Articles Index
How to Disable Autorun in Vista
A bug in Microsoft Vista executes programs in the Autorun.inf file when the Autorun feature has been disabled via the NoDriveTypeAutoRun registry value. If you've set the value NoDriveTypeAutoRun in the Windows Vista registry, delete the value and follow these steps to really disable autorun in Vista.
How to Disable Windows Remote Desktop
Want to protect your computer from unwanted remote login? One step you should take is to disable Windows Remote Desktop. Here's how.
How to Edit the HOSTS File on Mac OS X
The HOSTS file supersedes DNS for domain name to IP address resolution. Make sure you know what is in your HOSTS file; unwanted entries could be a sign of malware or other malicious intrusion. Here's how to check the HOSTS file on Mac OS X.
How to Remove Mac Scareware
At the end of the day, Mac scareware is just another app and it's trivially easy to remove. Here's how.
How to Remove Login Startup Items in Mac OS X
Mac malware may load itself as a login startup item, thus manually removing malware on Mac OS X may require deleting that login startup item. Follow these steps to remove unwanted login apps in Mac OS X.
Activity Monitor: How to Quit Processes in Mac OS X
Removing malware from a Mac computer often requires ending the active process of the malware first. To quit a process using Activity Monitor in Mac OS X, follow these steps.
Disable Safari Open "Safe" Files After Downloading
By default, Safari enables a very unsafe practice: the Safari Web browser will automatically open downloaded files that it deems "safe". Unfortunately, this includes files that can do real harm to your Mac or PC. Here's how to disable this dangerous feature.
Display Hidden Files and Folders on Mac OS X
By default, Mac OS X hides critical system files and folders. As malware threats against Mac users increase, or simply to assist with troubleshooting, it may be necessary to view hidden files and folders. Here's how to enable hidden file and folder viewing on Mac OS X.
How to Use Google Encrypted Search from the Firefox Search Bar
Firefox users that use the Firefox search bar will default to the regular, non-encrypted version of Google search. Here's how to add the encrypted Google search to the Firefox search bar.
How to Disable AVG When It Crashes Your Computer
Search for "AVG crash" and you'll find over 2 million hits on Google. The systemic problem of AVG crashing Windows computers is almost an annual occurrence. Here's how to recover from an AVG crash.
How to Access the Windows Task Manager
The Windows Task Manager is a built-in utility that lets you view the running processes, applications, services, and users on your computer. There are a few different ways to launch the Windows Task Manager. Here are the two simplest methods.
Disable Autorun
The Windows autorun feature enables CDs to play automatically when inserted in the drive. Removable and thumb drives use the same autorun feature to load files when the drives are plugged into the USB port. Malware relies on this autorun feature to spread from thumb drive to PC. Here's how to disable the autorun feature to prevent malware from spreading.
Disable Java in Safari
Java is fast becoming one of the most targeted third-party applications for malicious exploit via the Web. One easy thing you can do to avoid this method of attack is simply disable Java. When you do need it for that website game or calculator, just re-enable it (but be sure to turn it back off when you're done).
How to Disable Java in Internet Explorer
Java is fast becoming the most targeted third-party application for malicious exploit via the Web. One easy thing you can do to avoid this method of attack is simply disable Java. When you do need it for that website game or calculator, just re-enable it (but be sure to turn it back off when you're done)
How to Disable Java in Firefox
Java is fast becoming one of the most targeted third-party applications for malicious exploit via the Web. One easy thing you can do to avoid this method of attack is simply disable Java. When you do need it for that website game or calculator, just re-enable it (but be sure to turn it back off when you're done).
How to Prevent Adobe Reader from Opening PDFs in Internet Explorer
There is an easy way to prevent Adobe Reader and Acrobat from automatically rendering PDF files in your browser. Make this one small tweak, and henceforth you'll be notified if a website tries to open a PDF in your browser.
Configure Password Security Settings in Mac OS X 10.5 and 10.6
So you've setup your login password and disabled the guest account. There's just one more set of password tweaks you need to make to secure your new Mac. Here's how to configure the general security settings to take full advantage of your system password.
How to Configure the Mac OS X Firewall
Firewalls are must-have protection, regardless of the operating system or hardware you choose. All versions of Mac OS X include a built-in firewall, but you will need to enable it or make a few tweaks for optimum security.
Setting a Login Password for Mac OS X 10.5 and 10.6
Passwords prevent unauthorized access to your computer. Setting login passwords is easy on Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) and 10.6 (Snow Leopard). Just follow the step-by-step instructions below.
Disable Guest Account in Mac OS X 10.5 and 10.6
Unless you plan on sharing your MacBook or iMac with random people, there's really no good reason to have an active guest account. Follow these steps to disable the guest login account on Mac OS X 10.5 and 10.6.
How to Remove sshnas.dll and sshhnas21.dll Trojans
The files sshnas.dll and sshnas21.dll are part of a trojan that redirects search engine results in Google, Yahoo, and Bing searches. Both Firefox and Internet Explorer are affected. Here's how to manually remove the files associated with a sshnas.dll and sshnas21.dll trojan infection.
How to Delete a Service in Windows 7, Vista, or XP
Malware often installs itself as a Windows service in order to load when Windows is started. This allows the malware to run and control designated functions without requiring user interaction. Sometimes, antivirus software removes the malware but leaves the service settings behind. Whether cleaning up after an antivirus removal, or attempting to remove the malware manually, knowing how to delete a service in Windows 7, Vista, or XP will help.
Make Adobe Reader and Acrobat Safer to Use
ulnerabilities in Adobe Reader and Adobe Acrobat are the number one most common infection vector, bar none. Making sure you stay up-to-date with the latest version of Adobe products is imperative, but not foolproof. To use Adobe Reader (and Acrobat) safely, you need to make a few tweaks to its settings. Following are the must-make security changes you need to make in Adobe Reader and/or Adobe Acrobat.
Prevent SWF (Flash) Exploits in Mac or Unix versions of Adobe Reader and Acrobat
Adobe Flash Player 10.0.45.2 and earlier contains a vulnerability that is exploitable via Adobe Reader and Acrobat. Windows, Macintosh, Linux and Solaris operating systems are all vulnerable to the exploit if Adobe Reader or Acrobat is used.
Prevent SWF (Flash) in Adobe PDF files
Adobe Flash Player 10.0.45.2 and earlier contains a vulnerability that is exploitable via Adobe Reader and Acrobat. Windows, Macintosh, Linux and Solaris operating systems are all vulnerable to the exploit if Adobe Reader or Acrobat is used.