1. Computing & Technology

Updated Articles and Resources

From Mary Landesman, Former About.com Guide since 2000

Updated Articles and Resources
  • Tips and Tricks for Free Virus Removal Video Created: Wednesday, May 23, 2012 Updated: Wednesday, May 23, 2012
    Free virus removal is an essential tool for every computer. Watch this tips video from About.com for tips on free virus removal and how to make sure your computer stays free of malware.
  • Best Free Antivirus Software Video Created: Monday, May 07, 2012 Updated: Monday, May 07, 2012
    Anti-virus software can be overwhelming to fish through. In this software video from About.com, get thorough reviews of some of the best free anti-virus software programs so you'll always be protec..
  • How to Disable AutoComplete in Internet Explorer Video Created: Monday, March 19, 2012 Updated: Monday, March 19, 2012
    AutoComplete in Internet Explorer can be a very useful shortcut, but you may want to disable the feature or clear the entries. Watch this About.com video tutorial for a step-by-step guide to disabl..
  • How to Disable AutoComplete in Firefox Video Created: Monday, March 19, 2012 Updated: Monday, March 19, 2012
    The AutoComplete feature in FireFox can be useful at times, but you can customize the settings to clear entries or turn off AutoComplete altogether. Watch this video tutorial from About.com to lear..
  • Have You Ever Been Side-Swiped by a Drive-By Download? Created: Wednesday, February 10, 2010 Updated: Wednesday, February 15, 2012
    Though the victim is often blamed for the infection, most malware infestations through no fault of the user. You're cruising along surfing the Web and get sideswiped by a malicious ad or compromise..
  • Have You Ever Been Scammed? Created: Wednesday, February 10, 2010 Updated: Wednesday, February 15, 2012
    You probably wouldn't knowingly launder money or steal from small businesses. But if you fall victim to a payment processing scam, you may be doing just that. And it will be your own money that get..
  • 60 Minutes, Conficker, and April's Fool Created: Tuesday, March 31, 2009 Updated: Wednesday, February 15, 2012
    Is the Conficker worm set to detonate some evil payload on April 1st? According to 60 Minutes, it seems so. Here's the non-FUD behind the Conficker worm.
  • Should President Obama Twitter? Created: Monday, May 04, 2009 Updated: Wednesday, February 15, 2012
    Should President Barack Obama use Twitter? Or do the risks outweigh the rewards?
  • Fear-Based Reporting: Have You Been a Victim? Created: Tuesday, March 31, 2009 Updated: Wednesday, February 15, 2012
    Fear sells. Whether intentional or otherwise, this can sometimes work to the advantage of the media and the disadvantage of consumers. Have you ever been influenced by fear-based reporting, only to..
  • Write a Review: Best and Worst Antivirus Software> Created: Tuesday, August 10, 2010 Updated: Wednesday, February 15, 2012
    Which antivirus software do you like the most? Least? Here's your chance to weigh in with your antivirus software experiences and let your opinion be known.
  • Best and Worst Antivirus Software Created: Tuesday, August 10, 2010 Updated: Wednesday, February 15, 2012
    Which antivirus software do you like the most? Least? Here's your chance to weigh in with your antivirus software experiences and let your opinion be known.
  • Top Windows Antivirus Created: Friday, June 15, 2007 Updated: Saturday, February 11, 2012
    Antivirus software is must-have protection. This review picks the best antivirus software based on its virus detection abilities, features, and breadth of protection. All tests performed on Windows..
  • Bitdefender Sphere: Internet Security for Windows, Mac, and Android Created: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 Updated: Tuesday, January 31, 2012
    Bitdefender Sphere solves a modern day problem faced by today's home user: how to cost effectively protect a wide range of disparate devices against malware and other online threats.
  • A Breach of Trust: Why Home Users Need to Perform Risk Assessment Created: Monday, January 30, 2012 Updated: Monday, January 30, 2012
    It's not a matter of if a data breach will occur, it's a matter of when. And most home users are unprepared. The answer isn't antivirus or other security software. The real solution lies in underst..
  • Avira Internet Security 2012 Created: Wednesday, January 11, 2012 Updated: Wednesday, January 11, 2012
    Avira Internet Security 2012 provides solid protection against malware and holistic protection against all forms of Internet threats.
  • Best Antivirus for Netbooks and Older PCs Created: Tuesday, August 17, 2010 Updated: Wednesday, December 21, 2011
    Older PCs and netbooks often have limited system resources available. Finding the right antivirus that won't slow down these older systems is key.
  • How to Configure the Mac OS X Firewall Created: Wednesday, September 01, 2010 Updated: Wednesday, December 21, 2011
    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 twe..
  • Configure Password Security Settings in Mac OS X 10.5 and 10.6 Created: Wednesday, September 01, 2010 Updated: Wednesday, December 21, 2011
    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 securit..
  • Disable Guest Account in Mac OS X 10.5 and 10.6 Created: Wednesday, September 01, 2010 Updated: Wednesday, December 21, 2011
    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 ..
  • Setting a Login Password for Mac OS X 10.5 and 10.6 Created: Wednesday, September 01, 2010 Updated: Wednesday, December 21, 2011
    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.
  • Package Tracking Scams Created: Wednesday, December 21, 2011 Updated: Wednesday, December 21, 2011
    Package delivery and shipping scams are all too common. This simple tip will keep you from being fooled.
  • System Fix (aka SystemFix) Scareware Created: Wednesday, December 21, 2011 Updated: Wednesday, December 21, 2011
    System Fix, aka SystemFix, is a particularly insidious form of scareware that completely disrupts the infected computer in order to trick its victims.
  • Phishing Scams Created: Thursday, September 01, 2011 Updated: Tuesday, December 20, 2011
    How to spot, report, and stop phishing scams.
  • Website compromises at UNC Chapel Hill Created: Tuesday, November 15, 2011 Updated: Tuesday, November 15, 2011
    The first step in solving any problem is first understanding you have a problem. This is particularly true when it comes to managing the problems brought on by website compromises and date breaches..
  • Returnil Virtual System Created: Thursday, November 10, 2011 Updated: Thursday, November 10, 2011
    Deciding whether Returnil Virtual System is right for you requires careful consideration. To help you decide, here's an in depth discussion of the pros and cons of Returnil System Safe and Virtual ..
  • Pest Prevention: Bugs, Mice, and Antivirus Created: Wednesday, November 09, 2011 Updated: Wednesday, November 09, 2011
    So what do computer viruses and real life cockroaches have in common? Nothing really, except the lessons you learn from trying to overcome one can also be applied to the other.
  • JS.Fortnight worm redirects victims to porn sites Created: Wednesday, October 20, 2004 Updated: Tuesday, October 25, 2011
    The Fortnight worm arrives in the body of an html-rendered email, redirecting Internet Explorer to porn sites.
  • Klez Help Center Created: Monday, November 08, 2004 Updated: Tuesday, October 25, 2011
    The Klez virus uses a variety of techniques to fool and aggravate users
  • 4 Tips IT Security Experts Use Created: Tuesday, October 25, 2011 Updated: Tuesday, October 25, 2011
    IT security pros have a set of best practices they follow to help keep their enterprise secure. Here are these same IT security best practices adapted for home use.
  • What's In Your Inbox: Email Spam and Malware Trends, Mitigation Tips Created: Wednesday, October 05, 2011 Updated: Wednesday, October 05, 2011
    Tempted to buy that little blue pill or buy that cheap handbag? Chances are, you'll be swindled. Email scams succeed largely because victims fall prey to four basic motivators. Before you click tha..
  • What is a downloader trojan? Created: Wednesday, October 05, 2011 Updated: Wednesday, October 05, 2011
    A simple description of a downloader trojan.
  • Vipre Antivirus: User Review - Reader Reviews Best & Worst Antivirus Software Created: Saturday, September 17, 2011 Updated: Saturday, September 17, 2011
    User review of Vipre antivirus

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