Ask the Expert Q5: Why am I getting all this Junk Email (Spam)

A: SPAM or Unsolicited Commercial Email is something that effects almost all email users by filling their email box with advertising for products they never asked for.

Who do companies do it? Because people click on the adds and buy things. Email is cheap to send, and if one person in a million buys something, you can still make a profit. Note that in Australia SPAM is illegal (see Spam Act 2003 http://www.dcita.gov.au/ie/spam_home)

What can you do? Many ISPs can filter SPAM, and there is a variety of desktop software you can use to filter your messages before you have to read them. For a list of some effective filtering tools, see http://www.techdoctor.com.au/spam

Other tips: Don’t click on links in spam, even unsubscribe links; all it does is tell the spammer this is a real live email address. In fact don’t click on links in any email, unless you are 100% sure of who sent it and why. Don’t ever buy from spammers. Just delete it, or get a filter.

For more information contact The Tech Doctor Network on 1300 TECH DR that’s 1300 832 437 – www.techdoctor.com.au

Ask the Expert Q4: Can I connect more than one computer to the internet?

A: Yes you can. Basically all Internet Service Providers (ISPs) now allow you to have more than one computer connected to your broadband internet connection (check your ISP agreement). If you are still using dialup, it can be done, but it’s beyond the scope of this article.

To connect multiple computers to a broadband connection, you need a router. This is a device that plugs into your ADSL or Cable Modem and handles the functions to log you into your ISP. The router may also provide network switch points, Wireless functionality and other features including VOIP interfaces. You can even get routers that contain an ADSL modem so that you have everything in one box

Many of these devices are available, and some are easy enough to set up the basics yourself, but if you would like to be able to select from a range of routers and pick one that works for your situation, The Tech Doctor can order one for you and install it usually within a few days. For more information contact The Tech Doctor Network on 1300 TECH DR that’s 1300 832 437 – www.techdoctor.com.au

Ask the Expert Q3: Why is my computer running slow?

A: There are several reasons why a computer will start to feel slow. The first and easiest to fix is Disk Fragmentation. Fragmentation is caused when files are changed and deleted on your hard disk. This causes windows to jump from one part of the disk to another to collect the contents of just one file. Defragmenting is easy, goto Start>All Programs>Accessories>System Tools>Disk Defragmenter. Decreased performance combined with the disk light always on or excess noise may indicate serious disk problems. Get these checked by a profeessional.

In many computers, slowness is caused by the fact that you have simply overstretched your computer, and you are using it for a lot more things than you used to. Check how much memory you have by going to Start>Control Panels>System. 512Mb of RAM is a realistic minimum, but for many computers, an extra 1Gb (1024Mb) can cost as little as $154 plus installation (around $44)

Another major cause of slowness is Viruses and spyware. See last months Q&A or visit http://www.techdoctor.com.au/software/ to see some software available for cleaning your machine

Registry overload is another common cause of computer sluggishness, especially if you have installed and uninstalled a lot of programs (especially all those games the kids put on). Every program seems to leave a bit of itself behind in Window’s registry, the place where it tries to keep everything about your system in order.

Having too many background processes (usually represented by all the icons in the system tray, down beside the clock) can really slow your system down, as each of those programs is using up memory and processor time. It’s best to have a good hard look at each one and decide if you really need it or not.

For more information
see http://www.techdoctor.com.au/slow/ or call The Tech Doctor 1300 TECH DR -
www.techdoctor.com.au

Ask the Expert Q2: What is Spyware/Adware/Malware and how do I protect myself?

A: Spyware and Adware are specific forms of Malware (Malicious Software) that use ambiguity, coercion and deceit to lure or force users to install unwanted and often invasive programs on their computer.
Malware can get on your system if you are tricked into clicking on something you thought would be a helpful program or it may be automatically installed with another piece of software or just by visiting a website, if you have a security weakness in your system.
Malware can be identified because it often causes changes to the behaviour, look, or feel of your system without permission. If you have strange windows pop up, your desktop or the home page of your browser has changed, or your system crashes for no apparent reason, you probably have some form of Malware on your computer.

To protect your computer, you need to keep your system up to date with patches, install Windows Defender and use the Firefox web browser instead of Internet Explorer. (see

http://www.techdoctor.com.au/software/)

If you are already infected, there are tools you can use (see link) or call The Tech Doctor 1300 TECH DR that’s 1300 832 437 – www.techdoctor.com.au

re-printed with permission from Leader Newspapers

Ask the Expert Q1: What is Vista, and should I upgrade?

A: Microsoft Windows Vista is Microsoft’s latest Operating System, the replacement for Windows XP which has been on sale since October 25 2001. Vista ships in 4 forms: Home Basic, Home Premium, Business & Ultimate with prices ranging from $385 to $751 for a brand new copy (upgrades from Licensed copy of XP are cheaper).

The Home Basic version’s biggest push has been towards fixing security issues, but only time will tell if it really is more secure. The more expensive versions build on this with the new “Aero desktop experience” with glass-like menu bars and Live Thumbnails, as well as Media Centre functionality, expanded backup, Drive encryption, DVD Maker and New Games!

Should I upgrade? The answer is probably not on your existing hardware. Vista needs quite a powerful machine, so unless you were also intending to upgrade your existing hardware, especially in terms of memory and graphics processing, it might be better to wait until it is time to buy a new machine and have Vista pre-installed.

For more information, to upgrade or buy a new machine: contact the Tech Doctor Network on 1300 TECH DR or www.techdoctor.com.au

re-printed with permission from Leader Newspapers