Speed Up Your Computer Today with Free Tips and Help

There are many ways that can make a slow computer such as a virus, spyware, registry problems, or hard drive fragmentation. There are some tips and guides to repair a slow running computer and tips on how to keep it running at maximum efficiency.

Below are some of the top tips increase speed of your computer:

1) Clean the Registry - Cleaning Your Registry is a best way to speed up a computer. You've probably noticed that your system gets slower and slower as time passes. Often times, this is caused by Registry problems, accumulated as a result of installing and uninstalling programs.

2) Defragment Your Hard Drive - A fragmented hard drive can really slow down your computer. Defragmenting is a pretty easy and painless operation and can really boost performance.

3) Remove Spyware and Viruses - One of the most common reasons for a slow computer is a virus or spyware. ComputerTooSlow.com offers tips and help on removing these from your PC.

4) Remove Unused Programs - Old and unused programs are taking up space and slowing down your overall PC performance. Removing these old programs can help speed up your pc.

5) Update PC Drivers - Old or ancient drivers may cause a number of problems, from diminished hardware functionality to conflicts and system crashes. Keeping your drivers up to date is necessary for optimal PC performance.

Antivirus AntiSpyware 2011 on the Attack of Computers!

Remove the Antivirus AntiSpyware 2011 rogueware! It's a scam! Do not trust it! These are all warnings related to the rogueware, named Antivirus Antispyware 2011 which has recently showed up on the web. Be sure you don't install this fake software, otherwise, you will have problems with your PC.

Is Antivirus Antispyware 2011 so dangerous after all? The answer is positive. Unfortunately, many computer users all around the world have announced that they are in trouble because of this fake av wandering on the web. Usually, it pretends to be an online scanner which states it can remove all the threats and fix the system. However, you should never trust this fake software.

Otherwise, you will be in trouble. Once Antivirus Antispyware 2011 is installed on your computer, it will start messing the entire system. Starting from modifying Windows Registry, the Trojans will keep chaning registry keys and adding new registry entries. In most cases, Antivirus Antispyware 2011 will start together with Windows, so you will keep noticing that system scans are performed every single time.

Just bear in mind that this rogueware does not detect the real threat on your machine - all the results are simulated in advance and should never be trusted. The scammers try to convince computer users to pay money for the useless software and leave them in troubles. Don't ever think that Antivirus Antispyware 2011 is able to help you. Be sure you get rid of it as soon as you notice it installed.

Top 10 Signs Your Computer Is Infected

AVG has produced the following guide of the 10 most common symptoms of computer infection:

1. When computer is running unusually slowly.
If a PC has been infected by a virus, worm, Trojan or some other form of malware, it could be running tasks that consume a lot of resources, making the system run more slowly than usual.

2. When computer keeps popping up messages. If pop-ups and messages appear on the desktop, either advertising things or saying that the PC is infected, the computer probably has a malware infection. Spyware or adware is also commonly used as well as fake anti-virus programs (also called "rogueware") to deceive the user into parting
with financial details.

3. When connect to the Internet, windows open or my browser displays web pages I have not requested. Many threats are designed to redirect traffic to certain web sites against the user's will, and can even cause browsers to display spoof web pages. Normally this happens when looking for something in a search engine or when
typing a URL into an address bar. The user presumes they have opened a legitimate website when really they have been taken to a malicious imitation. The free AVG LinkScanner on Windows or Mac computers will help protect from these web pages.

4. When you cannot connect to the Internet or it runs very slowly. Loss of Internet communication is another common symptom of malware infection. This problem could also be due to the Internet service provider (ISP) or modem router. If a computer has been infected, the malware could be connecting to a URL or opening separate connection sessions, thereby reducing available bandwidth.

5. When anti-virus has disappeared, firewall is disabled. Another typical characteristic of malware threats is

that they disable the security software already installed on computers. If one security protection layer shuts down it might be a specific software failure. However, if all security components are disabled, the computer is infected.

6. Applications won't start or the computer keeps crashing. This is when infection causes applications from the start menu or desktop to stop working and other programs to run. This could either be caused by an update or poor installation process or if the computer unexpectedly or erratically crashes persistently then it may be due to malware. This especially happens when trying to open up a security program, or trying to fix malware problems.

7. When computer has new programs. If there are new programs on the computer's desktop that have been downloaded and installed without consent or knowledge, it's likely the computer is infected. Usually these programs have explicit or illegal content and it's near impossible to delete them like a normal program.

8. Where have files gone? There are malware threats designed to delete or encrypt information. Others move documents from one place to another. Some remove the library files for running games, security software and other programs. If a computer is in this situation, it's highly likely to be infected.

9. When computer is speaking a strange language. Certain infections cause the language of certain applications to change or the screen to appear back-to-front.

10. When computer has a mind of its own. If the computer starts acting on its own or sends emails without your knowledge, it is infected. Other signs include Internet sessions or applications opening sporadically.

Protect Your Computer With Free Anti-Virus Software

Free Anti-Virus Programs

So you've been using the free McAfee or Norton antivirus software that came with your computer, but the subscription will expire in a few days. Should you shell out another $49, or try one of those free anti-virus programs?

If your computer is running slow... your high-speed internet connection feels like dial up... and popups are popping up everywhere, what's wrong? It could be a computer virus, or perhaps a bunch of viruses, infecting your hard drive. Viruses not only take up valuable memory and slow down your computer, they can also expose your personal information to Evil Hackers.

The good news is, there are plenty of free anti-virus programs that can clean up the mess and keep you safe going forward. Here are some of the most popular and highly rated:

* AVG is one of the most often recommend freeware anti-virus packages. It provides very effective protection from the most common threats.

* Avira Anti-Vir - claims over 30 million users worldwide, and the free Personal Edition gets excellent reviews.

* Microsoft Security Essentials is a new free security tool from Microsoft. It's meant to provide protection not just from viruses, but also spyware and other cyber-nasties as well.

Look for free virus protection that comes with frequent, automatic updates and covers all viruses, not just the major threats. If you aren't getting regular updates, at least once every two weeks, you should consider another program. New viruses are created every day, so you need constant, up-to-date protection.

Do you really need paid anti-virus software? That depends on you. If you or others in your household are prone to visit the dark corners of the Internet (peer-to-peer music/movie downloads, adult sites or warez), or if you have children that will click and download almost ANYTHING, then you will probably want the best protection possible. Generally, the commercial anti-virus packages with monthly subscriptions offer very high levels of protection, fast updates when new viruses are found, and good customer support. You should also consider a paid anti-virus package if you run a business, or if you have sensitive information on your computer. It's a small price to pay to ensure that your data is secure.

In summary, don't take your Internet security lightly. You really DO need good anti-virus protection to stay safe online. And for most people, the free anti-virus programs will work just fine. Take one for a test drive and decide for yourself.

Kaspersky Lab warns of new 'Twitter worm'

MANILA, Philippines - Kaspersky Lab, a developer of secure content and threat management solutions, is warning users of a Twitter worm which redirects users to a rogue anti-virus application.
The recently discovered Twitter worm takes advantage of the microblogging site's shortened links, which are obscure compared to the original uniform resource locator (URL) or link address.
Hackers are able to lure a user into their infected URLs since a user doesn't know what it contains, said Kaspersky Lab malware researcher Nicolas Brulez.
Upon clicking the link, a user will receive a warning that his computer is running "suspicious applications."
He will then be asked to "remove all threats" and download a "Security Shield" rogue anti-virus, which will then infect the computer with malicious programs.
As the Twitter worm continues to spread, Kaspersky urged Internet users, particularly those with Twitter accounts, to be more careful when clicking on truncated links and when downloading programs, even anti-virus software.
The company is also offering a "heuristic analyzer" which can help detect this kind of threat.

Fraud Theft by Rouge Anti-Virus Software

Fraud theft has many faces – none of which are pretty – but perhaps the most insidious is that of Rouge Anti-Virus Software scams.

One of the newest virus threats online comes to your computer as a true “wolf wrapped in sheep’s clothing.” System Tool 2011, and other such malware, is being e-mailed to computers all over the world, causing damage and bilking its victims out of hundreds of dollars.

The Scam

Unless you work, live, and breathe for computers, you probably aren’t familiar with online theft information regarding the term “rogue” anti-virus software until you become a victim. This is not optimal way to learn about the deleterious effects it can have on your computer and bank accounts.

Rogue anti-virus software is spread over the Internet the same way other viruses are: in e-mail attachments, as a part of a shareware software bundle all with the help of a Trojan. (Trojans are software packets that sneak inside your hard drive hiding within another download, much the same way the actual warriors hid inside the horse.) One of the most successful, and most damaging, of these rogue anit-virus programs is System Tool (also known as systemtool and System Tool 2011).

Rogue anti-viruses have no affinity for malware, Trojan, or other harmful programs’ removal because they are in and of themselves malware. Their real and only purpose is theft fraud by capturing your credit card information under false pretenses. This qualifies rogue virus software as identity fraud theft scams at their finest.

Antivirus, the perfect Christmas gift: AFP

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has urged Australians to buy antivirus for their loved ones for Christmas to give them the gift of protection from Internet malicious threats.
In a joint release with the Australian Bankers Association, the AFP said that given the number of computers in Australia, antivirus was a present which probably wouldn't go astray.
"With almost half of Australia's population being active internet users, a practical idea for a Christmas gift might be antivirus software for the household computer," it said.
The release then warned consumers to be watchful when buying presents online, investigating retailers before buying products from them and not showing information to online retailers they don't need.
"Cyber criminals and internet fraudsters don't take holidays and neither should internet shoppers' vigilance when it comes to online safety," the release said.

Source: http://www.zdnet.com.au/antivirus-the-perfect-christmas-gift-afp-339307789.htm