posted on May 1, 2005 01:14:19 PM new
As someone else said on another thread, the removal of "cookies," will, in some cases, just require you to sign in on a specific site.
We have been selling on the WWW since 1995, first only via e-bay, then within a year we started our first commercial web site. We now have 3 large commercial web sites, and 2 other web sites, one a theological site and one we just started to help others understand the law regarding the protection of their companion/domestic pets. The inspiration for this last site (which isn't actually finished yet) came from the Premeditated Murder of our 4 year old German Shepherd Service/Therapy dog, who was in his own yard, inside a 5 ft fence! In most states the laws are stringent, but one has to know how to raise enough hell to have such murders arrested, and brought to justice! Too many folks encounter such problems but have no knowledge as to what to do beyond reporting such to the police. This new site is dedicated to our beloved “General Fuzzy,” and to the many other domestic companions whose owners know little to nothing about how to take action, and get justice done. No it won’t bring back their beloved companion, but it can save the next companion from the same or similar predators. You can visit our temporary site, which we “threw up,” in this emergency, at:
http://www.admiralsantiques.com/dothan_eagle_news_on_fuzzy.htm
We (my husband and I) keep a list of all sites we are "members of" that require a sign in, and then when we "clean" our computers, if a cookie relating to any site is deleted, we know by going to our list, what ID and Password we used.
We also run Ad-Aware and Spybot - which pick up the tracking programs, which can, in some instances open the back door to your computer. [b] We run the free versions of Ad-Aware and Spybot, offered by both of these sites. You can get them at: http://www.download.com
or from http://www.twocows.com[/b]
We run Compaq computers exclusively, one because we have found them reliable, and two, having had Compaq Computers for many years, my husband has become a marvelous techie in repairing, updating them. We presently have 6 Compaqs - 3 at home where we normally work, 2 at our brick and mortar store, and one at my personal assistance’s house.
If you have never run Ad-Aware or Spybot on your computer, you will be horrified at the amount of tracking programs inside your computer.
Ad-Aware and Spybot are rated tops in their fields, and we use both.
We run Norton Utilities, which includes their anti-virus program, because early on we discovered MacAfee did not interact well with Compaq or HP Computers. In fact if you go to the MacAfee page you will find "specific" instructions regarding using their programs in Compaq Computers.
I have Norton Utilities set to check all incoming mail. I don’t have it set regarding out going mail, as I do a number of mass mailings, and checking outgoing mail would slow it down – plus I know I am not sending out any viruses because all of our mail suppliers scan our incoming mail – then Norton scans it again, so no problem receiving a virus e-mail.
I do a system check every morning with Norton "One Step," except for totally clearing my cache, and I do that once every week or so.
We also use Spam-Bully, which will automatically identify what you consider “Spam” and send it to the delete file without your having to bother with it. It too is a free program.
IF YOU HAVE YOUR OWN WEB SITE, I would highly recommend using XENU which will run a review of your site, and highlight any broken links or site problems. Search Engine “spiders,” don’t like sites with broken links, and tend to place them in a lower ranking, that is you end up so far back on Google or Yahoo, that hardly anyone will ever go through that many pages to find your site. XENU, is also a FREE program, and you can most likely find it at one of the download sites I mentioned above. IF not, just put in XENU, and let Google find it for you.
Keep up to date with what the Search Engines and their spiders are currently seeking, this is an on going, endless study, but it keeps your site/sites Search Engine compatible, and near the top of the major search engine listings.
I also use Trellian.com’s SEO and Submit 6 programs. They have a limited free trial time program, but we have the full programs. They are a bit pricy, but they handle almost all the work in submitting your site/sites to the Major Search Engines.
When I am considering purchasing a program, I calculate the price of the program, against the profit of one or two sales, and normally the programs we chose (which are few) pay for themselves via a couple of sales.
A one time, pay, from one of the sites which promises to submit your information to a zillion sites is a waste of money. Most of the sites they submit to are so unknown that such submission is useless. We have used the Trellian programs for a number of years, you can see them at: http://www.trellian.com/liveupgrade/info/index.html
BOTTOM LINE, get to know your computer’s workings – do not download from unfamiliar sites, many of the sites offering games are riddled with spyware tracking, as are many chat sites. We use neither. If your income relies on your computer working, (as ours does), then get to know your computer and how to protect it.
Keep all anti virus programs up to date; use some type of back up system for everything on your computer. At this time, we have networked the 3 computers at home, and use one for backing up programs from our other two computers. Naturally, this can only be done if the computer designated as the backup program holder has enough Ram and Gig space to hold massive graphic programs. Even if one has to buy an extra computer to use for a back up, it is a minor expense compared to a complete crash, with no way to recover your endless business records.
On the computers my husband and I use daily, we run about 1000 Ram, and 60 to 200 Gigs. My husband put the extra Ram in himself, as such is quite simple and these days very cheap.
Some window programs such as Millennium as good program as it is, and we used it for a while are simply not capable of handling the amount of Ram and Gig space which we need. Presently, we are running Windows XP, which is very capable of handling massive Ram and has enough Gig space, or space to add to your computers C drive storage.
Happy Computing!
NOW, I have no idea how any of this would work via AOL, as they live in their own AOL world, and seem to require special settings, etc. for everything. I belong to AOL also, but for only one reason and that is for their dog forums (we are GREAT “fur baby lovers”. I use AOL for nothing else.
posted on May 1, 2005 01:35:29 PM new
That's pretty good advice. I'm sure somebody will be along pretty soon tooting the MAC horn.
Although, I would like to add I don't think much of Norton. I have it on my desktop and AVAST free edition on my laptop. Instead of spending money on Norton next time I will instead buy the AVAST. I used to use AVG but I like the AVAST better.
In addition to the Spybot, you really need JavaCools Spyware Blaster.
"Developed in 2002 to help users prevent spyware installs, SpywareBlaster pioneered the effective use of prevention techniques to reduce or greatly eliminate spyware-related problems, as well as problems related to other potentially unwanted software such as dialers, browser hijackers, and adware.
Today's SpywareBlaster is greatly enhanced - protection is still the foremost purpose of the program, but it also provides unique utilities like the exclusive "System Snapshot", and various useful tools. The interface has been upgraded to provide easier access to all of the new options, including Restricted Sites Protection, and Mozilla/Firefox Protection."
It really keeps a lot of stuff OFF your computer and you never even know that it's there. It runs within SpyBot and you just have to remember to run it and update it when you run SpyBot.
I don't recommend downloading any programs unless they are from the initial website.
posted on May 1, 2005 03:42:03 PM new
I had got something on my computer that Adaware nor Spybot had picked up but was caught by my Norton but I couldn't get rid of it with Norton. I ended up buying Spy Doctor. The first time I run it 226 problems were found on my computer that were never detected from the other services. Since then I only find a couple when I run it,and my computer runs so much better. I guess you get what you pay for.
**********************************
Two men sit behind bars,one sees mud the other sees stars.
posted on May 1, 2005 05:11:22 PM new
Glassgirl, have you ever heard of Norman?
My sister just had her computer revamped 98 upgrade etc and when I asked what AV they put on it for her, she said "Norman". I was like you mean NORTON?! But there really is a Norman. Seems the tech guy who upgraded for her liked it and suggested it. I had just briefly looked at it. I dont know that I am going to stay with Norton myself.
posted on May 1, 2005 05:22:06 PM new
okay Glas: i downloaded and as i suspected, i have 3449 probables in the data base that i need to remove..
i should now download spybot???
am i correct? blaster builds the wall to prevent entry of unwanted downloads...
spybot is the software that will remove the 3449 files in my computer?
----
tanx mot
ps i just linked per your thread, and there are several different platforms[dalnet, hestia, ejrs.com, and c/net], listed for which to down load spybot...which should i use?
-----
posted on May 1, 2005 06:04:11 PM new
glassgirl, I won't toot any horns, except to say:
1. It's Mac, not MAC, MAC is something altogether different.
2. Mac users don't have to go through any of the nonsense described above. Sorry, we just don't.
I run three Macs, a Windows machine, and a Linux box here, guess which one falls on it's face due to internet nasties? If you guessed Linux or Mac, guess again.
____________________________________________
Dick Cheney: "I have not suggested there's a connection between Iraq and 9/11..."
posted on May 1, 2005 06:37:44 PM new
Profe51...3 questions. First: What flavor of Linux are you running? Second: What, in your opinion, is the best and most advanced version, keeping user friendly in mind, available today? Third: Where is a reliable place to obtain a copy of it?
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
Blaster doesn't "remove" anything and you can't remove what Blaster is blocking with SpyBot or AdAware.
If you'll open SpywareBlaster program and click on the tabs at the top:
STATUS - INTERNET EXPLORER - RESTRICTED SITES - MOZILLA/FIREFOX
and you look under the IE and RESTRICTED tabs you'll see what you're blocking from downloading on your computer.
also if you go to the tools/internet options/privacy/sites on your toolbar at the top of your own IE page (like this one) you can also see what your are blocking.
For example, I can't go to the MoneyTree.com website - it displays a This page cannot be displayed. Because if I did go there it would try to download something on my machine. CoolWebSearch is one of the worst things to get off of your computer - it can just keep popping back up - unless you don't go to the websites that put it on your computer in the first place. MyWayToolBar - Gator - they're all the same thing.
Of course a lot of people run their computers and never worry about stuff like that. Until their computer starts running slower and slower or their HomePage gets hijacked and redirected.
However - if you've never RUN SpyBot or AdAware I would highly suggest doing at least one or the other - or both.
posted on May 2, 2005 04:25:37 AM new
Glas: forgive my being redundant.
i understand blaster wont "remove" anything.
---
i found the 3449 files protected under status screen you referred to.
---
so, let me ask you again,,,?
1...if spybot is now blocking the 3449 programs listed in its database, how does one remove them?
2...again, i asked earlier,
"ps: i just linked per your thread, and there are several different platforms[dalnet, hestia, ejrs.com, and c/net], listed for which to down load spybot...which should i use?"
------
know you real busy, so tanx in advance, myoldtoy
posted on May 2, 2005 05:32:32 AM new
jwpc said "We run Norton Utilities, which includes their anti-virus program, because early on we discovered MacAfee did not interact well with Compaq or HP Computers."
I have an HP at home and a Compaq at work.
I only run McAfee and have never had any major problems.
When I ran Norton, it was a nightmare. It caused so many problems, I would never consider using it again.
When I contacted Norton they admitted they knew about some of the problems, but provide no help.
Their removal instructions didn't work and I had to get a professional computer tech to come and remove the program from the computer.
I don't know how they're customer service is now, but at that time they would only respond to my question by email. So it took 2 or 3 days to get a wrong answer to a question I didn't ask. Then I would have to email them my question again to try to get an answer to my actual question.
When I switched to McAfee I was glad to see they offer live online help for free.
The few times I had some small problems I was able to talk with someone right away and get the problem resolved.
posted on May 2, 2005 05:48:24 AM new
My boyfriend uses Norton. Do not trust it to protect your computer. He got a virus from visiting a web site. Norton caught it, but couldn't do anything. The virus (he didn't get the name of it) blew Norton out and took it over. Norton could not be reinstalled because the virus made it appear to the computer that it was still installed. The program needed to be uninstalled first. But, he couldn't do that either. He had to reformat his hard drive and start all over again.
I told him and I told him to stop using IE. He's listening now.
Excellent and informative post. I am a technology trainer at a private college. While I personally am a die-hard Macintosh user (as profe51 pointed out, we don't have to deal with most of these issues...), I do have to reguarly support many Windows users. Your suggestions are all very good ones.. but, I would like to add a few more.
1) Adaware and Spybot only catch a small portion of Spyware (this is because spyware is not universally defined, and some subscriptions define spyware differently). Adaware catches roughly 40% of Spyware programs... Spybot catches roughly 30% of Spyware. Obviously, for best performance... you should run BOTH. Plus, Microsoft has just released a Beta version of their Anti-Spyware program. Despite being a Beta version... it catches roughly 60% of all Spyware. I would recommend running all THREE of these programs. They're all free, and they all catch different programs. The Microsoft program can be downloaded at:
2) Don't use Internet Explorer for your internet browser! Many programs take advantage of the security flaws in this browser. Using a browser such as FireFox will strengthen your security AND speed up transfer time.
3) If you're concerned about hard drive failure and losing data... consider installing a 2nd hard drive and "mirroring" the drives. If one hard drive fails, the other will still have all your information. Although... critical data should be backed up on external media and stored in a FIREPROOF safe (always prepare for the worst!).
There are tons of other things you can do... but just thought I'd add a little bit to the topics already being discussed.
[ edited by eauctionmgnt on May 2, 2005 10:39 AM ]
[ edited by eauctionmgnt on May 2, 2005 10:44 AM ]
posted on May 2, 2005 11:22:07 AM new
Thanks for the link to Microsoft spyware program, eauction - ironically, I wasn't able to download using Mozilla LOL...launching IE now (ugh)
-------------------------------------
posted on May 2, 2005 06:21:36 PM new
" Glassgirl, have you ever heard of Norman?"
YOU RANG??
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Baseball season has started,but they have it all wrong.3 strikes and you're out,4 balls you walk.I can tell you right now a man with 4 balls could not possibly walk
posted on May 6, 2005 10:20:15 AM new
Sparkz, I'm no Linux expert by a long shot. I use Mandrake 9.2 on a Dell. I haven't tried any others so I couldn't give you much of a recommendation. It works great on that machine and was easy to install. There's a 10 upgrade for it, but I don't use the machine a whole lot. It runs distributed computing stuff like SETI all the time though, and never coughs. My Macs do the heavy lifting around here.
I've thought of trying a Linux distro on one of them, but it's not high on my to do list.
____________________________________________
Dick Cheney: "I have not suggested there's a connection between Iraq and 9/11..."
posted on May 6, 2005 11:56:31 AM new
And then after all that, and virus checks, I run Registry First Aid to speed up my W98 system. Right before I do my system maintenance.
With all the problems and flaws in current OSs I have no plans to replace my machine. I KNOW W98 and only 500 mHz is just fine with broadband. Pop that sucker open occasionally and remove the dust carefully, and smoke around your machine as little as possible. Keep a fairly current backup of your data.
If you feel real froggy check for updates on the M$ site and check for updates for your drivers.
posted on May 6, 2005 03:31:33 PM new
I've had trouble free computing since 1987 when I got my first computer, a Mac SE30. I'm still putzing along on an ancient (6-year old) Mac running OS 9 that's fine for all my website and graphic design work. Last time I got a virus alert was around 1999 or so, so Norton doesn't really get much of a workout on my Mac. I'll eventually migrate to a Mac mini running Tiger (OS X 10.4) but I just have so many legacy apps that still work fine in Classic mode (OS 9). Most of my friends and family have already jumped to OS X.
Yes, I've run and done system admin work on Win networks of 250+ machines but I now refuse to have anything to do with them. Too much upkeep for very little return. My Mac networks hum along with very little need for upkeep, so they really are much cheaper to maintain compared to their Win equivalents.
(All views expressed here are personal and subjective. Your mileage may vary.)
posted on May 7, 2005 05:17:50 AM new
so true agitprop! I've long thought that Windows is as popular as it is in large part due to IT professionals who recommend it to their clients/bosses.. Most of them would have nothing to do and be out of work if it weren't for Windows
____________________________________________
Dick Cheney: "I have not suggested there's a connection between Iraq and 9/11..."
