroke and all the information you typed. Key loggers are usually used by the company to record their employees activities, or at home when parents want to monitor their kids computer activities. However, when key loggers are used by hackers, their intention is to manipulate your account and use it for their personal interest. This is extremely dangerous.

When another party accessed your account, all the information can be used without your actual consent. This can be dangerous, as that means they can transfer, purchase and transact on your behalf. Even worse, they can manipulate your whole account like websites, social accounts, etc. And for some, retrieving it can be very difficult.

What you need to know about keylogger

There are 2 types of keyloggers: The software-based keyloggers and the hardware based key. The software based keyloggers are software that are designed to work on the computer operating system while hardware-based keyloggers do not need software as they can be found at the hardware level of your computer system.

How To Protect Your Computer From Keylogger

Now that you know the risks of being a victim of keylogger, the next question is, is there a way to avoid it? The answer is yes!

You can opt for one of more of the following:Use Anti-keylogger software. This software works by detecting keyloggers on your computer.

Using live CD/USB. You can reboot your computer with teh use of live cd or usb ( USB must be write protected). Booting using a different operating system does not affect the use of hardware or BIOS based keylogger.

Using anti-spyware and anti-virus programs. It is important that you update them regularly.

Using robo-forms or any automatic form filler. This will lessen the needs for you to type details and passwords using the keyboard.

Use a firewall to help stop unauthorized computer activities.

Avoid opening email attachments from unknown source.

Avoid suing public computers in accessing your online accounts.

Run weekly scan to your computers.

Remember that there is no particular software or technique that will be 100% effective against all kinds of keyloggers. You can protect yourself by being extra careful in opening websites and downloading applications. You are more protected from being keylogger victim when you know you have to be extra careful.

What You Need To Know About Keyloggers - PCTechNotes :: PC Tips, Tricks and Tweaks - PC Tips,Tricks and Tweaks

Minggu, 31 Juli 2011

PCTechNotes

Cool Vintage Computer Ads

Posted: 31 Jul 2011 08:54 AM PDT

When we say vintage, we don’t simply mean old. We mean something obsolete and outdated, yet valuable. Although computers can be one of the most popular “modern breakthrough” in technology, do you know that computers, just like the apes evolve from generation to generation? Curious? Let me show you some pictures of vintage computer ads that would show you how computers look like, just a few years before you were born. (Note: This only applies to people who are 30 and above).

word processor 150x150 Cool Vintage Computer Ads

penril modem 150x150 Cool Vintage Computer Ads

dharma computer 150x150 Cool Vintage Computer Ads

2c a byte 150x150 Cool Vintage Computer Ads

electronic mail 150x150 Cool Vintage Computer Ads

10 mb hard disk 150x150 Cool Vintage Computer Ads

att personal computer 150x150 Cool Vintage Computer Ads

home computer 150x150 Cool Vintage Computer Ads

first laptop 150x150 Cool Vintage Computer Ads

headstart 150x150 Cool Vintage Computer Ads

old computer 150x150 Cool Vintage Computer Ads

Osborne computer 150x150 Cool Vintage Computer Ads

two bytes are better than one 150x150 Cool Vintage Computer Ads

multispeed 150x150 Cool Vintage Computer Ads

lowest computer price 150x150 Cool Vintage Computer Ads

Take a look at the price, $3,398 for a 10mb hard disk! well… that’s huge storage at that time. I personally have a 200mb hard disk and 5.25 floppy disk drive and disks.

Cool Vintage Computer Ads - PCTechNotes :: PC Tips, Tricks and Tweaks - PC Tips,Tricks and Tweaks